Movie_NN1 Magic_NN1 :_: When_RRQ Bigger_JJR Is_VBZ Better_JJR In_II 2008_MC ,_, Wall_NP1 Street_NNL1 was_VBDZ wounded_VVN ,_, Detroit_NP1 was_VBDZ roadkill_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Hollywood_NP1 kept_VVD cruising_VVG along_RP ._. 
Despite_II a_AT1 100-day_JJ writers_NN2 '_GE strike_NN1 that_CST postponed_VVD the_AT release_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 few_DA2 big_JJ titles_NN2 to_II 2009_MC ,_, and_CC the_AT usual_JJ quadrennial_JJ dip_NN1 in_II attendance_NN1 as_CSA some_DD Americans_NN2 stayed_VVD home_RL to_TO watch_VVI the_AT Summer_NNT1 Olympics_NN2 and_CC follow_VVI the_AT presidential_JJ campaign_NN1 ,_, the_AT movie_NN1 industry_NN1 weathered_VVD the_AT recession_NN1 ,_, finishing_VVG the_AT year_NNT1 close_RR to_II 2007_MC 's_VBZ $9.7_NNU billion_NNO take_NN1 in_II domestic_JJ (_( North_NP1 American_JJ )_) theaters_NN2 ._. 
The_AT number_NN1 of_IO tickets_NN2 sold_VVN ,_, about_RG 1.33_MC billion_NNO ,_, was_VBDZ the_AT lowest_RRT since_II 1996_MC ,_, but_CCB Hollywood_NP1 wo_VM n't_XX need_VVI a_AT1 bailout_NN1 as_CS31 long_CS32 as_CS33 the_AT average_JJ ticket_NN1 price_NN1 keeps_VVZ inching_VVG up_RP ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ now_RT about_RG $7_NNU ,_, which_DDQ ,_, all_DB things_NN2 considered_VVN ,_, still_RR makes_VVZ the_AT movies_NN2 a_AT1 fairly_RR cheap_JJ night_NNT1 out_RP ._. 
But_CCB what_DDQ are_VBR moviegoers_NN2 going_VVG out_RP to_TO see_VVI ?_? 
There_EX are_VBR really_RR two_MC Hollywoods_NP2 :_: the_AT one_MC1 that_CST covets_VVZ box-office_JJ gold_NN1 11_MC months_NNT2 of_IO the_AT year_NNT1 and_CC the_AT one_PN1 that_CST in_II December_NPM1 dreams_NN2 of_IO gold-plated_JJ statuettes_NN2 for_IF its_APPGE trophy_NN1 case_NN1 ._. 
Christmas_NNT1 week_NNT1 saw_VVD the_AT releases_NN2 of_IO films_NN2 meant_VVD to_TO bridge_VVI that_DD1 gap_NN1 --_NN1 including_II The_AT Curious_JJ Case_NN1 of_IO Benjamin_NP1 Button_NN1 ,_, with_IW Brad_NP1 Pitt_NP1 as_II a_AT1 man_NN1 who_PNQS ages_VVZ in_II reverse_NN1 ,_, and_CC Revolutionary_JJ Road_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 domestic_JJ drama_NN1 starring_VVG Leonardo_NP1 DiCaprio_NP1 and_CC Kate_NP1 Winslet_NP1 ._. 
And_CC this_DD1 is_VBZ the_AT seaso_NN1 --_NN1 as_CSA industry_NN1 accountants_NN2 tot_VV0 up_RP the_AT past_JJ year_NNT1 's_GE champs_NN2 and_CC chumps_VVZ while_CS critics_NN2 pass_VV0 out_RP scrolls_NN2 to_II their_APPGE preferred_JJ films_NN2 --_JJ to_TO bridge_VVI another_DD1 gap_NN1 ,_, taking_VVG stock_NN1 of_IO the_AT state_NN1 of_IO the_AT art_NN1 alongside_II the_AT state_NN1 of_IO the_AT biz_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY may_VM ask_VVI what_DDQ film_NN1 criticism_NN1 has_VHZ to_TO do_VDI with_IW box-office_JJ tallies_NN2 ._. 
