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July 3, 2009

A director sifts through her life in 'The Beaches of Agnès'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: One of the seminal filmmakers of the French New Wave, Varda stood with Jean-Luc Godard, Eric Rohmer and Alain Resnais.

'The Girl Fro m Monaco' fizzles out too soon

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: Also reviewed: Sabbir Khan's 'Kambakkht Ishq'

'Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love'

By ANN POWERS

MOVIE REVIEW: This documentary is an exemplary look at the African superstar's life and the fallout over his album 'Egypt.'

'I Hate Valentine's Day'

By Robert Abele

MOVIE REVIEW: 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding's' Nia Vardalos and John Corbett are awkward in their second pairing. Vardalos' directorial debut hampers the cliched romantic comedy.

'Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love'

MOVIE REVIEW

'The Beaches of Agnès'

July 2, 2009

Critic's Pick: 'The Hangover'

July 1, 2009

Review: 'Public Enemies'

By Kenneth Turan FILM CRITIC >>>

MOVIE REVIEW: Michael Mann and Johnny Depp make art of Dillinger.

'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Manny, Ellie and the gang are back again for a tepid foray into a warmer era.

'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'

June 29, 2009

'New York'

MOVIE REVIEW: John Abraham, Irrfan Khan and Neil Nitin Mukesh star in Kabir Khan's film that aims to examine civil-liberties abuses after 9/11.

June 26, 2009

'The Hurt Locker'

By Kenneth Turan film critic >>>

MOVIE REVIEW: In Kathryn Bigelow's hands, the tale of an Army bomb squad unit deployed in Baghdad becomes a classic study of men in combat and the toll it takes.

Reviews: 'Dead Snow'

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: Also: 'Life Is Hot in Cracktown,' 'Under Our Skin,' 'The Windmill Movie'

'Cheri'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Michelle Pfeiffer basks in her best role in years as a French courtesan juggling retirement and a new relationship.

'My Sister's Keeper'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Nick Cassavetes uses a heavy hand to push his medical ethics weepie.

'The Stoning of Soraya M.'

By Kevin Thomas

MOVIE REVIEW: 'The Stoning of Soraya M.' vividly depicts the violent execution of a woman condemned by religion distorted.

'Surveillance'

By Robert Abele

MOVIE REVIEW

'My Sister's Keeper' viewer info

June 25, 2009

'No Impact Man'

Critic's pick

'The Taking of Pelham 123'

CRITIC'S PICKS

June 24, 2009

'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'

By Betsy Sharkey FILM CRITIC >>>

MOVIE REVIEW: The film has more robots and more noise, but it's less than meets the eye (and ear).

'Sabor Tropical': It doesn't add up to much

By Kevin Thomas

MOVIE REVIEW: Independent filmmaker Jorge Ameer's latest release is part travelogue, part melodrama and mostly tedious.

'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' info

June 19, 2009

'Daytime Drinking'

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: Also: 'Irene in Time,' 'Mancora,' 'The Narrows,' 'Sex Positive' and 'Superstar'

'Whatever Works'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Woody Allen's sour romantic comedy starring Larry David as a bitter genius and Evan Rachel Wood as a dimwitted Southern belle is only sporadically amusing.

'The Proposal'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds deftly dwells in a space where romance meets revenge.

'Year One'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Jack Black and Michael Cera goof with the ancients. Unfortunately, the jokes have been around just as long.

'The End of the Line'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: The apocalyptic documentary crisply explains the catastrophic consequences of overfishing.

'The Proposal' info

MOVIE REVIEW

June 18, 2009

'Up'

CRITIC'S PICK

'Unmistaken Child'

CRITIC'S PICK

June 12, 2009

'The Art of Being Straight,' 'Dim Sum Funeral,' 'Kabei: Our Mother' and more

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS

'The Taking of Pelham 123'

By Kenneth Turan FILM CRITIC >>>

MOVIE REVIEW: Director Tony Scott crisply pieces together the hostage drama. John Travolta and Denzel Washington star.

'Unmistaken Child' is a glimpse into a mysterious process

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: A monk searches for the childhood reincarnation of his deceased Tibetan master.

'Moon'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Sam Rockwell battles lunar loneliness (with help from a concerned computer) in 'Moon.'

'Imagine That'

By Gary Goldstein

MOVIE REVIEW: Eddie Murphy's the most entertaining thing in uneven father-daughter comedy.

'Food, Inc.'

By Gary Goldstein

MOVIE REVIEW: Documentary dissects just what's on our plate.

