|
2.5/5
|
54%
|
At Any Price (2013) |
"
A viewer is constantly aware of how much everyone is striving. It's the cinematic equivalent of a stranger who trips all over themselves in an effort to become your new best friend."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted May 9, 2013
|
|
2.5/5
|
77%
|
Kon Tiki (2013) |
"
Unfortunately, sharks and whales aren't the stars of the film, so the movie is a pretty humdrum affair when it focuses on humans, even when actors are playing characters based on real people."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted May 2, 2013
|
|
1.5/5
|
54%
|
The Company You Keep (2013) |
"
The navel-gazing grows obnoxious, especially as the people on screen seem more like archetypes than characters."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Apr 11, 2013
|
|
2/5
|
40%
|
Mental (2013) |
"
A lot of times, you simply want the jabbering characters to shut up."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Mar 28, 2013
|
|
4/5
|
52%
|
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) |
"
The film is like a big Disneyland ride, full of wonder and myth."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Feb 27, 2013
|
|
2/5
|
70%
|
Bless Me, Ultima (2013) |
"
The lyrical book is filled with touches of magical realism. On the other hand, the movie is sorely lacking in both magic and realism. It's all very empty and blah."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Feb 26, 2013
|
|
4.5/5
|
85%
|
Side Effects (2013) |
"
It starts out as one type of film and ends up as another, and manages the transition seamlessly."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Feb 6, 2013
|
|
1.5/5
|
30%
|
Broken City (2013) |
"
"Broken City"? More like "Broken Movie.""
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Jan 17, 2013
|
|
4.5/5
|
38%
|
The Guilt Trip (2012) |
"
It zigs when you expect it to zag. It's perceptive and thoughtful as it swerves around potholes that easily could have broken an axle."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Dec 20, 2012
|
|
2/5
|
12%
|
Alex Cross (2012) |
"
Picture Alan Alda in the title role of "Dirty Harry," and you have a good idea why Tyler Perry playing a hard-edged cop in "Alex Cross" doesn't work."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Oct 18, 2012
|
|
3.5/5
|
41%
|
3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom (2012) |
"
Both actors somehow stay grounded despite all the shenanigans. Hunnam, in particular, is quite adept at playing against his movie-star looks."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Oct 11, 2012
|
|
3.5/5
|
21%
|
Taken 2 (2012) |
"
If a viewer enjoyed the exotic locale and fast-paced action in the original film, here they get a different city and even more amped-up happenings, with a plot that intrigues enough to reel a viewer in."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Oct 4, 2012
|
|
4.5/5
|
81%
|
Pitch Perfect (2012) |
"
To paraphrase one of the characters in the movie, it's A-Ca-Awesome."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 27, 2012
|
|
3.5/5
|
78%
|
Dredd (2012) |
"
With its dark characters and the grim setting, the film masterfully creates a compelling, nightmarish atmosphere."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 20, 2012
|
|
2/5
|
77%
|
Samsara (2012) |
"
Fricke and his crew capture such moments as a Hawaiian volcano erupting to life with a stunning, you-are-there clarity. But the film winds up being a collection of striking visuals without any emotional heft."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 13, 2012
|
|
3.5/5
|
58%
|
Sparkle (2012) |
"
"Sparkle" is pure melodrama, but it's a high-powered, well-acted, entertaining melodrama. You may not always believe it, but you won't be bored."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 16, 2012
|
|
2.5/5
|
58%
|
The Dictator (2012) |
"
For the most part, the movie's rhythms feel slightly off -- there are long stretches without a laugh -- and there is a mean-spirited air to the whole thing."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted May 16, 2012
|
|
1/5
|
4%
|
A Little Bit Of Heaven (2012) |
"
There is nothing the slightest bit heavenly about this project, which is wrong-headed in just about every department."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted May 3, 2012
|
|
4/5
|
44%
|
Casa de mi padre (2012) |
"
When you expect it to go in one direction, it goes off in another. Most of the time, that clever element of surprise pays off."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Mar 15, 2012
|
|
3/5
|
41%
|
Silent House (2012) |
"
It's a home-invasion shocker a la "The Strangers," but this one is made even more trippy by the gimmick that the film appears to be shot in one long take and occurs in real time."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Mar 7, 2012
|
|
2/5
|
27%
|
Project X (2012) |
"
The whole thing is chaotic and crazy, but it's also fairly predictable."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Feb 29, 2012
|
|
2.5/5
|
41%
|
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) |
"
Johnson can't save the movie, directed by Brad Peyton, from being a sloppy skip from one seemingly unrelated idea to the next."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Feb 8, 2012
|
|
3.5/5
|
39%
|
Red Tails (2012) |
"
The film's sincerity and good intentions shine through the hokum."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Jan 19, 2012
|
|
2/5
|
34%
|
Joyful Noise (2012) |
"
The cornpone wisdom overflows from the screen during "Joyful Noise," like maple syrup on your grandmama's flapjacks."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Jan 12, 2012
|
|
2/5
|
20%
|
The Double (2011) |
"
It's simply not very good."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Nov 3, 2011
|
|
2/5
|
70%
|
Revenge of the Electric Car (2011) |
"
Ultimately, "Revenge of the Electric Car" is like meeting with an overeager salesman. In real life, that's not necessarily an unpleasant experience, but it also doesn't last 90 minutes."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Nov 3, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
60%
|
Real Steel (2011) |
"
The movie really comes to life during the marvelous boxing sequences, which are often drop-dead exciting."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Oct 5, 2011
|
|
2/5
|
23%
|
What's Your Number? (2011) |
"
Someday Anna Faris will find a movie vehicle that takes full advantage of her quirky comic rhythms and goofball timing, but it sure isn't "What's Your Number?""
