Reviews

'Planet 51' – one of those animated movies filled with all-star names in the cast – is a bit of a misfire with critics.

Voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jessica Biel and Justin Long – there is a reason those names come first, it's to distract from the story and script – 'Planet 51' is set in a faraway world where an American astronaut Capt. Charles T. Baker (Johnson) lands. Twist is, he is the alien in a world inhabited by green people in a 'Leave it to Beaver' version of 1950's suburban America. They don't want Capt. Baker causing trouble on their planet. Thus, Chuck befriends Lem (Long) and a robot dog named Rover to escape being relegated to a museum.

Critics are complaining the originality is lazy, as are the jokes -- a dog peeing acid is a highlight: never great for kids. But a pretty look (even though the characters may appear rudimentary) and a homespun charm may appeal to some. Or you may want to catch it on cable with the kids.

Following the lead of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' and 'Precious,' Hollywood has pulled another best-seller off the shelf for a feature film adaptation with the 'The Blind Side,' opening November 20. Written and directed by John Lee Hancock and based on Michael Lewis' 2006 best-selling sports drama 'The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game,' the film comes to life with Sandra Bullock running the show as Leigh Anne Tuohy, an affluent socialite do-gooder whose family adopts an illiterate and neglected teenage schoolmate of her young son. Motivated by his supportive new family and a host of enviable opportunities, the teen becomes a sought-after college football prospect and eventually a first-round 2009 NFL draft pick for the Baltimore Ravens.

'The Blind Side' sticks to Hollywood's feel-good formula of inspiring audiences with the incredible tale of an unstoppable underdog, an old standby that made classics out of similar sports dramas like 'Rocky' and 'Rudy.' The fact that Hancock's picture is based on a true story gives the feature some added weight, as do solid performances from Bullock and newcomer Quinton Aaron, who Variety says "more than holds his own opposite Bullock" as real-life gridiron hero Michael Oher. Country star Tim McGraw, who scored plenty of cred for his role in the 2004 book-to-flick football drama 'Friday Night Lights,' co-stars as Bullock's husband, and although he looks almost unrecognizable, his acting talents haven't gone unnoticed. Judging from early reviews, despite the film's cookie-cutter storyline, 'The Blind Side' has most critics cheering.

By the time the largely forgettable Philip K. Dick adaptation 'Paycheck' debuted in 2003, Chinese filmmaker John Woo had completed a decade-long transition into the same Hollywood blockbuster realm occupied by guys like Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer.

But that was also the point at which the director of 'Broken Arrow,' 'Hard Target,' 'Face/Off' and 'Mission Impossible II' decided to take a little break from Hollywood action films.

Woo is back in more ways than one with 'Red Cliff,' an $80 million war epic shot in China and already a hit overseas. Released in the U.S. by Magnolia Pictures, moviegoers Stateside will have a chance to see it this weekend. Here's what some of the critics are saying ...

German director Werner Herzog shifts away from brooding documentaries for a stab at re-imagining Abel Ferrara's 1992 cult classic 'Bad Lieutenant.' With Nicholas Cage in the lead role, Herzog's cumbersomely-titled 'Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans' is set amid post-Katrina chaos and tells the story of a drug-addicted cop with a prostitute girlfriend (Eva Mendes), who spends the film battling demons personal, criminal and imaginary. Critics are praising Cage's performance for harnessing the intensity of his early work, and Herzog for his deliberate, playful direction that, in spite of the film's churning emotional core, has fleeting moments of black comedy.

Fans of Pedro Almodovar's films know to expect the unexpected, or at least the playfully unorthodox. With his complex, multi-narrative plots peopled with eccentric characters, and a willingness to embrace sexuality in all its earthy glory, Almódovar has proven to be a fearless filmmaker. Since he began directing features in the late 1970s, his colorful, often comic melodramas have gotten deeper, more emotionally resonant, with 'All About My Mother' (1999), 'Talk to Her' (2002) and 'Volver' (2006) considered by many to be his greatest works.

