"Alice in Wonderland" (PG, 108 minutes). Tim Burton's brilliant re-visualization of Lewis Carroll's fantasy, with Alice (Mia Wasikowska) now grown up, and the mordant denizens of Wonderland still basking in peculiarity. Beautifully drawn and told, except for the third-act surrender to formula action... read more
"A Prophet" (R, 154 minutes). An unformed young man is imprisoned, and behind bars he terrifyingly comes of age. A remorseless consideration of the birth of a killer. With Tahar Rahim as the clueless young prisoner and Niels Arestrup as the powerful boss of the gang controlling the prison. Swept th... read more
"Brooklyn's Finest" (R, 140 minutes). Three cops, three journeys to what looks like doom. They aren't bad guys, precisely, but they occupy a world of such unremitting violence that they're willing to do what it takes to survive. Well-crafted, good performances, but a screenplay that pulls strings ... read more
"The Good Guy" (R, 90 minutes). A team at a Wall Street firm are power are Masters of Trading and party animals, as quiet Daniel (Bryan Greenberg), who'd rather spend his evenings with a good book, is promoted top their level. The team leader (Scott Porter) takes him out to teach him how to party, a... read more
"Terribly Happy" (Unrated, 100 minute). There's a new marshal in town, but this town isn't ready to be tamed. A cop from Copenhagen is sent to the sticks as punishment, and walks into am eerie situation. People disappear--some say into the bog outside town. The locals aren't impressed by a cop. The ... read more
Q. In "Shutter Island" I noticed something odd. About mid-way through the movie, the Leo DiCaprio character is interviewing a female patient. His partner Chuck gives her a glass of water. At first she only pantomimes drinking the water, then in the next shot you see her putting down an empty glass... read more