Cinematic Considerations

Cinematic Considerations is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this publication only count toward the Tomatometer when written by the following Tomatometer-approved critic(s): Matt Ward
Rating Title/Year Author
Joker (2019) Matt Ward Joker is a better film the further writer/director Phillips stays away from the movie's comic book origins and hones in on Arthur's wavering grasp on sanity. EDIT
Posted Oct 6, 2019
Ad Astra (2019) Matt Ward Technically proficient and understated in its beauty, Ad Astra has moments of action grandeur largely obscured by extensive sequences highlighting the vast emptiness of space. EDIT
Posted Sep 30, 2019
Hustlers (2019) Matt Ward (Lopez) dominates the screen from start to finish and yet always feels elusively just out of reach, helping audiences to share Dorothy's idolization of Ramona almost to mythicizing her. EDIT
Posted Sep 29, 2019
The Goldfinch (2019) Matt Ward An exceptionally artistic film with high-minded philosophical discussions of criticism, fine art and antiques; and yet the whole affair is remarkably distant and vague. EDIT
Posted Sep 29, 2019
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) Matt Ward Raw and unrefined, The Peanut Butter Falcon is a testament to the power of independent filmmaking.....Gottsagen steals scene after scene... EDIT
Posted Sep 2, 2019
American Factory (2019) Matt Ward Though viewers are likely to take one side or the other, Bognar and Reichert tell the story of Fuyao as impartially as possible which allows their subjects remarkable authenticity. EDIT
Posted Aug 22, 2019
Blinded by the Light (2019) Matt Ward A film that doesn't particularly excel at any one aspect but is more than the sum of its parts.... EDIT
Posted Aug 21, 2019
Good Boys (2019) Matt Ward ...the kind of movie that will live on in frat houses eight years from now when the sixth graders this film is actually intended for will be old enough to drink... EDIT
Posted Aug 18, 2019
The Souvenir (2019) Matt Ward ...a portrait of an artist struggling to define herself. Whether that portrait is of Julie the character, Joanna the filmmaker or somewhere in between is the unanswerable question. EDIT
Posted Aug 17, 2019
Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019) Matt Ward Bernadette is a quaint, simple movie that will warm hearts over the course of two hours and should have a long shelf life as an easily rewatchable film. EDIT
Posted Aug 16, 2019
The Farewell (2019) Matt Ward Powerfully subdued and thoughtful, The Farewell is a terrific independent film that will remain among the year's best . EDIT
Posted Aug 11, 2019
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) Matt Ward Written at a "straight-to-DVD" level but produced on a blockbuster budget, Hobbs and Shaw has its moments, but wavers considerably on the enjoyment level. EDIT
Posted Aug 4, 2019
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019) Matt Ward The fact that a rare good late-career Al Pacino appearance here is the 17th or 18th best thing about Once Upon A Time says a lot about this film's incredible depth. EDIT
Posted Jul 28, 2019
The Lion King (2019) Matt Ward Lion King swaps hand drawn cartoon animation for photo realistic computer graphics... Disney and Favreau have excised the soul of the film as a sacrifice to visual innovation. EDIT
Posted Jul 21, 2019
Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018) Matt Ward ...an interesting, frequently engaging look at a largely forgotten filmmaker whose influence and precedent setting far outweighed her notoriety. EDIT
Posted Jul 18, 2019
Stuber (2019) Matt Ward "Stuber" reeks of a script penned in the wake of buddy cop films that stagnated on a studio executive's shelf until actors could be convinced to sign on. EDIT
Posted Jul 14, 2019
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Matt Ward Although Far From Home may feel like a step or two down from Avengers: Endgame, it's still an impressive summer blockbuster. EDIT
Posted Jul 4, 2019
The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019) Matt Ward The Last Black Man in San Francisco is perfectly imperfect, a singular vision from a soulful first-time feature film director whose technical flaws bring his movie to life. EDIT
Posted Jun 28, 2019
Toy Story 4 (2019) Matt Ward Kids will watch Toy Story 4 with wide eyes enjoying the whole ride and not fully understanding how good what they're seeing actually is. EDIT
Posted Jun 23, 2019
Murder Mystery (2019) Matt Ward Watching "Murder Mystery" is a chore to endure and one you wouldn't want to have to sit through in public. Yet somehow, it still isn't the worst film to be released in 2019. EDIT
Posted Jun 17, 2019
Late Night (2019) Matt Ward (Late Night) blends sharp tongues and wide-eyed optimism for an exceptional dramedy with a fresh point of view. EDIT
Posted Jun 15, 2019
Booksmart (2019) Matt Ward Booksmart is likely the best film you won't see in theaters but will watch six months from now and kick yourself from not finding it sooner. EDIT
Posted Jun 9, 2019
Rocketman (2019) Matt Ward Rocketman captures the fantasy and majesty of John's enduring legacy in a magical way, cranking up the tunes in a dream-hazed portrait that lives and breathes his identity. EDIT
Posted Jun 2, 2019
Aladdin (2019) Matt Ward "Aladdin" is more a star vehicle for Smith than the original was for Robin Williams. Though Smith is energetic, his Genie isn't half as good with twice the on-screen presence. EDIT
Posted May 24, 2019
