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Jean Oppenheimer
Tomatometer-approved critic
Publications:
Critics' Group:
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Beauty and the Beast (1946) |
So enchanting it takes your breath away, Jean Cocteau's 1946 live-action version of the famous fairy tale remains one of the most magical films ever made. - New Times
Read More
| Posted Dec 05, 2014
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SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004) |
The first Baby Geniuses, released in 1999, was one of the most inane, humorless, ill-conceived, poorly acted comedies of the year. As difficult as it is to imagine, the sequel is even worse. - New Times
Read More
| Posted Jul 15, 2014
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The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004) |
While The Life Aquatic doesn't take Anderson -- or Murray -- in a terribly new or challenging direction emotionally,it is an enjoyable adventure nonetheless. - Screen International
Read More
| Posted Mar 17, 2014
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Chicago (2002) |
Despite the hype and an expected bonanza at the box office, the film is actually a disappointment. Quite simply, it is edited to death. - Screen International
Read More
| Posted Feb 12, 2014
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Shrek 2 (2004) |
Shrek was no ordinary animated film, and Shrek 2 is, rarer still, proving every bit as cute, clever and funny as the original. - Screen International
Read More
| Posted Nov 25, 2013
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Stepmom (1998) |
Many viewers will be brushing away tears by the final reel, but even those who remain dry-eyed will be won over by the powerful performances that bring the film's universal themes to life. - New Times
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| Posted Jun 18, 2012
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The Escapist (2008) |
A taut thriller that ends on a note of unexpected grace, the British prison drama The Escapist marks the impressive feature debut for director/co-writer Rupert Wyatt. - Village Voice
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| Posted Apr 01, 2009
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Quilombo Country (2006) |
Hopping from one settlement to another, the film too often feels more like a lesson than an experience. - Village Voice
Read More
| Posted Sep 17, 2008
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Secrecy (2008) |
In addition to historical footage, the film employs a series of pulsating animated drawings, with the white ink against the black background injecting an appropriately unsettling, even sinister tone. - Village Voice
Read More
| Posted Sep 10, 2008
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Elsa & Fred (2005) |
The problem isn't the acting; both actors are superb. It's Elsa's character that is so difficult to take. Only the hopelessly romantic will be able to tolerate her. - Village Voice
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| Posted Jun 25, 2008
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Quid Pro Quo (2008) |
Farmiga is captivating, Stahl less so -- although a bigger problem is writer/director Carlos Brooks's script, which sets up one story, then shifts gears into something more personal and psychologically specific. - Village Voice
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| Posted Jun 11, 2008
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The Year My Parents Went on Vacation (2006) |
Directed by Cao Hamburger, this warmly engaging film benefits from its understated approach (it suggests rather than spells out the political turmoil), and its light, comedic tone never mitigates the drama of the central story. - Village Voice
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| Posted Feb 12, 2008
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Antonia (2006) |
The music, rhythms and vibrant colors of the city are beautifully woven into cinematographer Jacob Sarmento Solitrenick's unobtrusive hand-held camerawork, while director/co-writer Tata Amaral reveals a deft hand with actors. - L.A. Weekly
Read More
| Posted Sep 20, 2007
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Vitus (2006) |
Genius weighs heavily on a child prodigy who longs to be 'normal' in this charming Swiss import from veteran director Fredi M. Murer. - L.A. Weekly
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| Posted Jul 05, 2007
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Golden Door (2006) |
Emanuele Crialese's poetic tale of emigration at the turn of the 20th century follows an illiterate Sicilian farmer (Vincenzo Amato) and his family who, after seeing doctored photographs of money growing on trees, set their sights on America. - Village Voice
Read More
| Posted May 23, 2007
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Nomad (2007) |
With commendable sincerity but also an unfortunate Hollywood veneer, Nomad is a poor man's Gladiator. - Village Voice
Read More
| Posted Mar 13, 2007
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Arthur and the Invisibles (2006) |
Predictable and overly busy, this sci-fi adventure should nonetheless appeal to game-savvy tots, especially those familiar with the source material. - Village Voice
Read More
| Posted Jan 09, 2007
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Arthur and the Invisibles (2006) |
[Actor Freddie] Highmore is sweetly exuberant, but the voice talent is uneven, and the only really clever bits find the CGI characters navigating real live foliage. - L.A. Weekly
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| Posted Dec 28, 2006
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Unknown (2006) |
The pacing is slightly off, with the action switching between the imprisoned men and the police who are trying to find them, and what should be a mounting sense of urgency inside the warehouse (think Reservoir Dogs) falters and goes slack. - Village Voice
Read More
| Posted Oct 31, 2006
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Fever Pitch (2005) |
A sweet, ingratiating romantic comedy. - Dallas Observer
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| Posted Apr 09, 2005
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Walk on Water (2004) |
Will resonate with all sorts of viewers. - Dallas Observer
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| Posted Mar 25, 2005
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Paper Clips (2004) |
Low-key but inspirational. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Feb 18, 2005
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Hotel Rwanda (2004) |
May be the most important film released in the past year. Among the class of 2004, it is certainly one of the best. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jan 15, 2005
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Mean Creek (2004) |
Not only the chemistry among the kids but also the tensions and complexities in their relationships feel extraordinarily real. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Aug 28, 2004
