|
B
|
——
|
I Am Bruce Lee (2012) |
"
Whether you're a mixed martial arts fan, a kung fu movie junkie or a pop culture enthusiast enthralled by Lee's iconic image, you'll find something in "I Am Bruce Lee" to enjoy."
—
Oregonian
Posted Feb 9, 2012
|
|
C+
|
——
|
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) |
"
Even when it evinces spasms of life, this film is, more or less, a dead fish."
—
Oregonian
Posted Feb 9, 2012
|
|
A-
|
99%
|
A Separation (2011) |
"
It's a portrait of an essential and sympathetic human dilemma, and in that it's both real and timeless in ways that transcend borders, cultures and languages."
—
Oregonian
Posted Feb 2, 2012
|
|
B+
|
77%
|
The Grey (2012) |
"
A genuinely entertaining thriller that puts a chill through you in more ways than one."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 26, 2012
|
|
B
|
53%
|
Albert Nobbs (2012) |
"
Like Albert himself, the film isn't showy, but it's got quality and heart."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 26, 2012
|
|
B+
|
95%
|
Pina (2011) |
"
Suggests thrilling new possibilities for the marriage of movies and dance."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 26, 2012
|
|
B+
|
80%
|
Haywire (2012) |
"
It feels like somebody turned down the volume on a hard rock album so as to hear the details better -- for which relief, much thanks."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 19, 2012
|
|
B-
|
45%
|
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2012) |
"
The quality of the craft at the best moments of the film is undeniable."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 19, 2012
|
|
B-
|
36%
|
Red Tails (2012) |
"
Kudos to the makers "Red Tails" for paying homage to a remarkable group of men and their genuinely heroic deeds, and a hat-tip as well for the idea that the best way to tell the story was the old-fashioned way."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 19, 2012
|
|
B+
|
96%
|
Pariah (2011) |
"
It's a tiny story, told on an intimate scale, and it is rich in emotion, specificity and care."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 13, 2012
|
|
B-
|
54%
|
The Iron Lady (2012) |
"
As an acting showcase, the film offers Meryl Streep yet another hallmark role in a career dotted with them."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 13, 2012
|
|
B-
|
45%
|
Another Happy Day (2011) |
"
The actors make the trauma in "Another Happy Day" feel real. But it's too often undercut by directorial fussiness that feels more academic than personal."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 12, 2012
|
|
B-
|
84%
|
Garbo: The Spy (2011) |
"
The story told in "Garbo: The Spy" is so outlandish that you almost feel as if you're watching a mockumentary. But it appears to be entirely true."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 5, 2012
|
|
B
|
78%
|
A Dangerous Method (2011) |
"
That it's a Cronenberg film means that it's precise, smart, crisp, intelligent and daring: you know, good."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 22, 2011
|
|
B+
|
76%
|
War Horse (2011) |
"
It knowingly and ably uses antique grammar to tell an old-fashioned story in an attempt to move its audience in the way film is widely said to be able to do but rarely does."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 22, 2011
|
|
B+
|
84%
|
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) |
"
If it's not a byzantine or sprawling as the novel, it's nevertheless a smart and engaging entertainment."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 22, 2011
|
|
A-
|
97%
|
The Artist (2011) |
"
It's a bit precious, yes, but its earnestness and joy carry you along, and its climax simply delights."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 22, 2011
|
|
B+
|
75%
|
The Adventures of Tintin (2011) |
"
It truly looks like nothing else -- a fully-realized use of the performance-capture medium, of a specific animation style, and of 3D technology. But the sheer mechanical brilliance of it all, while often rapturous, is also often bullying..."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 20, 2011
|
|
B
|
87%
|
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) |
"
There's powerful craft here, and Larsson's story has more than proven its ability to grip."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 19, 2011
|
|
B-
|
50%
|
Rid of Me (2011) |
"
O'Grady is miraculous, but "Rid of Me" is more ordinary stuff."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 15, 2011
|
|
B-
|
100%
|
Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness (2011) |
"
In the end, you're certainly inspired to read Aleichem, but not necessarily to watch Dorman's film again."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 15, 2011
|
|
B
|
80%
|
Shame (2011) |
"
Fassbender explores the most lurid and tortured aspects of Brandon's life with a physical and emotional wholeheartedness that is frequently uncomfortable to witness."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 15, 2011
|
|
B-
|
82%
|
Young Adult (2011) |
"
Theron shows lively comic chops and Oswalt is truly eye-opening: cynical, self-mocking, and sympathetic."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 15, 2011
|
|
B
|
95%
|
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2011) |
"
A film that grabs you by the shirtfront and rarely lets up its grip."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 8, 2011
|
|
B
|
74%
|
The Lie (2011) |
"
Leonard plays Lonnie with unflattering commitment: you've gotta credit a fellow who plays feckless, selfish and dim so fully."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 1, 2011
