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I did not sense any mockery of marriage itself, but rather the many ways people abuse the institution of marriage, defying its fundamental principles by marrying and divorcing for their own gain. By the end of the movie, we have come to see that the only kind of meaningful marriage is the one in which two people have no regard for their possessions or their financial security, but can think only of sharing their lives with the other. My review is at Looking Closer.

Taking the same stance, Loren Eaton (Focus on the Family's Plugged In) says, "The film ultimately elevates marriage by showing that love—true, faithful, marital love—is not only desirable, but can survive the most damaging circumstances given a strong commitment by both parties. Add hilarious performances … [and] a quirky, idiosyncratic script that zings you with laughter one moment and yanks your heartstrings the next, and you've got nothing short of an excellent film." Still, he warns parents that "rating-pushing profanity and frequent sexual antics" make it inappropriate family viewing.

J. Robert Parks (Phantom Tollbooth) testifies, "I knew I had surrendered to Intolerable Cruelty's disdainful tone when at an outdoor wedding, a priest strolled up the aisle, acoustic guitar in hand, singing a ridiculous folk song. In one hilarious 10-second shot, the Coen brothers skewer everything false about Hollywood weddings." He goes on to praise Clooney's work and the "spectacular" cinematography of Roger Deakins.

The majority of mainstream critics are impressed, but few argue that this stands alongside the best films of the Coen Brothers.

Good Boy! Good movie?

When 12-year-old Owen Baker discovers that his newly adopted dog Hubble is in fact a talking dog from outer space, it is just the first of many alarming discoveries. Soon, he is listening as Hubble talks with the other neighborhood dogs about how soon all dogs will soon be sent home to their home star, Sirius, by their commander-in-chief, the Greater Dane, unless they can prove to her that dogs have done their jobs and taken charge of Planet Earth.

Good Boy! is winning praise from critics on the lookout for entertaining family films. Holly McClure (Crosswalk) says, "This is a kid-friendly movie that will delight the younger ones and appeal to those who don't think they are 'too cool' to see a movie about man's best friend."

Steven D. Greydanus (Decent Films) calls it "basically harmless but uninspired" and concludes that it "will leave viewers essentially none the worse for wear but no better either."

Bob Wasilewski (Plugged In) says it "sends out all the right messages about family, friendship, sacrifice, bonding with a pet, loyalty and doing the right thing."

Movieguide calls it "a warm-hearted, funny film that will probably delight the whole family. It celebrates the joys of owning a dog, one of the great pleasures in life [with which] God has blessed His children." But the critic adds two cautions—one, that the film's "worldview" is "slightly spoiled by a couple New Age references to meditation and mental exercises"; and two, that it suggests one of the dogs might have homosexual owners.

Critics can't bury House of the Dead fast enough

The year's latest dumb, derivative horror flick, House of the Dead, earns nothing but scorn from Bob Smithouser (Plugged In). Smithouser writes, "It's hard to know which is worse in House of the Dead, the cartoonish dialogue, the actors saddled with it … or the cheesy makeup and special effects. [The filmmakers] know what the target audience for a low-budget zombie horror film wants: Sex, alcohol and mindless violence. And they give it to them."

Next week: Another John Grisham tale reaches the screen—Runaway Jury.

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October (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47