Who_PNQS cares_VVZ if_CS a_AT1 film_NN1 plays_VVZ to_II just_RR a_AT1 thin_JJ crowd_NN1 of_IO the_AT cognoscenti_NN2 ,_, so_RG long_RR as_CSA it_PPH1 makes_VVZ a_AT1 fresh_JJ statement_NN1 about_II life_NN1 in_II a_AT1 vivid_JJ visual_JJ language_NN1 ?_? 
The_AT answer_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST in_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 a_AT1 movie_NN1 's_GE popularity_NN1 has_VHZ become_VVN a_AT1 decent_JJ indicator_NN1 ,_, not_XX just_RR of_IO its_APPGE entertainment_NN1 value_NN1 but_CCB also_RR of_IO its_APPGE quality_NN1 ._. 
(_( And_CC with_IW box-office_JJ earnings_NN2 regularly_RR reported_VVN ,_, audiences_NN2 take_VV0 note_NN1 ._. )_) 
Indie_NN1 films_NN2 have_VH0 grown_VVN stagnant_JJ and_CC flaccid_JJ ,_, while_CS the_AT blockbusters_NN2 have_VH0 gotten_VVN smarter_JJR ,_, mixing_VVG storytelling_NN1 craft_NN1 with_IW nifty_JJ effects_NN2 work_VV0 by_II the_AT most_RGT imaginative_JJ people_NN around_II --_NN1 the_AT F/X_ZZ1 technicians_NN2 ,_, cinematographers_NN2 and_CC second-unit_JJ directors_NN2 --_NN1 who_PNQS push_VV0 their_APPGE movies_NN2 '_GE visions_NN2 further_RRR ._. 
To_TO put_VVI it_PPH1 baldly_RR ,_, action_NN1 films_NN2 are_VBR where_CS the_AT art_NN1 is_VBZ ._. 
Bigger_JJR is_VBZ better_JJR ._. 
The_AT Year_NNT1 in_II Hits_NN2 and_CC Misses_VVZ No_AT surprise_NN1 :_: The_AT big_JJ hits_NN2 of_IO 2008_MC were_VBDR action_NN1 films_NN2 and_CC animated_JJ features_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Dark_JJ Knight_NP1 ,_, Iron_NN1 Man_NN1 ,_, Indiana_NP1 Jones_NP1 and_CC the_AT Kingdom_NN1 of_IO the_AT Crystal_NN1 Skull_NN1 and_CC Hancock_NP1 copped_VVD the_AT top_NN1 four_MC slots_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT James_NP1 Bond_NP1 Quantum_NN1 of_IO Solace_NP1 was_VBDZ ninth_MD ._. 
WALLE_NP1 ,_, Kung_NN121 Fu_NN122 Panda_NN1 ,_, Madagascar_NP1 :_: Escape_VV0 2_MC Africa_NP1 and_CC Dr._NNB Seuss_NP1 '_GE Horton_NP1 Hears_VVZ a_AT1 Who_NP1 !_! all_RR made_VVD the_AT list_NN1 ._. 
The_AT only_JJ wild_JJ card_NN1 was_VBDZ No._NN1 8_MC ,_, the_AT teen_NN1 vampire_NN1 romance_NN1 Twilight_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ also_RR by_RR21 far_RR22 the_AT cheapest_JJT to_TO make_VVI ,_, at_II $37_NNU million_NNO :_: the_AT budgets_NN2 for_IF the_AT other_JJ pictures_NN2 in_II the_AT Top_NN1 10_MC averaged_VVD about_RG $150_NNU million_NNO ._. 
Most_DAT consoling_JJ for_IF American_JJ moguls_NN2 ,_, all_RR21 but_RR22 the_AT Bond_NP1 film_NN1 were_VBDR U.S._NP1 movies_NN2 ._. 
And_CC they_PPHS2 extended_VVD their_APPGE domination_NN1 around_II the_AT globe_NN1 ._. 
