|
43%
|
Admission (2013)
|
"[T]he cards are stacked so heavily for the eventual winning side that Portia doesn't have to grow or change to switch sides; she just has to open her eyes. "
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
40%
|
The Call (2013)
|
""It all looks the same," Casey laments-which might, unfortunately, be taken as meta-commentary on the boilerplate movie she finds herself in."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
53%
|
Safe House (2012)
|
"Everybody fights and everybody lies in a thriller that tries to glamorize spies while demonizing their profession."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
51%
|
Contraband (2012)
|
"We are left to ponder why Andy is any less culpable or any more worth saving than anyone else."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
88%
|
Django Unchained (2012)
|
"As hellish as its moral universe may be, those whose stomachs can handle the descent will find that even in Tarantino's world-perhaps especially in his world-those moral questions still matter."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
30%
|
The Vow (2012)
|
"Ultimately the vision of love and marriage that is being presented here is a fairly routine, secular one, that it is love that binds us to a vow and not the other way around."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
67%
|
Cloud Atlas (2012)
|
"It is hard to think of another film in recent memory in which the accumulation of so much talent has rendered so little."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
70%
|
Men in Black III (2012)
|
"It's all acceptably diverting, not actively unpleasant like the 2002 sequel. There are no grand twists or revelations comparable to the truth about the "galaxy" in the original."
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
93%
|
Marvel's The Avengers (2012)
|
"The Avengers will surely rank among the best superhero movies, if not summer blockbusters, of all time."
|
Russ Breimeier
|
|
38%
|
Blue Like Jazz (2012)
|
"Christian moviegoers will find much to challenge them, but those hoping Don's journey leads him to a clear understanding of the gospel might find it a bit unsatisfying."
|
Josh Hurst
|
|
92%
|
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
|
"A genre-bending concoction of horror, action and comedy -- a big ball of Evil Dead, Scream, Matrix, The Hunger Games, Scooby Doo, Zombieland, and a lot of season 4 of Buffy."
|
Todd Hertz
|
|
62%
|
We Have a Pope (2012)
|
"A premise in search of a thesis, a handful of scenes in search of a story."
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
26%
|
Wrath of the Titans (2012)
|
"Next to Perseus and his world, John Carter is as colorful as Tony Stark and Barsoom is as colorful as Pandora. "
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
85%
|
The Hunger Games (2012)
|
"A dark and engaging action/drama laced with social critique and dystopian sci-fi. But most of all, it's the story of a girl and crushed innocence."
|
Todd Hertz
|
|
65%
|
The Woman in Black (2012)
|
"The best ghost stories, from The Uninvited to The Sixth Sense, play to the heart, if not always to the head. The Woman in Black is at its best when playing to the nerves."
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
44%
|
J. Edgar (2011)
|
"The sort of staidly respectable, competently directed biopic that gives a bad name to competently directed biopics, and possibly to respectability."
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
63%
|
Snowmen (2011)
|
"Funny, engaging, thought-provoking, meaningful, and one of the best family movies I've seen in a long time."
|
Russ Breimeier
|
|
90%
|
Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
|
"This movie haunted me for days; it felt like it left an icky residue on my mind and soul, and I didn't enjoy it. Those who like being creeped out by movies will disagree."
|
Camerin Courtney
|
|
88%
|
Margin Call (2011)
|
"Buoyed by a strong cast and a smart script, Margin Call raises vital ethical questions about the intersection of "doing what's right" and "making a lot of money.""
|
Brett McCracken
|
|
47%
|
The Mighty Macs (2011)
|
"It's a shame that a movie that should have been a slam dunk feels more like a missed shot from the free throw line."
|
Carolyn Arends
|
|
24%
|
The Three Musketeers (2011)
|
"By the time we see sword fights onboard airships, the movie finally realizes what it needs to be -- goofy, silly fun. Too bad that comes after 90 minutes of failed opportunities."
|
Josh Hurst
|
|
78%
|
The Mill and the Cross (2011)
|
"André Bazin wrote about the mission of art to rescue the world from transience and corruption … I don't know if I've ever seen this idea more resoundingly affirmed."
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
71%
|
Footloose (2011)
|
"A dumbed-down, sexed-up take on a story that was already risqué and not too bright … softens the '84 film's critique of the church, but is also further from its lingering Christian worldview."
