Dragged Across Concrete (2019)
75%RT Audience Score: 69%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Dragged Across Concrete is a film that is not for the faint of heart, but for those who appreciate a dark and gritty tale that challenges the audience. Clocking in at over two and a half hours, it may seem excessive, but the slow buildup steeped in melancholy never lets up, leading to a suspenseful and unpredictable journey. While the brutal violence and bloated runtime may not be for everyone, the off-kilter dialogue and surprises make it a compelling watch. Zahler’s unapologetic and uncompromising approach to storytelling may be repugnant to some, but for those who like it darker, it’s a rich and rewarding experience.
If you’re in the mood for a movie that’s dirty, angry, and full of surprises, then Dragged Across Concrete is the film for you. Clocking in at over two and a half hours, it’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely worth the ride. The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and the slow buildup is steeped in a melancholy that never lets up. It’s brutal, uncompromising, and unapologetic, but somehow still manages to be compulsively watchable. Just be prepared to feel a little bit dangled on the end of a meat hook.
Production Company(ies)
Lionsgate, Summit Entertainment, VOD
Distributor
Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate Films
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2019
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital, Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 39m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States, Canada
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2019 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2019
Genre(s)
Crime/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White, Jennifer Carpenter, Thomas Kretschmann, directed by S Craig Zahler, written by S Craig Zahler, crime, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Philip De Semlyen, Amy Nicholson, Paul Byrnes, David Stratton, Chris Stuckmann, Jonathan Romney, Marshall Shaffer, M.N Miller, Brian Eggert, Taylor Baker, Jesse Hassenger, Jeffrey Zhang, R rating, Keith Kjarval, Dallas Sonnier, Tyler Jackson, Jack Heller, Sefton Fincham, Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate Films, Dolby Digital, Scope (2.35:1), police, criminal underworld, suspended, assaulting a suspect, video, grisly images, some sexuality/nudity, strong violence
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.): $15,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $18,549,153
Production budget ranking: 1,377
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $9,988,719
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Vince Vaughn – Anthony Lurasetti
Tory Kittles – Henry Johns
Michael Jai White – Biscuit
Jennifer Carpenter – Kelly Summer
Thomas Kretschmann – Lorentz Vogelmann
Director – S. Craig Zahler
Producers – Keith Kjarval, Dallas Sonnier, Tyler Jackson, Jack Heller, Sefton Fincham
Writer – S. Craig Zahler
Director(s)
S. Craig Zahler
Writer(s)
S. Craig Zahler
Producer(s)
Keith Kjarval, Dallas Sonnier, Tyler Jackson, Jack Heller, Sefton Fincham
Film Festivals
Venice
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (150) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (114) | Rotten (36)
The dialogue has a nicely off-kilter feel.
August 4, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Philip De Semlyen
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Dirty, angry, and it feels like it wants to pick a fight with you.
September 24, 2019
Amy Nicholson
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
Dragged Across Concrete feels like you’re dangling on the end of a meat hook. It’s painful and tense and at the same time, a little ridiculous… Even then, it’s full of surprises, and riches for those who like it darker.
August 28, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Despite a running time (more than two and a half hours) that would normally seem excessive for this kind of movie, Dragged Across Concrete is never boring.
August 27, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
You look back and you pinpoint things that don’t belong, adding or detracting…feels like wasted baggage. But this film challenges critics, and challenging audiences, and that’s far more interesting than a filmmaker playing it safe.
August 2, 2019 | Rating: B+
Chris Stuckmann
ChrisStuckmann.com
TOP CRITIC
What makes the film, which clocks in at 159 minutes, seem less calculating and cynical is the way that slow buildup is steeped in a melancholy that never lets up even through the subsequent violence.
May 10, 2019
Jonathan Romney
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
While it’s certainly not a pleasant watch thanks to its brutal violence and bloated runtime, the murkiness merits discussion and deliberation.
March 20, 2023
Marshall Shaffer
Decider
You simply can never know what is going to happen next in Zahler’s pulp-fiction exploitation tale that is a brutal, uncompromising, unapologetic, and often repugnant journey that is compulsively watchable.
August 18, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
M.N. Miller
Ready Steady Cut
Throughout its two-hour-and-forty-minute runtime, I found myself alternating between feelings of disgust over how one might perceive these situations and feeling enrapt by the forceful way Zahler tells his story.
March 3, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Episode 33: Triple Threat / The Raid / Dragged Across Concrete
September 14, 2021 | Rating: 90/100
Taylor Baker
Drink in the Movies
The second half of the film’s epic running time is a remarkable achievement in sustained suspense without resorting to cheap shortcuts
February 5, 2021 | Rating: B
Jesse Hassenger
SportsAlcohol
Dragged Across Concrete is an unapologetic noir that’s at times hard to swallow, a construct of the times that seems lab-grown to provoke and outrage.
January 29, 2021 | Rating: B
Jeffrey Zhang
Strange Harbors…
Plot
Two suspended police partners descend into the criminal underworld after assaulting a suspect on video in Dragged Across Concrete.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
When we first see the getaway car near the end, it’s a white Chevrolet Tahoe. In the next scene it’s inexplicably a white Dodge Durango. Then it goes back to being a white Chevrolet Tahoe again.
S.-Craig-Zahler.jpg
75%
Demon (2016)
75%RT Audience Score: 55%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Ambitious and beautifully shot, Demon delivers a gripping — and sadly final — testament to the singular talent possessed by director/co-writer Marcin Wrona
Demon is a spooky and surreal horror film that will have you on the edge of your seat. The movie takes place in a small Polish village where the past and present collide in a terrifying way. The film is based on Piotr Rowicki’s play Clinging, but director Marcin Wrona’s spirited staging keeps it from ever feeling like canned theater. The movie is a testament to a still-budding talent, and it would have been fascinating to see where he went next. Overall, Demon is a must-see for horror fans who want something a little different.
