Ken Eisner

A soundtrack in search of a movie, Empire Records is one teen-music effort that never finds a groove.

Bottom-drawer plot of a South Boston bad boy returning to tie up loose ends reads like every other "Mean Streets" knockoff in the past decade, with no scene, development or performance standing out from undifferentiated din.

Actors who can't act, musicians who can't play, and storylines that go absolutely nowhere.

Watchable only for camp value, Deadfall is at its best when cameo-laden anarchy reigns. As a tribute to film noir, it won't make it to the late late show.

The helming debut of thesp Fisher Stevens, who mixes swell ensemble acting with eye-popping animation for a witch's brew of good sex, bad timing and very funny dialogue.

An ill-conceived effort that starts OK but quickly goes off the rails.

A promising concept is gradually run into the ground in Sex and Death 101, a would-be black comedy that lacks both laughs and gravity.

Intelligent, low-key suspenser.

Well-acted, sharp-looking pic seems more interested in sitcom diversions.

A leisurely and lovingly observed character study about a detective, his home life, and a crook who plays cat-burglar-and-mouse with the cop.

Thoughtful, surprisingly fast-moving documentary.

Lovingly rendered talking-heads effort puts emphasis on basic tenets on basic human connection, not on sexual orientation or social attitudes.