|
C-
|
38%
|
Stand Up Guys (2013) |
"
The forced humor, manufactured angst...and retread dialog make "Stand Up Guys" a disappointment and a waste of some great talent."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 31, 2013
|
|
B-
|
76%
|
Hors Satan (2013) |
"
The ambiguity of the episodic story with its sparse dialog, combined with the visually stunning landscape photography, makes "Hors Satan" a compelling, if overly long, composition."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 30, 2013
|
|
A-
|
98%
|
56 Up (2013) |
"
...can be seen and appreciated by both those who have followed series and those to whom it is all new. "
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 24, 2013
|
|
B
|
96%
|
Searching for Sugar Man (2012) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
B-
|
72%
|
Fracture (2007) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
C-
|
29%
|
The Tempest (2010) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
D+
|
36%
|
The Collection (2012) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
B
|
79%
|
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
C+
|
72%
|
The Future (2011) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
A-
|
92%
|
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
D-
|
26%
|
Land of the Lost (2009) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
—
|
97%
|
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
B-
|
64%
|
2 Days in New York (2012) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
B+
|
73%
|
V for Vendetta (2006) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
B-
|
52%
|
Trouble with the Curve (2012) |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 22, 2013
|
|
C+
|
30%
|
Broken City (2013) |
"
Stars Wahlberg, Crowe and Zeta-Jones give yeomen's effort to fleshing out their respective characters but those characters lack dimension. "
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 18, 2013
|
|
B
|
——
|
Paziraie sadeh (Modest Reception) () |
"
...the filmmaker keeps you wondering to the end as to just what they are up to. Somehow, the ambiguity is satisfying."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 17, 2013
|
|
B-
|
87%
|
The Iran Job (2013) |
"
"The Iran Job" has interesting characters, an insight into Iran's culture and the story of one lonely American who, for a year, was his country's cultural ambassador to Iran."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 17, 2013
|
|
C
|
47%
|
A Liar's Autobiography - The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012) |
"
...uneven and, with abrupt transitions from one animation style to another, distracting."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 15, 2013
|
|
C
|
45%
|
On the Road (2012) |
"
This 2+ hour adaptation (by Jose Rivera) spends most of its time on two things: sex, with various participants, and a lot of driving to and from various parts of the American landscape."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 15, 2013
|
|
B+
|
92%
|
Farewell, My Queen (2012) |
"
The film shows both sides of the social spectrum within the court akin to "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Downton Abbey," but with bloodthirsty rabble at the door."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 15, 2013
|
|
B+
|
94%
|
Amour (2012) |
"
The story is heart-breaking in its honest depiction of life near the end."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 7, 2013
|
|
B+
|
100%
|
The Great Love (2012) |
"
Director and co-writer Etaix does a fine, funny job in his commentary on modern marriage (at least, marriage in late 1960s France) and infidelity and the damaging power of gossip."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 6, 2013
|
|
B
|
80%
|
Hitler's Children (2012) |
"
"Hitler's Children" is an original study of the Holocaust and is also a cautionary statement of the dangers of the rise of a new fascism."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 3, 2013
|
|
C
|
——
|
War Of The Dead (2013) |
"
...the filmmakers try to tie the loose ends but do not always succeed, making the film feel hurried getting to its conclusion."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 3, 2013
|
|
B-
|
79%
|
Quartet (2013) |
"
With this and "Marigold Hotel," we seem to be on a roll with films aimed at people over the age of 30."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jan 3, 2013
|
|
B+
|
93%
|
Zero Dark Thirty (2013) |
"
The film builds steadily, but never tediously, to the long awaited mission to Abbottabad and the compound housing Osama bin Laden."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Dec 31, 2012
|
|
C-
|
52%
|
This is 40 (2012) |
"
What we have is a man (Apatow) who appears, through his cynical story...to be facing a mid-life crisis of his own."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Dec 22, 2012
|
|
B
|
69%
|
Not Fade Away (2012) |
"
David Chase takes a page out of the Martin Scorsese playbook, music-wise, and utilizes a slew of great songs from the 50s and 60s."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Dec 22, 2012
|
|
C+
|
51%
|
Promised Land (2013) |
"
"Promised Land" is more character driven story telling than cautionary environmental tale."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Dec 22, 2012
|
|
B
|
65%
|
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) |
"
Time will tell if this is a new Peter Jackson cash cow or just a bridge too far."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Dec 13, 2012
|
|
