Stephen Miller

Sharply observed, bittersweet and suffused with the kind of detail that only someone who lived through the era could summon up, Crowe's script is funny, heartfelt and very cool.

Documentarian George Butler ("Pumping Iron") wisely opted to stick to the cold, hard facts of the expedition's tale while layering in warmer material, like interviews with historians and descendants of the crew and narrator Liam Neeson's lilting bedtime-story delivery.

Blue-ribbon acting from both the four- and two-legged performers.

Who'd have thought you'd find yourself caring so much about the fate of a flock of fryers? This chicken has legs -- lots of them.

It's Deneuve, in little more than a cameo, who commands your attention and doesn't release you until she's good and ready.

Witherspoon turns in yet another stellar, nuanced comic performance.

A sassy romantic battle of the sexes with a refreshing African-American slant.

Insightful, Oscar-nominated documentary.

Rapp's snappy, loquacious and catty script gives the predominantly female ensemble plenty to chew on.

The winning cast makes the twist-heavy plot plausible.