This is a solid family film material, although one suspects the children will get a little more out of it than their parents.

Granted, one wouldn’t expect a modern-day fairy tale to be socially conscious but there’s something so overt about this materialism that it stains the overall experience.

The Secret Garden combines drama, fantasy, and a little bit of light Gothic horror (the old house with its strange noises). The film is visually stunning, from the eerie insides of Misselthwaite Manor to the time-lapse photography of blooming flowers. Zbigniew Preisner's score adds to the atmosphere without ever becoming obvious or intrusive.

Let me start by saying that Hercules, Walt Disney Pictures' 35th animated feature, makes for good family entertainment. Good, not great. While this film is capable of providing a ninety minute diversion for both kids and adults, it's a far cry from such recent classics as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.

The film is fascinating and at times disturbing, but Winterbottom's arms-length style mutes any emotional impact.

Breakdown is the latest in a seemingly endless traffic jam of thrillers that opens strong but finishes abominably.

With its offbeat blend of warped humor, dramatic and horror elements, social commentary, and Talking Heads, Dream Scenario may not always be comfortable but it is undeniably provocative.

Eastwood has crafted something that works both as a sports drama and as an examination of the birth pains of the racially unified South Africa.

Although competently made and consistently engaging, there's nothing special about this animated superhero origin story.

In the movies, romantic love conquers all. In reality, it's a little different, and that's what Gray is trying to show.

This is one of Levinson's best films, and the screenplay, co-penned by noted writer David Mamet (along with Hilary Henkin), is brilliantly on-target.

The most visually inventive comic book adaptation to make its way to a movie screen.

There’s more to this movie than offering fans an opportunity to wallow in the past. It gives the most complete portrait we’ve seen thus far of Nimoy, warts and all, as presented by the man who came the closest to knowing him.

The surprisingly intimate result is enjoyable in the moment but the mental footprint fades rather quickly.

Although not on the same high level as certain other chronicles of investigative journalism – All the Presidents Men (Watergate), Spotlight (Catholic Church sex scandals), and The Post (the Pentagon Papers) – She Said nevertheless offers many of the same qualities that made those earlier movies both compelling and memorable.

Well paced and energetic; it's unlikely to bore anyone.

It appears that Marvel has given up trying to broaden the tent. Although Thor: Ragnarok, the third film to focus on the exploits of the titular Norse God, boasts a lighter tone, when the flippancy is stripped away, it’s the same-ole-same-ole.

Breach is competently made but, aside from Cooper's performance, there's nothing here worth getting excited about.

An agreeable, albeit uneven, experience. Parker should take note, however, that, in some things, size doesn't matter and bigger doesn't mean better.

Solid performances, an intelligent script, and sure-handed direction. The result is a movie that kept me involved from start to finish.

Looks at isolation and the fragility of human relationships. It's a poignant, unsettling motion picture that will baffle those who have become used to Hollywood's compact, tidy endings.

By avoiding the temptation to rail against religion and instead offer an introspective and respectful look at it, Novitiate becomes that rare thing: a movie willing to show the flaws of Catholicism without dwelling on its negatives.

In large part because of a great beginning and a solid ending, this is one of the better entries into the series, at least on par with Final Destination 3 and 5 and far and away better than the others.

Into the Wild is a beautifully made motion picture and some of the segments (especially those with Hal Holbrook and those that transpire around "the magic bus" in Alaska) are powerful.

The plot is sparse. This is about acting, dialogue, and character interaction, not narrative.

If ever there was a movie more destined to become a cult phenomenon, I don't know if I can name it.

There are times when the comedy works, but the number of genuinely amusing sequences are outnumbered by those that, in trying to generate laughter, simply seem silly.

This is an American tragedy. Although the participants may be famous, the demons they fight in their intimate moments are familiar and relatable.