As Good as it Gets Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Jack Nicholson's grubby fairy tale
(12/24/97)
Jackie Brown Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Tarantino's valentine to Pam Grier
(12/24/97)
The Sweet Hereafter Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Mysterious beauty in the ultimate loss
(12/24/97)
Tomorrow Never Dies Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Stale Bonding: 007 has lost his verve
(12/19/97)
Titanic By Stephanie Zacharek
James Cameron's titanic new disaster movie deserves a watery grave
(12/17/97)
Amistad Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Sinking ship: Steven Spielberg weighs down "Amistad" with too much reverent history
(12/12/97)
Scream 2 Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Scream lover: Sequels suck, but not this one
(12/12/97)
Pammy and Tommy's honeymoon video Reviewed by Susie Bright
The bootlegged version of Pamela Anderson Lee and Tommy Lee's honeymoon is strictly for lovebirds
(12/05/97)
Good Will Hunting Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Gus Van Sant's "Good Will Hunting" offers a handsome young star and some dreamy filmmaking, but not much to write home about
(12/05/97)
Alien
Resurrection Reviewed by Laura Miller
Sigourney Weaver is in fine form in the latest in the "Alien" series of Freudian-toothed slimefests
(11/26/97)
Welcome to Sarajevo Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A visceral, angry and riveting tale of reporters in a war zone
(11/26/97)
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Clint Eastwood's dry, restrained directing gives the Southern decadence of the story no place to grow
(11/21/97)
John Grisham's The Rainmaker Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Francis Ford Coppola hits predictable -- and surprising -- notes
(11/21/97)
The Man Who Knew Too Little Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Saved by Bill Murray's prickly charm
(11/14/97)
One Night Stand Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Mike Figgis' tale of an adulterous evening and its long-term repercussions has some fine acting, but falls short of true melodrama
(11/14/97)
The Wings of the Dove Reviewed by Laura Miller
A gorgeous tale of wicked people and sexual intrigue
(11/14/97)
Bean Reviewed by Charles
Taylor
A few choice moments with Rowan Atkinson's hilariously selfish creation, but too much plot
(11/07/97)
Eve's Bayou Reviewed by
Cynthia Joyce
In Kasi Lemmons' magical "Eve's Bayou," a young girl learns that even a happy family can be a minefield of hidden tensions
(11/07/97)
Starship Troopers
Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
The incoherent film version of Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" lacks the courage of the book's fascist conclusions
(11/07/97)
Mad City Reviewed by
Andrew O'Hehir
In Costa-Gavras' movie, the ratings-crazed news media has no
integrity
(11/07/97)
Red Corner Reviewed by
Andrew O'Hehir
He's more manly and virtuous than the other 600 million men in China, and his saintliness overwhelms this pedestrian film
(10/31/97)
Happy Together Reviewed
by Charles Taylor
Lovers bicker forever in flawed, morose film by "Chungking Express"
director
(10/31/97)
A Life Less Ordinary
Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
A girl, a guy and a gun make for a passionate, gloriously American
movie love story
(10/24/97)
Gattaca Reviewed by
Scott Rosenberg
A genetically engineered future makes for a chilly, neurotic night at
the movies
(10/24/97)
The
Ice Storm Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Terrific performances warm up Ang Lee's frosty examination of 1970s
America
(10/17/97)
Playing
God Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
This numbed-out movie prompts some hard questions about David
Duchovny's acting career
(10/17/97)
Devil's
Advocate Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Lawyers and moviegoers alike go to hell in this convoluted film
(10/17/97)
Boogie
Nights Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Paul Thomas Anderson's audacious, comic film finds a loopy extended
family in the adult movie business of the 1970s
(10/17/97)
Seven
years in Tibet Reviewed by Dwight Garner
Brad Pitt follows the E-Z path to enlightenment in the earnest but
sentimental adaptation
(10/10/97)
Washington Square Reviewed by Laura Miller
Agnieszka Holland's admirably faithful version of Henry James' movie
puts the novel under glass.
