Kung fu purists may scoff, but escapists with a sense of humor should romp through The Forbidden Kingdom.

Benton's version of The Human Stain feels under-energized and modest to a fault. Yet it still delivers a genuine sad sting.

Soars on the strength of strong acting and a script that stubbornly refuses to go all sappy and preachy.

It's first-class entertainment for bookish lads and lasses of all ages - and for those who never have or never will crack a paperback's spine. And it might inspire today's nascent artists to open up their sketch-pads as well as their hearts and minds.

Madagascar doesn't do much, except make you laugh. All hail such a minimalist approach.

Taymor conjures images that are as indelible as they are wordlessly articulate.

Hannibal isn't art. But for filmgoers with a taste for the absurd and a tolerance for the blackest of black humor, it's one heck of a thrill ride.

A toothless series of vignettes rather than an insider satire on par with, say, "Bowfinger."

It's a thrill ride not to be missed.

The movie is untainted by surprise or originality. It seems built from a blueprint, not a script. Anyone who listens to sports talk radio could write just as good a movie, no kidding. [29 Jun 1994]

Strangers With Candy -- a perfect title -- is filled with straight-faced loonies. It's a nutcake you actually want to eat.

First Knight is sublime summer entertainment, from the passion and beauty and grace of its stars to the thrust of its drama to the awe of its spectacle. [07 Jul 1995]

High School Musical 3 wore me out, but I'm not the target audience. My favorite high school musical was "Hamlet 2."

Confetti overdraws on an audience's generosity.

The narrative is engrossing enough, but it diverts from what is strongest about Traveller, its title characters. [2 May 1997]

The film marks Braff as a talent to watch, blessed with the sort of natural, everyman appeal that audiences eat up.

Genteel but ultimately unnecessary entertainment.

This movie is genial, forgettable piffle about the perhaps-beginning of a maybe affair. It's a romantic daydream so slim that it barely leaves the requisite sweet aftertaste.

Dark Blue is one of those totally happy surprises that moves so quickly and curves so sharply that it leaves this era's hyped critical hits looking like beached whales.

It's exhilarating in an authentic, pathos-streaked way to see Kearns, through Greg Kinnear's inspired characterization of a wary obsessive, representing himself during his trial against Ford Motor Co. for stealing his design.

A lovely, mischievous Casanova that will sweep you off your feet.

For movie fans who despair of the state of American cinema, the in-jokes are hilarious.

It's mindless, which is rarely true of French cinema, dull, which is rarely true of Hong Kong films, and portentous, which shouldn't be true of any film about a man-eating dog.

Reiner should have had faith in his sensational material to make its points without a minister in the pulpit. The movie would have been much better, and much shorter, too. [03 Jan 1997]

Berg doesn't let up on the tension, even when the action is bloodless.

It moves so confidently and brightly that it's ticklish as well as chilling - and, in its own dark way, enthralling.

Perfume offers eau de crud.

How much adorable can one person take?