Reviews

Call Robert Zemeckis' latest performance-capture animation effort the 'Polarizing Express,' at least where movie critics are concerned.

Some write that 'Disney's A Christmas Carol,' a 3D movie featuring Jim Carrey in myriad voice roles, takes Zemeckis' favored digital production technology to another level, with the characters delivering more depth of feeling than what was found in the filmmaker's earlier performance-capture films, 'The Polar Express' and 'Beowulf.'

Other critics, meanwhile, say the film has no feeling at all. Take a look at what the reviews are saying, then tell us what you think.

Critics are offering mostly raves for 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,' a harrowing story about a young Harlem teenager who is pregnant for the second time by her drug-addicted father and also suffers abuse at the hands of her cruel mother.

It wowed audiences at this year's Sundance festival in January, where it won both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize, and a Special Jury Prize for comedian Mo'Nique in her first dramatic role. The film is being called "inspiring," "powerful," "potent and moving," and "courageous and uncompromising." You may have heard that it's the film in which a nearly unrecognizable Mariah Carey (playing a social worker) finally earns some respect as an actress. Most likely, it has come to your attention because it's presented by media powerhouses Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.

A few vocal opponents, however, such as Armond White of the New York Press, are decrying the film as "brazenly racist." He's not alone: Since it was snubbed at this year's Gotham Awards, there's been talk of a backlash against the film because of Winfrey's backing.

See what critics are saying after the jump.

Ten years after 'The Blair Witch Project' frightened (and fooled) a massive audience with grainy, hand-held, "found" footage, it seems we're having another pseudo-documentary thriller moment. With 'Paranomal Activity' pulling in more than $87 million (and counting) at the box office, everyone wants a piece of that low-tech, high-profit action.

Filmed with a decidedly higher budget, the new thriller 'The Fourth Kind' mixes "archival" footage with "reenactments" to investigate a series of purported alien abductions in Nome, Alaska. The film stars Milla Jovovich as Dr. Abigail Tyler, a psychologist who, while videotaping her sessions with a series of traumatized patients, documents the disturbing "evidence" seen in the film.

'The Men Who Stare at Goats' has to have one of the wackiest story lines -- and film titles -- we've seen in years. A reporter (Ewan McGregor) covering the war in Iraq encounters a shadowy figure (George Clooney) who claims to be part of an experimental U.S. military unit, the New Earth Army, a legion of "warrior monks" whose unparalleled psychic powers can read the enemy's thoughts, pass through solid walls and even kill a goat simply by staring at it. The leader (Jeff Bridges) of the group -- founded during the New Age era of the Vietnam War -- has gone missing, and McGregor tags along with Clooney on a mission to find him. The weird part about this is that the film was inspired by Jon Ronson's non-fiction bestseller, an exploration of the government's attempts to harness paranormal abilities.

There's no middle ground in the critics' war of words about this black comedy: They either love it or hate it. Everyone, however, salutes Clooney's performance. Reconnoiter the reviews after the jump and let us know what you think.

Ten years after his debut film 'The Boondock Saints' bombed at the box office and subsequently went on to become a cult DVD hit, filmmaker Troy Duffy is back with his sophomore effort -- and, not surprisingly, it's a sequel entitled 'Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.'

Like the first, it follows the peacoat-wearing, tattoo-sporting, twin-silencer-wielding McManus brothers (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) as they cut a bloody swathe through the Boston mob world. And judging by reviews of the film, Duffy -- whose behavior during the making of the original 'Saints' pretty much got him blacklisted in Hollywood -- should have stayed hidden. Critics have labeled the stylized shoot-'em-up as latently racist and homophobic ... and basically called it Diet Quentin Tarantino. But don't take our word for it. Check out reviews after the jump, then let us know what you think.

Already showing signs of fray on their last project, 'Nacho Libre,' the creative spark and magic evident in Jared and Jarusha Hess' 2004 breakthrough effort 'Napoleon Dynomite' seems to completely become undone in their latest film, 'Gentlemen Broncos.' Indeed, the film isn't really getting any love from anybody.

The consensus seems to be that while the talent and charm of Jon Heder and Jack Black might have carried the Hess' first two projects, there's nobody around this time to soften the edge of the entirely strange characters and plot lines. See what critics are saying below, then tell us what you think.

The reviews are in for the new Michael Jackson concert rehearsal documentary 'This Is It,' which debuted to sold-out midnight screenings this morning. And, while critics' assessments range from absolutely fawning to a bit lukewarm, there seems to be a consensus on one thing: Had the King of Pop lived to launch his 'This Is It' tour in London this fall, the shows would have been worth every penny ... and MJ likely would have staged one of the most epic and glorious comebacks in music history. See what critics are saying below, then tell us what you think.

Even the undead-obsessed may have a hard time sinking their fangs into 'Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant,' the underwhelming first offering of yet another series of vampire books. While critics seem to agree that the film is colorfully staged, they've been less than kind in their assessment of the directing and acting. Opinion is divided on whether star John C. Reilly, as an eccentric vampire who reigns over the titular Cirque du Freak, saves the film or goes down with the ship. If this is your cup of blood will depend on whether you're in the mood for a few laughs and an irreverent approach to bloodsuckers, rather than scares and suspense. Check out reviews below.

Only the most loyal Lars von Trier fans should seek out 'Antichrist,' a disturbingly violent film featuring extreme scenes of graphic sex and self-mutilation of the most private of parts. The film was the scandal of this year's Cannes Film Festival, where it prompted boos, walkouts and angry complaints -- as well as some raves. It's been called "torture porn" and its most infamous scenes rival the levels of sadism in any 'Saw' flick. Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg have been praised for their intense, literally naked performances -- but even the film's supporters agree it's hard to watch. Is this a brave exercise in pushing the boundaries of film or a pretentious descent into shock cinema? Either way, the film's audience remains an extremely limited one, which is just what Von Trier intends. Check out reviews after the jump.

Another year, another 'Saw' movie. With Halloween fast approaching, 'Saw VI' -- that's right, the sixth 'Saw' film in as many years -- hacks its way into theaters today, almost surely destined to once again take the box office crown (unless, of course, 'Paranormal Activity' has anything to say about it).

The franchise is as reliable as the Energizer Bunny and as comforting to its devoted, blood-and-guts/torture-loving fan base as a warm cup of hot cocoa. Judging by the smattering of reviews out there (and by the news that the film is so awesomely violent that it's been slapped with an X rating in Spain and relegated to screening in porno theaters there), the fan-friendly franchise's sixth go-around more than makes up for a fifth installment that left even Jigsaw's most diehard aficionados a bit puzzled. Check out reviews after the jump.