|
| 1. |
|
02/13/09 |
Good |
 "...character development and cogent storytelling are in short supply. Yeah, so? The set pieces -- these are what matter, and they deliver the goods." |
| 2. |
|
03/06/09 |
Excellent |
 "Beautifully shot and full of exquisite detail... explores the conflict between duty and desire..." |
| 3. |
|
03/13/09 |
Very Good |
 "...argues that economic neglect, institutional racism and covert government operations fueled the 1965 and 1992 riots and created the leadership vacuum..." |
| 4. |
|
03/20/09 |
Good |
 "...criticisms of story and acting seem nitpicky in the face of the special effects, which are awesome... Proyas gives the film's handful of disaster sequences great impact." |
| 5. |
|
04/10/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...it's exceedingly formal and deliberate, evidently labored over and has a late plot twist that almost ruins everything. But these are noble, purposeful flaws." |
| 6. |
|
05/15/09 |
Very Good |
 "...a formulaic tear-jerker built around an adorable little orphan girl... With reasonable expectations, chances are that this modest urban fairy tale will charm you." |
| 7. |
|
05/22/09 |
Weak |
 "The tentative romance between Dali and Lorca is the story's focus; it's staged prettily enough, yet something doesn't add up." |
| 8. |
|
06/05/09 |
Very Good |
 "...the story's tone is dramatic but frustrated and slyly deadpan at heart." |
| 9. |
|
06/12/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...continually explores surprising, rewarding territory; even an erotically charged subplot dovetails nicely with themes of vengeance, mortality and renewal." |
| 10. |
|
06/12/09 |
Moderate |
 "...an offbeat buddy movie about Yvan (writer-director Bouli Lanners), a dealer of vintage American cars; and lost-puppy junkie Didier (Fabrice Adde)." |
| 11. |
|
06/19/09 |
Good |
 "The film is spare and a bit static, the plot a buildup of mundane moments, but Kim's conceptual smarts and firm direction are impressive, as are the performances..." |
| 12. |
|
06/19/09 |
Good |
 "...hews to a stable and surprisingly poignant path.... The compelling final scene avoids false uplift as it quietly subverts genre expectations." |
| 13. |
|
06/26/09 |
Excellent |
 "...unclassifiable... an endearing mix of intimacy, attention to detail and decidedly local humor." |
| 14. |
|
07/03/09 |
Outstanding |
 "...richly observed and absurdly funny.... This is a terrific work that says what it needs to say without bringing in politics." |
| 15. |
|
07/03/09 |
Very Good |
 "...the chief delights are in little details such as the laconic, spot-on dialogue; a henchman who speaks only in haiku; and a martial-arts assassin whose skills are slipping because of a weakness for tequila." |
| 16. |
|
07/03/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "A Euro reboot of 'The Postman Always Rings Twice... oozes atmospheric cool that gives weight to occasional glimpses of human vulnerability." |
| 17. |
|
07/17/09 |
Very Good |
 "...tense, nicely shot... ends relatively quietly with an escape attempt that, depending on one's view, is either gratifying or tragic." |
| 18. |
|
07/17/09 |
Excellent |
 "...a feast of stirring sounds and sights.... it's got an exotic, unusual beat and you can dance to it." |
| 19. |
|
07/24/09 |
Moderate |
 "...average acting, slightly incoherent plotting and cheap special effects. But as a platform for ideas, there's a lot for genre fans to chew on." |
| 20. |
|
07/31/09 |
Fair |
 "...rarely engrosses as it poses the old 'meaning of life' query, then dances around the subject." |
