Randy Cordova
Randy Cordova's reviews (from any publication) always count toward the Tomatometer
because this critic is a Tomatometer-approved critic.
| Publications: | Los Angeles Times, Arizona Republic, Journal News (Westchester, NY) |
| Critics' Group: | Phoenix Film Critics Society |
Movie Reviews Only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5/5 | 94% | Menashe (2017) |
Weinstein normally directs documentaries, and "Menashe" has a fly-on-the-wall feel at times, particularly in the warmly believable interplay between father and son. The movie was filmed in Borough Park, N.Y., which adds to the atmosphere.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Aug 17, 2017
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| 3.5/5 | 36% | Kidnap (2017) |
It's lean and economical, and it moves at a ferocious pace. And generally, its focus is razor-sharp. Who needs things like supporting characters and subplots to stretch things out?‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Aug 3, 2017
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| 2.5/5 | 47% | Brave New Jersey (2017) |
There are a lot of funny people in "Brave New Jersey," but the movie is not very funny.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Aug 3, 2017
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| 3.5/5 | 88% | Girls Trip (2017) |
The no-holds-barred comedy generally works, largely thanks to a game cast that plunges into the raunchy material with gleeful abandon.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jul 20, 2017
|
| 2/5 | 17% | Blind (2017) |
The chemistry between Baldwin and Moore is strangely disconnected. The performers aren't bad, but they don't generate any kind of heat.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jul 13, 2017
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| 3/5 | 18% | Wish Upon (2017) |
Off the top of my head, I can't think of another fright film with a cheerful scene devoted to purse shopping.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jul 13, 2017
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| 3.5/5 | No Score Yet | Neither Wolf Nor Dog (2016) |
The film is often moving, and some of the performances have a depth and naturalness.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jun 22, 2017
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| 4/5 | 54% | 47 Meters Down (2017) |
It's taut and suspenseful, and there's a jittery vibe to the whole thing.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jun 16, 2017
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| 4/5 | 95% | The Women's Balcony (Ismach Hatani) (2017) |
Director Emil Ben-Shimon creates a bustling sense of community and injects most scenes with a surprisingly breezy air.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jun 8, 2017
|
| 2.5/5 | 45% | Paris Can Wait (Bonjour Anne) (2017) |
"Paris Can Wait" feels more like a cinematic adaptation of a Frommer's travel guide than an actual movie.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted May 18, 2017
|
| 2/5 | No Score Yet | Justice Served (2015) |
Somewhere, deep inside "Justice Served," there is the kernel of an interesting idea. But you've got to look hard, because the finished product is pretty dire stuff.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted May 4, 2017
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| 2/5 | 78% | On the Map (2016) |
"On the Map" is ... like a sleepy lecture during the last week of high school: You may hear some worthwhile information, but it's not going to stick.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 27, 2017
|
| 3.5/5 | 38% | How to Be a Latin Lover (2017) |
"How to Be a Latin Lover" is a lot like the title character: Soft and flabby around the middle, but not without its own whimsical charms.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 27, 2017
|
| 5/5 | 100% | Truman (2017) |
There isn't a mawkish moment to be found, though there are plenty of lovely, humane ones, as well as some that are quite funny.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 20, 2017
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| 2.5/5 | 46% | Going in Style (2017) |
Generally, the film is more forgettable and pleasant than anything else, and it doesn't seem to aim for more than that.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 6, 2017
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| 4/5 | 75% | You're Killing Me Susana (Me estás matando Susana) (2017) |
Both characters are wildly flawed, and you can feel your sympathies shift during their knock-down, drag-out fights.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Feb 24, 2017
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| 4/5 | 93% | Everybody Loves Somebody (2017) |
"Everybody Loves Somebody" doesn't reinvent the rom-com, but it manages to take the formula, shake it up a bit, and come up with something that feels fresh and inventive.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Feb 16, 2017
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| 3/5 | 83% | A United Kingdom (2017) |
It's fine, but it should have been so much more.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Feb 16, 2017
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| 4/5 | 75% | Un Padre No Tan Padre (2017) |
The characters are fully rounded, and you wind up emotionally invested in them.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jan 26, 2017
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| 3.5/5 | 94% | Neruda (2016) |
A sumptuous puzzle of a movie that takes a turbulent period in the life of the Chilean poet and politician and turns it into a fable about fame and the power of words.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jan 19, 2017
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| 1.5/5 | 13% | Collateral Beauty (2016) |
Good news for those who get a kick out of hate-watching bad films. Santa has brought you an early Christmas present in the form of "Collateral Beauty."‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Dec 14, 2016
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| 4/5 | 82% | Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) |
It's better in every department than 2014's "Ouija." In other words, think of it as "The Godfather: Part II" of fright flicks.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Oct 20, 2016
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| 4/5 | 76% | Bridget Jones's Baby (2016) |
It's like reuniting with old friends you didn't realize you missed so much.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Sep 15, 2016
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| 2.5/5 | 45% | The Hollars (2016) |
If there were such a thing as a paint-by-numbers kit to create an indie flick, the end result would look something like this.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Sep 1, 2016
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| 4/5 | 74% | Disorder (Maryland) (2016) |
Ambiguity permeates almost every scene in new suspense film "Disorder." That sounds like it could be maddening. Here, the result is darkly compelling ...‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Aug 25, 2016
