|
4/4
|
94%
|
Gone Baby Gone (2007) |
"
A love-tolerate valentine to the city, it feels more real than the gangster-gorged mean streets of Martin Scorsese's The Departed, and just as tortured as Clint Eastwood's Mystic River."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 19, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Deep Water (2006) |
"
For this gripping and amazing documentary, such truth emerges not just from the facts, but also the poetry of men who redefine themselves in a risky race on small sailboats."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 14, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
81%
|
A Prairie Home Companion (2006) |
"
Nondevotees also should find a home in this agreeable, accessible Companion."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 9, 2006
|
|
4/4
|
87%
|
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2006) |
"
Through it all, Jentsch is a beacon of bravery and resolve in the darkness of a totalitarian machine. If any actor in an English-language film has given a better performance in the past year, I'd like to see it."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 12, 2006
|
|
4/4
|
87%
|
The Beauty Academy of Kabul (2006) |
"
... a documentary whose superficial image belies its profound impact."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Apr 28, 2006
|
|
4/4
|
93%
|
The Squid and the Whale (2005) |
"
Brevity is, indeed, the soul of wit, and in this case, wit barely starts to describe the value of this dead-on, full-of-life motion picture."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Nov 4, 2005
|
|
A
|
96%
|
Alien (1979) |
"
A genuine fright classic."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 21, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
55%
|
Madagascar (2005) |
"
Brilliantly written, animated and performed, it not only bridges the child-adult divide, but also makes its kid-friendly humor smart in its own way."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 27, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
83%
|
Finding Neverland (2004) |
"
Some things are worth causing a lump in your throat. Finding Neverland is one of them."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Nov 19, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
80%
|
Taegukgi hwinalrimyeo (Brotherhood) (Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War) (2004) |
"
Brutal yet meaningful, agonizing yet touching, The Brotherhood of War is a harrowing but rewarding experience."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 24, 2004
|
|
A+
|
93%
|
Spider-Man 2 (2004) |
"
Sensational enough for power-fantasy fans, it also tells a strong story that tugs agreeably on our heartstrings."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 29, 2004
|
|
A
|
83%
|
Mean Girls (2004) |
"
With colorful characters and snappy performances, Mean Girls is a rare laugh-out-loud film."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Apr 30, 2004
|
|
A+
|
94%
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) |
"
This film is everything a fan could want and possibly more. For three-plus hours, it entertains, enthralls and awes."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Dec 16, 2003
|
|
A
|
77%
|
Bad Santa (2003) |
"
Like The Ref, the best previous film in this vein, Bad Santa redeems itself with rounds of riotous outrageousness."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Nov 26, 2003
|
|
A
|
63%
|
Love Actually (2003) |
"
Curtis shows the same eccentric humanism and charm that gave him Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Nov 7, 2003
|
|
A
|
94%
|
The Alien Saga (2003) |
"
A monster movie with class."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 29, 2003
|
|
A+
|
92%
|
School of Rock (2003) |
"
Linklater strikes just the right power chords here. He respects rock enough to keep it real, and he has enough rein on Black to ground his wildness in warmth while avoiding easy sentiment."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 3, 2003
|
|
A
|
88%
|
X2: X-Men United (2003) |
"
Sleek, smart and sophisticated for a far-fetched fantasy."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 1, 2003
|
|
A
|
45%
|
Daredevil (2003) |
"
The best Marvel movie to date."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Feb 14, 2003
|
|
A+
|
88%
|
Chicago (2002) |
"
With few respites, Marshall keeps the energy humming, and his edits, unlike those in Moulin Rouge, are crisp and purposeful without overdoing it."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Dec 28, 2002
|
|
A
|
96%
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) |
"
Though Frodo's quest remains unfulfilled, a hardy group of determined New Zealanders has proved its creative mettle."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Dec 17, 2002
|
|
A+
|
70%
|
Treasure Planet (2002) |
"
Treasure Planet is the rousing action-adventure Disney tried and failed to produce in last year's Atlantis: Legend of the Lost Empire."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Nov 27, 2002
|
|
A
|
74%
|
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002) |
"
Spy Kids 2 is loose and lively and appeals to the kid in all of us."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 6, 2002
|
|
A
|
61%
|
Green Dragon (2001) |
"
An honest, sensitive story from a Vietnamese point of view."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 26, 2002
|
|
A
|
58%
|
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) |
"
Parker keeps things light and lively, and the cast never trips over Wilde's eloquence."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 24, 2002
|
|
A
|
69%
|
Spirit - Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) |
"
