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Adam Fendelman

Agrees with the Tomatometer 76% of the time.

Publications:: HollywoodChicago.com
Critics' Group:: Chicago Film Critics Association

Total Reviews:: 203

Location:: Chicago

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Showing 1 - 50 of 203

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Rating	T-Meter	Title \| Year	Add Date
2.0/5.0	85%	Chronicle (2012)	" This film's fanboy ejaculate loves you short time as it spews the buildup of what could be interpreted as a "story" and ultimately ends without one." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Feb 3, 2012
2.5/5.0	48%	Contraband (2012)	" A film can't just rely on the surefire ingredients a big-budget film needs to become a box-office success. This film did, and because "Contraband" played it too safe and didn't take risks, its surefire bet misfires." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jan 14, 2012
3.5/5.0	82%	Young Adult (2011)	" You can typically always hear Diablo Cody's unique, pop-culture writing style directly through her characters. But not this time. Mavis' journey from immaturity to immaturity parallels Cody's maturation as a writer." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 9, 2011
2.0/5.0	25%	Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)	" The bloated franchise's worst film without question, the fourth "Twilight" popcorn flick is a futile exercise on the disappointment of anti-climactic waiting. It doesn't sparkle or shine. It flickers, and then disappointingly dies." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Nov 18, 2011
3.5/5.0	59%	Real Steel (2011)	" Big Hollywood names aside (Jackman, Spielberg and Zemeckis), this family film overcomes an initially harebrained-sounding plot with just enough thrill, modern-day ocular wizardry and heart-warming emotion to convert most initial skeptics into believers." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Oct 8, 2011
3.0/5.0	89%	The Lion King (2011)	" While "The Lion King" is one of the best Disney movies of all time, "The Lion King 3D" is a manipulative exploitation to bring paying parents back with their kids merely through the sexiness of today's 3D fad." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Sep 17, 2011
2.0/5.0	44%	30 Minutes or Less (2011)	" Devastatingly mistaking makeshift witticisms for authentic philistine comedy translates into a film that's unfunny as a used tampon is appetizing." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Aug 11, 2011
4.0/5.0	79%	Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)	" This film succeeds where most comic book adaptations fail: a love story you actually feel, a mostly cohesive story and a believable superhero who manages to inspire all without being too far out of reach." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jul 23, 2011
2.5/5.0	39%	Cars 2 (2011)	" "Cars 2" is a Honda needing a body shop as compared to the pristine Ferrari that was "Cars". It's an unequal Pixar blend for adults and kiddies that never evolves into the storytelling success of its predecessor." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jun 24, 2011
3.0/5.0	35%	The Hangover Part II (2011)	" Business and creative people go together as well as fine wine at a burger joint. For this sequel, the brass beat out the artists and afford us the double-edged sword of the same exact formula from two years ago." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted May 26, 2011
3.5/5.0	77%	Thor (2011)	" While initially it might feel nonsensical for a superhero to derive supreme power from a hammer forged out of a dying star, the way "Thor" wields its supremacy makes mince meat out of humdrum guns, knives and swords." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted May 7, 2011
2.5/5.0	61%	Water for Elephants (2011)	" Based on the spinal column of a richly worthwhile novel, a catastrophically miscast lead duo and a vegetarian screen story only serve up scant droplets from this tale's oceanic potential." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Apr 22, 2011
2.0/5.0	69%	Limitless (2011)	" While so many films have already taken us down this rabbit hole, "Limitless" will be remembered for forgetting to make us care we've fallen down it the second we leave the theater." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Mar 18, 2011
1.5/5.0	11%	Red Riding Hood (2011)	" Hardwicke's "Red Riding Hood" proves the "Twilight" formula isn't always a surefire bet. While it wasn't a comedy (and should have been), its only redeeming quality is it's funny to mock." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Mar 10, 2011
2.5/5.0	32%	I Am Number Four (2011)	" Thankfully for Chicagoans this film doesn't star Brett Favre because of his numerical jersey affiliation, but with a story this weak, that stretch wouldn't be too far." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Feb 18, 2011
2.5/5.0	53%	The Mechanic (2011)	" Despite all his high-octane assignments, the only imperfection Statham receives is the crow's feet on his face. That's because his invincible shield protects him from all the rest of the body-razing annihilation that his person should have endured." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jan 28, 2011
