Joe Williams

Although Precious is based on a novel, it's an act of truth-telling on behalf of a character in hellish enslavement.

The richly constructed first hour is so superior to any feat of sci-fi speculation since "Minority Report" that the bland aftertaste of the chase finale is quickly forgotten.

When the two men compare impersonations of Michael Caine or Sean Connery, Brydon's version is always slightly better - and Coogan knows it.

An art-history lesson and a spiritual exercise disguised as a movie.

This meta movie even has fun with faulty translations between French and English. To paraphrase Gemma as she conjugates verbs on the treadmill, “J’ai adorée.”

If you don’t know the true story, we won’t spoil it for you except to say that it’s not the expected outcome. But if you’re willing to be thrown for a loop, you’re in good hands with this medal-worthy cast and crew.

An artfully observant and unexpectedly moving documentary.

With a stellar cast and seductive look, Ex Machina is a sleek contraption for capturing our imagination.

A movie that will be discovered, embraced and shared with friends like a favorite record album.

The Illusionist has surprises up its sleeve that are unusually nuanced for an animated movie.

There's a running joke that this epic of also-ran heroism is set in eternally modest Toronto; but its real locale is an alternate universe without parents or the unhip.

This humane movie is an ode to joy, albeit of the mature sort.

It's a wholly successful sequel - audacious, entertaining and bracingly pertinent.

With its exploded notions of heroism, torture-rack dramatics and kamikaze gusto, it's a fiendishly entertaining flick.

It’s a party where we want to stay, until we’re dragged out kicking and screaming.

Ferrell's dryly understated performance is a shorthand for an alcoholic's denial and repressed rage, and as Nick grows increasingly desperate for a drink, he keeps his anger stashed like a last beer for emergencies.

With a mad captain at the helm, this documentary version of Jodorowsky’s “Dune” is probably more entertaining than what Hollywood would have done to it, with a clearer message: Our lives are like sands though an hourglass, so dream the impossible dream.

Kristen Wiig is the best sketch comic alive, and Bridesmaids should finally make her a movie star.

As an homage to an influential director, Submarine blows "Super 8" out of the water.

The virtue of Inherent Vice is that we can stop chasing the tale and just enjoy the sunset of the ’60s dream.

Notwithstanding exquisite images that evoke Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven," city-slicker audiences may find themselves getting saddle sore. But those with the courage to explore uncharted territory will be rewarded with a rough gem of a movie.

You might expect a cartoon about a man and his dog to be strictly for kids, but My Dog Tulip, based on a memoir by J.R. Ackerley, has a psychological richness and anatomical explicitness that is very grown-up.

Rango is iconic like a spaghetti Western, smart like a '70s conspiracy thriller and lively like a Coen brothers comedy.

Whether true or a hoax, I'm Still Here represents real risk-taking that I can only applaud.

One part personal mystery and one part art-appreciation class.

A charming throwback filled with authentic characters.

The best kind of comic-book movie. It's stylish and spectacular, yet it's rooted in history and human emotions. It's smart yet it's funny. It's wise yet it kicks ass when it has to. Just like the U.S. of A.

The funniest movie of the year.