AltWeeklies Wire
Working Things Out in Funny Storynew
It's Kind of a Funny Story reaches for an ironic, self-aware tone but doesn't transcend its young adult fiction origins.
Animal Kingdom is a Tough Aussie Crime Dramanew
Degrees of depravity are the only way to assign relative villainy to these characters, and there are no heroes -- only those who don't deserve to die as much as others.
Tags: Animal Kingdom, David Michod
Catfish is Another Dodgy Docnew
One of the most buzzed-about films at this year's Sundance, Catfish examines the very real world of downtrodden, bored, criminally inclined or just mischievous people reinventing themselves in cyberspace.
The Curious Case of Joaquin Phoenix in I'm Still Herenew
I'm Still Here represents Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck -- both younger brothers of actors devoured by the tabloid press -- taking a giant dump on the entertainment industry.
Tags: I'm Still Here, Casey Affleck
Horny Teens Get a Mockumentary in The Virginity Hitnew
The Virginity Hit depicts a cadre of semiprivileged New Orleans teens whose penchant for illicit drinking, drug use and recording every moment of their lives on camera is more or less not worth remarking upon.
Mao's Last Dancer Blooms in Americanew
It may be hopelessly retro to say it, but this is the kind of film Hollywood used to make regularly: not focus-grouped to a niche market; dealing with the joys and sorrows of life and art.
Tags: Mao's Last Dancer, Bruce Beresford
George Clooney's Hit Man Hides Out in The Americannew
Few actors today both possess and exercise the star power needed to make films like The American. But artistic appreciation does not always produce artistry.
Tags: The American, Anton Corbijn
Quiet Desperation in Mademoiselle Chambonnew
The virtue, and limitation, of Mademoiselle Chambon is the ordinariness of the characters and their quotidian affair. It's one we can relate to, but it's not necessarily one that we go to the movies to watch.
Get Low Doesn't Go Low Enoughnew
A film that looks to Horton Foote for inspiration is worth taking seriously, but this director and screenwriter don't have what it takes to give their synthetic concoction any authority.
Tags: Get Low, Aaron Schneider
In Wild Grass, desire doesn't fade with agenew
It is wholly within the spirit of this movie to be less concerned with meaning than with enjoying, questioning and delighting in story, beauty and mischief.
Death and Memory in Oscar-Winning 'The Secret in Their Eyes'new
The Secret in Their Eyes was a surprise winner of this year's best foreign film Oscar. In retrospect, the selection is understandable.
The Final Days of Tolstoy in 'The Last Station'new
In The Last Station, Tolstoy's ideology and less attractive character traits are downplayed in favor of a more universal, digestible historical period piece.
The War Comes Home in 'The Messenger'new
The backdrop for The Messenger, Oren Moverman's astonishing directing debut, is especially resonant and cinematically uncharted.
Tags: Oren Moverman, The Messenger
Peter Jackson's 'The Lovely Bones' is Dark and Staticnew
Surprisingly, apart from Stanley Tucci's acclaimed turn as serial killer George Harvey, The Lovely Bones has been shut out of the awards-season accolades. Frankly, some of the catcalls are nitpicky and unjustified.
John Woo's Extravagant Historical Epic, Red Cliffnew
Red Cliff represents not only Woo's first Chinese film (meaning mainland and Mandarin-speaking), but also his first full-blown foray into historical epics. It turns out to be a mode of storytelling that suits him perfectly.
