Rotten 2.5/5
| Rotten 27%
| Leap Year (2010) | "
Lovely woman, Amy Adams, just a delightful on-screen presence, and a fine actress, as well. What's she doing in this?" Posted Jan 6, 2010 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 64%
| Daybreakers (2010) | "
Daybreakers isn't a great film, but it's a good one, and in a market oddly lousy with vampire tales, it's an original." Posted Jan 6, 2010 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 67%
| The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) | "
If you're game, Parnassus is a richly rewarding experience. If not, it comes off like pretentious nonsense." Posted Jan 6, 2010 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 68%
| Youth in Revolt (2010) | "
Doubleday's Sheeni is charming, smart and pretty and has just that hint of knowing danger that drives teenage boys insane. And Cera? No one does this kind of thing better, which is presumably why he keeps doing it." Posted Jan 6, 2010 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 68%
| Sherlock Holmes (2009) | "
Playing literature's greatest detective as a sort of self-loathing action hero, Downey has an absolute blast. And thanks to his performance in Sherlock Holmes, so do we." Posted Dec 26, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 50%
| It's Complicated (2009) | "
It's Complicated is basically Wild Hogs for smart people, big stars playing below their gifts in a crowd-pleasing movie." Posted Dec 26, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/5
| Rotten 38%
| Nine (2009) | "
There's a lot of high-powered star wattage in Nine, but it never generates much heat." Posted Dec 26, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 82%
| A Single Man (2009) | "
One of the year's more satisfying films." Posted Dec 26, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 88%
| Crazy Heart (2009) | "
Jeff Bridges' portrayal of broken-down, liquored-up country singer Bad Blake may be the best of his career, and that's saying something." Posted Dec 25, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 21%
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) | "
Whatever limited charms the first version had -- mostly David Cross' portrayal of Ian, the greedy manager who exploits the furry creatures -- have since soured." Posted Dec 23, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 82%
| Avatar (2009) | "
If only Cameron, who also wrote the script, had spent as much time on the story as he did the effects he uses to tell it." Posted Dec 16, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 82%
| Black Dynamite (2009) | "
If the joke is somewhat one-note and eventually told too long and too often, at least it's a good joke." Posted Dec 16, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 76%
| Invictus (2009) | "
Eastwood too often veers into trite territory, undercutting some of the story's power. An unlikely World Cup run may be a soothing balm on a nation's wounds, but it's not a cure-all, no matter how inspiring it may be." Posted Dec 9, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 46%
| Everybody's Fine (2009) | "
Everybody's Fine is a fitting title. The movie may well be fine. But it could have been a lot better." Posted Dec 2, 2009 |
Fresh 4.5/5
| Rotten 57%
| Brothers (2009) | "
Brothers is a powerful statement on loyalty, love and the cost of war." Posted Dec 2, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 85%
| Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009) | "
Nicolas Cage is so gleefully over-the-top as the troubled cop of the title that you will either be repulsed or fascinated by his performance and, since it lives or dies by it, the movie itself." Posted Nov 29, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 72%
| The Road (2009) | "
The Road can be a tough slog, but the journey is a rewarding one." Posted Nov 25, 2009 |
Fresh 4.5/5
| Fresh 93%
| Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) | "
Fantastic Mr. Fox may be the perfect kids movie for grown-ups." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 90%
| The Messenger (2009) | "
The Messenger delivers what it has to say without sensationalism or political posturing. That restraint, along with the quality of the performances, makes it all the more powerful." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Rotten 1.5/5
| Rotten 6%
| Old Dogs (2009) | "
Director Walt Becker's film goes for humor and heart, achieving neither." Posted Nov 24, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/5
| Rotten 28%
| The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) | "
It's too long, it's poorly acted, the story's clunky and the dialogue is laughable." Posted Nov 19, 2009 |
Rotten 1.5/5
| Rotten 39%
| 2012 (2009) | "
It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel...like I have a headache." Posted Nov 12, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Fresh 60%
| Pirate Radio (2009) | "
Pirate Radio is a great soundtrack in search of a movie. It never really finds one." Posted Nov 12, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Rotten 53%
| The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) | "
For a movie that searches constantly for a consistent feel, sometimes within the same scene, The Men Who Stare at Goats is remarkably entertaining." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Fresh 4.5/5
| Fresh 94%
| An Education (2009) | "
An Education is just what the title promises, and a delight, as well." Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 80%
| Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) | "
Any evidence of eccentricity, scandal or anything else that marked our perception of Jackson the last few years is missing. In its place is a performer in full command of his gifts." Posted Oct 28, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 65%
