|
| 1. |
|
07/18/07 |
Very Good |
 "...just manages to skirt overt sentimentality, Gauger's script effectively capitalizes on the compact cast's naturalistic acting and the city's lively immediacy..." |
| 2. |
|
01/24/08 |
Very Good |
 "A taut, stylish drama.... energetic pacing, proficient camerawork and broad-minded approach allow director de Montreuil to balance the foreboding that overshadows the narrative with a sense of expectant possibility." |
| 3. |
|
03/07/08 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...well-intentioned... Over the past 30 years, 100,000 people have been shot and 15,000 murdered... more than even the long-running Northern Ireland conflict." |
| 4. |
|
04/21/08 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Zhang Lu's film reveals scant detail about his characters or their situations... While slice-of-life might suffice for docus, viewers may expect rather more revelation from this lengthy, occasionally engrossing film." |
| 5. |
|
07/07/08 |
Very Good |
 "...thrives in that increasingly fertile stylistic niche combining documentary and narrative aesthetics.... a simple character-driven story... the genuine article." |
| 6. |
|
07/24/08 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Appealing, if derivative... A unique setting isn't enough to elevate this overcoming-adversity docu above similar films." |
| 7. |
|
11/07/08 |
Poor |
 "...bereft of redeeming qualities... the genre's conventions require clever and skillful tweaking to rise above crude exploitation. In this case, the filmmakers aren't up to the challenge." |
| 8. |
|
01/17/09 |
Very Good |
 "A rousing music doc that's virtually as entertaining as being there.... marks a winning tribute to the diversity of the black musical experience." |
| 9. |
|
01/19/09 |
Excellent |
 "This smartly crafted feature debut appealingly capitalizes on its star's well-worn persona." |
| 10. |
|
01/25/09 |
Moderate |
 "...ultimately gets overwhelmed by the more conventional subplot tracking Yi's budding 'relationship' with Cera, an appealing narrative thread that remains unresolved." |
| 11. |
|
01/26/09 |
Outstanding |
 "A suspenseful, compelling indictment of Japan's deadly dolphin-exploitation industry." |
| 12. |
|
01/26/09 |
Good |
 "Consistent with her ice queen reputation, Wintour is often disconcertingly direct and frequently unfeeling, though not without a dry sense of humor." |
| 13. |
|
01/28/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...when the film departs from the specifics of its unique world in favor of more conventional genre execution, it leaves the characters and audience adrift." |
| 14. |
|
01/29/09 |
Fair |
 "...a low-key mystery that's initially engaging but ultimately lacks sufficient intrigue to sustain interest.... represents a major missed opportunity..." |
| 15. |
|
01/30/09 |
Fair |
 "...an attempt at comic allegory that stretches a thin premise... Helmer's filmmaking skills aren't sufficient to the task of forging a coherent vision for the film." |
| 16. |
|
01/30/09 |
Very Good |
 "...gingerly probes wounds that are still healing with admirable empathy and insight.... endeavors to focus exclusively on the home front..." |
| 17. |
|
06/30/09 |
Excellent |
 "...a thrilling personal tour of three exceptional electric guitarists' careers that's equally appealing to musicians and rock enthusiasts alike." |
| 18. |
|
07/08/09 |
Very Good |
 "...an empathetic doc about how a commitment to conservation can have unexpectedly beneficial effects on personal relationships, as well as the environment." |
| 19. |
|
10/07/09 |
Outstanding |
 "An absorbing character study of an unnervingly erratic woman, featuring a standout lead actress performance." |
| 20. |
|
01/25/10 |
Very Good |
 "...shapes the wide-ranging material into a comprehensive and compelling narrative.... a clearly favorable treatment of the Pakistani leader's mixed legacy..." |
