Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 78%
| Humpday (2009) | "
What finally lifts ‘Humpday’ above macho junk like ‘The Hangover’ is its all-inclusive warmth: for all their adolescent self-delusion, Shelton truly loves these characters. And after 90 minutes, so will you." Posted Dec 18, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Fresh 83%
| Avatar (2009) | "
Cameron’s signature achievement may have been to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the oldest of all Hollywood maxims: all the money in the world is no subsitute for fresh ideas and a solid script." Posted Dec 18, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Fresh 79%
| Unmade Beds (2009) | "
There’s real promise in ‘Unmade Beds’: the photography is luminous, the direction loose but involving, the acting superb. But ultimately it’s a joyless, indulgent film about joyless, indulgent people." Posted Dec 11, 2009 |
Fresh 5/5
| Fresh 97%
| The Red Shoes (1948) | "
Blending impressionist art and expressionist film, blurring the barriers between theatre and cinema, body and camera, reality and dream, drawing equally on the avant-garde and the classical." Posted Dec 11, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 64%
| The Merry Gentleman (2009) | "
A flawed but decidedly promising first movie." Posted Dec 4, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 15%
| Mr. Right (2009) | "
Most disastrous is the script, which carries about as much dramatic weight as an episode of ‘Heartbeat’." Posted Nov 27, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Rotten 49%
| Taking Woodstock (2009) | "
This may be a minor movie, but it displays the hallmarks of a major talent." Posted Nov 13, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 21%
| Amelia (2009) | "
Inoffensive, arcane and ultimately rather sweet, ‘Amelia’ is one to take your grandmother to." Posted Nov 13, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Rotten 39%
| 2012 (2009) | "
Bigger, louder, crazier and more wildly exhilarating than anything previously attempted." Posted Nov 13, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 100%
| Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno () | "
What survives is a striking cautionary tale for budding filmmakers and a haunting evocation of experimentation run amok." Posted Nov 6, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 88%
| An American Werewolf in London (1981) | "
Not just gory but actually frightening, not just funny but clever, ‘American Werewolf…’ has its flaws, but these are outweighed by the film’s many, mighty strengths." Posted Oct 30, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 57%
| 9 (2009) | "
This film will surely be remembered as an intriguing failure: a triumph of ambition over ability, of ideas over emotional resonance – just another grim fairy tale for these troubled times." Posted Oct 30, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 37%
| Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009) | "
There are also so many characters that some barely register, while others – like our teen hero – are just unlikeable. It’s very energetic, but a more relaxed sequel, in which everyone has fun, might be a big improvement." Posted Oct 23, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 82%
| Thirst (2009) | "
A rollicking, hysterical splatter-sex-comedy only confirms ‘Thirst’ as one of the year’s more extreme, enjoyable entertainments." Posted Oct 16, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Fresh 64%
| The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) | "
It’s unlikely Gilliam’s own, undeniably brilliant career will be revitalised by this rambling, undisciplined and indulgent piece of work." Posted Oct 16, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 45%
| Management (2009) | "
There’s more to Stephen Belber’s debut than just manufactured whimsy, not least a wise and witty script, and some beautifully sketched side characters supporting two reliably charming leads." Posted Sep 25, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 85%
| Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) | "
‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ may not scale the artistic heights of a ‘Finding Nemo’ or ‘Wall-E’, but it’s the most satisfying and original non-Pixar CG animated movie to hit screens in a while." Posted Sep 18, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 26%
| Blind Dating (2007) | "
Pleasant but forgettable, it’s destined to end up as little more than a minor footnote on Pine’s megastar CV." Posted Sep 18, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| N/A | Shank (2009) | "
'Shank’ has a lot more to say than the average no-budget gangland exposé, resulting in a film which, for all its clichés, feels surprisingly real." Posted Sep 11, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 88%
| Adventureland (2009) | "
As a sweet-natured character comedy – and a subtle exercise in generic boundary-pushing – this is a real charmer." Posted Sep 11, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 23%
| Sorority Row (2009) | "
A booty-shakin’, text-messagin’, Facebook-referencin’ multiplex moneyspinner for undemanding twenty-first-century teens." Posted Sep 11, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 25%
| The Red Baron (2009) | "
So while the earthbound sequences may drag, when ‘The Red Baron’ takes to the skies, it soars." Posted Sep 4, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 90%
| District 9 (2009) | "
Perhaps we’re witnessing a new dawn for politically engaged sci-fi and horror, with Blomkamp as a latter-day George Romero. Either way, this is a stunningly impressive debut." Posted Sep 4, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 68%
| Funny People (2009) | "
This is a generous, goodhearted, enjoyable movie, loaded with memorable characters and genuine wit. But there’s such a thing as giving a little too much." Posted Aug 29, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 28%
| The Final Destination (2009) | "
The film’s 15 certificate is surprisingly generous. But this is harmless, inventive fun, a rollercoaster ride on the 3D bandwagon, before the wheels fall off." Posted Aug 29, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 29%
