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The Second Civil War
(1997)
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Steve Johnson
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As close as it treads to real-life anxieties, it is too often too over the top, too obvious in its lampooning.
Posted Mar 21, 2026
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3/4
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The Howling
(1981)
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Larry Kart
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Thanks to Dante and the screenwriters, there is far more to "The Howling" than mere shock.
Posted Mar 18, 2026
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1/4
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RoboCop 3
(1993)
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Gene Siskel
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A dreary, tired sequel to the futuristic cop series.
Posted Mar 16, 2026
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2/4
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RoboCop 3
(1993)
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Michael Wilmington
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"RoboCop 3's" main problem is that nobody fouled up its program. It's a RoboMovie.
Posted Mar 16, 2026
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Southern Comfort
(2001)
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Chicago Tribune Staff
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Through the intimate lens of filmmaker Kate Davis, though, Southern Comfort is a beautiful, wistful, heartbreaking story of love and loss involving two unforgettable romantic partners: Lola Cola... and Robert Eads.
Posted Mar 11, 2026
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2/4
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Waiting for Guffman
(1996)
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Michael Wilmington
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Good performers often love to satirize bad ones. But, maybe the single biggest flaw in Guffman is that there's scarcely a moment when you aren't aware that you're watching very good actors faking badness.
Posted Mar 10, 2026
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1/4
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RoboCop 2
(1990)
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Dave Kehr
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An irritating blend of the dull and the repellent, "RoboCop 2" is every bit as sadistic as its 1987 predecessor but considerably less effective.
Posted Mar 10, 2026
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Phantom Lady
(1944)
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Mae Tinee
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Here's a movie with nary an ounce of lead in its heels.
Posted Mar 06, 2026
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3.5/4
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RoboCop
(1987)
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Gene Siskel
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Director Paul Verhoeven presents what could have been another high-tech assault picture with fresh visuals and a refreshing sense of humor, especially about big business.
Posted Mar 04, 2026
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RoboCop
(1987)
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Kevin Moore
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Director Verhoeven applies his satire with a trowel.
Posted Mar 04, 2026
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Breakfast at Tiffany's
(1961)
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Mae Tinee
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Audrey makes her [character] as sweet as she is silly, as appealing as she is affected, a playgirl without scruples, a moth who doesn't quite deserve to die in a flame.
Posted Mar 04, 2026
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4/4
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The Postman
(1994)
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John Petrakis
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There is so much that is splendid about The Postman, including scandalous confrontations, perfectly timed double-takes and whimsical one-liners. It is funny, moving and profound.
Posted Feb 23, 2026
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2/4
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THX 1138
(1971)
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Gene Siskel
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The principal problem with the film is that is lacks imagination, the essential component of a science fiction film.
Posted Feb 19, 2026
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2/4
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Muppet Treasure Island
(1996)
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Gene Siskel
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A boring Muppet adventure that doesn't successfully meld the Muppets into a conventional buried-treasure story. I wanted the Muppets to play themselves rather than phony pirate-related characters.
Posted Feb 12, 2026
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2/4
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Muppet Treasure Island
(1996)
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John Petrakis
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It is such a stirring tale that it is the wrong material for the usually amusing Muppets to try and fit into their freewheeling, improvisational comic style.
Posted Feb 12, 2026
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Blonde Venus
(1932)
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Mae Tinee
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Minor roles are handled with capability, and I suppose the director did the best he could with the story.
Posted Feb 05, 2026
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A Face in the Crowd
(1957)
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Mae Tinee
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Andy Griffith does a fascinating portrayal in his first film role. He demonstrates versatility, warmth, and wit, exuberance, and egomania with a devastating effectiveness, completely overshadowing other cast members except Patricia Neal.
Posted Feb 05, 2026
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3.5/4
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Days of Heaven
(1978)
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Gene Siskel
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A staggering experience. Many films have been described with the hackneyed comment, "Each frame is like a painting." In the case of Days of Heaven, each from is better than a painting. There is beauty and action in the film's every image.
Posted Feb 04, 2026
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Arabesque
(1966)
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Clifford Terry
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The picture is admittedly handsome...but Director Stanley Donen ["Charade"] seems more concerned with camera than story angles, as he creates blurry and distorted montages by shooting thru mirrors, chandeliers, and even sunglasses.
Posted Feb 03, 2026
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Camille
(1936)
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Mae Tinee
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Mr. Cukor deserves a world of credit for his astute direction.
Posted Feb 03, 2026
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Ace in the Hole
(1951)
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Mae Tinee
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As a picture of Tatum, it flops badly. Not that there are no egomaniacs in the newspaper business, but this one is neither sufficiently clever nor consistent enough for the weight of the story.
Posted Feb 03, 2026
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1/4
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House
(1985)
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Gene Siskel
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This "House" ought to be condemned for its insulting use of the Vietnam war and children as props for nonsensical violence tinged with pathetic attempts at humor.
Posted Jan 30, 2026
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1/4
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My Bloody Valentine
(1981)
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Gene Siskel
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I wonder if the citizens of Canada know that their tax money is in effect paying for dismal and depressing horror films as "My Bloody Valentine."
Posted Jan 28, 2026
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4/4
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The American President
(1995)
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Gene Siskel
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Director Rob Reiner has picked himself up off the floor that was his last picture, North, and created simply one of the year's best films, one filled with sparkling performances by Michael Douglas and Annette Bening and bright writing by Aaron Sorkin.
