Carmen (2023)
70%RT Audience Score: 65%
Awards & Nominations: NA
“Carmen” is a film that is both ambitious and flawed, a cinematic experiment that takes the classic story and shifts its frame to the U.S./Mexican border. While the immersive score, evocative dance sequences, and stunning visuals are all impressive, the film ultimately falls short in its execution. The chemistry between the two attractive stars is lacking, and the draggy, unfocused energy of the film leaves it feeling aimless. However, the film’s bold execution and artistic ambition cannot be denied, making it a memorable addition to the 2023 film lineup.
“Carmen” is like that one friend who always talks about how deep and meaningful they are, but when you actually try to have a conversation with them, it falls flat. Sure, the visuals are stunning and the music is immersive, but the lack of chemistry between the two leads and the aimless plot make it hard to really care about what’s happening. It’s a valiant effort, but ultimately, it’s a bit of a snooze fest.
Production Company(ies)
Latinx Stories, MARV, Right of Way Films, Road Trip / Journey, TF1 International, Topical
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
SHOOT LOCATION(S):
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; New South Wales, Australia; South Australia, Australia
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 56m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Drama/Musical
Keyword(s)
starring Elsa Pataky, Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal, Rossy de Palma, Kaan Guldur, Nicole da Silva, directed by Benjamin Millepied, written by Loïc Barrere, Alexander Dinelaris, Lisa Loomer, Prosper Mérimée, Alexander Dinelaris, drama, musical, R rating, box office gross $57.0K, budget unknown, reviewed by Adam Graham, Christy Lemire, Odie Henderson, Ann Hornaday, Barry Hertz, Mick LaSalle, Russ Simmons, Prabhjot Bains, Christopher Lloyd, Ray Gill Jr., Rubén Rosario, produced by Rosemary Blight, Dimitri Rassam, Mimi Valdés, Sony Pictures Classics, Chapter 2, Goalpost Pictures.
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,500,000
Production budget ranking: 1,767
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,038,750
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Melissa Barrera – Carmen
Paul Mescal – Aidan
Rossy de Palma – Masilda
Kaan Guldur – Robertico
Nicole da Silva – Julieanne
Director – Benjamin Millepied
Producers – Rosemary Blight, Dimitri Rassam, Mimi Valdés
Writers – Loïc Barrere, Alexander Dinelaris, Lisa Loomer, Prosper Mérimée, Alexander Dinelaris
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (70) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (25)
It half-works but never catches fire, and is lacking in the very elements — truth, beauty, freedom, love — it seeks to espouse.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: C
Adam Graham
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
I never knew where it was going and was thrilled over and over again.
May 17, 2023
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
Loosely based on Georges Bizet’s eponymous opera, this film revels in stylistic excesses that are always creative and often exhilarating.
May 5, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Odie Henderson
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
Carmen often feels aimless, its draggy, unfocused energy underscored by a marked lack of genuine chemistry between the two attractive stars.
May 1, 2023 | Rating: 2/4
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
An exercise in higher-than-high ambition whose only outcome can be of the crash and burn variety.
May 1, 2023
Barry Hertz
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
You’ll see lots of movies in 2023, and you’ll forget most of them. But “Carmen” is so sincerely passionate and peculiar that you’re bound to remember it.
April 24, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
The original musical numbers are engaging, but “Carmen” is an opaque cinematic experiment that never hits a dramatic stride.
May 19, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Russ Simmons
KKFI-FM (Kansas City)
A cinematic experiment that is very admirable but rarely loveable.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 6/10
Prabhjot Bains
Exclaim!
Lyrical and dream-like, this reimagining of the classical story shifts its frame to the U.S./Mexican border, with Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal as star-crossed lovers running from their fate.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Christopher Lloyd
The Film Yap
Carmen has an immersive score (by Nicholas Britell, Taura Stinson and Julieta Venegas), evocative dance sequences, and stunning visuals, but they paint a pretty picture that Millepied altogether fails to frame.
May 17, 2023 | Rating: 1/4
Ray Gill Jr.
Willamette Week
The sparks between Barrera and Mescal may be somewhat muted, but the stars have an easy rapport and look good together, a virtue in a movie of arresting style but limited substance.
May 17, 2023
Rubén Rosario
MiamiArtZine
Carmen may not deliver on every level, but bold execution creates appreciation for a movie of artistic ambition and palpable daring.
May 17, 2023
Robert Denerstein
Denerstein Unleashed…
Plot
Carmen is a modern-day retelling of the tragic novella, following a young woman who must flee her home in the Mexican desert and navigate a dangerous journey to the US, where she becomes embroiled in a deadly standoff with a lawless border guard.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rotten Tomatoes mentions that Melissa Barrera stars as the fiercely independent woman forced to flee her home in the Mexican desert in Carmen.
NA.jpg
70%
Showing Up (2023)
70%RT Audience Score: 50%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Kelly Reichardt’s latest film, Showing Up, is a masterful exploration of the art world and the people who inhabit it. With brilliant nuance and meticulous observation, Reichardt and Michelle Williams once again prove to be one of the best filmmaker-actor duos of the last quarter century. While the film may appear modest on the surface, it’s in the days after viewing that its essence truly takes shape, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer. Reichardt’s piercing specificity and insights into the dynamics of the Portland art scene are spot on, making Showing Up a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art and humanity.
Showing Up is like a painting that you can’t stop staring at, even though you’re not quite sure why. Kelly Reichardt and Michelle Williams have done it again with this moody, nuanced character study that will leave you feeling like you just spent a day in the Portland art scene. Sure, the structure might be a little too neat, but the performances are spot on and the insights into the creative process are fascinating. It’s the kind of movie that will make you want to go out and create something, even if you’re not quite sure what that something is yet. So go ahead, show up and see this movie. You won’t regret it.
