|
3/4
|
94%
|
My Kid Could Paint That (2007) |
"
A fascinating documentary."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 19, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
94%
|
Gone Baby Gone (2007) |
"
A love-tolerate valentine to the city, it feels more real than the gangster-gorged mean streets of Martin Scorsese's The Departed, and just as tortured as Clint Eastwood's Mystic River."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 19, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
72%
|
Lust, Caution (2007) |
"
A quietly compelling drama of hidden desperation and fierce passions."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 12, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
100%
|
The Alps (2007) |
"
An eye-popping tribute to the European range that's heaved heavenward since bulging from the Earth eons ago during continental drift."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 5, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
63%
|
King of California (2007) |
"
Writer-director Mike Cahill explores Charlie's foolishness with funny-sad fondness."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 5, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
14%
|
The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising (2007) |
"
It's simply product for a pre-conditioned marketplace, pushing familiar buttons without doing anything remotely creative."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Oct 5, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
39%
|
Feast of Love (2007) |
"
Director Robert Benton and screenwriter Allison Burnett tell a sobering, adult-geared tale of love's highs, lows and maddening twists and turns."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 28, 2007
|
|
2.5/4
|
24%
|
Fierce People (2005) |
"
A buoyant coming-of-age adventure welded to an amiable wealth fantasy."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 21, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
94%
|
In the Shadow of the Moon (2007) |
"
Though Shadow could use a bit more confessionals and a bit less history, it still succeeds as a reminder of America's can-do spirit at its best."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 21, 2007
|
|
2.5/4
|
73%
|
In the Valley of Elah (2007) |
"
[Haggis'] self-serious tone becomes wearisome, and he fails to explore how the military failed its men while clumsily laying a guilt trip at its feet."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 21, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
33%
|
Sea of Dreams (2006) |
"
Sea of Dreams purports to be a film of 'magic realism,' but it's neither magical nor realistic."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 21, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Deep Water (2006) |
"
For this gripping and amazing documentary, such truth emerges not just from the facts, but also the poetry of men who redefine themselves in a risky race on small sailboats."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 14, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
96%
|
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007) |
"
Nerds rule."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 14, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
7%
|
Silk (2007) |
"
Although the period-piece film has all the trappings, from beautiful people to an obligatory sense of tragedy, it never follows through. In fact, its love story needs a shove -- it just lies there."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 14, 2007
|
|
1/4
|
89%
|
Eastern Promises (2007) |
"
What it's really about, more than sensitivity for displaced people or social analyses, is violence -- hideous, gruesome, over-the-top violence."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 14, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
93%
|
This Is England (2007) |
"
A drama that's so potent and persuasive yet also natural and intimate that it almost has the heft of a documentary."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 7, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
88%
|
3:10 to Yuma (2007) |
"
The best Western since Unforgiven, 3:10 to Yuma is both cathartic and intelligent. While a wildly eventful action-adventure and outlaw shoot-'em-up, it's also a vibrant story of heroism, villainy and hard-earned redemption."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Sep 7, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
63%
|
Ladron Que Roba A Ladron (2007) |
"
If you want dangerous schemes to be light-hearted entertainment, you've got to make allowances. Besides, the payoffs are worth it - in any language."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 31, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
20%
|
Death Sentence (2007) |
"
It may be the most depressing action movie ever made. Its calamities are well staged, and its acting, beyond some histrionics, is fine. But you don't enjoy this film; you endure it."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 31, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
84%
|
Rocket Science (2007) |
"
Borrowing from too many movies to count, Rocket Science botches that brew in an unwieldy slew of adolescent-angst clichés."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 24, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
20%
|
The Invasion (2007) |
"
Resistance is futile -- unless your screenplay can offer pat, absurd plot turns."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 17, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
37%
|
The Ten (2007) |
"
Perhaps the Bible needs an 11th Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Bore. That might stem misfires such as The Ten."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 17, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
70%
|
Black Sheep (2006) |
"
This lurid lunacy from New Zealand is a horror-humor cross-breed of animal lore and giddy gore."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 10, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
30%
|
Goya's Ghosts (2007) |
"
A punishing misfire."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 3, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
57%
|
Interview (2007) |
"
