Kt Schaefer
Tomatometer-approved critic
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Burden (2018) |
Burden tries to leave viewers with a sense of hope from its good-hearted redemption story, and for some, it certainly will. But for others, its shortcomings will make it feel shallow and naïve. - Twin Cities Geek
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| Posted Mar 13, 2021
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Extraction (2020) |
Extraction is worth watching for those who are action junkies, but for the casual viewer, it will probably leave something to be desired. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted May 15, 2020
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The Addams Family (2019) |
Mixed animation styles and derivative storytelling combined with the feather-light tone and obvious messaging make this feel less like an Addams Family film and more like the Munsters. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Nov 05, 2019
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Abominable (2019) |
Stunning visuals and a great case combined with a well told story make Abominable one of the best animated films released so far this year. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Oct 15, 2019
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Hustlers (2019) |
[Hustlers] creates fully realized female characters in a fascinating story that never shies away from the deeper implications of its narrative all of which combines to make it one of the most unique and enjoyable films I expect to see in 2019. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Sep 26, 2019
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Rambo: Last Blood (2019) |
Gruesome and simplistic. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Sep 26, 2019
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Stuber (2019) |
The film tries to appeal to everyone and in the process loses some of its appeal to everyone. The action scenes are uneven and the impressive supporting cast is not given nearly enough time to shine. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Jul 18, 2019
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Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) |
Detective Pikachu is an entertaining watch for families and anyone who has fond memories of their time experiencing a world that includes Squirtles, Pikachus, and Psyducks. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted May 09, 2019
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Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) |
The success of this film rests largely on Zac Efron's performance as Ted Bundy, played too maniacally or too sweet and the nuance that is necessary for this story would have been lost. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted May 09, 2019
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Dumbo (2019) |
The bones of this new film could make for an interesting reimagining of the Dumbo story, but the screenplay, dialogue, and visual effects don't allow for it to live up to its potential. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Mar 28, 2019
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Captain Marvel (2019) |
Great visual effects and acting by Brie Larson make for an enjoyable watch that embraces a confident and smart woman character, something rarely seen in this genre. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Mar 11, 2019
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Alita: Battle Angel (2019) |
A poorly developed script combined with directing that feels designed for younger audiences leaves not much to be enjoyed outside of the visuals. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Feb 07, 2019
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The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) |
[Director] Joe Cornish managed to tick almost all the boxes when he made The Kid Who Would Be King. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Jan 17, 2019
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) |
The Last Jedi is Disney's best contribution to the Star Wars canon so far and we can only hope that the final film of this trilogy will live up to the new standard. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Jan 10, 2019
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Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) |
Despite its minor weaknesses, Ralph Breaks the Internet is a great expansion on the original concept and for those who are willing and able to embrace the setup it will be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Jan 10, 2019
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Smallfoot (2018) |
It may not become a classic but it is still a fun watch. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Jan 10, 2019
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Ferdinand (2017) |
On the surface, Ferdinand is a pleasant and easy film to watch, with colorful characters and plenty of laughs to entertain young and old. It holds tightly to the positive messages it is trying to send... - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Dec 21, 2018
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They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) |
If you have an interest in The Great War or would like to see the magic that Peter Jackson and his small crew worked with film stock that has existed for more than a century, They Shall Not Grow Old is well worth seeking out. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Dec 21, 2018
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Aquaman (2018) |
While Aquaman is one of the better DC films, it is still fairly uneven. It gives us a glimpse at a whole new mythos and makes the world of Atlantis feel ancient, creating a fantasy story that offers something different for DC fans - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Dec 20, 2018
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At Eternity's Gate (2018) |
A gorgeous avante garde examination of Vincent van Gogh's life and work that explores the complex intersections of creativity, mental health, and internal experiences with its beautiful cinematography and dramatic score. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Nov 30, 2018
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Green Book (2018) |
The script has some funny moments and the relationship between Ali and Mortensen has a natural chemistry that draws in the viewer... Unfortunately, Green Book doesn't use it's full potential, as it softens its message. - Next Best Picture
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| Posted Nov 30, 2018
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Darkest Hour (2017) |
While Darkest Hour is an interesting examination of the first few weeks of Churchill's premiership, it suffers from its dedication to portraying him as a golden hero. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 13, 2018
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Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) |
