Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

[5] Part two of George Lucas' Star Wars prequel trilogy is cluttered and over-produced like the previous installment, but it's a modest improvement over part one, thanks in large part to an action-packed final act. Everything before that final act…
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

[4] George Lucas's much-anticipated return to the Star Wars universe after sixteen years affords the writer/director the advanced technology needed to bring his vision to life, yet there's little life to be found in the story or characters of his…
Housesitter (1992)

Housesitter (1992)

[6] Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn star in this comedy of errors about a con artist (Hawn) who moves into an architect's empty home and ingratiates herself into his family, his community, and his life. After the initial shock, Martin's…
Knives Out (2019)

Knives Out (2019)

[8] I think one of the hardest stories to tell is a good murder mystery story. That's why we see so few of them turned into movies. Rian Johnson's (The Last Jedi, Looper) Knives Out is a beguiling blend of…
In & Out (1997)

In & Out (1997)

[6] Kevin Kline headlines this comedy about a small-town Indiana drama teacher whose life is turned upside down when a student 'outs' him in his Academy Awards acceptance speech. At first the funny thing is that Kline's character isn't gay.…
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

[6] In order to make The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson and company first had to make the financiers a sequel to their successful Muppet Movie. And so The Great Muppet Caper was born. It's not as epic or inspirational as…
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

[8] Frank Oz directs the film version of Howard Ashman's dark musical comedy (which was in turn based on Roger Corman's original film). Rick Moranis plays a hapless flower shop employee who discovers an exciting new plant that brings much…
Bowfinger (1999)

Bowfinger (1999)

[8] I don't usually like comedies or movies about making movies, so I was surprised to enjoy Bowfinger so much. Frank Oz (What About Bob?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) directs and Steve Martin writes and co-stars with Eddie Murphy in this…
The Dark Crystal (1982)

The Dark Crystal (1982)

[10] Jen and Kira, the last of their kind, must restore a missing shard to a magical crystal in order to unite two warring races and bring peace to their fractured world.  The story may be too dark and dreary…
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

[10] After deciding directing wasn't his favorite thing to do, George Lucas enticed his former professor Irvin Kershner (Eyes of Laura Mars, Return of a Man Called Horse) to helm the dark second act of the famous trilogy. The Empire…