|
|
74%
|
Blackthorn (2011) |
"
With Blackthorn, director Mateo Gil and writer Miguel Barros deliver a solid western that's as simple, straightforward, and unadorned as its title character. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 14, 2011
|
|
|
36%
|
The Thing (2011) |
"
The film is not so much badly made as it is just uninspired and brings nothing new or clever to the table. It's bland and that's pretty deadly for a sci-fi, horror thriller."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 14, 2011
|
|
|
85%
|
The Ides of March (2011) |
"
Skip this one and rent The Candidate, which still feels sharper and more contemporary than The Ides of March.""
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 7, 2011
|
|
|
29%
|
The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) (2011) |
"
The fact that he designed a pair of films with careful thought as to how the violence and visual storytelling of each would work reveals a dedication to the genre that is too rare today."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 7, 2011
|
|
|
85%
|
Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2011) |
"
This is a horror comedy designed to tickle horror fans who have grown frustrated with the often predictable formula of the genre they love. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 1, 2011
|
|
|
85%
|
Contagion (2011) |
"
If Hollywood and B-horror films sensationalize the problem of a global outbreak of a lethal virus, Contagion brings a calm reasoned voice to the subject. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 18, 2011
|
|
|
93%
|
Drive (2011) |
"
Refn's film is by no means a remake of Hill's The Driver but it's a definite kindred soul. Refn is like a jazz artist riffing on a colleague's composition and delivering a product that still manages to be totally his own."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 18, 2011
|
|
|
83%
|
Warrior (2011) |
"
Tom Hardy's riveting performance as a Tommy Conlon in Warrior plays like a teaser of things to come when he takes on the role of Bane in the next Batman movie."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 10, 2011
|
|
|
73%
|
Bellflower (2011) |
"
Bellflower has some admirable qualities but just not enough."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 9, 2011
|
|
9/10
|
90%
|
Attack the Block (2011) |
"
So if you only go see one movie this weekend, please make it Attack the Block. See it twice in fact. Let's encourage good filmmaking."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 3, 2011
|
|
|
16%
|
Shark Night 3D (2011) |
"
If I felt guilty I'd call this a guilty pleasure but since I don't I'll just call it trash I enjoy. So if you decide to go don't complain to me that the film was crap. I warned you."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 2, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
58%
|
Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark (2011) |
"
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark doesn't fully exploit its R rating and leaves you a bit frustrated. But there is enough promise and lush style on display to make me seek out Nixey's next film."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 1, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
76%
|
The Debt (2011) |
"
The strength of the film really lies in the performances of the two women: Chastain and Mirren. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Sep 1, 2011
|
|
|
62%
|
Griff the Invisible (2011) |
"
There are moments of pure magic when we actually feel ourselves letting go of the limitations of the real world and find ourselves -- if only for a fleeting moment -- believing in Griff's world."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Aug 27, 2011
|
|
|
24%
|
Conan the Barbarian (2011) |
"
The best I can say about "Conan the Barbarian" is that it's not as bad as I was expecting. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Aug 19, 2011
|
|
|
73%
|
The Whistleblower (2011) |
"
The Whistleblower is one of those issue films that is more passionate and sincere than artistic but it has such a compelling story that it demands being seen despite its flaws. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Aug 15, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
44%
|
Cowboys & Aliens (2011) |
"
Favreau handles it with efficiency if not innovation or inspiration. It's fun but in a ho-hum kind of way."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jul 31, 2011
|
|
|
86%
|
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) |
"
The Man Who Fell to Earth reminds us of the truly independent and challenging films of the 70s. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jul 29, 2011
|
|
|
92%
|
The Four Times (Le Quattro Volte) (2011) |
"
Le Quattro Volte is cinematic slow food. It takes its time, is meticulous in its presentation, carefully considers the experience it provides, and then serves up a satisfying and nourishing feast."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jul 2, 2011
|
|
|
36%
|
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) |
"
I have to say that I think the robot effects are better here but maybe since they got rid of Megan Fox the effects team no longer had to spend all that time CGI-ing out her toe thumbs and could spend all their efforts on rendering the robots instead."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jun 28, 2011
|
|
|
76%
|
3 Backyards (2011) |
"
And although Mendelsohn maintains a certain cool detachment, he also allows the film to occasionally soar in unexpected ways."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jun 24, 2011
|
|
|
87%
|
Submarine (2011) |
"
Somewhere in the space between Gregory's Girl and Rushmore lies Submarine, a charming coming of age romantic comedy."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jun 24, 2011
|
|
|
96%
|
13 Assassins (2011) |
"
If you love action or samurai movies you cannot miss this film. To adapt Spinal Tap's line, this one turns it up to 13."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jun 4, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
88%
|
X-Men: First Class (2011) |
"
But McAvoy and especially Fassbender do make the film worth seeing. Maybe the more accurate and descriptive title might be X-Men: Special Ed or Remedial Mutant Class so you don't go in with high expectations."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jun 3, 2011
|
|
|
51%
|
Last Night (2011) |
"
Yet both mumblecore and Tadjedin share a certain narcissistic self-reflection that immediately assumes audiences are interested in the lives of their characters."
