Thriller
Rod Lott
How ironic for this made-for-TV movie to sport “Smile” in its (incorrectly punctuated) title, because for network television — especially in 1974 — it’s remarkably morose.

Drama
Rod Lott
While not the disaster you may have been led to believe, neither is “The Beaver” a success. It sits somewhere in the middle, unsure of itself as to which style of story to commit. Ultimately, where it ends up is in the field of “noble curiosity,” based in no small part on the spectacularly public, ill-timed flameout of its star.

Comedy
Rod Lott
Given the tumultuous and tragic nature of director/child rapist Roman Polanski’s life, it’s no surprise he rarely touches comedy. Until the new “Carnage,” only 1967’s “The Fearless Vampire Killers” and 1986’s flop “Pirates” gunned for laughs.

Comedy
Rod Lott
Given the tumultuous and tragic nature of director/child rapist Roman Polanski’s life, it’s no surprise he rarely touches comedy. Until the recent “Carnage,” only 1967’s “The Fearless Vampire Killers” and 1986’s flop “Pirates” gunned for laughs.