Production Company(ies)
Amigo Media,
Distributor
The Orchard
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-MA
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 34m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:Poland
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 29, 2017
Genre(s)
Horror
Keyword(s)
starring Itay Tiran, Tomasz Schuchardt, Andrzej Grabowski, Adam Woronowicz, Wlodzimierz Press, Tomasz Ziętek, directed by Marcin Wrona, written by Marcin Wrona and Pawel Maslona, horror, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anton Bitel, Sara Michelle Fetters, Scott Marks, Marc Savlov, Ela Bittencourt, Adam Graham, Jason Adams, Emma Wolfe, Richard Propes, Brent McKnight, Emilie Black, Dan Scully, R-rated, The Orchard, Peter, Zaneta, wedding, human remains, possession, dybbuk, Jewish history, World War 2, Ronaldo, cellar, disappearance, dark comedy, character-driven
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
Tomasz Schuchardt – “Jasny”
Andrzej Grabowski – Father of Zaneta
Adam Woronowicz – Doctor
Wlodzimierz Press – Teacher
Tomasz Ziętek – Ronaldo
Director(s)
Marcin Wrona
Writer(s)
Marcin Wrona, Pawel Maslona
Producer(s)
Marcin Wrona
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (73) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (6)
This is a portrait of Poland as a not-so-sweet little village, unable to move on from small-town xenophobia against Jews like Hana or modern outsiders like Piotr, even as its unresolved past returns, like a dybbuk, to reinhabit the present…
May 29, 2018
Anton Bitel
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
A paranormal descent into madness and mayhem that’s hauntingly good.
October 21, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
Though it’s based on Piotr Rowicki’s play Clinging, director Marcin Wrona’s spirited staging keeps it from ever dissolving into canned theater.
September 29, 2016 | Rating: 3/5
Scott Marks
San Diego Reader
TOP CRITIC
Not only an instant genre classic but also an astute and affecting rumination on the notion that the shades of the past are always with us and can disrupt us to the point of personal and societal collapse.
September 29, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
For a tale of repressed guilt, Demon sparkles with humor, reveling in the macabre.
September 26, 2016
Ela Bittencourt
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
“Demon” is a testament to a still-budding talent, and it would have been fascinating to see where he went next.
September 23, 2016 | Rating: B
Adam Graham
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
an off-kilter and surreal expression of commitment’s dark underbelly
July 14, 2021
Jason Adams
My New Plaid Pants
The thing that makes this film epic is not only is it done in a wedding… it’s also got this music that is so intense, so epic, and just so cinematic.
April 26, 2021 | Rating: 5/10
Emma Wolfe
SpookyAstronauts
Much of Demon feels like a song of lament.
September 6, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Chilling, ominous mood balances well with comic relief, at least at first. After that, the two disparate elements clash in a manner difficult to reconcile, the film loses focus on underdeveloped threads, and it meanders to a shrug of an ending.
July 3, 2020 | Rating: C
Brent McKnight
The Last Thing I See
This version of such a story feels more like how some may imagine this would happen in real life and is an interesting take on the dybbuk.
April 19, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Emilie Black
Cinema Crazed
Demon uses mainstream cinematic devices to sneak a heady, atypical art-house horror flick past your defenses.
April 15, 2020
Dan Scully
Cinema76…
Plot
Peter discovers human remains on the land he received as a wedding gift, but decides to keep it a secret, leading to strange and terrifying events in the horror film Demon.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny comment about the film Demon on Fresh Kernels.
Marcin-Wrona.jpg
75%
Mississippi Grind (2015)
75%RT Audience Score: 55%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 3 nominations
Well-acted and steeped in Southern atmosphere, Mississippi Grind is a road movie and addiction drama that transcends each of its well-worn genres
Mississippi Grind is like a game of poker – it’s unpredictable, full of highs and lows, and sometimes you just have to go all in. The film follows two guys who can’t seem to catch a break, but their journey is anything but a downer. With a killer blues soundtrack and top-notch acting, Mississippi Grind is a road trip movie that’s worth taking. Just don’t blame us if you end up wanting to hit the casino afterwards.
Production Company(ies)
CNN Films, HBO Max Tremolo Productions,
Distributor
A24
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Mobile, Alabama, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
2015
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 48m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 25, 2015 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Mississippi Grind, drama, road movie, addiction drama, Ryan Reynolds, Ben Mendelsohn, Sienna Miller, directed by Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden, written by Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden, produced by Tom Rice, Ben Nearn, Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor, reviewed by David Stratton, Jason Bailey, Stephen Romei, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Tim Robey, Eddie Harrison, Olly Richards, Tyler Smith, Dan Scully, Chris McCoy, Alex Flood, R-rated, Southern atmosphere, gambling addict, high-stakes poker game, New Orleans, Dolby, box office gross $129.7K, A24
Worldwide gross: $422,746
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $527,700
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,725
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 57,546
US/Canada gross: $130,541
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $162,950
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,579
US/Canada opening weekend: $12,434
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $15,521
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,590
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $6,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,489,610
Production budget ranking: 1,791
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,033,155
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$10,995,065
ROI to date (est.): -95%
ROI ranking: 1,998
Ben Mendelsohn – Gerry
Sienna Miller – Simone
Lio Tipton – Vanessa
Robin Weigert – Dorothy
Alfre Woodard – Self
Ryan Fleck – Director/Writer
Anna Boden – Director/Writer
Tom Rice – Producer
Ben Nearn – Producer
Jamie Patricof – Producer
Lynette Howell Taylor – Producer
Director(s)
Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
Writer(s)
Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
Producer(s)
Tom Rice, Ben Nearn, Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor
Film Festivals
Sundance, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (121) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (110) | Rotten (11)
It’s a terrific film, but it came and went in cinemas before many people could discover it.