(10/10/97)
U-Turn Reviewed by Michelle Goldberg
Oliver Stone takes a vacation from his usual political passions -- in
an Arizona town full of depraved inbreds.
(10/03/97)
The
Locusts Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
A movie plagued with incest, madness, suicide and thunderstorms. Enjoy!
(10/03/97)
The
Peacemaker Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A film which makes casualties of George Clooney and Nicole Kidman.
(09/26/97)
The
Edge Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Aspiring to psychological depth, this is mainly a good action movie
filled with kodiak moments of the nastiest kind.
(09/26/97)
The
End of Violence Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Bye-bye, Berlin: Wim Wenders unsuccessfully reinvents himself as a
mainstream American filmmaker.
(09/26/97)
L.A.
Confidential Reviewed by Dwight Garner
Too little, too noir: Stylish Ellroy adaptation kicks in too late
(09/19/97)
In
& Out Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
A devilishly sweet comedy about a fastidious, small-town english
teacher who loves Barbra Streisand -- but is flummoxed to learn that he's
gay.
(09/19/97)
A
Thousand Acres Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Old molester had a farm: Jocelyn Moorhouse's film X-rays Jane Smiley's
novel to reveal its soap-opera skeleton.
(09/19/97)
Sunday Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Jonathan Nossiter's brilliant picture illuminates the mystery of life
on earth.
(09/19/97)
The
Myth of Fingerprints Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A film as rigid and repressed as the family reunion it investigates.
(09/19/97)
The
Game Reviewed by Charles Taylor
All jerk and no play: A mysterious organization gives millionaire
Micahel Douglas the business
(09/12/97)
Different for Girls Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Love is strange: A likeable, genuine look at a relationship between a
man and a woman who used to be a man.
(09/12/97)
The Full Monty Reviewed by Laura Miller
Some unemployed blokes find that taking it all off is more than just a
put-on.
(09/05/97)
She's
So Lovely Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Poetry-spouting dudes with guns and joisey accents fall to earth from
outer space in the unbearable "She's So Lovely."
(08/29/97)
G.I.
Jane Reviewed by Charles Taylor
With "G.I. Jane," Demi Moore hopes that hard work and a controversial
subject will rescue her drowning career.
(08/22/97)
Anthem Reviewed by Cynthia Joyce
Two girls, a car and America: A road-trip film with amateurish charm.
(08/22/97)
Cop Land Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Opting for doughnuts and art in "Cop Land," Sylvester Stallone abandons
his trademark dopey charm.
(08/15/97)
Career Girls Reviewed by Laura Miller
Mike Leigh's "Career Girls" takes a sharp look at the scarred, vital
lives of two old friends.
(08/15/97)
Event Horizon Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
Abandon hope, all ye who go to see "Event Horizon."
(08/15/97)
Box
of Moonlight Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
With "Box of Moonlight" director Tom DiCillo ("Living in Oblivion")
reveals himself as Indie Film's answer to Frank Capra.
(08/08/97)
Conspiracy Theory Reviewed by Charles Taylor
In "conspiracy theory," Mel Gibson plays a paranoid cab driver who
discovers they really are out to get him.
(08/08/97)
In
the Company of Men Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Are men really this evil? "In the Company of Men" probes the cruelty of
male yuppies.
(08/01/97)
Picture Perfect Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The puppy or the wolf? Jennifer Aniston's befuddled heroine faces a
no-brainer choice in "Picture Perfect."
(08/01/97)
Spawn
Reviewed by Laura Miller
Spawn song: The "big effects summer pic" about an assassin who gets
sent to hell, comes back with superpowers and is tormented by a demon with
many teeth played by John Leguizamo, sounds incredibly stupid. It is.