|
|
3/5
|
84%
|
My Week with Marilyn (2011) |
"
When Williams is in frame -- which, blessedly, is often -- it's positively smashing."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 25, 2011
|
|
A-
|
90%
|
The Descendants (2011) |
"
There are ample opportunities for the film to soak in pathos, righteousness, farce, or pictorialism, and Payne manages to nod at those pitfalls without falling into them."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 22, 2011
|
|
A-
|
94%
|
Hugo (2011) |
"
Nearing age 70, Scorsese has given the joyful boy inside him a chance to play, and the result is a superb film and a delight."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 22, 2011
|
|
B+
|
96%
|
The Muppets (2011) |
"
Nothing here will surprise you -- which is, really, as it should be. Segel, serving as co-writer, and director James Bobin have, with a knowing wink, mined the old-time Muppet charm and humor, and they have hit paydirt."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 22, 2011
|
|
B+
|
94%
|
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011) |
"
"Being Elmo" is a light and lightly inspiring film, showing how an unlikely passion can transform into not only a career but a cultural mainstay."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 22, 2011
|
|
B+
|
79%
|
A Lonely Place to Die (2012) |
"
It's a deeply satisfying entertainment filled with energy and made with savvy and cinematic wit. And it marks Gilbey as a director to keep an eye on."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 17, 2011
|
|
C+
|
69%
|
Blackthorn (2011) |
"
A handsome but deeply fractured tale."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 17, 2011
|
|
B+
|
74%
|
Like Crazy (2011) |
"
The film is light and engaging: like a "Blue Valentine" that doesn't make you want to slice your head off."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 10, 2011
|
|
B-
|
44%
|
J. Edgar (2011) |
"
Throughout, Eastwood's technique and craft are predictably solid."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 10, 2011
|
|
A-
|
79%
|
The Skin I Live In (2011) |
"
Once again, Almodóvar proves a graceful stylist and poised provocateur with a streak of sexual daring and potent gifts for melodrama, comedy and pathos."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 3, 2011
|
|
C+
|
68%
|
Tower Heist (2011) |
"
It's as if an all-star gang of would-be crooks got together to rip off...moviegoers."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 3, 2011
|
|
B-
|
78%
|
The Mill and the Cross (2011) |
"
It's easy to imagine that some folks will find the film rapturous, but it's equally clear that there are others whom it will drive crazy."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 3, 2011
|
|
B
|
91%
|
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011) |
"
It may not add up to a narrative, but it's a fascinating compilation -- a mixtape you may want to hear more than once."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 27, 2011
|
|
|
57%
|
Film socialisme (2011) |
"
There's real beauty in the film, thanks to Godard's innate gifts for frame-composition and montage and his avid embrace of new ideas."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 27, 2011
|
|
B
|
92%
|
Take Shelter (2011) |
"
The film has the form of a little domestic drama, but it's intense enough to, perhaps, cause you to start watching the skies yourself."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 20, 2011
|
|
A-
|
94%
|
Weekend (2011) |
"
It's a thrill to watch, just as it's thrilling to be in the hands of such a gifted new filmmaking talent."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 13, 2011
|
|
A-
|
100%
|
We Were Here (2011) |
"
I truly doubt that any thinking, feeling human could behold all the horrible loss and pain that this film chronicles and not be shaken to the core."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 13, 2011
|
|
B-
|
70%
|
Footloose (2011) |
"
The film's sheer exuberance is frequently enough to overcome its regular moments of dull writing, dubious logic, and clichéd plotting and acting."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 13, 2011
|
|
B
|
37%
|
Restless (2011) |
"
Van Sant can color quite interestingly within the lines of commercial cinema when so moved and still retain his indie sensibility."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 6, 2011
|
|
B+
|
94%
|
Moneyball (2011) |
"
"Moneyball" offers real drama that's tied to both a big game and a big picture."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 22, 2011
|
|
A-
|
100%
|
World on a Wire (2011) |
"
"World on a Wire" is genuinely breathtaking: a long, satisfying encounter with the relatively newly hatched Fassbinder spinning off an epic story with effortless, masterful ease."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 22, 2011
|
|
B-
|
66%
|
Shut Up Little Man! (2011) |
"
Despite the film's claim to be an anatomy of a pop culture craze, it's deeply parochial and has an opportunistic feel at its core."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 22, 2011
|
|
B+
|
93%
|
Drive (2011) |
"
As the film accrues intensity and awakes the demon lurking inside its protagonist, you can see it as something more than a retro-cool crime story. Rather, it's a parable of good and evil and the nature of man."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 15, 2011
|
|
B+
|
87%
|
Bobby Fischer Against The World (2011) |
"
A gripping film about a subject almost too good to be true."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 15, 2011
|
