Movies+TV | AAN.org

Denzel Fires It Up in 'The Great Debaters'new

There's a lot here about institutionalized racism and the ways in which violence and humiliation are systematically employed to keep people afraid, and it's all packaged up in a nice sentimental package, with a few fat-kid-makes-good and pretty-girl-gets-laid subplots for good measure.

The Portland Mercury | Alison Hallett | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Denzel Washington, The Great Debaters

Fun in Nursing Homesnew

The Savages is bleak (though not without a certain dry humor), but it will likely resonate strongly with the boomer crowd, who are starting to deal with these issues themselves.

The Portland Mercury | Alison Hallett | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Tamara Jenkins, The Savages

Going to War with Charlie Wilsonnew

Hollywood loves nothing more than a "____ with a heart of gold" story, and the phrase "corrupt congressman" fits that empty spot pretty well.

The Portland Mercury | Erik Henriksen | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Mike Nichols, Charlie Wilson's War

Bride and Prejudicenew

Dutiful and religious in a time when neither are in fashion, the two young women in Arranged -- one Muslim, the other Orthodox Jewish -- are drawn toward one another as they navigate traditional ways of finding partners in a nontraditional world.

New York Press | Shahnaz Habib | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Arranged, Stefan C. Schaefer and Diane Crespo

Growing Up in Extremist Timesnew

Marjane Satrapi's memories of Iran come to life in vivid black and white in Persepolis.

New York Press | Eric Kohn | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Persepolis, Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi

Walk Softnew

The cast is the only reason that The Walker, Paul Schrader's elegant whodunit, never becomes entirely lethargic.

New York Press | Eric Kohn | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Paul Schrader, The Walker

Second Life is for Sapsnew

P.S. I Love You is a sentimental love story offers little more than mopey moments.

New York Press | Jennifer Merin | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: P.S. I Love You, Richard LaGravenese

Knocked Outnew

Walk Hard, a derivative mockumentary, may spell the end of Judd Apatow.

New York Press | Armond White | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Jake Kasdan, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

New Mexico is Ready for Its Closeupnew

The state enjoyed a blockbuster year for film and TV.

Santa Fe Reporter | Gwyneth Doland | 12-20-2007 | Movies

'Sweeney Todd' Goes to the Dark Side of Musicalsnew

Tim Burton is certain to dominate the holiday's cutthroat competition.

Metro Silicon Valley | Richard von Busack | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Tim Burton

The Musical Bio-Pic to End All Musical Bio-Picsnew

John C. Reilly makes a better Johnny Cash (and Roy Orbison) in musical satire Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Metro Silicon Valley | Richard von Busack | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Jake Kasdan, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

'Charlie Wilson's War': The Great Gamenew

Making a hero out of Charlie Wilson is like making a hero out of Oliver North. Scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin's West Wing-bred populism is too slick for its own good; the film insists that our leaders only lie to us for the best reasons.

Metro Silicon Valley | Richard von Busack | 12-20-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Mike Nichols, Charlie Wilson's War