(08/01/97)
Mrs. Brown Reviewed by Laura Miller
Victoria's secret: "Mrs. Brown"
tries to bring the hidden passions of the queen -- or the society she led
-- to life
(07/25/97)
Air Force One Reviewed by Charles Taylor
In Harrison Ford's new
president-in-peril thriller, "Air Force One," the first family comes first
(07/25/97)
Operation Condor Reviewed by Sam Hurwitt
Even reheated fare like "Operation Condor" offers dazzling stunts from
the world's greatest action hero, Jackie Chan
(07/18/97)
Nothing to Lose Reviewed by Laura Miller
A lazy exercise in tired racial clichés
(07/18/97)
Contact Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
Jodie Foster plays an astronomer whose search
for extraterrestrials takes her to the furthest reaches of science and
faith
(07/11/97)
When the
Cat's Away Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The search for her lost pet takes a
young Parisian girl to an unfamiliar place -- her own neighborhood
(07/11/97)
Men
in Black Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Sly humor and breezy rapport between Will Smith and Tommy Lee
Jones make the alien invasion spoof a sweet summer surprise
(07/04/97)
Contempt Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The re-release of Godard's classic recalls a time when movies
could do anything.
(07/04/97)
Hercules Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Disney's "Hercules" is a show-tune-spouting, buff demigod bent on self-improvement (and world
domination)
(06/27/97)
Face/Off Reviewed by Stephanie Zaharek
With its wacky face-switching
premise and delirious action scenes, John Woo's "Face/Off" is the summer's
best blockbuster
(06/27/97)
Batman
& Robin Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
It's 1997, and Joel
Schumacher's Batman formula isn't getting any fresher
(06/20/97)
Ripe Reviewed by Lori Leibovich
Twin sisters undergo a painful and sensual
coming of age in "Ripe"
(06/20/97)
Speed 2: Cruise Control Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Director Jan De Bont messes with a
successful formula, and somewhere, Keanu is laughing
(06/13/97)
The Van Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Roddy Doyle's loving, cacophonous novel of
Irish family life gets sitcom treatment
(06/13/97)
Con Air Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Some talented actors white-knuckle it through this generically brutal
action movie
(06/06/97)
Twin
Town Reviewed by Charles Taylor
"Twin Town" tries to be the Welsh "Trainspotting," and fails
(05/30/97)
Brassed
Off Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
The heartwarming message of "Brassed Off"
comes through a bit too loud and clear
(05/30/97)
Addicted to Love Reviewed by Laura Miller
How far can Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan get
beyond cute?
(05/23/97)
Night
Falls on Manhattan Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
Despite a fresh star in Andy Garcia and some powerful moments, Sidney
Lumet's latest police corruption drama walks the same old beat
(05/16/97)
The Fifth
Element Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
In the future, the Supreme Being is a
supermodel, absolute evil is a big ball of molten lava -- and the fate of
the universe hangs in the balance.
(05/09/97)
Children of
the Revolution Reviewed by Laura Miller
Revolutionary kitsch shares the screen
with deep questions of identity.
(05/09/97)
Irma Vep
Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Capturing the larcenous, heartbreaking allure of cinema
itself.
(05/09/97)
Hollow Reed Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A bitter custody battle exposes the torn heart of a
modern family.
(05/02/97)
Austin Powers Reviewed by Laura Miller
Mike Myers' swingin' sendup of James Bond and groovy
Carnaby Street lands with a thud, baby!
(05/02/97)
Volcano Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Strange weather in downtown Los
Angeles and an all-too-familiar sensation to our critic's stomach
(04/25/97)
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
The fluff of this film offers a rallying cry to underachievers everywhere
(04/25/97)
All Over Me Reviewed by Nell Bernstein
A rare
glimpse into the doubt and anguish of female adolescence
(04/25/97)
Kissed Reviewed by Laura Miller
Beauty in the mind of a necrophile
(4/18/97)
Chasing
Amy Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Love's unpredictable puzzles bedevil the characters in Kevin Smith's
profane, sweet-tempered comedy.
