Rotten 2.5/4
| Fresh 94%
| The Maid (2009) | "
The absence of any really likable characters in the film is troublesome. Over the course of the movie, we become less interested in finding out what happens to any of these people." Posted Dec 10, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 82%
| The Princess and the Frog (2009) | "
Of course, there are a few unfortunate moments -- such as some character stereotyping and a couple of silly crass jokes. But it's also tune-filled and fun, and it's very well animated." Posted Dec 10, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 96%
| Crude (2009) | "
Crude unfolds like a pretty good legal thriller. Which, when you really think about it, is what this documentary feature is." Posted Dec 10, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Fresh 78%
| Invictus (2009) | "
Eastwood's direction seems unsure and tentative, and the inclusion of a pop song -- the overbearing "Colorblind" -- is an obvious attempt to sell a few soundtrack discs." Posted Dec 10, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 47%
| Everybody's Fine (2009) | "
The movie feels tentative and strained. It's one of the bigger cinematic disappointments of late." Posted Dec 3, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 89%
| The Messenger (2009) | "
Co-screenwriter/director Oren Moverman slowly peels back the layers to the characters, with the game cast helping considerably in that regard." Posted Dec 3, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 31%
| Ninja Assassin (2009) | "
If a film that's as over-the-top violent and gory as Ninja Assassin can't get an NC-17 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America's ratings board, it's unlikely any film will." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Rotten 1/4
| Rotten 5%
| Old Dogs (2009) | "
At least Luis Guzman and Dax Shepard were smart enough to avoid being credited for their roles in it." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 92%
| Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) | "
This is certainly the funniest animated feature so far this year, as well as one of the most sly ones to boot. (But be warned that it's not really a kids movie. There is some potentially upsetting material and imagery.)" Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Fresh 74%
| Five Minutes of Heaven (2009) | "
Five Minutes of Heaven is actually 75 minutes worth of buildup to an ending that's much more fizzle than sizzle." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 23%
| Planet 51 (2009) | "
Planet 51 doesn't have enough plot for a 10-minute animated short, much less a 90-minute feature. And unfortunately, what it does have plenty of is crude, lowest-common denominator humor." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 94%
| An Education (2009) | "
In what is her first but certainly not last starring role, Mulligan is so natural that you wonder why it took filmmakers so long to give her a role this substantive. The 20-something is sure to be on the mind of Oscar and other awards voters." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 71%
| The Blind Side (2009) | "
Yes, this feel-good sports/biographical drama is predictable and by-the-numbers. Yet for the most part, this cinematic "comfort food" goes down pretty well." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 91%
| Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (2009) | "
Nothing in Mo'Nique's previous film and television work could have prepared us for this performance. The actress (real name, Monique Imes) usually plays goofy, clownish types, and this is definitely not that at all." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 28%
| The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) | "
Attempts by director Chris Weitz and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg to inject more humor and lighten the tone go horribly awry. (The supposedly "serious" dialogue is funnier than any of their pop-culture references and such.)" Posted Nov 19, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 80%
| Yes Men Fix the World (2009) | "
This follow-up is a little more spotty and unfocused than the first film. That we're this interested in their further exploits has more to do with their goofiness than it does with the quality of footage editing, assembly and such." Posted Nov 12, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 60%
| Pirate Radio (2009) | "
One of the few fresh breaths of air out there, cinematically. This well-acted ensemble piece argues in favor of free speech without becoming too heavy-handed and ponderous." Posted Nov 12, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 39%
| 2012 (2009) | "
At 160 minutes, it's too long. And this isn't exactly brainy fare. If you think too hard about this dopey science-fiction thriller, you'll surely find fault with its physics and similarly sketchy plotting." Posted Nov 12, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 28%
| Play the Game (2009) | "
Surprisingly sexual in nature, and not just because it seems so concerned with the sex practices of the elderly. There's too much of that sort of material here and not nearly enough of the stuff we really want to see." Posted Nov 12, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 16%
| Gentlemen Broncos (2009) | "
Filmmakers usually mature over time. Jared Hess, on the other hand, appears to be getting more juvenile." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 65%
| Coco Before Chanel (2009) | "
There's a lot to like here. The film looks beautiful, and Alexandre Desplat's score is suitably moody." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 54%
| The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) | "
The film may remind some of the low-key and decidedly quirky comedies by the Coen brothers. And not just because George Clooney is one of its featured performers." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 47%
| Ong Bak 2 (2009) | "
It's an incoherent, would-be martial-arts epic with only a handful of action sequences in its favor." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 18%
| The Fourth Kind (2009) | "
A more accurate title for The Fourth Kind would be Close Encounters of the Worst Kind." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 55%
| Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009) | "
