The 100 Best Movies of 2009, Ranked by Tomatometer

Critics Consensus: An enlightening and sobering documentary on Afghanistan's very own X-Factor.

Synopsis: Director Havana Marking dives into the booming, but still young and growing, world of pop culture in Afghanistan. Newly liberated after more than 30 years... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Havana Marking

Critics Consensus: Last Train Home is a haunting, vivid documentary exploring the human toll of China's economic boom in intimate, unforgettable detail.

Synopsis: Annually, an estimated 130 million factories workers in China migrate from their city of employment back to the village they grew up in. This documentary... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Lixin Fan

Critics Consensus: An exciting, funny, and poignant adventure, Up offers an impeccably crafted story told with wit and arranged with depth, as well as yet another visual Pixar treat.

Synopsis: Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old balloon salesman, is about to fulfill a lifelong dream. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, he flies away to the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson

Directed By: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

Critics Consensus: A touching, uplifting and inspirational rockumentary about an aging metal band, both hilarious and heart-warming in equal measure.

Synopsis: Canadian heavy-metal band Anvil delivered a highly influential 1982 album that would inspire the likes of Anthrax and Metallica, and then dropped off the map... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner, Slash, Lars Ulrich

Directed By: Sacha Gervasi

Critics Consensus: Successfully mixing the conventions of the teen and horror genres with a twist, Australian director Sean Byrne makes a striking directorial debut with The Loved Ones.

Synopsis: After a classmate (Xavier Samuel) declines her invitation to the school dance, a teenager (Robin McLeavy) kidnaps him and makes him the guest of honor... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Xavier Samuel, Robin McLeavy, Jessica McNamee, Victoria Thaine

Directed By: Sean Byrne

Critics Consensus: A uniquely sharp, well-acted prison drama, Cell 211 avoids exploitative thrills in favor of expertly ratcheted tension.

Synopsis: When an inmate leads a rebellion, a young guard tries to survive by impersonating a prisoner.

Starring: Carlos Bardem, Luis Tosar, Alberto Ammann, Marta Etura

Directed By: Daniel Monzón

Critics Consensus: This multi-character drama balances intimate portrayals and broad political implications to paint a bracing and moving portrait of the Middle East conflict.

Synopsis: A revenge killing has a ripple effect in a multi-ethnic neighborhood in Tel Aviv.

Starring: Shahir Kabaha, Ibrahim Frege, Fouad Habash, Youssef Sahwani

Directed By: Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani

Critics Consensus: A well-acted, intensely shot, action filled war epic, Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker is thus far the best of the recent dramatizations of the Iraq War.

Synopsis: Staff Sgt. William James (Jeremy Renner), Sgt. J.T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) are members of a bomb-disposal unit in Baghdad.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow

Critics Consensus: Featuring an impressive star turn by newcomer Tahar Rahim, A Prophet is a French gangster film filled with arresting, immediate details.

Synopsis: This acclaimed crime drama follows Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), a delinquent young Muslim man, who is struggling to get by in a French prison.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb

Directed By: Jacques Audiard

Critics Consensus: As fleshy as it is funny, Bong Joon-Ho's Mother straddles family drama, horror and comedy with a deft grasp of tone and plenty of eerie visuals.

Synopsis: A widow (Kim Hye-ja) resides with her mentally challenged son (Won-bin) in a small South Korean town, where she scrapes out a living selling medicinal... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kim Hye-ja, Won-bin, Jin Goo, Yoon Je-moon

Directed By: Bong Joon Ho

Critics Consensus: Though decidedly one-sided, The Cove is an impeccably crafted, suspenseful expose of the covert slaughter of dolphins in Japan.

Synopsis: In Taiji, Japan, local fishermen hide a gruesome secret: the capture and slaughter of dolphins. Activist Ric O'Barry, who trained dolphins for the "Flipper" TV... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hayden Panettiere, Isabel Lucas, Louie Psihoyos, Richard O'Barry

Directed By: Louie Psihoyos

Critics Consensus: Mary and Max is a lovingly crafted, startlingly inventive piece of animation whose technical craft is equaled by its emotional resonance.

Synopsis: A lonely Australian girl (Toni Collette) and an elderly Jewish man (Philip Seymour Hoffman) in New York develop an unlikely friendship through letters.

Starring: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eric Bana, Barry Humphries

Directed By: Adam Elliot

Critics Consensus: Bringing a dose of humor and a fresh perspective to a very serious subject, No One Knows About Persian Cats is an exhilarating, quietly powerful tribute to the courage of Iran's underground musicians.

