Boston.com - Boston.com - Take 2

Take 2: Globe review of 'Precious'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

(Boston Globe) One of the finest films of the year and a possible Oscar contender in several categories, says Globe critic Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon'

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

(Boston Globe) Team Edward or Team Jacob? Glkobe critics will leave it to you to decide.

Take 2: Globe review of 'A Christmas Carol'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:43:31 -0800

(Boston Globe) Jim Carrey shines brightly as a cantankerous Ebenezer Scrooge in this motion-capture animation holiday film.

Take 2: 'Paranormal Activity' and 'Antichrist'

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris debate the merits of the season's two scariest films.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Michael Jackson's This Is It'

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) An engaging mix of rehearsal footage and backstage diary cobbled into a swan song for the "King of Pop"

Take 2: Globe review of 'An Education'

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) A worldly gentleman takes a teenage girl on an whiirlwind romance that teaches her about herself.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Where the Wild Things Are'

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Maurice Sendak's classic children's book becomes a moody, melancholy movie that is not for toddlers, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Couples Retreat'

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Loathsome dude-focused take on modern love? Or a mildly amusing romantic comedy? Ty Burr and Wesley Morris decide.

Take 2: Globe review of 'A Serious Man'

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) The Coen Brothers' latest is either a life-affirming tale or tedious slog of Biblical proportions, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Whip It'

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:31:09 -0700

(Boston Globe) Ellen Page is a budding roller derby queen in this charming new film, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Capitalism: A Love Story'

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:16:44 -0700

(Boston Globe) MIchael Moore takes on an entire economic system in his latest film, which attempts to chronicle how politics played a part on the nation's economic collapse.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Zombieland'

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:15:44 -0700

(Boston Globe) The zombie farce has developed into its own genre, and this is one of the best since "Shaun of the Dead," say Globe crtics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Informant'

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:29:47 -0700

(Boston Globe) Matt Damon shines as an off-kilter corporate whistleblower says Globe critic Ty Burr

Take 2: Globe review of 'Big Fan'

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:33:01 -0700

(Boston Globe) Patton Oswalt stars as a sports-obsessed loser whose life takes an unpleasant turn after meeting his idol.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Jennifer's Body'

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:42:47 -0700

(Boston Globe) Megan Fox as a succubus. That's pretty much the only appeal of this film, which tries too hard to be another "Buffy"

Wesley Morris on fall films

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Film Critic Wesley Morris on why he's looking forward to the musical "Nine."

Ty Burr on fall films

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Globe Film Critic Ty Burr discusses the one upcoming film he's most excited about.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Extract'

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Director Mike Judge attempts to recreate the magic of "Office Space." Globe critic Wesley Morris says he's not quite there.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Inglourious Basterds'

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) The Tarantino genre-blending formula gets applied to WWII Nazi hunters to limited effect, says Globe critic Ty Burr

Take 2: Globe review of 'Thirst'

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) A supernatural thriller that's part gorefest and part erotic noir mystery, says Globe critic Ty Burr

Take 2: Globe review of 'Shorts'

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) A messy, disconnected series of vignettes targeted at the fleeting attention spans of pre-teens, says Globe critic Ty Burr

Take 2: Globe review of 'Ponyo'

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Another wonderful animated adventure by director Hayao Miyazaki, this time collaborating with Disney on the US version.

Take 2: Globe review of 'District 9'

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Humans battle aliens in this sci-fi tale that's heavy on both allegory and action, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of 'Julie & Julia'

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:57:26 -0700

(Boston Globe) A thoroughly charming film about lives of two women of different eras bound by their love of food.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Funny People'

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:33:29 -0700

(Boston Globe) Judd Apatow's messy attempt at comedy and melodrama falls flat in several ways, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Afghan Star'

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:33:16 -0700

(Boston Globe) A documentary follows four contestants in Afghanistan's version of "American Idol" and offers an amazing look at the boundaries of culture.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Orphan'

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) A thriller with a twist that rises above the ordinary bad-movie fare, says Globe critic Ty Burr.

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Ugly Truth'

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) A brainless romantic comedy that wastes the believable chemistry between Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler.

Take 2: Globe review of '(500) Days of Summer'

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:11:13 -0700

(Boston Globe) Charming and witty, this self-consciously quirky romance overcomes the label of being a paint-by-numbers Sundance film.