Posted Jan 22, 2026
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3/4
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The American President
(1995)
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Michael Wilmington
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Reiner gets at least half of what he wants: the comic-romantic part. When the movie focuses on the relationship between President Andrew Shepherd and lobbyist Sydney Wade, it's a funny, sparkling show.
Posted Jan 22, 2026
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3/4
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Misery
(1990)
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Gene Siskel
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Thrillers are always defined by the freshness of their villains, and this one is unique.
Posted Jan 20, 2026
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The Day the Earth Stood Still
(1951)
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Mae Tinee
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These people manage to give a moderately convincing air of realism to a story bedecked with the usual hocus-pocus, and in spite of slipshod direction which frequently neglects proper timing.
Posted Jan 16, 2026
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3.5/4
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The Day the Earth Stood Still
(1951)
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Michael Wilmington
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Well-loved science fiction tale of the brainy extraterrestrial Klaatu who comes to earth.
Posted Jan 15, 2026
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3.5/4
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Bite the Bullet
(1975)
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Gene Siskel
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"Bite the Bullet" strikes a strong balance between majestic vistas and wise words, the very balance that has always made the great westerns memorable.
Posted Jan 15, 2026
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The Magnificent Seven
(1960)
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Mae Tinee
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The acting is capable and some bits of wry wit are helpful in making this unbelievable affair more entertaining than the average shoot 'em up movie.
Posted Jan 14, 2026
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3.5/4
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Gaslight
(1944)
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Michael Wilmington
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A quintessential '40s Hollywood romantic thriller: plush and excruciating.
Posted Jan 13, 2026
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A Place in the Sun
(1951)
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Mae Tinee
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A skillful distillation of high tragedy and youthful passion...the film contains the ingredients for mass popularity, with none of the customary cheapness of approach, thanks to the capabilities of Director Stevens.
Posted Jan 13, 2026
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Out of the Past
(1947)
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Mae Tinee
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Some of the dialog offers a blunt and sardonic humor, and the direction keeps the complicated story moving at a furious pace.
Posted Jan 09, 2026
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Alice in Wonderland
(1951)
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Mae Tinee
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If you've read and re-read the book, you're apt to be as offended, and maybe as unreasonably so, as the characters Alice encountered after she followed the tardy White Rabbit and went down, down, down.
Posted Jan 09, 2026
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3/4
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The Sure Thing
(1985)
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Gene Siskel
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The result is a gentle comedy that argues for love with someone you know over love with an improper stranger.
Posted Jan 07, 2026
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3.5/4
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The Princess Bride
(1987)
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Gene Siskel
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It is the bright humor of this story, based on William Goldman's novel, that has us laughing all through familiar territory.
Posted Jan 07, 2026
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Confessions of a Nazi Spy
(1939)
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Mae Tinee
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It is potent anti-Nazi propaganda that presents a powerful and impassioned plea for the defense of the principles that have made America "the land of the free."
Posted Dec 24, 2025
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1/4
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Death Race 2000
(1975)
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Gene Siskel
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It may be the goofiest and sleaziest film I've seen in the last five years.
Posted Dec 19, 2025
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3/4
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Christine
(1983)
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Gene Siskel
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"Christine" is a solid piece of entertainment.
Posted Dec 16, 2025
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3/4
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Big Top Pee-wee
(1988)
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Dave Kehr
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The film starts out with high spirits and a frisky imagination, but slips slowly into self-consciousness and ends on a note of debilitating camp.
Posted Dec 11, 2025
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2/4
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Big Top Pee-wee
(1988)
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Gene Siskel
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Missing from this sequel is the totally self-contained, off-the-wall approach of the original.
Posted Dec 11, 2025
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3/4
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The Abyss
(1989)
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Gene Siskel
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The underwater action scenes and the story involving the infighting among the crew are excellent.
Posted Dec 10, 2025
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2.5/4
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True Lies
(1994)
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Michael Wilmington
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The movie's action scenes and spectacular last half hour show Cameron in his element.
Posted Dec 09, 2025
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2/4
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The Terminator
(1984)
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Sid Smith
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Unfortunately, a lot of the sardonic humor plays as if it's unintentional. Much of the movie is trite, if not outright stolen material.
Posted Dec 08, 2025
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3/4
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The Abyss
(1989)
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Dave Kehr
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"The Abyss" doesn't quite come off, but it's a commanding failure -- a film with a genuine cinematic project, which is rare these days.
Posted Dec 05, 2025
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A Christmas Carol
(1984)
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Kenneth R. Clark
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The most delicious remake of "A Christmas Carol."
Posted Dec 04, 2025
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3/4
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The Wiz
(1978)
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Gene Siskel
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Ross is superb in "The Wiz."
Posted Nov 17, 2025
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2.5/4
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The Running Man
(1987)
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Gene Siskel
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Smarmy game show host Richard Dawson is effective as the host of this killer game, but the story unfolds routinely.
Posted Nov 06, 2025
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2/4
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The Running Man
(1987)
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Dave Kehr
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The film is simply a series of one-on-one confrontations.
Posted Nov 05, 2025
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2/4
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Predator 2
(1990)
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Gene Siskel
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Glover seems too natural an actor to be caught up in this claptrap.
Posted Oct 31, 2025
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