Chicago (2002)
87%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: NA
A rousing and energetic adaptation of the Broadway musical, Chicago succeeds on the level of pure spectacle, but provides a surprising level of depth and humor as well
Chicago is the kind of movie that makes you forget you’re watching a movie and transports you right into the world of jazz, murder, and glamour. It’s so good that you won’t even remember to munch on your popcorn or sip your Coke. The cast is amazing, the music is catchy, and the visuals are stunning. It’s like a Broadway show on steroids, but in a good way. Even if you’re not a fan of musicals, you’ll find yourself tapping your feet and humming the tunes for days. All that jazz, baby!
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Miramax Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-14
Year of Release
2002
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:16:9 HD
-
Runtime:1h 53m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 2003 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2003
Genre(s)
Musical/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C Reilly, Christine Baranski, directed by Rob Marshall, written by Bill Condon, musical, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Namrata Joshi, Barbara Ellen, James Christopher, Tim Robey, Anthony Quinn, David Stratton, Victor Pineyro, Robin Holabird, Debbie Lynn Elias, PG-13, Miramax Films, Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital, Flat (1.85:1), nightclub, murder, lawyer, media circus, fame, celebrity, sexual dialogue, sexual content, thematic elements, violence
Worldwide gross: $306,776,732
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $170,687,518
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
Renée Zellweger – Roxie Hart
Richard Gere – Billy Flynn
Queen Latifah – Matron Marna Morton
John C. Reilly – Amos Hart
Christine Baranski – Mary Sunshine
Director(s)
Rob Marshall
Writer(s)
Bill Condon
Producer(s)
Martin Richards
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Art Direction Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Costume Design Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Editing Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Mixing Winners, Oscar Best Picture Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (259) | Top Critics (66) | Fresh (223) | Rotten (36)
Chicago’s so engrossing that you even forget to reach out for the Coke n’ popcorn. Now isn’t that entertainment!
January 3, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Namrata Joshi
Outlook
TOP CRITIC
In effect it is filmed theatre, but this brings its own compensations: the more fake Chicago looks, the more real it seems to get.
January 3, 2018
Barbara Ellen
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
What makes this more than a film of a great stage show is the way that the action spills seamlessly from the stage sets into real life. Magic.
February 25, 2015
James Christopher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Whatever one’s qualms about the material, its execution here is rock solid in ways that keep on impressing, right through to the niftiest end credits sequence in years.
February 25, 2015
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
As a reproduction of the stage show, Chicago isn’t bad, but it makes no persuasive case for itself as a film.
February 25, 2015
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Bawdy, funny and exhilarating, Chicago is great entertainment.
February 25, 2015 | Rating: 4.5/5
David Stratton
sbs.com.au
TOP CRITIC
Not knowing what to expect was the best thing while approaching Chicago, its parallelistic storytelling is revolutionary and like few others I’ve seen in musicals. Full review in Spanish
April 8, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Victor Pineyro
Seventh Art Studio
Director Marshall makes effective cinematic changes in bringing the Broadway hit to screen, especially by turning musical numbers into a mix of Roxie’s reality and fantasies.
November 30, 2021
Robin Holabird
Robin Holabird
Infused with a sense of razzle-dazzle, Chicago still holds up almost 20 years on.
June 25, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
The brisk tempo never slows and the visuals never lose their luster.
September 29, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
…Chicago is another spectacular spectacular filled with enough razzamattazz, razzle dazzle, all that jazz and then some, all guaranteed to place Hollywood back at the top of the heap as king of the movie musical.
November 7, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
This jaw-dropping, mouth-watering, heart-stopping film version of the spectacular Fosse stage show takes all the best bits from the musical and enhances every scene.