November 30, 2018
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
A loose, funky character study of two guys who can only frame their station as “can’t win” and “can’t lose,” and can’t really imagine a life that’s anywhere in between.
May 3, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
This one defies easy expectations, right up to its strange (in a good way) ending. The blues soundtrack is excellent, too.
December 11, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
It’s a sketch of a film, but more than workable as a vehicle for Mendelsohn at his delicate, tragicomic best.
December 10, 2015 | Rating: 3/5
Jake Wilson
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Mendelsohn seems at ease on the razor’s edge that divides the radiant from the wretched.
October 25, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
From its unshowy script on down, Mississippi Grind is content to rumble along as a character piece, keeping its storytelling loose and unpredictable, like a repeat flick of the dice.
October 25, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
…has an energy and a loucheness all of its own…
September 23, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Eddie Harrison
film-authority.com
June 8, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Olly Richards
NME
While at times the dialogue may get a bit too clever, and the general story may dip too often into plot convenience, the acting is top notch, and does just as much to sell the desperation of this world as the dark, moody cinematography…
January 15, 2021
Tyler Smith
Battleship Pretension
On that note, I should probably add that the film isn’t all downer drama, and is actually quite funny and joyful, even at the characters’ most pitiable moments, and it features a rockin’ soundtrack of classic southern blues.
April 7, 2020
Dan Scully
Cinema76
It’s a surprising film that wrests unexpected pleasures out of some extremely depressing situations, but it’s still not going to convince me to make a return visit to a casino any time soon.
January 10, 2020
Chris McCoy
Memphis Flyer
A perfectly enjoyable, but forgettable, road flick for a sleepy Sunday evening, but Ryan Reynolds’ latest step on the comeback trail isn’t the winning hand he’d hoped for.
April 18, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Alex Flood
One Room With A View…
Plot
Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with a younger, charismatic poker player named Curtis in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what has been lost.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film stars Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn as two compulsive gamblers on a road trip through Mississippi.
Ryan-Fleck.jpg
75%
The Trip To Italy (2014)
75%RT Audience Score: 57%
Awards & Nominations: 1 nomination
While perhaps not quite as fresh as Coogan and Brydon’s original voyage in The Trip, The Trip to Italy still proves a thoroughly agreeable sequel
The Trip to Italy is like watching two middle-aged men go on a food tour and have deep conversations, but with hilarious impressions and witty banter thrown in. It’s a movie that’s both comforting in its familiarity and surprising in its emotional depth. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Alanis Morissette vs Avril Lavigne debate? It’s the perfect movie to watch with a glass of wine and some good company.
Production Company(ies)
Rita Productions, Blue Spirit Animation Gébéka Films,
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Villa Cimbrone, Ravello, Italy
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 46m
-
Language(s):English, Italian
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 23, 2014
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Rosie Fellner, Claire Keelan, Marta Barrio, Timothy Leach, directed by Michael Winterbottom, written by Michael Winterbottom, produced by Melissa Parmenter, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Jason Bailey, David Denby, Tom Long, Wesley Morris, Matthew Lickona, Steven Rea, Richard Crouse, Allen Almachar, Tom Cassidy, Julian Lytle, David Harris, Ryan Syrek, MPAA rating, Italy, food, restaurants, Michael Caine impressions, mortality, Alanis Morissette, Byron, Shelley, Beat the Devil, The Dark Knight Rises, Pompeii, middle-aged melancholy, fear of death, self-reflection, Roger Moore impressions, American film world, affair, reconnecting with son, friendship, dueling impressions, celebrity impressions, food porn, scenic views, touring Italy, The Trip to Italy
Worldwide gross: $6,132,875
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $7,664,543
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,045
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 835,828
US/Canada gross: $2,880,537
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,599,943
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,896
US/Canada opening weekend: $71,712
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $89,622
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,976
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
Rob Brydon – Rob
Rosie Fellner – Lucy
Claire Keelan – Emma
Marta Barrio – Yolanda
Timothy Leach – Joe
Director(s)
Michael Winterbottom
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Melissa Parmenter
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (133) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (116) | Rotten (17)
Under the direction of returning filmmaker Michael Winterbottom, their new ‘Trip’ is just as funny, sharp, and telling as its predecessor.
June 18, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
This hedonistic japery is shot through with middle-aged melancholy and the fear of death.
September 5, 2014
David Denby
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
If it’s your cup of tea, you’re likely to spill it from laughing so hard. Somebody send these two on another holiday.
September 4, 2014 | Rating: B+
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
It’s that melancholy within each man that saves the film from disposability.
September 2, 2014
Wesley Morris
Grantland
TOP CRITIC
By the time Coogan is addressing Brydon as Yorick in a skull-filled catacomb outside Naples, the film’s true subject has been made as crystal clear as the case surrounding a lava-crusted corpse in old Pompeii.
August 29, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Matthew Lickona
San Diego Reader
TOP CRITIC
The Trip to Italy doesn’t feel entirely new, but there’s comfort in familiarity, too.
August 29, 2014 | Rating: 3/4
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
A riotous comedy that finds time for self-reflection, Roger Moore impressions and the timeless Alanis Morissette vs Avril Lavigne debate and it is intimate and infectious.
February 1, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Even though it looks better and there’s more of an emphasis to balance the characters, the structure adheres so closely to the first outing that it leaves little wiggle room for surprise.
July 20, 2020 | Rating: B-
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
Sunnier comedy food-tour sequel has swearing, adult themes.
April 14, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Cassidy
Common Sense Media
It might be a bit too quiet and slow for some, and it has no real “point”. For what it’s worth it’s pretty dope to see a film that has two men as friends, having conversations and enjoying one another’s company
January 11, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Julian Lytle
Punch Drunk Critics
It’s more than comedy that Winterbottom and his stars are digging for, it’s the fiber of the relationship
November 27, 2019 | Rating: 3.2/5
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
A movie this muted isn’t designed to provoke a chair-throwing, exclamatory reaction so much as it is intended to be thoughtful and, for lack of a better term, “nice.” And so it is. The Trip to Italy may well be the nicest movie of the year.