Take 2: 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:48:37 -0700

(Boston Globe) The kids are older and wiser but yield few surprises in the latest installment of the Harry Potter saga, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Hurt Locker'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) A well-crafted action movie about a bomb squad that works on several levels, says Globe critic Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of 'Bruno'

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Sasha Baron Cohen applies the same formula used in "Borat" to create an un-funny look at gay life.

Take 2: Globe review of 'My Sister's Keeper'

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:56:41 -0700

(Boston Globe) A calculately overwrought Jodi Picoult family drama starring Cameron Diaz.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:52:48 -0700

(Boston Globe) Disconnected scenes of robots bashing each other with only the faintest hint of a coherent plot, says Globe critic Ty Burr

Take 2: Globe review of 'Whatever Works'

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:54:36 -0700

(Boston Globe) Woody Allen's downward spiral continues with yet another romantic comedy featuring a proxy of himself improbably paired with a hot young thing.

Take 2: Globe reviews of 'The Proposal' and 'Year One'

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris say there's not much to like in these two big studio flicks, one a charmless romantic comedy, the other a silly juvenile spoof.

Take 2: Reviews of 'Tetro,' 'Burma VJ,' 'Treeless Mountain'

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) These excellent small films wowed the festival circuit and will be in limited release, so Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris encourge you to catch them now.

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Taking of Pelham 123'

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:14:33 -0700

(Boston Globe) Denzel Washington and John Travolta go mano-a-mano in the New York subway system in this overwrought remake of the 1974 thriller.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Away We Go'

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:09:10 -0700

(Boston Globe) Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski are both adorable and believable as a thirtysomething couple on the cusp of parenthood, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Hangover'

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:25:59 -0700

(Boston Globe) A funny dude-fest that mines new territory, especially without Will Ferrell.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Drag Me to Hell'

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:16:33 -0700

(Boston Globe) Director Sam Raimi returned to his "Evil Dead" roots and created an enjoyable blend of humor and horror, says Globe film critic Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Up'

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:20:04 -0700

(Boston Globe) The Pixar studio scores again with another witty, wondrous film that expands the scope of family-themed animation.

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Girlfriend Experience'

Fri, 22 May 2009 15:02:49 -0700

(Boston Globe) This well-crafted film featuring porn actress Sasha Grey explores the limits of commerce in our society -- if any exist -- and chronicles the end of an era, says Globe critic Ty Burr.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Night at the Museum: Battle for the

Fri, 22 May 2009 03:14:05 -0700

(Boston Globe) A kid-friendly sequel that carries just enough laughs and computer-generated graphics to sustain interest.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Terminator Salvation'

Fri, 22 May 2009 06:13:35 -0700

(Boston Globe) Saving the world from legions of time-traveling killer cyborgs has never looked so joyless, says Globe critic Ty Burr.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Rudo y Cursi'

Fri, 15 May 2009 11:08:14 -0700

(Boston Globe) A well-acted comedy about bumbling soccer-playing brothers that is both endearing and satirical, says Globe critic Ty Burr.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Angels & Demons'

Fri, 15 May 2009 11:03:00 -0700

(Boston Globe) Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor star in this tepid sequel to "The DaVinci Code." Ron Howard directed both in his predictably pedestrian style, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Star Trek'

Mon, 04 May 2009 13:29:17 -0700

(Boston Globe) Solid acting, lively direction and riveting action make this installment in the "Star Trek" franchise possibly the best prequel ever, says Globe critic Ty Burr.

Take 2: Globe review of 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:58:36 -0700

(Boston Globe) Discover how the Wolverine got his fearsome claws in this flashy but formulaic prequel, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:58:31 -0700

(Boston Globe) Matthew McConaughey is a serial womanizer who gets a ghostly Scrooge-like comeuppance in this rake's take on "A Christmas Carol"

Take 2: Globe review of 'Fighting'

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:42:15 -0700

(Boston Globe) Solid performances and capable direction create a stirring fight flick from a hackneyed premise

Take 2: Globe review of 'The Soloist'

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:42:07 -0700

(Boston Globe) An emotional but problematic retelling of the true story of a homeless musician befriended by a newspaper columnist

Take 2: Globe review of 'Observe and Report'

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:14:24 -0700

(Boston Globe) Seth Rogen drops his usual cuddly goofball act to play a mall cop with a serious mean streak, sort of Paul Blart with anger management issues.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Sugar'

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:21:57 -0700

(Boston Globe) A moving and believable story of a pitching prospect from the Dominican Republic who discovers that baseball is only one part of life.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Hannah Montana: the Movie'