'Food, Inc.' info

MOVIE REVIEW

'Moon'

June 11, 2009

Review: 'Tetro'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Francis Ford Coppola uses a tale of estranged brothers to signal his desire to tell stories closer to his heart.

Betsy Sharkey: 'Seraphine'

CRITIC'S PICK

Kenneth Turan: 'Summer Hours'

CRITIC'S PICK

June 5, 2009

'The Hangover'

By Betsy Sharkey FILM CRITIC >>>

MOVIE REVIEW: This story of a bachelor party gone wrong mixes crudeness with a soft side.

'Corked': A fresh vintage, with awkward but funny undertones

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS

'Land of the Lost'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: The familiar prehistoric landscape is back as are the characters from the '70s TV series. But it struggles to keep adults and kids entertained.

'Seraphine'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Yolande Moreau plays housekeeper and renowned untrained artist Seraphine de Senlis to high acclaim.

'Away We Go'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph play an endearing couple at the heart of this film, but the cast of over-the-top characters around them are more contemptuous than comic.

'My Life in Ruins' travels familiar road

By Glenn Whipp

MOVIE REVIEW: Nia Vardalos comedy is formulaic, but folks who liked 'Greek Wedding' might like it.

'The Country Teacher'

By Kevin Thomas

MOVIE REVIEW: Lessons in love, friendship and forgiveness unfold in the Czech countryside.

Ingredients for life's next entree

By Gary Goldstein

MOVIE REVIEW: A teacher passes along culinary skills that may help prepare her students for the big pressure cooker.

'The Country Teacher' info

MOVIE REVIEW

'Land of the Lost'

'The Hangover' viewer info

June 4, 2009

'Summer Hours'

CRITIC'S PICK

May 29, 2009

'Drag Me to Hell'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Sam Raimi, Alison Lohman and things that go bump in the night are firing on all cylinders in this timely horror film.

'Up'

By Kenneth Turan FILM CRITIC > > >

MOVIE REVIEW: A tale of a senior citizen and a boy on a helium-powered adventure soars on Pixar's imaginative concept and remarkable animation.

'Summer Hours'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: A French family drama from Olivier Assayas has bigger things on its mind.

'Burma VJ' vividly details monk uprising

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: Also reviewed: 'What Goes Up.'

'Departures' is an emotionally wrenching trip with a quiet man

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Japanese film about a cellist turned funeral home worker won the Oscar for foreign-language film.

'Tulpan'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: A young man's quest, comic and heartwarming, to fulfill his dream comes alive in a Kazakhstan wasteland.

'Drag Me to Hell'

MOVIE INFO

'Departures'

MOVIE INFO

'Tulpan' info

MOVIE REVIEW

May 28, 2009

'The Soloist'

Critic's Pick

May 25, 2009

The 2009 Palme d'Or goes to Michael Haneke's 'The White Ribbon'

By KENNETH TURAN

Other top prizes are dominated by the French, including the grand prize, awarded to Jacques Audiard's 'A Prophet.' The U.S.-made 'Inglourious Basterds' manages an acting prize for Christoph Waltz.

May 22, 2009

Terry Gilliam used magic to finish 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'

By KENNETH TURAN

After Heath Ledger's death, Gilliam called on the actor's friends to take over the role. Having an enchanted mirror helped.

'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW

In 'Easy Virtue,' an American bride turns British aristocracy on its ear

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Jessica Biel and Kristin Scott Thomas spar in Stephan Elliott's comedy of manners.

'The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story' examines a feuding songwriting team

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: Also reviewed: 'Fados.'

'O'Horten'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Odd Horten's daily routine is in for a switch in this genial tale of serendipity by Bent Hamer.

'Dance Flick'

By Glenn Whipp

MOVIE REVIEW: The comic footing is nimble as the Wayans family grinds through the formulaic with its parody buzz saw.

'The Girlfriend Experience'

By Robert Abele

MOVIE REVIEW

'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' info

'Easy Virtue'

MOVIE INFO

May 21, 2009

'Easy Rider' 40 years later

Critic's pick

May 20, 2009

Review: 'Terminator Salvation'

By Betsy Sharkey FILM CRITIC > > >

MOVIE REVIEW: Director McG's energetic movie plays with elements from earlier in the franchise. But some of its soul has been lost.

'Terminator Salvation'

May 19, 2009

Jacques Audiard's 'A Prophet' has a buzz building

By KENNETH TURAN

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL: The powerful prison drama is shaping up as a breakout film for a gifted writer-director almost unknown outside of Europe.