—
KPBS.org
Posted May 27, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
34%
|
The Hangover Part II (2011) |
"
It delivers what you'd expect from the team that brought you the first film but nothing new... unless you think a monkey smoking and Thai trannies are something new and exciting."
—
KPBS.org
Posted May 27, 2011
|
|
|
83%
|
The Double Hour (2011) |
"
First-time feature director Giuseppe Capotondi handles the twists and turns of the plot with an assurance that makes us feel that we are in capable hands."
—
KPBS.org
Posted May 23, 2011
|
|
6/10
|
68%
|
Rubber (2011) |
"
The result is something akin to Luis Bunuel or Samuel Beckett making a 70s exploitation film."
—
KPBS.org
Posted May 21, 2011
|
|
|
67%
|
Hobo With a Shotgun (2011) |
"
The film is a wild, over-the-top, jaw-dropping homage to 70s exploitation cinema. The colors pop like neon signs and the blood flows by the bucket loads."
—
KPBS.org
Posted May 20, 2011
|
|
|
16%
|
Priest (2011) |
"
Priest's shortcomings should not really come as a surprise. Previously, Stewart directed the equally lame Legion, which also mixed religion and demonic creatures."
—
KPBS.org
Posted May 13, 2011
|
|
|
39%
|
Ceremony (2011) |
"
In the end, Ceremony shows occasional promise but mostly pretense. But at least it knows when to wrap up the party and go home."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Apr 20, 2011
|
|
|
83%
|
Potiche (2011) |
"
Potiche like its main character, is a charming delight masking a sly and surprising substance. But maybe that's what French farce is -- a sitcom with a brain."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Apr 19, 2011
|
|
|
58%
|
Scream 4 (2011) |
"
But in the end it makes a lot of noise about challenging genre stereotypes and clichés but then is too lazy and simple-minded to do anything but fall victim to them."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Apr 16, 2011
|
|
—
|
55%
|
La Siciliana Ribelle (The Sicilian Girl) (2010) |
—
KPBS.org
Posted Apr 12, 2011
|
|
|
61%
|
The Joneses (2010) |
"
Dawn of the Dead made a savvier commentary on consumerism and materialism."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Apr 12, 2011
|
|
|
71%
|
Hanna (2011) |
"
Wright delivers an electric mash up of genres and styles, a kind of action fairy tale in which the princess is a highly trained killer, the wicked stepmother is a ruthless government agent, and there is no handsome prince or happy ending. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Apr 8, 2011
|
|
|
94%
|
Win Win (2011) |
"
So it's a win win for audiences, and it's a reminder that there are fresh ideas and compelling stories out there. Thank you, Mr. McCarthy!"
