Movie Reviews

In Theatres

Movies A–B

Movies D–F

Movies G–L

Movies M–R

Movies S–Z

FAQs

Dumb comedies we love

American Pie

American Pie 2

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

Clueless

Legally Blonde

Wayne's World

The Wedding Singer

"Difficult" movies we love (or, at least, like)

Crash

Le déclin de l'empire américain

Dogma

Eyes Wide Shut

Exotica

Fight Club

Jésus de Montréal

The Last Temptation of Christ

Moulin Rouge

Movie Reviews Archive: M to R

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Links are to the Rotten Tomatoes Web site, where you can read what other critics and moviegoers thought of each film. Ratings are from * (stinker) to **** (absolutely wonderful). Theatrical release date is in parentheses, followed by whether we saw the movie in theatre or as a home rental.

M

** Made (July 2001) - Theatre
Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn. Two longtime friends gets mixed up in a Mob caper.

She says: Well, it certainly wasn't dull, but the friendship was rather incomprehensible. Why does Bobby put up with Ricky?
He says: Well, I didn't like that. That guy [Ricky] was just too annoying — it left me irritated all the way through.

*** Manufactured Landscapes (November2006) - Theatre
Ed Burtynsky. Documentary about photographer's Burtynsky's work in making environmentally horrible landscapes look beautiful.

She says: I'm still not sure how I feel about Burtynsky's approach, but I did find his point about it reflecting our modern ambivalence interesting: We both hate the environmental consequences and love the comfortable lifestyles we have. Certainly the film does a good job of showing the actuality of the scene as contrasted to the photographs captured, which are amazing and almost always beautiful. And makes you very glad you're not a production line worker in China.
He says: Huh. I think I slept through part of that.

***½ Mao's Last Dancer (October 2009) - Theatre
Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood. Biography of Li Cunxin, a China-trained ballet dancer who managed to defect to the US in the early 1980s.

She says: Definitely an interesting story, though I somehow expected more ongoing drama once he'd initially managed to stay in the US. But particularly spectacular are the dance sequences, which also carry the story forward. The previously unknown Chi Cao is fantastic in the lead role: a beautiful dancer, a very good actor, and great charisma—very sexy.
He says: That made me want to go to a ballet. I really enjoyed it.

*** Maple Flavour Films (June 2008) - Theatre
A documentary by the director of Sidekick, about why no one goes to see Englisb-language Canadian movies.

She says: It's kind of ironic that almost not one went to see this documentary about why no one goes to see Canadian movies. But it shouldn't be taken as a comment about the film itself, which was both entertaining and educational.
He says: Sorry, honey, but I just want a quiet evening at home.

*** Match Point (December 2005) - Theatre
Jonathan Rhys-Myers, Scarlett Johansson. Ambitious former tennis pro struggles with lust for his friend's fiancee.

She says: Very interesting that this whole movie is shown from the immoral Chris Wilton's point of view. You're forced into understanding him even though you don't like him. Great chemistry between the two leads makes this movie work.
He says: That made me uncomfortable. I do not approve of their behavior!

*** Memento (March 2001) - Theatre
Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss. Man with no short-term memory works to avenge his wife's murder.

She says: Well-crafted movie that puts you in the same confused state that the main character is in by telling the story backward. Ends up being both a compelling mystery and a statement about how memories can lie.
He says: I don't even know what the heck I saw.

*** Men with Brooms (October 2002) - Theatre
Paul Gross, Molly Parker. Canadian comedy about curling and making amends. And also beavers.

She says: It's a fun movie! The acting is good, and the story and characters are compelling enough to carry you through, though nothing overly surprising happens.
He says: Too much curling, but otherwise definitely worth seeing.

*** Michael Clayton (October 2007) - Theatre
George Clooney, Tom Wilkonson, Tilda Swindon. A lawyer who works as a corporate “fixer” has to manage a senior partner's fit of ethics, and finds himself questioning his own role.

She says: An interesting twist on the crusading lawyer taking on the corporation story, and this time it's told from the point of view of the corporation's lawyers. The characters are rich and the actors are excellent, including George Clooney in the lead role.
He says: Still not sure what the guy did, exactly, but it was an interesting story.

*** Microcosmos (1996) / Baraka (1992) - Theatre
Bunch of bugs / Bunch of people. Documentaries.

She says: A double feature is very long to sit through, but both of these narrative-free documentaries are worth seeing for amazing images and (especially Baraka) thought-provoking concepts.
He says: I liked Baraka better. Especially the darker parts, for some reason. Microcosmos was too long for a movie about bugs.

**½ Milk (November 2008) - Theatre
Sean Penn, James Franco. The political career of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to political office in the US.

