'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' is a well-intentioned, sweet adventure that resorts to obvious ploys in its effort to 'inspire' and 'uplift.'
“Everything I learned I learned from the movies.”
― Audrey Hepburn
All in film reviews
'Catching Fire' review: Thoughtful, exciting sequel is a near bull's-eye
Amid all the Oscars hopefuls and holiday flicks, 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' is easily the most entertaining and exciting movie of the season.
'Crystal Fairy' review: This is how to make a drug-fueled road trip story boring
On paper, this film has all the ingredients of an interesting indie film. An obsessed hero searches a faraway land for a fabled drug - but his journey is disrupted by his perfect antithesis. Yet somehow, 'Crystal Fairy' is a pretty boring trip to the beach.
'Nebraska' review: Nuanced journey through America's heartland
The latest from director Alexander Payne ('The Descendants,' 'Sideways' and 'Election') is a brilliantly quiet and poetic hero's story.
'Thor: The Dark World' review: Only stokes demand for a Loki spin-off
This latest Marvel flick is a fine, mildly fun adventure that's at its best whenever Loki is onscreen
'All is Lost' review: Powerful, harrowing tale of a man and the sea
A film of few spoken words and only one character crafts one of the strongest films of this year.
'12 Years A Slave' review: Unflinching condemnation of America's first sin
What this horrific true story lacks in narrative structure, it makes up with a profound focus on the evils of slavery.
'Only God Forgives' film review: Visually striking film without a pulse or soul
The monotonous movie relies on an unrelentingly grim tone, gruesome violence and its leading man to hold wordless, smoldering poses for entirely too long ... while completely forgetting to tell a story that's compelling on any level.
'Last Vegas' review: A safe bet with low stakes, equally low payout
This geriatric comedy hybrid of 'The Bucket List' and 'The Hangover' takes no risks and lightly shuffles from scene to scene.
'Ender's Game' review: Solid acting, writing salvage this poor sci-fi story
Aside from a well-executed third act reveal, "Ender's Game" is a plodding, unmoving sci-fi non-adventure that is only saved by some strong key performances.
'Bad Grandpa' review: Works more than it doesn't - but just barely
The theatrical love child of the 'Jackass' brand and hidden camera hijinks of 'Borat' is this barrage of chuckles.
'Captain Phillips' review: Superb acting, incredibly intense
This true-life dramatic thriller is packed with gripping intensity and incredible performances from an amazing cast led by Tom Hanks.
'Gravity' review: Unrelentingly intense, visually stunning
Incredible acting, screenplay, cinematography, editing and 3D - 'Gravity' makes its claim as the best all-around film of 2013.
'In A World' review: Quirky, funny look into voiceover biz lacks much drama
A nice, wandering film that's relaxed in its tone and conflict ... although cute, 'In A World' doesn't create great drama.
'Don Jon' review: A lesser director-writer-star would have a mess on his hands
'Don Jon' is funnier than you expect, smarter than it looks and more touching/sincere than anticipated.
'You're Next' review: A refreshing, witty slasher/horror-genre game changer
The marketing and trailers don't do this horror flick justice. Every ad makes 'You're Next' look like just another slasher - but this entertaining thriller is an exciting new entry into a very tired genre.
'Blue Jasmine' review: Cate Blanchett captivates in Woody Allen's latest gem
Woody Allen's latest dramatic comedy features a superb cast and is highlighted by one of the great acting performances of 2013.
'Elysium' review: Well-made sci-fi film, not well-written story
This grim sci-fi flick amazes with its richly realized world and innovative ideas, however, it disappoints with a flat story at its core.
'We're the Millers' review: Not worth getting to know this family
A potentially great comedic premise sadly resorts to cheap jokes and cobbling together a story out of a mountain of coincidental events.
'Prince Avalanche' review: Quirky non-story suffers glacial pace
Not quite a comedy and lacking enough plot to call it a drama, 'Prince Avalanche' is a slowly-moving film that defies convention or genre.