Steve Crum
Tomatometer-approved critic
| Publications: | Kansas City Kansan, Video-Reviewmaster.com, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers |
| Critics' Group: | Kansas City Film Critics Circle |
| Official Websites: | kansascitykansan.com |
Movie Reviews Only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| B- | 51% | Rampage (2018) |
Essentially turning to formula plotting, we get a hero (or three) versus some mad scientists who have unleashed monsters. We have seen this before, but it works very comfortably here.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Apr 12, 2018
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| B | 73% | Ready Player One (2018) |
Gamers will get a kick out of this nearly non-stop racing movie loaded with familiar pop culture images. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Mar 28, 2018
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| C+ | 96% | Black Panther (2018) |
I had hoped for so much more than what was delivered. The loyal fan base will no doubt think otherwise.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Feb 16, 2018
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| A- | 88% | The Post (2018) |
The cinematic takeaway here is a combination of the factual story, the superb supporting cast (Sarah Paulsen, Bob Odenkirk, Carrie Coon, and Tracy Letts among them), and the film's powerhouse leads, Streep and Hanks.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jan 10, 2018
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| A- | 91% | Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) |
Director/screenwriter Rian Johnson has truly delivered the galaxy goods on this event-the second installment of the sequel trilogy.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Dec 12, 2017
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| B- | 31% | Wonder Wheel (2017) |
Though contrived, 'Wonder Wheel' has stunning color and Kate Winslet as pluses.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Dec 1, 2017
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| B- | 80% | The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) |
Compelling? Well, so-so. A unique take on the familiar Charles Dickens tale, 'A Christmas Carol'? Definitely. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Nov 22, 2017
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| B | 87% | Only the Brave (2017) |
Two factors elevating 'Only the Brave' above the norm are the film's location photography and realistic forest fire sequences.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Oct 20, 2017
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| A- | 92% | Dunkirk (2017) |
Important to the film's success is Hans Zimmer's unique score, which becomes a living entity unto itself due to pulsating sounds.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 21, 2017
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| A | 92% | Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) |
This one is the best Spider-Man movie ever, and among the best of any in the history of superhero films.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 7, 2017
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| B | 92% | Wonder Woman (2017) |
When 'Wonder Woman' is good, it is compellingly fun. But when the Amazonian warrior is shown for the 37th time in mid-air, slo-mo battle pose, it is a yawner.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jun 2, 2017
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| B+ | 83% | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) |
This second volume is pretty terrific, a must-see. It suffers a bit from being a sequel in that characters are already firmly defined. (The revelation of their personas was a plus in the previous film.) ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted May 5, 2017
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| B | 61% | The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) |
Emotionally wrenching in many ways, 'The Zookeeper's Wife' succeeds as a fact-based a story of love and perseverance. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Mar 31, 2017
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| B+ | 76% | Kong: Skull Island (2017) |
Stereotypical in many ways, 'Kong: Skull Island' is great fun to watch, thanks to a literate, savvy script, fine acting, and visuals that should please the most discriminating monster movie fan.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Mar 10, 2017
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| B | 93% | Logan (2017) |
Combining these two blade runners, working side by side, is a recipe for stunts, special effects, and big box office.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Mar 3, 2017
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| A- | 85% | Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) |
Stylistic touches and new characters make 'Rogue One' seem fresh, which also invigorates the ongoing franchise.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Dec 16, 2016
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| B | 74% | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) |
The joyful absurdities and frightful images peppering the self-described 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' are reason enough to see this fun flick. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Nov 18, 2016
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| B | 63% | Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) |
Besides being overlong and having a slapdash ending, 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' is a sensory treat.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Sep 30, 2016
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| A | 86% | Sully (2016) |
It is the totally engrossing in-flight sequence that dominates 'Sully.' Prepare your adrenaline.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Sep 9, 2016
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| D- | 25% | Ben-Hur (2016) |
'Ben-Hur' looks less like a true movie spectacle, and more like the lackluster 'Christian produced' message movies released over the past decade. Like them, the acting, dialogue, cinematography and score are pedestrian at best.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Aug 19, 2016
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| A | 87% | Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) |
'Florence Foster Jenkins' is undoubtedly the best movie of 2016 so far, and seems out of place in-as usual-a summer of comic book superheroes.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Aug 12, 2016
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| B+ | 73% | Ghostbusters (2016) |
There are enough plot variations and new inclusions to satisfy diehard fans of the original franchise.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 15, 2016
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| C | 37% | The Legend of Tarzan (2016) |
In this 49th official Tarzan feature, Alexander Skarsgård ranks a tad above average....which is better than the overall film.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 1, 2016
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| B+ | 75% | The BFG (2016) |
As director Steven Spielberg's second fantasy-adventure film, the other being 1991's mediocre 'Hook,' 'The BFG' turns out to be more satisfying but no classic.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 1, 2016
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| B- | 48% | X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) |
