Actors: HAWKE

I'm compelled by this film's thematic component, by the nature and contrast of its three brilliant performances, and by its stage-oriented approach in general. This is a gripping and very brave film, and the script's somewhat simple structure provides room for deeper undertones and nuanced character study. Really, really good stuff.

I watched it directly after the original, and it's amazing how well the two films feed off each other. This film shakes off the romance and whimsy of the first one - it's more cynical and real, but it doesn't feel bitter or depressing. Both performances are as strong as in the first, and the film leaves us feeling a sense of true resolution.

A beautiful, irresistible and very original film. Spectacularly written; it's philosophical but never pretentious, romantic but never sappy... it's essentially an hour and forty minutes of dialogue, and it's one of the most absorbing films I can think of. Ethan Hawke, a phenomenally talented actor, is at his best here, and Julie Delpy matches him.

This is what I call drama. This ferociously cold depiction of two ruined men kicking and screaming their way through life is as engaging as it is haunting. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke turn in such jaw-dropping performances that this is required viewing for any actor. Written with a smartly intriguing structure and directed with Lumet's signature finesse, it fits in with some of the greatest crime dramas ever made. Sidney Lumet has been turning out classics for decades, and this one deserves to be a classic too. I'm in awe.

What could have been a cliched and dull story is original, vibrant and fantastically acted. This inspired me in ways that almost no other movies have. Perceptive, intelligent and beautifully written.

Richard Linklater's vibrantly inventive existential adventure is an almost overwhelming and undoubtedly important piece of art. Involving, stimulating and imaginative, it's a film that aptly illustrates a kaleidoscopic range of views and philosophies while also employing innovative visual techniques. It's a psychological feast and, I believe, one of the most original American films of the decade.

This is a genuinely high-quality teen movie. The story is filled with plenty of hard-hitting tragedy and quirky comedy, all brought to its full potential by a solid cast of talented actors. Ethan Hawke's role was particularly powerful for me, but Winona Ryder definitely matches him. Very highly recommended.

The pacing is quite fractured and the dialogue doesn't always work perfectly, but I personally enjoyed this film to a great extent. Overall, it's a very well-written piece guided by subtle direction from Hawke and excellent performances from the entire cast. Sad, engaging and driven by a sense of rare honesty.

A sleek, moody adaptation with distinct vision and a memorably somber tone. Ethan Hawke's portrayal of the legendary character is remarkable - textured, emotional and deeply involving. This is a solidly written, directed, and acted film. I really enjoyed it.

This is such a sweet, charming, romantic film and I enjoyed it greatly. Ethan Hawke is superb in the lead, and everyone around him is very good too. Cuaron's direction, although iffy at times, is solid overall and provides the film with a sleek modern feel.

The opening sequence is absolutely fantastic, and the movie overall is intelligently written and convincingly acted. However, it drags on too long and tries to take on too many topics for its own good. Still quite a good film.

What starts off as a slick, engrossing thriller crumbles into a contrived, ridiculously formulaic mess in the third act. However, both Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke turn in excellent performances and the film really is engaging until its multiclimax faltering at the conclusion.

A solid science fiction film with a few moments of mild stupidity. Overall, it's smart, original and consistently entertaining. Well-acted all around. I really don't have strong feelings for it one way or the other, but it's a good time filler.

This film feels strangely uninspired for a Linklater venture - it carries an aura of self-indulgence and rather clouded vision. Some of the points that the story brings across are potent and interesting, but it's a message movie with no concern for character development or plot structure. As a footnote, seeing Avril Lavigne deliver such an atrocious piece of "acting" was beyond annoying.

This movie does minimal justice to a complex, interesting story that could have provided for a much more engaging viewing experience. Photographed with breath-taking prowess, it was fully deserving of its Best Cinematography nomination. That being said, the artificial writing detracts from the visual beauty of the film and leaves the audience feeling cheated. By the end of the film I was sick of the agitating manipulation, muddled structure, lack of character development and a nonstop barrage of cliches. Ethan Hawke and Max von Sydow perform well with the little amount of screen time they have, but the performances surrounding them are almost unanimously wooden and unconvincing. To put it plainly, this is a pretty movie to look at, but there's nothing else there.

This is normally the type of film that I enjoy, but I just couldn't get past this one's flaws. Brian Goodman's dim-witted direction gives the film a haphazard, borderline unprofessional aura that shines through in almost every scene. It doesn't help that the cliche-infested screenplay he's working with lacks cohesive structure and plausible character motivations. Playing the lead role, Mark Ruffalo buckles under the weight of a doomed project. He's proven himself to be a very talented actor, but his performance feels contrived and self-conscious in every other scene. I'm a huge fan of Ethan Hawke, so I loved seeing him playing a role unlike anything he's ever done. He does a brilliant job in this, and it's a shame that his performance is lost in such a sub-par picture. The remainder of the cast is unanimously bland or unconvincing. A real disappointment.