|
B-
|
19%
|
Texas Chainsaw (2013) |
"
It's kind of surprising. And interesting. And even entertaining after a fashion, if your idea of entertainment involves warranty-voiding uses of the Black & Decker catalog. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Jan 4, 2013
|
|
B+
|
88%
|
Django Unchained (2012) |
"
It's bold, it's beautiful, it's a sheer delight... and a more disciplined approach might have made a masterpiece out of it."
—
Mania.com
Posted Dec 28, 2012
|
|
B
|
65%
|
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) |
"
"Disappointing" isn't the same thing as "bad.""
—
Mania.com
Posted Dec 28, 2012
|
|
A+
|
69%
|
Les Misérables (2012) |
"
If you're not careful, it will sweep you right off your feet: leaving you drained, stunned and more than a little moved."
—
Mania.com
Posted Dec 25, 2012
|
|
F-
|
0%
|
Nutcracker in 3D (2010) |
"
It's flawless in its flaws, without a single redeeming element to obscure its idealized awfulness."
—
Mania.com
Posted Dec 24, 2012
|
|
B+
|
61%
|
Jack Reacher (2012) |
"
Each clue is carefully conceived and intelligently executed; each one makes sense without pandering to the lowest common denominator."
—
Mania.com
Posted Dec 21, 2012
|
|
B+
|
96%
|
Monsters, Inc. 3D (2012) |
"
It does well, but not brilliantly: an amusing trifle from a studio whose best work still lay ahead of it. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Dec 20, 2012
|
|
A-
|
93%
|
Zero Dark Thirty (2013) |
"
Don't mess with the chicks. Osama bin Laden did, and look what happened to him."
—
Mania.com
Posted Dec 20, 2012
|
|
F
|
50%
|
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012) |
"
I'd say this film hates women, but that's too limiting. It hates everyone."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 30, 2012
|
|
C
|
36%
|
The Collection (2012) |
"
Dunstan mistakes unpleasantness for fear, reveling in gore for its own sake and destroying any anticipation or suspense in the bargain."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 29, 2012
|
|
C-
|
13%
|
Red Dawn (2012) |
"
It's worse than bad: it's forgettable."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 21, 2012
|
|
A
|
88%
|
Life of Pi (2012) |
"
Sublime filmmaking from an artist at the top of his game"
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 21, 2012
|
|
B
|
53%
|
Citadel (2012) |
"
A compelling inner city nightmare, with the supernatural elements barely masking a very real scenario."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 16, 2012
|
|
D
|
48%
|
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012) |
"
Whew! That was close: something almost happened there for a minute."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 16, 2012
|
|
A
|
69%
|
Creepshow (1982) |
"
As much as I love and admire Romero's zombie pictures... I may love Creepshow just a little bit more. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 12, 2012
|
|
A
|
89%
|
Lincoln (2012) |
"
We're left admiring him all the more for his similarities to us mere mortals, and wondering sadly how much different life might be right now if the fates had allowed him to live. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 9, 2012
|
|
A
|
92%
|
Skyfall (2012) |
"
A movie that renews our faith in the pertinence and durability of this 50-year-old franchise."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 9, 2012
|
|
B
|
49%
|
The Man With the Iron Fists (2012) |
"
Goofy and derivative in all the right ways."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 2, 2012
|
|
A
|
86%
|
Wreck-it Ralph (2012) |
"
The movie knows and loves gaming culture, but never uses that as an excuse to let the narrative slip."
—
Mania.com
Posted Nov 2, 2012
|
|
D
|
6%
|
Silent Hill: Revelation (2012) |
"
Set piece, set piece, exposition, set piece, boss fight, set piece, more exposition, boss fight, boss fight, open the door for another sequel, the end."
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 26, 2012
|
|
F
|
67%
|
Cloud Atlas (2012) |
"
You start playing Spot the Star instead of absorbing the drama... and in the process become painfully aware of everyone's freakish overacting. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 26, 2012
|
|
B
|
25%
|
Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) |
"
If you just want a few sharp jolts in a darkened theater, it definitely doesn't wear out its welcome."
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 19, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
74%
|
Prometheus (2012) |
"
A fascinating - and at times frustrating - film."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Oct 15, 2012
|
|
2/4
|
——
|
Werewolf: The Beast Among Us (Unrated) (2012) |
"
Wait for the inevitable Syfy screening . . .the ideal place for this particular brand of cheese. "
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Oct 12, 2012
|
|
B-
|
82%
|
Seven Psychopaths (2012) |
"
It doesn't add up to much. Thankfully, it knows how to deliver a good time along the way."
