Splat |
30 Days of Night (2007) |
"Although the middle section of the movie version has an intense claustrophobia that's compelling, it's weighed down by a lethally dull opening half-hour and an absurd finale." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat |
Across the Universe (2007) |
"Across the Universe is little more than a nostalgia trip back to a time that's already been mythologized to death." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2/5 |
Angels & Demons (2009) |
"A glum, by-the-numbers potboiler distinguished only by its admittedly handsome production values." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
Beowulf (2007) |
"I know I'm in the minority here, but I enjoyed the hell out of Robert Zemeckis' bloody epic." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
Blackout (2008) |
"Blackout is Jerry LaMothe's ambitious attempt to try and craft a Do the Right Thing for the 21st century. He falls short of that impossible goal, but Blackout does have several things to recommend it." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2/5 |
Body of Lies (2008) |
"It's official: the Ridley Scott who created such signature visions as Blade Runner and Alien is dead and has been replaced by a pod person that churns out slick-looking, but wholly generic big-budget time-wasters." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) |
"If this really is the last we've seen of Jason Bourne, at least he can head off into retirement knowing that he's earned a well-deserved rest." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
Brüno (2009) |
"Brüno is a smarter, savvier and all-around funnier movie than its predecessor." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
Changeling (2008) |
"Changeling succeeds as both a compelling mystery and a period piece that still feels relevant today." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat |
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) |
"It's an entirely serviceable sequel. But if you go in expecting the same magic found in Wardrobe, you're bound to be disappointed." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
Coraline (2009) |
"On a technical level alone, Coraline is a stunning achievement and may just be the finest example of stop-motion animation yet put onscreen." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat |
Crossing Over (2009) |
"Once the plot mechanics kick into gear, it becomes increasingly difficult to take the movie seriously." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Dance Flick (2009) |
"It would be easier to recommend the movie if it weren't so inconsistent, sometimes aiming for real wit but more often settling for the lowest common denominator." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
The Dark Knight (2008) |
"A very good movie that falls short of greatness." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Deadgirl (2008) |
"Screenwriter Trent Haaga takes the premise to some dark, disturbing places. Unfortunately, the film itself doesn't do full justice to Haaga's script" |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
The Edge of Heaven (2008) |
"The Edge of Heaven confirms its director as a major new talent in world cinema." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
The Express (2008) |
"Despite its flaws, at least The Express does its best to honor this groundbreaking player's memory." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2/5 |
Fast & Furious (2009) |
"Like a souped-up show car, Fast & Furious is all gleaming surfaces and muscular detailing, but there's absolutely nothing going on under the hood." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Fighting (2009) |
"Wait for DVD or, better yet, cable television, where you can change the channel every time Tatum stops fighting and starts talking." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 1.5/5 |
The Final Destination (2009) |
"The biggest sin of The Final Destination is its general lack of imagination." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat |
Get Smart (2008) |
"Considering the talent involved, it's a shame that Get Smart isn't just a tad bit -- well, smarter." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 1.5/5 |
Good Dick (2008) |
"All of the most annoying elements of independent cinema are on full display in Good Dick, a painfully awkward attempt at...well, I'm not sure what exactly." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
Goodbye Solo (2009) |
"While Goodbye Solo is an easy film to admire, I have to admit that it never really had me riveted." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2/5 |
The Hangover (2009) |
"It’s hard to think of any truly memorable moments from this creatively challenged outing." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat |
The Happening (2008) |
"It's an interesting premise for a doomsday thriller, but Shyamalan botches it from the get-go." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) |
"Filled with a number of crowd-pleasing moments that are sure to have the franchise's legion of fans clapping and cheering delightedly." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) |
"One of the most purely enjoyable--not to mention dazzling--comic book blockbusters to come along this summer." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer (2008) |
"Although the story is overly familiar, Riedel's evocation of small-town life rings true." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Humboldt County (2008) |
"The movie's neither funny enough nor filled with enough dramatic tension to keep us invested in Peter's halting journey of self-discovery." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2/5 |
I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009) |
"It made perfect sense to bring Doyle's book to the big screen--unfortunately the humor and emotion got completely lost in translation." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) |
"Despite its many flaws, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is an enjoyable romp that does no harm to the character's legacy." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
Inglourious Basterds (2009) |
"Inglorious Basterds is a meatier movie mash-up than his recent run of flicks, but it's still first and foremost a platform for Tarantino to indulge his very particular whims." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2/5 |
The International (2009) |
"There are a number of reasons why this thriller fails to thrill, beginning with Eric Warren Singer's script." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
Iron Man (2008) |
"Iron Man accomplished something I didn't expect: it makes this erstwhile tin man look like an honest-to-god superhero." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Jennifer's Body (2009) |
"A horror comedy that's neither very scary nor very funny." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat |
Jumper (2008) |
"I'm not going to beat around the bush here: Jumper is a terrible movie." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
Justice League: The New Frontier (2007) |
"The New Frontier lives up to the high standards set by Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond and Justice League Unlimited." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat |
Leatherheads (2008) |
"The movie stops dead in its tracks every time Renee Zellweger wanders into frame." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 4/5 |
The Limits of Control (2009) |
"The Limits of Control casts a hypnotic spell that will entrance some viewers--myself included--while leaving others searching for the nearest exit." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) |
"This is It provides a valuable service-it allows a gifted musician to deliver the career-capping performance he wanted the world to see, but never got the chance." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) |
"This is an example of a mainstream studio blockbuster done right%u2014it effectively balances humor and action, as well as small character beats with big set-pieces." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato |
My Kid Could Paint That (2007) |
"Documentary filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev lucked onto a great story when he started filming a pint-sized abstract painter named Marla." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 1.5/5 |
Next Day Air (2009) |
"A messy and unpleasant genre mashup that needed at least two or three rewrites before shooting started." |
Ethan Alter |
Splat 2/5 |
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) |
"Overstuffed with gimmicks, but short on charm and creativity." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
Notorious (2009) |
"The film takes a greatest-hits approach to its subject's life story, condensing his rise to fame, fall from grace and steps towards redemption into an easily digestible narrative that entertains, but rarely enlightens." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 2.5/5 |
Obsessed (2009) |
"Obsessed is best enjoyed as glossy, campy fantasy" |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3/5 |
Paranormal Activity (2009) |
"A very clever, very compelling and very creepy haunted house tale." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 4/5 |
Passing Strange (2010) |
"If you passed up the opportunity to catch this Tony-award winning rock musical during its Broadway run, don't make the same mistake with Spike Lee's vibrant film adaptation." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 4/5 |
Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (2009) |
"More than anything though, Precious is a remarkable showcase for its all-female ensemble cast." |
Ethan Alter |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Public Enemies (2009) |
"Even if specific elements disappoint, the movie as a whole lingers in your head long after the credits roll." |
Ethan Alter |
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