Production Company(ies)
Scott Rudin Productions
Distributor
A24
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Portland, Oregon, United States
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2023
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 48m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 7, 2023 Limited
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Michelle Williams, Hong Chau, Maryann Plunkett, John Magaro, André Benjamin, James LeGros, directed by Kelly Reichardt, written by Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt, Jonathan Raymond, comedy, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Peter Rainer, Claudia Puig, David Fear, Stephanie Zacharek, Sheila O’Malley, Adam Kempenaar, Patrick McDonald, Chase Hutchinson, Jon Negroni, Carla Hay, Leo Brady, produced by Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani, MPAA rating R, sculptor, art, family, friends, creative life, artist’s life, art scene, Portland, graphic nudity, A24
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,000,000
Production budget ranking: 1,821
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,692,500
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Hong Chau – Jo
Maryann Plunkett – Jean
John Magaro – Sean
André Benjamin – Eric
James LeGros – Ira
Director – Kelly Reichardt
Producers – Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani
Writers – Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt, Jonathan Raymond
Director(s)
Kelly Reichardt
Writer(s)
Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt, Jonathan Raymond
Producer(s)
Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
Plot
A sculptor balances her creative life with the daily dramas of family and friends as she prepares to open a new show in Kelly Reichardt’s comedy-drama, Showing Up.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Signed in on Fresh Kernels.
Kelly-Reichardt.jpg
70%
Knock At The Cabin (2023)
70%RT Audience Score: 64%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Although it’s often less than scary and parts of the story don’t bear scrutiny, Knock at the Cabin is a thought-provoking chiller and upper-tier Shyamalan.
The plot might be a little underwhelming, but solid acting and plenty of suspense make Knock at the Cabin a decently entertaining watch.
Production Company(ies)
Blinding Edge Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment, LGBTQ Stories, Universal Pictures, VOD, Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
New Jersey, United States
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2023
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, Dolby, Dolby Surround 7.1
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 40m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States, China
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2023 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2023
Genre(s)
Mystery & thriller/Drama
Keyword(s)
Knock at the Cabin, M Night Shyamalan, mystery, thriller, drama, Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn, violence, language, Universal Pictures, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Digital 2.39:1, Marc Bienstock, Ashwin Rajan, Steve Desmond, Michael Sherman, $31.1M, R, reviewed by Kimber Myers, Candice Frederick, Tim Grierson, Kathleen Sachs, Perri Nemiroff, Christy Lemire, MaryAnn Johanson, J Don Birnam, Sarah Ward, Filipe Freitas, Marriska Fernandes, box office, apocalypse, hostage, family, sacrifice, parents, children, vacation, suspense, thriller, thought-provoking, upper-tier Shyamalan, solid acting, limited access, outside world, decision-making, energy-efficiency, natural gas bill, SoCalGas, Customer Assistance Programs
Worldwide gross: $54,760,715
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $53,813,621
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,290
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,868,443
US/Canada gross: $35,397,980
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $35,351,365
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,214
US/Canada opening weekend: $14,127,170
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $14,127,170
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 821
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $20,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $20,000,000
Production budget ranking: 1,337
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $10,770,000
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $23,043,621
ROI to date (est.): 75%
ROI ranking: 1,032
Jonathan Groff – Eric
Ben Aldridge – Andrew
Nikki Amuka-Bird – Sabrina
Kristen Cui – Wen
Abby Quinn – Adriane
M. Night Shyamalan – Director/Producer/Writer
Marc Bienstock – Producer
Ashwin Rajan – Producer
Steve Desmond – Writer
Michael Sherman – Writer
Director(s)
M. Night Shyamalan
Writer(s)
M. Night Shyamalan, Steve Desmond, Michael Sherman
Producer(s)
M. Night Shyamalan, Marc Bienstock, Ashwin Rajan
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (311) | Top Critics (73) | Fresh (209) | Rotten (102)
… Most of the pleasures of Knock at the Cabin arrive from two sources: Shyamalan’s masterful filmmaking and Bautista’s nuanced performance.
February 21, 2023 | Rating: B
Kimber Myers
Crooked Marquee
TOP CRITIC
If there is some kind of allegory on violence that is supposed to be going on in “Knock at the Cabin,” the movie and its story are certainly not smart enough for it to come to fruition.
February 21, 2023
Candice Frederick
Huffington Post
TOP CRITIC
Instead of pulling the rug out from under the viewer, Shyamalan goes in a direction that proves more disquieting, examining the nature of sacrifice and the bond between parents and children.
February 20, 2023
Tim Grierson
Screen International
TOP CRITIC
Shyamalan dazzles here with his gift for taking the kinds of ideas that once comprised the plots of pulp magazine stories, anthology television, and B movies and turning them into high art.
February 17, 2023
Kathleen Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
A rock solid adaptation of the novel. There are changes, but both versions of the story work and both existing is bound to make the conversation/analysis of this scenario even richer.
February 16, 2023 | Rating: 4/5
Perri Nemiroff
Perri Nemiroff (YouTube)
TOP CRITIC
This gets incredibly literal, clunky, and actually silly.
February 15, 2023
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
There is only one thing worse than an M. Night Shyamalan movie with a twist ending. And that is one without a twist ending. Feels like a faith-based movie trying to sneak in under a disingenuous wire.
February 26, 2023 | Rating: 2.5/5
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher
Though at times you want it to deliver more on its promise, the conclusion sticks the landing in ways few Shayamalan films of late have managed to
February 25, 2023 | Rating: A-
J. Don Birnam
Below the Line
While its questions about what we choose to put our faith in and why are as obvious as one late easy reveal, Knock at the Cabin earns two firm beliefs: in Shyamalan messing with vacations again, and in Bautista at his best.