Except_II21 for_II22 Mamma_NN1 Mia_NP1 !_! and_CC The_AT Chronicles_NN2 of_IO Narnia_NP1 :_: Prince_NNB Caspian_NP1 replacing_VVG Twilight_NN1 and_CC Horton_NP1 ,_, the_AT worldwide_JJ box-office_JJ list_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT same_DA ._. 
(_( If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR wondering_VVG ,_, ladies_NN2 ,_, Sex_NN1 and_CC the_AT City_NN1 finished_VVD 11th_MD on_II both_DB2 charts_NN2 ._. )_) 
This_DD1 is_VBZ one_MC1 American_JJ business_NN1 that_CST need_VM n't_XX worry_VVI about_II foreign_JJ incursions_NN2 ._. 
In_II movies_NN2 ,_, Hollywood_NP1 rules_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 year_NNT1 the_AT box-office_JJ king_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 knight_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Batman_NP1 drama_NN1 ,_, spurred_VVN by_II the_AT performance_NN1 ,_, and_CC untimely_JJ death_NN1 ,_, of_IO Heath_NP1 Ledger_NP1 ,_, raked_VVD in_RP just_RR21 about_RR22 a_AT1 billion_NNO dollars_NNU2 worldwide_RL ,_, including_II $530.8_NNU million_NNO in_II North_ND1 America_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 now_RT trails_VVZ only_JJ Titanic_NP1 on_II the_AT all-time_JJ domestic_JJ list_NN1 ._. 
(_( Admittedly_RR ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ in_II today_RT 's_GE puny_JJ dollars_NNU2 ._. 
Adjusted_VVN for_IF inflation_NN1 ,_, The_AT Dark_JJ Knight_NN1 would_VM n't_XX crack_VVI the_AT all-time_JJ Top_NN1 25_MC ._. )_) 
So_RR you_PPY can_VM expect_VVI ever_RR more_DAR action_NN1 films_NN2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 a_AT1 bunch_NN1 of_IO snazzy_JJ CGI_NP1 cartoons_NN2 ._. 
Also_RR Judd_NP1 Apatow_NP1 --_NN1 sponsored_VVD raunchy_JJ comedies_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ have_VH0 proved_VVN an_AT1 excellent_JJ return_NN1 on_II investment_NN1 ._. 
And_CC dog_NN1 movies_NN2 ._. 
With_IW Bolt_NN1 hitting_VVG $100_NNU million_NNO ,_, Beverly_NP1 Hills_NNL2 Chihuahua_NP1 not_XX far_RR behind_RL and_CC Marley_NP1 &;_NULL Me_PPIO1 breaking_VVG the_AT box-office_JJ record_NN1 for_IF Christmas_NNT1 Day_NNT1 ,_, Hollywood_NP1 is_VBZ sure_JJ to_TO start_VVI up_RP remakes_NN2 of_IO Old_JJ Yeller_NN1 ,_, Turner_NP1 &;_NULL Hooch_NP1 ,_, Beethoven_NP1 and_CC possibly_RR Cujo_NP1 ._. 
What_DDQ did_VDD n't_XX seize_VVI the_AT mass-movie_JJ audience_NN1 was_VBDZ American_JJ independent_JJ films_NN2 ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO years_NNT2 ,_, a_AT1 few_DA2 indie_NN1 movies_NN2 --_NN1 spurred_VVN by_II critics_NN2 '_GE raves_NN2 ,_, Oscar_NP1 nominations_NN2 and_CC old-fashioned_JJ word_NN1 of_IO mouth_NN1 --_NN1 earned_VVD robust_JJ box-office_JJ results_NN2 :_: Little_RR Miss_NNB Sunshine_NP1 ,_, No_AT Country_NN1 for_IF Old_JJ Men_NN2 and_CC ,_, most_RGT remarkably_RR ,_, Juno_NP1 ,_, the_AT teen-pregnancy_JJ comedy_NN1 that_CST ,_, on_II a_AT1 $7.5_NNU million_NNO budget_NN1 ,_, outgrossed_VVD such_DA pricey_JJ ,_, massively_RR promoted_VVN (_( and_CC popular_JJ )_) superproductions_NN2 as_CSA Prince_NNB Caspian_NP1 and_CC The_AT Incredible_JJ Hulk_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB recently_RR ,_, relatively_RR ,_, nothing_PN1 ._. 