With 'Broken Embraces,' his fourth movie starring main muse Penélope Cruz, Almodóvar has made a typically vibrant film centering around Cruz's character, an industrialist's mistress who pursues acting and falls in love with her director. (That's an extreme plot oversimplification.) Featuring flashbacks, flash-forwards, myriad movie references, actors playing double roles and a film within a film, it may be Almodóvar's most complex movie yet. Reviews have been generally positive, but several critics cite more style than substance, especially compared to the director's last several outings. Nearly all reviews, however, mention how downright enjoyable it all is, despite what some see as a relative lack of depth.

Editor's note: Moviefone is excited to feature the writing of several dedicated 'Twilight' fan bloggers to our readers. Amanda Bell, blogger for the Twilight Examiner, has already seen 'New Moon' numerous times -- and that's before it opened. Here she names her 10 favorite things about 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon.' Come back in the coming weeks for more of Amanda's insights into 'Twilight' and to find lots of cool original 'Twilight' content from her and her fellow Twihards.

Since 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' is based closely on Stephenie Meyer's book, there are few big surprises in the plot. That doesn't mean that there aren't moments in the film that will impress or surprise even the most knowledgeable fan of the 'Twilight' series (um ... like me, for example).

Here are my 10 favorite things about the film -- but you don't have to be a 'Twilight' devotee to appreciate them; there's something here for everyone from the casual fan to the super-fan.

Either you're a huge fan of the 'Twilight' series or you're not: Based on critics' reviews, the new film, 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon,' is unlikely to convert any non-believers. Not when critics like Roger Ebert groan, "Sitting through this experience is like driving a pickup in low gear though a sullen sea of Brylcreem." Ouch!

Director Chris Weitz takes the reins from 'Twilight' director Catherine Hardwicke; Without the passion for her characters and her more indie approach, many critics feel that the sequel simply falls flat. Some, however, prefer Weitz's more-polished style ... and then there are those who simply hated both films and probably can't tell the difference.

Non-fans cite the slow-pace ("The uninitiated might find that the film's deliberately unhurried 130-minute running time feels like a Cullen clan eternity," says the Hollywood Reporter). But most agree that the addition of werewolves to the saga livens up the proceedings. Whether you think endless shots of Taylor Lautner's bare torso are sigh-worthy or just silly probably depends on whether you count yourself a member of Team Jacob.

But hey, who needs critics, right? If what those grumpy Guses say matters to you, check out their reviews after the jump.

On the heels of Spike Jonze's adaptation of 'Where the Wild Things Are,' another hipster director, Wes Anderson, takes on another beloved children's book: Roald Dahl's 'Fantastic Mr Fox.' Unlike Jonze's blend of live-action and CGI, Anderson's film details the life of its titular character using super-retro handmade stop-motion animation, and the result is as uniquely folksy as it is stunning.

But the film isn't just impressive visually, it also features a formidable cast of talent that includes George Clooney as Mr. Fox, Meryl Streep as his Mrs., and Jason Schwartzman as their son Ash, as well as supporting work from Anderson regulars Bill Murray and Owen Wilson. Like Anderson's previous work, 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' deals with matters both profound and absurd. Early critical response is overwhelmingly favorable, with most critics noting that the kitschy puppets are a perfect match for Anderson's signature style of quirky storytelling.

From Mr. Bean to Bridget Jones, many of Britain's most successful comedy imports have Richard Curtis' name in the credits. 'Pirate Radio' is the latest release from the acclaimed writer/director whose previous films include 'Love Actually' and 'Four Weddings and a Funeral.'

'Pirate Radio' tells the true story of renegade DJs in 1960s London, who reacted to the BBC's refusal to play rock 'n' roll by blasting mod sounds from a floating radio station off the coast of England. The cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson.

The film was 30 minutes longer when it opened in the UK back in April, under the title 'The Boat That Rocked,' where it received mixed reviews from the British press. Perhaps the studio hoped that a few cuts and a pirate reference in the title (to attract Johnny Depp fans?) would result in a more positive reception in America. Has it worked? Check out the reviews and post your own reaction.