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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A- | 80% | Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) |
This sequel to 2008's 'Mama Mia!' is a delightfully winning romantic-musical-comedy. In a couple of ways, it outshines the extremely popular original.‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jul 20, 2018
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| B+ | 51% | Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) |
Prepare for typical 'Jurassic Park' action, tinged with the dark humor of men and women at risk of losing their limbs and lives. Bring the family. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted Jun 22, 2018
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| B | 71% | Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) |
...A fun and exciting, though imperfect, addition to the Star Wars array. 'Solo' is well worth seeing, particularly for fans. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted May 25, 2018
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| A | 86% | Tully (2018) |
Charlize Theron's portrayal...is nothing short of brilliant, and certainly Oscar worthy. Adding Diablo Cody's screenplay and Jason Reitman's direction equals a trifecta supreme. ‐ Video-Reviewmaster.com
Read More | Posted May 4, 2018
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| B- | 52% | 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+ | 97% | 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- | 87% | 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- | 30% | 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+ | 75% | 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+ | 74% | 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 | 74% | 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- | 41% | 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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