Tomato B- |
One Hour Photo (2002) |
"Robin Williams' good work in contained in an uneven film, whose first half is an intriguing chronicle of urban alienation, but second part deteriorates into a presposterous thriller with a subplot of stalking and revenge--not unlike Fatal Attraction" |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato B+ |
Our Town (1940) |
"Sam Wood's film version is as experimental and stylized as Thornton Wilder's play, one of the most enduring but also misunderstood plays in American history." |
Emanuel Levy |
Splat C |
The Pelican Brief (1993) |
"A curiously disappointing thriller from Alan Pakula, reaffirming the notion that John Gresham's best-selling novels are more fun to read (at the airport) than watch on the big screen, even if they star Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts." |
Emanuel Levy |
Splat C+ |
Regarding Henry (1991) |
"Lack of realism is not the problem of this Mike Nichols' drama; it's the simplistic messages and the time-worn cliches that make it flawed--despite good acting from Harrison Ford in the lead." |
Emanuel Levy |
Splat C+ |
Relax... It's Just Sex! (1999) |
"This lifestyle comedy deserves credit for trying to blend together gays, lesbians, and heteros (rare sight in the 1990s), but the writing, direction, and execution are below mediocre." |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato A- |
Repo Man (1984) |
"A sci-fi thriller takes a wacky look at a particular LA subculture and a zany farce with lunatic characters, including a TV evangelist who preaches against "Godless Communism" abroad and liberal humanism at home." |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato A |
Reservoir Dogs (1992) |
"Structurally, Tarantino may have borrowed from Kubrick's crimers and Hong Kong films, but for a debut, it's brilliantly written and acted and it captures the paranoia of white working-class men, threatened by gays, women and other groups." |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato B- |
Resurrection (1980) |
"This rural tale is beuatifully acted by Ellen Burstyn and other, but its narrative is incoherent, trying to fuse new feminist ideas with sentimental conventions about the healing power of love." |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato A- |
River's Edge (1987) |
"Based on an actual incident in Northern California, Tim Hunter's controversial indie addresses the growing alienation and moral vacancy among youths growing up in drug-oriented and media-saturated society; Keanu Reeves is perfectly cast." |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato |
Robin-B-Hood (2006) |
"There’s good buddy chemistry between Koo and Chan, and although some sloppily-shot bridging scenes betray the hectic schedules of Hong Kong cinema, the key action sequences look just fine." |
Lee Marshall |
Splat |
Rocket Science (2007) |
"This indie-minded effort suggests a filmmaker too enamored by his influences and struggling to establish a cogent vision of his own." |
Tim Grierson |
Splat |
Rush Hour 3 (2007) |
"No matter how fast Chris Tucker shoots his mouth or Jackie Chan flashes his fists, they can't recapture the charm of the original Rush Hour in this third installment." |
Tim Grierson |
Splat |
RV (2006) |
"A disappointment for both Robin Williams and Men In Black director Barry Sonnenfeld, this vacation-from-hell plotline quickly grows tedious" |
Tim Grierson |
Tomato |
Samson and Delilah (2009) |
"The honest naturalism of the two young leads is the main reason for the film’s intense grip and power." |
Frank Hatherley |
Splat C |
The Sand Pebbles (1966) |
"There are hints and parallels in this period drama set in 1926 with what was still happening in Vietnam, but writer Richard Anderson and director Robert Wise weren't sure what kind of message they wanted to send; Steve McQueen is good, though." |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato |
Saw III (2006) |
"Staying mostly faithful to the successful blueprint of its two earlier installments, Saw III is an adequate sequel that works well enough on its own terms." |
Tim Grierson |
Splat |
Saw IV (2007) |
"This gruesomely efficient horror sequel shows noticeable wear and tear." |
Tim Grierson |
Tomato A- |
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) |
"Some of the most touching scenes describe the ceremonies in which tradition is transmitted from the older to the younger generation. When John Wayne gets a silver watch as a present, he sniffs a tear and reads the inscription, Lest We Forget!" |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato |
Shoot 'Em Up (2007) |
"Merrily amoral, shamelessly watchable and outlandishly funny, Shoot 'Em Up is not for all tastes, but those with a dark sense of humor will have a ball." |
Tim Grierson |
Tomato |
Smiley Face (2007) |
"Make no mistake: Smiley Face, true to its title, is a silly movie, but not one that's stuck in hammy predictability." |
David D'Arcy |
Tomato |
Starting Out in the Evening (2007) |
"A superb performance by Frank Langella anchors the exceedingly literate, engrossing Starting Out In The Evening, a richly drawn and for the most part artfully understated portrait of an aged novelist." |
Brent Simon |
Tomato |
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) |
"Playing to his strengths, star and co-writer Will Ferrell reaps many good comic moments early on in Adam Mckay's feature to compensate for a sluggish second half." |
Tim Grierson |
Tomato |
Tetro (2009) |
"Although it feels at times like a vanity project, some strong performances – most notably by Spanish actress Maribel Verdu, but also Vincent Gallo in the title role and newcomer Alden Ehrenreich – save all but Tetro’s most cringeworthy lines." |
Lee Marshall |
Tomato |
TMNT (2007) |
"The strongest ingredient remains the four reptiles' incorrigible charm, which easily outclasses a muddled storyline and concessions to the prepubescent male audience." |
Tim Grierson |
Splat |
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) |
"Independently and internationally produced CG animated comedy Planet 51 has the visuals to compare with bigger budgeted Hollywood studio offerings but not the storytelling spark." |
John Hazelton |
- |
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) |
"Independently and internationally produced CG animated comedy Planet 51 has the visuals to compare with bigger budgeted Hollywood studio offerings but not the storytelling spark." |
John Hazelton |
Splat |
Underdog (2007) |
"Underdog works best when spoofing superhero conventions, but the film goes to the dogs thanks to a drab story and frequent stabs at heartwarming bromides." |
Tim Grierson |
Tomato |
Vantage Point (2008) |
"Although based around a familiar, Rashomon-style concept, Vantage Point ratchets up its intensity so effectively that the lack of originality hardly matters." |
Tim Grierson |
Tomato A- |
Waiting for Guffman (1997) |
"A sly, gleeful and subtle comedy that pokes fun at American musicals, amateur theatricals, and the culture of celebrity-the universal wish to be famous--set in the small, provincial town of Blaine about to celebrate its 150th anniversary." |
Emanuel Levy |
Tomato |
War (2007) |
"A needlessly elaborate plot somewhat spoils the pairing of these martial-arts icons, but this sturdy B-movie thriller has enough style to overcome its formulaic trappings." |
Tim Grierson |
Tomato B+ |
Word is Out - Stories of Some of Our Lives (1977) |
"A landmark docu, not just for being the first on its subject, but also because of the collective way it was financed, directed and edited. Locations and clothes were chosen in consultation with the 26 gays and lesbians to make them feel at ease" |
Emanuel Levy |
Splat |
Yours, Mine, & Ours (2005) |
"Looking to follow the Cheaper By The Dozen formula to box office success, Yours, Mine & Ours is a tiresome kids comedy that's mostly loud and mean-spirited." |
Tim Grierson |
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