|
A
|
94%
|
Winter's Bone (2010) |
"
With a level-gazed approach to its milieu, empathetic but clear-eyed, Winter's Bone practically makes up for 40 years of Deliverance-style hillbilly cartoons."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jun 24, 2010
|
|
A
|
95%
|
Goodbye Solo (2009) |
"
The acting is flawless, the world feels utterly real, and the finale accomplishes the miracle of finding in the everyday world something profound."
—
Oregonian
Posted May 15, 2009
|
|
A
|
90%
|
Hunger (2009) |
"
An alternately harrowing and poetic take on the fatal 1982 hunger strike of Irish Republican Army prisoner Bobby Sands, Hunger is also one of the most impressive feature directing debuts in years."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 17, 2009
|
|
A
|
88%
|
Young@Heart (2007) |
"
The members of the Young at Heart Chorus might not offer the serpentine strutting or Bacchanalian back story of the Rolling Stones, but their vivacity, dedication and courage would give any rock idol pause."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 25, 2008
|
|
A
|
93%
|
An Inconvenient Truth (2006) |
"
It's about science and only because we live in a society where believing in scientific truth has become controversial can it be seen as partisan at all."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jun 9, 2006
|
|
A
|
81%
|
The Manchurian Candidate (2004) |
"
A crackerjack thriller, full of great performances and different enough from its source material to keep educated viewers on their toes."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jul 30, 2004
|
|
A-
|
77%
|
Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2012) |
"
For most of its brief running time, "Jeff" ambles along as our hero's naive wisdom gradually leads his bitter, self-centered sibling to realize his own faults."
—
Oregonian
Posted Mar 15, 2012
|
|
A-
|
90%
|
Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) |
"
Durkin offers the most persuasively believable peek into the psyche of such a character I've ever seen."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 3, 2011
|
|
A-
|
88%
|
Inspector Bellamy (2010) |
"
As always, Chabrol, who died last September, moves this along without a bit of fuss -- there's not a superficial camera move, scene or directing choice to be found."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 20, 2011
|
|
A-
|
84%
|
Casino Jack And The United States Of Money (2010) |
"
Gibney takes a labyrinthine, detail-laden story and crafts an attention-holding film, polemical without ranting."
—
Oregonian
Posted May 27, 2010
|
|
A-
|
85%
|
The Square (2010) |
"
The whole thing unfolds with sadistic precision, but Edgerton's expert manipulation makes it a fun ride nonetheless."
—
Oregonian
Posted May 20, 2010
|
|
A-
|
94%
|
Mary and Max (2009) |
"
When two-dimensional drawings, computer pixels or lifeless lumps of clay can inspire real feeling, something almost magical is involved. Rarely has this been truer than in the Australian claymation film Mary and Max."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 30, 2009
|
|
A-
|
93%
|
L'Heure d'été (Summer Hours) (2009) |
"
A keenly observed, typically high-quality family drama of the sort only the French seem capable of making anymore."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jul 24, 2009
|
|
a-
|
89%
|
Auf der Anderen Seite (The Edge of Heaven) (On the Other Side) (2007) |
"
He [director Fatih Akin] makes the random moments and chance encounters of life seem both utterly unpredictable and completely inevitable."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 5, 2008
|
|
A-
|
100%
|
Man on Wire (2008) |
"
The recollections of Petit and his crew, as well as cleverly staged re-creations of the illicit preparations for the walk, form the backbone of Marsh's compelling and at times awe-inspiring film."
—
Oregonian
Posted Aug 8, 2008
|
|
A-
|
67%
|
Snow Angels (2007) |
"
Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale are each as good as they've ever been as the central, troubled couple, and the rest of the cast also impresses."
—
Oregonian
Posted Mar 28, 2008
|
|
A-
|
100%
|
Taxi to the Dark Side (2007) |
"
A film like this remains important, both as an indictment of the present day and as a warning to future generations that the ends don't always justify the means."
—
Oregonian
Posted Mar 28, 2008
|
|
A-
|
85%
|
El Orfanato (The Orphanage) (2007) |
"
As if more proof were needed that the best way to make a scary movie is through atmosphere, pacing and storytelling, rather than sudden violence, needless gore and random shocks, here comes The Orphanage."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 11, 2008
|
|
A-
|
96%
|
Deep Water (2006) |
"
This was a story that made front pages in its day but has been largely lost to history, and now is brought bracingly and compellingly back to life."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 21, 2007
|
|
A-
|
73%
|
The Bothersome Man (Den Brysomme mannen) (2007) |
"
Is it a religious allegory? Political statement? Horror film? Perhaps all three, perhaps none."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 21, 2007
|
|
A-
|
95%
|
Mala Noche (Bad Night) (2007) |
"
It serves as Milepost 1 on Van Sant's highway to success."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 7, 2007
|
|
A-
|
74%
|
The Boss of it All (Direktøren for det hele) (2007) |
"
For all his talk of 'harmless' comedy, it's clear that von Trier is capable of no such thing. The beauty of The Boss of It All is that it can be viewed through a variety of prisms..."
—
Oregonian
Posted Aug 17, 2007
|
|
A-
|
87%
|
Efter brylluppet (After the Wedding) (2006) |
"
A serious adult drama that, in the wrong hands, would have certainly been a cloying mess. Instead, it's a riveting character study/soap opera."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 13, 2007
|
|
A-
|
89%
|
El Aura (The Aura) (2006) |
"
A haunting character-study-cum-crime thriller that marks the maturation of a significant filmmaking talent."