It all makes for a fantasy-fun, if not deafening, two hours and 24 minutes.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted May 27, 2016
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| A | 95% | The Jungle Book (2016) |
The story has never been more captivating.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Apr 15, 2016
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| C- | 27% | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) |
After 2-1/2 hours of sitting through relentless CGI violent visuals and deafening sound effects, I was exhausted.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Mar 25, 2016
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| A- | 85% | Hail, Caesar! (2016) |
The Coens have laced 'Hail, Caesar!' with enough visuals and double entendres that beg for multiple viewings to appreciate them all. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Feb 5, 2016
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| A- | 91% | Anomalisa (2015) |
Its bizarreness will grab from the get-go. Ready yourself for filmed eccentricity, ladies and gentlemen.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jan 22, 2016
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| A | 80% | The Revenant (2015) |
Don't expect a passionate love story or even Leonardo batting a passing eye at some lady of the trail. This is a man's man movie.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jan 8, 2016
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| B- | 72% | Youth (2015) |
'Youth' is a handsomely photographed, well acted movie. It is also distant and uninvolving.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Dec 25, 2015
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| A | 97% | Brooklyn (2015) |
Central to the story's theme are love, family and homesickness, ingredients perfectly blended and served by director John Crowley. What a truly lovely film.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Nov 25, 2015
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| A | 91% | Bridge of Spies (2015) |
What superb, must-see storytelling 'Bridge of Spies' certainly is.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Oct 16, 2015
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| A- | 73% | Black Mass (2015) |
Depp's superb work here is a major turnaround in a career fallen to hats and Halloween costumes. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Sep 18, 2015
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| C- | 66% | The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015) |
Calling this (lackluster) movie 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' is misleading. Naming it 'The Future Men from U.N.C.L.E.' is probably too cumbersome, but truthful.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Aug 14, 2015
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| C+ | 82% | Ant-Man (2015) |
'Ant-Man' will appeal mostly to ant-people. Translated: children. Factor in fans of Paul Rudd and Marvel superheroes, and you could have a box office community picnic. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 17, 2015
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| B+ | 71% | Jurassic World (2015) |
Fellow enthusiasts, prepare for a towering T-rex, calculating raptors, and much more. 'Jurassic World' is just what the pterodactyl ordered.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jun 12, 2015
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| C | 43% | True Story (2015) |
As refreshing as it is not to see a comic book, slam-banger movie this close to summer releases, the talky 'True Story' could use some movement. Adapting it as a stage play seems more plausible.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Apr 17, 2015
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| C | 75% | Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) |
The second half of the movie becomes a loud, f-bombing cliché of excessive violence.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Feb 13, 2015
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| A- | 98% | Selma (2015) |
Hollywoodized to the extent of depicting President Lyndon Johnson as an obstructionist to the African-American cause. Nonetheless, 'Selma' is compelling cinema. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jan 9, 2015
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| A | 92% | Birdman (2014) |
Most of all, 'Birdman' is a directorial triumph for Alejandro González Iñárritu, who also helped write the screenplay. (This is) a serious movie fan's movie. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Oct 31, 2014
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| B+ | 77% | St. Vincent (2014) |
'St. Vincent' is owned by its star, Bill Murray, from start to finish and extending into the closing crawl.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Oct 24, 2014
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| A- | 48% | The Judge (2014) |
What a great ensemble cast led by the terrific Duvall, arguably the best motion picture actor of our time, who anchors the film.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Oct 10, 2014
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| D- | 60% | The Equalizer (2014) |
Honestly, it is reminiscent of Bruce Banner becoming enraged and turning into The Hulk. Maybe the movie going public will be caught up in all the histrionics. I found it hilariously hokey.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Sep 26, 2014
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| A- | 42% | This Is Where I Leave You (2014) |
...A funny, bittersweet dramedy that connects, in large part due to a superb cast.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Sep 19, 2014
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| B | 35% | The November Man (2014) |
Brosnan is a nitty, gritty, Bondish (due to his handsomeness) secret agent with absolutely no penchant for tongue-in-cheek joking, drinking non-stirred booze, or loyalty to the Queen. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Aug 27, 2014
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| B+ | 91% | Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) |
Formula or not, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' maintains its fresh appeal from opening to end credits. The film greatly benefits from Chris Pratt's loopy, devil-may-care persona.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Aug 1, 2014
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| A+ | 90% | Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014) |
What a terrific film, what a technical achievement. If you were impressed three years ago with the special effects in 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes,' and surely you were, prepare to be blown away with this sequel. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 11, 2014
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| D | 24% | Tammy (2014) |
'Tammy,' tell me true, why couldn't you have been funnier?‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 2, 2014
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| C- | 18% | Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) |
As good as this 'Transformers' looks, and the visuals are the only reason to see this spectacle, the flawless effects become overbearing after nearly three hours. (I was checking my watch after 90 minutes.) Enough is too much.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jun 27, 2014
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