He says: Next time I get to pick the movie.
She says: Why?
He says: So it's one I like!
She says: You didn't like that? But it was full of plot! And issues!
He says: It was boring.
She says: But you liked Sean Penn's performance.
He says: Oh, I did! He was fantastic.
She says: He was. Really transformed himself into that character.
He says: Did the critics like this movie?
She says: Oh yay--big praise, lots of awards.
He says: Guess I'm wrong, then.
She says: Well, it maybe could have been a little shorter. Tighter editing.
He says: Could have been a lot shorter, for me.
She says: It kind of struck me that that country hasn't really progressed that far on gay rights. You just had California voters opting to take away their marriage rights.... It's still a big issue there.
He says: And so is gun control. They still have way too many guns.
(She: *** He: **)

*** Monster's Ball (December 2001) - Theatre
Billy Bob Thorton, Halle Berry. Drama about two wounded, flawed people who unexpectedly connect.

She says: From a very dark beginning, the movie and the characters move to a better place, in ways that aren't at all predictable and yet doesn't feel implausible.
He says: It was another one of those movies that is more about character than plot, but it was OK.

**½ Motorcycle Diaries (September 2004) - Theatre
Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna. A young Che Guevara goes on a South American road trip that changes his life. Spanish with English subtitles.

She says: Well-acted with some interesting scenes, but not quite the inspiration I'd hoped it would be.
He says: Well, that was kind of slow. And I still don't know what made Che Guevara famous.

***½ Moulin Rouge (June 2001) - Theatre
Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor. Musical about ill-fated lovers in 19th century France.

She says: Another movie that successfully makes anachronistic use of rock music. Starts out frenetic and thrilling, and then slows down to touching. Bonus points for including Queen's "The Show Must Go On."
He says: To my surprise, I really liked that. I felt for that couple. Bonus points for Nicole Kidman in fishnets.

*** Mulholland Drive (October 2001) - Rental
Laura Heering, Naomit Watts. The strange “story” of a woman with amnesia and the aspiring actress who helps her.

She says: It's strange and difficult to make sense of, but also beautifully shot and fascinating to watch.
He says: Huh?

***½ My Big Fat Greek Wedding (April 2002) - Theatre
Nia Vardalos, John Corbett. Greek girl and non-Greek boy fall in love and try to wed.

She says: Just as you would expect, it's fun, it's funny... It's a good way to spend two hours.
He says: I liked it; it was a good movie. I didn't know Greeks were like that, though.

**** The New Waterford Girl (2000) - Theatre
Lianne Balaban. Being "different" in a tiny, stifling Cape Breton town.

She says: The other great movie of 2000. A completely charming story, featuring an excellent performance by Lianne Balaban. Also answers the question: Whatever happened to Andrew McCarthy?
He says: I kind of forget now. But I think I liked it at the time.

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N

**½ The Notorious Bettie Page (May 2006) - Theatre
Gretchen Mol, Lilly Taylor. Bio-pic of pinup star Bettie Page.

She says: It is an interesting story, and an interesting character, but I would say that not enough is done with it. This very religious girl embracing this soft-porn lifestyle—the subject is touched on, but never really explored to my satisfaction.
He says: It was a pretty fun movie. Not sure how she justified her behavior to herself, though.

*** Nurse Betty (September 200) - Theatre
Renee Zellweger, Morgan Freeman. Woman with traumatic amnesia thinks she is a soap character and behaves accordingly.

She says: A really unsettling mix of sweetness, light, and comedy and extreme violence. Definitely original.
He says: That was so weird.

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O

***½ Ocean's Eleven (February 2003) - Rental
George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt. Eleven men attempt to rob three Las Vegas casinos.

She says: It was a fun movie, from Ocean's opening interrogation sequence to the “and introducing Julia Roberts” credit at the end.
He says: Now, that was a good movie.

**** Office Space (August 2002) - Rental
Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston. Tech worker decides to stop making his job a priority, and gets promoted.

She says: Just a great little comedy about people with real jobs, including a bunch of nerds who work for a technology banking company and a roadhouse waitress. I have definitely worked with people like these (no names, though).
He says: Mmm, what did I miss? [Jean's been working hard — he was sleepy]

** Once Upon a Time in Mexico (September 2003) - Theatre
Johnny Depp, Antonio Banderas. A corrupt CIA agent recruits El Mariachi to do his dirty work in a political revolution.

She says: Surprisingly not boring, given the number of highly choreographed action sequences (which aren't really my thing). Johnny Depp is definitely the best thing in this movie, as the only character who seems to have any sense of humour. But overall, not my kind of film. (**)
He says: God, that was awful. You didn't like that, did you? I thought it was terrible. (*½)

***½ The Others (May 2002) - Rental
Nicole Kidman. Woman whose husband disappeared in war is seemingly haunted in a large house that must be kept dark.

She says: Atmospheric, well-acted, and with some neat twists.
He says: A little scary in parts, but hey! I guessed part of the ending right!