—
Oregonian
Posted Feb 2, 2007
|
|
A-
|
88%
|
Mutual Appreciation (2006) |
"
To capture the mundane rhythms of everyday existence without being tedious is a tough task, which makes the difficulties [director] Bujalski has had getting his films distributed a puzzling and frustrating thing."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 8, 2006
|
|
A-
|
70%
|
Lemming (2006) |
"
If you're content to let dream logic take over, a lot can be gleaned from this odd, darkly funny meditation on life, death, love and revenge."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 1, 2006
|
|
A-
|
57%
|
Drawing Restraint 9 (2005) |
"
You're either on the boat or off the boat with something like this. But for those willing to brave the open water, it's an awe-inspiring ride."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jun 2, 2006
|
|
A-
|
100%
|
The Fallen Idol (1949) |
"
A gripping film which, despite the annoying rugrat, demonstrates how part of leaving childhood behind is learning how and when to lie, and to do it well."
—
Oregonian
Posted May 5, 2006
|
|
A-
|
87%
|
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2006) |
"
The courage to act as she and her colleagues did in the worst possible scenario should inspire anyone, of whatever political stripe, to speak out before it gets to the point where her story could possibly be a true one."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 21, 2006
|
|
A-
|
91%
|
After Innocence (2005) |
"
The scope of the problem, with likely thousands of innocent people incarcerated thanks mostly to errant eyewitness testimony, should give pause to anyone who thinks that life is as simple as black and white, innocent and guilty."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 7, 2006
|
|
A-
|
88%
|
Tony Takitani (2005) |
"
it's a hypnotic mood piece on love and loss, one that knows -- at 75 minutes -- not to overstay its welcome."
—
Oregonian
Posted Dec 16, 2005
|
|
A-
|
83%
|
Genesis (2004) |
"
The team of five credited cinematographers, which includes the directors, uses slow motion, time-lapse and extreme close-ups to provide fresh perspective on familiar sights and jaw-dropping footage of things you've never seen."
—
Oregonian
Posted Nov 4, 2005
|
|
A-
|
94%
|
Saraband (2003) |
"
A fitting coda to a career that forced audiences worldwide to reconsider the capabilities of an entire art form."
—
Oregonian
Posted Aug 5, 2005
|
|
A-
|
97%
|
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) |
"
It's a true story, one that lays bare the folly, maniacal selfishness and sheer chutzpah that resulted in the bankruptcy of America's seventh-largest corporation and the ruining of thousands of lives."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 29, 2005
|
|
A-
|
91%
|
Te doy mis ojos (Take My Eyes) (2006) |
"
The direction and performances acknowledge a lack of easy answers for these complex, flawed characters, while subtly indicting the roots of domestic violence in the Spanish culture of machismo."
—
Oregonian
Posted Feb 18, 2005
|
|
A-
|
98%
|
Since Otar Left (2004) |
"
A showcase for three very talented actresses."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 17, 2004
|
|
A-
|
95%
|
Hero (2004) |
"
A film that should entrance the eyes and move the soul of anyone capable of appreciating true filmmaking art."
—
Oregonian
Posted Aug 27, 2004
|
|
A-
|
89%
|
Word Wars (2004) |
"
A highly entertaining look at these bizarre personalities and an insight into their obsession with Scrabble."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jul 9, 2004
|
|
A-
|
93%
|
Gojira (1956) |
"
For the first time in this country, the original Japanese version of the first Godzilla film has been released, and it's a revelation."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jun 25, 2004
|
|
A-
|
78%
|
The Saddest Music in the World (2004) |
"
A perfect entry point for viewers looking to explore the weird world of Maddin, who should be anointed the cinematic poet laureate of Winnipeg, if he hasn't been already."
—
Oregonian
Posted May 14, 2004
|
|
A-
|
93%
|
Knafayim Shvurot (Broken Wings) (2002) |
"
This story could take place anywhere there are families struggling to remake themselves in the aftermath of tragedy; its universality is perhaps the most potent political message of all."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 26, 2004
|
|
A-
|
70%
|
Dogville (2003) |
"
This unique cinematic experience is a parable of greed and revenge that could take place anywhere."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 26, 2004
|
|
A-
|
86%
|
Aileen - Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003) |
"
Though unpleasant to watch, Life and Death of a Serial Killer presents a portrait of evil, betrayal and banality that's almost impossible to take your eyes off of."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 21, 2004
|
|
B+
|
82%
|
The Salt of Life (2012) |
"
Perhaps the sweetest movie ever made about a guy trying to cheat on his wife."
—
Oregonian
Posted Apr 19, 2012
|
|
B+
|
99%
|
Le Havre (2011) |
"
Uses Kaurismäki's dry wit to tell a tale that's more earnest and political than anything he's done, but which retains the skewed Scandinavian worldview we've come to expect."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jan 25, 2012
|
|
B+
|
85%
|
The Ides of March (2011) |
"
This isn't a stereotypical left-wing Hollywood screed against Republican know-nothings, but rather a harsh self-examination of the cynicism that has crept into every cranny of the political landscape."
—
Oregonian
Posted Oct 6, 2011
|
|
B+
|
93%
|
50/50 (2011) |
"
It almost seems as if "50/50" is leaning too hard on the lighthearted shtick, until the final act, when everything comes together with genuine emotional heft."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 29, 2011
|
|
B+
|
81%
|
Higher Ground (2011) |
"
That's right, this is a movie about the life of an American woman. Oh, plus there's some religion in there, too."
—
Oregonian
Posted Sep 9, 2011
|
|
B+
|
83%
|
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) |
"
Contrary to all previous live-action "Apes" movies, this one forgoes humans in makeup for full-on CGI animals, and the results are surprisingly solid."
—
Oregonian
Posted Aug 4, 2011
|
|
B+
|
85%
|
A Better Life (2011) |
"
A genuinely moving tale of a father and son banding together in a hostile world."
—
Oregonian
Posted Jun 23, 2011
|
68%
——
98%