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 12, 2012
|
|
B+
|
63%
|
Sinister (2012) |
"
The horror film to beat this Halloween: scary and suspenseful without insulting our intelligence. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 12, 2012
|
|
C
|
54%
|
V/H/S (2012) |
"
Watching douche bags get their comeuppance loses its charms the fourth or fifth time through."
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 5, 2012
|
|
C
|
21%
|
Taken 2 (2012) |
"
It's not good, but with the right sort of mindset, it can be cheerfully endured."
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 5, 2012
|
|
B-
|
87%
|
Frankenweenie (2012) |
"
The overt familiarity... drags down what should have been a triumphant return to form."
—
Mania.com
Posted Oct 5, 2012
|
|
B
|
79%
|
The Hole (2012) |
"
Now that it's finally here, it proves a sight better than its direct-to-video credentials suggest."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 28, 2012
|
|
B-
|
43%
|
Hotel Transylvania (2012) |
"
It won't fill your kids with magic and wonder, but you can be reasonably assured of diverting them for a few precious hours without permanently warping their minds."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 28, 2012
|
|
B+
|
65%
|
Solomon Kane (2012) |
"
Bassett gives us plenty of reasons to respect his tale, then refuses to break that contract with cheap tricks or shoddy delivery."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 28, 2012
|
|
A
|
93%
|
Looper (2012) |
"
The smart idea at the center blossoms into an equally smart movie."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 28, 2012
|
|
4/4
|
92%
|
Ed Wood (1994) |
"
Burton wraps it all in his singular vision, devoid of bells and whistles and all the more potent for its comparative subtlety."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Sep 26, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
100%
|
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012) |
"
DC's theatrical releases may be facing a bleak future, but titles like this remind us that their direct-to-video line is alive and well."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Sep 26, 2012
|
|
2.5/4
|
18%
|
Judge Dredd (1995) |
"
If it can't stay true to the title character, it at least delivers a little modest popcorn fun to those willing to lower their sights."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Sep 21, 2012
|
|
C
|
11%
|
House at the End of the Street (2012) |
"
It's too soapy and problematic to really work, but I guarantee you've seen worse this year."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 21, 2012
|
|
C+
|
78%
|
Dredd (2012) |
"
Once you get past Urban's magnificent performance, it doesn't feel much like the Mega-City One we expect."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 21, 2012
|
|
C-
|
30%
|
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) |
"
Resident Evil: Retribution can't even pass muster for the simple standards of this series."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 14, 2012
|
|
A+
|
99%
|
Finding Nemo 3D (2012) |
"
It's bright, it's beautiful and it hasn't aged a day. So why, then, do we need to see it in 3-D?"
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 14, 2012
|
|
B+
|
73%
|
Toys In The Attic (Na Pude) (2012) |
"
It stands in sharp contrast to anything we've seen from American filmmakers of late: equal parts creepy, whimsical and political."
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 7, 2012
|
|
C
|
38%
|
[REC] 3 Genesis (2012) |
"
Beyond the basic idea and the few clever gems that spawn from it, [REC] 3 doesn't improve on the formula much. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Sep 7, 2012
|
|
0/4
|
34%
|
Battleship (2012) |
"
It can't even muster any "so bad it's good" credentials."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Sep 6, 2012
|
|
C+
|
39%
|
The Possession (2012) |
"
An interesting failure..."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 31, 2012
|
|
B+
|
76%
|
Premium Rush (2012) |
"
It finds joy in the little details: the sharp dialogue, the crackerjack chases, the constant yellow CG lines covering Wilee's routes away from (or all too often straight into) danger."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 24, 2012
|
|
D
|
4%
|
The Apparition (2012) |
"
The bare-bones framework of an utterly generic horror story, devoid of thrills, jolts or even an interesting hook."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 24, 2012
|
|
B+
|
87%
|
ParaNorman (2012) |
"
It celebrates the gothic outsider in familiar fashion, though it does so with a wisdom and gentleness that Burton seems to have lost."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 17, 2012
|
|
B+
|
65%
|
The Expendables 2 (2012) |
"
Damn you goofy bastards; how can we stay mad at you?"
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 17, 2012
|
|
C-
|
34%
|
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012) |
"
Noble failures are still failures... no matter how hard they try."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 17, 2012
|
|
B
|
65%
|
The Campaign (2012) |
"
I laughed a lot during The Campaign and that's all that really matters."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 10, 2012
|
|
C
|
56%
|
The Bourne Legacy (2012) |
"
Without more of an emotional stake, the film can't convince us to pay closer attention."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 10, 2012
|
|
D+
|
31%
|
Total Recall (2012) |
"
A sad carbon copy, devoid of any flair and existing mainly to get people to see the first one again."
