movie review

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Dear John Is More Nicholas Sparks Schmaltz
 Dear John Is More 
 Nicholas Sparks Schmaltz 
MOVIE REVIEW
Feb 5, 2010 11:11 AM CST

Dear John Is More Nicholas Sparks Schmaltz

'Bogart and Bergman it's not,' critic says

(Newser) - Dear John, the latest Nicholas Sparks film adaptation, works familiar territory: ooey-gooey love. Critics aren't falling for the tale of long-distance romance between an American soldier stationed in the Middle East (Channing Tatum) and his dream girl back home (Amanda Seyfried).
  • Tom Horgen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune decries the
...

From Paris With Love Is Stupid Fun
 From Paris 
 With Love 
 Is Stupid Fun 



MOVIE REVIEW
Feb 5, 2010 8:07 AM CST

From Paris With Love Is Stupid Fun

John Travolta's having—and being—a blast in spy shoot-em-up

(Newser) - A trigger-happy John Travolta is not only the main event but the only event in the gleefully over-the-top spy movie From Paris With Love, say critics.
  • Travolta, plainly having a blast as a "bald-headed, goateed, gonzo CIA agent with a short fuse" is the standout in this "otherwise
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Mel Gibson Returns to Form in Darkness
 Mel Gibson Returns 
 to Form in Darkness 
movie review
Jan 29, 2010 9:13 AM CST

Mel Gibson Returns to Form in Darkness

He does well in the familiar genre of revenge thriller

(Newser) - Mel Gibson returns to familiar territory in revenge thriller Edge of Darkness , in which he plays a Boston detective unraveling the mystery of his daughter's death, and critics are generally pleased:
  • Claudia Puig, USA Today : "Not only is Edge of Darkness Gibson's best work in a decade—a big
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When in Rome a 'Rom-Bomb'
 When in Rome a 'Rom-Bomb' 
MOVIE REVIEW
Jan 29, 2010 8:06 AM CST

When in Rome a 'Rom-Bomb'

Flat romantic comedy not as fun as it sounds, say critics

(Newser) - The makers of When in Rome didn't do as makers of good romantic comedies do, say critics in mostly negative reviews.
  • Kristen Bell stars as a workaholic New Yorker besieged by suitors after plucking their coins from a Roman fountain, but the movie's not even as "mildly fun" as
...

Tooth Fairy as Fun as Dental Work
 Tooth Fairy 
 as Fun as 
 Dental Work 
Movie Review
Jan 22, 2010 12:37 PM CST

Tooth Fairy as Fun as Dental Work

One-gag Dwayne Johnson vehicle fails to impress

(Newser) - Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson in a tutu is pretty much the only thing Tooth Fairy has going for it, and critics aren’t exactly enchanted. Here’s what they’re saying:
  • Tooth Fairy is nothing but a “charmless and underdeveloped knockoff of The Santa Clause,” writes Lou
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Creation Has Potential, Doesn't Evolve
 Creation Has Potential, 
 Doesn't Evolve 
MOVIE REVIEW
Jan 22, 2010 10:23 AM CST

Creation Has Potential, Doesn't Evolve

Critics agree Paul Bettany shines, but premise falls mostly flat

(Newser) - Critics agree that on paper, Creation has a lot going for it. But they don't think the flick delivers the thrill of Charles Darwin's groundbreaking work:
  • "Director Jon Amiel has reduced a crucial moment in science to a Lifetime weepie about a workaholic who needs personal tragedy to wake
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Race-for-Cure Pic Regrettably Ordinary

 Race-for-Cure Pic 
 Regrettably Ordinary 

'extraordinary measures' REVIEW
Jan 22, 2010 8:47 AM CST

Race-for-Cure Pic Regrettably Ordinary

Despite Harrison Ford and Brendon Fraser, it's small-screen fare

(Newser) - Medical drama Extraordinary Measures is well-intentioned and reasonably compelling, say critics, but most of them agree that it's TV-movie rather than big-screen fare.
  • The first release from CBS films doesn't go beyond its "genotype as a disease-of-the-week telepic," writes Rob Nelson at Variety , "despite the star power
...