February 24, 2023
Sarah Ward
Concrete Playground
An artless film without the guts to bring the apocalyptic threat to life onscreen.
February 24, 2023 | Rating: 2/5
Filipe Freitas
Always Good Movies
An intense apocalyptic thriller that’s worth a watch.
February 24, 2023 | Rating: 6/10
Marriska Fernandes
Exclaim!
Dave Bautista is turning into an on-screen force. Filled with intense scenes and edge-of-your-seat moments, this film provides some nice thrills. That being said, the storytelling is clunky, and the ending falls short.
February 24, 2023 | Rating: 6.5/10
Austin Burke
Austin Burke/Flick Fan Nation…
Plot
While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost. Based on the novel “The Cabin at the End of the World” by Paul Tremblay.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
When Eric is having his head bandage changed, his hands are rope tied in front. When he sits back down in his chair his hands are tied behind his back.
M.-Night-Shyamalan.jpg
70%
Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)
70%RT Audience Score: 79%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Jurassic World Dominion might be a bit of an improvement over its immediate predecessors in some respects, but this franchise has lumbered a long way down from its classic start.
Jurassic World Dominion, huh? Well, it’s definitely better than the last couple of dino flicks, but let’s be real, this franchise has come a loooong way from its OG days. Like, remember when we were all blown away by the first Jurassic Park? Good times. Now we’re just watching Chris Pratt run around with some CGI creatures. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still entertaining, but it’s not exactly groundbreaking stuff anymore. Maybe they should just let the dinos rest in peace (or pieces, depending on how you look at it).
Production Company(ies)
Universal Pictures
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:2h 27m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2022 Wide
Genre(s)
Action/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, DeWanda Wise, directed by Colin Trevorrow, written by Emily Carmichael, Colin Trevorrow, produced by Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, action, adventure, PG-13, box office, budget, reviewed by Stephen Romei, Todd Gilchrist, Adam Mullins-Khatib, Wenlei Ma, tt stern-enzi, Mark Kermode, Sarah Gopaul, Jared Mobarak, Joe Lipsett, Peter Canavese, Sarah Knight Adamson, dinosaurs, Isla Nublar, humans, apex predators, franchise, sequel, original cast, CGI, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, Universal Pictures, Jurassic Park
Worldwide gross: $1,001,978,080
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,064,424,306
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 89
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 116,076,805
US/Canada gross: $376,851,080
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $400,337,550
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 118
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted):
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted):
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.):
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.):
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Bryce Dallas Howard – Claire Dearing
Laura Dern – Ellie Sattler
Jeff Goldblum – Ian Malcolm
Sam Neill – Alan Grant
DeWanda Wise – Kayla Watts
Director(s)
Colin Trevorrow
Writer(s)
Emily Carmichael, Colin Trevorrow
Producer(s)
Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (373) | Top Critics (73) | Fresh (113) | Rotten (260)
Goldblum aside, it’s hard not to feel that the warm-blooded actors are phoning it in a bit.
June 23, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Dominion answers the question “What if dinosaurs became so commonplace they were no longer exciting?” by making even the most unique dinosaur encounters so routine and uninspiring that even the people involved cannot muster enthusiasm to be frightened.
June 22, 2022 | Rating: D+
Todd Gilchrist
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
While there’s never really a sense of true danger for our heroes, we get just enough of the range of CGI dinosaurs and their weird traits to keep the film entertaining.
June 22, 2022
Adam Mullins-Khatib
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Jurassic World Dominion is an aggressively fine and mostly enjoyable romp that does some things well and others things less so. It’s the epitome of just OK.
June 18, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Wenlei Ma
News.com.au
TOP CRITIC
A long, tiring, winding road.
June 14, 2022 | Rating: D
tt stern-enzi
WXIX-TV (Cincinnati, OH)
TOP CRITIC
Ho hum.
June 12, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
In spite of all the positive elements, it’s unfortunate the film’s biggest obstacle is its own story.
July 7, 2022
Sarah Gopaul
Digital Journal
If ever there was a franchise that proved box office glory wasn’t enough to greenlight sequels, this is it. One masterpiece and a handful of middling to bad facsimiles. At least it’s over.
July 7, 2022 | Rating: 5/10
Jared Mobarak
Jaredmobarak.com
Despite too many characters, iffy pacing and an excessive runtime, this is just an enjoyably loud, dumb summer action film. More horror would have been appreciated, but the Malta sequence alone makes this worth a recommend.
July 1, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Joe Lipsett
Horror Queers Podcast
A ‘B’-movie script crammed full of plot holes and deus ex machina conveniences but it’s reasonably exciting. Not a great movie, but it’s good enough.
June 30, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
Peter Canavese
Celluloid Dreams
The scenes are disjointed; the film lacks heart as not enough focus is given to the main characters’ story.
June 30, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
Sarah Knight Adamson
Sarah’s Backstage Pass
Director Colin Trevorrow just about limps over the finishing line with Dominion and while the script probably needed another round of edits, he directs the film with enough passion towards the franchise that it’ll do just fine.
June 29, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Maria Lattila
whynow…
Plot
Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, dinosaurs now live–and hunt–alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures in a new Era.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
After falling in ice cold water, Owen is barely wet in the lift, nor is he shivering, which he would be, purely from the shock.
Colin-Trevorrow.jpg
70%
The Cursed (Eight for Silver) (2022)
70%RT Audience Score: 55%
Awards & Nominations: 5 nominations
For a werewolf movie, The Cursed is frustratingly lacking in killer instinct — but its intriguing additions to well-worn mythology add some necessary bite.
