Broken Embraces

Not his best film, but a very enjoyable experience and head and shoulders above most of the films Hollywood craps out. Broken Embraces is visually and aurally stunning, well-acted, and, in typical Almodovar fashion, effuses an enormous love for movies and moviemaking. A film lovers filmmaker.

And then there’s Penelope Cruz. In her Hollywood films, she is merely cute, an inconsequential actress making inconsequential films. But with Almodovar, and most specifically with his last two films, Volver and Broken Embraces, Cruz has been inducted into the pantheon of luminous European actresses.

Score: 78%

Ponyo

Ponyo, like all of Miyazaki's films, is beautifully drawn and visually impressive. But where the animated artwork soars, the script is the anchor tied to its legs, pulling it back down to earth. This is one of his more kid-friendly films, and children will undoubtedly love it. But for adults and fans of Miyazaki, this is a lesser work that could have used a few more rewrites to tighten up the story.

Score: 65%

The Beaches of Agnes

Score: 84%