|
4/4
|
94%
|
Pina (2011) |
"
Most documentaries put us inside people's heads. The dazzling, experimental Pina puts us inside people's feet."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Feb 10, 2012
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011) |
"
Director David Yates has finally found an ideal combination of exposition and emotion in his fourth consecutive Potter project. Writer Steve Kloves... neither wastes a word nor leaves out any essentials."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jul 13, 2011
|
|
4/4
|
93%
|
Of Gods and Men (2011) |
"
I can't recall the last film that so wholly, honestly and movingly explained what it means to be a Christian."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Apr 22, 2011
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
The Social Network (2010) |
"
Eisenberg gives us a speeded-up rendition of his previous performances, but it fits. There's also fine cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth and softly pulsating music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Oct 1, 2010
|
|
4/4
|
69%
|
Shutter Island (2010) |
"
There are no loose ends or false notes in any of it."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Feb 18, 2010
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Waltz with Bashir (2008) |
"
It's encouraging to see a nation so aware of its public image and defensive about its military decisions examine a dark day in its history."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Feb 27, 2009
|
|
4/4
|
90%
|
Coraline (2009) |
"
I suspect you could turn the sound off and still be terrified, amused and delighted."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Feb 6, 2009
|
|
4/4
|
92%
|
Frost/Nixon (2008) |
"
If Frost/Nixon were merely a beautifully shaped re-creation of a moment in history it would be worth a look. But as a reminder of the world we live in 31 years later, it's as sadly topical as any documentary about the Iraq War."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Dec 30, 2008
|
|
4/4
|
94%
|
The Dark Knight (2008) |
"
The Dark Knight succeeds as an action film, character study and metaphor for our own terrorism-obsessed time. Even the hoary device of suggesting a bond between the outcast hero and the outrageous criminal, misused in so many films, makes sense."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jul 17, 2008
|
|
4/4
|
93%
|
Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) (2007) |
"
Bauby, Harwood and Schnabel are probably the only people who'll be our guides on a journey like this, and better ones could not be found."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jan 11, 2008
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Ratatouille (2007) |
"
Pixar has a habit of finding voice talent in unexpected places, and she's just part of the shrewd casting. Oswalt and Romano make an ideal team, assertive and nervous, while the almost unrecognizable Holm spits out disgust with glee."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jun 29, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
98%
|
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) |
"
What I see is simply a timeless story about friendship, loss and maturity -- and, perhaps, an idealized America of the kind Hollywood and politicians strive to convince us could really exist."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jun 4, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
95%
|
Pan's Labyrinth (2006) |
"
Mexican writer-director Guillermo del Toro couches his allegory about fascism in a tale as cruelly fascinating as any from the Brothers Grimm."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jan 18, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
76%
|
The Prestige (2006) |
"
The twistiest thriller since Memento."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Oct 19, 2006
|
|
4/4
|
87%
|
Brokeback Mountain (2005) |
"
Any of us can imagine a forbidden passion so sweeping that it carries us off at flood tide, never allowing us to question it. Whether the object of our affection would carry a purse, a lariat or both is beside the point."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jan 6, 2006
|
|
4/4
|
93%
|
The Squid and the Whale (2005) |
"
Squid keeps you on your toes, but payoffs will have you smiling - - maybe in rueful recognition of the truth - - in scene after scene."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Dec 2, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
93%
|
Good Night, And Good Luck (2005) |
"
Straightforward and stirring but not preachy."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Oct 21, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
87%
|
Turtles Can Fly (Lakposhtha hâm parvaz mikonand) (2005) |
"
One of the most heartbreaking, unforgettable dramas in years."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jul 8, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
86%
|
Howl's Moving Castle (2005) |
"
The world's leading animator has come back with a movie that's even more complicated and just as visually dazzling and heartfelt."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jun 17, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
85%
|
Batman Begins (2005) |
"
Superhero pictures require certain conventions: a romance, a sidekick, cool weapons, a juicy but inconsequential bad guy who answers to the master villains. Nolan and Goyer meet these expectations in unexpected ways."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jun 15, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
92%
|
Vera Drake (2004) |
"
Leigh takes time to show us the daily lives of all characters, giving them more reality than a Hollywood film would think necessary."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Mar 11, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
92%
|
Million Dollar Baby (2004) |
"
Ranks among the all-time heavyweights of sports movies."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jan 28, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Sideways (2004) |
"
Payne always charts the terrain of the human heart, and he's among the wisest of mapmakers."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Nov 19, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
82%
|
Prisoner of Paradise (2002) |
"
Directors Malcolm Clarke and Stuart Sender tell this story dispassionately, letting it evoke pity without asking us to see Gerron as a hero."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Oct 8, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
95%
|
Hero (2004) |
"
Breathtaking masterpiece."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Aug 27, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
