AltWeeklies Wire
Kick the Babynew
Disregard the awards and accolades: Million Dollar Baby is nothing more than manipulative mediocrity.
Tucson Weekly |
James DiGiovanna |
01-28-2005 |
Reviews
Forest for the Treesnew
Through all of its obvious symbolism, thinly sketched characters, portentous filmmaking technique and vague narrative, writer-director Nicole Kassell's The Woodsman remains an affecting piece of work.
Tags: Nicole Kassell, The Woodsman
Icon, I Can'tnew
John Travolta's career gets bumpier with A Love Song for Bobby Long.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Dennis Harvey |
01-26-2005 |
Reviews
Unlucky 13new
Ethan Hawke heads up a star-studded cast trapped in an unconvincing remake of John Carpenter's grungy 1976 movie of the same name.
Cleveland Scene |
Robert Wilonsky |
01-26-2005 |
Reviews
Is It Over Yet?new
Ice Cube's family-oriented movie is all a big, boring failure of slapstick and degradation. Of course, that's not to say your kids won't like it.
Cleveland Scene |
Melissa Levine |
01-26-2005 |
Reviews
Indie Gothic Goes Southnew
This film enjoys a setting drenched in signification (New Orleans), accomplished photography and several rich personalities. But it never gels. Primarily, it can't rise above two major weaknesses: a plangent, plaintive script and the inadequacies of John Travolta.
Houston Press |
Melissa Levine |
01-25-2005 |
Reviews
Color Blandnew
South Korea's first anime feature is a wondrous sight, but it's ponderous to contemplate once you get over the thrill of witnessing its spectacle.
East Bay Express |
Robert Wilonsky |
01-25-2005 |
Reviews
He's Got Legsnew
The true story of a Thai transgender kickboxer inpires a well-intentioned film with a heart of gold -- and a brain of lead.
Order in the Courtnew
For those in need of an uplifting story in our dumbed-down times, Coach Carter is a slam dunk.
Boulder Weekly |
Thomas Delapa |
01-21-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Coach Carter, Thomas Carter
Film Feels More Like Tragic Love Story Between Man, His Ridenew
Are We There Yet? amusingly plays off Ice Cube's crabby demeanor, but for every laugh, there's a lame joke or a shameless bid for sentiment. Rather than ask are we there yet, just stay home.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Curt Holman |
01-21-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Are We There Yet?, Brian Levant
Director's Debut Strikes False Chordnew
A Love Song's first half hints that New Orleans drains the life of its dead-end populace like an Anne Rice vampire, but the film becomes a trite and simplistic postcard from the city, fatally weighed down by John Travolta's calculated slumming.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Curt Holman |
01-21-2005 |
Reviews
Assassination Revives Obscure Piece of Presidential Historynew
Sean Penn in the lead role gives Assassination some intriguing wrinkles. The outspoken actor might identify with some of his character's liberal politics, if not his psychosis or violent methods.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Curt Holman |
01-21-2005 |
Reviews
Pedro Almodovar Goes Deep in Newest Flicknew
Almodovar's latest film manages to balance queeny bravado and a malaise so deeply buried it approaches the hysteria of classic Hollywood melodramas. Married to gay misbehavior, this makes for a heady brew.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Felicia Feaster |
01-21-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Pedro Almodóvar, Bad Education
Unnecessary Overtimenew
Coach Carter is a great 90-minute movie; too bad it's 136 minutes long.
Tucson Weekly |
Bob Grimm |
01-20-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Coach Carter, Thomas Carter
The Passion of the Criticsnew
Two cinema reviewers look back at the films of 2004.
Tucson Weekly |
James DiGiovanna and Bob Grimm |
01-20-2005 |
Reviews
