SPLING MOVIES
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LA LINEA - A satisfactory 6! Engaging crime drama character study with a decent cast. Action, gangsterism and drug dealing in Mexico. Like: Traffic
LA VIE EN ROSE - An excellent 8! A depressing biographical foreign film about Edith Piaf. Held together by Marion Cotillard's Oscar-winning performance.
LAKEVIEW TERRACE - A satisfactory 6! Uneasy mix of tense cop thriller and contrived drama. Result: doesn't reach full potential. Like: Training Day
LAND OF THE BLIND - A flat 5! Dark political satire told as a parable with a familiar cast. Flashes of brilliance, but blind unto itself. Like: Brazil
LAND OF THE LOST - A flimsy 4! Aimless and crude adventure comedy lacks script, plot and humour usually associated with Ferrell movies. Like: Land of the Lost (TV)
LARRY CROWNE - A flat 5! Good co-lead chemistry can't save this light, optimistic "romcom" from a sluggish pace and a bland disposition. Like: I Hate Valentine's Day
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL - A solid 7! An unusual and original romantic comedy about coping with mental illness and love. Like: Punch Drunk Love
LAST AIRBENDER, THE - A third-rate 3! M. Night Shyamalan's dismal adaptation fails to live up, offering stylish action visuals but lacking in all other departments. Like: The Golden Compass
LAST CHANCE HARVEY - A satisfactory 6! Hoffman and Thompson shine in this sweet, affable, offbeat, mid-life crisis, romantic comedy. Like: After Sunset
LAST DAY OF SUMMER - A flimsy 4! Imagine Groundhog Day was remade into a kids family comedy with a low budget and no Bill Murray. Like: Shredderman Rules!
LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN - A solid 7! Strong performances, insightful direction and epic dark/violent themes add up to a great adaptation of Selby's novel. Like: Straw Dogs
LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, THE - A satisfactory 6! Horror remake updates exploitative '70s classic. Tamer, but respectful of origins. Like: The Last House on the Left
LAST SIN-EATER, THE - A flimsy 4! Parable set in 1850s like Dr. Quinn meets Cadbury's ad. Pompous script and lack-lustre special fx. Like: Saving Sarah Cain
LAST STATION, THE - A solid 7! A solid cast and top-notch performances power this slightly long-in-the-tooth biographical drama about Tolstoy's last stretch. Like: The Assasination of Jesse James
LATHER EFFECT, THE - A satisfactory 6! Some 30-something friends get nostalgic about the '80s and simpler times after one last big bash. Like: The Big Chill
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN - A satisfactory 6! Action junkies will love this ultra-violent, off-beat thrill ride that takes revenge beyond reason. Like: Pride and Glory
LAZARUS PROJECT, THE - A satisfactory 6! Competent, surreal and thought-provoking psychological thriller with convincing performances. Like: The Green Mile
LEAP YEAR - A flat 5! This sweet, formulaic romantic comedy has the setting, the talent and charisma, but lacks the heart and laughs to become a classic. Like: Made of Honour
LEATHERHEADS - A satisfactory 6! Jumbled 1920's romcom. Great story and a strong cast. Cute, slapstick and entertaining. Like: One Minute to Play
LEGEND OF THE BOG - A third-rate 3! Vinnie Jones "stars" in this uncertain, low budget British "zombie" horror thriller that lacks laughs and entertainment value. Like: Cutting Glass
LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE - A satisfactory 6! Great use of 3D, vivid animated visuals and backed by a solid voice cast, but a tad formulaic and more for the kids. Like: Valiant
LEGION - A flat 5! Apocalyptic nativity fantasy meets zombie horror lockdown in this stylish yet inconsistent actioner. Great visuals, diluted performances. Like: Assault on Precinct 13
LEO - A solid 7! Entertaining, well-written and beautifully shot dark drama with a hint of Forrest Gump, Blue Velvet and Leaving Las Vegas
LET ME IN - A satisfactory 6! This eerie and unusual paranormal romance drama is surprisingly compelling, despite its iffy CGI. Like: Ginger Snaps
