|
3.5/4
|
97%
|
Once (2007) |
"
Elegantly capturing the alchemy of songwriting -- not to mention the alchemy of fleeting romance -- it's a one-of-a-kind movie to enthrall musicians and listeners alike."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted May 25, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
91%
|
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) |
"
Crude, confrontational and stunningly sick, it's a movie made in the fringe tradition of Pink Flamingos, featuring a performer who seems to be willing to do anything for the camera."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Nov 3, 2006
|
|
3.5/4
|
97%
|
The Queen (2006) |
"
The genius of the movie lies in Mirren's work. She captures the complexities of a woman who's often seen as unknowable. Ultimately, it's a tribute to the regal leader rooted in reverence and empathy."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Sep 29, 2006
|
|
3.5/4
|
74%
|
Cars (2006) |
"
It's another innovative piece of entertainment from the animation studio, taking the audience on a kinetic trip into a world populated only by automobiles."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 9, 2006
|
|
3.5/4
|
81%
|
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) |
"
The debut film from performance art crossover Miranda July delivers an unlikely blend of irreverence and optimism. For all its dark humor and fringe qualities, the movie never descends into easy misanthropy."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jul 8, 2005
|
|
3.5/4
|
89%
|
Caterina in the Big City (Caterina va in citta) (2003) |
"
Like its heroine, Caterina in the Big City is delightfully unclassifiable, a modest, unassuming movie, but a rule-breaker nonetheless."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jul 1, 2005
|
|
3.5/4
|
82%
|
Rock School (2005) |
"
Engrossing from its first shot to its final fade."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 3, 2005
|
|
3.5/4
|
60%
|
Winter Solstice (2005) |
"
The narrative is simple, the dialogue spare and the performances low-key, yet there's real resonance to the film."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 8, 2005
|
|
3.5/4
|
85%
|
Ong-Bak (Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior) (2005) |
"
Imaginatively plotted destruction abounds."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Feb 11, 2005
|
|
3/4
|
53%
|
The Bubble (Ha Buah) (2007) |
"
The director seems to be welcoming controversy, however, pushing buttons to evoke strong responses and stimulate discussion."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Sep 7, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
70%
|
Moliere (Moliere ou Le comedien malgre lui) (2007) |
"
A period piece enlivened with slapstick and mischievous wit."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jul 27, 2007
|
|
|
91%
|
Hairspray (2007) |
"
More a reinvention than a retread, Hairspray is a pleasant surprise, a breath of fresh, whimsical air in a season that's been dominated by franchise entertainment."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jul 18, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
62%
|
Joshua (Joshua: The Devil's Child) (2007) |
"
It's not exactly light summer entertainment. With its emphasis on paranoia and perversion, Joshua is closer in spirit to fringe films like Eraserhead than mainstream horror movies like The Omen."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jul 6, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
63%
|
Day Watch (2007) |
"
It's a playful, surrealistic antidote to standard genre entertainment."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 8, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
77%
|
Surf's Up (2007) |
"
The jaunty sports story contains colorful characters, witty wisecracks and kinetic surf scenes. It's refreshing to see an animated family film that doesn't look like it was made on autopilot."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 8, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
63%
|
Severance (2006) |
"
The irony is thick, and the deaths are brutal, as horror and humor are spliced with social commentary. The British film sends up scary movies while building characters whose fates matter to the audience."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted May 22, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
40%
|
The Wendell Baker Story (2005) |
"
Wendell Baker isn't perfect. The slacker humor grows cloying at times. Still, there's an undeniable charm to the Texas tale as it celebrates nonconformity and redemption."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted May 18, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
88%
|
Waitress (2007) |
"
Heartfelt and intelligent, with a pinch of whimsy."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted May 10, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
91%
|
Hot Fuzz (2007) |
"
Hot Fuzz runs a bit long for a cop spoof, but it is also one of the funniest law enforcement comedies this side of The Naked Gun."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 20, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
68%
|
Disturbia (2007) |
"
A surprisingly competent film, Disturbia lives up to its title. It's rare to find a decent film turn up in the dead of April, traditionally Hollywood's dump month for shelved oddities."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 13, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
83%
|
Grindhouse (2007) |
"
So over-the-top, it makes 300 look like a study in minimalism."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 5, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
66%
|
Meet the Robinsons (2007) |
"
A witty, inventive CG adventure that proves there are still new ideas to explore in the digital animation realm."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Mar 30, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
70%
|
Blades of Glory (2007) |
"
Two actors with unique personas, Ferrell and Heder make a good combo, delivering winningly funny wordplay and skate moves."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Mar 30, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
89%
|
Starter for 10 (2006) |
"
Explores dark themes without taking itself too seriously, offering wit to offset the angst."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Feb 23, 2007
|
|
|
54%
|
Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny (2006) |
"
Although some jokes and songs are recycled from the band's back catalog, the movie contains plenty of new material, a mix of killer tunes, monster laughs and savvy references."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Nov 21, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
83%
|
Come Early Morning (2006) |
"
In a way, the movie itself is an example of that philosophy put into practice. [Director] Adams clearly did a lot of soul-searching as she wrote the story. Her introspective script provides another actress with a great role and a new start."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Nov 10, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
