Analyze That (2002)

Comedy Rated R

Like its underachieving predecessor, Analyze That is just funny enough to make you realize how much funnier it should be. Billy Crystal’s shrink and Robert De Niro’s conflicted mob boss are reunited, but this time for contrived shenanigans rather than counseling sessions. If you like your laughs to feel prescribed rather than inspired, the doctor

Minority Report (2002)

Action/Adventure Rated PG-13

Steven Spielberg’s thrilling Minority Report – about a “precrime” law-enforcement officer (Tom Cruise) framed for a future murder – is worth seeing for its vision of the future alone, in which the Gap is manned by hologram salespeople who can instantaneously access your purchase history by scanning your eyeballs. At a time when we debated

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Comedy Rated PG-13

Co-writer and star Will Ferrell gets his own playground with this portrait of a 1970s news anchor, and he delivers what may be his definitive pompous dimwit. It’s often hysterical, if still a one-note role compared to his tragic clown in Old School. Burgundy is more of a living one-liner. With hilarious support from Steve

Princess Diaries, The (2001)

Family Rated G

A clunky, obvious modern fairy tale about a high-school klutz (Anne Hathaway) who finds out her grandmother (Julie Andrews) is the queen of a fictional European country – and that she technically is a princess. Many parents expressed gratitude that the movie is clean and innocent – too bad it’s not good as well.

Be Cool (2005)

Comedy Rated PG-13

The irony undermining this sequel to Get Shorty, both of which are based on Elmore Leonard novels, is that you can’t be cool on demand. You either are or you aren’t. Of the ensemble cast to this cartoonish crime flick, set amid the L.A. music business, only returning star John Travolta, The Rock and Cedric

Quiet American, The (2002)

Drama Rated R

This adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel about a British journalist in 1952 Vietnam can’t quite shake its source material. Chunks of the book are borrowed for voice-over narration, mostly out of narrative necessity rather than as part of some grand thematic plan. On the plus side are strong turns by the Oscar-nominated Michael Caine as

Bubble Boy (2001)

Comedy Rated PG-13

An exercise in absurd silliness, Bubble Boy follows a young man with an immunodeficiency disorder traveling across the country to stop the wedding of his one true love. Some people – most of whom hadn’t seen the movie – protested that Bubble Boy makes fun of such a disease. But if you’re in the mood

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Drama Rated R

“…a moody meditation on the dark side of celebrity status.”

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Action/Adventure Rated PG-13

“…a lyrical poem about adolescence, friendship and unrequited love.”

Saved! (2004)

Comedy Rated PG-13

A statement of faith in the guise of sacrilege, Saved! takes place in a conservative Christian high school and follows a faithful teen named Mary (Jena Malone) who tells us she’s “been born again my whole life.” That’s fine with her, at least until she gets pregnant, her boyfriend tells her he may be gay