LETTERS TO JULIET - A solid 7! A lightweight, predictable yet sweet, moving and charming romantic comedy drama set in Tuscany. Like: A Month by the Lake
LIEFLING - Unrated! This Afrikaans musical is inspired by Mamma Mia and centres around the love life of Liefling Marais with an all-star cast and Afrikaans music from the evergreen '70s to this day. Like: Mamma Mia
LIFE, ABOVE ALL (13, 101 min) - An excellent 8! This touching and compelling universal mother-daughter story features excellent performances, crisp direction and important social issues facing modern South Africa. Like: Themba, Precious
LIFE AS WE KNOW IT - A satisfactory 6! This anti-formulaic "romcom" is contrived, but delivers on laughs, heart and entertainment with winning co-lead performances. Like: It's Complicated
LIGHT YEARS AWAY - A third-rate 3! Clean and charming fantasy, sci-fi made-for-TV romance. Low budget effects and production values. Like: Dreams Come True
LIKE DANDELION DUST - A solid 7! Sterling performances, real characters and compelling family (melo)drama give this difficult adoption drama great depth. Like: Hachiko
LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER - A flat 5! Standard and predictable TV movie mystery. Like: Murder in my House
LIMITLESS - A solid 7! Cooper does good in this intense, yet beautifully filmed commercial concept thriller mash-up of Pi and Requiem for a Dream. Like: Pi
LIMITS OF CONTROL - A satisfactory 6! A thought-provoking, pretentious and demanding Jarmusch "thriller" backed by a solid cast and a vivid Spainish vista. Not for everyone. Like: Ghost Dog
LINCOLN LAWYER, THE - A satisfactory 6! Solid performances and a gripping story overcome the court room TV drama feel. Like: Nothing but the Truth
LINEWATCH - A flat 5! Entertaining straight-to-DVD crime drama with Cuba Gooding Jr. and seasoned crime director. Like: The Shepherd: Border Patrol
LION KING, THE - An excellent 8! The classic Disney animation is restored to the big screen in 3D. Like: Aladdin
LIONS AND LAMBS - A satisfactory 6! Top ensemble throw their weight into Redford's propaganda megaphone. Like: Charlie Wilson's War
LISTENING, THE - A flat 5! Beautiful visuals in quiet Italian conspiracy theory "thriller", with hi-tech and moral lesson. Like: Manchurian Candidate (2004)
LITTLE ASHES - A satisfactory 6! A strange indie art film with a beautiful cast about aspects of Dali's life, plagued by an uneven tone. Like: Milk
LITTLE FOCKERS - A flimsy 4! The worst of the trilogy, this vulgar, subpar and star-studded comedy features too many add-on stars and not enough genuine laughs. Like: Meet the Fockers
LITTLE PRINCESS - A satisfactory 6! Follows Little Princess animated series. Great little learning lessons for the tiny tots. Like: Little Princess (TV)
LIVE! - A satisfactory 6! Ambitious, entertaining and sleazy reality TV comedy/drama that starts slowly, but ends well. Like: American Dreamz
LOADED - A third-rate 3! A good-looking cast is no substitute for cheesy editing, a boring narrative and weak script. Like: The Skulls III
LOCAL COLOR - A satisfactory 6! Sweet and inspiring coming-of-age autobiographical drama with solid acting from decent cast. Like: The Christmas Cottage
LOCH NESS TERROR - A third-rate 3! Made-for-TV creature feature makes use of subpar CGI and gore to sustain half-baked story. Like: Tremors, Lake Placid 2
LODGER, THE - A flimsy 4! Poor performances from decent cast and contrived script debase this modern version of Hitchcock's classic. Like: The Lodger (1932)
LONDON BOULEVARD - A flat 5! A solid cast, a slick Guy Ritchie setting, soundtrack and characters... but more-of-the-same, a lack of chemistry, too many subplots and no Ritchie. Like: Layer Cake
LONDON RIVER - A solid 7! Dark, dreary, intense yet beautiful indie multi-cultural drama set in the days following the train bombings with honest co-lead performances. Like: A Mighty Heart