August 6, 2019 | Rating: B+
Ryan Syrek
The Reader (Omaha, NE)…
Plot
Years after their successful restaurant review tour of Northern Britain, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are commissioned for a new tour in Italy. Once again, the two comedy buddies/rivals take the landscape as well as the cuisine of that country in a trip filled with witty repartee and personal insecurities. Along the way, their own professional and personal lives comes in as these slightly older men’s friendship comes through.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Trip to Italy stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, who are known for their comedic chemistry and improvisational dialogue.
Michael-Winterbottom.jpg
75%
The Tree of Life (2011)
75%RT Audience Score: 60%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 3 Oscars
116 wins & 130 nominations total
Terrence Malick’s singularly deliberate style may prove unrewarding for some, but for patient viewers, Tree of Life is an emotional as well as visual treat
The Tree of Life is like a rollercoaster ride that takes you from the microscopic level of life to the vastness of the universe. It’s a beautiful and audacious film that will leave you breathless, but also scratching your head wondering what just happened. The special effects may have been a bit over the top, but the cinematography alone is worth the watch. Just make sure you have some ice cream and a long hug ready for when it’s over.
Production Company(ies)
Tri Star Pictures, Freddie Fields Productions,
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Houston, Texas, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some thematic material
Year of Release
2011
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital DTSS DDS Dolby Surround 7.1
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 18m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 2011 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 11, 2011
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Fiona Shaw, Irene Bedard, Jessica Fuselier, Hunter McCracken, directed by Terrence Malick, written by Terrence Malick, produced by Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill, drama, PG-13, box office, budget, reviewed by Adam Nayman, Amy Taubin, Deborah Ross, Candice Frederick, Paul Byrnes, Michael Atkinson, Sergi Sánchez, Rosa Parra, Don Shanahan, Mark Jackson, Matt Brunson, emotional, visual, family drama, existential, philosophical, Texas, father-son relationship, mother-son relationship, childhood, adulthood, cosmic, intimate, Lubezki’s cinematography, dinosaurs, grief, trees, leaves, sunlight, waves
Worldwide gross: $58,409,247
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $76,895,649
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,145
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 8,385,567
US/Canada gross: $13,303,319
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $17,513,791
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,454
US/Canada opening weekend: $372,920
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $490,948
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,411
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $32,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $42,127,932
Production budget ranking: 911
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $22,685,891
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,081,826
ROI to date (est.): 19%
ROI ranking: 1,299
Sean Penn – Jack
Jessica Chastain – Mrs. O’Brien
Fiona Shaw – Grandmother
Irene Bedard – Messenger
Jessica Fuselier – Guide
Terrence Malick – Director, Writer
Sarah Green – Producer
Bill Pohlad – Producer
Brad Pitt – Producer
Dede Gardner – Producer
Grant Hill – Producer
Director(s)
Terrence Malick
Writer(s)
Terrence Malick
Producer(s)
Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 3 Oscars
116 wins & 130 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (291) | Top Critics (81) | Fresh (245) | Rotten (46)
Malick’s earnest pretentiousness surely invites derisive laughter. But it also withstands it, and like the ancient evergreen of its title, it towers benevolently over less ambitious movies…
April 6, 2020
Adam Nayman
The Ringer
TOP CRITIC
The Tree of Life in no way measured up.
August 27, 2019
Amy Taubin
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Ideally, you would bathe in a film like this without striving to decipher it. As it’s a film about what we can’t get our heads around, we are probably not meant to get our heads round it. But, even so, it is so audacious it will take your breath away.
August 31, 2018
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
… it’s too bad what could have been a beautifully crushing family drama was usurped by a massive amount of unnecessary special effects clouding the real story.
September 8, 2017 | Rating: C
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
The tone of the film is mesmeric, transcendent, awe-inspiring.
July 12, 2011 | Rating: 4.5/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
It’s difficult to shake the sense of it as the spectacle of a man gone deep-sea diving in his own navel.
July 12, 2011
Michael Atkinson
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
A beautiful reflection in its bipolar structure, that fluidly equates the cosmic with the intimate. [Full review in Spanish]
June 22, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Sergi Sánchez
Fotogramas
Worth watching for Lubezki’s cinematography alone. A beautiful look at life from a microscopic level to the enormity of the universe.
October 9, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Rosa Parra
Latinx Lens
2 Bored 2 Beautiful
October 2, 2021
Don Shanahan
Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast
You’ll exit wanting three hours of your life back, a long hug, some ice cream, and your brain reprogrammed.
March 17, 2021 | Rating: 1/5
Don Shanahan
25YL (25 Years Later)
By juxtaposing the tiny, “mundane” human with the towering, colossal setting in which we exist, it’s almost impossible not to imagine that there must be rhyme and reason behind the sheer magnitude of this imagery.
November 3, 2020 | Rating: 4.5/5
Mark Jackson
Epoch Times
Its neatest trick is that it feels like a Malick autobiography even as it directly speaks to receptive viewers on a one-to-one basis. It’s cinema as a give-and-take relationship: The movie can only provide as much as the viewer is willing to put into it.
November 2, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy…
Plot
In “The Tree of Life,” a man reflects on his childhood in small-town Texas and his contentious relationship with his father, while grappling with bigger existential issues as an adult.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film on Fresh Kernels.
