Fresh 9.5/10
| Fresh 89%
| Up in the Air (2009) | "
A perfect end to the 1st decade of the 21st century. Tech advances have created hermits of us all, heads bent over smartphones and screens, blue-toothed in the face. We, too, are cushioned in clouds; all somewhat up in the air." — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 18, 2009 |
Fresh 9/10
| Fresh 82%
| Avatar (2009) | "
By definitively blending animation and live action, Cameron has broken the CG barrier, presenting us with a film that easily travels from the human world to the fantastical and back." — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 18, 2009 |
Rotten 4/10
| Fresh 77%
| Invictus (2009) | "
Rather than his usual intensity, economy of style and a no-nonsense depiction of strong characters, Eastwood's film is akin to a lumbering rugby player pounding the same ground over and over again." — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 11, 2009 |
Rotten 4.5/10
| Rotten 28%
| Serious Moonlight (2009) | "
Meg Ryan's Louise is problematic. It's not so much that she chooses to hold on to her man, as it is the man who she chooses to hold on to." — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 8, 2009 |
Rotten 5/10
| Rotten 57%
| Brothers (2009) | "
Ironically, and presumably not intended, the focus is far more compelling when we spend screen time with the other, younger pair of siblings." — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 7, 2009 |
Fresh 9.5/10
| Fresh 90%
| The Messenger (2009) | "
The miracle of this film is in its insistence on finding a way back home -- to fragile new beginnings giving way to new friendship, perhaps even new love." — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 4, 2009 |
N/A | Fresh 90%
| The Messenger (2009) | "
American-Israeli Filmmaker Oren Moverman targets the US home front in "THE MESSENGER"" — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 4, 2009 |
Rotten 4/10
| Rotten 46%
| Everybody's Fine (2009) | "
The recipe's gone wrong with this annual Hollywood chestnut: No spice? No fun? Can't we exchange this for something that we might enjoy a bit more?" — Indie Movies Online Posted Dec 4, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/10
| Rotten 31%
| Ninja Assassin (2009) | "
Blood spurts out of every imaginable orifice without a respectable clot in sight. Welcome to the poorly-scripted gush-fest, perfect for the Xbox set -- it's not a film, it's Grand Theft Ninja." — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 26, 2009 |
Fresh 6.5/10
| Fresh 71%
| The Road (2009) | "
By only allowing us a peek at the characters' interior lives before we're forced to move on down that eternal Road is to deny this fascinating piece its full power. An emotional highway robbery, if you will." — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 26, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/10
| Rotten 23%
| Planet 51 (2009) | "
What gives with Joe Stillman, a credited writer on the wonderfully witty Shrek/Shrek 2? Here, his prior expertise in working with lime green characters has inexplicably given way to lifeless gray." — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 20, 2009 |
Rotten 4/10
| Rotten 39%
| 2012 (2009) | "
At the end of the day (oops, a rash choice of words), go for the great effects. And stay for the unintended laughs. Though it's for all the wrong reasons, this film is highly entertaining." — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 13, 2009 |
Rotten 3/10
| Rotten 44%
| The Box (2009) | "
An interesting subtext occurs with this particular "box." More than just rude slang for a woman's genitalia, the title points to the fact that in this story, it's only the ladies who misbehave. Issues, Mr. Kelly?" — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 9, 2009 |
Rotten 4.5/10
| Rotten 54%
| The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) | "
Stare at the goat all you want, but he's not going to come up with a script. He might eat one, but write one? Naaaaaa." — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 6, 2009 |
Rotten 4.5/10
| Rotten 55%
| Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009) | "
As for this 'performance capture,' rife with characters sporting the annoying wandering eye, it might be time for an intervention, ghostly or not. You're a filmmaker, Mr. Z, not a puppeteer. Enough is enough." — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 6, 2009 |
Fresh 9/10
| Fresh 94%
| An Education (2009) | "
This film is carried on the slender shoulders of Mulligan, a 22-year-old actress who captures both the child and the woman, creating an indelible performance we can't easily forget." — Indie Movies Online Posted Nov 6, 2009 |
Rotten 2/10
| Rotten 37%
| Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009) | "