—
KPBS.org
Posted Apr 2, 2011
|
|
0/10
|
23%
|
Sucker Punch (2011) |
"
It's so bad that the Director's Guild should revoke Snyder's membership and he should never be allowed to direct again."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 24, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
84%
|
Jane Eyre (2011) |
"
Jane Eyre is like having oatmeal for breakfast - it's good for you but rather plain and unexciting."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 19, 2011
|
|
|
70%
|
Limitless (2011) |
"
Don't believe the abs... I mean the ads, Bradley Cooper is mostly dressed in his latest film Limitless."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 19, 2011
|
|
|
72%
|
Paul (2011) |
"
The thing that differentiates their humor from a lot of others is that it's free from meanness. They are not making fun of people like Graeme and Clive but rather taking delight in their silly obsessions."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 18, 2011
|
|
|
56%
|
Gnomeo and Juliet (2011) |
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 17, 2011
|
|
|
79%
|
I Saw the Devil (2011) |
"
I Saw the Devil is a compelling example of Korean extreme filmmaking - it's engrossing, disturbing, provocative, and well crafted."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 17, 2011
|
|
|
20%
|
Beastly (2011) |
"
The one thing that I could call a high point is Neil Patrick Harris as Kyle's blind tutor. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 11, 2011
|
|
|
11%
|
Red Riding Hood (2011) |
"
Hardwicke directs the film as if it were one long music video or medieval rave."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 11, 2011
|
|
|
35%
|
Battle: Los Angeles (2011) |
"
Battle: Los Angeles is like watching someone else play Call of Duty so you're not very engaged in the action because you're not the one controlling it...""
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 11, 2011
|
|
|
88%
|
Rango (2011) |
"
The film reunites director Gore Verbinski with star Johnny Depp, and just as with their Pirates of the Caribbean collaboration it begins very promisingly before descending into a chaotic mess."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 5, 2011
|
|
|
29%
|
Take Me Home Tonight (2011) |
"
Take Me Home Tonight should have the cinematic equivalent of a biohazardous waste warning on it to make sure people stay away and don't get exposed to it. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 4, 2011
|
|
|
85%
|
Under The Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story (2011) |
"
Kevin Tostado's desire to compete in the Monopoly championships led him to make a delightful documentary about the classic board game for its 75th anniversary."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Mar 4, 2011
|
|
|
88%
|
Even the Rain (Meme La Pluie) (2011) |
"
Even the Rain is a flawed but still noteworthy work. It also boasts a trio of strong performances."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 28, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
45%
|
Drive Angry (2011) |
"
With solid 3D action, Fichtner's quirky performance, and the ability to not take itself seriously, Drive Angry proves quite watchable... although I can't bring myself to call it good. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 25, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
58%
|
Kaboom (2011) |
"
Gregg Araki likes to call his new film Kaboom, "a bisexual 'Twin Peaks' in college." But it's more like a hipster take on Scooby Doo with a lot of indiscriminate sex thrown in."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 24, 2011
|
|
|
32%
|
I Am Number Four (2011) |
"
I went into I Am Number Four with very low expectations so to say that I was pleasantly surprised may not be high praise."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 19, 2011
|
|
5/10
|
56%
|
Unknown (2011) |
"
Unknown is formula entertainment and as such delivers pretty much what you'd expect. For some that will be enough. For others it will elicit yawns and maybe a case of amnesia once you've left the theater. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 19, 2011
|
|
|
73%
|
The Housemaid (2011) |
"
Im creates a seductive and disquieting thriller in which overt violence is rare but ruthless manipulation and a callous lack of concern for people are commonplace."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 17, 2011
|
|
10/10
|
98%
|
Marwencol (2010) |
"
Marwencol is a mesmerizing documentary, and like Mark Hogancamp it continually surprises you. It may also be one of the best films you'll see all year."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 10, 2011
|
|
|
4%
|
The Roommate (2011) |
"
I can sum it up like this: no boobs, no blood, no point. Walk away from this one please!"
