Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Action/Adventure Rated PG-13

Peter Parker may be past growing pains, but his film franchise is beginning to suffer them. Both overloaded and undernourished, Spider-Man 3 still manages plenty of crackling, comic-book excitement, yet it’s too cumbersome to deliver the same depth as its predecessors. There are some interesting touches of guilt and regret involving the new villain, Sandman

Hoot (2006)

Family Rated PG

I’m glad it is easy to approve of Hoot, for disapproving of the movie would mean disapproving of a host of good-natured things, including cute owls and the cuter kids who try to save them. Adapted from the Carl Hiaasen novel, Hoot follows a budding teen (Logan Lerman) whose family has just moved from Montana

Lucky You (2007)

Drama Rated PG-13

“…introduces us to a fascinating world with fascinating characters – and then turns away from it all in favor of a drearily generic romance. It’s like taking a kid to the zoo and only looking at sparrows.

Just Visiting (2001)

Comedy Rated PG-13

This excruciating would-be comedy, about a French knight (Jean Reno) from the 12th century who’s transported to modern-day Chicago, is so stale it actually featured a joke about the once-ubiquitous dance song “Macarena” long after the song had been thankfully forgotten. Just Visiting overstays its welcome about three minutes in.

Dancer Upstairs, The (2002)

Drama Rated R

An ambitious directorial debut from John Malkovich, this is an unassuming adaptation of Nicholas Shakespeare’s novel about a violent guerrilla revolution in an unspecified South American country and the corrupt government’s attempts to quell it. Javier Bardem projects a quiet dignity as the policeman in charge of the investigation. His strong performance helps Malkovich wrestle

King Arthur (2004)

Action/Adventure Rated PG-13

King Arthur has complications everywhere but where it counts: in the depiction of its title character. That’s too bad, considering he is played by Clive Owen, who is more than capable of layered motives and emotions. Here he is required to do little more than give soulful stares and inane inspirational speeches.

Dr. T & the Women (2000)

Comedy Rated R

Another generous comedy from director Robert Altman, with Richard Gere as the main beneficiary. The usually smug star gives an unexpectedly gracious performance as a Dallas gynecologist awash in female trouble – both at his office and at home. Trust me, this isn’t as icky as it sounds. The supporting cast includes Helen Hunt, Farrah

Ladykillers, The (2004)

Comedy Rated R

“Hanks turns in his most spirited work in years.”

National Security (2003)

Comedy Rated PG-13

Steve Zahn spends most of National Security with a seething expression of exasperation on his face. As a cop who gets stuck working a case with an annoying security guard (Martin Lawrence), he’s supposed to be in character, but watching Lawrence gyrate and yammer incessantly had to make this the easiest acting job Zahn’s ever

Road to El Dorado, The (2000)

Family Rated PG

DreamWorks Pictures tries to match Disney in this animated tale about two 16th century buddies who stumble upon the legendary city of gold. But like a Las Vegas stage show gone berserk, there’s no discipline here – just a dizzying desire to dazzle.