Aside_II21 from_II22 low-budget_JJ horror_NN1 movies_NN2 (_( Saw_NN1 V_ZZ1 ,_, The_AT Strangers_NN2 )_) and_CC stoner_NN1 comedies_NN2 (_( Harold_NP1 &;_NULL Kumar_NP1 Escape_NN1 from_II Guantanamo_NP1 Bay_NN1 )_) ,_, the_AT top-grossing_JJ American_JJ independent_JJ picture_NN1 of_IO 2008_MC was_VBDZ the_AT redemption_NN1 drama_NN1 Fireproof_NP1 ,_, made_VVN for_IF a_AT1 minuscule_JJ $500,000_NNU and_CC amassing_VVG the_AT elusive_JJ Christian_JJ Fundamentalist_JJ movie_NN1 bloc_NN1 to_TO earn_VVI $33_NNU million_NNO ._. 
The_AT next_MD most_RGT popular_JJ indie_NN1 film_NN1 was_VBDZ Fireproof_NP1 's_VBZ opposite_JJ :_: the_AT Bill_NP1 Maher_NP1 anti-God_JJ docucomedy_NN1 Religulous_NP1 ,_, at_II $13_NNU million_NNO ._. 
These_DD2 two_MC films_NN2 succeeded_VVN by_II playing_VVG to_II their_APPGE bases_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB audiences_NN2 connected_VVN hardly_RR at_II all_DB with_IW the_AT traditional_JJ indie_NN1 movie_NN1 of_IO the_AT Sundance_NP1 type_NN1 :_: the_AT drama_NN1 or_CC comedy_NN1 whose_DDQGE microscopic_JJ ,_, sensitively_RR acted_VVN take_VV0 on_RP modern_JJ life_NN1 manages_VVZ to_TO strike_VVI chords_NN2 with_IW the_AT larger_JJR group_NN1 of_IO ,_, so_RR to_TO speak_VVI ,_, unaffiliated_JJ voters_NN2 ._. 
A_ZZ1 critics_NN2 '_GE fave_NN1 like_II The_AT Visitor_NN1 could_VM n't_XX graze_VVI the_AT $10_NNU million_NNO box-office_JJ ceiling_NN1 ._. 
Rachel_NP1 Getting_VVG Married_VVN ,_, bedecked_VVN with_IW year-end_JJ awards_NN2 for_IF actress_NN1 (_( Anne_NP1 Hathaway_NP1 )_) ,_, supporting_JJ actress_NN1 (_( Rosemarie_NP1 DeWitt_NP1 )_) and_CC screenplay_NN1 (_( Jenny_NP1 Lumet_NP1 )_) ,_, just_RR sneaked_VVD over_II the_AT $10_NNU million_NNO mark_NN1 ._. 
If_CS 2008_MC proved_VVD anything_PN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ that_CST the_AT action_NN1 film_NN1 --_NN1 with_IW hits_NN2 like_II Iron_NN1 Man_NN1 ,_, Wanted_VVN and_CC The_AT Dark_JJ Knight_NP1 and_CC the_AT underperforming_NN1 but_CCB exhilarating_JJ Speed_NN1 Racer_NP1 --_NN1 is_VBZ where_RRQ most_DAT of_IO the_AT talent_NN1 has_VHZ gone_VVN :_: into_II the_AT technique_NN1 and_CC technology_NN1 of_IO pure_JJ moviemaking_NN1 ,_, of_IO getting_VVG the_AT viewer_NN1 's_GE blood_NN1 racing_VVG by_II making_VVG worlds_NN2 collide_VVI ._. 
Even_RR soso_NN1 action_NN1 pictures_VVZ --_JJ Indiana_NP1 Jones_NP1 ,_, The_AT Incredible_JJ Hulk_NN1 ,_, Death_NN1 Race_NN1 --_NN1 interrupt_VV0 their_APPGE attitudinizing_NN1 with_IW set_NN1 pieces_NN2 that_CST are_VBR figuratively_RR or_CC literally_RR dynamite_VV0 ._. 
