Un Prophete (A Prophet), Jacques Audiard, 2009

A sweeping and fully realized prison saga, Un Prophete is Audiard's best film to date by some margin. Tahir Rahim's Malik El Djebena has definite echoes of Henry Hill, and, like Scorsese's protagonist, is that rare character that seems to authentically evolve on screen.

The Kids Are All Right, Lisa Cholodenko, 2010

Lisa Cholodenko's latest film is, on its face, a solid but unremarkable film. That it, much like the director's previous work, is a witty, approachable, sexy, and well-acted film for adults, however, might just be remarkable enough.

The Ghost Writer, Roman Polanski, 2010

Polanski's latest is an unfussy, efficient, and effective mystery. Much like Brad Anderson and his similarly classicist Transsiberian, Polanski draws from Hitchcock, Reed, et al to create an eminently watchable yarn.

RIP - Patricia Neal (1926-2010)

Life During Wartime, Todd Solondz, 2009

Solondz's farcical pervert dystopia is a ridiculous and worthless invention, as the director's supposed cultural criticism lacks any semblance of wit, nuance, or ingenuity