Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 2009

Amy Nicholson, Boxoffice Magazine: I've got no problem with movies that stack up twists like crazy straws. Hyam's script, however, depends on us being dumber than every character in the film-you'd have to reach protozoan levels just to resist wanting to strangle everyone in it. Read more

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times: Despite excellent stunt work and a too-brief appearance by Orlando Jones as an unflappable cop, the movie -- unlike Mr. Douglas's hairdo -- never rises above mediocrity. Read more

Aaron Hillis, Time Out: Any amateur magician can successfully yank the tablecloth away, but it's only impressive if there's something of value on the table. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: Douglas makes smarm a chewy pleasure, but this is a noir in search of a hero we can root for because we actually buy what he's doing. Read more

Christy Lemire, Associated Press: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt feels like some throwaway 1980s TV movie, with its implausible premise, dizzying twists, cheesy montages and melodramatic score. Read more

Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times: The leads can't lend either spunk or gravitas to what was already a preposterous yarn 50 years ago. Read more

Ella Taylor, NPR: There's little in this pointless rehash to distract audiences from the pleasure of watching Tamblyn, a fine young actress whose direct, grownup stare belies her baby features. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: A good rule to follow for wannabe gritty thrillers: Lead actors shouldn't remind you of late-night informercial pitchmen. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: What you won't be able to figure out is why this laughable yarn didn't go straight to DVD. Read more

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: What I can't figure out is how director Peter Hyams can remake a 1956 movie from the great Fritz Lang and not learn anything about suspense, pacing and storytelling in the process. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: Like its title, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt is a generic, forgettable courtroom thriller. Read more

Jonathan Holland, Variety: Noisy and excessive where the original was hushed and restrained, and wholly devoid of mystique... Read more

Melissa Anderson, Village Voice: Lang's film, the last he made in the U.S., exposed the immorality of the death penalty; Hyams's retread offers only more plot and longer, louder car chases. Read more