(04/11/97)
Grosse
Pointe Blank Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
John Cusack gets to the heart of his murderous character, but "Grosse
Pointe Blank" is too busy trying to be sunny to take advantage.
(04/11/97)
The Saint Reviewed by
Charles Taylor
Val Kilmer's brooding, guilt-ridden Simon Templar is
enough to make you long for the cheesy playboy of the original.
(04/04/97)
The
Devil's Own Reviewed by Charles Taylor
An image of the IRA that's pure Hollywood.
(3/28/97)
The
Daytrippers Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
A charming road movie that never leaves the dinner
table.
(3/28/97)
Crash Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
Hypnotic pornography
(03/21/97)
Smilla's
Sense of Snow Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
A snow job
(03/14/97)
Private Parts Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Although "Private Parts" reveals the likable side of Howard Stern, it
would be a lot funnier if he left his grudges behind
(03/07/97)
Kama Sutra Reviewed by Laura Miller
Bogus history and cheesy storytelling, but what the
hell, it's sexy
(03/07/97)
Lost Highway Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Shows only glimmers of David Lynch at his disturbing best.
(02/28/97)
Donnie Brasco Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Smarter than the average mob movie
(02/28/97)
The Graduate Reviewed by Robin Dougherty
Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
(02/21/97)
When We Were Kings Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A new documentary captures the charisma and nobility of Muhammad Ali
(02/14/97)
Absolute Power Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Clint Eastwood is as strong, silent and tedious as ever
(02/14/97)
Touch Reviewed by Meg Cohen Ragas
Paul Shrader's new movie about faith healing fails to inspire
(02/14/97)
Sling Blade Reviewed by Dwight Garner
Forrest Gump with a murderous past.
(02/7/97)
Prisoner of the Mountains Reviewed by Andrew Ross
A contemporary version of a Tolstoy story sheds haunting light on the tragedy of Chechnya — and Russia.
(02/7/97)
Suburbia Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
For the dead-end kids in "Suburbia," a rock star's return offers a chance at escape.
(02/7/97)
Prefontaine Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
The corny documentary-style feature about the late, great middle-distance runner Steve Prefontaine, has no business being as engaging as it is.
(01/27/97)
Fierce Creatures Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
New roles for "A Fish Called Wanda's" cast in a light but charming farce about a zoo's triumph over a media mogul.
(01/27/97)
Gridlock'd Reviewed by Jennie Yabroff
The late Tupac Shakur shines in an offbeat buddy picture about two junkies on a long day's journey to methadone.
(01/27/97)
Hamlet Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
In Kenneth Branagh's full-length "Hamlet," cheesy showmanship gradually wins out over good diction.
(01/20/97)
Everyone Says I Love You Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Woody Allen's pleasingly good-natured comedy aims for '30s musical charm, and misses.
(01/20/97)
Albino Alligator Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Kevin Spacey's directorial debut, is a bungled-heist caper a la Tarantino that's suspenseful but trite.
(01/13/97)
Citizen Ruth Reviewed by Nell Bernstein
Satirizing both sides of the abortion debate, it's too even-handed to have any real comic fun.
(01/6/97)
Evita Reviewed by Laura Miller
What's "Evita" got to cry about? Not Madonna's performance, but Andrew Lloyd Webber's music.
(12/23/96)
Beavis and Butt-head Do America Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Some small-town kids should never make it to the big time.
(12/23/96)
Ghosts of Mississippi Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Rob Reiner's "Ghosts of Mississippi" is just plain, old-time Hollywood prejudice.
(12/23/96)
The People Vs. Larry Flynt Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A tapestry of all-American sleaze that could use a little more style.
(12/23/96)
Mars Attacks Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
The aliens rule in Tim Burton's space wars parody
(12/16/96)
One Fine Day Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Bedraggled romantic comedy for a harried age.
