Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)

Comedy Rated R

Pedro Almodovar broke onto the international scene with this vibrant sex farce, which whirls about like a brightly painted spinning top. With its skewed camera angles, brash colors and outrageous characters, the movie is as much a live-action cartoon as its fellow 1988 release, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Women gets off to a slow start,

Black Snake Moan (2007)

Drama Rated R

“…mostly lingers on the sort of behavior Ricci’s Rae needs to be redeemed from.”

Guardian, The (2006)

Action/Adventure Rated PG-13

Touchstone Pictures went to the time capsule for this one, hauling out every cliche you can think of from those generic 1980s adventure movies. As such, a plot synopsis should suffice as critique: Ashton Kutcher plays a hotshot Coast Guard recruit who matures and blossoms under the guidance of a legendary swimmer (Kevin Costner) who

Open Season (2006)

Family Rated PG

I never imagined I would be able to not only endure, but even enjoy, the combined presence of Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher. All it took was stripping them of everything but their voices. Other than the verbal riffing of its two stars – Lawrence provides the voice of a grizzly bear who has been

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