The Cursed” is a visually stunning horror period piece that will have you on the edge of your seat. The costumes and sets are sumptuous, and the monsters are hauntingly gruesome. While the pacing can be sluggish at times, the terror scenes more than make up for it. It’s a unique take on the werewolf genre that will leave you howling for more.
Production Company(ies)
Talking Heads Arnold Stiefel Company,
Distributor
LD Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Cognac, France
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong violence, grisly images and brief nudity.
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 52m
-
Language(s):English, Romanian
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 18, 2022 Wide
Genre(s)
Horror
Keyword(s)
starring Boyd Holbrook, Kelly Reilly, Alistair Petrie, Roxane Duran, Nigel Betts, Stuart Bowman, directed by Sean Ellis, written by Sean Ellis, horror, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Noel Murray, Tasha Robinson, Noah Berlatsky, Katie Rife, Matt Zoller Seitz, Meagan Navarro, Molly Henery, Rosa Parra, Carla Hay, Christian Valentin, Ferdosa Abdi, Matthew Jackson, produced by Sean Ellis, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, R rating, werewolf movie, supernatural forces, demonic creatures, disappearances, killings, pathologist, remote country village, cursed land, marginalized people, displaced people, slaughtered people, period piece, fresh mythology, chilling scarecrow, atmospheric, gruesome, unique creature feature, haunting monsters, visually stunning, dread-laced atmosphere, modern take on werewolf tropes, top horror movies, MCU movies ranked by Tomatometer, renewed and cancelled TV shows 2022, best 2022 horror movies ranked by Tomatometer, TV premiere dates 2022, worst horror movies of all time, best Netflix series and shows
Worldwide gross: $4,588,389
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $4,588,389
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,203
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 500,370
US/Canada gross: $4,588,389
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $4,588,389
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,833
US/Canada opening weekend: $1,776,142
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $1,776,142
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,219
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Kelly Reilly – Isabelle Laurent
Alistair Petrie – Seamus Laurent
Roxane Duran – Anais
Nigel Betts – Alfred Moliere
Stuart Bowman – Saul
Director(s)
Sean Ellis
Writer(s)
Sean Ellis
Producer(s)
Sean Ellis, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
5 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (122) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (90) | Rotten (32)
It is engaging, thanks to the way Ellis captures its era: not just through striking low-light images but also through a pervasive sense of menace.
February 24, 2022
Noel Murray
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
There’s a sumptuous feel to the staging — the costumes and sets all have weight, and the cast brings a compelling, convincing intensity to the material, but this is primarily a movie to watch for the visuals.
February 23, 2022
Tasha Robinson
Polygon
TOP CRITIC
Ellis has made it very clear that the emotional core of the film is the suffering of marginalized, displaced, and slaughtered people. Why then are we spending the bulk of the run time supposedly rooting for those who benefit from that slaughter?
February 23, 2022
Noah Berlatsky
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Even when Ellis ramps up the suspense with crosscutting and monster mayhem in the final half-hour, The Cursed has trouble maintaining nail-biting intensity for very long.
February 22, 2022 | Rating: C+
Katie Rife
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
It’s all so rich and so richly executed by Ellis, a total filmmaker that one wishes it added up to more than a series of smart variations on a certain type of film.
February 18, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Zoller Seitz
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
Predictable and straightforward. Still, its a well-crafted period piece with standout horror moments thanks to fresh mythology and a chilling scarecrow thatll haunt your dreams.
February 18, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Meagan Navarro
Bloody Disgusting
TOP CRITIC
The Cursed delivers a unique creature feature that is as atmospheric as it is gruesome.
May 10, 2022 | Rating: 7.5/10
Molly Henery
The Blogging Banshee
A visually stunning horror period piece with haunting monsters and scenes.
April 4, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Rosa Parra
Latinx Lens
The Cursed makes some unique and effective visual departures from a typical werewolf horror movie. The movie’s pace is sometimes sluggish, but the terror scenes more than make up for the film’s minor flaws.
April 3, 2022
Carla Hay
Culture Mix
In spite of an often slack runtime, distant emotion, and uneven scares, theres a violently entertaining mix of classic trappings and digital terror here.
March 20, 2022
Christian Valentin
Spectrum Culture
In more discerning hands, it could have accomplished what Sean Ellis seemingly set out to do, but The Cursed is not a werewolf horror worth devouring.
March 15, 2022 | Rating: 2/5
Ferdosa Abdi
Screen Rant
The results are mixed, but when writerdirector Sean Ellis digs deep into his genre riffs and dread-laced atmosphere, iThe Cursedi really works as a modern take on some very old werewolf tropes.
March 12, 2022
Matthew Jackson
Looper.com…
Plot
Pathologist John McBride investigates a remote country village under attack by supernatural forces and demonic creatures, only to discover something much deeper and more sinister than he ever could have imagined in The Cursed.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny comment about the film on Fresh Kernels.
Sean-Ellis.jpg
70%
The 355 (2022)
70%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: NA
It has a stellar cast and it’s conceptually progressive, but The 355 squanders it all on a forgettable story, unremarkably told.
The 355 is like a group project where everyone is talented, but no one really wants to take the lead. It’s a fun action movie with a great cast, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s like ordering a pizza with all your favorite toppings, but the crust is a little soggy and the sauce is a bit bland. Still, it’s worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some mindless entertainment. Just don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
Production Company(ies)
Nero-Film AG,
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (PEACOCK), Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Shanghai, China
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, brief strong language, and suggestive material.
