Families in motion pictures
In 'Dark Horse,' A Wasted Life Plays Out On Screen.
Todd Solondz's newest film is Dark Horse, starring newcomer Jordan Gelber along with Christopher Walken, Mia Farrow and Selma Blair. Critic David Edelstein says the uncomfortable film is a sublime work of art. (Recommended)
'Crowne' And 'Transformers': Fitting For The Fourth.
One humble, one humongous, these movies couldn't be more different. Larry Crowne is low-tech with human-scaled characters. Transformers: Dark of the Moon is like War of the Worlds on steroids. But in their own way, each one is perfect for the holiday weekend, says critic David Edelstein.
'Please Give': A Fine-Tuned Study Of Envy And Guilt.
Critic David Edelstein reviews Nicole Holofcener's offbeat film about a couple (played by Oliver Platt and Catherine Keener) who are planning to expand their apartment into the one next door — just as soon as their elderly neighbor dies.
'Brothers': Family Ties, Unraveling In Wartime.
Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal are Sam and Tommy Cahill, one an upright Army captain on his way back to Afghanistan, the other a delinquent, newly paroled after a three-year sentence for robbery. But the real center of Jim Sheridan's movie isn't the brothers, but their whole teetering clan, which will collapse and rebuild itself in complicated new ways.
A Triumph for Sam Mendes.
Film critic John Powers reviews the new film "American Beauty" starring Kevin Spacey.
Another "Lovingly Eccentric Family" Film.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Unstrung Heroes."
"The Brothers McMullen" is Good, But Not Great.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new romantic comedy "The Brothers McMullen."
"Mrs. Doubtfire" is Covered with Sap.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Mrs. Doubtfire," starring Robin Williams and Sally Field.
An Overrated, Sanctimonious Film.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Searching for Bobby Fischer" (Paramount Pictures).
One of the Best Films of 1991.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new British comedy, "Life Is Sweet."