February 21, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Sky Staff
Sky Cinema…
Plot
The story of firefighters and paramedics in the city of Chicago, both on a personal and professional level.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Richard Gere’s performance as Billy Flynn earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
Rob-Marshall.jpg
87%
The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
87%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
25 wins & 43 nominations total
Stylish but emotionally distant, The Man Who Wasn’t There is a clever tribute to the film noir genre
The Man Who Wasn’t There is a film that will leave you feeling like you just got a really good haircut – it’s precise, well-crafted, and leaves you looking sharp. Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as Ed Crane is like a buzz cut – short, to the point, and perfectly executed. The Coen Brothers’ unique brand of searching meets film noir in this atmospheric and mysterious movie that will have you on the edge of your seat. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the cut – I mean, the movie.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros., Natant Stanley Kubrick Productions,
Distributor
USA Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Santa Rosa, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for a scene of violence
Year of Release
2001
-
Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 56m
-
Language(s):English, Italian, French
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2002
Genre(s)
Crime/Drama
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $18,916,623
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $31,879,966
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,522
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,476,550
US/Canada gross: $7,504,257
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $12,646,838
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,547
US/Canada opening weekend: $664,404
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $1,119,712
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,266
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $20,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $33,705,769
Production budget ranking: 1,082
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $18,150,557
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$19,976,359
ROI to date (est.): -39%
ROI ranking: 1,615
Billy Bob Thornton – Ed
Frances McDormand – Doris
Michael Badalucco – Frank
James Gandolfini – Big Dave
Katherine Borowitz – Ann Nirdlinger
Jon Polito – Creighton Tolliver
Director – Joel Coen
Producer – Ethan Coen
Writers – Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Director(s)
Joel Coen
Writer(s)
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer(s)
Ethan Coen
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
25 wins & 43 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (160) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (130) | Rotten (30)
Some mature themes–best for older teens.
December 28, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
Affectlessness is not a quality much prized in movie protagonists, but Billy Bob Thornton, that splendid actor, does it perfectly as Ed Crane.
October 13, 2009
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The film holds the interest, to be sure, but more due to the sure sense of craft and precise effect that one expects from the Coens than from genuine involvement in the story.
November 7, 2007
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Joel and Ethan Coen stay true to their bent for dense heroes and neonoir, and to their unshakable conviction that life usually turns out to be splendidly horrific.
November 7, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Slowly paced for a thriller and with a hero many will find off-putting, this is nevertheless a gripping, unusual and challenging work from the most consistently brilliant filmmakers of the last decade.
December 30, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
In this the Coens’ sly script is helped no end by Billy Bob Thornton’s supremely eloquent performance as the taciturn tonsor, lent terrific support from Frances McDormand as the wife.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
The Coens often exaggerate a genre to comic effect, and for The Man Who Wasn’t There, the mechanics of film noir marry with the Coens’ unique brand of searching, and together realize their most mysterious, atmospheric motion picture.
March 2, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Leave it to Joel and Ethan Coen to not only pay expert homage to the film noir genre, but darn near perfect it.
May 22, 2021 | Rating: 4/4
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm
Thornton’s performance is legitimately mesmerising, if only because it’s such an unusual anchor to a film.
May 26, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
Much less acidic than Fargo, not as graceful as The Big Lebowsky, and barely enigmatic as Barton Fink, The Man Who Wasn’t There is, isn’t far from being the best film of the [Coen Brothers]. [Full review in Spanish]
September 6, 2017
Fernanda Solórzano
Letras Libres
Just the barber
January 19, 2016 | Rating: 4.5/5
James Wegg
JWR
Ed’s problem isn’t so much that he isn’t there but that, when you finally catch a glimpse of him, there’s no way to be sure exactly what has caught your gaze.
October 14, 2011
Michael Nordine
Not Coming to a Theater Near You…
Plot
1949, Santa Rosa, California. A laconic, chain-smoking barber with fallen arches tells a story of a man trying to escape a humdrum life. It’s a tale of suspected adultery, blackmail, foul play, death, Sacramento city slickers, racial slurs, invented war heroics, shaved legs, a gamine piano player, aliens, and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Ed Crane cuts hair in his in-law’s shop; his wife drinks and may be having an affair with her boss, Big Dave, who has $10,000 to invest in a second department store. Ed gets wind of a chance to make money in dry cleaning. Blackmail and investment are his opportunity to be more than a man no one notices. Settle in the chair and listen.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
Joel-Coen.jpg
87%
The Vertical Ray of the Sun (Mua he chieu thang dung) (2000)
87%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: 3 nominations
Tran Anh Hung’s The Vertical Ray of the Sun is a cinematic masterpiece that captures the essence of Vietnamese family life with its exquisite portrayal of love, loss, and longing. The film’s minimalism, which some critics argue works against it, is precisely what makes it so powerful. It’s a visual altar upon which to gaze, a prayer rung out across the movie palace, and a stirring of the skin where no breeze has traveled. Tran is not judgmental of his characters, and his ability to capture the beauty in the everyday is nothing short of remarkable. This is a gorgeous dream half-remembered, a benediction to the human experience, and a must-see for anyone who appreciates the art of cinema.
