|
| 1. |
|
05/10/12 |
Outstanding |
 "...what the film lacks in specificity and interest in taking sides, it makes up for in style, authentic emotion, and terrific performances." |
| 2. |
|
04/26/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...gets increasingly conventional as it goes on, until Poe becomes just another action hero, following an increasingly illogical, National Treasure-esque set of clues..." |
| 3. |
|
04/26/12 |
Very Good |
 "...comes with all the usual Aardman strengths intact, particularly the sense that its characters and creators alike are too good-hearted and sweet to nitpick." |
| 4. |
|
03/29/12 |
Good |
 "...visually striking... the whole thing feels like a grab bag of bits that don't entirely cohere. At least Roberts seems to be having a blast." |
| 5. |
|
03/08/12 |
Very Good |
 "...feels spontaneous, garish, sometimes ugly, and sometimes simply random. But that may be the most proper way to approach P-Orridge's life: It's an imitative, illustrative portrait rather than simple reporting." |
| 6. |
|
03/08/12 |
Poor |
 "...ridiculous... while the ending is wretchedly fakey and predictable, Murphy in subdued mode gives it a little authentic sweetness." |
| 7. |
|
03/08/12 |
Fair |
 "Westfeldt has a tendency to go over the top, and 'Friends With Kids' in particular has a shrill, smug edge that kills the comedy and the drama alike." |
| 8. |
|
03/01/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...a dark story with a heavy message, and it has been transformed into a harmless, pretty confection. In defanging it for comic effect, the filmmakers have done Seuss as much of a disrespectful disservice as if they'd laid on the fart gags." |
| 9. |
|
03/01/12 |
Very Good |
 "...the film's tricky style, which plays with time, voice, and expectations, goes a long way toward spinning intrigue out of a story that could have been cloying and flatly manipulative in other hands." |
| 10. |
|
02/24/12 |
Good |
 "...it's never fully convincing in the way it lays out a bread-crumb trail for its suffering protagonist to follow to the truth. But it does find a little new life in a familiar formula." |
| 11. |
|
02/15/12 |
Outstanding |
 "...nuanced enough to acknowledge how good intentions can be as damaging as bad ones, yet simple enough to take bittersweet pleasure in every aspect of life, whether happy or sad, just because it exists." |
| 12. |
|
02/09/12 |
Excellent |
 "...while the film sticks to formula, it brings across that formula effectively.... In a genre where the broad details have become this familiar, it's the small, needling ones that count." |
| 13. |
|
02/09/12 |
Outstanding |
 "...accomplishes more with splendid design and a compelling tone than with its thin story. But like 'The Illusionist,' it's a heady wonder for fans of the music, the era, or visual creative art in general." |
| 14. |
|
01/20/12 |
Poor |
 "The story, the acting, the action choreography, and the direction all remain unvaried throughout. Watching the film is strangely like looking at the same three still frames of supernatural battles over and over for 90 minutes." |
| 15. |
|
01/19/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...individual performances and scenes are striking and masterful, but taken as a whole, it's less a film than a rallying cry of 'Our people feel more deeply than yours.' " |
| 16. |
|
01/12/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Actor-turned-writer/director Todd Graff ('Camp,' 'Bandslam') delivers admirably on the song sequences, but falls down in other areas..." |
| 17. |
|
12/29/11 |
Fair |
 "Director Phyllida Lloyd ('Mamma Mia!') conveys too many of Thatcher's efforts, ups, and downs through upbeat musical montages and parades of interactions without weight." |
| 18. |
|
12/20/11 |
Excellent |
 "...a solid ride... while it's essentially just another slick Spielberg action machine, it's operating effectively on all cylinders..." |
| 19. |
|
11/22/11 |
Excellent |
 "...charming... a beautifully shot, beautifully acted piece of fluff." |
| 20. |
|
11/17/11 |
Very Good |
 "...delights in graphic depictions of birdshit, a penguin pissing himself, and flying snot-bubbles popping out of a character's nose. When it comes to CGI kids' movies, adult viewers can't have everything." |