Synopsis: Two young musicians, Negar (Negar Shaghaghi) and Ashkan (Ashkan Koshanejad), are released from prison. They immediately immerse themselves in the underground rock scene in Tehran,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Negar Shaghaghi, Ashkan Koshanejad, Hamed Behdad

Directed By: Bahman Ghobadi

Critics Consensus: Alternately beautiful and heartrending, Samson and Delilah is terrifically acted and shot, and presents a complex portrait of what it means to be Australian.

Synopsis: A couple's world changes forcing them to go on a journey of survival.

Starring: Marissa Gibson, Mitjili Napanangka Gibson, Scott Thornton, Matthew Gibson

Critics Consensus: Star Trek reignites a classic franchise with action, humor, a strong story, and brilliant visuals, and will please traditional Trekkies and new fans alike.

Synopsis: Aboard the USS Enterprise, the most-sophisticated starship ever built, a novice crew embarks on its maiden voyage. Their path takes them on a collision course... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Critics Consensus: In the Loop is an uncommonly funny political satire that blends Dr. Strangelove with Spinal Tap for the Iraq war era.

Synopsis: During an interview, British Cabinet Minister Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) delivers an off-the-cuff remark that war in the Middle East is unforeseeable. Profane political spin... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee, James Gandolfini

Directed By: Armando Iannucci

Critics Consensus: Funny, informative, and occasionally sad, Good Hair is a provocative look at the complex relationship between African Americans and their hair.

Synopsis: Prompted by a question from his young daughter, comic Chris Rock sets out to explore the importance of hair in black culture. Rock interviews celebrities... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Nia Long, Ice-T

Directed By: Jeff Stilson

Critics Consensus: Good-natured and mirthful, Best Worst Movie is a sweet deconstruction of how a cinematic folly can become a triumph.

Synopsis: This documentary reviews the making of the film "Troll 2" from the perspective of its former child actor star, Michael Stephenson. In 1989, a group... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Hardy, Michael Stephenson, Darren Ewing, Jason Wright

Directed By: Michael Stephenson

Critics Consensus: Fantastic Mr. Fox is a delightfully funny feast for the eyes with multi-generational appeal -- and it shows Wes Anderson has a knack for animation.

Synopsis: After 12 years of bucolic bliss, Mr. Fox breaks a promise to his wife and raids the farms of their human neighbors, Boggis, Bunce, and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Critics Consensus: Though the latter part of the film may not appeal to all, An Education is a charming coming-of-age tale powered by the strength of relative newcomer Carey Mulligan's standout performance.

Synopsis: Despite her sheltered upbringing, Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is a teen with a bright future; she's smart, pretty, and has aspirations of attending Oxford University. When... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper

Directed By: Lone Scherfig

Critics Consensus: Catalina Saavedra's devastating performance would be reason enough to see The Maid, but Sebastian Silva's empathetic direction and finely tuned script only add to the movie's pleasing heft.

Synopsis: Raquel (Catalina Saavedra) has been the live-in maid for the Valdes family for over two decades, coming to regard them with the utmost loyalty and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Catalina Saavedra, Claudia Celedón, Alejandro Goic, Andrea García-Huidobro

Directed By: Sebastián Silva

Critics Consensus: It'll be too disturbing -- and meandering -- for some, but Dogtooth is as disturbing and startlingly original as modern filmmaking gets.

Synopsis: Graceful, enigmatic, and often frightening, Dogtooth is an ingenious dark comedy that won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christos Stergioglou, Michelle Valley, Angeliki Papoulia, Mary Tsoni

Directed By: Yorgos Lanthimos

Critics Consensus: Sam Raimi returns to top form with Drag Me to Hell, a frightening, hilarious, delightfully campy thrill ride.

Synopsis: Christine Brown has a loving boyfriend and a good job at a Los Angeles bank. Her heavenly life becomes hellish when, in an effort to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao

Directed By: Sam Raimi

Critics Consensus: Precious is a grim yet ultimately triumphant film about abuse and inner-city life, largely bolstered by exceptional performances from its cast.

Synopsis: Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz

Directed By: Lee Daniels

Critics Consensus: Better than your average football pic, Damned United is carried by another star turn from Michael Sheen as Brian Clough.