May 18, 2009

Jane Campion's 'Bright Star' poetry

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIES: The director's tale of John Keats and his love, starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, is a Cannes Film Festival success.

May 17, 2009

'The Red Shoes' shines anew

By KENNETH TURAN

THE CLASSICS: After combating mold, dirt and shrinkage, a 21/2-year restoration of the 1948 Technicolor stunner culminates at Cannes.

May 13, 2009

Cannes Film Festival: The dance resumes

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIES: An event defined by innovation and tradition, by art and commerce returns Wednesday.

'Angels & Demons'

By BY ANDY KLEIN

MOVIE REVIEW: For all its breathless chases, 'The Da Vinci Code' sequel is low on energy.

May 12, 2009

The phone calls, the dog and on-demand TV at its very best

By BETSY SHARKEY

CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: The service makes independent film an egalitarian experience.

May 8, 2009

'Love 'N Dancing,' 'Our City Dreams,' 'Treeless Mountain'

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS

'Outrage'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Kirby Dick takes a look at conservative Republican politicians who are alleged to be closeted gays and asks the question: What leads people to vote against the interests of a group whose affinities th

'Revanche'

By Kenneth Turan

MOVIE REVIEW

'Julia'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Tilda Swinton's alcoholic cuts a swath of destruction through this extortion thriller.

'Adoration'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Atom Egoyan again traces the aftermath of death as a teenager takes the story of his parents' demise on the Web and adds a terrorist element.

'Little Ashes'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: The historical fiction sets painter Salvador Dali, poet Frederico Garcia Lorca and filmmaker Luis Bunuel as friends at a Madrid university.

'Rudo y Cursi'

By Robert Abele

MOVIE REVIEW: Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna tackle soccer stardom and sibling rivalry in Carlos Cuarón's drama-comedy.

'Next Day Air' fails to deliver the goods

By Sam Adams

MOVIE REVIEW: Director Benny Boom's film can't decide if it's a stoner comedy or a gangsta drama.

MOVIE REVIEW

MOVIE REVIEW

May 7, 2009

'Star Trek' takes the universe by storm

By Kenneth Turan FILM CRITIC > > >

MOVIE REVIEW: The much-anticipated sci-fi epic mind-melds Roddenberry's vision with J.J. Abrams' sense of entertainment: epic storytelling and ramped-up action.

'The Merry Gentleman'

CRITICS' PICKS

Kenneth Turan: 'Il Divo'

CRITIC'S PICK

May 1, 2009

'Break' muscles in on noir genre, but weakly

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS

'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: The cautionary tale offers a bit more than lightweight charms from Matthew McConaughey, whose character's love-'em-and-leave-'em ways catch up with him.

'Il Divo'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Is former Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti the most cunning criminal in the country or the most persecuted man in the history of Italy? See the film to decide.

'The Limits of Control'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW

'The Merry Gentleman'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Michael Keaton's impressive directing debut of a film about the complications of human connections is haunting.

'Battle for Terra'

By Robert Abele

MOVIE REVIEW: Earthlings are the alien invaders in this engaging 3-D animated film.

'The Limits of Control'

'Il Divo' info

MOVIE REVIEW

'The Merry Gentleman' info

April 30, 2009

'Blade Runners, Deer Hunters, and Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: My Life in Cult Movies' by Michael Deeley

By Lawrence Levi

BOOK REVIEW: The film producer sheds light on the movie-maker's role and settles a few scores as he takes readers behind some cult-classic scenes.

'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'

By Kenneth Turan FILM CRITIC > > >

MOVIE REVIEW: Wolverine's back story is revealed in efficient comic book fashion.

Betsy Sharkey's pick: 'Monsters vs. Aliens'

'Blade Runners, Deer Hunters, and Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: My Life in Cult Movies' by Michael Deeley

BOOK REVIEW

April 27, 2009

Review: 'Obsessed'

By Gary Goldstein

MOVIE REVIEW: It's no 'Fatal Attraction,' but when Beyoncé's in the room, you'll hardly care.

April 25, 2009

Movies: 'Mutant Chronicles'

By Michael Ordoña

MOVIE REVIEW: It's pretty much all nonsense, but 'Mutant Chronicles' is based on a game -- so just play along. That's when the fun begins.

April 24, 2009

'The Soloist'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: The adaptation of Times columnist Steve Lopez's book hits all the wrong notes.

'Tyson'

By Kenneth Turan

MOVIE REVIEW: In the boxer's own words and through video clips of his fights, the gripping documentary shows many sides to his personality.

