http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ Short and sweet. en-us tcc@thecasualcritic.net 2009-02-02T23:07:17-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/02/02/the_class_entre_les_murs.php The 2008 Palme d'Or winner may resemble To Sir, With Love or Dead Poets Society at first, but instead, it plays almost as a documentary depicting a very realistic, contemporary and relevant school story with genuine students and caring but flawed teachers. 483@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 4_5 2009-02-02T23:07:17-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/02/01/rocknrolla.php Ritchie goes back to his roots, but doesn't really surpass some of the previous year's copycats (Lucky Number Slevin) or this year's great In Bruges. On the other hand, I'm excited about his next project: Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law! 472@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 2_5 2009-02-01T10:59:17-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/02/01/the_reader.php Kate Winslet is naked half the time and looking old for the other half of a holocaust related movie. Are you still wondering how it got a Best Picture nomination? But is there more to it than just typical Oscar bait? 471@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 3_5 2009-02-01T10:26:16-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/02/01/rachel_getting_married.php Anne Hathaway proves that she can be a true actress, but alas "Rachel Getting Married" does not contend with being just a dry-humored drama, but rather tries to add an all-loving message about creating a better world. Or something. 470@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 3 2009-02-01T09:11:28-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/25/happygolucky.php Happy-Go-Lucky is a movie about wide-eyed, perennial optimism. And Sally Hawkins embodies this spirit with all her being. 468@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 3 2009-01-25T12:58:12-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/25/doubt.php Doubt brings a great cast together and tries to tell a story about the importance of admitting doubt and not acting without proof. Despite the great acting though, it pretty much misses the mark completely. 467@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 3 2009-01-25T11:32:09-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/18/tropic_thunder.php Wackiest comedy of the year with perhaps also the most surprising performance of the year from... Tom Cruise. 458@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 3_5 2009-01-18T19:02:30-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/18/the_secret_of_the_grain_la_graine_et_le_mulet.php Powerful drama, truthful unassuming slice of life. Easily one of the best movies of the year. 457@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 4 2009-01-18T17:42:19-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/18/vicky_cristina_barcelona.php VIcky Cristina Barcelona is part guilty pleasure, part comedy, part meditation on the struggle of finding one's identity and a satisfying relationship. Who else but Woody Allen would be more of an expert on the subject? 456@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 4 2009-01-18T16:41:33-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/12/walle.php Wall-E reminds us of Chaplin's Vagabond, pays repeated tribute to Kubrick's 2001 Space Odyssey, is as militant on ecological themes as any of Miyazaki's best, yet it remains a classic, simple love story at its core. 455@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 4 2009-01-12T21:38:44-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/12/in_bruges.php If you're a fan of British gangster movies or dark humor and you haven't watched In Bruges yet, run to the nearest theater still playing it or just get the DVD. You won't find a better choice for the genre in 2008 or even in the last few years. 454@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 4 2009-01-12T20:33:47-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/10/the_spirit.php The Spirit is NOT Sin City 2! Do not expect that and you may actually enjoy it. 451@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 2009-01-10T11:37:42-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/04/frostnixon.php The re-telling of David Frost's famous interview with Richard Nixon, three years after his resignation following the Watergate scandal, is not a documentary. But it delivers the same impact, thanks to the powerful acting by Frank Langella and Michael Sheen who bring Peter Morgan's vision from stage to screen with seamless effort. This is a movie that everyone interested in modern history should watch. 450@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 4 2009-01-04T10:26:22-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/04/un_conte_de_noeel.php The Royal Tenenbaums of the french is full of dark humour and dysfunctional characters. Do not watch it thinking you've found a movie to match the Holidays spirit. 449@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 3 2009-01-04T00:05:14-05:00 http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/archives/2009/01/03/wendy_and_lucy.php A well captured, but still very thin slice of life. How thin? The second main character is a dog that's missing for more than half the movie. 448@http://www.thecasualcritic.net/Reviews/ 3 2009-01-03T20:39:20-05:00