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P

***½ Pan's Labyrinth (December 2006) - Theatre
Young girl uses her imagination to escape from the grim reality of life in fascist Spain. Spanish with subtitles.

She says: Intense and engrossing, with the blend of the fantastic and the realistic working better than you'd expect. Definitely not for children, though.
He says: I wish I hadn't missed the ending [badly timed bathroom break], but I like what I did see.

*** The Perfect Storm (June 2000) - Theatre
George Clooney, Mark Wallburg. Fishermen seek fish in the eye of the "perfect storm."

She says: I've read all that business about the characters being too stereotypical and such, but I didn't notice any of that when actually watching this gripping thriller.
He says: I'm glad I didn't know the ending going in. There wasn't a dull moment in this one.

***½ Persepolis (December 2007) - Theatre
Animated; French with subtitles. Coming of age tale of a young Iranian girl living through some of her country's turmoil.

She says: Another great, strong woman character. The simple animation is surprisingly effective in telling her story.
He says: Yes, I liked it. It was an interesting movie. Though I liked Ratatouille better.

**½ Pirate Radio (November 2009) - Theatre
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy. Follows one British pirate radio station in 1966, when the government was trying to shut them down.

She says: In part this is a love story to British rock of the 1960s, and that part is fun. But the story hanging around that is weak, and that's too bad. There are funny moments, but no big narrative drive. It's more like a series of vignettes with a really great soundtrack, where there was certainly potential for it to be much more.
He says: I didn't get the central premise. Why on earth wouldn't women have been allowed on the boat?

**½ Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (May 2007) - Theatre
Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly. Elizabeth, Will, Barbossa, and crew set out to rescue Jack Sparrow and resolve other lingering issues brought about in Dead Man's Chest.

She says: Through the magic of low expectations, I enjoyed this well enough. Something was always happening, so it was hard to get bored, and I didn't find the story as confusing as all the critics said, though I hadn't seen Dead Man's Chest since it first came out.
He says: Yeah, it wasn't too bad. They should stop now, though.

**** Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (July 2003) - Theatre
Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Keira Knightly. Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, governor's daughter Elizabeth Swann, and blacksmith Will Turner get caught up in adventures involving a cursed pirate ship.

She says: I found it fun. I liked the girl-power/Buffyesque way Elizabeth was portrayed. The skeleton effects of the cursed pirates were cool. The fight scenes didn't get boring.
He says: The critics kept saying Johnny Depp was so amazing. The other actors were good, too.
She says: Yeah, I was impressed with that Bend It Like Beckham girl. And Geoffrey Rush made a good villain. And those two pirates in drag were a hoot. Orlando Bloom was pretty dull, though.
He says: The one who played Will? Yeah, he didn't bring much to the part.
She says: Salon's review said this was an adventure movie you didn't have to grade on a curve, as in, “it's not so bad for an action movie.” They said that was an insult to this movie, which had so much going for it that it was almost a very good movie.
He says: Almost? What “almost”? That was the most fun I've had at a movie since...
She says: Well, you know critics are snobs.
He says: But he was good, though.
She says: Who?
He says: Your Depp guy. He was hilarious. He did that part really well. And I don't know why the critics complained about the plot...
She says: I know. What was wrong with the plot? It made enough sense, it was interesting...
He says: This kind of reminded of A Knight's Tale. They weren't as clever with the music in this one, though.
She says: Yeah, but at least they never did the dumb “musical montage” of scenes just to have a hit single. This was comparable to A Knight's Tale — a lot of fun.
He says: Men on boats with swords. I liked it.
Pirates of the Carribean on DVD

**½ Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (July 2006) - Theatre
Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly, Orlando Bloom. The continuing adventures of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann.

She says: Everything the critics said is true—the movie has a meandering, somewhat senseless plot; the wit is in much shorter supply this time out; and Will Turner is, in my opinion, a fairly dull leading man. Nevertheless, I generally enjoyed it, because of the great look of the film, the occasional truly hilarious scenes, and the incredible charisma of most of the cast.
He says: I didn't hate it, but it wasn't nearly as good as the first one. It seemed like just an action movie, when the last one was a lot more than that.

*** Pontypool (March 2009) - Theatre
Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle. A new DJ's first morning radio talk show is disrupted by reports of very strange mob attacks in the community.

She says: A movie that makes much of a small cast and an even smaller budget. Based on the clever idea that people are being infected by a virus transmitted by the English language. Maybe that high school French will save us all...
He says: You didn't tell me it was going to be that scary.

** P.S. (September 2004) - Theatre
Laura Linney, Topher Grace. 39-year-old university admissions officer believes a Fine Arts candidate is the reincarnation of her high school boyfriend

She says: Great performances but an odd premise that prevents you from totally relating to this story. Still worthwhile if you like movies that focus on character more than plot.
He says: I didn't like that. But at least it was short.

