Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
4-star animation is marred by a 2-star script in a film that is by turns laughably cliché and unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
4-star animation is marred by a 2-star script in a film that is by turns laughably cliché and unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
The death-as-teen-stalker premise is undermined by some laughably gruesome Rube-Goldbergian deaths. If death were really out to get you, it could probably think of less exploitative means.
With the exception of "Seven" – still his reigning masterpiece – David Fincher has developed a habit of directing films that start with a good premise and then spin wildly in the wrong direction.
Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore stretch their cuddliness quotient past the point of believability in this adequate adaptation of the Nick Hornby story about a woman, a man, and a sport obsession. For those who don’t ask for much from their romantic comedies, this one should do nicely.
Only a rehashed subplot taken directly from "Point Break" slows down this high-octane car show, which delivers on its promise of fast car chases and beautiful people.
The performances by Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid are extraordinary, the art direction is stunning and the writing/directing by Todd Haynes are outstanding. Yet somehow the whole of this portrait of the underside of 1950s Douglas Sirk movies does not add up to the sum of its parts.
There are some inspired gems to be found in this new addition to Disney’s Fantasia franchise, but the film as a whole lacks the wonder and awe of the original.
Michael Moore’s scathing indictment of the Bush administration and its mishandling of the events following September 11th is his most accomplished work to date. It has also never been more evident that he is a documentary maker, not a journalist.
I’m a Stanley Kubrick fan. I have been for a long time. However, due to the frequency with which he makes movies, I’ve only been able to see one Kubrick film in the theater (at the time of its release).
Painfully dull and thoroughly ludicrious would-be thriller which squanders its only two redeeming qualities (Ashley Judd and Ewan McGregor) on stiff dialogue and unbelievable plot points.
| ★★★★★ | Perfection |
| ★★★★☆ | Outstanding |
| ★★★☆★☆ | Excellent |
| ★★★☆☆ | Very good |
| ★★☆★☆☆ | Good |
| ★★☆☆☆ | OK |
| ★☆★☆☆☆ | Pretty Bad |
| ★☆☆☆☆ | Poor |
| ☆★☆☆☆☆ | Blech! |
| No Stars | Fail! |