The choice to make such a different story was a bold one, and it made for an exciting and fun film that has plenty of callbacks to Spidey's villains and the MCU while also feeling new and intriguing. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Despicable Me 3 (2017) |
Despicable Me 3 is easy for young children to watch, but suffers from a lack of focused storytelling and an unwanted dedication to nostalgia. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017) |
While the plot of Captain Underpants is a silly romp based on toilets and childhood rebellion, there is so much going on underneath the surface that it elevates the film from playful fun to very good. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Dunkirk (2017) |
Nolan doesn't seem interested in dazzling us with mind bending ideas or twisty plots. Instead, he offers us a glimpse into the days and hours that the soldiers and civilians who were involved in the Battle of Dunkirk... - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Cars 3 (2017) |
As a return to form the film succeeds admirably; it's just that the original form was too shallow to support further installments. Cars 3 outstripped its predecessor by many laps, but it was hampered by a slow story with a predictable end... - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Okja (2017) |
The story of Okja and Mija is captivating, but the wider implications that are left at the end of the film are impossible to forget. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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My Cousin Rachel (2017) |
There was a lot to like about My Cousin Rachel, as the story kept me guessing and it was beautiful to watch. The gorgeous sets, well done costumes, and especially the acting of the background characters... - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) |
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword often felt like two movies blended together to create an unappetizing, diet shake. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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The Dark Tower (2017) |
The Dark Tower seeks to satisfy the fans of the books and appeal to newcomers with a self-contained story and in doing so it fails at both. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017) |
While The Nut Job 2 had some good performances, the rest of the film is definitely not worth saving for the winter. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Girls Trip (2017) |
Girls Trip never feels like it is judging its characters, even at their most outlandish. Instead it repeatedly sends a message that being yourself and living your truth are the way to find happiness. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Step (2017) |
Step is an incredibly relevant example of how hard and rewarding it can be to succeed at life when there is every challenge to block your path. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) |
That An Inconvenient Sequel chooses to focus more on the particulars of Al Gore's contributions than the situation at hand is an unfortunate misstep. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 09, 2018
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Re-Animator (1985) |
With its combination of gross-out horror, ridiculous comedy, over the top scenes, and subtle undercurrents, Re-Animator manages to be many things at once. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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ParaNorman (2012) |
Whether or not you have children in your life, Paranorman deserves a spot on your Halloween watch list this year. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Justice League (2017) |
Justice League, more than any of the other films with Superman, feels like a superhero story. There are jokes and camaraderie between the characters and despite incredibly high stakes, it sheds the grim and gritty affectation that has plagued the DCEU. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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The Babadook (2014) |
The Babadook is an incredibly well-made movie, with each aspect of the film fitting neatly into an overall theme. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Battle of the Sexes (2017) |
The acting in Battle of the Sexes is what elevates it well beyond the average sports film. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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It (2017) |
The attention to detail in the sets and makeup and dedication in the acting and camerawork is apparent in every scene, and it all contributes to the film's rich atmosphere. It is great horror film with interesting characters and a strong story. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Pottersville (2017) |
Pottersville is an undeniably bad movie; regardless of whether its script is a self-aware or how good the acting is, it's an outlandish story that finds resolution by cribbing heavily from It's A Wonderful Life. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Wonder (2017) |
Wonder has some very high goals in mind, and while I don't think it reaches all of them, its efforts are admirable and make for an emotional but hopeful viewing experience. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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The Foreigner (2017) |
The Foreigner starts as a revenge story, but evolves into something more within the first 20 minutes. Hennessey's hunt to find the IRA bombers is introduced clumsily, but once started the film manages to spin the events into a satisfying mystery. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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The Only Living Boy in New York (2017) |
The Only Living Boy in New York is never able to achieve cohesion among its disparate story lines and suffers from its dedication to showing Thomas as a good guy despite all evidence to the contrary. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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A Bad Moms Christmas (2017) |
...a mostly enjoyable start to the holiday season, as long as you don't expect too much. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Leap! (2016) |
Leap! is a familiar story, but it flows from point to point naturally and while it does not hold any surprises, neither is it entirely predictable. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Signature Move (2017) |
Signature Move is unabashedly a romantic comedy that still manages to include serious content, albeit in a lighthearted way. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Suburbicon (2017) |
Suburbicon is a strange mix of murder mystery, outlandish comedy, and a flimsy civil rights commentary, but none of it lands the way the film wants it to. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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Happy Death Day (2017) |
Happy Death Day is a fun romp that skirts cliches and keeps you guessing about the identity of the would-be killer until the very end. - Substream Magazine
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| Posted Nov 08, 2018
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