Bicentennial Man (1999)

Drama Rated PG

Another piece of pandering pap from Robin Williams, who stars as a futuristic robot that longs to become human. Even the eerie plastic body cast Williams wears for much of the film can’t keep those desperately twinkling eyes – the same ones he had in Hook, Patch Adams and What Dreams May Come – from

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Drama Rated NR

  A showcase for one of Hollywood’s most iconic female stars: Joan Crawford. Crawford was the right personality at the right time. Back then, Hollywood wasn’t afraid to let a woman dominate a movie, and Crawford, with her piercing eyes and authoritative voice, was born to be in charge. (She even manages to corral the

Casablanca (1942)

Drama Rated NR

“…if not the greatest movie of all time, it’s certainly the greatest piece of movie entertainment.”

The Departed (2006)

Drama Rated R

“If you’re going to redo something, redo it right.”

Arthur and the Invisibles (2007)

Family Rated PG

Another kids’ movie made with adults in mind first. Based on the children’s book Arthur and the Minimoys, the story follows a young boy (Freddie Highmore) who discovers a world of miniature creatures living in his garden. Once he is shrunken down to their size, the movie gives way to computer animation that is visually

Finding Neverland (2004)

Drama Rated PG

An emphasis on the entertainment value of art cheerfully courses through this fantasy drama, which speculates on the possible inspiration for playwright James Barrie’s Peter Pan. It’s a lush period piece full of passion and whimsy and, at its best, simple fun. All of that can be found in Johnny Depp’s performance as Barrie, a

In Good Company (2004)

Comedy Rated PG-13

Dennis Quaid stars as Dan Foreman, an ad salesman whose new, 26-year-old boss (Topher Grace) takes an interest in his daughter (Scarlett Johansson). This may sound like a wacky farce, but the sly twist of this knowing comedy from director Paul Weitz (About a Boy) is the way Dan’s practical, workmanlike personality guides him through

Texas Chainsaw Massacre:
The Beginning, The (2006)

Horror Rated R

Another attempt to wring money out of the bloody horror franchise. The Beginning purports to tell the back story of Leatherface, the chainsaw-wielding psychopath of the 32-year series, but that’s mostly a marketing gimmick. Yes, Leatherface had an unhappy childhood, but most of it is dispensed with over the opening credits. Then it’s on to

Fountain, The (2006)

Drama Rated PG-13

A tantalizing triptych from writer-director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream), The Fountain stars Hugh Jackman as three different men, each of whom is chasing some variation on the fountain of youth: a 16th-century conquistador; a contemporary scientist; and a 26th-century cosmonaut. Aronofsky speeds back and forth across centuries with the virtuosity of 2001-era Stanley

Shrek the Third (2007)

Family Rated PG

“The Shrek pictures are commonly considered fairy-tale spoofs, but these are reinventions, really…