|
5/5
|
82%
|
Walk the Line (2005) |
"
If Phoenix makes Cash look like he made a deal with the devil, then Witherspoon convinces you that Carter received training from angels."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Nov 23, 2005
|
|
5/5
|
83%
|
The Constant Gardener (2005) |
"
A spectacular oasis in a desert of summer disappointment, The Constant Gardener blooms with a tragic, bittersweet beauty that should make it an early Oscar contender."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Aug 31, 2005
|
|
5/5
|
87%
|
The Aviator (2004) |
"
Soars as an Oscar front-runner, a guarantee of the prestigious prize for its legendary director, Martin Scorsese. "
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jan 11, 2005
|
|
5/5
|
90%
|
Kinsey (2004) |
"
An extraordinary frank and honest film about a subject that most Americans don't discuss openly."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jan 11, 2005
|
|
5/5
|
97%
|
The Incredibles (2004) |
"
A visual feast, a funny, entertaining thrill ride that's the best creation yet from the animation juggernaut better known as Pixar."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Nov 5, 2004
|
|
5/5
|
72%
|
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) |
"
A dazzling and groundbreaking film, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is the most fun you'll have at the movies this year. "
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Sep 9, 2004
|
|
5/5
|
77%
|
Big Fish (2003) |
"
A perfect marriage of story and director, Tim Burton has achieved maturity as a filmmaker while keeping his ability to tell a larger-than-life story."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jan 9, 2004
|
|
5/5
|
89%
|
Far From Heaven (2003) |
"
One of the year's best films, featuring an Oscar-worthy performance by Julianne Moore."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Dec 5, 2002
|
|
5/5
|
99%
|
Metropolis (1927) |
"
The film looks beautiful and does justice to Fritz Lang's vision."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Oct 18, 2002
|
|
5/5
|
83%
|
Road to Perdition (2002) |
"
It's the best film of the year so far, the benchmark against which all other Best Picture contenders should be measured."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jul 11, 2002
|
|
5/5
|
100%
|
North by Northwest (1959) |
"
Expertly paced and filmed in vibrant colors, Hitchcock delivers wit, glamour and sophistication."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jul 5, 2002
|
|
5/5
|
98%
|
Strangers on a Train (1951) |
"
Farley Granger became the best-known actor out of the film, but it's the tour-de-force performance of Robert Walker as Bruno that's amazing."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jun 6, 2002
|
|
4.5/5
|
93%
|
Good Night, And Good Luck (2005) |
"
Infused with so much class and coolness that the movie's political parallels and clever savaging of America's corporate media may slide right past many who see it."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Nov 23, 2005
|
|
4.5/5
|
90%
|
Capote (2005) |
"
Quietly dazzles not just as a character study of the immensely complex author but also as a fascinating look at the relationship between a writer and his subject."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Nov 23, 2005
|
|
4.5/5
|
95%
|
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2005) |
"
A precious gem of a film."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted May 27, 2005
|
|
4.5/5
|
87%
|
Millions (2005) |
"
A modern fairy tale with imagination that dazzles kids and adult alike."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Apr 29, 2005
|
|
4.5/5
|
91%
|
Downfall (Der Untergang) (2004) |
"
Bruno Ganz's extraordinary performance as Adolph Hitler makes Downfall a riveting experience."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Mar 25, 2005
|
|
4.5/5
|
83%
|
Finding Neverland (2004) |
"
A whimsical flight into the joy of a child."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Dec 17, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
53%
|
Spanglish (2004) |
"
Brooks stirs cultures and classes into an insightful, clever discussion of esteem and self-identity ... one of the year's best films."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Dec 17, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
96%
|
Sideways (2004) |
"
Make sure you savor this one - vintages of this quality don't happen every season."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Nov 24, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
95%
|
Before Sunset (2004) |
"
Before Sunset may be the most unusual sequel this summer, but it's certainly the sweetest and one of the best."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Aug 5, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
60%
|
The Terminal (2004) |
"
As they land this fish-out-of-water story, Spielberg and Hanks have created a modern Catch-22 that moves you to laughter and then tugs your heart moments later."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jun 18, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
95%
|
The Return (Vozvrashcheniye) (2003) |
"
Like a gorgeously layered peony bloom, the Russian film The Return is so rich and textured it's breathtaking in its beauty."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jun 11, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
85%
|
Kill Bill, Volume 2 (2004) |
"
As Volume 1 delivered a supercharged splatterfest, an adrenaline-saturated buzz saw of fury, Volume 2 pounds you with its emotion and Tarantino's dialogue."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Apr 16, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
93%
|
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004) |
