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News / Columns / Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus: Express Scores, Body of Lies Falls Flat
Plus, Ember lacks luster, and guess Quarantine's Tomatometer!
by Tim Ryan | October 09, 2008
Discuss Article

This week at the movies, we've got suspicious spies (Body of Lies, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe), gridiron greats (The Express, starring Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid), underground empires (City of Ember, starring Bill Murray and Tim Robbins), and deadly outbreaks (Quarantine, starring Jennifer Carpenter). What do the critics have to say?

Troubled times inspire troubled movies, and critics say Ridley Scott's espionage thriller Body of Lies is brainier and politically sharper than your typical spy yarn. However, others say it gets too bogged down in action scenes to totally hit its mark. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Roger Ferris, a CIA operative who has tracked down a terrorist leader in Jordan; however, he must get approval from his boss, Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), as well as the head of the Jordanian Intelligence agency. Naturally, machinations and intrigue follow. The pundits say Body of Lies' impressive pedigree goes a long way toward redeeming the film; it's well acted and expertly crafted. However, some critics feel the story is way too labyrinthine and scattershot to be emotionally involving. Body of Lies currently stands at 57 percent on the Tomatometer.

"Dude, for the last time, you are not the king of the world."



The inspirational, tragic life of Ernie Davis was ready-made for cinematic treatment: the first African American player to win college football's Heisman Trophy, Davis set rushing records -- and battled racial prejudice -- before succumbing to leukemia on the eve of turning pro. Critics say The Express is a worthy big-screen tribute to one of pigskin's greatest heroes, overcoming formulaic biopic tropes with sincerity and excellent performance. Rob Brown stars as Davis, an extremely talented but apolitical young man thrust into the harsh glare of history, and Dennis Quaid plays Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, a man who changes as a result of his charge's heroic perseverance. The pundits say The Express has plenty of solid gridiron action, and it exceeds typical inspirational sports movie fare with its heart and craft. At 65 percent on the Tomatometer, The Express sails through the uprights.

"I told you not to use auto-draft for your fantasy team!"



Set in a crumbling underground city that houses humanity after earth's surface has become uninhabitable, City of Ember follows the exploits of two youngsters who find a magic box that provides clues on how to escape from the depths. The pundits say City of Ember has whimsy to spare, and should please younger viewers with its phantasmagorical imagery, but the plot is difficult to follow and character development is limited at best. At 46 percent on the Tomatometer, Ember doesn't quite shine. (Check out this week's Total Recall, in which we take a closer look at the best-reviewed films of star Bill Murray's career.)

"Zuul will never find me here..."



It seems that Keira Knightley stars in every other British period piece these days. And, as The Duchess demonstrates, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Knightley stars as Georgiana Spenser, an ancestor of Princess Di's, who becomes an 18th century style icon while navigating the rough waters of palace life. The pundits say The Duchess is a visual treat, and Knightly and Ralph Fiennes turn in excellent performances. However, some feel The Duchess is too frothy and melodramatic, and forgoes the meaty parts of Spenser's real-life contributions in favor of obsessing over her frippery and fashion. The Duchess is at 61 percent on the Tomatometer.

Keira Knightley's 346th birthday party was a pretty gloomy affair.



Apparently out of concern for critics' physical well-being, Quarantine has been, ahem, quarantined, since reviews aren't coming out until the day of its release. The film stars Jennifer Carpenter and Steve Harris as a television crew trapped in an apartment building where a strange outbreak of rabies is causing people to commit savage killings. Kids, guess that Tomatometer!

"This one-woman protest isn't having the impact I'd hoped for."



Also opening this week in limited release:

  • Happy-Go-Lucky, the latest semi-improvised film from Mike Leigh, about an easy-going woman who takes some traumatic driving lessons, is at 95 percent.

  • Wong Kar-Wai's Ashes of Time Redux, which adds some tweaks to his 1994 martial arts epic, is at 92 percent.

  • The reissued classic Lola Montes, Max Ophuls' lush CinemaScope period piece, is at 82 percent.

  • Nights and Weekends, a relationship dramedy from mumblecore stalwarts Joe Swanberg and Greta Gerwig, is at 80 percent.

  • Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla, starring Gerard Butler and Thandie Newton in a heavily-plotted cockney crime caper, is at 64 percent.

  • Breakfast with Scot, a comedy about a closeted sportscaster and his flamboyant son, is at 57 percent.

  • Good Dick, a quirky indie comedy about a video store clerk's strange relationship with one of the store's customers, is at 55 percent.

  • Choose Connor, a thriller about a teenager who learns dark secrets about the congressman for whom he works, is at 38 percent.

Finally, we'd like to sing the praises of halose7en, who correctly guessed An American Carol's 14 percent Tomatometer.