The non-actors artlessly stumble through scenes that might best be described as lifeless. Meanwhile, the over-actors project far beyond the camera lens. Miles beyond. Say, Transylvania." — Indie Movies Online Posted Oct 23, 2009 |
Rotten 3/10
| Rotten 21%
| Amelia (2009) | "
We are continuously at the mercy of the reverential, underscored by ever-billowing crescendos of voluminous orchestrations. Someone want to turn the treacle down?" — Indie Movies Online Posted Oct 23, 2009 |
Rotten 5/10
| Fresh 83%
| Whip It (2009) | "
Barrymore's budding directing skills are on dazzling display during the skating scenes . But given the lack of depth in the writing, promising characters are often rolled over and flattened out." — Indie Movies Online Posted Oct 6, 2009 |
Fresh 8.5/10
| Fresh 75%
| Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) | "
Underscored by a growling cover of 'Louie, Louie,' assorted thugs in masks pillage assorted banks. A lovely irony, given that the rest of the film deals with how those same banks are pillaging us." — Indie Movies Online Posted Oct 5, 2009 |
Fresh 9/10
| Fresh 87%
| A Serious Man (2009) | "
The Coens nip at fundamental questions: how we conduct ourselves now, and how such conduct might resonate in an unknowable afterlife. Consider this film as a Rorschach for the soul." — Indie Movies Online Posted Oct 2, 2009 |
Fresh 6/10
| Rotten 57%
| The Invention of Lying (2009) | "
The invention of The Invention of Lying is delicious. But a few false moves along the way drag down what could have been a brilliant flight of fancy" — Indie Movies Online Posted Oct 2, 2009 |
Fresh 8/10
| Fresh 67%
| Beer Wars (2009) | "
A smart look at craft breweries trying to stay afloat against the stout-iest suds corps in the world. A film that just might be good for whatever 'ales' you." — Indie Movies Online Posted Sep 28, 2009 |
Rotten 4/10
| Fresh 77%
| The Informant! (2009) | "
There's something disturbing about a film that beats its own drum about how funny it is. In reality, we're suckers on the wrong side of the punch, victims of a different kind of double take: our money and our health." — Indie Movies Online Posted Sep 21, 2009 |
Fresh 9/10
| Fresh 85%
| Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) | "
Even amidst the corny-copia of fast, faster, fastest food falling from the skies, the filmmakers cook up some serious food for thought -- but served on the side, just as we like it." — Indie Movies Online Posted Sep 18, 2009 |
Rotten 5/10
| Rotten 44%
| Jennifer's Body (2009) | "
When the demon-possessed Jennifer opens her mouth to feed, it's a horror. But when she's opens her mouth to speak -- it's worse. Much worse." — Indie Movies Online Posted Sep 18, 2009 |
Fresh 7.5/10
| Fresh 84%
| The September Issue (2009) | "
Like the sunglasses concealing a big portion of Anna's face, this film conceals more than it reveals. But we still catch glimpses of this iconic personality, often in the reactions of those around her." — Indie Movies Online Posted Sep 11, 2009 |
Rotten 3/10
| Rotten 6%
| Whiteout (2009) | "
We get an irritated Nancy Drew with a flashlight, stomping about in mukluks through a plot with as much clarity as an ice storm at midnight." — Indie Movies Online Posted Sep 11, 2009 |
Rotten 5/10
| Fresh 63%
| Extract (2009) | "
Judge needed to 'extract' much more life from his leads. It's as if a sad little wife and her muted husband took a wrong turn on the way to the funny factory, ending up in some bleak marital wasteland." — Indie Movies Online Posted Sep 7, 2009 |
Rotten 3.5/10
| Rotten 49%
| Taking Woodstock (2009) | "
In 1969, the term 'wasted' referred to good times. But in Ang Lee's take on 1969, 'wasted' is what happens to 2 perfectly good hours -- which might be better spent tie-dyeing the dog." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 28, 2009 |
Fresh 9/10
| Fresh 88%
| Inglourious Basterds (2009) | "
The film serves up revenge with a whopping side of 'merry.' Looking at the sunny side of the strasse, Christoph Waltz' giddy Col. Landa throws 1 hell of a Nazi party, practically skipping in his jackboots." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 21, 2009 |
Fresh 6/10
| Fresh 90%
| District 9 (2009) | "
The first half is great: original, well-paced, superb production design. But the promising story ultimately falls flat, devolving into an overlong shootout, turning from provocative social commentary to E.T." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 14, 2009 |
Rotten 4/10
| Rotten 38%
| The Time Traveler's Wife (2009) | "
Like Henry, there are elements from the best-selling book that have simply disappeared. Humor, for one. A deeper texture. This is less of a movie than it is a glammed-up revolving door." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 14, 2009 |
