Steve Geise

Daniel Day-Lewis is completely mesmerizing, but the literary writing is what truly elevates the film.

Danish political drama offers compelling characters but somewhat lightweight stories.

Terrence Malick’s debut feature film sets the standard for the rest of his career.

There’s little of interest here for most girls over the age of about six.

Director Kenji Mizoguchi’s adaptation of a classic Japanese story is actually about a family torn asunder by a political feud, and their decade-long quest to reconnect.

Continuing adaptation of Ayn Rand’s epic novel recasts lead roles but doesn’t improve lackluster quality.

Home video release features exclusive interviews with President Carter and the actual subjects of the film.

Animated series has a tired monster-battling premise but a winning art style.

Masterful political drama anchored by a mesmerizing lead performance by Ian Richardson.

Faithful adaptation of Frank Miller’s classic comic book delivers epic clash of the superhero titans.

Second season features the last appearances of the full original cast.

Marginally funny mockumentary series about the planning committee for the London Olympics loses something in translation.

Stunning craftsmanship elevates this meditation on the effects of war as experienced by a child

Acclaimed director Michael Apted continues his legendary documentary series in its latest seven-year installment.

This year’s Christmas episode has a disappointingly lame villain but an extremely effective setup for the Doctor’s newest companion.

First series stretches a glacially-paced tale over six hours.

Indie darling of the year is indie for a reason: it’s defiantly non-commercial.

Alain Delon is a dashing, magnetic force in this early adaptation of novelist Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley”.

Scrat is still the star. Too bad he can’t support an entire film on his own.

Lushly produced UK period drama takes a nauseating look at a profession I’d prefer to ignore.

Not in the top tier of today’s best animated series, but a worthwhile and enjoyable monster-fighting show with decent plots and artistry.

Chris Marker’s black and white still film runs rings around his pretentious color full-motion travelogue.

Screen legend Jimmy Stewart upholds his legacy with an effective TV turn as a Southern defense attorney.

Exceptionally high production qualities and writing elevate TV series above toon standards.

There’s a funny story to be mined from the concept of hapless neighborhood watchmen, but this isn’t it.

Joss Whedon’s conventional alien war story fails to impress, but John Cassaday’s artwork shines in simulated motion.

Early tandem between legendary director Akira Kurosawa and actor Toshiro Mifune yields this undisputed classic film.

Brenda Blethyn’s feisty and frumpy detective shows the whippersnappers how to solve crimes.

Generic and difficult side-scrolling hack-and-slash adventure is an unfortunate throwback to 16-bit gaming days.

Robert Zemeckis returns to live-action direction in a heavy drama with a light script.

BBC America’s first original scripted series misses the mark in spite of the stellar track record of its creative execs.

Well-written video game jettisons familiar characters in favor of a new cast and new situations set in the same vicinity of the original property.

Stephen Fry is charming as a country solicitor, but his show is a snooze.

Joshua Marston’s first full film since Maria Full of Grace explores an Albanian blood feud and its impact on a teen boy.

Wes Anderson’s unmistakably heavy-handed style threatens but fails to derail innocent love story.

The marketing blurb’s most popular drama series; seems a bit farfetched based on this uninspired material.

The addition of martial arts star Michelle Yeoh kickstarts the franchise and breaks the mold of the typical Bond girl.

“Oh, the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on and on”; Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey.

Kenneth Branagh returns for his third tour of duty as Sweden’s most famous inspector.

Exceptional new restoration of classic French film enhances an already monumental work.

Buddy cop show seeks laughs instead of clues.

Veteran director Chen Kaige hampered by bad editing and lackluster acting.

James Purefoy shines as the morally ambiguous lead character in this British crime procedural miniseries.

Sparkling new restoration delivers an engaging audiovisual feast.

Familiarity breeds contempt in this series that rehashes rather than innovates.

Boring and uninspired buddy movie deals with impending death by mostly ignoring it.

Documentary recounts the full life of a wolf raised by humans.

Better motion comic effects but a lesser story make for a fun if unastonishing hour of entertainment.

Three full performances of Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes chatting on stage in the UK.