"The Haunting," Jan De Bont’s new special effects showcase, answers the burning question, ‘can Hollywood still make a scary movie?’
The third Harry Potter film is given a stunning overhaul by new-to-the-franchise director Alfonso Cuarón. It’s a shame the filmmakers didn’t throw a new writer into mix as well. Series vet Steven Kloves’ script emphasizes the sub-Hardy Boys obviousness of the plot, forsaking much of the magic.
Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts and a fresh new mystery that would make the Scooby gang proud. Though some trimming should have been in order, the stellar cast, led by Daniel Radcliffe, is almost able to hold your attention for the overly long running time.
"Home Alone" director and Spielberg protégé Chris Columbus’s reverent but weightless adaptation of the much-beloved, mega-selling children’s book about the boy wizard of the title is literate but less than magical.
Scattershot gross-out comedy turns out to be funnier than you’d expect thanks to its charismatic leads (John Cho and Kal Penn, respectively) and a script that wisely never dwells too long on a gag.
From the opening scene of ‘Happiness,’ Todd Solondz’s new pitch-perfect black comedy, it is clear that none of the characters is going to achieve the title emotion.
It seems as though Anthony Hopkins’ beloved madman may have chloroformed director Ridley Scott during the making of this pointless and needlessly grotesque entry in the Lecter series. Happily, Julianne Moore escapes unscathed as Jodie Foster’s replacement.
Is Halle Berry’s psychologist confused by how she ended up as a patient in her own mental hospital or as a star in this horrendous “X-files” retread?
Robert Altman assembles his typically impressive ensemble cast in an upstairs-downstairs-style whodunit that could have used some paring down. The performances are wonderful throughout, of course, but it feels like you’re hosting a party and not getting to spend any time with your guests.
Jennifer Aniston takes her first real step out of the circle of ‘Friends’ with this star-turn as a bored retail employee who stirs up her stagnant marriage thanks to an affair with an emotionally disturbed boy (Jake Gyllanhaal).