—
Mania.com
Posted Aug 3, 2012
|
|
D
|
16%
|
The Watch (2012) |
"
A bad comedy is one thing, but a bad comedy starring funny people is unconscionable."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jul 27, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
80%
|
The Whisperer In Darkness () |
"
An old-fashioned creepfest that easily holds its own against more prominent productions. "
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Jul 25, 2012
|
|
B+
|
87%
|
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) |
"
1) It isn't as good as the first two. 2) It's still pretty good. 3) Don't beat me."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jul 20, 2012
|
|
C-
|
37%
|
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) |
"
The sight of so many name performers lining up to score a quick buck is positively depressing."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jul 13, 2012
|
|
B+
|
73%
|
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) |
"
It actually leaves us very interested in possible sequels. Considering how things could have gone, that's pretty... well... amazing."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jul 3, 2012
|
|
3/4
|
73%
|
Barbarella (1968) |
"
Barbarella couldn't exist in any era but the 1960s and its delightful over-the-top qualities find an ideal expression in the ridiculous excesses of the time."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Jul 2, 2012
|
|
B+
|
95%
|
The Secret of NIMH (1982) |
"
As Pixar proved decades later, the narrative is all-important: adapted here from an award-winning children's book with a few hiccups but also a lot of heart."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jul 2, 2012
|
|
2.5/4
|
——
|
Superman vs. The Elite (2012) |
"
Great story or bad art? You can't get one without the other in Superman vs. The Elite and that's a crying shame..."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Jun 25, 2012
|
|
3.5/4
|
51%
|
John Carter (2012) |
"
If you haven't seen it yet, give it another shot. You may be surprised at how much fun it can be."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Jun 25, 2012
|
|
F
|
0%
|
Megaforce (1982) |
"
The film maintains an actual "plot," but views it more as a nuisance than a necessity, probably because it would detract from the scorching homoeroticism of Bostwick in his spandex unitard."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 25, 2012
|
|
A+
|
79%
|
The Thing (1982) |
"
I'll say it: the single greatest horror movie ever made."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 25, 2012
|
|
A+
|
92%
|
Blade Runner (1982) |
"
A motion picture masterpiece on the short list of Reasons Why This Medium is Worthwhile."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 25, 2012
|
|
B-
|
78%
|
Brave (2012) |
"
Perfection is a harsh mistress and as a film from the studio that practically embodies the term, Brave can't help but suffer."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 22, 2012
|
|
B+
|
35%
|
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) |
"
The summer's most fantastic guilty pleasure."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 22, 2012
|
|
A
|
98%
|
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) |
"
It makes us believe in magic again even as grizzled, cynical adults."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 11, 2012
|
|
A-
|
87%
|
Poltergeist (1982) |
"
Thanks to Poltergeist, more than a few of us still sleep with the lights on: the world has changed, but our closets haven't."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted Jun 8, 2012
|
|
A
|
91%
|
Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan (1982) |
"
"To boldly go" never went quite so boldly as it did here."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 8, 2012
|
|
F
|
13%
|
Piranha 3DD (2012) |
"
A carnival hustle that even The Hoff should be ashamed of."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 8, 2012
|
|
B+
|
79%
|
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) |
"
Not only is it the best of the series so far, but it actually makes us look forward to the prospect of a Part Four."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 8, 2012
|
|
A-
|
74%
|
Prometheus (2012) |
"
Regardless of its box office performance, Prometheus has a long life ahead of it."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 8, 2012
|
|
C-
|
48%
|
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) |
"
A movie that plays like its own art book: lovely to browse through, but excruciating to actually experience."
—
Mania.com
Posted Jun 1, 2012
|
|
C-
|
20%
|
Chernobyl Diaries (2012) |
"
Watching the protagonists fall one by one, it becomes clear that this isn't a cautionary example: it's sweet Darwinism in action."
—
Mania.com
Posted May 25, 2012
|
|
3/4
|
85%
|
Chronicle (2012) |
"
It's nice to know that small gems like this can find a place amid the behemoths of Marvel and DC."
—
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Posted May 25, 2012
|
|
A
|
86%
|
Battle Royale 3D (2000) |
"
A gloriously entertaining ride, provided you have a taste for dark material and don't mind the occasional poke in the ribs."
—
Mania.com
Posted May 25, 2012
|
|
B
|
70%
|
Men in Black III (2012) |
"
I wouldn't recommend taking MIB3's tortured path to success; I'm just really glad it got there."