Synopsis: The story of Brian Clough's 44-day stint as manager of Leeds United Football Club takes place in 1974 England. When Don Revie quits Leeds to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Jim Broadbent, Stephen Graham

Directed By: Tom Hooper

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: The stories of a conflicted Japanese soldier (Hideo Nakaizumi) and a Chinese officer (Ye Liu) draw attention to the atrocities committed by Japanese forces during... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ye Liu, Yuanyuan Gao, Hideo Nakaizumi, Yuko Miyamoto

Directed By: Chuan Lu

Critics Consensus: While the web of corruption in this Italian political thriller can be hard for a non-native to follow, the visuals and the intrigue are compelling and thrilling in equal measure.

Synopsis: Writer-director Paolo Sorrentino received the Cannes Jury Prize for his biopic of the fabled Italian politician Giulio Andreotti (Toni Servillo). The film covers a large... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Toni Servillo, Anna Bonaiuto, Giulio Bosetti, Flavio Bucci

Directed By: Paolo Sorrentino

Critics Consensus: Like a perfect summer at the beach, Alamar bathes you in natural warmth as it explores the blossoming bond of a five-year-old and his dad.

Synopsis: A man and his son embark on an epic sea journey.

Starring: Jorge Machado, Natan Machado Palombini, Nestór Marín, Roberta Palombini

Directed By: Pedro González-Rubio

Critics Consensus: Cannes Jury Prize-winner Fish Tank is gritty British realism at its very best, with flawless performances from newcomer Kate Jarvis, and Michael Fassbender.

Synopsis: Mia (Katie Jarvis) is a rebellious teenager on the verge of being kicked out of school. Her hard-partying mother, Joanne (Kierston Wareing), neglects Mia's welfare... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing, Harry Treadaway

Directed By: Andrea Arnold

Critics Consensus: Part political treatise, part melodrama, Marco Bellocchio's Mussolini biopic forsakes historical details in favor of absorbing emotion -- and provides a showcase for a stunning performance from Giovanna Mezzogiorno.

Synopsis: Inspired by the life of Benito Mussolini's first wife, Ida Dalser (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), the film tells the story of tragic love amidst the tides of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Filippo Timi, Fausto Russo Alesi, Michela Cescon

Directed By: Marco Bellocchio

Critics Consensus: Riveting and bone-chillingly creepy, Cropsey manages to be one of the best documentaries and one of the best horror movies of the year.

Synopsis: Two filmmakers investigate the disappearance of five children and the real boogeyman linked to them.

Starring: Joshua Zeman, Barbara Brancaccio

Directed By: Barbara Brancaccio, Joshua Zeman

Critics Consensus: As bewitchingly ambiguous as it is beautifully shot, Lourdes explores profound themes with subtlety and a deft comic touch -- and a marvelous performance from its star, Sylvie Testud.

Synopsis: Afflicted with multiple sclerosis, Christine makes a pilgrimage to the holy site of Lourdes in hopes of a miracle. Among thousands of ailed visitors, she... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sylvie Testud, Léa Seydoux, Bruno Todeschini, Elina Löwensohn

Directed By: Jessica Hausner

Critics Consensus: Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.

Synopsis: Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Vanessa Haywood

Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

Critics Consensus: Led by charismatic performances by its three leads, director Jason Reitman delivers a smart blend of humor and emotion with just enough edge for mainstream audiences.

Synopsis: An idea from a young, new co-worker (Anna Kendrick) would put an end to the constant travel of corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), so... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman

Directed By: Jason Reitman

Critics Consensus: Thanks to a captivating performance from Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart transcends its overly familiar origins and finds new meaning in an old story.

Synopsis: With too many years of hazy days and boozy nights, former country-music legend Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is reduced to playing dives and bowling alleys.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Tom Bower

Directed By: Scott Cooper

Critics Consensus: Boosted by Sam Rockwell's intense performance, Moon is a compelling work of science-fiction, and a promising debut from director Duncan Jones.

Synopsis: Astronaut Sam Bell's (Sam Rockwell) three-year shift at a lunar mine is finally coming to an end, and he's looking forward to his reunion with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Dominique McElligott, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong

Directed By: Duncan Jones

Critics Consensus: A dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster.

Synopsis: After being injured in Iraq, soldier Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) returns home to finish the rest of his tour of duty in the Army's Casualty... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone

Directed By: Oren Moverman

Critics Consensus: A powerful and personal account of war on the front line, writer-director Samuel Maoz takes the viewer inside an Israeli tank to deliver an exhausting, original film.

