Review of Unstoppable

This gripping suspense tale charts the efforts of a veteran rail engineer (Denzel Washington) and a novice conductor (Chris Pine) to stop a runaway train before it derails on a twisting stretch of track running through a densely populated Pennsylvania town. Though opposed by a scheming railroad executive (Kevin Dunn), the pair are assisted by a competent but overwhelmed yardmaster (Rosario Dawson) and by a savvy federal official (Kevin Corrigan). Bolstered by adept performances and by the amusing asides in Mark Bomback's script, director Tony Scott crafts a diverting entertainment solidly founded on its main characters' heroic selflessness and incorporating themes supportive of marriage and family life. A few scenes of graphic injury, about a dozen uses of profanity, at least one instance of the F-word, frequent crude or crass language. A-III -- adults. (PG-13) 2010

Full Review

Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

The penultimate film in the wildly successful franchise based on J.K. Rowling's fantasy novels finds the Hogwarts trio -- Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, of course), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) -- on the run, jumping all over Britain to escape the clutches of evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his Death Eaters. As the "Chosen One," Harry is on a mission to destroy evil by locating the paraphernalia which sustains Voldemort, including the three items that constitute the "Deathly Hallows." Director David Yates' adventure mirrors the darker and more violent tone of Rowling's final volume, making this unsuitable for younger viewers. Much action violence with frequent peril, brief partial nudity in a sexual context, scenes of murder and torture, a few vaguely sexual references. A-III -- adults. (PG-13)2010

Full Review