instantwatcher.com

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

1. The Hunting Party 2007 On paper, there's no way that The Hunting Party should work. But onscreen, it defies the odds. full review
2. Last Holiday 2006 The Last Holiday would be predictable even if it weren't a remake, but that isn't necessarily a drawback. On the contrary, it actually adds a boost to the movie's feel-good format.
3. The Constant Gardener 2005 Viewers who like real-world issues interwoven with their fiction -- much in the style of author John Le Carre, whose novel is the basis for this movie -- should find plenty to chew on. full review
4. Grizzly Man 2005 As a filmmaker, in Herzog's opinion, Treadwell was without equal. But as a naturalist, well, let's just say that his canteen had sprung a leak. full review
5. Into Great Silence 2005 [Some] viewers are likely to consider this nearly three-hour, nearly soundless documentary as a chance to catch up on their sleep. full review
6. Neil Young: Heart of Gold 2005 It will be hard for any Young devotee not to succumb to the music, as Demme turns the movie theater into a concert hall. full review
7. The World's Fastest Indian 2005 The inspiring true story The World's Fastest Indian should be mandatory viewing for anyone who has ever said, 'I'm getting too old for this.' full review
8. Me and You and Everyone We Know 2004 July is a delightful discovery, as both a filmmaker and a performer. full review
9. 21 Grams 2003 This is a mesmerizing film that is the work of genius. full review
10. Swimming Pool 2003 Offers an inside-out twist on TV's Murder She Wrote. full review
11. Bowling for Columbine 2002 full review
12. Lost in La Mancha 2002 full review
13. Nicholas Nickleby 2002 full review
14. We Were Soldiers 2002 full review
15. Windtalkers 2002 The history is fascinating; the action is dazzling. They just don't work in concert. full review
16. XX/XY 2002 It never addresses the underlying issue on which those relationships hinge: Is Coles still in love with Sam, or is he just in love with what she represents. full review
17. Gossip 2000 A taut second half in which the plot turns back on itself in some surprising twists makes up for the lethargic first half. full review
18. Blow Dry 2000 full review
19. Bread and Tulips 2000 full review
20. Happy Accidents 2000 full review
21. Titan A.E. 2000 full review
22. Being John Malkovich 1999 It's clever, witty, dark and, most importantly, unwaveringly bizarre. full review
23. But I'm A Cheerleader 1999 full review
24. Double Jeopardy 1999 full review
25. The General's Daughter 1999 In terms of tone, the film is all over the map. full review
26. A Midsummer Night's Dream 1999 The film is never a chore to watch, but others have done better by the Bard. full review
27. The Muse 1999 full review
28. Plunkett & Macleane 1999 full review
29. Ride with the Devil 1999 Lee appears to have been torn between making a character study and an action movie, so both elements get short shrift. full review
30. Runaway Bride 1999 full review
31. A Walk on the Moon 1999 full review
32. Another Day In Paradise 1998 It's hard for Another Day in Paradise to bring anything new to the well-worn road traveled by thugs on the run. But director Larry Clark and an energetic cast keep things jumping in this morality tale about the down and dirty. full review
33. Godzilla 1998 full review
34. High Art 1998 full review
35. The Impostors 1998 full review
36. Little Voice 1998 full review
37. Mercury Rising 1998 full review
38. Nightwatch 1998 full review
39. 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag 1997 full review
40. The Apostle 1997 full review
41. Breakdown 1997 A taut suspense film. full review
42. Gridlock'd 1997 full review
43. Liar Liar 1997 ...Liar Liar stands to make a liar out of those who predicted that Carrey's career was on the skids. full review
44. Mimic 1997 full review
45. The Peacemaker 1997 full review
46. Private Parts 1997 full review
47. She's So Lovely 1997 full review
48. Switchback 1997 full review
49. The Wings of the Dove 1997 full review
50. Big Night 1996 full review
51. Citizen Ruth 1996 full review
52. Jingle All the Way 1996 full review
53. Ridicule 1996 full review
54. Sling Blade 1996 full review