Synopsis: This tense war film focuses on a group of Israeli soldiers operating a tank in hostile territory during the 1982 conflict in Lebanon. Hindered by... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Yoav Donat, Itay Tiran, Oshri Cohen, Michael Moshonov

Directed By: Samuel Maoz

Critics Consensus: Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, The Secret of Kells hearkens back to animation's golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by Irish mythology.

Synopsis: In the remote Irish woods, Cellach (Brendan Gleeson) prepares a fortress for an impending attack by a Viking war party. Unbeknown to Cellach, his young... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Liam Hourican

Directed By: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey

Critics Consensus: Though it doesn't quite answer all of the questions it raises, Winnebago Man is nevertheless a fascinating, hilarious, and surprisingly poignant look at a geniunely colorful internet celebrity.

Synopsis: Filmmaker Ben Steinbauer interviews Jack Rebney, whose profanity-strewn outtakes from a 1988 industrial film about a line of recreational vehicles turned him into a cult...

Starring: Ben Steinbauer, Jack Rebney, Nick Prueher, Mike Mitchell

Directed By: Ben Steinbauer

Critics Consensus: A tragedy gracefully lifted by tender empathy and moments of joy, Father of My Children is a quiet triumph for writer-director Mia Hansen-Love.

Synopsis: Grégoire is torn between the demands of his family and his obsession with his career. He runs an independent film company and barely has time... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chiara Caselli, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing, Alice de Lencquesaing, Alice Gautier

Directed By: Mia Hansen-Løve

Critics Consensus: A classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride, Inglourious Basterds is violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining.

Synopsis: It is the first year of Germany's occupation of France. Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine assembles a team of Jewish soldiers to commit violent acts... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Wickedly funny and featuring plenty of gore, Zombieland is proof that the zombie subgenre is far from dead.

Synopsis: Nerdy college student Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has survived the plague that has turned mankind into flesh-devouring zombies because he's scared of just about everything. Gun-toting,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin

Directed By: Ruben Fleischer

Critics Consensus: Blending dark humor with profoundly personal themes, the Coen brothers deliver what might be their most mature -- if not their best -- film to date.

Synopsis: Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a physics professor at a 1960s university, but his life is coming apart at the seams. His wife (Sari Lennick)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Sari Lennick

Directed By: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Critics Consensus: Unpredictable and rich with symbolism, this Argentinian murder mystery lives up to its Oscar with an engrossing plot, Juan Jose Campanella's assured direction, and mesmerizing performances from its cast.

Synopsis: Hoping to put to rest years of unease concerning a past case, retired criminal investigator Benjamín Espósito begins writing a novel based on the decades-old... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Carla Quevedo, Pablo Rago

Directed By: Juan José Campanella

Critics Consensus: Full of humor and nostalgia, Adventureland is a sweet, insightful coming-of-age comedy that will resonate with teens and adults alike.

Synopsis: It's the summer of 1987, and recent college grad James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) can't wait to begin his long-anticipated dream trip to Europe. Unfortunately, James'... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Kristen Wiig

Directed By: Greg Mottola

Critics Consensus: Part harrowing immigration tale, part gangster story, this debut by writer/director Cary Fukunaga is sensitive, insightful and deeply authentic.

Synopsis: Sayra, a Honduran teen, hungers for a better life. Her chance for one comes when she is reunited with her long-estranged father, who intends to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paulina Gaitán, Edgar Flores, Kristyan Ferrer, Tenoch Huerta

Directed By: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Critics Consensus: Aimed at adults and animated with zest, Chico & Rita is a romantic delight packed with cultural detail and flavor.

Synopsis: A Cuban pianist becomes smitten with a sultry singer, leading to a passionate but star-crossed romance that reaches across six decades.

Starring: Eman Xor Oña, Limara Meneses, Mario Guerra, Jon Adams

Directed By: Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, Tono Errando

Critics Consensus: A dramedy that's got a taste for the tragic as well as the poignantly comic, Amreeka adds a new sweetness to the hope and distress of the immigrant experience.

Synopsis: A vivacious Palestinian woman (Nisreen Faour) and her teenage son (Melkar Muallem) cope with culture clash and more as they try to build a new... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat

Directed By: Cherien Dabis

Critics Consensus: Alle Anderen (Everyone Else) taps into the unpredictable energy between two couples to throw finely detailed - and richly rewarding - sparks of emotional truth.