Terrence-Malick.jpg
75%
Potiche (2011)
75%RT Audience Score: 61%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
2 wins & 12 nominations total
Potiche, a film by Franois Ozon, is a delightful and witty comedy that showcases the talents of Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu. Deneuve’s portrayal of a housewife turned factory owner is both charming and empowering, while Depardieu’s performance as a lovelorn politician is equally captivating. The film’s attention to detail and period pastiche create a surreal and absurd atmosphere that is both hilarious and thought-provoking. With its universal themes and witty dialogue, Potiche is a perfect introduction to French cinema and a must-see for fans of classic comedies.
Trophy Wife is like a French sitcom on steroids, with Catherine Deneuve leading the charge. She’s a total boss as Suzanne, the housewife-turned-umbrella-factory-owner who takes no crap from anyone. The film is a feminist awakening wrapped in a hilarious, absurd package, and it’s impossible not to be charmed by Deneuve’s beauty and wit. Plus, the ’70s fashion and decor are a feast for the eyes. If you’re looking for a fun, light-hearted French film, Trophy Wife is the perfect choice.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, New Regency Productions, Pascal Pictures,
Distributor
Music Box Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Anderlecht, Brussels, Brussels-Capital, Belgium
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some sexuality
Year of Release
2011
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital DTS
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 43m
-
Language(s):French
-
Country of origin:France
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 25, 2011 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 19, 2011
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, Karine Viard, Judith Godrèche, Jérémie Renier, directed by François Ozon, written by François Ozon, Éric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer, comedy, R rating, box office gross $1.6M, reviewed by Kimber Myers, Derek Malcolm, Anthony Quinn, Tim Robey, Peter Bradshaw, Martyn Conterio, Merryn Johns, Popmatters Staff, Richard Propes, Felicia Feaster, Mattie Lucas, Catherine Deneuve as Suzanne Pujol, Gérard Depardieu as Maurice Babin, Fabrice Luchini as Robert Pujol, Karine Viard as Nadège, Judith Godrèche as Joëlle, Jérémie Renier as Laurent Pujol, Music Box Films, French (France), female empowerment, feminist awakening, 1970s, factory strike, management, family business, politics, equality, gender roles, satire, comedy-drama, French cinema, Catherine Deneuve’s performance, Gerard Depardieu’s performance, Francois Ozon’s direction, Éric Altmayer’s production, Nicolas Altmayer’s production
Worldwide gross: $32,309,881
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $42,535,890
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,411
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,638,592
US/Canada gross: $1,618,844
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,131,205
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,016
US/Canada opening weekend: $86,017
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $113,241
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,890
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): 11216287
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $14,766,218
Production budget ranking: 1,522
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $7,951,608
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $19,818,063
ROI to date (est.): 87%
ROI ranking: 988
Gérard Depardieu – Maurice Babin
Fabrice Luchini – Robert Pujol
Karine Viard – Nadège
Judith Godrèche – Joëlle
Jérémie Renier – Laurent Pujol
Director – François Ozon
Producers – Éric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer
Writers – François Ozon, François Ozon
Director(s)
François Ozon
Writer(s)
François Ozon, François Ozon
Producer(s)
Éric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
2 wins & 12 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (120) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (100) | Rotten (20)
Even though we don’t really care about the dialogue or script at times, it’s easy–and fun!–to be distracted by the pretty pictures.
August 15, 2013 | Rating: B-
Kimber Myers
The Playlist
TOP CRITIC
Deneuve’s combination of dignity and a determined ordinariness is just right, while Depardieu’s lovelorn political beast is equally watchable.
June 17, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Derek Malcolm
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
Catherine Deneuve is on magnificent form — singing and dancing! — in Franois Ozon’s comedy of female emancipation in the 1970s.
June 17, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Ozon’s film has its winking way with Deneuve, and she winks right back at it: she’s funny, loose and charming, but also aptly exasperated, and there’s room for a strain of melancholy .
June 16, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It is a period pastiche executed with brilliant attention to detail and a weird, suppressed passion, like a sitcom in a bad dream.
June 16, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A warm-hearted story of a woman’s rise in a man’s world belies a biting satire.
June 16, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Martyn Conterio
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
This charming tale of a cosseted French housewife, Suzanne, who takes over her tyrannical husband’s umbrella factory and meets the requests of its mutinous employees, is a tale of feminist awakening — it’s a war of the classes, and the sexes.
May 24, 2022
Merryn Johns
Curve
Catherine Deneuve embraces absurdity and creates a sharp contrast between her statue-like beauty with the silliness of her setting.
December 11, 2021
Popmatters Staff
PopMatters
Universal enough in its themes and dialogue that it would serve as a great intro to French cinema.
September 20, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
[Potiche is] a shop window beautifully crafted to show off Ozon’s beloved star Deneuve in all her resplendent middle-aged glory.
January 17, 2020
Felicia Feaster
Charleston City Paper
It’s sophisticated without being stuffy and witty without being pretentious – an utterly enchanting homage to the great comedies of yesteryear.
August 5, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
Deneuve is as luminous as ever.
January 8, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Kelly Jane Torrance
Washington Examiner…
Plot
When her husband is taken hostage by his striking employees, a trophy wife (Deneuve) takes the reins of the family business and proves to be a remarkably effective leader. Business and personal complications arrive in the form of her ex-lover (Depardieu), a former union leader.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Catherine Deneuve is on magnificent form — singing and dancing! — in François Ozon’s comedy of female emancipation in the 1970s.
François-Ozon.jpg
75%
Cedar Rapids (2011)
75%RT Audience Score: 59%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 4 nominations
It’s as conventional as its Midwestern setting, but Cedar Rapids boasts a terrific cast and a script that deftly blends R-rated raunch and endearing sweetness
Cedar Rapids may not be the most original comedy out there, but it’s got heart and charm that’ll make you forget you’re watching a movie about insurance salesmen. Ed Helms shines in his breakout role, delivering some hilarious moments that never feel forced. And let’s not forget about Anne Heche, who gives her best performance in quite some time. Sure, the movie may be offensive and pointless at times, but it’s still a well-made, imperfect kind of movie that’ll leave you with a smile on your face. Plus, it’s a lot better than actually spending 86 minutes in Cedar Rapids.