—
Mania.com
Posted May 25, 2012
|
|
C+
|
58%
|
The Dictator (2012) |
"
It lacks the visceral anarchy to which it clearly aspires: that sense that Cohen is playing with lit dynamite that could explode at any moment."
—
Mania.com
Posted May 18, 2012
|
|
F
|
34%
|
Battleship (2012) |
"
As alien invasions go, this ranks as one of the most inept in movie history."
—
Mania.com
Posted May 18, 2012
|
|
A
|
77%
|
Conan the Barbarian (1982) |
"
Its magnificence stems from the very properties we should be condemning with all our might."
—
Mania.com
Posted May 14, 2012
|
|
D
|
38%
|
Dark Shadows (2012) |
"
[Burton] fails on levels I wouldn't have imagined possible."
—
Mania.com
Posted May 11, 2012
|
|
A-
|
93%
|
Marvel's The Avengers (2012) |
"
Mines the collective goodwill of the Marvel nation to impressive effect, "
—
Mania.com
Posted May 3, 2012
|
|
B+
|
86%
|
The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012) |
"
A whimsical confection that effortlessly puts a smile on the lips of the harshest cynic."
—
Mania.com
Posted Apr 29, 2012
|
|
C+
|
57%
|
Safe (2012) |
"
It sets the stage for the best cop drama since Heat... and ultimately proves unable to meet those expectations."
—
Mania.com
Posted Apr 29, 2012
|
|
D+
|
23%
|
The Raven (2012) |
"
If you shoot for the moon and miss, it's a long way down. The Raven gives us a front-row seat to the plummet."
—
Mania.com
Posted Apr 29, 2012
|
|
B-
|
38%
|
Lockout (Unrated) (2012) |
"
Since it makes no apologies for what it is, neither should the viewer regret the utterly disposable entertainment on display. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Apr 13, 2012
|
|
A+
|
92%
|
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) |
"
Anyone who presumes to love horror movies needs to see The Cabin in the Woods."
—
Mania.com
Posted Apr 11, 2012
|
|
A-
|
50%
|
Mirror Mirror (2012) |
"
The film is a delight... and it doesn't need to be anything else."
—
Mania.com
Posted Mar 30, 2012
|
|
C+
|
26%
|
Wrath of the Titans (2012) |
"
"A" for effort, O noble warrior, but Harry Hamlin still eats your lunch."
—
Mania.com
Posted Mar 30, 2012
|
|
B
|
85%
|
The Hunger Games (2012) |
"
[Overcomes] the occasional rough spot to deliver a faithful and interesting sci-fi adventure."
—
Mania.com
Posted Mar 23, 2012
|
|
B
|
85%
|
21 Jump Street (2012) |
"
It earns its laughs and never takes our affection for granted. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Mar 17, 2012
|
|
C+
|
41%
|
Silent House (2012) |
"
Its central purpose hinges completely on the ending, and... suffers so horrendously from its ninth-inning swoon that it's hard not to feel the sting. "
—
Mania.com
Posted Mar 9, 2012
|
|
B+
|
51%
|
John Carter (2012) |
"
John Carter is an absolute romp."
—
Mania.com
Posted Mar 9, 2012
|
|
D
|
54%
|
Dr Seuss' The Lorax (2012) |
"
The character in the book never came down from that hole in the sky; one look at the movie and I'm ready to follow him."
—
Mania.com
Posted Mar 2, 2012
|
|
F
|
17%
|
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) |
"
This film sucks on a level I can scarcely describe."
—
Mania.com
Posted Feb 18, 2012
|
|
A
|
94%
|
The Secret World of Arrietty (2012) |
"
How sad that such efforts rarely find the audience they deserve."
—
Mania.com
Posted Feb 17, 2012
|
|
D
|
42%
|
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) |
"
Concepts appear and are abandoned with ruthless efficiency; threats rise and are dispatched with the glum drudgery of a janitor cleaning up puke in the toilet."
—
Mania.com
Posted Feb 10, 2012
|
|
C+
|
57%
|
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) |
"
You'll be surprised at how well its assets hold up and how much easier its liabilities slide away as a result. But $15 a ticket? Please George. Some of us have kids to feed... and yours don't need the money."
—
Mania.com
Posted Feb 10, 2012
|
|
B+
|
79%
|
The Innkeepers (2012) |
"
It retains an eerie elegance in the last few minutes: not as arbitrary as the traditional horror twist, but duly earned by the slow development that precedes it."
—
Mania.com
Posted Feb 3, 2012
|
72%
21%
63%
85%
46%
40%