Synopsis: A Mediterranean vacation reveals cracks in a couple's relationship.

Starring: Birgit Minichmayr, Lars Eidinger, Hans-Jochen Wagner, Nicole Marischka

Directed By: Maren Ade

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: While planning her suicide, a precocious 11-year-old (Garance Le Guillermic) befriends a new neighbor (Togo Igawa) and a prickly recluse (Josiane Balasko).

Starring: Josiane Balasko, Togo Igawa, Garance Le Guillermic, Anne Brochet

Directed By: Mona Achache

Critics Consensus: Though the costumes are beautiful and the art direction impeccable, what stands out most from this debut by fashion designer Tom Ford is the leading performance by Colin Firth.

Synopsis: George (Colin Firth) is a college professor who recently lost his lover, Jim, in a car accident. Terribly grief-stricken, George plans to commit suicide. As... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode

Directed By: Tom Ford

Critics Consensus: While made from overly familiar ingredients, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut has enough charm, energy, and good-natured humor to transcend its many cliches.

Synopsis: Bliss Cavendar lives in small-town Texas and yearns to break free of her mother's world of beauty pageants and conformity. She sees her chance when... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Elliot Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore

Directed By: Drew Barrymore

Critics Consensus: Befitting its unorthodox origins, this Bad Lieutenant benefits from Werner Herzog's typically fearless direction and a delightfully unhinged Nicolas Cage in the title role.

Synopsis: Terence McDonagh isn't doing so well. He has a nasty painkiller addiction, courtesy of an injury he sustained while rescuing a prisoner during Hurricane Katrina.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Xzibit

Directed By: Werner Herzog

Critics Consensus: Isabelle Huppert is an immoveable object surrounded by unstoppable forces in White Material, an incendiary character study and political thriller that showcases director Claire Denis' expertise in ratcheting tension.

Synopsis: As the owner of a coffee plantation in Africa, Maria (Isabelle Huppert) wants only to see her business through the harvest, no matter what's happening... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Isaach de Bankolé, Christopher Lambert, Nicolas Duvauchelle

Directed By: Claire Denis

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A Russian intelligence operative (Emir Kusturica) passes classified documents to a French engineer (Guillaume Canet).

Starring: Emir Kusturica, Guillaume Canet, Alexandra Maria Lara, Ingeborga Dapkunaite

Directed By: Christian Carion

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: The creation of the state of Israel in 1948 through to the present day.

Starring: Ali Suliman, Elia Suleiman, Saleh Bakri, Amer Hlehel

Directed By: Elia Suleiman

Critics Consensus: A clever, offbeat romantic comedy, 500 Days of Summer is refreshingly honest and utterly charming.

Synopsis: Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz

Directed By: Marc Webb

Critics Consensus: The warmth of traditional Disney animation makes this occasionally lightweight fairy-tale update a lively and captivating confection for the holidays.

Synopsis: Hardworking and ambitious, Tiana dreams of one day opening the finest restaurant in New Orleans. Her dream takes a slight detour when she meets Prince... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley

Directed By: Ron Clements, John Musker

Critics Consensus: Its graphic violence and sprawling length will prove too much for some viewers to take, but Noomi Rapace's gripping performance makes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo an unforgettable viewing experience.

Synopsis: Wealthy Swedish recluse Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube) needs closure. Forty years ago, his beloved niece disappeared, never to be seen again -- and circumstances have... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Lena Endre, Peter Haber

Directed By: Niels Arden Oplev

Critics Consensus: The White Ribbon effectively utilizes tension and a bleak atmosphere to deliver a thought-provoking examination of nascent fascism.

Synopsis: Using their social status and harsh punishments, a baron (Ulrich Tukur), a doctor (Rainer Bock) and a pastor (Burghart Klaussner) rule over a small German... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Friedel, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi

Directed By: Michael Haneke

Critics Consensus: Quirky humor, plucky characters and solid slapstick make this family comedy a frenetically tasty time at the movies.

Synopsis: When hard times hit Swallow Falls, its townspeople can only afford to eat sardines. Flint Lockwood, a failed inventor, thinks he has the answer to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg

Directed By: Christopher Miller, Phil Lord

Critics Consensus: Though its underlying themes are familiar, House of the Devil effectively sheds the loud and gory cliches of contemporary horror to deliver a tense, slowly building throwback to the fright flicks of decades past.