(12/16/96)
Ridicule Reviewed by Laura Miller
Ms. Cleavage goes to Versailles in ridiculous French film.
(12/9/96)
The English Patient Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Anthony Minghella's film is a worthy translation of a poetic masterpiece.
(11/18/96)
Space Jam Reviewed by Milo Miles
These days, even Bugs Bunny, the quintessential outsider, is a team player
(11/18/96)
Freeway Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Updating an old fairy tale with a tough, working-class twist
(11/11/96)
Romeo and Juliet Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
The garish junk in Baz Luhrmann's film can't bury the brilliance of Claire Danes
(11/4/96)
The First Wives Club Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
A film that cashes in on women's insecurities, and shortchanges some fine actresses
Text-only version
(9/23/96)
Fly Away Home Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The creator of "The Black Stallion" works his magic again
Text-only version
(9/9/96)
Rendezvouz in Paris Reviewed by Laura Miller
France's master dissecter of romance, Eric Rohmer, offers three gossamer vignettes
Text-only version
(9/2/96)
She's the One Reviewed by Cynthia Joyce
In Ed Burns' new movie, two Irish-American brothers wrangle with sex, love, marriage, family and the Mother Church
(8/19/96)
Basquiat Reviewed by Glen Helfand
Art world bad boy Julian Schnabel delivers a surprisingly likeable biopic about his friend, the late artist Jean Michel Basquiat
(8/19/96)
Hellish Creatures Reviewed by Laura Miller
Peter Jackson's "The Frighteners" mixes comedy and terror in a vain homage to '80s horror classics
(7/22/96)
Trainspotting Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The much-hyped hip movie of the season delivers the goods
(7/15/96)
Celestial Clockwork Reviewed by Laura Miller
The Venezuelan-French comedy offers a tutti-frutti meringue antidote to the disaster fetish of this summer's Hollywood blockbusters
(7/15/96)
Independence Day Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
Big, dumb and loud, the blockbuster turns the high drama of alien contact into an utterly conventional war movie
(7/8/96)
Butterfly Kiss Reviewed by Laura Miller
A lesbian couple -- one demented vagabond and one meek clerk -- move to their own mad music
(6/24/96)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Williams
Disney's film may not hew to Victor Hugo's original, but it has a tragic stature of its own
(6/24/96)
The Cable Guy Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Even Jim Carrey's detractors keep rising to the bait of his brilliant physical comedy
(6/17/96)
Mission: Impossible Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Brian De Palma: The director who came in from the cold
(5/27/96)
Original Gangstas Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Williams
The stars of the first generation of "Blaxploitation" films are back to clean up their old nabe
(5/13/96)
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Williams
Cheap thrills: MST3K on the big screen
(4/22/96)
Primal Fear Reviewed by Andrew Ross
Gregory Hoblit's dumb courtroom thriller which should have gone directly to video
(4/6/96)
Flower of My Secret Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
Spanish director Pedro Almodovar applies his trademark outrageous satire to the disastrous love life of a romance novelist
(3/23/96)
Girl 6 Reviewed by Laura Miller
If this film is any indication, America's foremost black filmmaker has lost his touch.
(3/23/96)
Chungking Express Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
This Wong Kar-Wai film is a one-way ticket to Sillyville
(3/9/96)
Fargo Reviewed by Laura Miller
The Coen brothers try for heart -- a quality not abundant in their earlier films -- but end up as Bergman Lite
(3/9/96)
Waiting to Exhale Reviewed by Joan Walsh
A crack high for the female psyche
(1/13/96)
12 Monkeys Reviewed by Scott Rosenberg
Terry Gilliam elevates the apocalyptic thriller to tragic heights
(1/13/96)
Heat Reviewed by Andrew Ross
A film that drowns in its own banalities
(12/16/95)
Total Eclipse Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Agnieszka Holland offers a Cliff's Notes-with-buggery version of Rimbaud's seamy, mysterious life
(11/20/95)