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Maria Full of Grace (2004) |
Although a work of fiction, the film evinces the power and grit of a documentary. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jul 30, 2004
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New York Minute (2004) |
Overly broad and silly at times. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted May 08, 2004
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Rosenstraße (2003) |
All of the actors acquit themselves well, with a special nod to the warm and vital Schade, the loyal and radiant Riemann and Schrader. - Hollywood Reporter
Read More
| Posted Jan 20, 2004
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In America (2002) |
Warm, funny and painful, it is beautifully written, acted, shot and directed. - Dallas Observer
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| Posted Dec 11, 2003
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The Station Agent (2003) |
A humorous and touching tale about unexpected friendship. - Dallas Observer
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| Posted Oct 17, 2003
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Dopamine (2003) |
The ideas behind the story are intriguing and could prompt endless hours of lively discussion, but the film proves surprisingly drab. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Oct 10, 2003
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Anything Else (2003) |
There is nothing to set this work apart from any number of mediocre Allen films. - Hollywood Reporter
Read More
| Posted Sep 21, 2003
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Code 46 (2003) |
[Winterbottom's] ability to place his audience right in the middle of, in this case, a particularly cold, sterile, claustrophobic environment is a big part of the film's effectiveness. - Hollywood Reporter
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| Posted Sep 05, 2003
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Intolerable Cruelty (2003) |
A broad farce that is long on manic, cartoonish behavior and short on intelligence and wit. - Hollywood Reporter
Read More
| Posted Sep 05, 2003
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The Dreamers (2003) |
Neither the story nor the characters capture the zeitgeist that Bertolucci theoretically set out to celebrate. - Hollywood Reporter
Read More
| Posted Sep 04, 2003
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The Human Stain (2003) |
The thriller aspects of the story and the overall solid level of acting -- including a sexy performance from a red-hot Nicole Kidman -- keep the audience interested but never fully emotionally involved. - Hollywood Reporter
Read More
| Posted Sep 04, 2003
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Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) |
Affectionately conceived, imaginatively staged and highly entertaining. - Hollywood Reporter
Read More
| Posted Sep 03, 2003
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The Wrong Side of the Bed (2002) |
The musical numbers are not terribly exciting or professional (they don't seem intended to be). - Dallas Observer
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| Posted Aug 30, 2003
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The Housekeeper (2002) |
It strains credulity that these two would get together, and even though the couple's incompatibility is a key point of the story, that fact makes it impossible to invest in the relationship or have any sympathy for the characters. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Aug 17, 2003
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Seabiscuit (2003) |
An engaging and emotionally satisfying film despite its shortcoming. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jul 25, 2003
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Swimming Pool (2003) |
A delicious little thriller about an uptight, ill-humored English mystery writer who becomes enmeshed in murder, Swimming Pool is at once comical, contrary, resourceful and ambiguous. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jul 16, 2003
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Alex & Emma (2003) |
Films like this seem to be a dime a dozen these days, as if directors, actors and writers are just going through the motions, figuring the audience won't notice. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jun 20, 2003
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Russian Ark (2002) |
For those who have the tenacity, vision and romantic spirit required by this film, Russian Ark will prove a transcendent experience. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted May 16, 2003
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Divine Intervention (2002) |
[A] sly and corrosively funny political comedy. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted May 09, 2003
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Raising Victor Vargas (2002) |
It is rare to find a film that defies one's expectations as sweetly and satisfyingly as this coming-of-age comedy-drama. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted May 02, 2003
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Gods and Generals (2003) |
Filled with so much religious righteousness ... that the film feels more like a recruitment tool for Soldiers for Christ than a look at the bloody four-year conflict that tore this nation apart. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Feb 21, 2003
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Two Weeks Notice (2002) |
Viewers looking for extremely light, romantic entertainment with a guaranteed happy ending could do worse. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Feb 15, 2003
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City of God (2002) |
Emotionally gripping from start to finish, the movie presents an electrifying and unforgettable look at life in a place that God has all but forgotten. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jan 25, 2003
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Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) |
The result is an extraordinary saga, which, while totally convincing and even inspiring, fails to connect on an emotional level as effectively as it might have. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jan 08, 2003
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White Oleander (2002) |
No matter how restrained the direction or unsentimental the performances ... there is no escaping the semi-trashy but oh-so-life- affirming ring of the plot. - Dallas Observer
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| Posted Jan 08, 2003
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Real Women Have Curves (2002) |
A coming-of-age drama centered on a mother-daughter conflict, it also explores the immigrant experience; the battle to accept oneself, imperfections and all; and the importance of personal dignity. - Dallas Observer
Read More
| Posted Jan 08, 2003
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