Meg Anderson

---

'Valentine's Day' is as cliché as the holiday

If you are choosing to see a movie with the title ""Valentine's Day,"" you have to be aware of the quality that you can expect from it. This star-studded chick flick, directed by Garry Marshall, opened in a transparently opportunistic fashion, just in time for the holiday of the same name. When watched with low expectations and a complete detachment from reality, the film offers exactly what it promises to provide—a superficial distraction from the concept of real life without any lingering impression.

Failing to 'Revolt' against conventions

If a movie sells itself as the coming-of-age tale of an awkward teenage boy obsessively trying to lose his virginity, it had better offer an interesting twist on this tired and overused plot. ""Youth in Revolt,"" directed by Miguel Arteta, attempts to put a quirky and original spin on the overdone, panicky, adolescent quest for sex, wherever it can be found.

Failing to 'Revolt' against conventions

Nature on display in new ‘Earth’

Disney has a way of tugging at your heartstrings. From ""Lady and the Tramp"" to ""WALL-E,"" their movies get me every time. So when I was dished up a big helping of baby ducklings in the new movie ""Earth,"" I was delighted to be back in this adorable, fuzzy world.  

Funny spoofs not enough for 'Be Kind'

Michel Gondry's new project \Be Kind Rewind"" may be funny but suffers from an unsatisfying plot.'

Holiday fruitcake of leftover films

Seven movies you may have missed while roasting your chestnuts this break'

'Nutcracker' to add more pro dancers

Madison Ballet tradition now includes 14 professionals. '

Unrequited love a grave epidemic in 'Cholera'

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel of young, undying love is brought to life on the big screen.'

'Rendition' reaches far, falls short on social commentary

New Gavin Hood movie delves into the controversial methods of terrorist interrogation'

Lane pulls off 'fierce' acting in mediocre film

'Fierce People' is an overly complicated film that fails at being a thought-provoking work of art.'