LONGSHOTS, THE - A satisfactory 6! Durst creates a warm, familiar underdog story with Ice Cube, Keke Palmer and a boys football team. Like: Invincible, Gracie
LOOKING FOR ERIC - A satisfactory 6! Comedy, drama, football and Cantona collide in this gritty, uplifting underdog story set in Manchester. Like: Billy Elliot
LOOKOUT, THE - A solid 7! Original, character-driven heist thriller with accidental hero. Like: The Score, A Simple Plan, Memento
LONG STREET - A flat 5! Atmospheric city portrait drama is poetic, yet suffers from impersonal distancing from characters. Like: The Flyer
LOSERS, THE - A satisfactory 6! A loud, explosive, violent tongue-in-cheek team actioner. Stupid, but action-packed and loaded with razor sharp one-liners. Like: The A-Team
LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS - A flat 5! Genre-bending and tone-shifting add to the confusion of this charming, yet rather pointless "romcom" romp. Like: Feast of Love
LOVE AND OTHER IMPOSSIBLE PURSUITS - A satisfactory 6! Solid performances from Portman and Kudrow override clumsy direction and shades of melodrama. Like: Where The Heart Is
LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA - A satisfactory 6! Solid lead performances & beautiful production values substitute lack of magic in this adaptation. Like: The Notebook
LOVE GURU, THE - A third-rate 3! Gross-out gags outrank genuine laughs by 25 to 1 in Mike Myers' worst film to date. Like: The Guru
LOVE HAPPENS - A flat 5! The attractive typecast co-leads make way for a dull, yet surprisingly deep emotional romance drama. Like: Return to Me
LOVE 'N DANCING - A flat 5! Uplifting story, but lacks intensity and script of better "romcom" slash dance flicks in genre. Like: Coyote Ugly
LOVE, WEDDING, MARRIAGE - A third-rate 3! A boring, predictable 90 minute sitcom - void of comedy or romance. Like: Because I Said So
LOVELY BONES, THE - A satisfactory 6! A compelling yet vague '70s murder fantasy drama with mesmerising surreal imagery, decent performances and an original perspective. Like: The Kite Runner
LOVEWRECKED - A flat 5! Light, fun and predictable bubblegum celebrity worship romantic comedy with a bubbly Amanda Bynes. Like: Blue Crush
LUCKY ONES, THE - A satisfactory 6! Contrived, formulaic road trip scenarios are trumped by likable, quirky characters and sharp dialogue. Like: Grace is Gone
LUST, CAUTION - An excellent 8! A sensual, exquisite, intelligent and intense espionage film from Ang Lee. Like: Memoirs of a Geisha
LA LINEA - A satisfactory 6! Engaging crime drama character study with a decent cast. Action, gangsterism and drug dealing in Mexico. Like: Traffic
LA VIE EN ROSE - An excellent 8! A depressing biographical foreign film about Edith Piaf. Held together by Marion Cotillard's Oscar-winning performance.
LAKEVIEW TERRACE - A satisfactory 6! Uneasy mix of tense cop thriller and contrived drama. Result: doesn't reach full potential. Like: Training Day
LAND OF THE BLIND - A flat 5! Dark political satire told as a parable with a familiar cast. Flashes of brilliance, but blind unto itself. Like: Brazil
LAND OF THE LOST - A flimsy 4! Aimless and crude adventure comedy lacks script, plot and humour usually associated with Ferrell movies. Like: Land of the Lost (TV)
LARRY CROWNE - A flat 5! Good co-lead chemistry can't save this light, optimistic "romcom" from a sluggish pace and a bland disposition. Like: I Hate Valentine's Day
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL - A solid 7! An unusual and original romantic comedy about coping with mental illness and love. Like: Punch Drunk Love
LAST AIRBENDER, THE - A third-rate 3! M. Night Shyamalan's dismal adaptation fails to live up, offering stylish action visuals but lacking in all other departments. Like: The Golden Compass
LAST CHANCE HARVEY - A satisfactory 6! Hoffman and Thompson shine in this sweet, affable, offbeat, mid-life crisis, romantic comedy. Like: After Sunset
LAST DAY OF SUMMER - A flimsy 4! Imagine Groundhog Day was remade into a kids family comedy with a low budget and no Bill Murray. Like: Shredderman Rules!
LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN - A solid 7! Strong performances, insightful direction and epic dark/violent themes add up to a great adaptation of Selby's novel. Like: Straw Dogs
LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, THE - A satisfactory 6! Horror remake updates exploitative '70s classic. Tamer, but respectful of origins. Like: The Last House on the Left
LAST SIN-EATER, THE - A flimsy 4! Parable set in 1850s like Dr. Quinn meets Cadbury's ad. Pompous script and lack-lustre special fx. Like: Saving Sarah Cain
LAST STATION, THE - A solid 7! A solid cast and top-notch performances power this slightly long-in-the-tooth biographical drama about Tolstoy's last stretch. Like: The Assasination of Jesse James
LATHER EFFECT, THE - A satisfactory 6! Some 30-something friends get nostalgic about the '80s and simpler times after one last big bash. Like: The Big Chill
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN - A satisfactory 6! Action junkies will love this ultra-violent, off-beat thrill ride that takes revenge beyond reason. Like: Pride and Glory
LAZARUS PROJECT, THE - A satisfactory 6! Competent, surreal and thought-provoking psychological thriller with convincing performances. Like: The Green Mile
LEAP YEAR - A flat 5! This sweet, formulaic romantic comedy has the setting, the talent and charisma, but lacks the heart and laughs to become a classic. Like: Made of Honour
LEATHERHEADS - A satisfactory 6! Jumbled 1920's romcom. Great story and a strong cast. Cute, slapstick and entertaining. Like: One Minute to Play
LEGEND OF THE BOG - A third-rate 3! Vinnie Jones "stars" in this uncertain, low budget British "zombie" horror thriller that lacks laughs and entertainment value. Like: Cutting Glass
LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE - A satisfactory 6! Great use of 3D, vivid animated visuals and backed by a solid voice cast, but a tad formulaic and more for the kids. Like: Valiant
LEGION - A flat 5! Apocalyptic nativity fantasy meets zombie horror lockdown in this stylish yet inconsistent actioner. Great visuals, diluted performances. Like: Assault on Precinct 13
LEO - A solid 7! Entertaining, well-written and beautifully shot dark drama with a hint of Forrest Gump, Blue Velvet and Leaving Las Vegas
LET ME IN - A satisfactory 6! This eerie and unusual paranormal romance drama is surprisingly compelling, despite its iffy CGI. Like: Ginger Snaps
LETTERS TO JULIET - A solid 7! A lightweight, predictable yet sweet, moving and charming romantic comedy drama set in Tuscany. Like: A Month by the Lake
LIEFLING - Unrated! This Afrikaans musical is inspired by Mamma Mia and centres around the love life of Liefling Marais with an all-star cast and Afrikaans music from the evergreen '70s to this day. Like: Mamma Mia
LIFE, ABOVE ALL (13, 101 min) - An excellent 8! This touching and compelling universal mother-daughter story features excellent performances, crisp direction and important social issues facing modern South Africa. Like: Themba, Precious
LIFE AS WE KNOW IT - A satisfactory 6! This anti-formulaic "romcom" is contrived, but delivers on laughs, heart and entertainment with winning co-lead performances. Like: It's Complicated
LIGHT YEARS AWAY - A third-rate 3! Clean and charming fantasy, sci-fi made-for-TV romance. Low budget effects and production values. Like: Dreams Come True
LIKE DANDELION DUST - A solid 7! Sterling performances, real characters and compelling family (melo)drama give this difficult adoption drama great depth. Like: Hachiko
LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER - A flat 5! Standard and predictable TV movie mystery. Like: Murder in my House
LIMITLESS - A solid 7! Cooper does good in this intense, yet beautifully filmed commercial concept thriller mash-up of Pi and Requiem for a Dream. Like: Pi
LIMITS OF CONTROL - A satisfactory 6! A thought-provoking, pretentious and demanding Jarmusch "thriller" backed by a solid cast and a vivid Spainish vista. Not for everyone. Like: Ghost Dog
LINCOLN LAWYER, THE - A satisfactory 6! Solid performances and a gripping story overcome the court room TV drama feel. Like: Nothing but the Truth
LINEWATCH - A flat 5! Entertaining straight-to-DVD crime drama with Cuba Gooding Jr. and seasoned crime director. Like: The Shepherd: Border Patrol
LION KING, THE - An excellent 8! The classic Disney animation is restored to the big screen in 3D. Like: Aladdin