B+
|
93%
|
The Central Park Five (2012) |
"
The [documentary] team builds a solid story from the time of the crime through the release from prison those wrongly accused and railroaded into confessing to a crime they did not commit."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Dec 11, 2012
|
|
B-
|
17%
|
Delhi Safari (2012) |
"
The "Save the Environment" and "Share the World" themes of "Delhi Safari" will keep the adults involved in this nice story that is chock full of snappy, nature-friendly songs that will delight the kids."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Dec 11, 2012
|
|
C+
|
75%
|
Killing Them Softly (2012) |
"
There is dark humor galore - a scene where one particularly dumb mobster torches a car gets my laugh every time I see it - mixed in with the violence..."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 29, 2012
|
|
B+
|
100%
|
The Waiting Room (2012) |
"
Documentary filmmaker [Peter] Nicks provides us with an eye opening work about the life in a day of an ER that makes any reality TV pale in comparison."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 24, 2012
|
|
B+
|
88%
|
Life of Pi (2012) |
"
Director Ang Lee's deft hand at the helm (with, of course, his outstanding behind the camera crew) makes for an original fantasy that is actually two stories in one. In the end, you decide which is true."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 24, 2012
|
|
C+
|
13%
|
Red Dawn (2012) |
"
The [Dan] Bradley "Red Dawn" plays more like an extended video game."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 16, 2012
|
|
C+
|
63%
|
Anna Karenina (2012) |
"
Costume and period sets are stunning as is the skilled cinematography, particularly during the elaborate scene and costume transitions early on. Unfortunately, the characters are less than fully developed..."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 16, 2012
|
|
B
|
96%
|
Chasing Ice (2012) |
"
When you see this frightening footage with your eyes, well, a single picture is worth a thousand words and "Chasing Ice" tells volumes."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 10, 2012
|
|
B-
|
78%
|
A Late Quartet (2012) |
"
The soap opera [story] is okay but the real star of "A Late Quartet" is Beethoven's Opus 131."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 10, 2012
|
|
A
|
89%
|
Lincoln (2012) |
"
"Lincoln" is a transcendent film for the director [Steven Spielberg], more than even "Schindler's List," and...may be his best, most completely realized film to date."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Nov 10, 2012
|
|
A
|
90%
|
Holy Motors (2012) |
"
Denis Lavant gives a tour de force performance(s) showing both great acting skill and amazing physical virtuosity - the motion capture scene is jaw dropping to watch."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 25, 2012
|
|
A-
|
93%
|
The House I Live In (2012) |
"
Statistics abound in this thorough analysis of the declared war [on drugs] that, like Vietnam, we are losing. "
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 25, 2012
|
|
B+
|
84%
|
Smashed (2012) |
"
Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives a tour-de-force performance...[and the film] is a solid entry into the addict film genre. "
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 25, 2012
|
|
B+
|
94%
|
The Sessions (2012) |
"
Skilled direction, a talented cast and a simple but elegant story will garner a lot of sympathy from its targeted, more mature audience. "
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 20, 2012
|
|
C
|
——
|
Conned (2012) |
"
[T]he ambitious ideas are not handled well by the author, Luhn, and the many stories become muddled."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 17, 2012
|
|
B
|
95%
|
Sister (2012) |
"
Director and co-writer Ursula Meier...does a deft job in both storytelling...and directing her small but very talented cast."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 17, 2012
|
|
C+
|
44%
|
The Paperboy (2012) |
"
The quirky characters could have worked and might have if the story had held one course and not many."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 17, 2012
|
|
C+
|
82%
|
Seven Psychopaths (2012) |
"
So many characters require a deft, experienced hand at the helm and [Martin] McDonagh has not achieved that level of experience, yet."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 12, 2012
|
|
B+
|
96%
|
Argo (2012) |
"
...exciting and gripping all the way through."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 11, 2012
|
|
B-
|
81%
|
Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare (2012) |
"
"Escape Fire" will be a learning and thought provoking experience."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Oct 5, 2012
|
|
C+
|
93%
|
Looper (2012) |
"
The subplot revolving around Cid takes away from the sci-fi and time travel yarn, taking me out of the loop, so to speak."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 28, 2012
|
|
C-
|
43%
|
Hotel Transylvania (2012) |
"
"Hotel Transylvania" tries to be slapstick monster movie, a protective daddy flick and a story of young romance between human and vampire - very timely with "True Blood," "The Vampire Diaries" and, I hate to say, the "Twilight" series."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 27, 2012
|
|
C+
|
54%
|
V/H/S (2012) |
"
...shot in subdued light, making darkness a key element in setting up the jump-out-from-the-dark scares. Still, the 17 to 24 year old male demographic will enjoy the show."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 27, 2012
