Happy Gilmore  (1996)      

5.5 /10

First generation Sandler, here perfecting his "screaming angry act" as failed hockey player turned extraordinary golfer. Highlights include misfortunes of one handed Carl Weather, Kevin Nealon's Zen-like advice, and of course, Happy's wild golf course antics. Christopher McDonald is also lots of fun as rival golfer Shooter McGavin, along with Ben Stiller in a pre-big time success role. Ultimately too stupid for it's own good, but worth a few laughs along the way.  [English, 166min, R]

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Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone  (2001)      

8 /10

After all these years, finally a good big budget production. Christopher Columbus creates a vivid world of magic not seen since the 80's, allowing the story of the now famous "special wizard" to thrive. The unknown kid actors range from adequate to good, but the real standout is Alan Rickman as the eccentric sinister Professor Snipe.  [English, 152min, PG]

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Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets   (2002)      

7 /10

Better FX and a darker tone aren't enough preservatives to keep this feeling fresh. Inexperience of child actors is more pronounced having aged, making dialogue heavy scenes borderline dullness for much of first half. Works best when action is on screen, as in energetic flying car opening and claustrophobic spider attack. Although plot if fuller this time, it gets bogged down by confusing revelations in third act and a disappointing 'dues ex machina' climax.  [English, 111min, R]

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Harvey  (1950)      

8 /10

Jimmy Stewart gives a great subdued performance in this tale of a man and his imaginary (?) 6-foot rabbit friend. Only hindered by sometimes stagy feel left from play adaptation and "easy" happy ending, though ambiguity on titular creature's existence is nice.  [English, 104min, NR]

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Heaven  (2002)      

5 /10

Greatly disappointing follow up by Tom Tykwer, who makes "Spielberg attempting Kubrick" mistake of taking on a deceased director’s script. Opening sequence of botched revenge is well crafted and following interrogation scene features a superb moment of acting from Cate Blanchett. Unfortunately, rest of film (while beautifully shot) hangs on pretentious symbolism, sparse subtext drenched dialogue, and one hugely unconvincing love story.  [English, 96min, R]

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Heavenly Creatures  (1994)      

8 /10

Director Peter Jackson left behind killer aliens, crude muppets, and zombie gore to craft this strikingly original tale inspired by unnerving true events. Channeling the eerie foreboding  of Weir's Picnic At Hanging Rock, the film opens with a horrific glimpse at the tragic results of an obsessive childhood friendship between two social outcasts (one played by a stunning Kate Winslet in screen debut). Visual flourishes and inspired fantasy sequences invite viewer into sad, surreal world of unhinged minds.  [English, 108min, R]

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Hedwig and the Angry Inch  (2001)            

9 /10

Even with it's best set piece stuck in the middle and somewhat frustrating cryptic ending, this Rocky Horror style musical is one of the most entertaining and colorfully original movies of the year. Adapted from John Cameron Mitchell's Off-Broadway hit, the talented writer, director, and actor is stellar in title role of botched-sex-change entertainer. Never feels hindered by stage roots, with rousing rock numbers, quirky transgender humor, and a refreshing creative flair.  [English, 95min, R]

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Heist  (2001)            

7 /10

David Mamet does the "heist movie." Acting veterans Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, and Delroy Lindo bank solid performances off Mamet's sharp dialogue though intricacies of caper lead to plot that twists itself into a needlessly complicated pretzel with a wink of superiority. Builds strong sense of danger in later half that heightens suspense and despite deficiencies, an entertaining watch. "Everybody needs money; that's why they call it money."  [English, 109min, R]

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Hoosiers  (1986)      

7 /10

While entertaining, this overly sentimental “come from behind” sports story embodies clichés of genre to a fault: the dejected Midwestern basketball team, the coach looking for redemption, the aggressively skeptic town folk, the players overcoming emotional / physical obstacles, and the obligatory slow-mo game winning shots. Gene Hackman's superior acting (along with Hopper's) adds dramatic credibility to plot filled with simplified characters.   [English, 115min, PG]

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Hostel  (2005)      

7 /10

Eli Roth gets points for holding off on horror elements until second half and finally sticking ample nudity back in mainstream film after nearly a decade of absence. European local is captured with menacing undertones, allowing dread to mount far more subtly than modern genre normally allows. When (bleep) finally hits the fan, sights are brutally effective, but what disturbs more is all too believable concept of "torture a la carte" and social commentary on ultra-commercialized  ugly Americans.  [English, 95min, R]

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The Hours  (2002)      

8.5 /10

Uniquely structured drama simultaneous occurs in three time periods, resulting in intriguing story parallels and distinctive performances (aided by exceptionally powerful musical score). Kidman makes greatest departure from previous work as mentally disturbed author, acting as backbone for women relationship theme. Julianne Moore stands out amidst solid female cast, though Ed Harris is uncomfortably effective as dying poet.   [English, 114min, PG-13]

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How High  (2001)

2 /10

The real question is: how stupid? The answer: VERY.  Rappers Method Man and Redman star in this sloppily made, plot less excuse for big screen pot smoking, with so many racial and ethic stereotypes they cancel each other out. Die hard fans and/or the heavily influenced need only apply.  [English, 93min, R]

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Husbands and Wives  (1992)

5 /10

Dreary, whinny Woody Allen relationship drama that covers middle age crisis territory, specifically olden men leaving wives for younger women. Some funny, witty scenes for sure, but Judy Davis' character is so aggravatingly neurotic she puts Allen to shame and documentary style, hand-held camera approach ranges from aesthetically unattractive to downright distracting. Watching unhappy couples for over an hour becomes tedious, though a young Juliette Lewis impresses as a cunning college student.  [English, 108min, R]

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Hysterical Blindness  (2002)

7 /10

Uma Thurman gives one of her best performances as insecure single woman "looking for love in all the wrong places" (too bad hardly anyone will see it). 1980's setting is authentically recreated thanks to dead-ringer era wardrobe and choice song usages. Plot doesn't score any major originality points but manages to move nonetheless.  [English, 96min, R]

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