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
85%
|
The Ides of March (2011)
|
"To make this out to be a movie about politics is like making The West Wing out to be a show about politics. It's certainly there, but it isn't really the focus. This is really a film about moral compromise, and the deterioration of a man's soul."
|
Josh Hurst
|
|
82%
|
The Way (2011)
|
"It's not just a good film because of its subject matter or in comparison to some other, more overtly self-conscious (and self-proclaiming) Christian films. It is a great film, period."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
60%
|
Real Steel (2011)
|
"Some audiences will enjoy the film for what it is; they will bob and weave with fun robot fight scenes. But I found little here that is truly inspiring."
|
Todd Hertz
|
|
93%
|
Take Shelter (2011)
|
"The end is a head-scratcher, destined to provoke late-night pondering. But for anyone grappling with what it means to be a citizen of the 21st century, it's required viewing."
|
Alissa Wilkinson
|
|
93%
|
50/50 (2011)
|
"Interesting commentary on how we deal with difficult situations, and makes a strong case for our desperate need for each other -- especially when the odds are stacked against us."
|
Camerin Courtney
|
|
30%
|
Courageous (2011)
|
"While the film's church-based roots and the tendency toward didactic, schematic storytelling are still in evidence, Courageous is [Sherwood's] most ambitious and watchable film to date."
|
Steven D. Greydanus
|
|
83%
|
Warrior (2011)
|
"Even though Christ transforms hearts, believers aren't promised new lives devoid of suffering. Such an accurate depiction of faith is rare in Hollywood and even many faith-based productions."
|
David Roark
|
|
85%
|
Contagion (2011)
|
"Contagion shows us that "working together" is still possible, still necessary. And in a world as divided and partisan as ours, that's an encouragement we need to receive."
|
Brett McCracken
|
|
93%
|
Drive (2011)
|
"An artful, impressively made film, and one sure to excite cinephiles, everyday adrenaline junkies, and fans of stylized car chases set to an indie synthpop soundtrack."
|
Brett McCracken
|
|
82%
|
Dolphin Tale (2011)
|
"Dolphin Tale has its heart in the right place and tells its story well enough for its core audience. Moralistic and sweet, there's plenty here for kids and parents to enjoy."
|
Russ Breimeier
|
|
95%
|
Moneyball (2011)
|
"It inspires because it says that sometimes overlooked people are worth a second look, without succumbing to a Disneyfied "anything is possible if you follow your dreams" trope."
|
Alissa Wilkinson
|
|
29%
|
Machine Gun Preacher (2011)
|
"Provocative, faith-affirming, and challenging, it models what Christian-made films could be. Childers's Christianity is shown as the dynamic and intricate force that it is."
|
Todd Hertz
|
|
36%
|
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
|
"Transformers 3 is the archetype of a summer blockbuster-all explosions and chest-swelling bravado and snarky sidekicks and big guns and hot chicks and hero shots. "
|
Lisa Ann Cockrel
|
|
38%
|
Monte Carlo (2011)
|
"A winsome cast, a great location, and keeping the target audience in view bring an entertaining story that manages to have both a conscience and a heart. "
|
Carolyn Arends
|
|
35%
|
Larry Crowne (2011)
|
"Tasty around the edges but disappointing in the center, Larry Crowne will meet the summer rom-com needs of many, but will not serve as a memorable addition to Hanks' legacy."
|
Frederica Mathewes-Green
|
|
14%
|
Zookeeper (2011)
|
"Though silly and disposable, the film's heart and physical comedy make it relatively satisfying."
|
David Roark
|
|
90%
|
Winnie the Pooh (2011)
|
"One of the film's new songs really sums it up: "Everything is honey and life is sweet.""
|
Todd Hertz
|
|
79%
|
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
|
"It serves its chief end to introduce the character, and Evans fills the role nicely. But as a stand-alone adventure, it's not captivating enough. I expect more from this genre."
|
Todd Hertz
|
|
44%
|
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
|
"I don't think too many people are going to wander into the theater expecting The Tree of Life. The film delivers exactly what it promises."
|
Kenneth R. Morefield
|
|
64%
|
Another Earth (2011)
|
"The film stayed with me for a bit, and I liked that. The movie makes you think - about what is, about what could have been, about what could be. "
|
Camerin Courtney
|
|
96%
|
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
|
"Back in the first movie, Mr. Ollivander told a young Harry that we should expect great things from him. With the cinematic conclusion ten years later, he's been proven right."
|
Russ Breimeier
|
|
78%
|
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
|
"At the end of this intelligent romantic comedy we realize that it's people who are crazy and stupid, and love is this precious gift that's worth fighting for."
|
Camerin Courtney
|
|
24%
|
Conan the Barbarian (2011)
|
"The film is dumb, hackneyed and, well, just plain bad - much like the 1982 original - but because it knows and makes fun of that, it plays for a smart and entertaining ride."
|
David Roark
|
|
82%
|
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
|
"The original centered itself around some weighty ideas involving race, politics, and social class. Those same ideas may exist here, but director Wyatt doesn't really care. "
|
David Roark
|
|
76%
|
The Help (2011)
|
"The Help's greatest strength lies in showing how the truth-no matter how difficult it is to tell at times-has the power to unite, to heal, and sometimes even to set us free."
|
Camerin Courtney
|
|
58%
|
Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark (2011)
|
"There's a lot more territory here that could have been mined but wasn't, which is a shame. But for those just looking to be scared the old fashioned way, Dark delivers."
|
Brett McCracken
|
|
81%
|
Higher Ground (2011)
|
"Some reviewers have compared Higher Ground to Robert Duvall's The Apostle (1997), and it is a similarly positive portrayal of Southern evangelical faith. "
|
Frederica Mathewes-Green
|
78%
——
——
85%
45%
40%
