Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five 2008

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: Director Nesher has a way of reducing each confrontation to its two-dimensional essence, and he's not helped by a swampy, sentimental musical score. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: The passionate performances of Ms. Bukstein, Ms. Shtamler and Ms. Ardant lend The Secrets enough emotional solidity to prevent it from entirely dissolving in the suds. Read more

Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic: Each of the three primary directions of the movie might make a fascinating film, but tied together, they never cohere, and you find yourself sitting through two long hours wondering why you are doing so. Read more

Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle: The Secrets twines coming-out, coming-of-age and coming-to-terms-with-Orthodoxy in a way that diminishes all three -- and dilutes its message with cliches. Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: The Secrets belongs in a mini-tradition of involving films that limn the border where spiritual and sexual awakenings collide and entwine. Read more

Cary Darling, Dallas Morning News: Restrained direction and the cast's strong, disciplined performances keep it from falling into soap-opera territory. Read more

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: There is pain and empowerment in The Secrets as difficult choices are made. There are also gaps, but emotionally moving performances by Ardant, Bukstein and Shtamler in particular, keep you with this small but provocative film until the end. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: One of the most remarkable movies of the year. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: In some ways, it is a traditional narrative. But it is more. It is gently and powerfully acted. Read more

Robert Koehler, Variety: Excessively overwrought and drawn out. Read more

Kristi Mitsuda, Village Voice: Although overlong by about 20 minutes, The Secrets mostly handles its subject matter with grace and charm; its heroine's proud defiance even mitigates a questionably celebratory conclusion. Read more