99%
|
La Battaglia di Algeri (The Battle of Algiers) (1967) |
"
What makes this Charlotte Film Society entry remarkable is that the Italian director sympathizes with both sides."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jul 9, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
95%
|
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003) |
"
This meditation on spirituality, loneliness and accountability could touch your heart's core."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jun 11, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
93%
|
Touching the Void (2004) |
"
Warms the heart while chilling the bones."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Mar 19, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
94%
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) |
"
Return is the equal of the magnificent opening episode, The Fellowship of the Ring."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Dec 16, 2003
|
|
4/4
|
98%
|
Finding Nemo (2003) |
"
Pixar's employees, masters of computer-generated animation, capture the look of the ocean like no artists before."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted May 29, 2003
|
|
4/4
|
90%
|
Cidade de Deus (City of God) (2003) |
"
One of the most uncompromisingly bleak films I've ever seen."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Mar 21, 2003
|
|
3.5/4
|
96%
|
Monsieur Lazhar (2012) |
"
Everything about the film sets exactly the right tone, from the unforced and winning performances by the main children to the wintry cinematography to Fellag's quietly rueful performance."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted May 10, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
91%
|
Footnote (2012) |
"
Cedar is mostly interested in the father-son dynamics, and he cast excellent actors."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Apr 26, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
90%
|
In Darkness (2012) |
"
Though the film seems a bit long at almost two and a half hours, Holland needs that time to make the huddled cluster of Jews distinguishable as individuals."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Apr 20, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
90%
|
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) |
"
Most horror movies adhere to genre conventions, subvert them or spoof them. Producer Joss Whedon and director Drew Goddard, who wrote the screenplay together, do all three at top speed."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Apr 13, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
99%
|
A Separation (2011) |
"
The story has no winners, and the daringly ambiguous ending defies simple conclusions. Even the title can be taken multiple ways."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Mar 2, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
65%
|
The Woman in Black (2012) |
"
The expressive Radcliffe looks Byronic, with his high collar, haunted eyes and five o'clock stubble; he's a good match for Hinds, whose beefy stolidity keeps the younger man grounded."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Feb 2, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
83%
|
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) |
"
Director Tomas Alfredson has boiled the story down skillfully to a third of that length and infused it with the wry, energy-sapping dread so often found in modern Scandinavian cinema."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jan 6, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
87%
|
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) |
"
This film has two of Fincher's happiest trademarks: It's full of information and stretches over a remarkably long time (165 minutes), yet it's neither confusing nor overextended."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Dec 19, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
89%
|
The Descendants (2011) |
"
Director Alexander Payne prefers to start a movie with one strike against him. He always picks a dislikable protagonist... Then, as he slowly gives characters self-awareness, he gives us reasons to watch and care about them."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Nov 22, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
90%
|
Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) |
"
Martha Marcy burns itself into our memory banks."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Nov 10, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
95%
|
Moneyball (2011) |
"
It's tense, strangely funny in a lot of spots and -- if you grew up loving old-fashioned, seat-of-the-pants baseball, as I did -- the most depressing movie of the year."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Sep 22, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
69%
|
Horrible Bosses (2011) |
"
This is a fantasy along the lines of 9 to 5: coarser, less realistic about corporate culture, but just as much a fantasy of revenge for everyone humiliated or exploited by a supervisor."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jul 7, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
58%
|
The First Grader (2011) |
"
Maruge and Obinchu never lose their senses of humor or conviction, and Litondo and Harris are ideally cast."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jun 2, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
87%
|
X-Men: First Class (2011) |
"
The big ideas and battles come off thoughtfully and handsomely."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jun 2, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
77%
|
In A Better World (2011) |
"
The movie provides no answers, let alone easy ones."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted May 12, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
88%
|
Blue Valentine (2010) |
"
I was riveted."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Jan 14, 2011
|
|
3.5/4
|
96%
|
True Grit (2010) |
"
Those of us who admire Charles Portis' novel have waited 40 years for a screen version that's as literal as possible -- and the Coen brothers just about deliver it."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Dec 21, 2010
|
|
3.5/4
|
32%
|
For Colored Girls (2010) |
"
It has two undeniable virtues, however: Perry's bolder attitude as a writer and uniformly good work by his cast."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Nov 5, 2010
|
|
3.5/4
|
71%
|
Never Let Me Go (2010) |
"
Anyone who saw the Oscar-nominated Mulligan in An Education knows what she can do. If you didn't, you're in for the kind of quietly revelatory acting that portends a brilliant career."
—
Charlotte Observer
Posted Oct 8, 2010
|
67%
——
98%