Production Company(ies)
Element Pictures, A24, Film4
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for crude and sexual content, language and drug use
Year of Release
2011
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 27m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 11, 2011 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 21, 2011
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Ed Helms, John C Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root, Kurtwood Smith, directed by Miguel Arteta, written by Phil Johnston, comedy, R-rated, box office gross $6.9M, reviewed by Deborah Ross, Violet Lucca, Nick Schager, Leonard Maltin, Philip French, Anthony Quinn, Richard Propes, Allen Almachar, Felicia Feaster, Micheal Compton, Kiko Martinez, insurance agent, convention, Iowa, Wisconsin, hotel, plane, Midwestern, raunchy, sweet, fish-out-of-water, sex, drugs, cream sherry, endearing, breakout role, Fox Searchlight, SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Worldwide gross: $7,728,936
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $10,175,128
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,962
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,109,610
US/Canada gross: $6,861,102
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $9,032,626
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,645
US/Canada opening weekend: $302,968
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $398,857
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,459
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $13,164,979
Production budget ranking: 1,558
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $7,089,341
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$10,079,192
ROI to date (est.): -50%
ROI ranking: 1,688
John C. Reilly – Dean Ziegler
Anne Heche – Joan Ostrowski-Fox
Isiah Whitlock Jr. – Ronald Wilkes
Stephen Root – Bill Krogstad
Kurtwood Smith – Orin Helgesson
Director – Miguel Arteta
Producers – Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Writer – Phil Johnston
Director(s)
Miguel Arteta
Writer(s)
Phil Johnston
Producer(s)
Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (167) | Top Critics (63) | Fresh (143) | Rotten (24)
Isn’t a blazingly original comedy, but it has such a nice, tender-hearted feel to it I was won over and charmed.
August 30, 2018
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
The risks Cedar Rapids takes may not always pay off, but as a general rule, I would advise spending 86 minutes of your life with the movie rather than the city itself.
June 28, 2013
Violet Lucca
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Hopelessly benign but still boisterous enough to deliver a mild buzz.
June 28, 2011 | Rating: B-
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
Everyone does good work here, but for Helms this is a breakout role, and he delivers. Cedar Rapids is a modest but disarming comedy that will leave a smile on your face…
June 23, 2011
Leonard Maltin
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
It’s funny, offensive, well acted and pointless.
May 1, 2011
Philip French
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Comedy seldom comes as good-natured as Cedar Rapids, a fish-out-of-water story in which a Midwestern innocent discovers sex, drugs and cream sherry in the big city.
April 29, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Giving her best performance in quite some time, Anne Heche is simply magnificent.
September 5, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
This is a well-made, imperfect kind of movie, containing a lot of laughs and heart despite its weaknesses.
August 11, 2020 | Rating: B-
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
Cedar Rapids gains points for mixing up its very, very rude comedy with a real sense of purpose.
January 21, 2020
Felicia Feaster
Charleston City Paper
A slightly uneven comedy with enough laughs to overcome the lulls.
May 8, 2019 | Rating: B-
Micheal Compton
Bowling Green Daily News
Ed Helms delivers some dialed-down, hilarious moments that never feel like second-rate gags.
January 29, 2018 | Rating: B
Kiko Martinez
San Antonio Current
Not as funny as it seems to think it is, but there are considerable pleasures to be found around the margins.
May 3, 2015
Sean Burns
Philadelphia Weekly…
Plot
Tim Lippe (Helms) was the guy people always thought would go places but then he just … didn’t. He’s been living in über-sleepy Brown Valley, Wisconsin his whole life, still “pre-engaged” to his 7th grade teacher Macy Vanderhei (Weaver), while selling insurance to protect other people’s dreams. But now, Tim’s stalled life is about to get a kick-start because, for the first time in his 34 years, he’s headed to a “major” metropolis – Cedar Rapids, Iowa – where he must try to save his company at a do-or-die insurance convention that, for him, will be entirely unconventional. From the minute he checks into his hotel with his ancient American Tourister and cummerbund money belt, it’s clear Tim has no idea how the modern world really works. He is soon smitten with seductive Nebraskan insurance agent Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Heche) and awed by his experienced roommates, the straight-shooting Ronald Wilkes (Whitlock Jr.) and the suspicious Dean Zeigler (Reilly). Disheartened when he comes face-to-face with corporate corruption, Tim is ultimately lured beyond the lobby into an urban jungle he’s only ever seen on DVD and when it seems his life – and chances to succeed – have gone completely topsy-turvy, he finds his own unjaded way to turn it all around.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
John C. Reilly’s character in Cedar Rapids is described as “corrupted, hilarious and insanely infectious.”
