Catch and Release (2007)

Drama Rated PG-13

Written and directed by Susannah Grant (the screenwriter of Erin Brockovich), this is the rare chick flick that defines its heroine on her own terms, not in terms of the husband or boyfriend she wants or has. Appropriately, the movie opens with the loss of a man. After her fiance is killed in a skiing

Black Snake Moan (2007)

Drama Rated R

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

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.”

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

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

Baby Boy (2001)

Drama Rated R

Writer-director John Singleton returns to the streets of south central Los Angeles, this time to tell the story of a selfish, 20-year-old single father of two who learns to embrace his responsibilities. Though preachy at times, this is a surprisingly inspirational pro-family drama with touches of Singleton’s distinct visual style. Former MTV personality Tyrese Gibson

Green Street Hooligans (2005)

Drama Rated R

Elijah Wood stars as a wrongfully expelled Harvard student who seeks solace with his sister in England, only to fall under the influence of her soccer-hooligan brother-in-law Pete (Charlie Hunnam). The movie tragically traces, and inevitably glorifies, how beating someone’s face in at the behest of your buddies can give a lost soul both pride