2.5/5.0	44%	The Green Hornet (2011)	" Seth Rogen's character should have evolved with humility and authenticity by relinquishing his bogus stranglehold as The Green Hornet and becoming The Guy Who Smokes a Fat Blunt Better Than You But Only Kicks Ass Like Your Great Grandma." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jan 15, 2011
3.0/5.0	50%	Tron Legacy (2010)	" On a 10-point meter comprised of visuals and story where ideally each would consume five points equally, "TRON: Legacy" tips the scale in the tech department with eight while only leaving two for humanity." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 17, 2010
1.5/5	20%	The Tourist (2010)	" The epic fail of "The Tourist" starts with its name, which should have been "Pay $10 Just to Gawk at Angelina Jolie's Pretty Face Even Though You Can Get Online Porn For Free"." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 10, 2010
4/5	79%	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)	" While this Harry Potter is the most murky and forlorn so far, its most grave battle is the internal question between the corporate and creative types. We know why the seventh film was extricated into two, but should it really have been?" — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Nov 22, 2010
4.0/5.0	93%	127 Hours (2010)	" While Danny Boyle's directorial range is wide, he says each project holds one central tenant near and dear: life-affirming themes. But what you've never seen Boyle do is a true story -- that is, until now." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Nov 11, 2010
3.5/5.0	59%	Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)	" Paranormal Activity 2 returns to theaters with content and panic tactics that are much of the same. That said, the main difference is the film's masterful exploitation of one of the most emotionally scary instruments you could imagine: a baby." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Oct 23, 2010
4/5	94%	The Town (2010)	" When Ben Affleck's playing the role of the filmmaker on subject matter he cares about most, we now see two examples of films that literally are made because he's monopolizing the most important elements of their creation." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Sep 18, 2010
5/5	86%	Inception (2010)	" After thinking it'd take "a couple months" to ink, director Christopher Nolan took eight years to painstakingly write the "Inception" script. And you can tell. It's his first pure masterpiece." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jul 15, 2010
2/5	64%	Predators (2010)	" Since these aliens just live to parachute humans into their game preserve, you're left thinking they instead play canasta, cuddle with one another and hop through open fields like bunny rabbits because they sure haven't evolved to modern expectations." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jul 11, 2010
2.0/5.0	35%	Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)	" Another video game adaptation fail, but the blockbuster time drain isn't entirely in vain. Its mindless entertainment is excellent background noise for making out at home." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted May 29, 2010
3.5/5	74%	Iron Man 2 (2010)	" Iron Man 2 does what it can within the confines of what it has to do. The Hollywood machine has trained us to have certain expectations for blockbuster sequels and this film neither deviates nor blazes new territory." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted May 7, 2010
2.5/5	33%	The Lovely Bones (2009)	" Interview with Rose McIver of The Lovely Bones: "It was terrifying to see [Stanley Tucci] transform on screen into someone so utterly different from himself."" — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Apr 23, 2010
2.5/5	27%	Extraordinary Measures (2010)	" Harrison ford interview: "I didn't make this film because I'm a crusader for righteous health care or I wanted to indict the pharmaceutical industry or to make a film about Pompe disease. I wanted to be fair and entertaining."" — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jan 25, 2010
3.5/5	70%	Sherlock Holmes (2009)	" Instead of relying of high-tech gadgetry and big-budget Hollywood CGI, Guy Ritchie's gritty Sherlock Holmes does what major films often don't: delivers big-payoff action sequences merely utilizing the body and mind." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 27, 2009
2.5/5	23%	The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)	" "There's not a bigger '**** you!' from Hollywood than when they say: 'Eh, we're not going to release this film,'" "The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day" star Sean Patrick Flanery said in an interview." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 8, 2009
4/5	91%	Up in the Air (2009)	" Director Jason Reitman is becoming like a fine wine. And in Up in the Air, he has managed to pour a likely Oscar contender on prescient subject matter while continuing to display his directorial range." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 5, 2009
2.5/5.0	28%	The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)	" New Moon knows what it is, what it isn't and how to quench fans. It can't say the same, though, for outsiders." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Nov 20, 2009