The Vertical Ray of the Sun” is a movie that takes you on a journey through the beauty of Vietnamese family life. Tran Anh Hung’s direction is exquisite, and the characters are all lost in their own way, but love can always redirect them to a better path. The film’s minimalism may not be for everyone, but it’s a gorgeous dream half-remembered that’s worth experiencing. Plus, who doesn’t love a good visual altar to gaze upon? Overall, it’s a very pleasant film that’s like a prayer rung out across the movie palace, stirring the skin where no breeze has traveled.
Production Company(ies)
Lilies Films, Arte France Cinéma Hold Up Films,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Halong Bay, Vietnam
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some sex-related material
Year of Release
2000
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 52m
-
Language(s):Vietnamese
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 6, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 6, 2012
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
The Vertical Ray of the Sun, drama, Tran Anh Hung, PG-13, Vietnamese, Tran Nu Yen-Khe, Nguyen Nhu Quynh, Le Khanh, Quang Hai Ngo, Chu Hung, Tran Manh Cuong, Sony Pictures Classics, box office, budget, reviewed by Kimberley Jones, Jonathan Foreman, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chris Vognar, John Hartl, Eric Harrison, Yasser Medina, B Ruby Rich, Mark Halverson, Jeffrey Overstreet, Chris Barsanti, Vadim Rizov, 81% Tomatometer, 86% audience score, three sisters, everyday life, secrets, Suong’s café, memorial meal, prayer, family, intimate, thematic elements, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Stereo, DTS, Dolby SR
Worldwide gross: $201,247
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $349,046
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,823
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 38,064
US/Canada gross: $110,134
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $191,018
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,554
US/Canada opening weekend: $32,248
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $55,931
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,165
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
Nguyen Nhu Quynh – Suong
Le Khanh – Khanh
Quang Hai Ngo – Hai
Chu Hung – Quoc
Tran Manh Cuong – Kiên
Director(s)
Tran Anh Hung
Writer(s)
Tran Anh Hung
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (47) | Rotten (11)
March 10, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5
Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
October 30, 2001 | Rating: 2/4
Jonathan Foreman
New York Post
TOP CRITIC
October 30, 2001 | Rating: 3/4
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
This might just be the perfect time to soak up some of its calm and natural beauty.
October 11, 2001
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
Tran Anh Hung, who earned an Oscar nomination for his first movie, The Scent of Green Papaya (1993), has created another exquisite portrait of Vietnamese family life.
September 28, 2001
John Hartl
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
The film’s minimalism works against it.
September 21, 2001
Eric Harrison
Houston Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
‘The Vertical Ray of the Sun’ is a very pleasant film by Vietnamese director Tran Anh Hung. [Full review in Spanish]
August 6, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
The Vertical Ray of the Sun, no mere movie, is a prayer rung out across the movie palace, a benediction to the everyday, a stirring of the skin where no breeze has traveled, a visual altar upon which to gaze.
February 24, 2020
B. Ruby Rich
The Nation
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 2/5
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
Tran is not judgmental of his characters. No one is a bad guy; everyone is lost, but only a few steps from the right path, and love can re-direct them to a better life.
December 6, 2004 | Rating: B+
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
a gorgeous dream half-remembered.
November 12, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5
Chris Barsanti
Film Threat
June 19, 2003 | Rating: 4/10
Vadim Rizov
Movie-Vault.com…
Plot
With the brilliant Vietnamese summer as a setting Vertical Ray of the Sun is beautiful from beginning to end. The plot centres around three sisters, two of whom are happily married (or so it appears). The youngest sister is single and living with her cute older brother, whom she is desperately in love with. A second sister is married to a man who has another woman and child elsewhere whom he loves just as much as his wife -with a few conditions, she agrees to carry on with the marriage. The third sister and her husband are overjoyed to discover she is pregnant, and though he is tempted, her husband remains loyal to her. Charming, slow-paced, face value, family saga film.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about The Vertical Ray of the Sun.