| Coco Before Chanel (2009) | "
We are used to seeing Tautou play the sweetheart. Here, she's anything but. Constantly smoking, dour, unsmiling, critical, she plays a character difficult to warm to but fascinating to watch." Posted Oct 23, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Rotten 48%
| Astro Boy (2009) | "
Tenma wisely powers the boy's heart with positive energy, something that spreads to the movie as well." Posted Oct 23, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 24%
| Law Abiding Citizen (2009) | "
As a social statement, Law Abiding Citizen is a flawed attempt at holding the legal system accountable for its shortcomings. As a movie, it's a ridiculous execution of a misguided concept." Posted Oct 21, 2009 |
Fresh 4.5/5
| Fresh 95%
| In the Loop (2009) | "
It's fantastic stuff, so over-the-top, so scabrous, so bitterly brilliant that you have to assume that, on some level, it rings true." Posted Oct 21, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 73%
| Where the Wild Things Are (2009) | "
There is some real magic here. But there is also the feeling that something's missing, that Max's journey isn't quite complete; the dour mood of the monsters doesn't help." Posted Oct 14, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 72%
| The Boys Are Back (2009) | "
If The Boys Are Back takes some emotional shortcuts, it still manages to convey some of the more mystifying aspects of parenthood." Posted Oct 14, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/5
| Rotten 12%
| Couples Retreat (2009) | "
Couples Retreat plays like the NBA All-Star game: What seems like a dream-team exhibition of pros at the top of their game too often turns into an undisciplined mess." Posted Oct 7, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 89%
| Zombieland (2009) | "
Zombieland skimps on nothing. That includes graphic violence, naturally. But just because you don't need a lot more brain power than the zombies employ to enjoy it doesn't mean you won't enjoy it plenty." Posted Sep 30, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Rotten 57%
| The Invention of Lying (2009) | "
Lying is good, but it could have been great. And that's no lie." Posted Sep 30, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 74%
| Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) | "
Capitalism may be flawed, but it is nevertheless entertaining. Which counts for a lot." Posted Sep 30, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 84%
| Bright Star (2009) | "
Bright Star shines brightly indeed, not only on the strength of a couple of powerhouse performances, but also as a look back at a time when poets were rock stars, with all the skinny British attitude that implies." Posted Sep 24, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 77%
| The Informant! (2009) | "
The Informant! is a hoot, an ever-escalating tale of corporate crime, greed and out-and-out craziness." Posted Sep 16, 2009 |
Fresh 3/5
| Rotten 44%
| Jennifer's Body (2009) | "
While Fox's performance as a high-school girl possessed by a demon would seem key to the fortunes of the film, Amanda Seyfried, as her unlikely best friend, Needy, makes it more interesting than it would be." Posted Sep 16, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/5
| Rotten 57%
| 9 (2009) | "
It's too scary for small kids and, frankly, too dreary for everyone else. The most intriguing question it asks is what Acker will do next." Posted Sep 8, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Fresh 63%
| Extract (2009) | "
A curious combination of workplace comedy and midlife crisis, it's not as good as [Judge's] best work -- the characters are too one-dimensional -- but the laughs are generous and genuine." Posted Sep 2, 2009 |
Rotten 3/5
| Rotten 48%
| Taking Woodstock (2009) | "
It is Woodstock light, which is one thing. It is also Ang Lee light, which is another thing altogether and far less satisfying." Posted Aug 26, 2009 |
Rotten 3/5
| Rotten 8%
| Post Grad (2009) | "
It's pleasant enough, which is an OK description for a summer afternoon, but not for a movie. At least not one with ambition beyond the standard fare." Posted Aug 19, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 88%
| Inglourious Basterds (2009) | "
Tarantino crams enough movie-loving passion into the film to keep you not just entertained but occasionally riveted. Above all else, it's a really enjoyable ride." Posted Aug 19, 2009 |
Rotten 1.5/5
| Rotten 26%
| The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009) | "
It's an unconscionable waste of talent, an immediate embarrassment for Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, David Koechner, Ed Helms and Tony Hale. Who knows how much they got paid, but if it wasn't a lot, they were robbed." Posted Aug 12, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 75%
| Julie & Julia (2009) | "
Although the calories ultimately are empty, they sure are enjoyable." Posted Aug 5, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Fresh 75%
| Purple Rain (1984) | "
It's probably best to think of the film as an extended music video, a watershed moment for movie sound tracks, and not much more." Posted Jul 29, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 68%
| Funny People (2009) | "
What's good about Funny People is really good, and that starts with Sandler, who's outstanding." Posted Jul 29, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/5
| Rotten 55%
| Orphan (2009) | "
Orphan works because it's a film that knows exactly what it wants to be -- creepy as all get out -- and does everything possible to achieve that goal." Posted Jul 22, 2009 |
Rotten 2/5
| Rotten 14%
| The Ugly Truth (2009) | "
The Ugly Truth? That's half right." Posted Jul 22, 2009 |
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