4/5	81%	Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009)	" Even a rhythmless zombie will be able to siphon Michael Jackson's prowess now. And this time, this is it. If you thought the king of pop wouldn't deliver on his latest bout of 50 sold-out worldwide concerts, think again." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Oct 28, 2009
4/5	73%	Where the Wild Things Are (2009)	" Interview: From the looks of things, you'd think Where the Wild Things Are director Spike Jonze is more than just Max Records' director. You'd think Jonze was his 12-year-old star's father, too." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Oct 16, 2009
4/5	89%	A Serious Man (2009)	" A Serious Man isn't the story of Joel and Ethan Coen's lives. But you might not know it. While the brothers continue to turn their films into Hollywood gold, this 1967-set black comedy is among the more personal projects in their repertoire." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Oct 11, 2009
1.5/5	43%	Jennifer's Body (2009)	" Jennifer's Body is a tragic desecration of mammoth talent that'll serve as an arresting step back in the buoyant career of Oscar-winning Juno scribe Diablo Cody. Plus it needed a sexpot who could act, too, and Megan Fox can't." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Sep 17, 2009
4/5	88%	Inglourious Basterds (2009)	" 'I've had no issues in working with the Weinsteins. They're ma boyz!,' Tarantino exclaimed in our Chicago interview both with anticipated media training but also with genuine indebtedness to the brotherly duo. 'They're coming back in a big way.'" — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Aug 20, 2009
3.5/5	80%	Bandslam (2009)	" Lisa Kudrow interview: Following her 'Friends' fame, you now get the sense that she's splitting her time between TV work, various films and perhaps most important mothering. Work on 'Bandslam' is now much like real life for her." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Aug 13, 2009
4/5	67%	Public Enemies (2009)	" Despite some minor strikes and overlooking a yawn of a performance by Christian Bale, Public Enemies indeed stars two decisive characters among 2009's best so far: Johnny Depp and the meticulously recreated environment that is Chicago itself." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jul 1, 2009
3.5/5	78%	The Hangover (2009)	" By the end of the film, these guys are our pals." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jun 5, 2009
4.5/5	98%	Up (2009)	" A symphonic balance of captivating silence and clever dialogue, belly-laugh humor and tear-in-the-eye despair, fast-paced action scenes and scenes slowed for their precious detail, Up orchestrates its talent into one truly unforgettable piece." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted May 28, 2009
2/5	43%	Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)	" The plot of this film feels like a garage sale jigsaw puzzle: its pieces out of order, warped and shoved into places they don't go with a few extra pieces thrown into the box." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted May 22, 2009
3/5	27%	The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009)	" This is the cinematic blending of two familiar formulas: the 'love, lose and then love again' framework of most romantic comedies with the idea of transforming ghosts from the classic A Christmas Carol." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Apr 30, 2009
2.5/5	30%	Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans (2009)	" Interview: While Alfred Hitchcock and more recently M. Night Shyamalan have teetered between whether or not to write roles for themselves into their own scripts, there's no tottering for Underworld character writer Kevin Grevioux." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Jan 24, 2009
4/5	72%	The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)	" It turns out that skipping a 'blowout' garage sale she was planning paid off for up-and-coming actress Taraji P. Henson after all, she told HollywoodChicago.com in a Chicago interview after netting her Benjamin Button role." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 24, 2008
4/5	98%	The Wrestler (2008)	" 'That became a big reason why I wanted to make the film: the forgotten talent of Mickey Rourke,' director Darren Aronofsky said in an interview with HollywoodChicago.com. 'No one had gotten to see him be sympathetic and lovable in a role for a while.'" — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 23, 2008
4/5	78%	Doubt (2008)	" Adapted from the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play, Doubt makes for a great story and magnificent on-screen performance, but not the full cinematic experience that separates a stage production from a moving-picture show." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Dec 11, 2008
4.0/5.0	94%	Milk (2008)	" Just as Tom Hanks put a face to AIDS in 1993's Philadelphia, Sean Penn has now put a face to gay rights as Harvey Milk in the new Gus Van Sant true-story film Milk." — HollywoodChicago.com Posted Nov 27, 2008

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