Bad Lieutenant  (1992)      

4.5 /10

Self indulgent character study of an appalling cop who finds redemption after a nun is raped. Keitel's performance is compelling yet many scenes are gratuitous (including full frontal) and film's later half drags it down considerably.   [English, 96min, NC-17]

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Barbershop  (2002)      

5 /10

Spike Lee lite; Ice Cube fairs well in this so-so dramedy that takes on controversial issues in prime time sitcom fashion. Nice to see a predominately black cast not stripped down to jobless pot smokers (as in Ice Cube's other movies) but representing a slice of urban life in this manner has been done many times over (ex: Do the Right Thing). Cedric the Entertainer stands out with some funny, and at times enlightening monologues.  [English, 102min, PG-13]

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BASEketball  (1998)      

5.5 /10

Rather tame for “everything goes” mentality in post-Scary Movie era, this Zucker brainchild finds tone-perfect cast (lead by South Park’s Parker n’ Stone) to comment on over commercialization of professional sports. Best wit occurs early on, as in opening narration, before satire succumbs to silly slapstick; exploration of fictitious game is sadly limited. Stealing spotlight are great cameos by Bob Costas and Al Michaels as uninhibited announcers.  [Spanish, 103min, R]

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The Battleship Potemkin  (1925)      

7 /10

Famous silent film depicting Russian revolution through semi-symbolic characters and set pieces helped pioneer montage editing, though jumpy pacing is wearing. However, massacre on Odessa Stairs is one of few sequences in movie history that transcends time, remaining an immensely effective accomplishment nearly 80 years later with it's soaring cinematography, jarring violence, and tense, emotional buildup.  [Russian, 66min, NR]

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Beautiful Girls  (1996)      

8 /10

Well written story of a group of men and their views on relationships; some very funny moments. A young Natalie Portman makes a strong impression post Leon.  [English, 112min, R]

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A Beautiful Mind  (2001)      

7 /10

Russell Crowe is guaranteed an Oscar nod, but the movie shifts tones earlier on following a significant plot revelation, becoming a dreary task to watch until it picks up in the very end.  [English, 135min, PG-13]

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Before Night Falls  (2000)      

7.5 /10

Beautifully shot with surprising stylistic choices considering genre; excellent performance from Javier Bardem, but vague telling of poets interesting life leaves more to be desired.   [English, 133min, R]

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Before Sunrise  (1995)      

8 /10

Extremely grounded "infatuation story" which captures all the awkward moments and natural conversation while defying movie conventions. Hawke and Delpy create a rich, natural chemistry that becomes backbone of movie.  [English, 105min, R]

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Behind Enemy Lines  (2001)      

5.5 /10

Try "behind a bad script." Laughably poor at times but sharp on style with some creatively entertaining action sequences. Features an Adidas jump-suit wearing sniper with perhaps the worst aim in film history.  [English, 106min, PG-13]

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Ben-Hur  (1959)      

8 /10

Grandiose epic with Heston commanding in lead and featuring amazing chariot race sequence, but gets bogged down with heavy Biblical angle (reliance on religious themes is one of it's faults). Despite massive production, film did not need full three and a half hours.  [Spanish, 212min, G]

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The Big Kahuna  (1999)      

8 /10

Is preaching about Jesus any different than selling lubricants? That's one of many loaded question tackled head on in this compelling character study built around a then-sizzling Kevin Spacey and a surprising full-drama mode Danny DeVito. Theater roots lead to an hour and a half of continuous conversation, questioning everything from job commitment to a purpose in life. Climactic confrontations are stellar displays of writing and acting, especially DeVito's phenomenal speech on "character."  [English, 90min, R]

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Big Trouble  (2002)      

5 /10

Waste of talented cast and another dud for Tim Allen (a Home Improvement reunion must be looking real good now). Airport security jokes fall flat post-9/11, but that doesn't excuse the rest of the movie's sporadic comedy.   [English, 85min, PG-13]

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The Birdcage  (1996)

7 /10

Simple concept: gay couple acts straight to fool conservative future in-laws. Add Robin Williams and Nathan Lane to the mix and it's an entertaining comic farce. Laughs don't come as often as they should, but two sequences strike paydirt, one of which is the hilarious climactic dinner. Hank Azaria steals the spotlight as eccentrically gay housekeeper and Gene Hackman plays "dull" to perfection.    [English, 117min, R

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Black Christmas  (1974)   

7.5 /10

Predating Halloween, this under seen tale of stalked college girls drafted blueprint for slasher horror genre. Attention to characterization, inventive camerawork (great use of POV), and overall "less is more" approach heightens emotional impact of terrible events. Phone harassing psycho killer is obvious precursor to Scream and Olivia Hussey puts Neve Campbell to shame. Extremely ambiguous ending, while unsettling, poses far too many questions.   [English, 98min, R]

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Black Hawk Down  (2001)      

7 /10

Immersive combat movie with good production and acting, but marred by excessively large (and undeveloped) cast that heavily dilutes emotion. Some jarring scenes, but Saving Private Ryan still is king when it comes to battle realism.  [English, 144min, R]

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Blade II  (2002)      

6 /10

Lacks the tight plot, hyper energy, charismatic villain, good comic relief, decent drama, and nearly everything else that made the first one a surprise comic book adaptation. Even Snipes' solid martial arts can't avoid post-Matrix "enhancements," and despite the very cool 'hybrid vampires,' this is a dreary, unfocused sequel.  [English, 117min, R]

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The Blair Witch Project  (1999)      

9 /10

Review coming soon!

