One of the strongest films of 2013 is a simple, brilliantly executed coming-of-age story of a teen's summer vacation to a seaside town.
“Everything I learned I learned from the movies.”
― Audrey Hepburn
All in film reviews
'The To-Do List' review: Leave this one off your 'must watch' list
This 90s-era comedy is essentially a girl version of 'American Pie,' only way less charming.
'Pacific Rim' review: The most fun, ambitious summer blockbuster yet
This robots-versus-monsters action flick will satisfy every fan of mecha, anime or the old 'Kaiju' Japanese monster movies.
'Stories We Tell' review: Heartfelt, compelling genre-bending work of art
Simply calling 'Stories We Tell' a documentary is quite reductive. This is a masterpiece of storytelling and a layered, captivating look back at the lingering effects of 30-year old family secret.
'White House Down' review: Formulaic, absurd fun
If you're able to turn your brain off for two hours, 'White House Down' is an incredibly fun summer action flick.
'Upside Down' DVD review: Forced romance, silly sci-fi logic
'Upside Down' puts its other foot in the grave wrapping its own convulted sci-fi premise with a thin story and even more meager screenplay.
'The Bling Ring' review: Lobotomized take on cult of celebrity
It's apparent the intent was to create a scathing commentary on those obsessed with celebrities - but in doing so, 'The Bling Ring' sinks to the level of stupidity of those its critiquing.
'Monsters University' review: Part annoying cartoon, part fun adventure
The latest Pixar offering is a two-headed monster - one head is an unremarkable-to-cloying CGI kid's movie while the other head is a daring adventure and thoughtful story.
'World War Z' review: Terrifying, intense, cobbled-together zombie thrill ride
While the debate between 'running zombies vs. slow-moving/Romero zombies' may not be settled anytime soon, 'Z' opts for a borderline super-powered army of the undead.
'Before Midnight' review: The next brilliant chapter of a great film romance
'Before Sunrise' was one of the great romances of all time. Its sequel, 'Before Sunset,' ranks among the greatest film sequels of all time. Now 'Before Midnight' will cement the 'Before' series as one of - if not the - greatest film trilogies ever.
'Man of Steel' review: Exciting, fun, if structurally flawed Superman reboot
The most substantial Superman film to date is exciting, but not without some serious structural flaws.
'Lil Bub & Friendz' review: Cute overload! Enough charm for nine lifetimes
Kitschy documentary succeeds in making the already internet famous Lil Bub - who suffers a myriad of physical disabilities - more amazing, while doing her weirdo, cat-obsessed fans no such favor.
'The Kings of Summer' review: Indie gem of a nostalgic teen adventure
Nostalgic without manipulation, funny without compromising dramatic elements and an overall fun adventure - 'The Kings of Summer' is a great addition to the coming-of-age genre.
'A Band Called Death' review: Evokes the joy of discovering new music
This is not simply the story of rediscovering a lost gem. 'A Band Called Death' is the very human documentary accounting the birth, death and rebirth of a pioneering punk band named Death.
'This is the End' review: A disjointed series of meandering improv skits
Some films are known as 'And then...' scripts. Even if the initial premise is semi interesting, movies of this type meander about and eventually stumble across the finish line. The all-star apocalyptic comedy 'This is the End' is one of those scripts.
'The Purge' review: Preachy commentary, poor acting undermine intriguing premise
Sadly, this is yet another case of a film's premise deteriorating into a base, underwhelming flick.
'The Internship' review: Not worth the hire
Facebook had 'The Social Network' ... and Google gets this unfunny, two-hour commercial.
'Frances Ha' review: Artful, off-beat comedy charms, uplifts
This off-beat, artful film does what 'The Mindy Project' and even 'Girls' fails to truly accomplish: present a truly focused, wonderfully executed story of sympathetic and realistic single girl living in the city, chasing her dream.
'Now You See Me' review: The film's fun, delight is not an illusion
Magic shows are designed to entertain and delight - and this fun caper flick is exciting from its first frame to its final act.
'The Hangover Part III' review: A walk of shame for another tired film trilogy
The first 'Hangover' was a fun ride. Its sequel was a much more dark, angry and much less fun slog. 'The Hangover Part III' is somewhere between the first two movies and brings the trilogy to a halfhearted close.