RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Monster's Ball
Monster's Ball

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Monster's Ball (2001)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
85 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:141

Fresh:120

Rotten:21

Average Rating:7.4/10

Consensus: Somber and thought provoking, Monster's Ball has great performances all around.

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Dramas

US Box Office: $31,252,964

Synopsis: MONSTER'S BALL is a hard hitting Southern drama tempered by a story of powerful, life-changing love. It is the story of Hank (Billy Bob Thornton), an embittered prison guard working on Death Row... MONSTER'S BALL is a hard hitting Southern drama tempered by a story of powerful, life-changing love. It is the story of Hank (Billy Bob Thornton), an embittered prison guard working on Death Row who begins an unlikely, but emotionally charged affair with Leticia (Halle Berry), the wife of a man he has just executed. MONSTER'S BALL also features Heath Ledger and Peter Boyle. Boyle plays Hank’s bigoted, aging father, whose hatred seems to have poisoned his entire family as much as the family business, which is working on the prison Death Squad. Ledger plays Hank’s son, who is hell-bent on getting out of the family business. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Marc Forster. He was nominated for an IFP/West Spirit Award as Best Low Budget Feature and won the Movado "Someone to Watch" Prize at the 2001 Spirit Awards for his film, "Everything Put Together."

Set in Georgia, MONSTER'S BALL was filmed entirely on location in and around New Orleans, Louisiana and at the notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola (also known as "The Farm").

MONSTER'S BALL is from an original screenplay by Milo Addica and Will Rokos, is produced by Lee Daniels, executive produced by Mark Urman, Mike Paseornek, and co-produced by Milo Addica and Will Rokos. Lions Gate Films will release the film in December, 2001. -- © 2001 Lions Gate Films [More]

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Heath Ledger, Peter Boyle

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Heath Ledger, Peter Boyle, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Mos Def

Director: Marc Forster

Director: Marc Forster
Screenwriter: Milo Addica, Will Rokos
Studio: Lions Gate Films

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 5 of 7

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Monster's Ball

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
101 - 120 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The real strength of Monster's Ball lies in its well-drawn characters and the actors who play them.

Full Review Source: Phantom Tollbooth | comment Comment
01/30/02
J. Robert Parks
J. Robert Parks
Phantom Tollbooth

Thornton and Berry deliver the goods here convincingly, making Monster’s Ball one of the top films of 2001.

Full Review Source: ToxicUniverse.com | comment Comment
01/27/02
John A. Nesbit
John A. Nesbit
ToxicUniverse.com

A candid, gut-level emotional powerhouse.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
01/26/02
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

Dark and beautifully directed.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/25/02
Edward Guthmann
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle

It says something that the film has stayed with me well past the entire year-end Oscar season screening frenzy, when I sat through twice the usual number of films.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
01/25/02
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

In [Berry's] remarkably animated performance, Thornton's deft laconic turn finds a fitting match.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
01/24/02
Bruce Newman
Bruce Newman
San Jose Mercury News

It's a bleak and beautiful movie, and while the rain never stops, it does ease up, offering one of the most delicately redemptive stories we've seen since Dead Man Walking.

Full Review Source: Contra Costa Times | comment Comment
01/24/02
Mary F. Pols
Mary F. Pols
Contra Costa Times

Even if the last half gets bogged down in the cinematic equivalent of quicksand, the first half is absolutely exquisite and captivating.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
01/24/02
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

An arty sleepwalk.

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
01/22/02
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine

mostly resides in a mood of loss, somberness and prejudice, with a tender tiny beating heart of hope.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
01/18/02
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

The strength of the actors' performances help convince us of the possibility of passion.