Tran-Anh-Hung.jpg
87%
Planet of the Apes (1968)
87%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: 11 wins & 32 nominations total
Planet of the Apes raises thought-provoking questions about our culture without letting social commentary get in the way of the drama and action
Planet of the Apes is a classic movie that has stood the test of time. Sure, the special effects might not be up to par with today’s standards, but the makeup effects for the apes are still pretty impressive. Plus, who can forget that iconic final shot? It’s a film that’s both thought-provoking and entertaining, and Charlton Heston’s performance as the hero is just the cherry on top. So, if you’re in the mood for a playful fable about the bestiality that defines and destroys cultures, give Planet of the Apes a watch.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Lake Powell, Utah, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some sequences of action/violence
Year of Release
2001
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTS Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 52m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 1968 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2003
Genre(s)
Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly, directed by Franklin J Schaffner, written by Michael Wilson, Rod Serling, adventure, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Pauline Kael, John Mahoney, Renata Adler, Richard Roud, Keith Uhlich, Zaki Hasan, Penelope Houston, G MPAA rating, Arthur P Jacobs produced, 20th Century Fox distributed, science-fiction, social commentary, class system, political structure, astronauts, apes, humans, slaves, intellectual simians, talk, walk upright, devalued species, trapped, imprisoned
Worldwide gross: $362,211,740
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $610,431,261
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 218
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 66,568,295
US/Canada gross: $180,011,740
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $303,371,706
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 186
US/Canada opening weekend: $68,532,960
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $115,497,806
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 64
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $100,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $168,528,845
Production budget ranking: 179
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $90,752,783
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $351,149,633
ROI to date (est.): 135%
ROI ranking: 809
Roddy McDowall – Dr. Cornelius
Kim Hunter – Dr. Zira
Maurice Evans – Dr. Zaius
James Whitmore – President of the Assembly
James Daly – Dr. Honorious
Director(s)
Franklin J. Schaffner
Writer(s)
Michael Wilson, Rod Serling
Producer(s)
Arthur P. Jacobs
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
11 wins & 32 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (59) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (8)
The picture is an enormous many-layered black joke on the hero and the audience, and part of the joke is the use of Charlton Heston as the hero. I don’t think the movie could have been so forceful or so funny with anyone else.
March 19, 2019
Pauline Kael
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
By its appeal to both the imagination and the intellect within a context of action and elemental adventure, in its relevance to the consuming issues of its time…Planet of the Apes is that rare film which will transcend all age and social groupings.
March 27, 2018
John Mahoney
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
It is no good at all, but fun, at moments, to watch.
January 9, 2018
Renata Adler
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
It’s a film to see, all right, and it does confirm Schaffner’s talent. It is only that one can now see more clearly the limits of that talent, limits which are much narrower than I had hoped.
November 3, 2015
Richard Roud
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
As illuminatingly bleak a statement on human hubris as a Hollywood superproduction has given us.
July 6, 2011 | Rating: 5/5
Keith Uhlich
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
This generational touchstone remains a playful widescreen fable of the bestiality that defines and destroys cultures.
July 3, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/4
Bill Weber
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Space special effects have aged, but the makeup effects for the mutant apes remain perfectly adequate.
August 27, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Planet of the Apes may have worked as a novel, but as a movie it is a spectacular and ludicrous failure.
June 19, 2020
Dennis Stack
Kansas City Star
Planet of the Apes (1968) is a classic, thought-provoking and engrossing science fiction film that was the loosely-adapted film version of Pierre Boule’s 1963 science-fiction novel La Planète Des Singes (Monkey Planet).
September 29, 2019 | Rating: A+
Tim Dirks
Filmsite
Redefined forever going forward the notion of film-as-franchise that’s so commonplace today.
October 31, 2018
Zaki Hasan
Zaki’s Corner
Whether you’ve seen it 100 times or for the first time, that final shot is unforgettable, in both aesthetic and meaning. A perfect film.
September 17, 2018
Chris Alexander
Alexander On Film
Planet of the Apes is full of incidental intel- ligences. What it can’t pull off is the essential science fiction trick of ,total persuasion.
July 6, 2018
Penelope Houston
The Spectator…
Plot
It is the year 2029: Astronaut Leo Davidson boards a pod cruiser on a Space Station on a rescue and recovery mission. But an abrupt detour through a space time wormhole lands him on a strange planet where talking apes rule over the human race. With the help of a sympathetic chimpanzee activist named Ari and a small band of human rebels, Leo leads the effort to evade the advancing Gorilla Army led by General Thade and his most trusted warrior Attar. Now the race is on to reach a sacred temple within the planet’s Forbidden Zone to discover the shocking secrets of mankind’s past – and the key to its future.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The makeup done on the apes to make them look almost “evolved” into humans was kind of the point, and it was well done.