Recent Leonardo DiCaprio Movies:

  • 66% -- The 11th Hour (2007)
  • 92% -- The Departed (2006)
  • 63% -- Blood Diamond (2006)
  • 88% -- The Aviator (2004)
  • 76% -- Gangs of New York (2002)

Related Items
Movie: Lola Montes
Nights and Weekends
Ashes of Time Redux
Quarantine
Happy-Go-Lucky
The Duchess
RocknRolla
City of Ember
The Express
Good Dick
Bookmark and Share
Comments (1-20 of 35 posts) | Reply
vitajex
vitajex writes:
on Oct 09 2008 06:03 PM

"Duchess": for those people who live in extremely urban settings who really just need to watch some wood for an hour and a half.


Wow, Leonardo DiCaprio in a "socially-conscious political thriller"? What will they think of next? Adam Sandler as a good-hearted man-child?

While we could debate the level of "Leo"'s acting talent, (I personally think he's not untalented, but is over-rated) I think most people would agree that he comes off as very full of himself.

It's nice when celebrities feel that it is their responsibility to give something back to the world, whether through wearing shiny, black S&M tape to convince people to vote, or walking around naked to convince people not to eat meat- it is utterly repulsive when they feel that because they act in 'the picture films', people should give two-$hits about what they say.

Oh, and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" looks HI-larious!


(Reply to this)
indiefilmfan2
indiefilmfan2 writes:
on Oct 09 2008 06:16 PM

City of Ember is up to 59%. Maybe the consensus could be published on Fridays but whatever. Disappointed in Body of Lies' tomatometer given the caliber and pedigree.

Quarantine: 23%


(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Oct 09 2008 06:35 PM

I will be seeing Body of Lies tomorrow, Scott's KINGDOM OF HEAVEN wasn't well like and I liked that alot, especially the director's cut. City of Ember is a definite rental and so is The Express. Cant wait for W. next weekend and Rock'n Rolla, couldn't care less about Max Payne. I bet Max Payne wont be screened for critics until the day before.

(Reply to this)
kottke123456
kottke123456 writes:
on Oct 09 2008 06:53 PM

In reply to this comment (#2070635)
The reason DiCaprio is rated so highly is not only because he can do a great performance, but because is very dynamic and plays in a variety of completely different roles. He is a completely different character in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, the Aviator, and Catch Me if you Can, to name a few.

I understand how he may come across as cocky to you, but compared to other great actors of this generation (i.e. Matt Damon, Edward Norton) I think he is the best. I would say the closest to him is Christian Bale due to his acting in stuff like the Machinist and American Psycho.


(Reply to this)
bluestar2000
bluestar2000 writes:
on Oct 09 2008 07:00 PM

Quarantine 5-10%

(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Oct 09 2008 08:00 PM

In reply to this comment (#2070696)
Yeah he was also really good in Blood Diamond and The Departed which I thought were great, and I really liked him in Gangs of New York even though DD Lewis stole the show.

(Reply to this)
SplendidIsolation
SplendidIsolation writes:
on Oct 09 2008 08:08 PM

Quarantine- 14%

(Reply to this)
Eat.Before.We.Eat.You
Eat.Before.We.Eat.You writes:
on Oct 09 2008 10:47 PM

I for one find it interesting that the difference between a movie "scoring" and "falling flat" is a mere 8%. And now the difference between the movies (Express and Body of Lies) is only 6%. Whether a movie is above or below the arbitrary 60% fresh threshold doesn't tell everything about it.

Quarantine- 20%


(Reply to this)
wheels1974
wheels1974 writes:
on Oct 09 2008 11:15 PM

You all realize of course that Quarantine is a remake of Spanish flick Rec right? I don't speak spanish but saw it with english subs. It was AWESOME! Not sure what the Tomatometer will show for it but if Quarantine comes anywhere close to as good as Rec it should break the 60% mark imho!

(Reply to this)
mberko1
mberko1 writes:
on Oct 09 2008 11:16 PM

I can't believe blood diamond only got a 63%....that was an amazing movie.

Quarantine - an infectious 12%

BTW I have a small peepie


(Reply to this)
Jen Yamato
Jen Yamato writes:
on Oct 09 2008 11:28 PM

My, how the barely Fresh have fallen...

(Reply to this)
CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe
CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe writes:
on Oct 09 2008 11:43 PM

In reply to this comment (#2070635)
First off, My hats off to the RT staff for the cool new font-

very classy ;-) Meanwhile, vitajex, I agree Leo's social works have often

left me overlooking his acting work and his hollywood "save the world"

persona is one I grow weary of quickly. Overall, is he overrated? I wouldn't

initially think so, but when your name is placed ahead of a superior actor,

Russel Crowe, then my answer would lean into rating him a tad overrated.

