New to Theaters
B +
A-
B +
New on Streaming
B +
B +
B
Posted on August 31, 2004 at 7:14 pm
C
| Lowest Recommended Age: |
Mature High Schooler |
| Profanity: |
Brief strong language |
| Nudity/ Sex: |
Explicit sexual references and non-explicit sexual situations |
| Alcohol/ Drugs: |
Drinking, character gets tipsy |
| Violence/ Scariness: |
Tension and suspense |
| Diversity Issues: |
None |
| Date Released to Theaters: |
2004 |
This is one of those dopey thrillers that are frustrating to write about because I can’t tell you why it is dopey without spoiling the surprises. Even dumb surprises are sacrosanct according to the Code of the Critic. I’ll do my best, but if you want to avoid spoilers entirely, stop reading now. Matt (Josh …
Continue reading “Wicker Park”
Posted on August 22, 2004 at 7:39 pm
B+
| Lowest Recommended Age: |
Mature High Schooler |
| Profanity: |
Very strong language |
| Nudity/ Sex: |
Sexual references and non-explicit situations |
| Alcohol/ Drugs: |
Drinking, smoking |
| Violence/ Scariness: |
Tense emotional scenes, some violence |
| Diversity Issues: |
Diverse characters |
| Date Released to Theaters: |
2004 |
The con man’s greatest asset is not the gullibility of the mark, but the greed. It is much easier to persuade someone that you are dishonest than honest, especially if he is intrigued by the chance to be just a little dishonest for once, too. And it is our own slightly crooked impulses that makes …
Continue reading “Criminal”
Posted on August 22, 2004 at 6:10 pm
B+
| Lowest Recommended Age: |
Mature High Schooler |
| Profanity: |
None |
| Nudity/ Sex: |
Sexual references and situations, brief nudity |
| Alcohol/ Drugs: |
Drinking |
| Violence/ Scariness: |
Battle violence, character killed and others die, emotional tension |
| Diversity Issues: |
Class and cultural diversity issues a theme of the movie, racist remarks |
| Date Released to Theaters: |
2004 |
Our first peek into the world of this film is a peacock feather, and it sets the stage both visually and metaphorically for a colorful story about a woman who uses her allure to get what she wants. Thackeray’s Vanity Fair is provocatively subtitled “A Novel without a Hero.” It is the story of two …
Continue reading “Vanity Fair”
Posted on August 22, 2004 at 4:46 pm
The movie takes place on a single night in 1962, immediately before two good friends, Curt (Richard Dreyfus) and Steve (Ron Howard), are about to leave for college. Curt and Steve are facing enormous changes and they are both scared and excited. Although the film is nostalgic in tone (based on the memories of director …
Continue reading “American Graffiti”
Posted on August 22, 2004 at 12:46 pm
B-
| Lowest Recommended Age: |
Kindergarten - 3rd Grade |
| Profanity: |
Very mild |
| Nudity/ Sex: |
None |
| Alcohol/ Drugs: |
Reference to beer |
| Violence/ Scariness: |
Tranquilizer gun, references to abuse of animals and humans, dog thrown across a room |
| Diversity Issues: |
Diverse characters |
| Date Released to Theaters: |
2004 |
The dogs are cute, the intentions are good, and there’s a refreshing absence of potty humor, but that’s about the best that can be said about the fifth movie about loveable mutt Benji from writer/director Joe Camp. In past films, Benji rescued children (Benji), triumphed over international dog-nappers (For the Love of Benji), survived in …
Continue reading “Benji: Off the Leash!”
