Overall, it's a story of triumph and adventure - of oppression ended and freedom begun.

This is a movie to restore the faith of those who had given up on science fiction after "The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions." By adeptly combining action and ideas, it proves that Hollywood can still produce astonishing entertainment.

Mrs. Brown will delight and touch any viewer who seeks it out.

This is a rare, "feel good" motion picture that doesn't insult our intelligence while making its play for our emotions.

By entering such fertile, intellectually stimulating and psychologically rich territory, Estes provides us with a freshman feature that is far beyond the generic coming-of-age tale Mean Creek initially seems to be.

One of the best thrillers I have seen this year: tight, taut, and unpredictable.

That Sayles is able to say these things in the context of a compelling story with well-defined characters makes this one of the early fall triumphs of 2004.

Represents solid family entertainment, and will find a special place in the hearts of those who adore the "Godfather" movies and the TV series "The Sopranos."

The average thriller, even if it's set in a faraway or futuristic world, tends to offer visceral, ephemeral excitement, and not much else. However, while Gattaca has the energy and tautness to compare with the best of those, its thought-provoking script and thematic richness elevate it to the next level.

For those who have the patience to become absorbed in this kind of drama, Vera Drake offers a stunningly real character portrait whose image will linger long after the movie has faded.

Not as corrosive as Russell's debut feature, "Spanking the Monkey," it's just as wild, just as strange, and even funnier.

Fatoumata Coulibaly's peformance is striking. She plays her character with a mixture of determination and compassion.

It's likely that 2004 won't offer a better movie about a mid-life crisis.

This is one of Levinson's best films, and the screenplay, co-penned by noted writer David Mamet (along with Hilary Henkin), is brilliantly on-target.

This is a simple story of hope and triumph, of one girl with the drive to succeed defying the odds and following her dream. It's not an original tale -- movies like this abound -- but Nava's point-of-view is fresh.

Cinematic magic.

On the Waterfront may have baggage, but that doesn't prevent it from being one of the great American productions of the mid-20th century.

This is most definitely NOT a date movie. But if you appreciate films that are more substance than style, that take challenges and don't follow formulas, and that feature Oscar-caliber performances, Closer is not to be missed.

Isn't just fine family entertainment, it's superior family entertainment.

It is a rich and challenging motion picture that both affirms life and emphasizes its fragility. Eastwood touches our hearts and energizes our minds without resorting to overt manipulation.

The Sea Inside is uplifting. This is a movie that may cause viewers to both laugh and cry.

This role could represent a career performance for Cheadle, whose forceful and multi-dimensional portrayal keeps Hotel Rwanda at a consistently high level.

Everything in Out of Sight is smart -- the dialogue, the characters, and the storyline.

The kind of daring feature that doesn't open every Friday at the local multiplex; its frank, sometimes politically incorrect approach towards the act and politics of sex is refreshing.

A wonderful motion picture, even given the weaknesses of the source material.

The film is so boisterously entertaining that it's easy for the unsuspecting viewer not to realize that there's a message here.

Two and one- half hours of gripping entertainment.

The Wings of the Dove is not a happy tale, but it is a vivid and unforgettable one, featuring multi- dimensional characters, beautiful cinematography, impressive set design, and accomplished acting.