Thoughtful reviews, the Boulder film scene

" I am the monster’s mother "
— Sigourney Weaver, Alien Resurrection

MRQE Top Critic

Betty Blue

There can be beauty in tragedy, particularly when the key ingredient is the same in both —Marty Mapes (review...)

Betty arrives like a bolt from the Blue

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Cate Blanchett

  • Tar (2022)

    Tar Review by Matt Anderson: Tár as a theatrical experience reinforces the power of film.

  • Nightmare Alley (2021)

    Nightmare Alley Review by Matt Anderson: The slow, precise journey is a hard sell with a payoff that isn’t entirely worth the effort.

  • Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)

    Where'd You Go, Bernadette Review by Matt Anderson: There's a documentary within the movie that's pure movie gold.

  • Cinderella (2015)

    Branagh paints Cinderella in lavish colors Review by Matt Anderson: Even by Disney standards, this Cinderella is wholesome through and through.

    Review by Robert Denerstein: Special effects, Cate Blanchett make a familiar tale entertaining

  • The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden (2014)

    Countess enjoys two Galapagos Affairs Review by Robert Denerstein: Bizarre story about a real-life paradise never found

  • The Monuments Men (2014)

    Clooney leads The Monuments Men Review by Matt Anderson: The Monuments Men story is oversimplified and the real members are underserved

    Review by Robert Denerstein: Fascinating story deserved better than this movie

  • Blue Jasmine (2013)

    Sarsgaard and Blanchett brighten Blue Jasmine Review by Robert Denerstein: Blanchett an excellent Blanche

  • The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

    Freeman takes An Unexpected Journey Review by Robert Denerstein: By no means a disaster, The Hobbit mixes thrills with disappointments

    Review by Marty Mapes: Tolkein geeks rejoice

  • Hanna (2011)

    Review by Marty Mapes: For better or worse, it's impossible to pin Hanna down

    Review by Robert Denerstein: Can't be accused of visual dullness, but shouldn't it make a little more sense?

  • Robin Hood (2010)

    Crowe completes a trilogy as Robin Hood Review by Matt Anderson: Takes from the legends behind the legend and gives to the heroic figure a more serious face

    Review by Robert Denerstein: Splits the difference between historical accuracy and not being too serious

  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

    Review by Matt Anderson: Curious how lifeless this "life-affirming" movie turns out to be

  • I'm Not There (2007)

    Blanchett's Not There; Dylan is DVD review by Marty Mapes: Full of Dylanology, Dylanography and Dylanerbole... if that's your thing

  • Notes on a Scandal (2007)

    Blanchett and Dench compare Notes on a Scandal Review by Marty Mapes: A gripping, well acted film, but not one of the year's best

  • The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

    Murray lives the Life Aquatic Review by Marty Mapes: Entertaining enough to earn a recommendation as a light piece of eye candy

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: The Life Aquatic becomes more dear and more impressive the more you learn about it

  • The Aviator (2004)

    DiCaprio captures the good half of Aviator Hughes Review by Marty Mapes: Feels like a whole, complete movie, without oversimplifying Hughes' life

  • Coffee and Cigarettes (2004)

    Jarmusch takes a break with Coffee and Cigarettes Review by Marty Mapes: Jarmusch missed his mark; trying to present simple, non-dramatic moments but using celebrities

  • Veronica Guerin (2003)

    DVD review by Risë Keller: An important moment in history, but as an entertainment, it’s less successful

  • The Missing (2003)

    Even with Blanchett, something is Missing Review by Marty Mapes: Too cinematic to be genuine

  • Heaven (2002)

    Cate Blanchett heads for Heaven Review by Marty Mapes: For audiences not bored by allegory, Heaven is worth the wait

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Looks great on DVD, but the extra features don't answer the right questions

  • Bandits (2001)

    Billy Bob in Bandits Review by Matt Anderson: Peyton's screenplay takes advantage of the characters' quirks to offer some nice asides about life

  • The Gift (2001)

    Cate Blanchett is cursed with The Gift Review by Marty Mapes: Almost very good, but not quite