John Petrakis
Tomatometer-approved critic
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Eve's Bayou (1997) |
It takes place in the bayou country of Louisiana, and it is testimony to the power of this strange tale that it could transpire almost anywhere families are struggling to survive and people exhibit human flaws. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jan 09, 2023
|
|
|
|
Down in the Delta (1998) |
The material is sturdy but so familiar that it cries out for a director with cinematic fervor to bring much-needed juice to the project. [Maya Angelou] does her soothing best, but the result looks and feels like an ambitious movie-of-the-week. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jan 05, 2023
|
|
|
|
Go Fish (1994) |
What is remarkable about Rose Troche's direction is how smoothly she moves from scene to scene, both technically and emotionally. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Aug 25, 2021
|
|
|
|
Clueless (1995) |
Thanks to Heckerling's spirited direction and cutting-edge script, it is, "like... majorly and furiously golden." - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Mar 15, 2021
|
|
|
|
The Adventures of Pinocchio (1996) |
The filmmakers have created a pretty boring movie. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jul 09, 2020
|
|
|
|
Family Fundamentals (2002) |
In the end, Dong shows how each of the spurned children must learn to move on without parental compassion or approval. But he leaves the door open, suggesting perhaps someday, the parents will embrace their loved ones yet again. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jun 09, 2020
|
|
|
|
Forbidden City, USA (1989) |
An illuminating look at the once-famous San Francisco nightclub. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jun 09, 2020
|
|
|
|
Chutney Popcorn (1999) |
Its strengths are many, but by the end, it's clear that this debut feature has missed one too many opportunities that would have made it a sharper social satire. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 29, 2020
|
|
|
|
Barney's Great Adventure (1998) |
"Barney's Great Adventure" may not be remembered as one of the true children's classics, but when it makes its appearance on video, it should hold your child's interest long enough to allow you an extra cup of coffee in the morning. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Apr 01, 2020
|
|
|
|
Prefontaine (1997) |
As Prefontaine, unknown actor Jared Leto does the best he can with a part that is sorely underwritten. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Mar 24, 2020
|
|
|
|
Street Fighter (1994) |
This is [Steven E. de Souza's] directorial debut, and while it shows promise, it is uneven. The film is way too choppy, and as a result we never get a chance to know the characters (except Bison). - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Apr 25, 2019
|
|
|
|
Billy Madison (1995) |
Billy Madison is a textbook example of a half-decent idea that never got developed beyond the "lying around drinking beer and making jokes with your buddy" stage. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Mar 31, 2019
|
|
|
|
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) |
Wastes more opportunities than it does teenagers. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Mar 28, 2019
|
|
|
|
Ghetto (2002) |
A salute to those who were blessed not only with savvy and courage, but something between an uncanny sense of foresight and an unforeseen stroke of good fortune. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jan 29, 2019
|
|
|
|
Event Horizon (1997) |
The sets are indeed terrific and the special effects quite remarkable, as the chill of the uncertain future is mixed with a steamy gothic past. But, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, never have so many done so much to such little purpose. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Dec 15, 2018
|
|
|
|
Cats Don't Dance (1997) |
Cats Don't Dance has some of the sharp irreverence of the brilliant Who Framed Roger Rabbit. There are plenty of clever asides and witty one-liners, not to mention a few terrific supporting characters. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Aug 15, 2018
|
|
|
|
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) |
The Rangers themselves are so painfully bland. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Mar 22, 2017
|
|
|
|
100 Proof (1997) |
It's quite mesmerizing to watch these two lost souls trade in their last gasp at salvation for a bottle of cheap hooch and a noseful of cocaine. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Feb 22, 2016
|
|
|
|
Car 54, Where Are You? (1994) |
Some movies are so bad they warrant special attention. "Car 54, Where Are You" is one of them. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Oct 13, 2015
|
|
|
|
Good Burger (1997) |
There are some cute visuals now and then, but overall Good Burger may raise your blood pressure and, if you suffer through the entire 94 minutes, perhaps even lower your IQ. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Sep 08, 2015
|
|
|
|
Silent Tongue (1994) |
A strangely satisfying and challenging piece of work, one that illustrates how elements of cinema, literature and theater can work in tandem, thanks to a recipe that is one part Poe and two parts Shakespeare. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Apr 21, 2015
|
|
|
|
Freedom on My Mind (1994) |
This superbly produced documentary should be must-viewing for anyone with an interest in the civil rights movement or American history. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Apr 14, 2015
|
|
|
|
Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997) |
The first sequel to 1995's highly successful Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat Annihilation adds little to the development of the saga except for a truckload of martial arts sequences and a whole mess of bigger and louder special effects. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Sep 10, 2014
|
|
|
|
Gordy (1995) |
Methinks there is something else ahoof here, since no one could be dim-witted enough to swallow this cinematic goulash without taking a step back from the trough first. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jul 23, 2014