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 2m
-
Language(s):English, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Arabic
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 2022 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2022
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o, Penélope Cruz, Sebastian Stan, Fan Bingbing, directed by Simon Kinberg, written by Theresa Rebeck and Simon Kinberg, action, PG-13, box office, budget, reviewed by Liz Shannon Miller, Stephen Romei, Becca James, Kristy Puchko, Sandra Hall, Kimberley Jones, Sarah Ward, Javier Ocaña, Paula Vázquez Prieto, Ruben Peralta Rigaud, Dan Bayer, Pete Vonder Haar, produced by Kelly Carmichael, Jessica Chastain, Simon Kinberg, CIA agent, mercenary, German agent, MI6 ally, computer specialist, Colombian psychologist, secret weapon, breakneck mission, cafes of Paris, markets of Morocco, opulent auction houses of Shanghai, tenuous loyalty, protecting the world, Dolby Digital, Scope (2.35:1)
Worldwide gross: $27,827,745
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $27,718,381
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,572
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,022,724
US/Canada gross: $14,570,455
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $14,570,455
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,503
US/Canada opening weekend: $4,621,765
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $4,621,765
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,111
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Sebastian Stan – Nick Fowler
Penélope Cruz – Graciela Rivera
Lupita Nyong’o – Khadijah Adiyeme
Diane Kruger – Marie Schmidt
Fan Bingbing – Lin Mi Sheng
Director(s)
Simon Kinberg
Writer(s)
Theresa Rebeck, Simon Kinberg
Producer(s)
Kelly Carmichael, Jessica Chastain, Simon Kinberg
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (223) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (53) | Rotten (170)
What The 355 offers up is a perfect Saturday afternoon dad movie, but instead of starring Stallone or Eastwood or Bronson, it stars five women with six Oscar nominations and two wins between them. (And was written by the creator of NBCs Smash!)
March 19, 2022
Liz Shannon Miller
Consequence
TOP CRITIC
This 124-minute movie is fast-paced, well-acted and asks some interesting questions about where one’s loyalty lies.
January 19, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
This simplistic approach, which forces an evil/ethical binary, paired with a ham-fisted dialogue, flattens the film and makes the lulls between fight scenes feel more like retribution than respite.
January 15, 2022
Becca James
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
If you’ve ever seen a mediocre action movie with a surprisingly stacked cast, then you’ve basically seen this.
January 14, 2022
Kristy Puchko
Mashable
TOP CRITIC
There’s nothing here that Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson haven’t done already but Kinberg and his nimble cast achieve such momentum that you’ll probably shelve your reservations until it’s all over.
January 13, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Doggedly mediocre actioner The 355 is the cinematic equivalent of gathering together Formula 1’s finest drivers and tossing them the keys to a Yugo.
January 13, 2022
Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Oh-so-basic with its killer lady spies, their battle against misogyny and their quest to claim some much-needed on-screen space.
June 25, 2022
Sarah Ward
Concrete Playground
A rehash of countless similar films, just as mediocre or insufferable, but here male camaraderie is replaced by female complicity. [Full review in Spanish]
June 16, 2022
Javier Ocaña
El Pais (Spain)
In this tangle of platitudes, feminist discourses, and vertiginous persecutions, the film is nothing more than a clumsy reflection of what it wants to enfranchise itself from. [Full review in Spanish]
May 18, 2022 | Rating: 2/5
Paula Vázquez Prieto
La Nación (Argentina)
Offers no great surprises.
[Full review in Spanish]
May 16, 2022
Ruben Peralta Rigaud
Cocalecas
The fact that the end product of this dream team-up is so bland and uninspired makes it feel that much more disappointing.
May 9, 2022 | Rating: 6/10
Dan Bayer
Next Best Picture
So if most of the cast delivers, what’s the problem? Clues point to Kinberg and Theresa Rebeck’s script. It throws around terms like “brush pass” and “kill box,” but also gives us dialogue like this:
“A man must cover his tracks.”
“Yes he does.”
…what?
April 19, 2022 | Rating: 2/5
Pete Vonder Haar
Houston Press…
Plot
When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild card CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown will need to join forces with rival badass German agent Marie, former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah, and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela on a lethal, breakneck mission to retrieve it, while also staying one-step ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng, who is tracking their every move. As the action rockets around the globe from the cafes of Paris to the markets of Morocco to the wealth and glamour of Shanghai, the quartet of women will forge a tenuous loyalty that could protect the world-or get them killed.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The 355 boasts an impressive cast including Oscar winners Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, and Penélope Cruz.
Simon-Kinberg.jpg
70%
Gloria Bell (2019)
70%RT Audience Score: 46%
Awards & Nominations: 9 nominations
Free of visual or narrative embellishments, Gloria Bell rests almost completely on Julianne Moore’s performance in the title role — and she’s gloriously up to the task
Gloria Bell is the perfect movie to watch when you’re feeling a little down about your love life. Julianne Moore’s performance is so relatable that you’ll feel like you’re watching your own life on screen. Plus, the dance scenes are so fun that you’ll want to get up and dance along with Gloria. It’s a great reminder that even when things aren’t going perfectly, there’s always a reason to dance.
