Home of the Brave (2006)

Drama Rated R

Barely released, this Iraq war drama should have been a major career step for Jessica Biel, who plays a physically and mentally damaged veteran struggling to adjust to life back home. Biel is very good – panicky, confused, believable as a woman warrior yet still vulnerable. The rest of the cast, though, is downright embarrassing,

Saw IV (2007)

Horror Rated R

This does its best to reach new levels of grisliness in a series that has made grisliness its calling card. As the serial killer Jigsaw plays his usual sadistic mind games – this time from beyond the grave – we’re treated to a gruesomely detailed autopsy, a deadly game of tug of war and a

Slipstream (2007)

Drama Rated R

“…makes you long for a pretentious, arty student short. Because those are only about eight minutes long.

Bella (2007)

Drama Rated PG-13

“Eduardo Verastegui sports the most distracting facial hair since that guy in Knocked Up who bet his roommates he wouldn’t shave for a year.

She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

Comedy Rated R

“… political at heart, even if its overall approach is comic.”

Miller’s Crossing (1990)

Drama Rated R

“…my choice for Joel and Ethan Coen’s masterwork.”

Bottle Rocket (1996)

Comedy Rated R

The birth of quirk, Wes Anderson style. The director and his co-writer and star, Owen Wilson, crafted an outlandish character study in a heist film’s clothing, following two unhinged friends (Owen and brother Luke) who try to erase their vague sense of discontentment by pulling off a robbery. Such endeavors always go wrong in the

Notorious (1946)

Thriller Rated NR

Though this Alfred Hitchcock effort is about World War II-era spies who use romance as a deadly weapon, Notorious is remembered less as a thriller than a tragic love story. I suppose that’s what happens when you have Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in the lead roles. Bergman plays Alicia Huberman, daughter of a German-American

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

Drama Rated PG-13

“With dark eyes peering from behind white face paint and headdresses swirling above her like forces of nature, Elizabeth is less a human monarch than a mythical goddess.

We Own the Night (2007)

Drama Rated R

“…isn’t interesting until it’s almost over.