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| 1. |
|
07/07/11 |
Fair |
 "As a study in insanity, 'Zookeeper' is mildly interesting. But as a kiddie comedy, it's something to watch only once the little ones have worn out their 'Dr. Doolittle' DVD." |
| 2. |
|
06/14/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...once the film does settle on a trajectory, it loses its way, paying off its investment in its characters with a whopper of a contrivance..." |
| 3. |
|
11/03/11 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Some touches, particularly the ending, are eye-rollers... it's pleasant enough, though best countered with some sturm und drang within 24 hours of viewing." |
| 4. |
|
09/24/10 |
Moderate |
 "...even the best performers can only do so much to elevate mediocre material. In the long run, good or bad, the material always wins." |
| 5. |
|
10/04/12 |
Outstanding |
 "...an unexpected take on 'Wuthering Heights,' one made all the more powerful, and no less faithful, for its unconventional choices." |
| 6. |
|
06/10/10 |
Outstanding |
 "Lawrence carries herself like someone who knows the rules of the world and the cost of breaking them." |
| 7. |
|
11/11/10 |
Good |
 "...offers a concise summary of Burroughs' life and works. Maybe too concise.... hits all the major touchstones..." |
| 8. |
|
12/22/11 |
Moderate |
 "...an odd, unsatisfying combination that moves from mopey drama one moment to a reaction shot of a monkey smacking his forehead in exasperation the next." |
| 9. |
|
02/17/11 |
Very Good |
 "Jorge Michel Grau effectively mixes wry, bloody, deadpan gags, family drama, and stomach-churning violence.... It's just another day in one of the world's dark places..." |
| 10. |
|
12/22/11 |
Outstanding |
 "Spielberg's exactitude always serves the film's emotional directness, as do the openhearted performances of the actors (both human and otherwise)." |
| 11. |
|
09/23/10 |
Moderate |
 "...urgency evaporates the deeper it gets into the plot... little more than a reminder that we all got, and remain, screwed. Noted." |
| 12. |
|
11/17/11 |
Outstanding |
 "Paddy Considine directs with the confidence of a veteran, giving his actors room to work while letting an ominous, overcast mood hang over almost every scene." |
| 13. |
|
12/21/10 |
Outstanding |
 "...simultaneously rollicking and grave, alternating moments of fine dark humor with startling violence as it drags Mattie into the world of adult responsibilities..." |
| 14. |
|
09/20/12 |
Very Good |
 "Adams and Eastwood find real drama in material that, like its star, is creaky but sturdy, turning it into a study of lost opportunities and parental regret." |
| 15. |
|
12/08/11 |
Outstanding |
 "...theaters would need only to pipe in cigarette smoke and the rattle of a failing Eastern Bloc HVAC system to make the experience immersive." |
| 16. |
|
05/05/11 |
Excellent |
 "...a film with its own identity, the simple, thrilling story of a handsome god who falls to Earth and reminds everyone what heroes do." |
| 17. |
|
02/25/10 |
Moderate |
 "...feels as familiar as it is insubstantial... It's nice to see a film unafraid to be quiet and sensitive, but one good gust of coastal breeze would blow this one away." |
| 18. |
|
02/02/12 |
Moderate |
 "...gets its scares on the cheap... It's scary, but it's the easy sort of scary." |
| 19. |
|
02/11/10 |
Moderate |
 "...the story feels thinned-out, as if merely establishing the elements of a fur-covered family melodrama were enough.... this is a monster too polite for its own good." |
| 20. |
|
07/26/12 |
Moderate |
 "...a fine cast of funny people, familiar roles and all, but it places a bit too much confidence in the idea that simply putting funny people together will be enough." |