Franklin-J.-Schaffner.jpg
87%
Chopper (2001)
87%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: 12 wins & 14 nominations
Chopper is a film that truly encapsulates the essence of Australian cinema, with its gritty and unapologetic portrayal of the infamous criminal Mark “Chopper” Read. Eric Bana’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary, and the film’s strategic blend of comedy and cruelty is both unsettling and captivating. While some may find the excessive violence and dark humor off-putting, it is precisely these elements that make Chopper a must-watch for those who appreciate bold and daring filmmaking. Overall, Chopper is a masterpiece that continues to stand the test of time and solidify its place in the canon of Australian cinema.
If you’re in the mood for a film that’s equal parts violent and hilarious, then Chopper is the movie for you. Eric Bana delivers a powerhouse performance as the infamous Australian criminal Mark “Chopper” Read, and the film’s blend of comedy and cruelty will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sure, some critics might call it “unsettling” or “provocative,” but we just call it a damn good time. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready for a wild ride with Chopper.
Production Company(ies)
1+2 Seisaku Iinkai Atom Films, Atom Films,
Distributor
Image Entertainment Inc., First Look
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2000
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 34m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 3, 2000 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2001
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Eric Bana, Vince Colosimo, Simon Lyndon, Kate Beahan, David Field, Dan Wyllie, directed by Andrew Dominik, written by Andrew Dominik, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kevin Maher, Peter Bradshaw, Tom Ryan, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Gary Dowell, Marc Savlov, James Luxford, John Townsend, Andy Lea, Dulcie Pearce, Leigh Paatsch, R MPAA rating, Mark “Chopper” Read, Australia, criminal, police records, court transcripts, news coverage, interviews, Michele Bennett, Image Entertainment Inc., First Look, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Worldwide gross: $309,369
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $536,574
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,722
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 58,514
US/Canada gross: $236,185
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $409,643
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,377
US/Canada opening weekend: $15,044
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $26,093
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,423
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): A$5,000,000
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
Vince Colosimo – Neville Bartos
Simon Lyndon – Jimmy Loughnan
Kate Beahan – Tanya
David Field – Keithy George
Dan Wyllie – Bluey
Self – Andrew Dominik (Director/Writer)
Michele Bennett – Producer
Director(s)
Andrew Dominik
Writer(s)
Andrew Dominik
Producer(s)
Michele Bennett
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
12 wins & 14 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (80) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (61) | Rotten (19)
This biographical drama about the exploits and prison years of the Australian criminal Mark “Chopper” Read, is a must watch for students of screen acting.
March 25, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Chopper is a great film.
March 23, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The film’s strategic blend of comedy and cruelty is constantly unsettling, simultaneously inviting us to laugh at Read’s antics and then rubbing our faces in their outcomes.
August 27, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Ryan
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Chopper is more than a vehicle for Bana’s extraordinary performance; it’s an immaculately crafted masterpiece of Australian cinema that feels as fresh, energetic and provocative today as it was the day it was released.
August 25, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
ABC Radio (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
The fact that Chopper is so engrossing and effective stems from the powerful performance of Eric Bana.
August 2, 2001
Gary Dowell
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
You wonder why anyone even bothered.
June 25, 2001 | Rating: 2/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
The type of gritty independent film that isnt made anymore, besides the odd self-conscious copycat. Chopper is still delightful cinematic anarchy, with Bana offering a masterful performance that he hasnt matched since.
April 4, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
James Luxford
City AM
Chopper is an intriguing film, one that challenges the viewer through unpredictable, often excessive violence set against a palate of folksiness and sporadic black humour.
March 29, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
John Townsend
Starburst
Wisely, the film doesn’t attempt to find a psychological explanation, instead playing it for black comedy.
March 28, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Andy Lea
Daily Express (UK)
It’s violent and shocking, but darkly funny.
March 25, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Dulcie Pearce
The Sun (UK)
At the very least, if the movie has you asking “why would I even give this ugly excuse for a human being the time of day?”, then it has truly done its job.
October 29, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
The film ends on a surprisingly poignant note, making this film a car wreck worth ogling all the way through. If you like your prison dramas bloody and black with humor, this is for you.
October 26, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Amy Bracken Sparks
Cleveland Free Times…
Plot
Chopper tells the intense story of Mark “Chopper” Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography while serving a murder sentence in prison. His book, From the Inside, upon which the film is based, was a best-seller.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels highlights Eric Bana’s performance as the charming but twisted Chopper as the highlight of the film.
