Marta Barber

While the story starts tying up its loose ends nicely, as the end approaches, the film turns flat. It's a disappointment.

The intended satire doesn't deliver the kind of punch you may expect, but it nevertheless poses many what-ifs.

Yet even when the bickering diminishes the impact of the story, Wiener himself makes Fighter another interesting story to come out of World War II atrocities.

A good story, but its potential is never realized.

What you'll remember most are a pretty face and the hot and steamy sex scenes. That is not enough.

Despite Fanda's shenanigans, and many are out-loud funny, Autumn Spring is not that uplifting though it isn't a downer, either. It's more an ode to friendship and marriage.

The Iceberg is a riot, a quintessential French comedy with an improbable plot and an unbelievable cast of characters.

House of Fools is not in the category of the director's acclaimed "Runaway Train." It may be based on a true story, but another filmmaker told it before -- and better.

Even in its most tedious scenes, Russian Ark is mesmerizing.

That the film avoids the conflicts making the daily headlines out of Israel is one good reason why James' Journey, though not very well made, is interesting.

A Frenchman may have thought of the story first, but this Korean film pays tribute to the original while perfectly standing on its own.

The biggest appeal of Passionada is Sofia Milos, a sexy actress who commands the screen in every scene she's in.

There's a timelessness to her character that makes her real even today. And in Devos' intense portrayal, she's a woman you admire.

The filmmaker may not appeal to large numbers of filmgoers. But if you get his humor and delicate style, you'll enjoy his latest work.

Many questions remain purposely unanswered: Where was the father for 12 years? Why did he want to go away with the kids? What's in a box he finds hidden in the island? Yet, in a remarkable ending, the boys discover their feelings.

In Spanish, the title of the film, El abrazo partido, translates into ''a broken embrace,'' a more fitting description of Ariel's feelings for his father.

Dark Blue World's warm story and beautiful photography almost hits the mark, and it has a great ending.

The film never lacks dignity. Fateless doesn't look at life at the camp like Roberto Benigni did in "Life is Beautiful."

The Ninth Day is far from perfect, but is still thought-provoking and intriguing, a film that can begin its own kind of debate.

You may be drawn to Intimacy's graphic scenes, but you'll emerge convinced there's more to life -- and the film -- than sex.

Unfortunately, the film is also at times dull, though the scale definitely tilts toward enjoyment. Quality balance aside, who doesn't want to enjoy a few hearty laughs? Only Human provides a few of those.

Mildly engaging.

This is nothing that a good episode of NYPD Blue hasn't shown myriad times.

Is it about a moment in history and how the life of a sexual predator fits into that moment? Or is it just about a director's sexual fantasy? The answers are somewhat fuzzy.

Watching a film about an opera can never be as moving as watching the real thing in a great opera house. Musical purists may object to certain details, and film buffs may find the concept unappealing. Yet, for this film and opera lover, Jacquot's Tosca is a treat.

For Americans, the film may be best taken as fodder for debate, especially for individuals interested in sociology. You wonder why those people stuck to the commitment. You may also wonder how different a parallel American film would've been.

The film is art in all its visual splendor, and no matter how confusing the historic story line may be to Westerners -- and it is -- the images on screen more than compensate for the faults.

Some scenes drag, but Seagull's Laughter is still delightful.