|
|
C+
|
59%
|
10 Years (2012) |
"
There is an embarrassment of wealth in the young acting pool participating in this enormous ensemble filled with drama and comedy."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 27, 2012
|
|
C+
|
78%
|
Dredd (2012) |
"
...Dredd remains ensconce in his signature helmet with mostly growled orders emerging from his maw. The target teens and tweenies will enjoy it, though more mature audiences will not be satisfied."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 21, 2012
|
|
B
|
75%
|
Chicken with Plums (2012) |
"
The simplicity of animation and story in ["Persepolis"] is put aside for the far more complex and layered "Chicken with Plums,""
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 13, 2012
|
|
B+
|
87%
|
Arbitrage (2012) |
"
First time feature film director-writer Nicolas Jarecki gives us an assured debut and a film that is more than a calling card, it is a full-blown introduction to a career that can only get better and better."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 11, 2012
|
|
C+
|
68%
|
Step Up To The Plate (2012) |
"
When it loses sight of this change of hands story, the film loses its direction, making me want it either back on track or over."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 10, 2012
|
|
B
|
93%
|
Wild Horse, Wild Ride (2012) |
"
These everyday horse whisperers, and their noble steeds, are an inspiration to all."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 10, 2012
|
|
C-
|
23%
|
The Words (2012) |
"
The film is best when [Jeremy] Irons is on screen and his flash back story is told. The actor's weather worn face is a character unto itself."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Sep 7, 2012
|
|
B+
|
95%
|
Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present (2012) |
"
Like any good documentary, ""The Artist Is Present" gives insight into the life and work of a truly talented lady. Her works may not be for all tastes she but obviously has an audience if MoMA is any indication."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 29, 2012
|
|
A-
|
77%
|
Samsara (2012) |
"
"Samsara" is a magical and lyrical film that lingers on its beautiful (and, sometimes, not-so-beautiful) imagery of places that few will ever get to see - save for here."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 29, 2012
|
|
C+
|
76%
|
Premium Rush (2012) |
"
Techs, especially for the fast-paced chases, are pretty slick and hold your eye. After a while though, it all gets repetitive."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 25, 2012
|
|
B
|
85%
|
Sleepwalk With Me (2012) |
"
...a very personal story from actor-turned-filmmaker Birbiglia and gives an honest account of Matt's two very different lives..."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 25, 2012
|
|
B
|
64%
|
Cosmopolis (2012) |
"
If you are a fan of David Cronenberg, you should include [Cosmopolis] in things to watch list."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 22, 2012
|
|
B-
|
65%
|
The Campaign (2012) |
"
"The Campaign" works best when director Jay Roach does the thing that he does best - slapstick shock humor and visual gags."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 16, 2012
|
|
B+
|
87%
|
Robot & Frank (2012) |
"
When Frank talks to Robot, he is actually talking to Robot, not a computer image, and this seems fresh after the CGI extravaganzas of [the summer]."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 16, 2012
|
|
B-
|
95%
|
The Imposter (2012) |
"
The idea of "The Imposter" is more intriguing than the film's execution."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 15, 2012
|
|
B
|
74%
|
Hope Springs (2012) |
"
a complete package with good directing, writing, acting and production. It will not attract the 18-24 year old male demographic but does hit home if you are over 40 and committed to someone."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 9, 2012
|
|
B-
|
79%
|
Ruby Sparks (2012) |
"
The scripter-star [Zoe Kazan] shows skill at creating femme characters but not so much with the guys. Still, Kazan's perf is the real draw"
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 4, 2012
|
|
C+
|
70%
|
Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012) |
"
Rashida Jones is a very likable personality and, with her career ambitions...nice wardrobe and positive attitude, will appeal to women. The story, though, does not cross the gender gap, making this a film NOT for date night."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 2, 2012
|
|
A
|
95%
|
Side by Side (2012) |
"
[Keanu] Reaves has the top filmmakers in the world giving their two-cents on a subject near and dear to me."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 2, 2012
|
|
B-
|
87%
|
Easy Money (2012) |
"
...an interesting film but somewhat sterile. There is little emotion from the characters (except Latin blooded Jorge) and their upcoming deadly collision is inevitable."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 2, 2012
|
|
B+
|
90%
|
Wanda (1971) |
"
...a solid characters study and fine debut, and swan song (Loden died in 1980 after battling cancer), for an unrequited filmmaker."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 2, 2012
|
|
A-
|
95%
|
On the Bowery (1957) |
"
The remarkably crisp black and white photography shows what life on the street was really like for the down and outs living on the Bowery."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 2, 2012