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 29, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
82%
|
Dolphin Tale (2011) |
"
Attacking a film like this for being a tad cloying seems to be missing the point. It's an intrinsic part of what "Dolphin Tale" is. It's like getting mad at a dog for barking."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 21, 2011
|
|
1/5
|
17%
|
I Don't Know How She Does It (2011) |
"
Subtlety is never this movie's strong point; then again, it's nearly impossible to pinpoint what this movie's strengths are."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 14, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
93%
|
Drive (2011) |
"
Think of "Drive" as the cinematic equivalent of riding in a car that projects a fashionably stylish image. Sure, the gas mileage may be terrible and the engine unreliable, but it's such a smooth, good-looking ride that you'll put up with the annoyances."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 14, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
82%
|
Life, Above All (2011) |
"
Perseverance is the theme of "Life, Above All," a drama that is deeply affecting, if also overwhelmingly bleak."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 25, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
90%
|
Attack the Block (2011) |
"
It's exciting, and there is plenty of gore for fans of that sort of thing, but one wishes the mix of horror and comedy leaned a little more to the horror side of the equation."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 18, 2011
|
|
2/5
|
36%
|
One Day (2011) |
"
We simply zoom in and zoom out of the characters' lives rather than develop any kind of emotional attachment to them."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 17, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
91%
|
Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (2011) |
"
Thanks to a particularly even-handed job by director Michael Rapaport, the story emerges as compelling, even for non-fans in the audience."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 4, 2011
|
|
2/5
|
21%
|
Snow Flower And The Secret Fan (2011) |
"
The film is visually sumptuous but emotionally inert. It never draws in the viewer."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Jul 22, 2011
|
|
2.5/5
|
34%
|
The Hangover Part II (2011) |
"
This isn't even really a sequel to the hilarious 2009 comedy smash set in Las Vegas. It's virtually the same movie, just transferred to another continent and with the raunch wildly amped up."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted May 25, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
72%
|
Rio (2011) |
"
Some live-action films set in exotic locales can be so atmospheric and picturesque that viewers walk away feeling as if they've taken a short vacation. "Rio" accomplishes this feat, which must be a minor miracle for an animated movie."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Apr 14, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
72%
|
Paul (2011) |
"
A celebration of sci-fi flicks, fanboys and good, old-fashioned bromance, "Paul" is a thoroughly enjoyable road trip."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Mar 17, 2011
|
|
1/5
|
20%
|
Beastly (2011) |
"
There is one good thing you can say about "Beastly": The title perfectly sums up what you'll see on screen."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Mar 2, 2011
|
|
4/5
|
32%
|
I Am Number Four (2011) |
"
"I Am Number Four" is like a good episode of "Smallville": You may feel a bit silly watching it if you're past high-school age, but you just might have a good time."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Feb 16, 2011
|
|
3/5
|
24%
|
The Dilemma (2011) |
"
"The Dilemma" is never dull, but it's also a mess."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Jan 12, 2011
|
|
3/5
|
50%
|
Cool It (2010) |
"
It can be a little hard to digest so many ideas, especially in such rapid succession. The movie is never boring, but there may be some information overload for laymen in the audience."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Nov 12, 2010
|
|
2/5
|
16%
|
Alpha and Omega (2010) |
"
An animated flick that doesn't leave much of an impression. It's even difficult to recall what happened once it's over because it's so slight and sluggish."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 17, 2010
|
|
4.5/5
|
85%
|
Easy A (2010) |
"
This is the kind of movie about teenagers that an adult audience should embrace. It's simply that good, and Stone is nothing short of wonderful."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 15, 2010
|
|
2.5/5
|
52%
|
Going the Distance (2010) |
"
In terms of tone and style, the finished product ends up all over the place: Think of it as the Sybil of romantic comedies."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Sep 2, 2010
|
|
1.5/5
|
4%
|
Vampires Suck (2010) |
"
Two very important things to note about Vampires Suck: The film is a spoof of the Twilight movies, and the title is a good indication of where the level of wit lies."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 18, 2010
|
|
2.5/5
|
37%
|
Eat Pray Love (2010) |
"
Unlike the book, there's no big emotional breakdown; instead, this is a postcard-pretty case of midlife soul-searching."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 11, 2010
|
|
3.5/5
|
78%
|
The Other Guys (2010) |
"
It's sneaky and smartly funny, offering an almost perfect balance of action and comedy."
—
Arizona Republic
Posted Aug 4, 2010
|
43%
43%
96%
99%
65%
61%