Mirren, Plumber Dazzle as Tolstoy and the Mrs.
 Mirren, Plumber Dazzle 
 as Tolstoy and the Mrs. 
Movie Review: the last station
Jan 15, 2010 11:18 AM CST

Mirren, Plumber Dazzle as Tolstoy and the Mrs.

Biopic The Last Station is 'lusty, roaring' tour-de-force

(Newser) - Critics are hopping aboard at The Last Station, a lively drama about Leo Tolstoy's final days starring Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren. Here’s what they’re saying:
  • “The arrival of a movie with as much intelligence and artistry as The Last Station should also be accompanied by the
...

Jackie Chan Can't Save Spy Next Door
 Jackie Chan Can't 
 Save Spy Next Door 
MOVIE REVIEWS
Jan 15, 2010 8:33 AM CST

Jackie Chan Can't Save Spy Next Door

Not even an action star can save this flick

(Newser) - An ex-spy corralling a crew of unruly munchkins seems like a recipe for PG fun, especially when that spy is Jackie Chan. But critics agree—The Spy Next Door just ain't funny.
  • This is True Lies without the striptease or Arab-maiming," writes Michael Phillips for the Chicago Tribune. "
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Book of Eli : Apocalypse, Sarah Palin Style
 Book of Eli: 
 Apocalypse, 
 Sarah Palin Style 
MOVIE REVIEW
Jan 15, 2010 6:10 AM CST

Book of Eli: Apocalypse, Sarah Palin Style

Denzel Washington impressive in post-apocalyptic road fable

(Newser) - The Book of Eli is almost certainly the best post-apocalypic Christian action movie you'll see this year, say critics, although many were put off by the preaching.
  • The directors scored with the casting—Denzel Washington as a grizzled gunslinger protecting the world's last Bible—the fight scenes and the explosions,
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Wonderful World ? No, Terrible
 Wonderful World? No, Terrible 
Movie Review
Jan 8, 2010 2:39 PM CST

Wonderful World? No, Terrible

Broderick mopes about in sentimental, cliched dramedy

(Newser) - Critics are not sold on Wonderful World, a creaky indie starring Matthew Broderick as a misanthropic children’s folksinger. Here’s what the critics are saying:
  • World is “a checklist-indie that offers up clichés with gusto,” even flirting with Magical Negro stereotypes, writes Nick Schager of Slant
...

Daybreakers Dim, But It's No Twilight
 Daybreakers 
 Dim, But It's 
 No Twilight 
MOVIE REVIEW
Jan 8, 2010 12:05 PM CST

Daybreakers Dim, But It's No Twilight

It either breaks the vamp-flick mold, or is another sorry entry

(Newser) - Critics agree that Daybreakers is visually inventive, but the B-movie charms of this vampire/oil allegory don't snare everyone. Some opinions:
  • Willem Dafoe "and his Southern drawl goose things up," Joe Neumaier writes for the New York Daily News , and Ethan Hawke "has a greasy romanticism." But
...

Youth In Revolt Funny, Familiar
 Youth In Revolt Funny, Familiar 
Movie Review
Jan 8, 2010 10:15 AM CST

Youth In Revolt Funny, Familiar

If you're not sick of Michael Cera, you'll probably like it

(Newser) - Youth in Revolt was shot in early 2008, which, Ty Burr of the Boston Globe notes, was “before some of us started getting tired of watching Michael Cera play Michael Cera.” If you aren’t tired of Cera’s adorably dorky shtick, you’ll find Youth a sharp...