Production Company(ies)
RKO Radio Pictures, Mercury Productions,
Distributor
A24
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use
Year of Release
2019
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 42m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States, Chile
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2019 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2019
Genre(s)
Comedy/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Michael Cera, Brad Garrett, Holland Taylor, Jeanne Tripplehorn, directed by Sebastián Lelio, written by Sebastián Lelio, produced by Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, Sebastián Lelio, Comedy, Romance, R rating, box office gross $5.6M, budget unknown, reviewed by Claudia Puig, Mark Kermode, Adam White, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Wendy Ide, Ed Potton, Brian Eggert, Robin Holabird, Richard Crouse, Cassidy Olsen, Alex Bentley, divorced woman, dance floor, Los Angeles, unexpected romance, dating, nudity, language, sexuality, some drug use, A24, Scope (2.35:1)
Worldwide gross: $11,145,006
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $12,877,548
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,887
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,404,313
US/Canada gross: $5,611,123
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $6,483,398
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,734
US/Canada opening weekend: $145,218
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $167,793
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,731
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
John Turturro – Arnold
Michael Cera – Peter
Brad Garrett – Dustin
Holland Taylor – Hillary
Jeanne Tripplehorn – Fiona
Director – Sebastián Lelio
Producers – Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, Sebastián Lelio
Writer – Sebastián Lelio
Director(s)
Sebastián Lelio
Writer(s)
Sebastián Lelio
Producer(s)
Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, Sebastián Lelio
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
9 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (207) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (188) | Rotten (19)
[Julianne Moore] is always terrific, but she gives an especially terrific, well-rounded performance here. It’s nuanced, vulnerable, strong, funny, emotionally rich and textured.
September 20, 2019
Claudia Puig
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
A well-observed, good character study, although something that you may have seen before.
June 17, 2019
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
Gloria Bell is somewhat exhausting – both unbearably intimate and at a constant remove – but it is endlessly pulled back into focus by Moore.
June 11, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Adam White
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The result isn’t better than the 2013 original but it’s just as good.
June 10, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
Moore’s subtle, empathetic work elevates what could be dismissed as a small-scale, even banal story.
June 8, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Whether she’s dealing with conflicts at work, doing laugh therapy sessions, or smoking weed on the floor of her apartment while the Californian sunlight slants through the window, this is a Bell that chimes.
June 7, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Julianne Moore has the kind of talent and charm that makes you forget Gloria Bell is a remake.
March 3, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Writer-director Lelio maintains many of his first version’s effective moments, which shift smoothly from their original setting in Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles.
July 22, 2021
Robin Holabird
KUNR (Reno, NV)
When Gloria gearshifts from tears to laughter as the weight of a bad relationship lifts or finally dances to her own beat on the dance floor, Moore is vulnerable and jubilant, awkward and comfortable, and always relatable.
March 4, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Almost by extension of Moore’s lived-in performance, Lelio’s Gloria Bell is just as subtle and rewarding as the original, granting American audiences a new look into his brand of filmmaking through a simple story brimming with the comedy of life.
February 28, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Cassidy Olsen
The Improper Bostonian
Gloria Bell could have played as a glorious showcase of a woman being true to herself in spite of the world trying to hold her back. Instead, it’s a slog that wastes the talents of Julianne Moore and her many recognizable co-stars.
February 18, 2021
Alex Bentley
CultureMap
Uncommonly clear-eyed about the hard work of happiness, and the capriciousness of it.
February 5, 2021 | Rating: B+
Jesse Hassenger
SportsAlcohol…
Plot
A free-spirited woman in her 50s seeks out love at L.A. dance clubs.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Gloria Bell.
Sebastián-Lelio.jpg
70%
Rojo (2019)
70%RT Audience Score: 42%
Awards & Nominations: NA
A pitch-black thriller with uncommon wit and sophistication, Rojo tells a story as rich and evocative as the deepest shade of its title color
Rojo is a film that will make you feel uncomfortable laughing, but that’s what makes it so funny. The performance by Dario Grandinetti as Claudio is both menacing and bureaucratic, reminding us that even repulsive characters can be fascinating. The film’s scenes are dislocated and highlight absurdity and violence, but it’s the sharp edge and satire that keep us on the edge of our seats. Set in Argentina before the military coup of 1976, Rojo is a damning political satire thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. So, embrace this little masterpiece before it disappears!
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Distrib Films
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-MA
Year of Release
2019
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 49m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 2019 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2019
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Rojo, drama, Spanish, 1970s, lawyer, private detective, Argentina, pitch-black thriller, uncommon wit, sophistication, rich, evocative, deep shade, Alfredo Castro, Sinclair, Diego Cremonesi, Dieguito, Rafael Federman, Santiago, Andrea Frigerio, Susana, Darío Grandinetti, Claudio, Raymond E Lee, American Cowboy, directed by Benjamín Naishtat, written by Benjamín Naishtat, produced by Emmanuel Chaumet, Federico Eibuszyc, Barbara Sarasola-Day, Marleen Slot, Ingmar Trost, Dan Wechsler, Jamal Zeinal Zade, Rachel Daisy Ellis, reviewed by Amy Nicholson, Ela Bittencourt, Wendy Ide, Kevin Maher, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Mark Kermode, Joanne Laurier, Joseph Pomp, Jeff Mitchell, Louis Proyect, Dennis Schwartz, Blai Morell, genre, box office performance, budget, MPAA rating, drama, thriller, mystery, crime, limited release, Distrib Films
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Diego Cremonesi – Dieguito
Rafael Federman – Santiago
Andrea Frigerio – Susana
Darío Grandinetti – Claudio
Raymond E. Lee – American Cowboy
Director(s)
Benjamín Naishtat
Writer(s)
Benjamín Naishtat
Producer(s)
Emmanuel Chaumet, Federico Eibuszyc, Barbara Sarasola-Day, Marleen Slot, Ingmar Trost, Dan Wechsler, Jamal Zeinal Zade, Rachel Daisy Ellis
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (53) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (2)
Deadpan [and] very funny even though you feel uncomfortable laughing.
October 2, 2019
Amy Nicholson
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
Dario Grandinetti’s riveting performance as the vaguely menacing yet bureaucratic Claudio is a reminder that repulsive or unfathomable characters can be as fascinating as likable ones.
September 26, 2019
Ela Bittencourt
Hyperallergic
TOP CRITIC
The film does not serve up its ideas in easily digestible bites. The audience needs to work with a dislocated string of scenes that sometimes highlight absurdity, sometimes violence and frequently say very little at all.