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 4, 2011
|
|
|
20%
|
The Rite (2011) |
"
The Rite is effective in creating a creepy mood. But this all goes to hell as soon as the film tries to convince us possessions are real and so is the devil. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 3, 2011
|
|
|
84%
|
Nenette (2010) |
"
As I watched the film I thought of an odd analogy. Nenette is like Garbo - she's a blank slate that people read anything into and are endlessly fascinated by."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Feb 3, 2011
|
|
6/10
|
64%
|
Biutiful (2010) |
"
The parts are often better than the whole here though. Iñárritu gives us lovely, aching moments and Bardem is compellingly watchable. Yet when it's all over you feel drained but a bit empty. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jan 29, 2011
|
|
|
88%
|
Inspector Bellamy (2010) |
"
Inspector Bellamy is still a beautifully crafted film with a compelling and enjoyable performance by Depardieu"
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jan 29, 2011
|
|
|
53%
|
The Mechanic (2011) |
"
The remake of The Mechanichas no guts at all. It wants to make a happy, shiny, feel-good hit man movie while pretending to be all badass. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jan 29, 2011
|
|
|
89%
|
The Temptation of St. Tony (Püha Tõnu kiusamine) (2010) |
"
The Temptation of St. Tony is a slow moving but wry and surreal work that pays off if you let it work its spell on you."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jan 21, 2011
|
|
|
90%
|
The Illusionist (L'illusionniste) (2010) |
"
There is such charm and enchantment on display here that the film is hard to resist."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jan 21, 2011
|
|
|
44%
|
The Green Hornet (2011) |
"
The Green Hornet is crass, unimaginative, unexciting, and not very funny. I was hoping it would at least be mindless fun but it ends up just being mindless. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jan 14, 2011
|
|
|
93%
|
Another Year (2010) |
"
What he's so good at is showing that it's possible to maintain a bright cheery outlook without ignoring the problems of the real world."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Jan 12, 2011
|
|
6/10
|
96%
|
True Grit (2010) |
"
The best thing in this remake is Hailee Steinfeld as the young girl Mattie Ross who hires Cogburn to help her track down her father's killer."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 22, 2010
|
|
5/10
|
77%
|
Tiny Furniture (2010) |
"
Dunham displays an appealing, self-deprecating sense of humor as she turns an unflinching eye on the life of a young woman. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 19, 2010
|
|
8/10
|
86%
|
Trouble in Mind (1985) |
"
And finally, a new DVD release from Shout! Factory, a special edition of Alan Rudolph's glorious "Trouble in Mind. It's a quirky, noirish tale as well as an achingly sweet romance."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 19, 2010
|
|
10/10
|
94%
|
Lat sau san taam (Hard-Boiled) (1992) |
"
The action scenes are breathtaking and the relationship among the characters has surprising depth and emotion. The film is a delirious summation of the Hong Kong New Wave. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 19, 2010
|
|
|
74%
|
Micmacs (Micmacs à tire-larigot) (2010) |
"
Jeunet crafts what is essentially a cinematic Rube Goldberg in which a ball is set in motion in the opening scene and it cues a series of complicated reactions that all lead to one thing in the end."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 19, 2010
|
|
|
81%
|
Despicable Me (2010) |
"
I have said that this was a weak year for animation but I do want to celebrate MINIONS! "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 19, 2010
|
|
|
94%
|
The King's Speech (2010) |
"
The film is made by Firth and Rush smartly delivering the clever lines of David Seidler's script. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 19, 2010
|
|
5/10
|
90%
|
The Fighter (2010) |
"
The Fighter, works best as an entertaining tale of chaotic family dynamics. The fight footage is mostly bland and mundane, and we get little insight into the boxing world. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 19, 2010
|
|
|
87%
|
Cropsey (2010) |
"
Films like The Blair Witch Project use a fake documentary format to try and create a horror film about an urban myth that turns out to be real. Cropsey, though, is the real deal."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 18, 2010
|
|
|
51%
|
Tron Legacy (2010) |
"
The only two things keeping me awake were the cool score by Daft Punk and Michael Sheen's over-the-top performance as the villainous Zuse."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 17, 2010
|
|
6/10
|
87%
|
Black Swan (2010) |
"
Black Swan is a film about striving for perfection and the toll that can take on an artist."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 10, 2010
|
|
|
4%
|
Hemingway's Garden of Eden (2010) |
"