I'll just say that Buscemi, who also directed and co-wrote, knows a lot about making movies but little about journalism."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 3, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
75%
|
My Best Friend (Mon meilleur ami) (2007) |
"
As an alleged witty comedy of humanistic charm, it sags in both, thanks to unfunny predicaments and a phony plot."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 3, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
57%
|
Becoming Jane (2007) |
"
The film seduces. Beautifully produced, from production design and costumes to music and performances, it's also faithful to the genteel spirit and repressed passions for which she's known."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Aug 3, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
74%
|
Sunshine (2007) |
"
On sci-fi's crowded table Boyle serves a fresh feast for our eyes, minds and hearts."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 27, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
52%
|
Introducing the Dwights (2007) |
"
Some offbeat humor shines through the clouds of this glum domestic drama, especially when fun friends shift the focus from Jean's grating histrionics. But it never lasts long."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 20, 2007
|
|
2.5/4
|
64%
|
Broken English (2007) |
"
Cassavetes supplies no easy answers or easy laughs, forgoing romantic-comedy beats in respect for Nora's desperation. Call this confection a romantic-dramedy with humor on wry."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 20, 2007
|
|
2.5/4
|
36%
|
Hollywood Dreams (2007) |
"
I've been among the unbelievers, but Hollywood Dreams turned me around -- to a point. Perhaps it's because the film is among Jaglom's best, love him or leave him."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 6, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
78%
|
You Kill Me (2007) |
"
A film whose deft blend of action thrills and gallows humor packs a jaunty kick and a firing-range boom."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jul 6, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
72%
|
Golden Door (2007) |
"
Its minutiae don't bring a lump in the throat -- just a drumming of the fingers."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 29, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
83%
|
Paprika (2006) |
"
Is it sci-fi? Fantasy? Idiocy? Mostly it's a droning mess -- pretty to look at but confounding to the point where you just don't care any more."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 22, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
74%
|
La Vie en Rose (La Mome) (2007) |
"
Compelling but punishing -- an artful ordeal. The best way to process it may be as unintended camp, rolling your eyes in amazement at its litany of misery and heaps of histrionics."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 22, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
78%
|
Crazy Love (2007) |
"
... though Crazy Love remains a far cry from heartening, it is more amusing than disturbing, especially given the cranky yet symbiotic couple of today."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 15, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
44%
|
Angel-A (2005) |
"
[The] plot is warmed-over Capra, and it's no wonderful-life yarn."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 15, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
64%
|
Day Watch (2007) |
"
A noisy, incoherent, droning spectacle."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 15, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
86%
|
Paris Je T'aime (2007) |
"
Even the least tales here flit by quickly enough to leave little bad aftertaste, and the best are savored like the last small bites of exquisite soufflés."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 8, 2007
|
|
2.5/4
|
64%
|
Severance (2006) |
"
The cast shows spark and gusto, especially Laura Harris as a vulnerable yet intrepid survivor type and Danny Dyer as a bent druggie who straightens out long enough to fight back."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 8, 2007
|
|
3/4
|
40%
|
The Wendell Baker Story (2005) |
"
Given Luke Wilson's affability, it's also irresistibly charming. You may not buy the film's plot, but you'll invest in him as a man whose heart is always in the right place."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 8, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
88%
|
Red Road (2007) |
"
For a voyeuristic medium, this tale of a voyeur does a poor job of prying into its own protagonist's life."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 1, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
60%
|
Gracie (2007) |
"
Gracie, a tale about a teen girl blazing trails in soccer, is worthy, but it's also formulaic to a fault."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Jun 1, 2007
|
|
1.5/5
|
95%
|
Offside (2006) |
"
Offside is a slow slog through bloated scenes with little happening. Framed and shot like a crude documentary, it proceeds in long, clunky takes, as if an editor couldn't be bothered."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 18, 2007
|
|
2.5/4
|
25%
|
Blind Dating (2007) |
"
It's not preachy or weepy. Instead, it's a lively yet meaningful romantic comedy that doesn't lose sight of its central mission: to entertain."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 11, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
12%
|
The Salon (2007) |
"
Like a perm that won't grow away, it's stuck in the race-comedy mold of Barbershop, Barbershop 2 and Beauty Shop. Been there, done that hair."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 11, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
70%
|
The Valet (La Doublure) (2007) |
"
It'll do nicely, thanks not only to sophisticated amusement but also to a gentlemanly hero who earns a place in our hearts."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted May 4, 2007
|
|
2/4
|
87%
|
Efter brylluppet (After the Wedding) (2006) |
"
In my book it's high camp -- a thrill ride for emotion junkies."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Apr 13, 2007
|
|
1.5/4
|
11%
|
Pathfinder (2007) |
"
Dialogue is a low priority in this film, which has less plot than most video games."
—
Houston Chronicle
Posted Apr 13, 2007
|
73%
21%
63%
85%
46%
40%