Fresh 8/10
| Fresh 78%
| It Might Get Loud (2009) | "
Guggenheim weaves the 3 stories around and through each other in perfect counterpoint. He virtually disappears into the eye of the camera, allowing us to take it all in from the best seats in the house." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 14, 2009 |
Rotten 3/10
| Fresh 65%
| Adam (2009) | "
As Beth is Adam's societal guide dog, instructing him on how he should react, the filmmakers turn to dopey ballads in order to steer us through plot points rife with the emotional complexity of Jell-O." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 14, 2009 |
N/A | Fresh 78%
| It Might Get Loud (2009) | "
INTERVIEW -- "Cranking It Up to Eleven with Rockumentarian Davis Guggenheim"" — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 13, 2009 |
Fresh 8/10
| Fresh 75%
| Julie & Julia (2009) | "
Streep and Tucci give us a mature sizzle, sexy and endearing. Like chocolate and peanut butter, or champagne and strawberries -- they're fabulous alone, but together -- wow, the combination's irresistible." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 7, 2009 |
Rotten 3.5/10
| Rotten 24%
| G-Force (2009) | "
1 Plexiglas ball sporting 1 hamster was fine for Disney's Bolt. Along comes Bruckheimer -- now it's 3 Plexiglas balls with 4 hamsters, er, guinea pigs, and 1 Transformer. Seems he's hell bent on excess." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 4, 2009 |
Fresh 7.5/10
| Fresh 68%
| Funny People (2009) | "
Given his prior hits, Apatow is his own tough act to follow. In his dissection of the overheated comedic ego, still bringing the funny while addressing a much darker core, Apatow delivers once again." — Indie Movies Online Posted Aug 3, 2009 |
Fresh 9.25/10
| Fresh 98%
| The Hurt Locker (2009) | "
After 7 previous films, Bigelow has finally found a screenwriter in Mark Boal who not only matches her intensity, but is able to maximize her visual artistry in drawing a fully realized story." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jul 30, 2009 |
N/A | Fresh 98%
| The Hurt Locker (2009) | "
INTERVIEW -- Warning: Explosive Woman on the Scene" — Indie Movies Online Posted Jul 30, 2009 |
Fresh 8/10
| Fresh 86%
| 500 Days of Summer (2009) | "
Forget about Summer--this film is all about Tom. Gordon-Levitt delivers, a one-time child actor grown into a sensitive young man with a natural funny bone, taking us with him on his emotional roller coaster ride." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jul 29, 2009 |
Fresh 6/10
| Fresh 66%
| Away We Go (2009) | "
It's the highs and lows of travel. You meet new people, share some laughs and sometimes have to deal with missed connections. All in all, this one's a pretty good trip." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jul 10, 2009 |
Fresh 8/10
| Fresh 89%
| Moon (2009) | "
Universal questions: How is it that Sam Rockwell, one of the finest actors on the planet, has yet to get the notice he deserves? And how could you miss this stellar feature?" — Indie Movies Online Posted Jul 9, 2009 |
N/A | Fresh 89%
| Moon (2009) | "
INTERVIEW -- Duncan Jones, the Man and the "Moon"" — Indie Movies Online Posted Jul 9, 2009 |
Fresh 5.5/10
| Fresh 66%
| Public Enemies (2009) | "
After all the gunfire exchanges, there's not much time for the human exchange. Neither for the leads or the colorful secondary characters. Such glorious acting talent, gone up in so much machine gun smoke." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jul 2, 2009 |
Rotten 2/10
| Rotten 20%
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) | "
These unchained masses of tin men, their cumbersome cubic feet galumphing across screens worldwide...sheer lightweights. With an iron deficiency like you wouldn't believe." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jun 26, 2009 |
Rotten 4.5/10
| Rotten 51%
| The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) | "
Instead of Helgeland pumping energy into the story, it's the external elements that benefit from a modern sensibility, leaving the plot and dialogue to languish on a gummy subway car floor." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jun 12, 2009 |
Fresh 8.5/10
| Fresh 78%
| The Hangover (2009) | "
There are people who will not find this film amusing. Amish elders. Infants. An Iowan farmer named Burl. And that should cover it. The rest of you: bring a change of underwear." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jun 8, 2009 |
Fresh 8/10
| Fresh 93%
| Sugar (2009) | "
Like a slow curve ball, its journey unexpectedly going off course, Boden and Fleck deliver their magnificent take on the American dream by skewing it sideways." — Indie Movies Online Posted Jun 4, 2009 |
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