The Spiderwick Chronicles

A well-crafted family thriller that is truly scary and doesn't wimp out.Read Full Review »

The film underscores the power of reading, and applying what we read to problem-solving. The story suggests that we don't really see the natural world around us, and if we did our lives, like Jared's and his siblings', would be immeasurably richer.Read Full Review »

Not great fantasy, but it's on more solid ground than "The Golden Compass" and will seem less baffling to some. There's enough here to keep adults engaged, which is an important component of any motion picture that wants to be known as "family entertainment."Read Full Review »

Suffers slightly from that not-so-fresh feeling.Read Full Review »

A decent entertainment -- not up there with the "Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings" sagas, but a notch above "The Golden Compass" and "Narnia."Read Full Review »

The movie's richly autumnal look is by swift turns cozily naturalistic and terrifyingly baroque, and director Mark Waters (Freaky Friday, Mean Girls) sustains the balance between real and surreal with mischievous brio.Read Full Review »

Spiderwick is set in the present, but goes for an overall design look of dainty, cozy, William Morris-y arts-andcraftiness.Read Full Review »

We're supposed to be agog at the fantastical creatures and dazzling special effects. But the more wrenching story of disillusioned children nags in the background, distracting from any enchantment.Read Full Review »

It's a good movie for its type, but it rarely stops to let us marvel at the world it creates.Read Full Review »

For the uninitiated? Man, it's a bummer.Read Full Review »