Movies

Last updated 11 March 2010

Current Reviews

Reviews of current movies. Links are to the Rotten Tomatoes Web site, where you can read what other critics and moviegoers thought of each film. Release date is in parentheses. Ratings are from * (stinker) to **** (absolutely wonderful).

**½ The Watchmen: Director’s Cut (December 2009) - Rental
Billy Crudup, . Ryan Bingham lives on the road, a consultant who fires people, when a change in company policy causes him to rethink his personal philosophies.

She says: Having read the graphic novel this is based, I was mostly intrigued with seeing its complexities come to life. It stayed pretty faithful, so nothing was too surprising. It was violent, but I was expecting that. I have no idea what this movie would be like if you haven't read the original. If you have, you might want see this. And likely in this extended version.
He says: That was not my favorite. [He has not read the graphic novel.
She says: Really? That's interesting. Why? Was it confusing? Too violent? Not enough depth to the characters?
He says: [Pause] I don't analyze movies like that. I just didn't like it that much.

***½ Avatar (December 2009) - Theatre
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana. Wheelchair-bound ex-marine finds himself on a hostile planet, charged with inhabiting an avatar body and ingratiating himself with the natives so they can be persuaded to move off the mineral riches they live on.

She says: It is visually stunning, even for the 3D-viewing impaired like me. And while the characters and plot are not exactly brimming with originality and depth, they're still engaging.
He says: I really enjoyed that. And now I think tall women maybe aren't so bad.

*** How She Move (January 2008) - Rental
Rutina Wesley, Brennan Gademans. Her family's funds depleted, a teenage girl must leave her private school and return to her old neighborhood and school. She latches on a to step dancing competition as her way out.

She says: A fairly formulaic plot but very well-executed, and some amazing dance sequences in a genre I'd never heard of before (though it seems somewhat related to hip-hop and krump).
He says: That was good. It worked for me. Can't believe Tré Armstrong made a name for herself in that, though; her part was pretty small.

***½ Up in the Air (December 2009) - Theatre
George Clooney, Vera Farmiga. Ryan Bingham lives on the road, a consultant who fires people, when a change in company policy causes him to rethink his personal philosophies.

She says: A movie of small surprises, as all characters turn out to be more than just cliches, and the plot refuses to follow the conventional arc. Along with the fact that Clooney and most other actors are excellent and the script is witty, it's highly worth seeing.
He says: I liked that. It kept me entertained, it surprised me, I enjoyed the characters. Even though not much happened.

** Tropic Thunder (August 2008) - Rental
Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Junior. Actors in a war movie unknowingly find themselves in an actual war zone.

She says: Robert Downey Jr. was excellent in this, and the movie certainly had funny parts, but overall it was a little too gross and immature for me.
He says: It was OK. I wouldn't watch it again, though.

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Movie Reviews Archive

Movies A–B (About a Boy to Brokeback Mountain)

Movies C–F (Caché to From Hell)

Movies G–L (Galaxy Quest to Luck)

Movies M–R (Made to The Royal Tenenbaums),

Movies S–Z (Saint Ralph to Y Tu Mama Tambien)

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DVD Reviews

Johnny Depp films (Benny and Joon to What's Eating Gilbert Grape)

Musicals (Grease to The Wall)

Musically Inspired movies (About a Boy to Strictly Ballroom)

Family movies (The Aristocats to The Wizard of Oz)

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Articles

Frequently Asked Questions about our Movie Reviews.

Report from the 32nd Popular Culture Association Annual Conference, March 13-16, 2002. Dateline Toronto: What do academics talk about when they get together? Movies they've seen, TV shows they've watched, books they've read. Just like you and me — well, sort of...

Movie Lists: Best of per year, food-related, sexy and dumb yet great comedies.

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Essay

Pretty Woman: A Fantasy Theme Analysis — Why were so many seemingly intelligent women drawn to this piece of fluff about a prostitute and her corporate raider?

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