It's an unengaging, dull adaptation that has nothing really new to say in regards to the already-much-told tale." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 82%
| Thirst (2009) | "
Just when you thought you'd seen everything that could possibly be done with vampires, along comes something like Thirst." Posted Oct 29, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 67%
| Paris (2009) | "
You can't really argue with a film that tells us we should be good to one another, celebrates the importance of family and suggests we should live our lives to the fullest." Posted Oct 29, 2009 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 18%
| The Other Man (2009) | "
Its plotting leans more toward silly, soap opera-ish machinations, and while Banderas is as charming as ever, there are a couple of crucial bits of miscasting." Posted Oct 29, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 80%
| Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) | "
The release of the movie within only a couple of months of his death seems a little bit like a cashing-in move, and it is eerie to see Jackson again so soon. Still, fans of him and his music will find a lot to like here." Posted Oct 29, 2009 |
Rotten
| Rotten 37%
| Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009) | "
The adaptation of Darren Shan's best-selling book series is confused muddle of a movie. The filmmakers can't decide on whether they want it to be a comedy, a horror, a coming-of-age tale, a good-vs.-evil parable or a combination of all of those things." Posted Oct 22, 2009 |
Rotten
| Rotten 25%
| Adventures of Power (2009) | "
The film's penchant for dorky nostalgia -- especially '70s and '80s-era music -- quickly becomes irritating. It deserves a real tongue-lashing for trying to re-introduce the inexplicable Mr. Mister hit "Kyrie" into the American consciousness." Posted Oct 22, 2009 |
Rotten
| Rotten 48%
| Astro Boy (2009) | "
This animated adaptation of the Japanese comics characters and concepts appears to have been cobbled together from parts of other, better movies." Posted Oct 22, 2009 |
Fresh
| Rotten 21%
| Amelia (2009) | "
Swank makes it look easier than it probably should be. She's equally charming and vulnerable, which were evidently a couple of the traits of the real-life Earhart. And that's a good thing, because the film often sputters, sways and wobbles..." Posted Oct 22, 2009 |
Fresh
| Fresh 73%
| Where the Wild Things Are (2009) | "
It's a faithful but occasionally downbeat fantasy-drama. And it really looks great." Posted Oct 15, 2009 |
Rotten
| Rotten 9%
| Opa! (2009) | "
[Modine] seems too tentative and blase to work as the film's lead. Especially since he's paired with the vibrant Scott. She definitely deserves a chance to work again, with someone as committed to film chemistry as she clearly was." Posted Oct 15, 2009 |
Rotten
| Fresh 73%
| More Than a Game (2009) | "
The film is pretty superficial in its reporting and is by-the-numbers in its storytelling. If the subjects weren't interesting, the movie would be a complete snore." Posted Oct 15, 2009 |
Fresh
| Fresh 72%
| The Boys Are Back (2009) | "
When the film works, it works really well. It certainly doesn't hurt that it features Owen, an actor who's capable of making almost anything watchable." Posted Oct 15, 2009 |
Rotten
| Rotten 24%
| Law Abiding Citizen (2009) | "
A confused, contrived mess that would be laughable if it weren't so noxious and mean-spirited." Posted Oct 15, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 84%
| The September Issue (2009) | "
For some, fashion might not seem like exciting material, but director R.J. Cutler is able to create some genuine suspense and tension, as the days and hours count down to the "close" of the issue." Posted Oct 8, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 88%
| Amreeka (2009) | "
The movie is honest about the way it depicts family relationships and racial prejudices. A believable and fresh-faced cast also helps in that regard." Posted Oct 8, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 12%
| Couples Retreat (2009) | "
The only really funny moments in Couples Retreat are bits that were clearly ad-libbed by the film's stars, Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau." Posted Oct 8, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 89%
| Séraphine (2008) | "
Moreau's nuanced turn as the title character ensures that the film is not a complete loss. She's very convincing, especially when there arise some questions regarding her mental stability." Posted Oct 8, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 81%
| Earth Days (2009) | "
It's hard to watch this movie without feeling a little depressed and despondent about the future of mankind and its home." Posted Oct 8, 2009 |
Fresh
| Fresh 82%
| Whip It (2009) | "
It goes to show what a good cast can do with certain types of material." Posted Oct 1, 2009 |
Fresh
| Fresh 83%
| Bright Star (2009) | "
The handsome-looking period drama takes material that could have been portrayed in lurid and sensationalistic detail but instead portrays it with real sensitivity and class, without going too far in showing a passionate romantic relationship." Posted Oct 1, 2009 |
Fresh 4/4
| Fresh 89%
| Zombieland (2009) | "
Zombieland is, as they say in the entertainment industry, "all killer and no filler."" Posted Oct 1, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 75%
| Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) | "
Even if you don't agree with his assertions regarding economic theory and social politics, it still holds some interest." Posted Oct 1, 2009 |
Fresh 2/4
| Fresh 89%
| No Impact Man (2009) | "
There's some food for thought to be gleaned from the film. It suggests a few small changes in our everyday lives that could make a big difference." Posted Oct 1, 2009 |
Rotten 1/4
| Rotten 40%
| Surrogates (2009) | "
If you didn't know any better, you'd swear that both the cast and crew of Surrogates were trying to make the worst movie possible." Posted Sep 27, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 78%
| It Might Get Loud (2009) | "
The sloppiness is almost in keeping with the experimental styles of guitar playing that are featured in the movie. A few bits of brilliance shine through the messier moments." Posted Sep 24, 2009 |
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