"THE CELL" -- Serial killer Vincent D'Onofrio has dropped into a coma while a victim awaits her fate in a drowning machine. Jennifer Lopez means to enter his mind and find out where the machine is. Mainly an excuse for Lopez to wear exotic costumes and director Tarsem Singh to show off his MTV visual style. Too much eye candy and not enough script a dull movie makes. -- Carlos deVillalvilla DVD   VHS

"CHASING AMY" -- Kevin Smith's third Askewniverse effort stars Ben Affleck as a comic book artist who falls in love with a lesbian (Joey Lauren Adams), then gets what he wishes for - an intimate relationship. This movie works on a number of levels; it's hysterically funny but also depicts a realistic relationship between imperfect people. Highly recommended. -- Carlos deVillalvilla   DVD   VHS

"CHICKEN RUN" -- A plucky heroine (voiced by Julia Sawalha) dreams of escaping the chicken farm, but the owners have other plans - can you say chicken pies? A roguish, somewhat unlikely hero (Mel Gibson) is the key to salvation. From the people who made the "Wallace and Gromit," this is charming, droll, good-natured and hysterically funny. -- Carlos deVillalvilla DVD   VHS

"CIDER HOUSE RULES" -- Touching, appealing translation of the great novel by John Irving, using his screenplay. See this, but read the novel, too. Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, etc. -- John Orr   DVD   VHS

"CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON" -- By far the best movie of 2000. Every word you've heard about it is at least true, if not an understatement. It's an action movie, yes, but it's a love story and a very illuminating look at Chinese culture as well. Gorgeously photographed, wonderfully written and superbly acted. This is the kind of movie that will change your perception of things. -- Carlos deVillalvilla DVD