For decades we've marveled at Disney's rendering of water, snow, flames and shadows in a hand-drawn animated world. Prepare to marvel again."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 23, 2002
|
|
A-
|
51%
|
Waking the Dead (2000) |
"
You can embrace this movie's message, which has less to do with political agendas than basic human decency and the enduring power of love. And if that's not enough to make a film worthwhile, we don't know what is."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 21, 2005
|
|
A-
|
76%
|
Bon Voyage (2004) |
"
It's persuasively performed by a potent ensemble and artfully directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Apr 22, 2004
|
|
A-
|
45%
|
The Young Black Stallion (2003) |
"
Wincer delivers a gentle yet vibrant tale of natural splendor, a horse's valor and a young girl's plucky determination."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Dec 26, 2003
|
|
A-
|
84%
|
Pieces of April (2003) |
"
The film grows on you, thanks to strong characters and the shrewd observational humor of writer-director Peter Hedges."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 31, 2003
|
|
A-
|
31%
|
Underworld (2003) |
"
A vampire film for the new millennium -- bold, galvanizing and darkly stylish."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 19, 2003
|
|
A-
|
80%
|
I Capture the Castle (2003) |
"
With eloquent dialogue but scant smoldering passions, the mushy machinations nicely nudge director Tim Fywell's gentle little film."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 8, 2003
|
|
A-
|
98%
|
Finding Nemo (2003) |
"
Lives up to Pixar's high standards for wildly creative visuals, clever comedy, solid characters and an involving story."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 29, 2003
|
|
A-
|
49%
|
Bruce Almighty (2003) |
"
It's Carrey who must carry this film, and he lifts Bruce Almighty to the heavens."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 23, 2003
|
|
A-
|
88%
|
A Mighty Wind (2003) |
"
You don't leave A Mighty Wind laughing so much as humming. Its dialogue may be improvised, but its music is well rehearsed."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 9, 2003
|
|
A-
|
35%
|
What a Girl Wants (2003) |
"
Though predictable and often preposterous, this warm and funny wish-fulfilling fantasy is a richly rewarding ride."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Apr 4, 2003
|
|
A-
|
34%
|
Bringing Down The House (2003) |
"
It's inspired comic casting with rare feel-good chemistry."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Mar 7, 2003
|
|
A-
|
77%
|
Nicholas Nickleby (2002) |
"
With Dickens' words and writer-director Douglas McGrath's even-toned direction, a ripping good yarn is told."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jan 10, 2003
|
|
A-
|
97%
|
Spirited Away (2001) |
"
Packed with strange beings amid painterly settings, Spirited Away delivers one of the most colorful fantasy worlds since the similarly surreal Yellow Submarine."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 4, 2002
|
|
A-
|
92%
|
Mostly Martha (Bella Martha) (2001) |
"
Gedeck is mostly marvelous."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 23, 2002
|
|
A-
|
62%
|
The Salton Sea (2002) |
"
Repellent yet intriguing, brutal yet funny, wicked yet strangely compassionate, The Salton Sea is more about mixing genres and styles than illuminating a credible reality."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 23, 2002
|
|
A-
|
92%
|
The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002) |
"
It's Hollywood navel-gazing at its best."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 16, 2002
|
|
A-
|
84%
|
Stuart Little 2 (2002) |
"
It reminds us that Nathan Lane is the best show stealer in show business."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 19, 2002
|
|
3.5/4
|
100%
|
The Alps (2007) |
"
An eye-popping tribute to the European range that's heaved heavenward since bulging from the Earth eons ago during continental drift."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 5, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
41%
|
Feast of Love (2007) |
"
Director Robert Benton and screenwriter Allison Burnett tell a sobering, adult-geared tale of love's highs, lows and maddening twists and turns."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 28, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
88%
|
3:10 to Yuma (2007) |
"
The best Western since Unforgiven, 3:10 to Yuma is both cathartic and intelligent. While a wildly eventful action-adventure and outlaw shoot-'em-up, it's also a vibrant story of heroism, villainy and hard-earned redemption."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 7, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
75%
|
Sunshine (2007) |
"
On sci-fi's crowded table Boyle serves a fresh feast for our eyes, minds and hearts."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 27, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
70%
|
The Valet (La Doublure) (2007) |
"
It'll do nicely, thanks not only to sophisticated amusement but also to a gentlemanly hero who earns a place in our hearts."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 4, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
92%
|
Journey From the Fall (2007) |
"
Its sad story is ultimately humane and compelling, thanks to some special faces placed in the saga."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Apr 1, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
92%
|
The Host (Gwoemul) (2007) |
"
Monster movies tend to be as misunderstood as their creatures, but dating back to 1931's Frankenstein, some haven't been about scaring us so much as enlightening us. The Host does this while disgorging a lizardlike carnivore."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Mar 9, 2007
|
85%
79%
7%