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:30:38 -0700

(Boston Globe) Tween idol Miley Cyrus grows up -- albeit in marketable, G-rated steps -- in this predictably frothy but surprisingly refreshing big-screen take on her hit television show.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Adventureland'

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:49:19 -0700

(Boston Globe) A cute and predictable coming-of-age film set in the 1980s from "Superbad" director Greg Mottola say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of 'Fast and Furious'

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:56:20 -0700

(Boston Globe) The fourth installment of the cars n' crime franchise brings back the stars of the original film.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Sin Nombre'

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:12:06 -0700

(Boston Globe) First-time director Cary Fukunaga wowed the festivals with this gritty portrayal of Central American immigrants.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Monsters vs. Aliens'

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:18:14 -0700

(Boston Globe) A fun, animated family film from the makers of 'Shrek' that just begs to be seen in 3D, says Globe critic Ty Burr.

Take 2: Globe review of 'Sunshine Cleaning'

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:58:33 -0700

(Boston Globe) Amy Adams stars in this self-consciously quirky little movie that feels like a paint-by-numbers Sundance entry, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of 'Knowing'

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:24:16 -0700

(Boston Globe) It's tin-foil hat time: In Nicholas Cage's latest conspiracy thriller, an innocuous series of numbers is actually a predictor of worldwide disasters. Globe critic Ty Burr says this film is one of them.

Take 2: Globe review of 'I Love You, Man'

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:41:42 -0700

(Boston Globe) Paul Rudd and Jason Segel star in this relatively smart and funny take on straight dude "bromance," say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of 'Duplicity'

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:48:21 -0700

(Boston Globe) Clive Owen and Julia Roberts are both charming and convincing as two corporate spies who go from competitors to collaborators. Globe critic Wesley Morris says the film harkens back to romantic thrillers of old.

Take 2: Globe reviews of "Witch Mountain," "Shuttle"

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:36:12 -0700

(Boston Globe) A review roundup of "Race to Witch Mountain," "Shuttle," "The Last House on the Left," "12," and Sita Sings the Blues."

Take 2: Globe review of "Crossing Over"

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:35:56 -0700

(Boston Globe) This film is a tangle of intersecting story lines, jumbled visuals and overwrought scenes that stars Harrison Ford as a harried immigration agent

Take 2: Globe review of "Watchmen"

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:41:51 -0800

(Boston Globe) A sloppy, sprawling adaptation of a comic classic that appears directed with the precision of a sledgehammer, but still packs a visual wallop

Take 2: Globe review of "Two Lovers"

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:56:39 -0800

(Boston Globe) Joaquin Phoenix stars as an average guy torn between the love of two women, Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw, who represent completely different facets of his life.

Take 2: Globe review of "Gomorrah"

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:09:06 -0800

(Boston Globe) This modern-day mobster film, based on a true story, strips away any Hollywood glamour from the working of organized crime, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Our Best Picture picks - 81st Academy Awards

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:11:05 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris discuss their picks for winner of the Academy Award for best picture.

Our Best Supporting Actress picks - 81st Academy Awards

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:16:18 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris predict the winner of the Academy Award for best supporting actress

Our Best Actress picks - 81st Academy Awards

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:08:47 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris discuss their picks for the winner of the Academy Award for best actress.

Our Best Supporting Actor picks - 81st Academy Awards

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:08:04 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris predict the winner of the Academy Award for best supporting actor.

Our Best Director picks - 81st Academy Awards

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:07:17 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris predict the winner of the Academy Award for best director

Our Best Actor picks - 81st Academy Awards

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:06:23 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris predict their winner of the Academy Award for best actor.

Take 2: Globe review of "The International"

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:23:21 -0800

(Boston Globe) Clive Owen and Naomi Watts star in this above-average thriller that will be best remembered for several stellar action scenes, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of "Confessions of a Shopaholic"

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:33:59 -0800

(Boston Globe) Isla Fisher stars in this unabashedly shallow and materialistic screwball comedy that employed a decent chunk of Hollywood.

Take 2: Globe review of "Friday the 13th"

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:54:30 -0800

(Boston Globe) After this latest hatchet job of filmmaking, Hollywood execs should be happy that Jason Voorhees is a fictional character, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of "He's Just Not That Into You"

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:55:16 -0800

(Boston Globe) Relationships are dissected like lab rats in this star-infested romantic comedy that Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris say is a fun, enjoyable romp -- at least for the first hour.