They_PPHS2 're_VBR like_II an_AT1 old_JJ Astaire-Rogers_NP1 movie_NN1 that_CST comes_VVZ to_II soaring_JJ life_NN1 when_CS the_AT couple_NN1 starts_VVZ dancing_NN1 ._. 
In_II Iron_NN1 Man_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ way_RR smarter_JJR than_CSN it_PPH1 had_VHD any_DD need_NN1 to_TO be_VBI ,_, director_NN1 Jon_NP1 Favreau_NP1 showed_VVD a_AT1 subtle_JJ sense_NN1 of_IO where_RRQ to_TO lead_VVI the_AT camera_NN1 and_CC the_AT audience_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 guided_VVD his_APPGE talented_JJ cast_NN1 ,_, while_CS the_AT stuntmen_NN2 and_CC CGI_NP1 wizards_NN2 got_VVD the_AT movie_NN1 to_TO pop_VVI for_IF the_AT kids_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ teamwork_NN1 ,_, group_NN1 art_NN1 ,_, of_IO a_AT1 high_JJ order_NN1 ._. 
Fusing_VVG all_DB these_DD2 elements_NN2 fulfills_VVZ the_AT original_JJ definition_NN1 of_IO the_AT medium_NN1 :_: to_TO make_VVI cinema_NN1 kinetic_JJ --_NN1 to_TO make_VVI movies_NN2 move_VVI ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ Peter_NP1 Jackson_NP1 did_VDD with_IW his_APPGE Lord_NN1 of_IO the_AT Rings_NN2 trilogy_NN1 and_CC ,_, to_II a_AT1 lesser_JJ extent_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ the_AT crew_NN1 of_IO the_AT later_JJR Harry_NP1 Potter_NP1 films_NN2 has_VHZ achieved_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ what_DDQ Christopher_NP1 Nolan_NP1 has_VHZ squeezed_VVN into_II his_APPGE Batman_NP1 movies_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Dark_JJ Knight_NN1 may_VM have_VHI six_MC too_RG many_DA2 subplots_NN2 ,_, but_CCB you_PPY ca_VM n't_XX say_VVI this_DD1 212-hr._JJ morality_NN1 play_NN1 has_VHZ nothing_PN1 on_II its_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 very_RG thinky_JJ action_NN1 film_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT tonic_NN1 aspects_NN2 of_IO the_AT new_JJ action_NN1 genre_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST writers_NN2 and_CC directors_NN2 have_VH0 taken_VVN their_APPGE big_JJ budgets_NN2 as_II a_AT1 license_NN1 to_TO innovate_VVI ._. 
Perhaps_RR they_PPHS2 've_VH0 been_VBN inspired_VVN by_II the_AT dense_JJ ,_, ambitious_JJ plots_NN2 of_IO modern_JJ graphic_JJ novels_NN2 (_( though_CS Frank_NP1 Miller_NP1 's_GE film_NN1 of_IO The_AT Spirit_NN1 ,_, based_VVN on_II the_AT 1940s_MC2 comic_JJ book_NN1 by_II graphic-novel_JJ creator_NN1 Will_NP1 Eisner_NP1 ,_, somehow_RR contrives_VVZ to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 risible_JJ botch_NN1 )_) ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 tendency_NN1 that_CST stretches_VVZ from_II Hollywood_NP1 to_II distant_JJ movie_NN1 capitals_NN2 ._. 
In_II Paris_NP1 ,_, Luc_NP1 Besson_NP1 has_VHZ been_VBN producing_VVG turbocharged_JJ action_NN1 movies_NN2 like_II the_AT Transporter_NP1 series_NN with_IW Jason_NP1 Statham_NP1 ._. 