|
|
|
|
Son of the Pink Panther (1993) |
To be fair, Benigni does the best he can with the supremely unfunny material. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jul 23, 2014
|
|
|
|
A Moment of Innocence (1996) |
It is rare when a single image can sum up the emotional core of an entire movie, but the final freeze-frame of A Moment of Innocence is so moving in its completeness, it reminds us with jarring simplicity that we are in the hands of a genuine artist. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 20, 2014
|
|
|
|
'Til There Was You (1997) |
I had mixed feelings about the slow ride, but one thing is certain: This film could have been a lot stronger if it was a lot simpler. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 05, 2014
|
|
|
|
Dark Days (2000) |
Singer deserves credit for attempting to put a human face on such tragic circumstances, but he appears to have gotten so close to his main subjects that he seems unwilling to make them, or their desperate situation, look too bad. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Mar 03, 2014
|
|
|
|
Dream With the Fishes (1997) |
As the film progresses, however, it begins to accumulate all sorts of unnecessary characters and subplots that only serve to weigh it down. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Feb 13, 2014
|
|
|
|
The Program (1993) |
Those are fairly standard story lines in a football movie, so that leaves the assorted relationship subplots, which frankly, are worse. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jan 24, 2014
|
|
|
|
Scream (1996) |
Scream may be a cut above the gore fests that line the dimly lit back wall at your video store, but it is a far cry from genre classics like Halloween or Craven's own Nightmare On Elm Street. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Oct 06, 2013
|
|
|
|
3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994) |
Fantasy is one thing. 3 Ninjas Kick Back is something else entirely: junk food laced with testosterone. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jun 04, 2013
|
|
|
|
Spy Hard (1996) |
As funny as Nielsen can be, like all comic actors he still needs the quick-thinking jokes and zingy one-liners to be genuinely funny. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jun 04, 2013
|
|
|
|
Kazaam (1996) |
Are you bored yet? - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 29, 2013
|
|
|
|
A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995) |
Sitting through it, I found myself shuddering at what Disney may have in store for next summer. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 22, 2013
|
|
|
|
Gone Fishin' (1997) |
It is testimony to the superior acting skills of Joe Pesci and Danny Glover that Gone Fishin' registers more than a blip on the summer movie radar screen. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 22, 2013
|
|
|
|
Valentín (2002) |
The film is plenty charming, but lacks a connection to its time and place that would put Valentin's dilemma in context. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 21, 2004
|
|
|
|
The Seagull's Laughter (2001) |
Writer-director Agust Gudmundsson skillfully balances romantic comedy and melodrama with a coming-of-age story and morality play. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 06, 2004
|
|
|
|
James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003) |
This wise, clever Israeli film reintroduces the once-popular concept of film as allegory, as it follows a Christian pilgrim on his bumpy road to salvation. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Mar 11, 2004
|
|
|
|
Ichi the Killer (2001) |
Any serious message has been sacrificed on the altar of excess, making us realize why the stylish story probably worked better as a graphic comic book than as a film. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Oct 23, 2003
|
|
|
|
Secret Lives: Hidden Children & Their Rescuers During WWII (2002) |
The overriding sense one gets from this short but powerful film is awe. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Sep 04, 2003
|
|
|
|
Stone Reader (2002) |
Moskowitz may soon find himself in the same boat as many of the artists he is analyzing, because Stone Reader is going to be one tough act to follow. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jul 10, 2003
|
|
|
|
Bonhoeffer (2003) |
[A] well-crafted film. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jun 26, 2003
|
|
|
|
Getting Even With Dad (1994) |
Perhaps blackmail isn't an easy subject to warm up to, or robbery the best ground to rebuild a relationship on, but with a little care, some added ingredients and a bit more spice, Getting Even With Dad could have been a satisfying [film]. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 20, 2003
|
|
|
|
Charlotte Sometimes (2002) |
Byler is too savvy a filmmaker to let this morph into a typical romantic triangle. Instead, he focuses on the anguish that can develop when one mulls leaving the familiar to traverse uncharted ground. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted May 01, 2003
|
|
|
|
S.O.S. Planet (2002) |
Though its intentions are honorable, SOS Planet turns out to be more convoluted than motivational. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Feb 19, 2003
|
|
|
|
American Experience (2004) |
It rapidly develops into a gut-wrenching examination of the way cultural differences and emotional expectations collide. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Feb 13, 2003
|
|
|
|
Darkness Falls (2003) |
A lamebrained attempt at horror that is just a derivative pastiche of ideas lifted from other bad films. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jan 23, 2003
|
|
|
|
Just Married (2003) |
I laughed exactly once during the whole film. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jan 09, 2003
|
|
|
|
(undefined) |
You don't need to know your Ice-T's from your Cool-J's to realize that as far as these shootings are concerned, something is rotten in the state of California. - Chicago Tribune
Read More
| Posted Jan 09, 2003
|