67%
|
The Bridge (2006) |
"
The interviews with loved ones keep the tragedies in context and help us process what we see. The true substance of The Bridge lies in their words, rather than the shots of the people they've lost."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Oct 27, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
90%
|
Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (2006) |
"
Capturing the women in concert, backstage and at home with their families, the movie is compelling and insightful, if a bit self-serving, promoting a group whose popularity is waning."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Oct 27, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
89%
|
Exit: The Right to Die (Exit: Le Droit de Mourir) (2006) |
"
It's not the kind of documentary that leaves you feeling like you've only heard one side of the debate, that certain unsettling truths have been tactically avoided."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Oct 25, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
84%
|
Sweet Land (2006) |
"
A love story and an elegy, Sweet Land is a meaningful film that makes its points with subtlety."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Oct 18, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
87%
|
The Ground Truth (2006) |
"
It's an edifying, upsetting film that offers a different perspective on the situation in the Middle East."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Sep 15, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
58%
|
How to Eat Fried Worms (2006) |
"
Unhealthy eating is paired with a wholesome message, as the story encourages youngsters to be themselves, keep their word and accept kids who are different."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Aug 25, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
74%
|
The Illusionist (2006) |
"
The love story is corny, the pacing is slow and some cast members are out of their element (yes, that means Biel), but the film has a cer tain cryptic charm."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Aug 18, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
73%
|
Conversations With Other Women (2006) |
"
The technique heightens the drama, illustrating how each character is in his or her own lonely little world."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Aug 12, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
72%
|
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) |
"
Ferrell reteams with director Adam McKay (Anchorman) for another gleefully trashy comedy."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Aug 4, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
86%
|
Quinceañera (Echo Park, L.A.) (2006) |
"
Debut actress Emily Rios delivers a haunting performance in the lead, honest and nuanced, a perfect match for the documentary-style direction."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Aug 4, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
91%
|
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) |
"
Mining humor from subjects like suicide, drug abuse and bad parenting, the picture isn't going to win any congeniality prizes, but it's amusingly bitter. Consider it summer fun for pessimists and misanthropes."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jul 26, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
82%
|
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006) |
"
The documentary offers enough color and depth to hold your interest and leave you keen to see the World Cup finals."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jul 7, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
52%
|
Strangers with Candy (2005) |
"
A subversive confection, Strangers with Candy sends up after-school specials, cheerfully debasing the genre."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 28, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
88%
|
Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006) |
"
In many ways, the movie is superior to An Inconvenient Truth, with more journalistic balance than the Al Gore global warming film."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 28, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
70%
|
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (2006) |
"
Because Cohen is such a colorful, eloquent central character, I'm Your Man overcomes its flaws. His music may not be everyone's cup of folk-rock tea, but his stories of lost love, self-doubt and creative struggle ring universal."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 21, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
86%
|
The Heart of the Game (2005) |
"
As far as magnetic team leaders go, it's hard to imagine a Hollywood screenwriter dreaming up a character as colorful as the coach in the basketball documentary, The Heart of the Game."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Jun 9, 2006
|
|
|
26%
|
Hoot (2006) |
"
The movie has a sense of purpose to match its sense of humor."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted May 5, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
87%
|
The Proposition (2005) |
"
There are intense confrontations and quiet bits of dialogue that delve into the souls of the characters. The stars, especially Pearce and Winstone, fully inhabit complex, unglamorous roles."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted May 5, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
91%
|
Water (2005) |
"
Lyrical imagery is matched with subtle performances."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 28, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
91%
|
United 93 (2006) |
"
Their story is told with devastating realism, stirring up a fresh sense of horror and erasing five years' distance from the attacks."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 25, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
83%
|
Somersault (2004) |
"
The movie's centerpiece is a candid, fearless performance by newcomer Abbie Cornish."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 21, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
30%
|
The Sisters (2006) |
"
A low-profile indie that's worth seeking out for Maria Bello's performance."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Apr 14, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
60%
|
Lonesome Jim (2006) |
"
Indie moviegoers have met slackers like Jim before, but he's still good company. The laughs are frequent while the emotions ring true."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Mar 24, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
86%
|
Thank You For Smoking (2006) |
"
Reitman makes shrewd choices condensing the book, removing conspiracy subplots and adding a story line about the relationship between Nick and his son, Joey (Cameron Bright)."
—
Newark Star-Ledger
Posted Mar 17, 2006
|
66%
——
97%
