The Hottest State

Ethan Hawke writes and directs this story based on his own novel about a lovesick narcissist in New York City.

"...love, and their isolated scenes provide the film’s only relief from its lovelorn narcissism. Otherwise, the screenplay adds little..."

Sept. 21, 2007 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

World Trade Center

This is not the 9/11 film we expected from Stone, who tells the fact-based story of two individuals who somehow survived the collapse of the World Trade Center and with a remarkable economy of expressionistic detail and bombast.

"...finds the common ground Americans can rally around for relief from the devastation: We are, in the final analysis,..."

Aug. 11, 2006 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Sir! No Sir!

The GI anti-war movement during the Vietnam war is recounted in this revelatory documentary whose current implications cannot be underestimated.

"...Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Brought into particularly sharp relief is the history of the coffeehouses as alternative centers..."

May 19, 2006 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Batman Begins

Batman Begins … and it's about time. The movie is great fun, and also a terrific relief.

"...brand-new Hollywood franchise). It’s great fun, and a terrific relief, to see this iconic crime fighter back on solid..."

June 17, 2005 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Thankfully, the dark tone of the beloved childrens books is carried over to the screen, and the terrific performances and production design provide extra lift.

"...Olaf, defanged, pops in for blessed bits of comic relief. A grammatical error has been corrected since the review's..."

Dec. 17, 2004 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

Shall We Dance?

Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, and Susan Sarandon co-star in in this tempting remake of a Japanese film about a man's midlife slump.

"...stuck in the rut of contemporary life unexpectedly finds relief in the form of ballroom dancing lessons. Initially, this..."

Oct. 15, 2004 Movie Review by Steve Davis

Never Die Alone

Every known hip-hop gangster cliché comes to the fore in this film starring DMX and David Arquette.

"...Never Die Alone had even a smidgeon of comic relief (or even, say, a bunch of zombies) to offset..."

March 26, 2004 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The saga ends (and ends) back in the Shire where it began.

"...over, finally and somewhat sadly, but it’s doubtless a relief to king of the Kiwis Peter Jackson that his..."

Dec. 19, 2003 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Capitol Chronicle: Let Them Eat Dividends

Republicans offer the same predictable help to the unemployed: tax cuts for the rich.

"...term, ex-Bush speechwriter David Frum informs us, is "tax relief," defined by Bush den mother Karen Hughes as "a..."

Jan. 10, 2003 News Column by Michael King

The Yards

"...when it finally does, it's more of a weak relief than any sort of surprise, like finally realizing the..."

Oct. 27, 2000 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Remember the Titans

"...vendor with no legs. To their credit, and viewers' relief, both Patton and Washington turn in fine performances, making..."

Sept. 29, 2000 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

The Tigger Movie

"...aimed at the three-to-eight-year-old set, parents can take momentary relief in a smooth musical number wherein Tigger envisions his..."

Feb. 18, 2000 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Love Stinks

"...comedy” of deep marital paranoia, Love Stinks may spell relief for men whose bowels shake at the sight of..."

Sept. 10, 1999 Movie Review by Sarah Hepola

Book Reviews

For the Relief of Unbearable Urges: Stories

"...in a while. His nine stories in For the Relief of Unbearable Urges can be conveniently described as explorations..."

June 11, 1999 Books Review

The Mummy

"...and especially Deep Rising alumnus O'Connor, provide much comic relief. The whole show feels like it should be unspooling..."

May 7, 1999 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Children of Heaven

Young, impoverished, Iranian siblings go to great lengths to cover up the fact that they've lost a pair of shoes.

"...at the heart of the situation is in prominent relief, yet there is a happiness about their lives that..."

April 30, 1999 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Spike & Mike's 1998 Classic Festival of Animation

"...some brilliant work here, and as always, it's a relief to see the animated form that has no ties..."

July 3, 1998 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Krippendorf's Tribe

"...supporting actors provide little in the way of comic relief. Director Todd Holland, whose career in recent years has..."

Feb. 27, 1998 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

Welcome to Sarajevo

"...makes it into his newscast; Nina (Tomei), the American relief worker eager to cut any deal to airlift the..."

Feb. 13, 1998 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Phantoms

"...anything not featuring Corey Haim would come as a relief, and frankly, Phantoms holds up pretty well as a..."

Jan. 30, 1998 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Licensed to Kill

"...Arthur Dong, I also feel a deep sense of relief as I see transient but unmistakable flares of regret..."

Oct. 24, 1997 Movie Review by Russell Smith

Fathers' Day

"...Fathers' Day offers little in the way of comic relief...."

May 9, 1997 Movie Review by Marjorie Baumgarten

The Devil's Own

"...hazy moral and ethical issues can be brought into relief. Unfortunately, the scenes meant to deliver this clarity come..."

March 28, 1997 Movie Review by Russell Smith

Been Down So Long

Piecemeal Relief Is Recommended for Retired Teachers

"...to help the oldest retired teachers get some much-needed relief is a significant investment by the state and TRS,..."

Feb. 28, 1997 News Feature by Louisa C. Brinsmade

Maximum Risk

"...Ferguson's sluggishly paced script and some supremely lame comic relief, not to mention a shoddy lead performance (surprise!) from..."

Sept. 20, 1996 Movie Review by Joey O'Bryan

The Search for One-Eye Jimmy

"...you greet his presence with a genuine sigh of relief, thankful that the grueling quest is finally over. It's..."

Sept. 6, 1996 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow

The directing debut of acclaimed kung fy choreographer Yuen also helped popularize the burgeoning “kung fu comedy” genre and it primary star, Jackie Chan.

"...goofy for even my tastes -- like when the comic-relief preacher (Horan) turns out, in the film's final reel,..."

Sept. 29, 1995 Movie Review by Joey O'Bryan

Peace Hotel

"...trend in Hong Kong movies) with silly, out-of-place comic relief. To make matters worse, the action sequences, which are..."

July 14, 1995 Movie Review by Joey O'Bryan

Judge Dredd

"...Dredd's sidekick Fergie, provides a welcome bit of comic relief without going to extremes, and Assante is nicely over..."

July 7, 1995 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

High Voltage Asian Cop

"...are getting more and more carried away by comic relief, High Voltage Asian Cop proves to be a nice..."

June 16, 1995 Movie Review by Joey O'Bryan

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