AltWeeklies Wire
We Are Familynew
Dreamgirls is an infectious experience of sequins and songs that lives up to the hype.
Austin Chronicle |
Steve Davis |
12-22-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Bill Condon, Dreamgirls
All Along the Watchtowernew
Matt Damon abandons the cat-and-mouse theatrics of his Bourne identity to play the reserved fictional functionary whose life serves as the prism through which this film examines the early years of the CIA.
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
12-22-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Robert De Niro, The Good Shepherd
Class Actnew
If you like your British movies quick, raunchy, reflective, and bittersweet, then The History Boys, based on the stage play, is for you.
Austin Chronicle |
Toddy Burton |
12-22-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys
Night Movesnew
Amid crummy sight gags and predictable physical comedy, sputtering scenes, stale Stiller in another nonsense story, Night at the Museum is at best a rotation of backdrops for a parade of visual effects.
Austin Chronicle |
Shawn Badgley |
12-22-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Night at the Museum, Shawn Levy
Sixth 'Rocky' Still Cockynew
This final chapter in the Rocky saga is terrific -- maybe not great, like that first kiss of fist in '76, but good, solid, exhilarating entertainment of the stand-up-and-cheer variety.
Austin Chronicle |
Marc Savlov |
12-22-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa
Lama Landnew
In this documentary, the director wears his affection for Buddhist philosophy unashamedly on his sleeve, and as a result his movie nearly drowns in solemnity and noble intentions (not to mention chanting).
Austin Chronicle |
Josh Rosenblatt |
12-22-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: John Bush, Vajra Sky Over Tibet
Unnecessary Roughnessnew
There are football movies, and then there’s this 800-pound gorilla of a gridiron weepie, which should be penalized for roughing the viewer.
Austin Chronicle |
Marrit Ingman |
12-22-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: McG, We Are Marshall
The Empire Strikes Backnew
The ever-astonishing filmmaker Mel Gibson continues his (probably unintentional) study of the mortification of the flesh through the ages.
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
12-08-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Apocalypto, Mel Gibson
Standing on Shaky Groundnew
This well-meaning social drama about the intersecting lives of a dysfunctional, upper-middle-class family in suburbia and the residents of a deteriorating public-housing project is flimsy at best.
Austin Chronicle |
Steve Davis |
12-08-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Matt Tauber, The Architect
Hearts and Minesnew
This action-packed take on the issue of blood diamonds is an example of social critique masquerading as cineplex fodder.
Austin Chronicle |
Marc Savlov |
12-08-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Blood Diamond, Edward Zwick
Framing the Photographernew
From the director and writer of Secretary comes this odd fictional biopic about this photographer's impulses.
Austin Chronicle |
Toddy Burton |
12-08-2006 |
Reviews
House Swapnew
Nancy Meyers’ follow-up to Something’s Gotta Give mines the same go-girl terrain but is far less interesting, featuring stock characterizations and a blandly upbeat vibe.
Austin Chronicle |
Marrit Ingman |
12-08-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Nancy Meyers, The Holiday
Flight Clubnew
Calling John Hughes: Former Freaks and Geekster Paul Feig has got your number.
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
12-08-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Paul Feig, Unaccompanied Minors
Montezuma's Revengenew
Turistas is a surprisingly effective horror film with good acting and some breathless action.
Austin Chronicle |
Marc Savlov |
11-30-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: John Stockwell, Turistas
Get Thee to a Mangernew
Sadly, this familiar tale is presented with a yawn-inducing neutrality more reminiscent of a community-center Christmas pageant than an epic story of divine humanity.
Austin Chronicle |
Toddy Burton |
11-30-2006 |
Reviews