Timur_VV0 Bekmambetov_NP1 ,_, from_II Kazakhstan_NP1 ,_, made_VVD two_MC wildly_RR imaginative_JJ Russian_JJ sci-fi_NN1 thrillers_NN2 ,_, Night_NNT1 Watch_NN1 and_CC Day_NP1 Watch_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 went_VVD west_ND1 ,_, linked_VVN his_APPGE hallucinogenic_JJ eye_NN1 to_II the_AT narrative_JJ drive_NN1 of_IO the_AT Mark_NP1 Millar_NP1 comic_JJ book_NN1 Wanted_VVN and_CC fashioned_VVN a_AT1 clever_JJ ,_, bustling_JJ summer_NNT1 hit_VVD ._. 
Like_II the_AT sharpest_JJT American_JJ action_NN1 auteurs_NN2 ,_, Bekmambetov_NP1 knows_VVZ his_APPGE audience_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 desire_NN1 beyond_II "_" Blow_NN1 stuff_NN1 up_RP ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ "_" And_CC while_CS you_PPY 're_VBR at_II it_PPH1 ,_, blow_VV0 my_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT Little_JJ Movies_NN2 That_CST Could_VM n't_XX So_RR machine_VVI art_NN1 is_VBZ here_RL to_TO stay_VVI ._. 
Is_VBZ handmade_JJ art_NN1 on_II the_AT wane_NN1 ?_? 
It_PPH1 might_VM seem_VVI so_RR ,_, if_CS Rachel_NP1 Getting_VVG Married_VVN is_VBZ the_AT standard_NN1 bearer_NN1 ._. 
Like_II Mike_NP1 Leigh_NP1 's_GE lauded_JJ English_JJ film_NN1 Happy-Go-Lucky_JJ ,_, Jonathan_NP1 Demme_NP1 's_GE Rachel_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 stern_JJ test_NN1 of_IO the_AT audience_NN1 's_GE indulgence_NN1 for_IF an_AT1 extreme_JJ personality_NN1 --_NN1 not_XX Leigh_NP1 's_GE cockeyed_JJ optimist_NN1 but_CCB noisome_JJ Kym_NN1 (_( Hathaway_NP1 )_) ,_, on_II parole_NN1 from_II a_AT1 rehab_NN1 center_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS has_VHZ a_AT1 gift_NN1 for_IF ruining_VVG everybody_PN1 's_GE day_NNT1 ,_, especially_RR the_AT wedding_NN1 day_NNT1 of_IO her_APPGE sister_NN1 Rachel_NP1 (_( DeWitt_NP1 )_) ._. 
Studiously_RR slapdash_VV0 ,_, the_AT film_NN1 wants_VVZ you_PPY to_TO see_VVI Kym_NP1 's_GE destructive_JJ nature_NN1 while_CS understanding_VVG her_APPGE desperate_JJ needs_NN2 ._. 
Cuddling_VVG up_RP with_IW a_AT1 python_NN1 would_VM be_VBI more_RGR fun_JJ ._. 
As_II21 for_II22 Kym_NP1 's_GE large_JJ ,_, weird_JJ family_NN1 ,_, convened_VVN for_IF a_AT1 big_JJ event_NN1 :_: Did_VDD n't_XX we_PPIS2 get_VVI enough_DD of_IO that_DD1 when_CS we_PPIS2 went_VVD home_RL for_IF the_AT holidays_NN2 ?_? 
Some_DD viewers_NN2 have_VH0 responded_VVN warmly_RR to_II the_AT Rachel_NP1 menagerie_NN1 ,_, and_CC we_PPIS2 're_VBR not_XX quarreling_VVG with_IW them_PPHO2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 're_VBR just_RR saying_VVG there_EX 's_VBZ no_AT artistic_JJ challenge_NN1 Demme_NN1 offers_VVZ his_APPGE audience_NN1 ,_, apart_II21 from_II22 choosing_VVG whether_CSW to_TO sympathize_VVI with_IW the_AT film_NN1 's_GE protagonist_NN1 or_CC reject_VV0 her_PPHO1 ._. 
And_CC with_IW indie_NN1 films_NN2 ,_, the_AT choice_NN1 is_VBZ usually_RR premade_JJ ,_, in_II stories_NN2 about_II outsiders_NN2 triumphing_VVG over_II propriety_NN1 or_CC being_VBG crushed_VVN by_II the_AT system_NN1 ._. 