The acting rings false and the clothes, rooms, and locations never feel lived in. You always feel aware that you are on a movie set watching actors perform."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 10, 2010
|
|
|
94%
|
Whiz Kids (2010) |
"
Harmain is one of three students that filmmaker Tom Shepherd focuses on. Their youthful enthusiasm, and impressive enterprise and intelligence are downright inspiring. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 10, 2010
|
|
|
94%
|
Samson and Delilah (2010) |
"
There's little dialogue in Samson and Delilah and the film has a gritty, sun-baked poeticism to it."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 10, 2010
|
|
5/10
|
——
|
Victim (2010) |
"
But what begins as a standard B-horror flick develops some unexpected and occasionally clever twists as it transforms into an odd tale of revenge."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 10, 2010
|
|
|
20%
|
The Tourist (2010) |
"
There was a moment when I thought maybe The Tourist> could be like one of Hitchcock's fun, elegant thrillers like To Catch a Thief. Unfortunately that moment was fleeting."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 10, 2010
|
|
|
90%
|
Winnebago Man (2010) |
"
A hilarious film."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 8, 2010
|
|
5/10
|
75%
|
Heartless (2010) |
"
Heartless isn't as dazzling as The Reflecting Skin but it's nice to hear from Ridley again after all these years."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 3, 2010
|
|
5/10
|
30%
|
The Warrior's Way (2010) |
"
If Sergio Leone ever made an Asian-western video game, this would be it. And I say that with a certain sense of joy. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 3, 2010
|
|
|
81%
|
Four Lions (2010) |
"
It offers a hilarious, pitch black comedy that suggests we can never protect ourselves from stupidity and incompetence."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Dec 1, 2010
|
|
|
79%
|
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010) |
"
The cast is spot on and a constant delight. But it's a shame that Bonham Carter and Rickman, who are such delicious fun, are barely given any screen time. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 19, 2010
|
|
|
83%
|
Avatar (2009) |
"
I did not like Avatar and I have no interest in any bonus features that prolong the agony of the 160 film."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 16, 2010
|
|
4/10
|
86%
|
Unstoppable (2010) |
"
The result is a mindless popcorn movie that speeds frantically for almost as long as the real runaway train before grinding to an anticlimactic stop. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 15, 2010
|
|
|
91%
|
Alamar (To the Sea) (2010) |
"
Mexico's Alamar arrives like a breath of fresh air reminding us of cinema's potential for simple and elegant beauty."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 12, 2010
|
|
|
15%
|
Skyline (2010) |
"
Let me say upfront and with absolute clarity that Skyline is a bad film. So why don't I feel any animosity toward it? I guess because despite everything that was wrong with this film I still had fun and laughed more than I did at Due Date."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 12, 2010
|
|
|
81%
|
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) |
"
Scott Pilgrim is refreshing in its lack of pretension and lack of smirking hipster irony. Instead we get something sweet, genuine, and dazzlingly well made."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 10, 2010
|
|
|
72%
|
Monsters (2010) |
"
You could say that Monsters is an art house take on Cloverfield. And for me that's a good thing."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 6, 2010
|
|
|
80%
|
Dead Hooker in a Trunk (2009) |
"
The film is an uneven, ultra-low budget project fueled by wild energy and do-it-yourself inventiveness. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Nov 4, 2010
|
|
5/10
|
——
|
The Unbroken (shizumanu Taiyô) () |
"
The film provides a fascinating glimpse into Japan's corporate culture even if that view is limited to one company. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 14, 2010
|
|
|
98%
|
How to Train Your Dragon (2010) |
"
Although forced upon us in 3D, the CGI animation was not annoying, and the dragons and humans were quite charming."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 12, 2010
|
|
|
81%
|
I Am Love (2010) |
"
I am not a fan of romantic movies but I Am Love dives into its romance with such reckless abandon and such an over the top affection for cinema that I could not resist. "
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 12, 2010
|
|
|
81%
|
I Am Love (2010) |
"
The magnificent Tilda Swinton shines as a woman who discovers a whole new emotional life through a young lover who happens to be a chef. His food leads to a sensual awakening."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 12, 2010
|
|
|
12%
|
Jonah Hex (2010) |
"
Clocking in at a mere 81 minutes, it feels like an eternity. Read the comic."
—
KPBS.org
Posted Oct 12, 2010
|
78%
36%
100%
85%
45%
40%
