|
| 1. |
|
01/30/09 |
Fair |
 "...a crude but fairly effective thriller. Film spends a half-hour on character and the next 60 minutes on breathless movement." |
| 2. |
|
03/20/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Slight but satisfying... a low-key, character-driven diversion.... Malkovich is simultaneously sad and amusing. Young Hanks is fine as the movie's straight man..." |
| 3. |
|
05/20/09 |
Moderate |
 "...a case of diminishing returns. 'Salvation' so keeps its characters at arm's length that after a while it really doesn't matter what happens to them." |
| 4. |
|
06/19/09 |
Very Good |
 "The film is never as good as its parts - some of which are very good indeed. But Keaton establishes a palpable mood without getting all artsy. It's a good start." |
| 5. |
|
06/26/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...for many, just the premise of 'Sister's Keeper' will seem horribly manipulative. They cannot be blamed for approaching with caution." |
| 6. |
|
07/03/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...a memorable study in humanity rather than the sentimental bath it might have been.... a quietly compelling look at the extremes of the human condition." |
| 7. |
|
08/21/09 |
Outstanding |
 "Tarantino frequently seems to be testing how much he can get away with. The answer: a lot." |
| 8. |
|
09/03/09 |
Excellent |
 "The queen's English gets a deliriously profane workout... a savage political satire that makes a convincing argument that the idiots are in charge." |
| 9. |
|
09/11/09 |
Moderate |
 "...a federal marshal played by Kate Beckinsale strips down and takes a shower.... Why? No particular reason. But enjoy it while you can, fellas." |
| 10. |
|
09/25/09 |
Moderate |
 "...it never earns better than a C. And that's a shame, because the first 20 minutes of Kevin Tancharoen's remake suggest it could have been as good as the original." |
| 11. |
|
10/02/09 |
Outstanding |
 "Even atheists may find their world rocked... a simple documentary about a Buddhist monk's search for the reincarnated soul of his beloved teacher." |
| 12. |
|
10/23/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...plays it awfully safe. Under Mira Nair's direction, 'Amelia' is respectable and respectful, with a solid performance by two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank." |
| 13. |
|
10/23/09 |
Weak |
 "Evidently these characters would have more to do in sequels which, let us pray, we never have to sit through." |
| 14. |
|
10/30/09 |
Very Good |
 "It's kinda inspiring. It's also very funny." |
| 15. |
|
12/04/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "In rewriting the original Italian screenplay, Kirk Jones has wisely injected droll moments, giving the proceedings a more lived-in, less artificial atmosphere." |
| 16. |
|
12/25/09 |
Moderate |
 "...a romantic comedy not about shiny young things but about 50-somethings.... But something at the heart of Meyers' screenplay struck me as forced and phony..." |
| 17. |
|
12/25/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "There's so much spectacular female beauty on display in the lecherous fantasies of Rob Marshall's 'Nine' that it takes a while to realize there's not much else going on..." |
| 18. |
|
12/25/09 |
Very Good |
 "...a delectable blend of clear-eyed observation and flat-out swooning that pushes Emily Blunt a few steps closer to full-fledged stardom..." |
| 19. |
|
01/22/10 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...illustrates that getting religion doesn't end your problems - although it may provide a new set of tools for coping with them." |
| 20. |
|
02/05/10 |
Very Good |
 "...a heart-rending study of the mental and physical toll on two loving parents who are losing hope that their child can avoid life in an institution." |
