Abandon (2002)

"The next big thing's not-so-big (and not-so-hot) directorial debut."

About Schmidt (2002)

"Nicholson's cranky father of the bride is as touching as he is exasperating, and the delightfully oddball About Schmidt is just about perfect."

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)

"It's the real people who keep grounding this movie."

Against the Ropes (2003)

"Still Oscar-less, Ryan obviously sees Jackie as her blue-collar scrapper in the Brockovich-Norma Rae mold. What she delivers is very different -- an unwittingly patronizing Great Blond Hope."

The Alamo (2004)

"Yes, a lot of The Alamo is chauvinistic hokum. But what entertaining hokum it is!"

Alexander (2004)

"Despite a budget reportedly north of $150 million, Stone fails to make war on an epic scale, preferring to allow Alexander to talk the world to death."

Ali (2001)

"A joltin' powerhouse of a movie that deals more in fleeting impressions than pat answers."

Alien (1979)

"It's a most satisfying return to one of the few sci-fi films that deserves to be called a masterpiece."

Alien: The Director's Cut (2003)

"It's a most satisfying return to one of the few sci-fi films that deserves to be called a masterpiece."

All The King's Men (2006)

"These characters and their effect upon each other are so poorly developed that it seems as if large chunks of the plot are missing."

Almost Famous (2000)

"What moments it has! With his pitch-perfect ear for the music swirling through every scene, Crowe seems to hear the words in his characters' hearts."

Amadeus (1984)

"Still a work of consummate artistry and craftsmanship."

Amelie (2001)

"Tautou provides Amélie with its beating heart."

America's Sweethearts (2001)

"A Billy Crystal shtick-fest masquerading as romantic-comedy, though it's hardly ever romantic and only occasionally funny."

American Experience - Daughter from Danang (2002)

"Like other great documentaries ... this goes after one truth (the Ford administration's complicity in tearing 'orphans' from their mothers) and stumbles upon others even more compelling."

American Pie 2 (2001)

"It has all the essential ingredients -- same writer, same cast, same suburban Michigan setting -- but it's sour now, with the texture of soggy cardboard."

American Splendor (2003)

"This mixture of drama and documentary may seem jarring at first. But its ultimate effect is every bit as clever as the filmmakers hoped."

Analyze That (2002)

"Where the first movie struck just the right tone, blending anxiety attacks with machine-gun attacks to come up with a comic La Cosa Neurosis, this picture consistently goes too far in all directions."

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

"Burgundy is dim, vain and unrepentantly horny, but there is something so limited about him that he seems more pitiable than funny."

Anger Management (2003)

"With Sandler as his simpering straight man, Nicholson makes faces shamelessly, rude noises shamefully, but he can't make Anger Management funny."

Antz (1998)

"The film breaks new ground in its dazzling re-creation of life from an ant's-eye view!"

Anything But Love (2003)

"The results are earnest but completely resistable, more borscht-belt Cabaret than My Big Fat New York Tryout."

Anywhere But Here (1999)

"The real revelation here is Portman. The 17-year-old actress can play a range of emotions beyond actresses twice her age."

Ararat (2002)

"Given the convoluted approach -- and tongue-tied delivery -- we're left to conclude that Egoyan's emotions got the better of him this time."

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

"Anyone who has not seen the original movie will wonder why Chan is gadding about in the bowler derby of an English valet, and anyone who has seen the Cantinflas version most likely will long for the real thing."