What was it about Billy Wilder? How did he manage to create such vivid and original films in the big studio, Hollywood system. His filmography is a line of classics ranging from Double Indemnity to Sunset Read the article

Titanic {dir. James Cameron, 1997} (*½/****) Somewhere on its way to becoming the all time box office champion and biggest Oscar winner of all time, James Cameron's Titanic etched out a place in my Read the article

From the outset of the 'Pirates' franchise, it was obvious that the Walt Disney Company was traveling down a well known path. Not only was the film based on one of Disney's most beloved attractions, it Read the article

'Dead Man's Chest' is one of the years best and most exhilarating blockbusters. A bustling entertainment, pure and simple. The plot is, in the most simplistic terms, not the point. Like a Dashiell Hammett Read the article

"Y'all take it easy now. This isn't Dallas, it's Nashville! They can't do this to us here in Nashville! Let's show them what we're made of. Come on everybody, sing! Somebody, sing!" Robert Altman's Read the article

A dense and fascinating con game thrown together with sleek and sophisticated romantic comedy. Keeping up with this film is a large part of the enjoyment, Gilroy's tight screenplay is good company. The leads are in full star mode (as they should be) and the supporting actors are perfectly cast (as they should be.) The chemistry between Roberts and Owen is palpable and refreshing. The closest a major studio film has come to channeling the charismatic cool of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

10 stars

Mean Streets {dir. Martin Scorsese, 1973} (****/****) Before this second viewing, the praise for Mean Streets had always alluded me. I viewed it as a good work by a great director (Scorsese) who still Read the article

In the Valley of Elah {dir. Paul Haggis, 2007} (*/****) According to the age old bible story, David entered the Valley of Elah carrying a slingshot. However in the movie "In the Valley of Elah", Read the article

Rob Zombie's Halloween is the newest film released to churn stomachs and wet pants in multiplexes across the U.S., and while it delivers it share of thrills, the film seems half baked. Zombie never Read the article

Elmer Gantry {dir. Richard Brooks, 1960} (***/****) Considered a minor classic in most circles Elmer Gantry is a strange little bit of blasphemy in that it isn't really that blasphemous. It tells Read the article

'Pan's Labyrinth', the newest film from Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro, is the most beautiful and moving films of the year. This film will leave you with a memory that will probably last the rest Read the article

In Bruges {dir. Martin McDonagh} (****/****) Profane, twisted, at points a beautiful travelogue at other times a Boschian nightmare, this film is the best written of the year and probably the most Read the article

" A guy told me one time, 'Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.'" Neil McCauley (Robert DeNiro) from Read the article

Doubt {dir. John Patrick Shanley} (****/****) Although it includes some heavy themes, Doubt, is one of the most entertaining and involving films to come along in quite sometime. Rarely have my heart Read the article

Steve Carell has seemed to get over his momentary lapse in judgment (Evan Almighty)and gone back to something he can do and do extremely well. What Carell can do is effortlessly portray a likable everyman. In Read the article

Coraline- ****/**** It is ironic that I found a more satisfying experience in terms of pure storytelling craft in a (supposed) children's film, than I do in most films released these days. Henry Selick's Read the article

It has been 41 years since Mike Nichols made his highly acclaimed relationship drama 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' At the time of its release, that film was considered scandalous for it use of foul Read the article

It seems we have a new cinematic fad coming into fashion... the genre of mythological action. It began with '300' (a film I really enjoyed), and the first that stands to benefit from 300's success is Beowulf. Read the article

Robert Altman's latest, and sadly last, picture is one of joyful glee. I have not witnessed one other film this year that was filled with so much homespun joy and delicate poise. Altman has crafted a true Read the article

Across the Universe {dir. Julie Taymor, 2007} (*/****) I've never been one to bury the lead, so let me tell you straight away, I hated this movie with a passion. The more I think about it the more Read the article