Even besides this annoying error in billing, I personally think anyone

involved in Hollywood political dealings, are rating highly above their

actual acting worth.

Also, I am quite shocked to see Russell & Leo's new movie be judged so

negatively but my surprise is lowered when realizing Scott directed it. Not

saying he isn't great but he is coming off directing the bitterly

dissapointing American Gangster, once again my opinion folks ;-) So, I hope

Scott can get his groove back eventually. Nevertheless, to counterpoint my

opinion, the RT t-meter has Blood Diamond only 63% fresh and I thought it

was much more convincingly fresh than that. So, maybe I'll check this out

after all.

Third, note I was interested in that Murray movie, City of Ember, just

because its so out of element for Murray to do. Hell, I think I'm with the

concensus Murray needs to make at least one good family film after the living

hell that was the Garfield movies {the horror of seeeing my fave fat cat

humilated...twice!}

Finally, I guess no one else is going to do this - Congrats to "halose7en"

for guessing the correct t-meter for American Carol, I do wonder Tim Ryan

what is his grand prize? Well, don't worry I have already figured it out...

a free screening to Quarantine!!!


(Reply to this)
Sulaco2k
Sulaco2k writes:
on Oct 10 2008 12:13 AM

@Jokerboy - I loved Kingdom of Heaven too (imagine how much better it could have been without Bloom playing the lead) but I'm also a big history buff so it was only natural that I'd enjoy it. I dunno, the trailers for Body of Lies haven't really generated much interest from me in the movie, I admit the cast is great and Scott is usually fantastic but there just seems something missing to the whole affair. I'll be skipping it this weekend and will wait for a Blu rental.

As far as Leo goes, I grudgingly have to admit that the dude can act and that's coming from one of the biggest Titanic haters of all time. He's been excellent in Gangs of New York, Departed, Catch me if you Can, and The Aviator...I'm not really sure how anyone can argue he hasn't. I think a lot of it has to do with Titanic and a lot has to do with the same thing Cruise had to put up with for the first years of his career, he's a pretty boy.

Disappointed that Quarantine isn't being screened for critics since the trailers make it out to be something different from the avalanche of Japanese 'scary ghost children' horror remakes that have slowly been killing the genre as of late. Hopefully it's score surprises me but we all know what usually happens when a movie is withheld from screenings...


(Reply to this)
Comment
Comment writes:
on Oct 10 2008 01:38 AM

Quarantine - 21%

(Reply to this)
Confounded
Confounded writes:
on Oct 10 2008 04:17 AM

Whether The Express rating keeps going up or drops, I have been very stoked for this movie. I live in Syracuse, NY and our football program has been absolutely dismal since the end of the Donovan McNabb era. I know this movie is going to sell-out almost every show here because this will give us a chance to relive the glory days.

(Reply to this)
Gimy
Gimy writes:
on Oct 10 2008 05:15 AM

ok, more love for kingdom of heaven but it'll never be "great" because i knew long ago that crowe was the original lead. thats a downer. yeah, bloom was pretty good in it but...crowe? could have been gladiator type of awesome. don't think so? well, put bloom in gladiator...and you should get my point. he's a pretty good actor, but a bad2ss? eh, not quite. thats what crowe would have brought in KoH had he taken the role like Ridley wanted

didn't know Quarantine was a remake but really...aren't almost all horror flicks of this nature re...something? whether it's paying homage, flat out copying...or taking notes from other flicks, i RARELY see new horrors that have an entire 90 minutes of fresh ideas.


(Reply to this)
willpower
willpower writes:
on Oct 10 2008 06:06 AM

Body of Lies will be good. Kingdom of Heaven was amazing yet is 39% or something. Boo! Quarantine-7%

(Reply to this)
Random_Jake
Random_Jake writes:
on Oct 10 2008 06:24 AM

Quarantine 6%
Because there is always the critics who get some thrill out of gorefests.
If an actor thinks any normal person cares about what they have to say he's delusional. When actor's learn they are just tools of the media meant for entertainment and keep their mouths shut hollywood will improve just a little bit. But until some decent movies start coming out more than just three times a year we'll have serious problems.


(Reply to this)
Kokushi
Kokushi writes:
on Oct 10 2008 07:32 AM

In 2006 Blood Diamond > Cars (i liked cars), i know there different genres but wtf with critics obession with Pixar and animation in genreal, i like animation but i like my movies adult, Ratatouille for example better rating than The Borune Ultimatum wtf, im sorry for the critics heh.

Jen, you are cool, smart and hot at the same time. :)


(Reply to this)
asublett
asublett writes:
on Oct 10 2008 07:42 AM

Quarantine - 18%

(Reply to this)
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