Movie Reviews

Hot-buttered opinion on the latest flicks

movies (2165 posts)

Review: Ninja Assassin Somehow Fails to Be the Most Awesome Movie Ever

Ninja Assassin Warner Bros.
C-

Review in a Hurry: Remember when "from the creators of The Matrix Trilogy" meant more karate chops for your buck? After Speed Racer and now the shoulda-been-a-videogame Ninja Assassin, we're not buying it anymore.

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Review: The Road is Raw, Tough and All Kinds of Not-Fun

The Road Dimension Films
A-

Review in a Hurry: Based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Road is a post-apocalyptic tale that's less Mad Max, more Wild West Cloverfield, and it impresses with a raw sense of urgency.

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Review: The Princess and the Frog an Old-Fashioned Fairy Tale For Totes Modern Ladies!

The Princess and the Frog Disney Enterprises Inc
A

Review in a Hurry: In an era dominated by CGI, Disney makes a bold return to 2-D animation. The medium may be old-fashioned, but the story is thoroughly, refreshingly modern. Funny, inspiring, and gorgeously rendered, The Princess and the Frog is an instant classic.

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Review: Broken Embraces Kinda Like a Telenovela for Film Snobs

Penelope Cruz, Broken Embraces Universal Pictures International
B-

Review in a Hurry: Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar returns with more high drama, and more Penélope Cruz. Broken Embraces is full of sex, betrayal, money, and blackmail—sort of a telenovela for film snobs. The mix of surrealism and passion resonates, but the plodding pace threatens to suck the life out of this tall tale.

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Review: Planet 51 Really Familiar—And Not in a Good Way

Planet 51 Columbia Pictures
C

Review in a Hurry: Sure, every story has already been told, but there still could have been a smidgen of originality in this role-reversal alien-invasion pic. Staring bright animation and the voices of Justin Long and Dawyne Johnson, Planet 51 follows a hilarious concept with weak execution and way too many references to better films.

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Review: Nic Cage at His Crazy Best in Bad Lieutenant

Eva Mendes, Nicolas Cage, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans First Look Pictures
B

Review in a Hurry: You may have heard that Nicolas Cage acts completely insane in the title role of a New Orleans cop who becomes a heavy drug user. It's true...but "completely insane" is relative in the case of this particular actor, and this isn't as over-the-top as, say, The Wicker Man. But it is an engaging cop caper complete with Cage craziness, and that's enough.

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Review: The Blind Side All Heartstrings and Sandra Bullock

The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw Warner Bros.
B+

Review in a Hurry: The Blind Side doesn't pretend to be anything but a heartstrings-tugging "feel good" movie. Swelling music, tearful epiphanies, all that sentimental crap is here in spades. But something funny happens at the end of the movie: You feel good.

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Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are

New Moon, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart Summit Entertainment
C+

Should you go see New Moon? Does it matter what we say? You're going to see New Moon. But if you have any lingering doubts about the second film in The Twilight Saga, we're here to help. Below is a handy clip 'n' save chart matching your own personality with a customized review of the most hyped film of the year.

Find the category that best matches you, and the truth about New Moon will follow:

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Review: 2012 is Total Disaster Porn Overload!

2012, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson Sony Pictures
B

Review in a Hurry: Beyond ridiculous and overstuffed with dizzying computer effects, director Roland Emmerich's 2012 is a disaster pic that pulls no destructive punches. But at more than 2.5 hours, it's close to one earthquake too many.

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Review: Pirate Radio a Joyous Li'l Flick About Old Dudes Saving Rock 'n' Roll

Pirate Radio, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nick Frost Focus Features
B+

Review in a Hurry: Rock 'n' roll and the high seas make an unlikely but jolly combination in this exuberantly directed film by Love, Actually writer/director Richard Curtis. Wisely, Curtis avoids any deep, thoughtful messages or significant thematic matter—that approach would just sink this ship.

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Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox Just Simply Fantastic

Fantastic Mr. Fox Fox Searchlight
A

Review in a Hurry: Awkward-humor auteur Wes Anderson, Oscar-winner George Clooney, and Willy Wonka creator Roald Dahl come together for a stop-motion animated feature that doesn't seem like it should make any sense at all—but it totally does. Fantastic, indeed.

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Review: Precious is Everything Oprah Says It Is

Precious, Mariah Carey Lionsgate
A

Review in a Hurry: How about this for a night at the movies: Emotional and physical abuse, incest, and a role that will forever taint the usually jolly image of comedienne Mo'Nique. Precious is an exhausting but worthwhile ride, a movie that shines a light on the dark side of humanity, and the opportunity to rise above it.

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