[English, 86min, R]

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Blood: The Last Vampire  (2000)      

8 /10

A school girl hunting vampires in 1960's Japan? I'm sold. Definitely lacking story, but the animation is a visual treat; short and sweet. A must see for any fans of Anime.  [Japanese, 48min, NR]

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Bloody Sunday  (2002)      

6.5 /10

Pseudo-documentary recreation of 1972 Ireland tragedy is shockingly realistic, but sacrifices characters for a strictly visual emotional experience. Only one to transcend format is James Nesbitt, as civil rights leader Ivan Cooper; who's face nearly single-handedly embodies the horror of the events for all involved. Extremely bias perspective brings into question historical accuracy of filmmakers.  [English, 110min, R]

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Blue Crush  (2002)      

2.5 /10

"Total wipe out dude"; sure the surf scenes are creatively shot, the female lead is attractive, and this subculture was previously untapped, but horrid soap opera caliber story and dialogue have a funny way of making a movie suck. Potential to educate audience on surfing isn't even tapped and seeing Kate Bosworth's face digitally plastered on stunt woman is creepy.  [English, 104min, PG-13]

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Blue Velvet  (1986)      

8.5 /10

Review coming soon!

[English, 120min, R]

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Bonnie and Clyde  (1967)      

6 /10

Overrated. Good performances from Beatty and Dunaway, but offers no insight on title relationship other than typical "disorganized violent criminals getting what they deserved." Gene Wilder stands out with his bizarre comedic role. A young Gene Hackman also noteworthy.  [English, 111min, NR]

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The Boondock Saints  (1999)      

6 /10

Wildly uneven violent drama running heavily on Tarantino fumes with highlight Willem Dafoe's truly bizarre FBI agent. Features handful of very cool scenes and interesting out of sequence chronology, but in the end, just a lot of sporadically stylish hot air.   [English, 11min, R]

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The Bourne Identity  (2002)      

7 /10

All around decent movie; decent acting, decent action (including one of the better car chases in recent memory), decent directing and while not scoring any freshness points on plot, tension is consistent from beginning to end (Damon and Potente make nice combo).  [English, 119min, PG-13]

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Bowling for Columbine  (2002)      

7 /10

Begins light as gun crazed America is portrayed comically through laugh out loud interviews and biting commentary. Then comes a jarring turn to tragedy; history of US hypocrisy set to "Wonderful World" is a truly haunting sequence, as is disturbing recount of Columbine shooting. Falters in second half, when Moore trades insight for his own camera mugging crusades, opening a can of worms too big to handle.  [English, 120min, R]

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Breakfast at Tiffany's  (1961)      

9 /10

Excellent love story that rings true because it's allowed to develop naturally (as in all the most effective romance movies). Audrey Hepburn captivates in a way very few contemporary actresses could ever hope for. Climactic standing-in-rain scene is especially moving (before it was done 1,000 times over) and features some great lines of dialogue.   [English, 115min, NR]

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Brian's Song  (1971)      

8 /10

Emotionally charged TV movie from back when TV movies were good. Bill Dee Williams and James Caan are football rookies competing for the spotlight who become close friends, desptire racial differences. Then tragedy strikes in the form of cancer leading to a final act that is devastating with a capital "D."  [English, 73min, G]

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The Bridge on the River Kwai  (1957)      

8 /10

Alec Guinness is especially good in this classic war movie. Character tension at camp is the strongest attribute but is discarded right when it gets interesting for lesser characters; makes up with suspenseful finish.  [English, 161min, PG]

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Broken  (2005)      

1.5 /10

Once the novelty surrounding the heavily touted can-you-believe-we-made-this-for-only-$8,000 budget  wears off (which is fast), director Alex Ferrari's short movie reveals itself as a poorly written, amateurishly acted, nauseatingly pretentious attempt at achieving "cool," while exhibiting no concept of what that means. From the inexplicably quirky characters, to the smug "what it real?" ending, this is discount-bin Indy filmmaking through and through (despite what Roger Ebert may have to say).  [English, 20min, NR]

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Brotherhood of the Wolf  (2001)      

8 /10

Completely over the top mixing of Kung-fu and fantasy genres, anchored in 18-century France. Bites off too much at times (no pun intended) but wonderful photography, beautiful women (Belucci is seductive as ever), and sheer creative ambition, make for a largely unique, engrossing film experience.  [French, 142min, R]