John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum (2019) Matt Ward For a franchise designed to be a vehicle to watch anonymous bad guys die in creative ways, Parabellum is a huge success. EDIT
Posted May 17, 2019
The Hustle (2019) Matt Ward Director Chris Addison's film is a rip-off: a beat-for-beat, scene-for-scene copy of a comedy classic, except in the case of The Hustle, everything is about 75 percent worse. EDIT
Posted May 15, 2019
() Matt Ward Masters' film takes a complex political problem and removes partisanship from the equation, relying a boots-on-the-ground vantage point to provide a fresh perspective. EDIT
Posted May 9, 2019
Long Shot (2019) Matt Ward Casually enjoyable in the moment yet just as forgettable, Long Shot is a perfect date night on the couch, getting drunk off a bottle of cheap wine movie. EDIT
Posted May 5, 2019
Knock Down the House (2019) Matt Ward By focusing entirely on the 2018 Democratic primaries, Lears' film is solely about a movement of political outsiders taking on the establishment rather than issue politics. EDIT
Posted May 4, 2019
Avengers: Endgame (2019) Matt Ward Avengers: Endgame is a satisfying, expertly made sequel in the franchise and combines with Infinity War to create the MCU's best, most compelling storytelling. EDIT
Posted May 3, 2019
The Highwaymen (2019) Matt Ward A somber, yet relentless film, The Highwaymen perfectly pairs Costner and Harrelson for a classic modern Western worth checking out. EDIT
Posted Apr 17, 2019
Shazam! (2019) Matt Ward In a vacuum, Shazam is an exceptionally average film. Among superhero movies, and especially those outside the Marvel brand, there's a lot to like about Shazam. EDIT
Posted Apr 8, 2019
Dumbo (2019) Matt Ward ....a clunky mishmash of the 1941 original and an absurd caricature of corporate greed that subtly reeks of a takedown of Disney's business model. EDIT
Posted Apr 4, 2019
Us (2019) Matt Ward Us is the thinking man's thriller, a film where Peele will point audiences in a direction and then push them to interpret the narrative of Us in their own way. EDIT
Posted Mar 25, 2019
Triple Frontier (2019) Matt Ward Technically profound, yet dense thematically, it's the kind of film that requires a concentrating, engaged audience, which is a harder sell on Netflix than at a crowded movie theater. EDIT
Posted Mar 19, 2019
Captain Marvel (2019) Matt Ward Captain Marvel is a good movie that will inspire young girls to strive for the best versions of themselves. It just isn't one audiences have to fight through crowds to see. EDIT
Posted Mar 11, 2019
Thunder Road (2018) Matt Ward Thunder Road is a striking and poignant piece of independent cinema that will leave audiences wondering how no one made them see it weeks ago. EDIT
Posted Mar 1, 2019
Alita: Battle Angel (2019) Matt Ward A mildly entertaining adventure with a lot to see and sequels to set up, Alita: Battle Angel is a better representation of the future of film than a good film itself. EDIT
Posted Feb 21, 2019
High Flying Bird (2019) Matt Ward High Flying Bird cuts against the grain at every turn, defying convention with rapid fire, two-handed dialogue and masterful use of place to frame scenes and performers. EDIT
Posted Feb 11, 2019
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) Matt Ward With Beale Street, (director Barry) Jenkins cements his status as this generation's cinematic poet laureate of the American condition. EDIT
Posted Jan 21, 2019
Vice (2018) Matt Ward It's almost uncanny just how much of a doppelganger Bale becomes as the cinematic version of Cheney, a dry man of few words that exudes a boring outward persona. EDIT
Posted Jan 14, 2019
On the Basis of Sex (2018) Matt Ward A middling, unexceptional biopic of Ginsburg that drives home equality for all under the law, but with a lack of relentlessness or passion that Ginsburg has been known for. EDIT
Posted Jan 14, 2019
The Favourite (2018) Matt Ward Certainly the year's most bombastic, perversely funny feature, The Favourite may be for more open-minded audiences, but it's such a charmingly quirky film. EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2019
Mary Poppins Returns (2018) Matt Ward While clearly influenced by the original in both tone and plot, Rob Marshall's film is a delightful, charming adventure aimed to be the Mary Poppins for a new generation. EDIT
Posted Dec 21, 2018
Lion (2016) Matt Ward Lion is as poignant of a film as it is wholly due to Pawar's unique ability to draw audiences in and captivate their hearts, a talent few adults - let alone children - have. EDIT
Posted Dec 19, 2018
Manchester by the Sea (2016) Matt Ward The masterful screenplay comes to life with such vibrancy that it's difficult to remember that viewers are watching a movie rather than peeking on a Boston family's real lives EDIT
Posted Dec 19, 2018
Loving (2016) Matt Ward (Loving) is a fractured, painstakingly tedious art-house drama that fails to connect on many levels, in spite of some wonderful moments of intimacy. EDIT
Posted Dec 19, 2018
Fifty Shades Darker (2017) Matt Ward Far too often, the (film) has Johnson acting against a whispering wall of emotionless abs regurgitating lines off a page rather than a composed, professional performer. EDIT
Posted Dec 19, 2018
The Great Wall (2016) Matt Ward Damon seems to understand just how absurd and misguided the film's plot is and acts accordingly as a man taking a large paycheck to sell his star power. EDIT
Posted Dec 19, 2018
Logan (2017) Matt Ward Without question, Logan is an instant classic and one of the most intriguing, impactful performances in (Hugh) Jackman's career. EDIT
Posted Dec 19, 2018