September 7, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It’s powerful material, deftly delivered.
September 7, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Embrace this little masterpiece before it disappears.
September 6, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
A film in which there’s a sharp edge, and the satire and humor don’t do anything to take that sharpness off.
September 6, 2019
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
The movie’s eerie, ominous atmosphere is legitimate, but can’t substitute itself for historical concreteness.
August 6, 2020
Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
Rojo pulsates both with the motif of blood and the subtly indelible image of a solar eclipse, when an orb blots out the sun, obscuring all but its deep red edges.
February 26, 2020
Joseph Pomp
Hyperallergic
Director Benjamin Naishtat throws us into a tizzy and then keeps us guessing, when he will lower the cinematic boom.
November 18, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4
Jeff Mitchell
Art House Film Wire
Set in Argentina a year before the military coup of 1976 that turned the country into a torture chamber, it is a searing portrait of the middle-class complacency that relied on.
November 16, 2019
Louis Proyect
Counterpunch.org
A damning political satire thriller set in 1975 Argentina before the coup of the military junta.
November 15, 2019 | Rating: B+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Surviving the initial two scenes of this disturbing and excellent movie is no easy task. [Full Review in Spanish]
November 13, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Blai Morell
Fotogramas…
Plot
In 1970s Argentina, a successful lawyer’s life begins to unravel when a private detective arrives in town and starts asking tough questions, leading to a pitch-black thriller with uncommon wit and sophistication in Rojo.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Dario Grandinetti’s performance as Claudio is described as “vaguely menacing yet bureaucratic.”
Benjamín-Naishtat.jpg
70%
La Mujer sin Cabeza (The Headless Woman) (2008)
70%RT Audience Score: 55%
Awards & Nominations: 9 wins & 19 nominations
Careful and slight, Lucretia Martel’s Headless Woman doesn’t fit neatly into a clear storyline, but supports itself with ethereal visuals
The Headless Woman is a wild ride that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about reality. With a plot that’s as elusive as a greased pig, Lucrecia Martel and María Onetto deliver a mind-bending performance that will leave you reeling. Don’t forget to bring your thinking cap and a strong cup of coffee, because this one will keep you guessing until the very end.
Production Company(ies)
Produzioni Europee Associate, Arturo González Producciones Cinematográficas, Constantin Film
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Salta, Argentina
MPAA / Certificate
Unrated
Year of Release
2008
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 29m
-
Language(s):Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 19, 2009 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2009
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring María Onetto, César Bordón, Claudia Cantero, Daniel Genoud, Guillermo Arengo, Inés Efron, directed by Lucrecia Martel, written by Lucrecia Martel, produced by Agustín Almodóvar, Pedro Almodóvar, Tilde Corsi, Verónica Cura, drama, Spanish language, box office gross $99.8K, reviewed by Alyx Vesey, Jake Wilson, Keith Uhlich, Wesley Morris, Patrick Peters, Rosa Parra, PJ Nabarro, Clairefrisbie, Josh Larsen, Ernesto Diezmartinez, Martin Tsai, MPAA rating not specified, hit and run, psychological exploration, guilt, reality, upper middle class, social commentary, class guilt, bourgeoisie, power structure, corruption, loyalty, gender roles, bisexuality, open-ended thought exercise
Worldwide gross: $305,766
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $421,181
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,781
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 45,930
US/Canada gross: $100,177
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $137,990
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,610
US/Canada opening weekend: $14,778
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $20,356
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,506
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Claudia Cantero – Josefina
César Bordón – Marcos
Daniel Genoud – Juan Manuel
Guillermo Arengo – Marcelo
Inés Efron – Candita
Director(s)
Lucrecia Martel
Writer(s)
Lucrecia Martel
Producer(s)
Agustín Almodóvar, Pedro Almodóvar, Tilde Corsi, Verónica Cura
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
9 wins & 19 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (55) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (13)
[A] deceptively plotless, taut, and intricate 89 minutes. This is to the credit of Martel and lead actress María Onetto, who is devastating as dentist Verónica.
December 30, 2020
Alyx Vesey
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
Keeping the viewer almost as much in the dark as the heroine, this 2008 puzzler from the talented Lucrecia Martel (Zama) is a challenge worth taking up.
October 5, 2018
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
An astounding portrait of a person entirely out of sync with her own existence.
November 16, 2011 | Rating: 5/5
Keith Uhlich
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
If Hitchcock and Antonioni ever had an interest in class guilt, you’d have Martel.
April 29, 2010 | Rating: 3.5/4
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
Slow-paced and self-indulgent in places but a bravely intense use of camera work to explore the internal psychology of the characters.
February 19, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Patrick Peters
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
In what could be one of the greatest films ever made about the emotional realities of a damaged mind, this giddily disorientating latest from Lucrecia Martel is a work of frenzied genius.
February 19, 2010 | Rating: 5/5
David Jenkins
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Martel’s more political narrative brings a conventional plot to her normally plotless films. A thought-provoking look at a social-political dynamic that isn’t exclusive to just one country. A fantastic visual-audio storytelling approach.
July 3, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Rosa Parra
Latinx Lens
Where other arthouse filmmakers use the slow aesthetic to draw out the glaringly obvious metaphors and subtexts of their narratives, Martel’s style is lucid and transcendent.
August 21, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
PJ Nabarro
Patrick Nabarro
A nice trip into a hazy world where truth is relative and quite beautiful at the same time.
April 9, 2019
Clairefrisbie
Remezcla
Don’t bring a guilty conscience to a viewing of The Headless Woman.