The_AT former_DA is_VBZ the_AT case_NN1 in_II Thomas_NP1 McCarthy_NP1 's_GE The_AT Visitor_NN1 ,_, with_IW the_AT nicely_RR reticent_JJ Richard_NP1 Jenkins_NP1 as_II an_AT1 isolate_NN1 who_PNQS lets_VVZ some_DD improbable_JJ strangers_NN2 into_II his_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 slow_JJ ,_, amiable_JJ film_NN1 boasting_VVG fine_JJ performances_NN2 ,_, but_CCB if_CS you_PPY ca_VM n't_XX predict_VVI every_AT1 plot_NN1 twist_NN1 ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR just_RR not_XX paying_VVG attention_NN1 ._. 
Writer-director_JJ Kelly_NP1 Reichardt_NP1 takes_VVZ the_AT bummer_NN1 route_NN1 in_II Wendy_NP1 and_CC Lucy_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 kind_NN1 of_IO Marley_NP1 &;_NULL Me_PPIO1 for_IF depressives_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 virtual_JJ one-woman_JJ show_NN1 :_: Michelle_NP1 Williams_NP1 (_( again_RT ,_, excellent_JJ )_) plays_VVZ homeless_JJ waif_NN1 Wendy_NP1 ,_, whose_DDQGE only_JJ reliable_JJ friend_NN1 is_VBZ her_APPGE dog_NN1 Lucy_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ minimalism_NN1 par_JJ21 excellence_JJ22 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ to_TO say_VVI nothing_PN1 happens_VVZ ._. 
The_AT indie-land_JJ exception_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT downer_JJR comedy_NN1 Synecdoche_NN1 ,_, New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, about_II a_AT1 theater_NN1 man_NN1 (_( Philip_NP1 Seymour_NP1 Hoffman_NP1 )_) who_PNQS creates_VVZ the_AT system_NN1 that_CST crushes_NN2 him_PPHO1 ._. 
Charlie_NP1 Kaufman_NP1 's_GE film_NN1 may_VM be_VBI about_II an_AT1 artistic_JJ dead_JJ end_NN1 ,_, but_II21 for_II22 the_AT sympathetic_JJ traveler_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 new_JJ ,_, exciting_JJ yellow_JJ brick_NN1 road_NN1 ._. 
The_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT year_NNT1 often_RR brings_VVZ major-studio_JJ movies_NN2 that_CST play_VV0 like_II indie_NN1 films_NN2 with_IW bigger_JJR stars_NN2 and_CC heftier_JJR budgets_NN2 ._. 
Revolutionary_JJ Road_NN1 casts_VVZ DiCaprio_NP1 as_II a_AT1 commuter_NN1 to_II Manhattan_NP1 wage-slavery_NN1 in_II the_AT '50s_MC2 and_CC Winslet_NN1 as_CSA his_APPGE wife_NN1 ,_, eager_JJ to_TO escape_VVI the_AT suburbs_NN2 and_CC regain_VVI what_DDQ she_PPHS1 thinks_VVZ was_VBDZ the_AT boho_NN1 freedom_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE early_JJ days_NNT2 ._. 
With_IW its_APPGE trenchant_JJ performances_NN2 and_CC its_APPGE acute_JJ view_NN1 of_IO the_AT midcentury_NN1 middle_JJ class_NN1 ,_, the_AT movie_NN1 shares_NN2 a_RR21 lot_RR22 with_IW the_AT AMC_NN1 series_NN Mad_JJ Men_NN2 --_NN1 except_CS21 that_CS22 director_NN1 Sam_NP1 Mendes_NP1 italicizes_VVZ the_AT domestic_JJ drama_NN1 instead_II21 of_II22 finding_VVG its_APPGE quieter_JJR nuances_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA Mad_JJ Men_NN2 brilliantly_RR proves_VVZ ,_, that_DD1 sort_NN1 of_IO behavioral_JJ subtlety_NN1 has_VHZ become_VVN the_AT almost_RR exclusive_JJ province_NN1 of_IO long-form_JJ TV_NN1 drama_NN1 ._. 