"
The charm and subtle heartbreak of Sunshine is watching how it unlocks secrets and little truths about love."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Mar 19, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
98%
|
The Fog of War - Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003) |
"
Even if you aren't a history buff or normally watch documentarties, Errol Morris' film is fascinating."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Mar 5, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
82%
|
Monster (2004) |
"
A harrowing, haunting dive into the mind of a female serial killer."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jan 30, 2004
|
|
4.5/5
|
84%
|
Pieces of April (2003) |
"
A sparkling gem of a comedy."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Nov 13, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
95%
|
Lost In Translation (2003) |
"
Bill Murray is perfectly cast and his performance is understated, like the entire film. He deserves an Oscar nomination."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Sep 27, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
84%
|
Swimming Pool (2003) |
"
It's a provocative experience, one that floats peacefully yet makes us wonder what might be lurking beneath the surface."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Aug 2, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
97%
|
Capturing the Friedmans (2003) |
"
Capturing the Friedmans succeeds into turning us into rubberneckers, ashamed we are witnessing this tragedy but unable to turn away."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jul 25, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
90%
|
Whale Rider (2003) |
"
A delightful surprise. A wonderful and stirring crowd-pleaser."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jun 27, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
96%
|
Raising Victor Vargas (2003) |
"
An exceptionally strong debut film that rings true and honest about teenagers and their emotions."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jun 13, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
96%
|
The Pianist (2002) |
"
Brody's performance is worthy of an Oscar nomination."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jan 24, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
81%
|
The Hours (2002) |
"
The Hours, a delicately crafted film, is an impressive achievement in spite of a river of sadness that pours into every frame."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jan 17, 2003
|
|
4.5/5
|
72%
|
Auto Focus (2002) |
"
Kinnear gives a tremendous performance."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Nov 8, 2002
|
|
4.5/5
|
92%
|
Nine Queens (Nueve reinas) (2002) |
"
Evokes the style and flash of the double-cross that made Mamet's "House of Games" and last fall's "Heist" so much fun."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jun 7, 2002
|
|
4/5
|
71%
|
Thumbsucker (2005) |
"
A slow, deliberative but interesting trip into our overstimulated and overmedicated society through the eyes of a teenage slacker who can't stop sucking his thumb."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Oct 7, 2005
|
|
4/5
|
82%
|
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) |
"
An intoxicating confection worthy of the children's classic written by Roald Dahl."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jul 26, 2005
|
|
4/5
|
94%
|
March of the Penguins (2005) |
"
Fathers of Iowa, don't take this too personally but you pale in comparison to the emperor penguins of Antarctica."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jul 26, 2005
|
|
4/5
|
64%
|
Bride and Prejudice (2005) |
"
A colorful, high-energy musical that sizzles in this East-meets-West clash of cultures. "
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Mar 11, 2005
|
|
4/5
|
92%
|
Vera Drake (2004) |
"
A gently devestating film with a heartbreaking performance by Imelda Staunton."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Jan 14, 2005
|
|
4/5
|
92%
|
Tarnation (2004) |
"
A genre-busting creation, a breakthrough in filmmaking that's strange and raw and difficult to watch."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Dec 10, 2004
|
|
4/5
|
68%
|
Closer (2004) |
"
Closer plays a little like a sad jazzy score - fascinating to experience even after realizing it's going to break your heart."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Dec 3, 2004
|
|
4/5
|
91%
|
Shaun of the Dead (2004) |
"
It's a comedy. It's a horror film. It's a head-crackin' good time. "
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Oct 15, 2004
|
|
4/5
|
81%
|
Friday Night Lights (2004) |
"
Friday Night Lights fires up a gritty, grubby look at the dark underside of Texas' primary religion - football."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Oct 8, 2004
|
|
4/5
|
30%
|
The Forgotten (2004) |
"
A gripping, disorienting thriller that delivers several jolts that throw the audience off-balance and never lets them get upright."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Sep 24, 2004
|
|
4/5
|
77%
|
Uncovered: The War on Iraq (2004) |
"
Uncovered may not have the acerbic tone of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, but it's every bit a damning indictment."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Aug 26, 2004
|
|
4/5
|
86%
|
Garden State (2004) |
"
A wonderful late-summer surprise for audiences to embrace."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Aug 20, 2004
|
|
4/5
|
71%
|
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) |
"
A wacky, weird high school film that John Waters and the Coen brothers could have co-directed. Soo-weeet."
—
Des Moines Register
Posted Aug 5, 2004
|
68%
——
98%
