Rocky V (1990)
[5] If you can get past the fact that the Rocky series never should have lived to see a fifth entry, Rocky V may actually surprise you a little. I'm glad it doesn't retread the old narrative of every installment…
Dick Tracy (1990)
[5] Visually striking but emotionally hollow, Warren Beatty's film version of Chester Gould's comic creation is an underwhelming would-be blockbuster. The only character you can get invested in is Madonna's Breathless Mahoney. Everyone else, including our strong-jawed hero, is as…
The Faculty (1998)
[7] Robert Rodriguez directs from a script polished by Kevin Williamson in this fun high school body snatchers horror flick. Piper Laurie, Jon Stewart, Salma Hayek, Robert Patrick, Bebe Neuwirth, and Famke Janssen play the title characters, members of an…
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
[8] Dreamworks Animation's maiden voyage is a stunning achievement of sight and sound. Impressionistic background paintings blend with sexy, angular character designs, all set to a brilliant soundtrack by composer Hans Zimmer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. It kills me that…
Wolf (1994)
[5] An odd and perhaps ill-fitting choice of material for director Mike Nichols (The Graduate). Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer give decent performances, but James Spader leaves a greater impression as a backstabbing protege. Wolf focuses more on the psychological…
The Lion King (1994)
[8] The Disney Animation Studios took Shakespeare's Hamlet and transplanted it to the African savanna with an all-animal cast. Buoyed by a hit soundtrack, lush visuals, memorable characters, and a daring blend of intense drama and whacky humor, the film…
Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999)
[5] Screenwriter Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson's Creek) made his directorial debut with this surprisingly mediocre horror flick about three high school students who kidnap a teacher to try and force her to reconsider a failing grade. Helen Mirren musters some…
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
[7] The Muppets have my blessing to reinterpret any piece of literature they want (except maybe Naked Lunch). It's fun to see which characters are played by which Muppets, and all my favorites are featured in The Muppet Christmas Carol,…
The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
[5] Disney's first animated theatrical sequel is a technical and stylistic achievement featuring beautiful character and effects animation, rich background paintings, and thrilling music from the ever-underrated Bruce Broughton. The movie is best at the beginning, during a spectacular sequence…
Scream 2 (1997)
[7] More of the same is enough to earn a passing grade in the case of Scream 2. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is off to college, but Ghost Face isn't through with her yet, shoving the sordid story of her…