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| 1. |
|
01/09/09 |
Weak |
 "That poor Vera Wang gown has to carry the movie, and that's too much to ask of any dress. Right now, the Wang is probably calling up the green gown from 'Atonement'..." |
| 2. |
|
01/09/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "It's predictable but ultimately moving; a glimpse of a bond near-broken yet straining to become whole again." |
| 3. |
|
01/16/09 |
Very Good |
 "...filled with many unexpected pleasures.... ultimately a sweet reminder of the importance of family and community, human and canine alike." |
| 4. |
|
01/16/09 |
Moderate |
 "...substitutes a string of pratfalls, fat jokes, karaoke songs and two-wheeled stunts for plot. Though it has a few weirdly inspired touches, it's just not particularly funny." |
| 5. |
|
01/30/09 |
Weak |
 "...a few chase scenes are undeniably exciting, but mostly it's a grim, violent and predictable tale of a young girl in unthinkable distress." |
| 6. |
|
01/30/09 |
Weak |
 "...a by-the-numbers thriller... goes through its motions efficiently, if soullessly.... A plot twist at the end is unexpected, for a second -- but it's one we've seen before." |
| 7. |
|
01/30/09 |
Moderate |
 "...sometimes it's cute, but there's nothing fresh here; it's a Bridget-Jones-meets-'Baby Boom'/fish-out-of-water/opposites-attract kind of thing." |
| 8. |
|
02/06/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...sneaks up on you like a cat in a night-lit hallway. Children who like being scared will get a kick out of this wildly creative movie; adults needn't have a child in tow to enjoy..." |
| 9. |
|
02/06/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Though it's overlong (five stories here are too many), there's much to enjoy... Ginnifer Goodwin (TV's 'Big Love') is an inspired screwball comedian..." |
| 10. |
|
02/13/09 |
Moderate |
 "There's only one reason to watch the silly chick-lit-flick... It is the great Kristin Scott Thomas, who plays a French fashion-magazine editrix named Alette." |
| 11. |
|
02/13/09 |
Moderate |
 "...moves like a very expensive machine.... Everything about it is good-looking, tautly paced and sophisticated; what it isn't, unfortunately, is memorable." |
| 12. |
|
02/27/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...the remarkable intimacy Gray finds with his cast lifts the movie up as its quiet story unfolds... When it's over, you're left a little shaken, as if it all happened next door." |
| 13. |
|
02/27/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Such a brief glimpse into these women's lives and art whets the appetite for more; alas, 'Ballerina' ends far too quickly, leaving only their willowy shadows behind." |
| 14. |
|
03/05/09 |
Moderate |
 "Does this movie have superpowers of its own, perpetually expanding to fill any amount of time?... has the power to stupefy." |
| 15. |
|
03/06/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...a wistful and enchanting trip down the rabbit hole of childhood.... Elle Fanning, her blue eyes enormous and wondering, gives a performance without a false note." |
| 16. |
|
03/06/09 |
Very Good |
 "A quiet, moving tale of love and loss... The journey is a pilgrimage, taken by one spouse in memory of another." |
| 17. |
|
03/13/09 |
Moderate |
 "Given enough popcorn, kids should find it diverting; adults may be less than enthralled.... the movie's central problem: Nobody here has a personality." |
| 18. |
|
03/13/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...tells the moving story of a woman who finds art -- and meaning -- through photography." |
| 19. |
|
03/20/09 |
Moderate |
 "...a story about poet Dylan Thomas (sort of) that has nothing to say about poetry and little to say about love -- or anything else." |
| 20. |
|
03/20/09 |
Very Good |
 "...has more than its share of indie clichés, but it's wonderfully cast and often a pleasure to watch. Emily Blunt is wickedly good..." |