|
| 4.5/5 | 97% | Little Men (2016) |
The most remarkable thing about Ira Sachs' richly textured new film "Little Men" is how it manages to be about so much, and yet so little.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Aug 18, 2016
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| 3.5/5 | 66% | Anthropoid (2016) |
Handsomely produced, with a vivid period atmosphere aided by a faded color palette, which adds both an unease and a glowing sense of nostalgia to the proceedings.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Aug 11, 2016
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| 4/5 | 95% | Gleason (2016) |
A lot of sports-themed films put a heroic, inspirational spin on the proceedings. You cheer, shed a few tears, and move on. That's so not "Gleason."‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Aug 4, 2016
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| 4.5/5 | 96% | Nuts! (2016) |
It's flat-out exciting; really, how many documentaries can you say that about?‐ Arizona Republic
Posted Jul 21, 2016
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| 4/5 | 59% | Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) |
If you enjoyed the brash British sitcom, you will have a blast at the film.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jul 21, 2016
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| 2/5 | 35% | The Legend of Tarzan (2016) |
"Unfun" isn't a real word, but boy, it sure describes "The Legend of Tarzan."‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jun 30, 2016
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| 4/5 | 71% | Our Kind of Traitor (2016) |
"Our Kind of Traitor" is built on a familiar premise, but it sure is a sturdy one.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jun 30, 2016
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| 3.5/5 | 78% | The Phenom (2016) |
Consider "The Phenom" a baseball film for people who would never step foot inside a baseball stadium.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jun 23, 2016
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| 3/4 | 22% | Ma ma (2016) |
This is an old-school tearjerker, designed to get audiences sniffling in the dark.‐ Chicago Sun-Times
Read More | Posted Jun 17, 2016
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| 4/5 | 34% | Now You See Me 2 (2016) |
"Now You See Me 2" is a sequel that gets it right. It's as if everyone involved here analyzed what worked the first time around in 2013, and then decided to top it.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Jun 9, 2016
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| 4/5 | 22% | Ma ma (2016) |
For all its missteps and machinations, the film mostly achieves its goals. In other words, have some Kleenex ready at the theater.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted May 26, 2016
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| 4/5 | 30% | Manhattan Night (Manhattan Nocturne) (2016) |
DeCubellis sets up a satisfying, stylish mystery, populated by striking characters and situations.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted May 19, 2016
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| 2/5 | 81% | Viva (2016) |
A movie that never quite comes to life, despite its title.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted May 12, 2016
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| 1.5/5 | 9% | Rio, I Love You (Rio, Eu Te Amo) (2016) |
The city of Rio is easy to love. The movie "Rio, I Love You," not so much.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted May 5, 2016
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| 3.5/5 | 6% | Mother's Day (2016) |
Sure, you'll forget all about it a week after you've seen it, but it's mostly pleasant and occasionally touching, even though it's a lot closer to an episode of "The Love Boat" than "Love Actually."‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 28, 2016
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| 4/5 | 84% | The Meddler (2016) |
The movie is called "The Meddler," but that doesn't do justice to Marnie. It could just have easily been called "The Benefactor" or "The Nurturer" or "A Really Nice Lady Named Marnie."‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 28, 2016
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| 3.5/5 | 38% | Compadres (2016) |
Is it predictable? Oh, sure. But it's also fun, for the most part.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 21, 2016
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| 4.5/5 | 90% | The Clan (El Clan) (2016) |
Some of the movie's political shadings about Argentina in the early '80s may not quickly resonate with American viewers. Still, it's impossible not to be drawn into the unnerving world of the Puccios.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 21, 2016
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| 2/5 | 26% | Colonia (2016) |
If you ever saw the episode of "Charlie's Angels" in which the women infiltrated a prison, you'll have a good idea of what to expect.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 14, 2016
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| 2.5/5 | 30% | Criminal (2016) |
You may never believe one minute of "Criminal," but Costner sure does.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 14, 2016
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| 5/5 | 95% | The Jungle Book (2016) |
Wow. Just, wow.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Apr 14, 2016
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| 2.5/5 | 11% | The Preppie Connection (2016) |
As written, Toby is somewhat of an empty slate, and Mann doesn't do much to fill in the blanks.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Mar 24, 2016
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| 1.5/5 | 29% | My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) |
The movie wheezes about, with actors offering spit takes (Vardalos) and getting hit in the head with volleyballs (Vardalos again). When those moments don't elicit laughs, you are left with awkward silences that just hang in the air. That happens a lot ...‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Mar 24, 2016
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| 3.5/5 | 94% | Colliding Dreams (2016) |
The film feels overlong and a bit repetitious, but it's obviously a complex subject that deserves a thought-out treatment. Maybe a miniseries on public television would be the answer.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Mar 17, 2016
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| 2/5 | 59% | Eisenstein In Guanajuato (2016) |
Greenaway's madcap style involves quick cuts, scenes changing from black and white to color, split-screen effects and eye-popping visuals that tend to overwhelm. The effect is initially giddy but it ultimately wears the viewer down.‐ Arizona Republic
Read More | Posted Mar 3, 2016
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