Problem: 1. The movie has some big laughs, yes, but never reaches takeoff velocity.
2. ...neither funny nor stimulating.
3. The movie's not phat, just big-boned.
4. The movie is more than a single never-ending fat joke, but not much more.
5. You may find yourself waiting for a commercial break. Sadly, it never comes.
6. Lawrence gives this depressing effort his all, but that is not nearly enough.
7. Not even the talented Lawrence can make it very funny.
8. It's not only inferior to all Murphy's movies (even Coming to America), it's a lot less funny than most of Lawrence's own film work.
9. [Martin Lawrence] delivers.
10. the make-up effects are astonishing and amusing, there are no surprises
What is the consensus?
****
Answer: Big Momma's House is funny in some parts, but it is essentially a one-joke movie.


Problem: 1. Can a movie traumatize you in a good way?
2. Even as the film piles awkwardness and suffering upon its character, it never feels exploitative or emotionally manipulative, maintaining a restrained tone entirely devoid of melodrama.
3. It is unlikely you are going to see a more palpable portrayal of grief this year than Jeon Do-yeon's magnificent perfomance as Shin-ae in this Korean drama of the heart.
4. A secular hymn to the small triumphs and cavernous tragedies of the everyday, and to our awesome ability to cope.
5. Perfect for those wishing to enjoy a nice traumatizing time at the movies.
6. This exploration of grief in contemporary South Korea plods along adequately and intelligently.
7. Secret Sunshine is a frequently beautiful film with a cold, dark heart.
8. Brilliantly written, acted and directed, this is a work that evokes the Russian novel despite being a Korean film. Treats larger questions of life and death in the serious manner that they deserve.
9. [S]low portrait of damaged woman struggling against community expectations reveals universality [in] extraordinary Do-yeon who dramatically shifts gears again [and again].
10. An exemplary examination of coping that expands to entail questions of morality, absolution and faith.
What is the consensus?
****
Answer: Plumbing the depths of tragedy without succuming to melodrama, Chang-dong Lee's Secret Sunshine is a grueling, albeit moving, piece of beautifully acted cinema.


Problem: 1. Melanie eventually slugs the Yankee. Too bad the former Murphy Brown doesn't pop Reese back.
2. Never rises above the level of TV sitcom mediocrity.
3. Using her blond, blue-eyed pout to full advantage, Witherspoon is just as likable as a Southern belle as she was as a California sorority girl in Legally Blonde.
4. A horrifyingly predictable romantic comedy that, unlike Legally Blonde, can't coast even partially on the formidable charm of suddenly-a-star Reese Witherspoon.
5. Reese Witherspoon stars in a startlingly well-written and enjoyable romantic comedy full of laughs and finely crafted characters.
6. The battle of the country spouse versus the city spouse - either way, Reese is the winner. Cute movie.
7. Director Andy Tennant works straight out of the romantic-comedy playbook, right down to the big kiss in the fake rainstorm.
8. If one defines a 'movie star' as an actress/actor whose presence can carry, even elevate, a mediocre movie, Reese Witherspoon is definitely a movie star. Despite the predictable plot and cliche stereotypes, her irresistable charisma makes it frothy and am
9. Every time you look, Sweet Home Alabama is taking another bummer of a wrong turn.
10. About the best that can be said about Sweet Home Alabama is that it will make a good airplane movie -- it's bland, mostly inoffensive, and predictable enough that you can nap through large sections and not get lost.
What is the consensus?
****
Answer:
Reese Witherspoon is charming enough, but the road to Alabama is well-traveled.