'In a Dream'

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: Also reviewed: 'The Informers' and 'Lifelines'

'Fighting'

By Michael Ordoña

MOVIE REVIEW: Starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard, Dito Montiel's tale of an underground fighting scene is vivid and loaded with detail.

'Fighting'

MOVIES

April 23, 2009

'Sleep Dealer'

CRITIC'S PICK

April 22, 2009

'Earth'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Disney answers the call of the wild.

April 18, 2009

'Grey Gardens'

By MARY McNAMARA

TELEVISION REVIEW: On HBO, Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore deliciously inhabit the reclusive, riches-to-rags world of Edith Bouvier Beale and daughter Edie.

'Crank' turns it up to 'silly'

By Sam Adams

MOVIE REVIEW: In the sequel, Jason Statham has to shock himself to live. Yeah, right.

'Crank: High Voltage' info

MOVIE REVIEW

April 17, 2009

'State of Play'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Politics and investigative journalism usually make for an intriguing mix. But not here.

In 'Gigantic,' a mattress salesman dares to dream

CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: Also reviewed: 'Chasing the Green,' 'The Butterfly Tattoo,' 'Enlighten Up!'

'Is Anybody There?'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: An elderly magician and a lonely 10-year-old boy bond in another memorable Michael Caine film.

'Sleep Dealer'

By Kenneth Turan

MOVIE REVIEW: Alex Rivera's low-budget film mixes science fiction with a strong sense of social commentary.

'American Violet'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: A falsely accused single mother refuses to take a plea deal in a film based on a true-life miscarriage of justice.

'17 Again'

By Michael Phillips

MOVIE REVIEW: Light in substance, the movie doesn't support heavyweight stars Zac Efron, Matthew Perry.

'Ballerina'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Bertrand Normand's documentary is a beautiful snapshot of ballet life, Russian style.

'Every Little Step'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: The joys, jitters and rejection of 'A Chorus Line' come to life in this documentary look at casting the 2006 Broadway revival.

'Lymelife'

By Michael Ordoña

MOVIE REVIEW: The film, starring Alec Baldwin and Rory Culkin in a strong leading role, stumbles at the end, but is otherwise well acted.

MOVIE REVIEW

'Every Little Step' info

MOVIE REVIEW

'17 Again' info

MOVIE REVIEW

April 16, 2009

'Duplicity'

CRITIC'S PICK: Julia Roberts is back to her overpowering form.

'Anvil! The Story of Anvil'

MOVIE REVIEW: CRITICS' PICKS: It's a warmhearted look at heavy metal.

April 15, 2009

Movie preview: 'Beer Wars'

By KRISTA SIMMONS

Multinational conglomerates face off against feisty craft brewers in the new documentary.

April 11, 2009

'The Mysteries of Pittsburgh'

By Michael Phillips

MOVIE REVIEW: Could the voice-overs be quiet so we can enjoy the movie?

April 10, 2009

'Hannah Montana' takes Miley Cyrus on a (safe) voyage of discovery

By Mary McNamara > > >

MOVIE REVIEW: The lesson that the movie, with its G rating and Disney imprimatur, imparts is that no matter how famous you are, family and friends should always be the foundation. And that's a wee bit boring.

'Observe and Report'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Seth Rogen is in an unlikable place as he walks on the dark side in this blackly comic film filled with mall cop ineptitude.

'The Song of Sparrows'

By BETSY SHARKEY

MOVIE REVIEW: Majid Majidi tells the tale of an ordinary Iranian family whose lives change when the extraordinary happens.

'Anvil! The Story of Anvil'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Once they were the hottest thing in metal, but they never quite made it. Twenty-five years later, they're still struggling, still dreaming of rock stardom.

'Goodbye Solo'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: Ramin Bahrani's film, starring Souléymane Sy Savané and Red West, ruminates powerfully on the obligations of friendship.

'Forbidden Lie$'

By KENNETH TURAN

MOVIE REVIEW: She is, but are you? Norma Khouri's 'truth' gets complicated.

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Reader Reviews

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-	Forever Strong
-	Hounddog
-	Garden Party

Times Reviews

-	A director sifts through her life in 'The Beaches of Agnès'
-	'The Girl Fro m Monaco' fizzles out too soon
-	'Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love'
-	'I Hate Valentine's Day'
-	'Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love'
-	'The Beaches of Agnès'
-	Critic's Pick: 'The Hangover'
-	Review: 'Public Enemies'
-	'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'
-	'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'
-	'New York'
-	'The Hurt Locker'

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