Synopsis: Desperate to make some money so she can move into a new apartment, college student Samantha Hughes takes a mysterious babysitting job. When she arrives... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig

Directed By: Ti West

Critics Consensus: Featuring Patton Oswalt's sympathetic portrayal, Big Fan humorously and effectively captures the dark and lonely world of a sports fanatic.

Synopsis: Paul Aufiero, a parking-garage employee, is a huge fan of the New York Giants. He lives at home with his mother and spends much of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Michael Rapaport

Directed By: Robert D. Siegel

Critics Consensus: Deeply esoteric and unapologetically one-sided, The Art of the Steal proves a documentary doesn't have to make an objective argument as long as it argues well.

Synopsis: This film looks at the controversy surrounding the art collection of Dr. Albert C. Barnes, a millionaire who amassed a remarkable selection of significant works... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Don Argott

Critics Consensus: Dark, thrilling, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying.

Synopsis: As Death Eaters wreak havoc in both Muggle and Wizard worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for students. Though Harry suspects there are... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: David Yates

Critics Consensus: A taut, well-acted political thriller, State of Play overcomes some unsubtle plot twists with an intelligent script and swift direction.

Synopsis: Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is a rising star in Washington; handsome, unflappable and seemingly honorable, he's seen as his party's next presidential nominee. Until,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren

Directed By: Kevin Macdonald

Critics Consensus: Subtle to a fault, this perfectly cast ensemble drama is lifted by typically sharp performances from Robert Duvall and Bill Murray.

Synopsis: When much-feared hermit Felix Bush (Robert Duvall) comes to town with a wad of cash and announces his intention to preside over his own funeral,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, Lucas Black

Directed By: Aaron Schneider

Critics Consensus: Ken Loach's latest is an uplifting, entertaining and amusing socio-drama featuring a match-winning performance from Eric Cantona.

Synopsis: Ever since his wife (Stephanie Bishop) left him, Eric Bishop's (Steve Evets) life has fallen apart. His two teen sons (Lucy-Jo Hudson, Gerard Kearns) have... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve Evets, Éric Cantona, Stephanie Bishop, Lucy-Jo Hudson

Directed By: Ken Loach

Critics Consensus: I Love You, Man makes the most of its simple premise due to the heartfelt and hilarious performances of Paul Rudd and Jason Segel.

Synopsis: As his wedding day approaches, Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) realizes he has no one to act as his best man. Through a series of "man-dates,"... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Jaime Pressly

Directed By: John Hamburg

Critics Consensus: Jane Campion's direction is as refined as her screenplay, and she gets the most out of her cast -- especially Abbie Cornish -- in this understated period drama.

Synopsis: In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw), who lives next... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox

Directed By: Jane Campion

Critics Consensus: This doc about the making of Vogue's biggest issue and its frosty editor-in-chief is fascinating eye candy and light-on-its-feet fun.

Synopsis: Each August, fashion mavens look forward to getting their hands on a copy of Vogue magazine's autumn issue. Filmmaker R.J. Cutler gains unprecedented access to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Oscar de la Renta, Patrick Dempsey, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gaultier

Directed By: R.J. Cutler

Critics Consensus: Raymond De Felitta combines warmth, humanity, and a natural sense of humor, and is abetted by Andy Garcia and an excellent ensemble cast.

Synopsis: Prison guard Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) wants to quit his job to become an actor, but he also needs to make up for lost time... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait, Emily Mortimer

Directed By: Raymond De Felitta

Critics Consensus: A loving and meticulous send-up of 1970s blaxsploitation movies, Black Dynamite is funny enough for the frat house and clever enough for film buffs.

Synopsis: After The Man kills his brother and poisons the neighborhood with tainted liquor, a kung fu fighter (Michael Jai White) wages a war that takes... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Jai White, Kym Whitley, Tommy Davidson, Kevin Chapman

Directed By: Scott Sanders

Critics Consensus: Collapse can't prove its subject's theories, but it poses too many terrifyingly sobering questions to turn away from or ignore.

Synopsis: Independent American reporter Michael Ruppert is the subject of this documentary, which looks at how the ex-police officer managed to predict the massive Wall Street... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Ruppert

Directed By: Chris Smith

Critics Consensus: Pedro Almodovar's fourth film with Penélope Cruz isn't his finest work, but he brings his signature visual brilliance to this noirish tale, and the cast turns in some first-class performances.