| Aliens in the Attic (2009) | "
Fleeting charms are largely outweighed by an unexceptional script, a brace of shabby performances (from both kids and adults) and some dismal CG effects." Posted Aug 14, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 11%
| Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009) | "
How could one hate a film where a giant shark jumps out of the sea and brings down a plane?" Posted Aug 7, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 36%
| G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) | "
'GI Joe’ is big, dumb, loud and utterly relentless: basically, everything you could ever want from a summer blockbuster." Posted Aug 7, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 51%
| The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) | "
‘The Taking of Pelham 123’ is not a bad film: it’s ponderous and shallow, but always watchable. But what it crucially fails to do, especially in the light of its illustrious predecessor, is justify its own existence." Posted Jul 31, 2009 |
Rotten 1/5
| Fresh 88%
| Skin (2009) | "
Director Anthony Fabian and his team of writers have lost sight of the conflicts inherent in her story, relying on TV-movie cliché and tired, unsuccessful attempts at emotional manipulation." Posted Jul 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 84%
| The Blues Brothers (1980) | "
The film retains a huge nostalgic kick, thanks in large part to Aykroyd and Belushi’s easy rapport, a smattering of daft, shaggy humour and some truly iconic musical sequences." Posted Jul 24, 2009 |
Fresh 5/5
| Fresh 96%
| Burma VJ (2009) | "
It’s a flawlessly constructed piece of work, as relentlessly gripping as it is educational, a righteous and even uplifting paean to the continued importance of collective protest." Posted Jul 17, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 84%
| Soul Power (2009) | "
As a concert film it’s unparalleled: a stunningly photographed, soul-stirring celebration." Posted Jul 10, 2009 |
Fresh 5/5
| Fresh 95%
| Mishima - A Life in Four Chapters (1985) | "
Graced with a throbbing orchestral score from Philip Glass and John Bailey’s luminous photography, this is appropriately monumental filmmaking." Posted Jul 10, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 15%
| Year One (2009) | "
‘Year One’ wants to be seen as a freeform, knockabout trawl through Biblical history, perfect for an undemanding Saturday night. There are only two problems: it’s kind of dull and just isn’t funny." Posted Jul 3, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 79%
| Strawberry & Chocolate (1993) | "
While the central story may lack edge, ‘Strawberry and Chocolate’ remains an entertaining, thoughtful take on the absurdity of confusing sexuality and politics." Posted Jul 3, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 20%
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) | "
While it would be hard to make a case for ‘Revenge of the Fallen’ as ‘good’ in any normal sense of the word, it possesses such brute force that the viewer is left with two options: surrender, or suffer in silence." Posted Jun 19, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 38%
| Gigantic (2008) | "
‘Gigantic’ is a film that succeeds by wearing the viewer down, as an infuriatingly coy, self-conscious first act gives way to a sweet and affecting climax." Posted Jun 19, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 89%
| Red Cliff (2009) | "
As old-fashioned mythic entertainment, ‘Red Cliff’ succeeds in solid, sometimes magnificent fashion." Posted Jun 12, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Fresh 77%
| The Hangover (2009) | "
An intriguing, time-hopping set-up is wasted on obnoxious characters, celebrity cameos and crass attempts at humour." Posted Jun 12, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 70%
| Last Chance Harvey (2008) | "
Nimble dialogue, a brace of insightful moments and a slightly chocolate-box view of our city, lend ‘Last Chance Harvey’ a warmth and wisdom which outshine the more timeworn elements of the screenplay." Posted Jun 5, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 32%
| Terminator Salvation (2009) | "
A shambolic, deafening, intelligence-insulting mess, a crushing failure on almost all counts." Posted Jun 5, 2009 |
Rotten 2/6
| Rotten 25%
| Fireflies in the Garden () | "
It’s not a bad film – Lee directs with subtle grace and the cast is predictably strong – but it’s saddled with too many characters, not enough drama and a strong sense of overfamiliarity." Posted May 29, 2009 |
Rotten 2/6
| Rotten 28%
| 12 Rounds (2009) | "
There’s a decent little action movie somewhere inside ‘12 Rounds’: a bit more complexity of character, a few more jokes and a hero who doesn’t look like a two-by-four with a buzz cut might have gone a long way." Posted May 29, 2009 |
Fresh 3/6
| Rotten 53%
| Viva (2008) | "
At an epic two hours the stilted dialogue and eye-scorchingly oversaturated film stock threaten to test the patience. But as a self-conscious exercise in kitsch graverobbing, ‘Viva’ succeeds." Posted May 15, 2009 |
Fresh 4/6
| Fresh 94%
| Star Trek (2009) | "
The overall impression is one of unbridled enthusiasm on the part of the film’s makers, both for its predecessors and for the brave new universe Abrams and his crew are exploring." Posted May 8, 2009 |
Fresh 4/6
| Fresh 89%
| Coraline (2009) | "
This dark edge will be the biggest test of the film as a commercial prospect: it may be too terrifying for the target audience. But for braver kids – and parents – this is a thrilling, even challenging ride." Posted May 8, 2009 |
Rotten 2/6
| Rotten 36%
| X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) | "
With some dire blue-screen effects, dizzying tonal instability and a total absence of suspense or originality, ‘Wolverine’ is something of a disaster." Posted May 1, 2009 |
Fresh 3/6
| Rotten 39%
| Outlander (2009) | "
Daft, obvious but hugely enjoyable, ‘Outlander’ is superior trash." Posted Apr 24, 2009 |
Fresh 4/6
| Rotten 50%
| Observe and Report (2009) | "
Bracing, bleak and berserk, this is a film which laughs in the face of American intolerance, and comes up punch-drunk and grinning." Posted Apr 24, 2009 |
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