Miguel-Arteta.jpg
75%
Cairo Time (2010)
75%RT Audience Score: 62%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 2 nominations
Though potentially too slowly paced for some, Cairo Time lingers long after the closing credits, largely due to a wonderful performance by Patricia Clarkson
Cairo Time” is like a slow dance with a stranger – it’s beautiful, a little bit awkward, and you’re not quite sure where it’s going. But that’s okay, because Patricia Clarkson’s performance is like a warm hug that makes you forget all your worries. The shots of Cairo are stunning, and you’ll feel like you’re right there with her, falling in love with the city and maybe even a handsome stranger. It’s not a movie for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for a quiet, romantic escape, “Cairo Time” is the perfect choice.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Pascal Pictures, Marvel Studios,
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Shepheard Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for mild thematic elements and smoking
Year of Release
2009
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 28m
-
Language(s):English, Arabic
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 2010 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2010
Genre(s)
Drama/Romance
Keyword(s)
Cairo Time, drama, romance, PG, directed by Ruba Nadda, written by Ruba Nadda, produced by David Collins and Daniel Iron, starring Patricia Clarkson, Alexander Siddig, Elena Anaya, Tom McCamus, Amina Annabi, Cynthia Amsden, reviewed by Owen Gleiberman, Rene Rodriguez, Peter Rainer, Moira MacDonald, Calvin Wilson, David Lewis, PG rating, $1.6M box office, slow-paced, wonderful performance, magazine editor, United Nations, Gaza, former bodyguard, guide, city, companion, smoking, mild thematic elements, English, IFC Films
Worldwide gross: $2,477,315
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,423,924
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,282
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 373,383
US/Canada gross: $1,603,616
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,216,375
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,012
US/Canada opening weekend: $66,245
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $91,558
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,965
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
Alexander Siddig – Tareq Khalifa
Elena Anaya – Kathryn
Tom McCamus – Mark
Amina Annabi – Yasmeen
Cynthia Amsden – Woman at the Embassy Party
Director(s)
Ruba Nadda
Writer(s)
Ruba Nadda
Producer(s)
David Collins, Daniel Iron
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (80) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (65) | Rotten (15)
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
January 31, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/4
Rene Rodriguez
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
The lovely twilit moments in this movie stay with one, and that summoning them up in your mind is like slowing down time.
January 3, 2011 | Rating: B
Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor
TOP CRITIC
Clarkson lights up Ruba Nadda’s stately drama Cairo Time like the moon on a summer night, making every moment luminous with quiet, resigned longing.
September 2, 2010 | Rating: 3/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
What it has going for it, however, is a strong performance from Clarkson, who has become one of the more reliable character actors in independent film.
August 27, 2010 | Rating: 2.5/4
Calvin Wilson
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
Confirms two things that hardly need confirming: The Egyptian capital is a breathtaking metropolis, and Patricia Clarkson is one of the best actors in the world.
August 27, 2010 | Rating: 3/4
David Lewis
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
You may never see Cairo the same way again after it plays itself in Ruba Nadda’s low-key thwarted romance.
June 12, 2020
David Lamble
Bay Area Reporter
There’s a definite Lost-in-Translation’y vibe to this, coupled with amazing shots of both the city and people of Cairo. Beautifully filmed and superbly acted.
March 8, 2019
Amie Simon
Three Imaginary Girls
This is a film where the promise of romance is almost as important as the romance itself. And perceptively gliding through it, Clarkson and her intricate yet simple approach is a quiet sensation.
November 3, 2010
Richard Knight
Knight at the Movies
Cairo Time’s narrative is manna for the menopausal, but, at the very least, worthy for the rest.
October 29, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Shannon Wright
Moviedex
Not much happens in “Cairo Time,” and it doesnt happen in slow, languid fashion.
October 9, 2010 | Rating: 2/4
Sean P. Means
Salt Lake Tribune
What makes Cairo Time work stems from the playing of the leads and the manner in which Nadda presents the setting.
September 30, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)…
Plot
In Cairo on her own as she waits for her husband, Juliette finds herself caught in a whirlwind romance with his friend Tareq, a retired cop. As Tareq escorts Juliette around the city, they find themselves in the middle of a brief affair that catches them both unawares.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises Patricia Clarkson’s “wonderful performance” in Cairo Time, calling her “one of the more reliable character actors in independent film.”
Ruba-Nadda.jpg
75%
North Face (Nordwand) (2010)
75%RT Audience Score: 60%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 7 nominations
A tense and gripping spectacular piece of snow-bound historical German film-making
If you’re looking for a movie that will make you feel like you’re dangling off the side of a mountain, North Face is the one for you. The stunning cinematography will have you holding your breath as the climbers scale the daunting heights of the Eiger. And if you’re not afraid of heights, the film will make you afraid of the cold. It’s a gripping, white-knuckle ride that will leave you feeling like you’ve just summited a mountain yourself. Just don’t forget your parka.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Music Box Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Kleine Scheidegg, Kanton Bern, Switzerland
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2008
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 6m
-
Language(s):German, Swiss, German, French, Italian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 29, 2010 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 11, 2010
Genre(s)
Adventure/Romance
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $6,815,056
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $9,387,479
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,980
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,023,716
US/Canada gross: $711,421
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $979,955
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,193
US/Canada opening weekend: $23,050
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $31,750
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,353
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
Jaygann Ayeh – Marland
Tilda Swinton – Rosalind
Richard Ayoade – Patrick
Ariane Labed – Garance
James Spencer Ashworth – William
Director(s)
Philipp Stölzl
Writer(s)
Christoph Silber, Rupert Henning, Philipp Stölzl, Johannes Naber
Producer(s)
Danny Krausz, Boris Schönfelder, Rudolf Santschi, Benjamin Herrmann
Film Festivals
Berlin
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 7 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (9)
The mountaineers climb for reasons that have little to do with nationalism – reasons the film clumsily attempts to articulate in words. It’s far more successful conveying those inspirations with stunning images of them scaling daunting heights.
July 4, 2010 | Rating: 7.1/10
Ian Buckwalter
NPR
TOP CRITIC
It’s Kolja Brandt’s gloriously edge-of-the-seat/seat-of-the-pants cinematography (much of the film was shot on location) that really packs a natural wallop.
April 30, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
A straightforward, wickedly suspenseful Man vs. Nature saga of the type that rarely gets made any more.
April 16, 2010 | Rating: 3.5/4
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Philipp Stolzl worked in the same dangerous conditions as the original climbers, and we can feel the chill and peril in our bones. It’s a shame, then, that the screenwriter, unlike the camera crew and the characters, was afflicted with such timidity.
March 25, 2010 | Rating: 2.5/4
Joe Williams
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
North Face” is something of an old-fashioned epic shot with modern wisdom and technique, a man vs. nature flick that also weighs the importance of the individual vs. the social while exposing the mean cost of vicarious thrills.