Full Review Source: Eclipse Magazine | comment Comment
01/17/02
Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell
Eclipse Magazine

All roads lead to acting-award nominations, but none lead to truth.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
01/17/02
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Modamag.com | comment Comment
01/09/02
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
Modamag.com

The grimness often verges into pure melodrama, but Forster is a savvy filmmaker, gets value from his cast, and knows where to put the camera for maximum visual effect.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/05/02
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

It's less than half a fine movie. The great surprise is that its actors come through in the clutch.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
01/04/02
Stephanie Zacharek
Stephanie Zacharek
Salon.com

It's wonderful, mature writing, and beautifully acted.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
01/03/02
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A catalog of human misery that even the laceratingly honest, warts-and-all sweat of Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton can't save from contrived incredulity.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
01/03/02
Rex Reed
Rex Reed
New York Observer

A solid little picture, but Halle Berry's performance is downright astonishing, and if for nothing else the film will be remembered for that.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
01/03/02
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: www.susangranger.com | comment Comment
01/02/02
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

It takes more than a little sex to overcome 16 tons of emotional baggage.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
12/31/01
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
 
 
101 - 120 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
all

Latest News for Monster's Ball

October 31, 2008: UK Tomatometer Preview: Quantum Of Solace - Is the New Bond Shaken or Stirred?
Today is Halloween, traditionally a big day for horror movies, but for 2008 this long standing tradition has been usurped by the return of a bigger, better, badder and more... More...

June 20, 2007: The Next "Bond" Director Has Been Chosen
And it's certainly nobody you'd expect! More...

May 21, 2007: Four Directors Up for the Next "Bond" Flick?
Curious to know who'll be directing the next James Bond flick? Join the club. One source has a short list of potential helmers, all of whom would be pretty ... distinctive. More...

November 09, 2006: Box Office Guru Preview: New Pics Challenge "Borat's" Mandate
This weekend, multiplexes hope to cram in lots of moviegoers thanks to a wide selection of new films. Six movies open or expand nationally on Friday making for what will be one... More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

88% 88% Up in the Air 14/1
— The Tooth Fairy 14/1
— Bran Nue Dae 14/1

What’s Hot On RT

Inception Trailer

Inception Trailer

See the new trailer for Chris Nolan's latest

2010's Biggest Films

2010's Biggest Films

We preview all the new year's major releases

Best of the Decade!

Best of the Decade!

Find out what movies made our lists...

20 Must-See Films

20 Must-See Films

Our guide to the biggest and best films

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Weekly Ketchup: Annual Ketchup Edition
74
  • Harold Ramis Discusses Filmography, Teases Ghostbusters 3 Source: Heeb Magazine
16
  • National Film Registry Adds 2009 Selections Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • New Moon Tops Moviefone's 2009 List Source: Hollywood Reporter
30
  • Star Trek Tops 2009's Most-Pirated Movies List Source: Hollywood Reporter
19
  • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
111
  • New Toy Story 3 Clip, Photos Posted Source: Slashfilm
26
  • Danny Trejo Talks Machete, Possible Sequels Source: Collider.com
14
  • It's Official: Jackass 3-D Coming in 2010 Source: Collider.com
16
  • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
102
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Critics Choose Must-Sees and Worsts of 2009
264
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Continues Its Run In 2010
145
  • RT's Ten Most Popular Movies of 2009
98
  • Total Recall: New Year's Eve Movies
44
  • Weekly Ketchup: Annual Ketchup Edition
37
  • Five Favorites of the Five Favorite Films of 2009
33
  • Rotten Tomatoes Is Joining Forces With Flixster!
32
  • Friday Harvest: Eclipse, Robin Hood, and more!
31
  • Awards Tour: The Hurt Locker Wins Big At National Society of Film Critics Awards
26
  • Critics Consensus: The White Ribbon Is Certified Fresh
24
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
74
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
22
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
24
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
16
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Monster's Ball at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Monster's Ball at IGN
  • Monster's Ball at AskMen

Fresh Links

Featured
40 Best Films of the 2000s
40 Best Films of the 2000s External Link

Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!

Competitions
Win Funny People on DVD
Win Funny People on DVD External Link

We're giving away copies of Judd Apatow's latest.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo
About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2010, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.