|
|
C+
|
77%
|
Killer Joe (2012) |
"
This is a case of good actors given earthy characters but...they are really caricatures and not much more."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Aug 1, 2012
|
|
C
|
79%
|
Klown (2012) |
"
The cast of "Klown" is a who's who in Danish entertainment and the actors use their own names to name their characters. It is very clever, but only to those familiar with Danish TV and cinema, making this a hit in Denmark, but not here."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 26, 2012
|
|
B
|
71%
|
Sacrifice (2012) |
"
Techs are terrific, from costume to cinematography, giving the film a lovely look."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 20, 2012
|
|
C
|
76%
|
Unforgivable (2012) |
"
The multi-layer cake story has one or three too many."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 19, 2012
|
|
B
|
67%
|
17 Girls (2012) |
"
The story is remarkable in that it does an honest telling of real life events and does it accurately, too."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 19, 2012
|
|
B+
|
87%
|
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) |
"
The production values are brilliant. Camera, costumes, sets, production design and the rest are superior and, with the roller coaster ride Nolan gives us, make the 164-minute film fly by."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 19, 2012
|
|
D+
|
37%
|
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) |
"
Franchises can and do reach a saturation point and diminishing returns."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 13, 2012
|
|
B+
|
100%
|
The Invisible War (2012) |
"
...totally serious but, still, incredibly informative and quite shocking with his plethora of data."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 7, 2012
|
|
B-
|
73%
|
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) |
"
Special effects are flashy with lots computer generated F/X but...the filmmakers also utilize live stunt work and motion capture, which I appreciate."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 7, 2012
|
|
B+
|
——
|
Présumé coupable () |
"
... the filmmakers give good shrift to the entire scandal, the players and the judicial system that would allow such a miscarriage of justice to even happen."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 2, 2012
|
|
—
|
100%
|
Black Venus (Venus Noire) () |
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 2, 2012
|
|
B-
|
80%
|
Magic Mike (2012) |
"
Soderbergh walks the line and comes up with a film that is surprisingly fun and entertaining. "Magic Mike" is the kind of chick flick that morphs well into a date flick."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jul 1, 2012
|
|
C
|
43%
|
To Rome with Love (2012) |
"
[Allen] has several alter egos from Aleck Baldwin, to Jesse Eisenberg and to Woody himself, making this one of his more self-indulgent films to date."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 30, 2012
|
|
B+
|
95%
|
5 Broken Cameras (2012) |
"
As the title says, Emad's five cameras pay the price for his freedom of expression by being shot (one camera shot twice) or smashed by Israeli soldiers."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 20, 2012
|
|
C+
|
56%
|
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) |
"
This sociological study of the human mind is more compelling than the story of Dodge and Penny."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 20, 2012
|
|
B
|
88%
|
Pink Ribbons, Inc. (2012) |
"
[Lea] Pool examines the industrialization of the cause that made the Komen Foundation a self-fulfilling business and the filmmaker does a fine job in raising my awareness."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 20, 2012
|
|
B
|
90%
|
Portrait of Wally (2012) |
"
...the journey of just one of many, many thousands of Nazi plundered art works and its rightful return to its owner."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 20, 2012
|
|
B
|
83%
|
Your Sister's Sister (2012) |
"
Mark Duplass has an amiable presence on screen and the film works best when he is in the picture."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 18, 2012
|
|
B+
|
82%
|
Nobody Else But You (2012) |
"
[Sophie] Quinton is sexy, sad, happy and melancholy as she builds her sympathetic Candice to a fully dimensioned tragic figure."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 6, 2012
|
|
B
|
——
|
Khrustalyov, mashinu! (Khrustalyov, My Car!) (1998) |
"
Watching Alexei German films is akin to watching those by Hungarian auteur Bella Tarr - you may not be able to figure out the story but it sure is interesting to watch from the visual viewpoint. "
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted Jun 1, 2012
|
|
D
|
27%
|
High School (2012) |
"
I watched this seemingly endless flick with hardly a smile, never mind a laugh."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted May 31, 2012
|
|
B
|
75%
|
The Intouchables (2012) |
"
What could have been syrupy melodrama turns out to be a charmer - due to the excellent performances and fine chemistry between [Francois] Cluzet and [Omar] Sy."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted May 31, 2012
|
|
B
|
93%
|
Elena (2012) |
"
Director Zvyagintsey displays a deft hand with his small troupe of performers and has a talent for making family dramas with an edge."
—
Reeling Reviews
Posted May 29, 2012
|
74%
78%
62%
52%
26%
4%