March 12, 2010 | Rating: B
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
The word “gripping” doesn’t do it justice.
February 26, 2010 | Rating: 3/4
Michael O’Sullivan
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
The most effective climbing thriller since Touching the Void.
August 5, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
This is gripping stuff, a tautly directed, white knuckle suspense yarn with a keen sense of time and place.
August 5, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
North Face is at once exciting and horrifying.
March 2, 2019
Steve Erickson
Nashville Scene
This is a solid, well-crafted, emotional film, which does not need the hook of being based on a true story to be a fantastic one.
August 9, 2018
Sarah Manvel
Critic’s Notebook
Epic, intimate and gripping.
January 20, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Moore
Movie Nation
Harrowing German drama is a real cliffhanger.
December 29, 2010 | Rating: 4.5
Don Groves
sbs.com.au…
Plot
German and Austrian mountain climbers attempt to scale the Eiger in 1936, facing extreme danger and perilous conditions in this tense and gripping adventure film.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
Philipp-Stölzl.jpg
75%
La fée (The Fairy) (2012)
75%RT Audience Score: 56%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 4 nominations
Nearly as light and magical as its namesake, La Fée (The Fairy) casts a fizzy comedic spell whose sweet charms include a pleasantly tart undercurrent
If you’re in the mood for a quirky French comedy that’s a little all over the place but still manages to be sweet, then The Fairy might just be your cup of tea. Abel, Gordon, and Romy make for a delightful trio of Francophone clowns, and their performances are a joy to watch. The story may not be a masterpiece, but it’s still a lot of fun, with some dance numbers thrown in for good measure. And if you’re looking for a way to convince your kids to see something other than The Avengers, just tell them The Fairy is about an all-powerful superheroine – they’ll thank you later.
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures, Mace Neufeld Productions, Nina Saxon Film Design
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for mild language, some rude humor and sports action
Year of Release
2010
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DolbyDTS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 34m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 2012 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2016
Genre(s)
Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Philippe Martz, Bruno Romy, Vladimir Zongo, Destiné M’Bikula Mayemba, directed by Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Bruno Romy, written by Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Bruno Romy, produced by Charles Gillibert, Marin Karmitz, Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, romance, French language, box office gross, limited release, Kino Lorber, Tomatometer, audience score, critic reviews, Peter Bradshaw, David Jenkins, Trevor Johnston, Joe Williams, Mick LaSalle, Moira MacDonald, Mattie Lucas, Joseph Walsh, Graham Young, Tom Dawson, Jason Solomons, Tim Evans, visual humor, Tati-inspired, surreal humor, comedic duo, Aki Kaurismaki, dour countenances, social conscience, magic of everyday life, romantic energy
Worldwide gross: $112,462,508
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $152,880,017
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 827
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 16,671,758
US/Canada gross: $60,022,256
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $81,593,446
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 851
US/Canada opening weekend: $14,010,409
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $19,045,561
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 684
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $48,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $65,250,553
Production budget ranking: 637
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $35,137,423
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $52,492,042
ROI to date (est.): 52%
ROI ranking: 1,133
Fiona Gordon – Fiona
Philippe Martz – John
Bruno Romy – Le patron de l’Amour Flou
Vladimir Zongo – Le premier clandestin
Destiné M’Bikula Mayemba – Le deuxième clandestin
Director(s)
Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Bruno Romy
Writer(s)
Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Bruno Romy, Dominique Abel
Producer(s)
Charles Gillibert, Marin Karmitz, Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (4)
If you like Tati-esque japes, Francophone clowns Abel, Gordon and Romy should be just up your alley.
June 28, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
All over the place, but somehow it retains a sweet tonal cohesiveness.
June 28, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
David Jenkins
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
The story cuts corners, so it’s not the masterpiece these filmmakers may yet create – but when they’re on, this is jolly and so cute you’ll sigh.
June 26, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Do yourself and your kids a favor. On the way to multiplex to see “The Avengers,” tell them “The Fairy” is about an all-powerful superheroine. Someday, they’ll find the words to thank you.
May 4, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4
Joe Williams
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
Its appeal is … in watching people who have devised their own original style of comic performance and have taken it to a rare level of refinement.
May 3, 2012 | Rating: 3/4
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
It’s a slight film, and it’s over just as you’re thinking it should be, but it’s both sweet and refreshingly tart…
April 26, 2012 | Rating: 3/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
A little bitty movie with a great big heart that is nearly impossible to resist.
August 6, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
Abel and Gordon’s relationship on screen is a delight to watch… The pair, along with a wonderful performance by Romy as a goggle-eyed bartender, demonstrate an exacting knowledge of their craft.
August 23, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Joseph Walsh
CineVue
It’s often a lot of fun with some dance numbers thrown in.
August 2, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
Graham Young
Birmingham Post
It’s simultaneously a very knowing and strangely innocent film…
July 17, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
Tom Dawson
The List
The best that can be said for The Fairy is that it certainly creates its own world. However, it’s one I wanted to get out of almost as soon as it began.
July 1, 2012
Jason Solomons
Observer (UK)
A fairy that can’t quite cast a spell.
June 27, 2012
Tim Evans
Sky Cinema…
Plot
Derek Thompson (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) is “The Tooth Fairy”, a hard-charging minor league hockey player whose nickname comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids. When Derek discourages a youngster’s hopes, he’s sentenced to one week’s hard labor as a real tooth fairy, complete with the requisite tutu, wings, and magic wand. At first, Derek “can’t handle the tooth” – bumbling and stumbling as he tries to furtively wing his way through strangers’ homes – doing what tooth fairies do. But as Derek slowly adapts to his new position, he begins to rediscover his own forgotten dreams.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for “The Fairy.”
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