Betsy Pickle

• Review: 'Man on a Ledge' may be far-fetched, but at least it's fun Published 01/26/2012 at 1:30 p.m.

  "Man on a Ledge" definitely won't be accused of false advertising. The bulk of the movie actually focuses on a man on a ledge.

• Review: Young newcomer Thomas Horn helps elevate mixed 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close' Published 01/19/2012 at 2:58 p.m.

  "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" is a puzzle — or perhaps two. Half the pieces fit in a perceptive, engaging one, and the rest fit in the maudlin other.

• Review: 'The Iron Lady' offers a human perspective on a political life Published 01/12/2012 at 6:38 p.m.

  As a Meryl Streep showcase and a well-crafted film, "The Iron Lady" wins handily. As a defense or criticism of policy and a historical snapshot, its achievements are far less substantive.

• Review: Cerebral spy thriller 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' never lags on intensity Published 01/05/2012 at 3:12 p.m.

  As spy thrillers go, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is the polar opposite of "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol." But there's room in the movie world for both kinds of films.

• Review: 'Adventures of Tintin' impresses with action, animation Published 12/21/2011 at 11:20 a.m.

  If the 3D animated film "The Adventures of Tintin" reminds you of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," it's no coincidence. Steven Spielberg, director of "Raiders" and its sequels, also directed the long-awaited "Tintin" film, and the title character seems very ...

• Review: A searing Rooney Mara saves the familiar 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Published 12/20/2011 at 10:02 a.m.

  The American big-screen take on the worldwide phenomenon of Swedish-novel-turned-film "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" can't help but have a sense of déjà vu.

• Southeastern film critics name 'Descendants' year's top film Published 12/19/2011 at 4:05 p.m.

  The Southeastern Film Critics Association traveled far from home for its selection of the Best Film of 2011. “The Descendants,” director Alexander Payne’s quirky drama about trouble in paradise – i.e. Hawaii – took the group’s top honor, while star ...

• Review: 'Like Crazy' realistically captures love's myriad complications Published 12/08/2011 at 11:33 a.m.

  Early in "Like Crazy," the female lead leaves the male lead a long note declaring her interest in him, ending with "Please don't think I'm a nutcase."

• Review: Erratic 'Muppets' amiable enough Published 11/22/2011 at 3:13 p.m.

  It's obvious the makers of "The Muppets" adore and respect the Muppets, everyone's favorite fabric TV stars. They incorporate iconic Muppet humor, celebrate Muppet values and try to give every beloved puppet a little face time.

• Review: Secondary players keep 'Tower Heist' standing Published 11/03/2011 at 5:35 p.m.

  It's no "Ocean's Eleven," but "Tower Heist" is moderately successful in the lightly comic crime-adventure genre. It earns points by making the villain a Bernie Madoff clone whose arrogance would add fuel to the fire of any "Occupy" participant taking ...

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