Synopsis: The death of Ernesto Martel (José Luis Gómez) sets off a chain of events that forces one man to come to terms with his past.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez

Directed By: Pedro Almodóvar

Critics Consensus: Rich in atmosphere and cunningly told, The Double Hour is a pleasurable puzzle that will keep audiences guessing throughout.

Synopsis: Sonia (Ksenia Rappoport) and ex-cop Guido (Filippo Timi) experience a whirlwind romance after a speed-dating event. While in the countryside, where Guido works at a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Filippo Timi, Kseniya Rappoport, Antonia Truppo, Gaetano Bruno

Directed By: Giuseppe Capotondi

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A happily married man volunteers at his son's school and begins to fall in love with a teacher.

Starring: Vincent Lindon, Sandrine Kiberlain, Aure Atika, Jean-Marc Thibault

Directed By: Stéphane Brizé

Critics Consensus: It might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but Avatar reaffirms James Cameron's singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking.

Synopsis: James Cameron's Academy Award®-winning 2009 epic adventure "Avatar", returns to theaters September 23 in stunning 4K High Dynamic Range. On the lush alien world of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang

Directed By: James Cameron

Critics Consensus: While it may not be the definitive concert film (or the insightful backstage look) some will hope for, Michael Jackson's This Is It packs more than enough entertainment value to live up to its ambitious title.

Synopsis: Prior to his untimely death, Jackson was in the midst of preparing for a series of sold-out concerts that were scheduled to take place in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Jackson, Orianthi, Darryl Phinnessee, Timor Steffens

Directed By: Kenny Ortega

Critics Consensus: It stumbles into melodrama, but I Am Love backs up its flamboyance with tremendous visual style and a marvelous central performance from Tilda Swinton.

Synopsis: At a dinner -- during which her husband, Tancredi (Pippo Delbono), learns that he and his son Edoardo Recchi Jr. (Flavio Parenti) are about to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Alba Rohrwacher

Directed By: Luca Guadagnino

Critics Consensus: The stylish Thirst packs plenty of bloody thrills to satisfy fans of both vampire films and director Chan Wook Park.

Synopsis: Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a respected priest, volunteers for an experimental procedure that may lead to a cure for a deadly virus. He gets infected and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-bin, Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Hae-sook

Directed By: Park Chan-wook

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton), the daughter of a wealthy family, is kidnapped for ransom by two masked men, one of whom is her boyfriend, Danny... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gemma Arterton, Martin Compston, Eddie Marsan

Directed By: J Blakeson

Critics Consensus: Oceans adds another visually stunning chapter to the Disney Nature library.

Synopsis: Most of the Earth's surface is covered by water; using the latest technology, filmmakers Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud set out to explore the underwater... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jacques Perrin, Lancelot Perrin

Directed By: Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud

Critics Consensus: A Town Called Panic is a raucous, endlessly creative animated romp with a quirky, adult sense of humor.

Synopsis: In this animated film, Cowboy (Stéphane Aubier) and Indian (Bruce Ellison) plan to construct a barbecue pit for the birthday of their friend, Horse (Vincent... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Stéphane Aubier, Jeanne Balibar, Nicolas Buysse, Véronique Dumont

Directed By: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar

Critics Consensus: A charismatic turn by star Matt Damon and a consistently ironic tone boost this quietly funny satire about a corporate whistle-blower.

Synopsis: Though a rising star in the ranks of Archer Daniels Midland, Mark Whitacre suddenly exposes a price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, agreeing to wear a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Critics Consensus: Don't expect any musical insights, but this look at John Lennon's early life benefits from its restrained, low-key approach and some fine acting from Aaron Johnson.

Synopsis: A rebellious teenager, future Beatle John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) lives with his Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) in working-class Liverpool, England. Mimi's husband suddenly dies,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Anne-Marie Duff, David Threlfall

Directed By: Sam Taylor-Johnson

Critics Consensus: Though potentially too slowly paced for some, Cairo Time lingers long after the closing credits, largely due to a wonderful performance by Patricia Clarkson.

Synopsis: With some time off from her job as a magazine editor, New Yorker Juliette (Patricia Clarkson) decides to share a holiday with her husband, who... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Patricia Clarkson, Alexander Siddig, Elena Anaya, Tom McCamus

Directed By: Ruba Nadda

Critics Consensus: With a clever script and hilarious interplay among the cast, The Hangover nails just the right tone of raunchy humor, and the non-stop laughs overshadow any flaw.