Take 2: Globe review of "The Class"

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:27:59 -0800

(Boston Globe) A deft and honest portrait of cultural collisions between a French teacher and his multi-ethnic students preparing for an uncertain future.

Take 2: Globe review of "Coraline"

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:56:53 -0800

(Boston Globe) Neil Gaiman's wonderfully creepy novella has been transformed into an equally creepy stop-motion animated film that Globe critic Ty Burr says does justice to the book.

Take 2: Globe review of "Taken"

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:56:49 -0800

(Boston Globe) Despite a marginally interesting premise, this action thriller sinks under the weight of Liam Neeson's leaden performance.

Take 2: Globe review of "New in Town"

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:13:35 -0800

(Boston Globe) A breezy romantic comedy starring the ever-puckered Renee Zellweger as an unwilling corporate transplant from Miami to Minnesota.

Take 2: 2009 Oscar nominations

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:11:09 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris analyze the nominees for the 2009 Academy Awards; winners will be revealed Feb. 22.

Take 2: Globe review of "The Reader" and "Revolutionary Road

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:45:16 -0800

(Boston Globe) Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris dissect Kate Winslet's two major 2008 performances, including her Academy Award-nominated role in "The Reader"

Take 2 - Globe review of "Che"

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

(Boston Globe) This exhaustive portrait of the man behind the T-shirts and dorm-room posters examines the fragility and transience of revolutionary thought.

Take 2 - Globe review of "Defiance"

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

(Boston Globe) A great tale clumsily told, this film recounts the true story of Jewish fugitives and Belarussians waging guerrilla war against the Nazis during the height of World War II.

Take 2 - Globe review of "Notorious"

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

(Boston Globe) The rise and abrupt, violent fall of rapper Christopher Wallace -- aka Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious B.I.G. -- told in workmanlike biopic style.

Take 2 - Globe review of "Waltz With Bashir"

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

(Boston Globe) An innovative, award-winning animated film that traces an Israeli soldier's powerful and haunting recounting of the horrors of war.

Take 2: Overlooked, but Oscar-worthy

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:54:03 -0800

(Boston Globe) Ty Burr and Wesley Morris discuss great performances -- like that from Juliette Binoche in Flight of the Red Balloon -- that will probably get overlooked for Academy Award consideration

Take 2: Globe review of "Bride Wars"

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:24:32 -0800

(Boston Globe) An impossibly airy premise has Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway playing best friends turned mortal enemies by a scheduling mishap.

Take 2: Globe review of "Valkyrie"

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:48:13 -0800

(Boston Globe) Tom Cruise is surprisingly strong as the leader of a plot to kill Adolph Hitler, a real-life conspiracy that nearly brought an early end to World War II.

Take 2: Globe review of "Gran Torino"

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:23:07 -0800

(Boston Globe) Call him Cranky Harry: Clint Eastwood is a grizzled retiree who sets out to rid his decaying neighborhood of gangbangers.

Take 2: Globe review of "The Wrestler"

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:15:28 -0800

(Boston Globe) In his portrayal of Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an over-the-hill wrestler trying to ressurect his career, Mickey Rourke may have revived his own.

Take 2: Review of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:23:19 -0800

(Boston Globe) As a man who ages in reverse, Brad Pitt jumps into a deep role that downplays his usual lightness, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris

Take 2: Globe review of 'Seven Pounds"

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:46:10 -0800

(Boston Globe) Will Smith ratchets up the heaviness quotient in this complex tale of personal redemption, say Boston Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of "Doubt"

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:10:30 -0800

(Boston Globe) Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman go toe-to-toe in a ecclesiastical slugfest about morals, influence and power.

Take 2: Globe review of "Frost / Nixon"

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:42:52 -0800

(Boston Globe) Solid performances lift this leaden film adaptation of a play based on David Frost's 1977 series of interviews with disgraced former President Nixon.

Take 2: Globe review of "The Day the Earth Stood Still"

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:27:05 -0800

(Boston Globe) We're still bad, bad humans, and our planet's fate is still as dim as ever in this remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.

Take 2: Globe review of "Cadillac Records"

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:25:32 -0800

(Boston Globe) Is there enough star power to elevate this loose interpretation of the Chess Records story? Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris discuss whether the music of the era is more rewarding than the film.

Take 2: Globe review of "Australia"

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0800

(Boston Globe) A grand and gritty film with a stellar cast that tries extremely hard to be a definitive sweeping epic, say Globe critics Ty Burr and Wesley Morris.