When_RRQ movies_NN2 try_VV0 it_PPH1 ,_, they_PPHS2 can_VM seem_VVI shrill_JJ by_II comparison_NN1 ._. 
Can_VV0 the_AT indie_NN1 drama_NN1 and_CC the_AT action_NN1 film_NN1 congenially_RR meet_VV0 ?_? 
They_PPHS2 already_RR have_VH0 ,_, twice_RR ._. 
Danny_NP1 Boyle_NP1 's_GE Anglo-Indian_JJ Slumdog_NN1 Millionaire_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT indie_NN1 movie_NN1 Americans_NN2 only_RR wish_VV0 they_PPHS2 could_VM make_VVI :_: a_AT1 vibrant_JJ ,_, swirling_VVG social_JJ fresco_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ broken_VVN out_II21 of_II22 the_AT arthouse_NN1 ghetto_NN1 into_II the_AT mainstream_JJ ._. 
David_NP1 Fincher_NP1 's_GE Benjamin_NP1 Button_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 centuryspanning_NN1 ,_, episodic_JJ epic_NN1 that_CST rarely_RR raises_VVZ its_APPGE voice_NN1 ,_, has_VHZ such_DA assurance_NN1 and_CC conviction_NN1 that_CST its_APPGE considerable_JJ F/X_ZZ1 magic_NN1 can_VM support_VVI the_AT sweet_JJ character_NN1 of_IO Benjamin_NP1 and_CC his_APPGE darling_NN1 ,_, dancing_VVG Daisy_NP1 (_( Cate_NP1 Blanchett_NP1 )_) instead_II21 of_II22 upstaging_VVG them_PPHO2 ._. 
Obsessed_JJ with_IW death_NN1 ,_, enthralled_VVN by_II life_NN1 ,_, the_AT picture_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 old-fashioned_JJ love_NN1 story_NN1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 a_AT1 stateof-the-art_JJ wonder_NN1 ._. 
Slumdog_VV0 and_CC Benjamin_NP1 show_VV0 that_CST films_NN2 need_VM not_XX be_VBI all_DB action_NN1 glitz_NN1 ,_, all_DB indie_NN1 introspection_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 can_VM be_VBI both_DB2 :_: computer-cool_JJ and_CC handmade_JJ ,_, movies_NN2 that_CST move_VV0 and_CC move_VV0 the_AT audience_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ the_AT best_JJT reason_NN1 to_TO look_VVI forward_RL to_II the_AT movies_NN2 of_IO 2009_MC ._. 
Clinicians_NP1 '_GE efforts_NN2 from_II the_AT outset_NN1 should_VM be_VBI directed_VVN toward_II supporting_JJ children_NN2 's_GE functioning_NN1 and_CC ,_, even_RR more_RGR importantly_RR ,_, helping_VVG their_APPGE families_NN2 to_TO support_VVI and_CC protect_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
This_DD1 emphasis_NN1 will_VM help_VVI work_NN1 toward_II the_AT goal_NN1 of_IO minimizing_VVG the_AT potential_JJ damage_NN1 caused_VVN by_II the_AT abuse_NN1 for_IF both_DB2 the_AT child_NN1 victims_NN2 and_CC the_AT nonoffending_JJ family_NN1 members_NN2 ._. 
By_II addressing_VVG parents_NN2 '_GE and_CC children_NN2 's_GE overt_JJ and_CC latent_JJ concerns_NN2 ,_, medical_JJ examiners_NN2 not_XX only_RR provide_VV0 care_NN1 that_CST extends_VVZ beyond_II the_AT forensic_JJ aspects_NN2 of_IO the_AT evaluation_NN1 ,_, but_CCB also_RR can_VM help_VVI families_NN2 focus_VVI on_II important_JJ issues_NN2 ,_, including_II ensuring_VVG the_AT child_NN1 's_GE safety_NN1 ,_, acknowledging_VVG the_AT feelings_NN2 of_IO family_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, and_CC ensuring_VVG counseling_NN1 for_IF the_AT child_NN1 and_CC adults_NN2 ._. 