September 13, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm
The Headless Woman is the closest thing to a genre film that has done Martel and, at the same time, is also the most twisted of all his films. [Full review in Spanish]
April 1, 2016
Ernesto Diezmartinez
Cine Vértigo
Ms. Martel here firmly establishes her mastery by exacting – amid a dream-like fog – suspense, horror, humor and sympathy from a protagonist who is so emotionally vacant and detached from the world.
October 7, 2015
Martin Tsai
Critic’s Notebook…
Plot
After hitting something with her car, Veronica’s guilt and grip on reality begin to unravel as all traces of her activities in the previous days disappear in Lucrecia Martel’s Headless Woman.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about “The Headless Woman.”
Lucrecia-Martel.jpg
70%
Appaloosa (2008)
70%RT Audience Score: 55%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins
A traditional genre western, Appaloosa sets itself apart with smart psychology, an intriguing love triangle, and good chemistry between the leads
Appaloosa is a classic western that’s perfect for anyone who loves a good shootout and a bit of humor. While it may be a little slow at times, the film’s attention to detail and production design make it a memorable experience. Plus, Ed Harris is a total badass as the lone lawman fighting injustice. The only downside? Renee Zelwegger’s character is a bit of a mystery, but hey, nobody’s perfect. Overall, Appaloosa is a fun ride that’s worth checking out.
Production Company(ies)
Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment,
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Sonoita, Arizona, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some violence and language
Year of Release
2008
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 56m
-
Language(s):English, Apache, languages, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2008 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 13, 2009
Genre(s)
Western/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Timothy Spall, Lance Henriksen, directed by Ed Harris, written by Robert Knott and Ed Harris, Western, Drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by David Stratton, Paul Byrnes, Ben Lyons, Ben Mankiewicz, Connie Ogle, Todd McCarthy, Richard Propes, Mattie Lucas, Grant Watson, Kelly Jane Torrance, produced by Ed Harris, Ginger Sledge, Robert Knott, MPAA rating R, justice, lawless towns, mining town, malevolent rancher, love triangle, bond, New Mexico landscape, 1880s Southwest, Virgil Cole, Everett Hitch, Randall Bragg, Phil Olson, Ring Shelton, Alison French
Worldwide gross: $27,712,362
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $38,172,720
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,457
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,162,783
US/Canada gross: $20,211,394
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $27,840,423
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,295
US/Canada opening weekend: $248,847
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $342,777
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,499
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $20,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $27,549,236
Production budget ranking: 1,196
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $14,835,263
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$4,211,780
ROI to date (est.): -10%
ROI ranking: 1,450
Viggo Mortensen – Everett Hitch
Renée Zellweger – Alison French
Jeremy Irons – Randall Bragg
Timothy Spall – Phil Olson
Lance Henriksen – Ring Shelton
Director – Ed Harris
Producers – Ed Harris, Ginger Sledge, Robert Knott
Writers – Robert Knott, Ed Harris
Director(s)
Ed Harris
Writer(s)
Robert Knott, Ed Harris
Producer(s)
Ed Harris, Ginger Sledge, Robert Knott
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
4 wins
Academy Awards
All Critics (164) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (125) | Rotten (39)
True, the film is a little long, and it loses momentum at one stage, but generally speaking this is a most enjoyable return to what was once the cinema’s most popular genre.
March 13, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Stratton
At the Movies (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Brush away the dust and you’ll find a sense of nostalgia and romanticism about lost American values and altered social hierarchies.
March 6, 2009 | Rating: 3/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
It was at times incredibly slow and even poorly edited, and I’ve never understood the appeal of Renee Zelwegger.
November 7, 2008
Ben Lyons
At the Movies
TOP CRITIC
Ed Harris does it better than anybody.
November 7, 2008
Ben Mankiewicz
At the Movies
TOP CRITIC
Appaloosa takes the traditional notion of a lone lawman fighting injustice and turns it successfully on its head.
October 10, 2008 | Rating: 3/4
Connie Ogle
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
Dialogue, much of it lifted straight from Parker’s novel, proves mostly engaging.
October 3, 2008
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
It’s more Harris’s attention to dialogue, character and the film’s overall production design that makes the film so memorable.
September 2, 2020 | Rating: 3.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
The story is just not strong enough to carry the entire movie.
June 6, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mattie Lucas
The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)
The film neatly blends short, brutal violence with a surprisingly traditional visual take on the classic western.
May 17, 2019 | Rating: 8/10
Grant Watson
Fiction Machine
The requisite standoffs and shootouts make this one tense film, but the mood is frequently lightened with a generous dose of surprising humor.
December 13, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/4
Kelly Jane Torrance
Washington Times
It is as though Harris could not decide whether he was making the classic western of his boyhood dreams, or merely a pastiche of it. The result, falling somewhere between the two, ends up being neither here nor there.
May 19, 2018
Anton Bitel
Projected Figures
Really, it’s like watching three amigos passing the time of day in New Mexico while waiting for a call from Cronenberg.
December 27, 2017
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine…
Plot
1882, New Mexico Territory. Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) are itinerant lawmen, hired by desperate towns as Marshal and Deputy, respectively. The city fathers of Appaloosa hire them after Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons), a newly-arrived rancher with money and a gang of thugs, disrupts commerce and kills three local lawmen. Cole and Hitch contrive to arrest Bragg and bring him to trial, but hanging him proves to be difficult. Meanwhile, a widow has arrived in town, Allison French (Renée Zellweger), pretty, refined, and good-natured. Virgil falls hard, and it seems mutual, but there may be more to Allison than meets the eye. Can friendship and skill with a gun overcome a pernicious villain and green-eyed jealousy?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Appaloosa on Fresh Kernels.
Ed-Harris.jpg