Synopsis: Two days before his wedding, Doug (Justin Bartha) and three friends (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis) drive to Las Vegas for a wild and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha

Directed By: Todd Phillips

Critics Consensus: Observant and insightful, this indie comedy takes a different tack on the "bromance" but still makes a point without sermonizing.

Synopsis: Two college buddies reunite after a decade apart. Ben (Mark Duplass) is married and planning to start a family; Andrew (Joshua Leonard), a free spirit,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, Alycia Delmore, Lynn Shelton

Directed By: Lynn Shelton

Critics Consensus: Though it occasionally veers into unnecessary melodrama, Mother and Child benefits from a stellar cast and writer-director Rodrigo Garcia's finely detailed, bravely unsentimental script.

Synopsis: The lives of three women have a commonality: adoption. Karen (Annette Bening) is a physical therapist who regrets that, as a teenager, she gave up... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Jimmy Smits

Directed By: Rodrigo Garcia

Critics Consensus: Triangle sails into some strange waters, but this intelligent, well-acted horror outing anchors its idiosyncrasies in a satisfyingly scary story.

Synopsis: Yacht passengers encounter mysterious weather conditions that force them to jump onto another ship, only to have the odd havoc increase.

Starring: Melissa George, Liam Hemsworth, Rachael Carpani, Emma Lung

Directed By: Christopher Smith

Critics Consensus: Built around a singularly unpleasant main character, Solitary Man needed a flawless central performance to succeed -- and Michael Douglas delivers.

Synopsis: A series of bad decisions upends car dealer Ben Kalmen's business, his wandering eye costs him his marriage to Nancy, and he has to relocate... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Douglas, Mary-Louise Parker, Jenna Fischer, Jesse Eisenberg

Directed By: Brian Koppelman, David Levien

Critics Consensus: Claudia Llosa's deliberate pace and abstract storytelling may frustrate some viewers, but there's no denying the visual pleasures soaking in The Milk of Sorrow.

Synopsis: A woman suffers from a rare disease.

Starring: Magaly Solier, Susi Sánchez, Efraín Solís, Marino Ballón

Directed By: Claudia Llosa

Critics Consensus: Boosted by Meryl Streep's charismatic performance as Julia Child, Julie and Julia is a light, but fairly entertaining culinary comedy.

Synopsis: Frustrated with a soul-killing job, New Yorker Julie Powell (Amy Adams) embarks on a daring project: she vows to prepare all 524 recipes in Julia... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina

Directed By: Nora Ephron

Critics Consensus: Smart, well-acted, and unsettling, Heartless marks a mostly satisfying return to genre thrills for writer-director Philip Ridley.

Synopsis: Jamie Morgan, who was born with a heart-shaped birthmark on his face, discovers demons on the streets of East London.

Starring: Jim Sturgess, Noel Clarke, Timothy Spall, Clémence Poésy

Directed By: Philip Ridley

Critics Consensus: Delivered with typically stately precision by director Clint Eastwood, Invictus may not be rousing enough for some viewers, but Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman inhabit their real-life characters with admirable conviction.

Synopsis: Following the fall of apartheid, newly elected President Nelson Mandela faces a South Africa that is racially and economically divided. Believing he can unite his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng

Directed By: Clint Eastwood

Critics Consensus: Emily Blunt shines as Victoria in this romantic but plodding royal portrait.

Synopsis: As the only legitimate heir of England's King William, teenage Victoria (Emily Blunt) gets caught up in the political machinations of her own family. Victoria's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson

Directed By: Jean-Marc Vallée

Critics Consensus: An intriguingly unusual ghost story, Conor McPherson's Eclipse blends supernatural suspense with romance to create a satisfying, character-driven whole.

Synopsis: Michael Farr (Ciarán Hinds), a widowed teacher living in an Irish seaside town, believes he has been seeing ghosts. Shaken but unsure, he volunteers at... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ciarán Hinds, Aidan Quinn, Iben Hjejle, Jim Norton

Directed By: Conor McPherson

Critics Consensus: Oliver Hirschbiegel's dramatic take on "The Troubles" is an actor's showcase -- and Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt are more than up to the challenge.

Synopsis: In the 1970s Northern Ireland, young Joe Griffin watches in horror as the teenage leader of a UVF cell shoots Joe's brother dead. Thirty years... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt, Anamaria Marinca, Conor MacNeill

Directed By: Oliver Hirschbiegel