LIONS AND LAMBS - A satisfactory 6! Top ensemble throw their weight into Redford's propaganda megaphone. Like: Charlie Wilson's War
LISTENING, THE - A flat 5! Beautiful visuals in quiet Italian conspiracy theory "thriller", with hi-tech and moral lesson. Like: Manchurian Candidate (2004)
LITTLE ASHES - A satisfactory 6! A strange indie art film with a beautiful cast about aspects of Dali's life, plagued by an uneven tone. Like: Milk
LITTLE FOCKERS - A flimsy 4! The worst of the trilogy, this vulgar, subpar and star-studded comedy features too many add-on stars and not enough genuine laughs. Like: Meet the Fockers
LITTLE PRINCESS - A satisfactory 6! Follows Little Princess animated series. Great little learning lessons for the tiny tots. Like: Little Princess (TV)
LIVE! - A satisfactory 6! Ambitious, entertaining and sleazy reality TV comedy/drama that starts slowly, but ends well. Like: American Dreamz
LOADED - A third-rate 3! A good-looking cast is no substitute for cheesy editing, a boring narrative and weak script. Like: The Skulls III
LOCAL COLOR - A satisfactory 6! Sweet and inspiring coming-of-age autobiographical drama with solid acting from decent cast. Like: The Christmas Cottage
LOCH NESS TERROR - A third-rate 3! Made-for-TV creature feature makes use of subpar CGI and gore to sustain half-baked story. Like: Tremors, Lake Placid 2
LODGER, THE - A flimsy 4! Poor performances from decent cast and contrived script debase this modern version of Hitchcock's classic. Like: The Lodger (1932)
LONDON BOULEVARD - A flat 5! A solid cast, a slick Guy Ritchie setting, soundtrack and characters... but more-of-the-same, a lack of chemistry, too many subplots and no Ritchie. Like: Layer Cake
LONDON RIVER - A solid 7! Dark, dreary, intense yet beautiful indie multi-cultural drama set in the days following the train bombings with honest co-lead performances. Like: A Mighty Heart
LONGSHOTS, THE - A satisfactory 6! Durst creates a warm, familiar underdog story with Ice Cube, Keke Palmer and a boys football team. Like: Invincible, Gracie
LOOKING FOR ERIC - A satisfactory 6! Comedy, drama, football and Cantona collide in this gritty, uplifting underdog story set in Manchester. Like: Billy Elliot
LOOKOUT, THE - A solid 7! Original, character-driven heist thriller with accidental hero. Like: The Score, A Simple Plan, Memento
LONG STREET - A flat 5! Atmospheric city portrait drama is poetic, yet suffers from impersonal distancing from characters. Like: The Flyer
LOSERS, THE - A satisfactory 6! A loud, explosive, violent tongue-in-cheek team actioner. Stupid, but action-packed and loaded with razor sharp one-liners. Like: The A-Team
LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS - A flat 5! Genre-bending and tone-shifting add to the confusion of this charming, yet rather pointless "romcom" romp. Like: Feast of Love
LOVE AND OTHER IMPOSSIBLE PURSUITS - A satisfactory 6! Solid performances from Portman and Kudrow override clumsy direction and shades of melodrama. Like: Where The Heart Is
LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA - A satisfactory 6! Solid lead performances & beautiful production values substitute lack of magic in this adaptation. Like: The Notebook
LOVE GURU, THE - A third-rate 3! Gross-out gags outrank genuine laughs by 25 to 1 in Mike Myers' worst film to date. Like: The Guru
LOVE HAPPENS - A flat 5! The attractive typecast co-leads make way for a dull, yet surprisingly deep emotional romance drama. Like: Return to Me
LOVE 'N DANCING - A flat 5! Uplifting story, but lacks intensity and script of better "romcom" slash dance flicks in genre. Like: Coyote Ugly
LOVE, WEDDING, MARRIAGE - A third-rate 3! A boring, predictable 90 minute sitcom - void of comedy or romance. Like: Because I Said So
LOVELY BONES, THE - A satisfactory 6! A compelling yet vague '70s murder fantasy drama with mesmerising surreal imagery, decent performances and an original perspective. Like: The Kite Runner
LOVEWRECKED - A flat 5! Light, fun and predictable bubblegum celebrity worship romantic comedy with a bubbly Amanda Bynes. Like: Blue Crush
LUCKY ONES, THE - A satisfactory 6! Contrived, formulaic road trip scenarios are trumped by likable, quirky characters and sharp dialogue. Like: Grace is Gone
LUST, CAUTION - An excellent 8! A sensual, exquisite, intelligent and intense espionage film from Ang Lee. Like: Memoirs of a Geisha
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