** Punch-Drunk Love (October 2002) - Rental
Adam Sandler, Emily Watson. Anti-social eccentric is transformed by love.

She says: I finally concluded that I liked this movie. Yes, it's very odd — even the extras on the DVD are odd — but in the end, it's romantic, it's weirdly fascinating, and it's beautifully shot. (***)
He says: When you said this would be weird, I thought it would be weird in the way that we always see weird movies. But this was a special kind of weird. (*½)

*** Public Enemies (July 2008) - Theatre
Johny Depp, Christian Bale, Mariam Cotillard. The attempts to bring down bank robber John Dillinger.

She says: Definitely a quality production in terms of acting, directing, cinematography... Along with some very exciting action sequences. But the script does leave you wanting a bit more, as ultimately Dillinger's life and death, while interesting, also seemed somewhat pointless.
He says: Kind of disturbing that you were completely on the bank robber's side the whole time, and never on the policer officer's. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great.

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Q

***½ The Queen (October 2006) - Theatre
Helen Mirren. The British Royal family has difficulty responding appropriately to the public reaction to Diana's death.

She says: Well done—an unusual take on a well-known story. Strong script makes the the Royal family seem like real people, and excellent work by Helen Mirren in the lead role.
Kristi says: It was one of those movies where I was close to tears all the way through.
He says: I'll meet up with you when the movie's over.

*** Queen Rock Montreal (September 2007) - Theatre
Queen. Concert footage from 1981, in Montreal. Special theatrical showing.

She says: I don't know if this is their best concert video over—bit hard to top the best moments of Live at Wembly and Live at Budapest—but it's a worthwhile document of its time, and it was definitely fun seeing this on the big screen it was filmed for.
He says: Have fun at the movies, dear.

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R

** Rachel Getting Married (October 2008) - Theatre
Anne Hathaway, Debra Winger. Young woman leaves a drug addiction center to participate in her sister's wedding, and family drama ensues.

She says: Very talk-y, but it worked for me. Anne Hathaway is as good as everyone says, but is also surrounded by strong performances. And the outfits, vows, music, menu? That was one cool wedding. (***)
He says: Did you like that stupid movie? (*)

*** Rare Birds (March 2002) - Rental
William Hurt, Molly Parker. Friend convinces failed Newfoundland restauranteur to attract birders by claiming a rare sighting.

She says: Off-beat but entertaining little movie. I wish it had shown more of the food!
He says: That was pleasantly quirky in a Canadian sort of way.

**** Ratatouille (June 2007) - Theatre
Animated. Rat with a flair for cooking gets into a Paris bistro kitchen after an accidental separation from his family.

She says: A gorgeous movie, with built-in appeal for those who love Paris and fine food, but it also has compelling characters and a fast-moving plot. Instead of being a kid's movie that adults can also enjoy, it's really an adult movie (in theme, not in excessive violence or sex) that kids may find enjoyable.
He says: OK. Where should we go eat?

*** Reign Over Me (March 2007) - Theatre
Don Cheadle, Adam Sandler. Dentist mysteriously dissatisfied rekindles a friendship with his old college roommate, who lost his whole family on 9/11.

She says: Well-developed characters and a lot of humour in this movie, despite the grim backstory. It's well done and recommended. (Even if you don't strangely like Adam Sandler, as I do.)
He says: That was good. I liked the women characters in particular.

**½ Revolutionary Road (December 2008) - Rental
Lenoardo de Caprio, Kate Winslet. A couple's marriage falls apart under the weight of thwarted expectations.

She says: Excellent performances, especially from Winslet, and an interesting, interior exploration of these people as individuals and as a couple. The backdrop is the conformity of 1950s American suburbia, and the reality of women's more limited options when they could not as easily control their fertility. None too cheery, but interesting.
He says: I like more to happen in movies. That needed more plot, for me.

*** Romance (February 2000) - Rental
Caroline Ducey. Woman embarks on a sexual odyssey when her boyfriend refuses to make love to her. French with subtitles.

She says: A strange movie, and definitely the most sexually explicit non-porn one I've ever seen. But it certainly keeps your attention...
He says: Quite weird and kind of sexy. I think the main character may have issues.

***½ Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (March 2008) - Theatre
Documentary looking into Roman Polanski's 1977 statutory rape trial.

We say: This one inspired a lot of discussion and debate between the two of us, which is what you want from a good documentary.

**½ The Royal Tenenbaums (December 2001) - Theatre
Gwyneth Paltrow, Gene Hackman. Comedy about the reunion of a dysfunctional family.

She says: Very offbeat movie, but also highly entertaining, due to the interplay of the sharply drawn characters. (***½)
He says: Well, I really didn't like that. (*½)

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