|
51%
|
Promised Land (2013)
|
"In attempting to make 'Promised Land' more than a simple diatribe about the evils of fracking, director Gus Van Sant ('Good Will Hunting,' 'Milk') oddly makes the story seem less authentic."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
48%
|
Hit & Run (2012)
|
"Mark Twain once lamented, 'The secret source of humor is not joy but sorrow; there is no humor in heaven.' Nor is there any humor to speak of in the new comedy 'Hit & Run.' "
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
78%
|
Brave (2012)
|
"The folks at Pixar are skilled enough to make a medieval Scottish royal named Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire) seem sympathetic instead of spoiled."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
91%
|
Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
|
"'Safety Not Guaranteed' is a little comedy that makes the world safe for personal ads. "
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
94%
|
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
|
"Anderson's movies work best if they're about kids or cartoon animals."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
34%
|
Battleship (2012)
|
"Dear Hasbro: I'd like to thank you for ruining fond memories from my childhood. "
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
53%
|
Think Like a Man (2012)
|
"'Think Like a Man' is a unique achievement in cinema. It is possibly the first two-hour big screen informercial."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
44%
|
American Reunion (2012)
|
"Like all tasty confections, there's a sell through date for 'American Pie,' and it's long passed."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
71%
|
Natural Selection (2012)
|
"Pickering has made a movie that mercilessly pokes fun at religious pretensions but still looks on his characters with warmth."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
51%
|
John Carter (2012)
|
"It's too bad that Burroughs' ideas don't seem quite as fresh now that others have outraced Carter to the big screen."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
89%
|
The Descendants (2011)
|
"Payne manages to keep the delicate balance between these antics and the somber nature of what's happening in Matt's life."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
96%
|
The Muppets (2011)
|
"There's still an endearing sweetness that permeates The Muppets."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
45%
|
Happy Feet Two (2011)
|
"While the singing and dancing are still a lot of fun, Miller seems to have spent more time thinking of set pieces than storylines."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
71%
|
Footloose (2011)
|
"The makers of 'Footloose 2.0' can be faulted for actually sticking too closely to the original."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
82%
|
The Way (2011)
|
"'The Way' is a rare movie in that it deals with religion and family issues without playing like a sermon or a satire."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
79%
|
Earthwork (2011)
|
"It's a rare film that makes viewers love a fellow who takes needless chances."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
63%
|
Just Like Us (2011)
|
"Just Like Us certainly provides the right look at a region undergoing change. The hope is that Ahmed's laughter tour breeds some levity in a location in which reality is often a little too 'real.'"
|
Elliot V. Kotek
|
|
90%
|
Hunger (2009)
|
"The film's beauty and brutality appoints McQueen and his leading charge to all must-watch lists. The most deserved work of 2008, it simply must be experienced by any for whom the cinema is a purveyor of discourse."
|
Elliot V. Kotek
|
|
43%
|
Dorian Gray (2009)
|
"Dorian Gray doesn't move the audience to empathize with any of its characters and, therefore, lacks the emotional investment necessary to engage."
|
Elliot V. Kotek
|
|
100%
|
Balibo (2009)
|
"The immediate impact the film has had on a case that's been languishing beneath bureaucracy since the mid 1970s is nothing short of a miracle. "
|
Elliot V. Kotek
|
|
85%
|
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010)
|
"This poignant commentary reveals much about Basquiat's persona that hasn't before been witnessed. By landing us in the times his life was led, Davis has crafted a masterpiece."
|
Elliot V. Kotek
|
|
55%
|
Shake Hands with the Devil (2010)
|
"The film has an ability to step back from the mess and investigate the characters' mores by deftly cutting between the story and a room in which their consciences are caged."
|
Elliot V. Kotek
|
|
39%
|
Due Date (2010)
|
"What was abundant before but is now missing in Philips' latest outing is a small but essential element that helped leaven the vulgarity: surprise. "
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
79%
|
Nowhere Boy (2010)
|
"Nowhere Boy proves the flesh-and-blood Lennon is infinitely more fascinating than the saint."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
69%
|
Babies (2010)
|
"Because of the inherent adorability of the four stars of this French documentary, it's easy to forgive it for not delivering as much as it should."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
16%
|
Alpha and Omega (2010)
|
"'Alpha and Omega' enters the crowded marketplace with little to say for itself."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
96%
|
The Social Network (2010)
|
"Nonetheless, having made the occupants of the White House seem believably human in The American President and in The West Wing, Sorkin knows it's better to focus on his characters' hearts, no matter how black, than their coding fingers"
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
81%
|
Cairo Time (2010)
|
"Flirtation is often sexier than consummation. There's a constant 'should I or shouldn't I' tension that gives a tale some spine."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
52%
|
Going the Distance (2010)
|
"'Going the Distance' is an occasionally diverting look at long-distance relationships that takes a few too many shortcuts."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
72%
|
Machete (2010)
|
"With 'Machete,' Robert Rodriguez demolishes subtlety with the same force that Rome unleashed on Carthage."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
81%
|
Anton Chekhov's The Duel (2010)
|
"They're working with a classic novella with The Duel, so they treat it with the same reverence and protectiveness that one might devote to a first child. In the process, they almost smother their well-intended creation to death."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
85%
|
Farewell (L'affaire Farewell) (2010)
|
"The stakes seem credible because French director Christian Carion ('Joyeux Noël' ) is working from a fascinating chapter of history that's only come to light recently."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
28%
|
Takers (2010)
|
"Luessenhop has obviously seen Michael Mann's 'Heat' and liberally borrows from that film's structure (featuring both police and heist procedurals) and over-the-top action. He lacks Manns's sense of pacing or striking visuals."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
35%
|
Lottery Ticket (2010)
|
"For a movie like "Lottery Ticket" to work, viewers have to feel as if they themselves have come out ahead."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
90%
|
Army of Crime (L'Armée du Crime) (2010)
|
"By presenting his heroes warts and all and by consistently adopting a matter-of-fact tone, the film feels appropriately tense because the stakes are believable."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
——
|
Triage (2009)
|
"It's the 88-year-old Christopher Lee's juiciest role in ages, and watching him play off with Farrell is easily worth enduring the shortcomings in 'Triage.' "
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
46%
|
Step Up 3-D (2010)
|
""Step Up 3D" has pedestrian acting, weak dialog and a storyline that might as well have been generated by an iPhone ap. It's a good thing that nobody is buying tickets to see this movie for its dramaturgy."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
69%
|
The Girl Who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden) (2010)
|
"The Swedish-made 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' was such an engrossing thriller that any attempt to replicate its blend of chills and kinky delights would seem futile."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
93%
|
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
|
"'The Kids Are All Right' is a warm film about flawed people."
|
Dan Lybarger
|
|
47%
|
Pariah (1998)
|
"As hard as it is to watch, Director/Writer Randolph Kret's film does exactly what it's supposed to do..."
|
Kathleen McInnis
|
78%
38%
100%
85%
45%
40%