Amy Adams Can't Save Leap Year
 Amy Adams 
 Can't Save 
 Leap Year 
MOVIE REVIEW
Jan 8, 2010 8:11 AM CST

Amy Adams Can't Save Leap Year

Irish setting one of few pluses about predictable rom-com

(Newser) - The Irish scenery is charming in the new romantic comedy Leap Year, but most critics run out nice things to say about the movie beyond that.
  • Amy Adams does her best as an American seeking to exploit an Irish tradition about women proposing once every 4 years, but her considerable
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Nine Is Nowhere Near a 10
 Nine Is Nowhere Near a 10 
MOVIE REVIEW
Dec 25, 2009 2:13 PM CST

Nine Is Nowhere Near a 10

But if you like the style and the stars, then just eat the ice cream

(Newser) - Critics agree: Nine is no 8½. Some enjoy a star-studded song-and-dance, but most don't like the song part, and they find the stars misused at best. Some opinions:
  • "Step right up, pay $10, and you can see eight superstars, six of whom have won Oscars, singing songs in sparkly
...

It's Complicated Really a Simple Rom-Com
 It's Complicated 
 Really a Simple Rom-Com 
MOVIE REVIEW
Dec 25, 2009 11:53 AM CST

It's Complicated Really a Simple Rom-Com

It may not be complicated, but Alec Baldwin's performance shines

(Newser) - Some critics see Nancy Meyers' latest as somewhat more reasoned and subtle than her usual fare. But It's Complicated is still a formulaic flick—with a scene-stealing turn by Alec Baldwin. A few takes:
  • The flick " isn't nearly complicated enough, but at least Meyers has dropped something a bit
...

Downey's Holmes Fun, If Not Faithful
 Downey's Holmes 
 Fun, If Not Faithful 
Movie Review
Dec 25, 2009 9:12 AM CST

Downey's Holmes Fun, If Not Faithful

Critics are mixed on action-hero update of hallowed detective

(Newser) - Robert Downey Jr. and Guy Ritchie’s action-hero take on Sherlock Holmes will have purists scrambling for a calming pipe, but its target audience won’t be disappointed. Here’s what the critics are saying:
  • “The whole movie, in its popcorn way, is bumptiously extravagant,” writes Owen Gleiberman
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Hear About the Morgans? Keep It to Yourself
 Hear About the Morgans? 
 Keep It to Yourself 
MOVIE REVIEW
Dec 18, 2009 12:16 PM CST

Hear About the Morgans? Keep It to Yourself

Sam Elliott's mustache steals the show. No, really.

(Newser) - The highlight of Did You Hear About the Morgans? for most critics is their own joke that Sam Elliott's mustache deserves separate billing. Some reactions:
  • The film is so "lumpish and crude" that Colin Covert saves most of his ire for a geographical offense. "The landscape around Yellowstone,
...

Blunt Burnishes Lackluster Young Victoria
 Blunt Burnishes 
 Lackluster Young Victoria 
MOVIE REVIEW
Dec 18, 2009 11:43 AM CST

Blunt Burnishes Lackluster Young Victoria

Actress carries a film that does not depart from genre conventions

(Newser) - Whether they find the film delightful costumed fluff or a dreary museum piece, most critics agree Emily Blunt is lovely as The Young Victoria. Some takes:
  • "Winningly played" by Blunt, Keith Phipps writes for the Onion AV Club , Victoria is "a bright, vivacious, willful, and sometimes rash monarch-in-the-making,
...

Jeff Bridges Makes Crazy Heart Sing
 Jeff Bridges Makes 
 Crazy Heart Sing 

Movie Review
Dec 18, 2009 9:48 AM CST

Jeff Bridges Makes Crazy Heart Sing

Career-topping performance should catch Oscar's attention

(Newser) - Jeff Bridges is already earning Oscar buzz for his turn as a hard-luck country singer in Crazy Heart. And the critics think it’s all deserved:
  • Bad Blake’s a “juicy, career-crowning role, and Bridges plays the hell out of it,” writes Peter Travers of Rolling Stone . The
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