Extract's language and plot detract from its few fine moments
District 9 succeeds as metaphor more than as smash-em-up action film
Gorgeous animation, wonderful characters highlight Ponyo
Film has colorful flourishes but wastes its talented cast
Jews take on Nazis in ultraviolent revenge fantasy
Charylne Yi's film, like her film persona, is painfully awkward
Meryl Streep's grand depiction of cooking icon Child dominates Julie and Julia
This box office takes all the action out of action figures
Cold Souls probes human existence-and makes it fun