Andrew-Dominik.jpg
87%
Seconds (1966)
87%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: 9 wins & 6 nominations
Featuring dazzling, disorienting cinematography from the great James Wong Howe and a strong lead performance by Rock Hudson, Seconds is a compellingly paranoid take on the legend of Faust
Seconds is a wild ride that will leave you questioning everything you know about identity and the human experience. With a cast led by the unexpected but impressive Rock Hudson, this film is a masterclass in suspense and horror. Director John Frankenheimer has crafted a cautionary tale that will stick with you long after the credits roll. And let’s not forget about James Wong Howe’s stunning black-and-white cinematography that adds to the eerie atmosphere. If you’re looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Seconds is the perfect choice. Just be prepared for a mind-bending journey that will leave you reeling.
Production Company(ies)
13 Productions, ARTE Fondazione Montecinemaverita
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Long Beach Naval Shipyard – Ocean Boulevard & Navy Way, Long Beach, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality and language
Year of Release
2000
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 46m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 1966 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2013
Genre(s)
Mystery & Thriller/Sci-Fi
Keyword(s)
starring Rock Hudson, Salome Jens, John Randolph, Will Geer, Jeff Corey, Murray Hamilton, directed by John Frankenheimer, written by Lewis John Carlino, Mystery & thriller/Sci-fi, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Myles Standish, Louis Cook, Marjory Adams, William J Nazzaro, Philip K Scheuer, Dick Banks, Elston Brooks, Brian Eggert, Gordon Stoneham, John Bustin, Jacob Siskind, Stanley Eichelbaum, produced by John Frankenheimer, Edward Lewis, R-rated, Faust legend, new existence, completely new face and life, artist, manservant, disorienting cinematography, paranoid, disorienting, compelling, suspenseful, psychological, eerie, haunting, shocking, thrilling, original, B&W cinematography, Jerry Goldsmith score, relevant, cautionary tale, middle-aged angst, transformation, identity, surreal, disturbing, mind-bending, thought-provoking, introspective, atmospheric, intense, gripping, engrossing, captivating, mesmerizing, unforgettable
Worldwide gross: $237,202,299
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $411,407,409
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 374
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 44,864,494
US/Canada gross: $101,648,571
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $176,300,885
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 428
US/Canada opening weekend: $25,336,048
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $43,943,241
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 275
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $90,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $156,097,420
Production budget ranking: 207
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $84,058,460
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $171,251,529
ROI to date (est.): 71%
ROI ranking: 1,054
Salome Jens – Nora Marcus
John Randolph – Arthur Hamilton
Will Geer – Old Man
Jeff Corey – Mr. Ruby
Murray Hamilton – Charlie
Director(s)
John Frankenheimer
Writer(s)
Lewis John Carlino
Producer(s)
John Frankenheimer, Edward Lewis
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
9 wins & 6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (59) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (13)
It is a brilliant, fascinating, weird and horrifying piece of work which probably will emerge as one of the best films of the year.
September 23, 2021
Myles Standish
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
It’s a little difficult to figure Rock Hudson in a chiller but he shows an unexpected professional acting quality in Seconds.
September 23, 2021
Louis Cook
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
I think Mr. Frankenheimer was the one with bad dream. While the picture is superbly directed and has reasonably mature dialogue, he has failed to make the idea engrossing or convincing.
September 23, 2021
Marjory Adams
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
It suffers from more than a few faults, but anyone who appreciates film entertainment made by a master craftsman will enjoy this harrowing exercise in mounting suspense.
September 23, 2021
William J. Nazzaro
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
It makes a dramatic actor out of the till now fashionably predictable farceur Rock Hudson. He’s not great, but he puts together a pretty good fac-simile of a man suffering the tortures of the damned.
September 23, 2021
Philip K. Scheuer
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The half-world of twilight horror and stark realism that director John Frankenheimer probed so chillingly in The Manchurian Candidate has come under the Frankenheimer scalpel again in a remarkable motion picture called Seconds.
September 23, 2021
Elston Brooks
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
TOP CRITIC
Perhaps the director’s most personal film, Seconds holds a deeply human message and marvelous cautionary tale, ever hopeful to viewers who heed its warning.
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Seconds is an exceptionally original shocker, nicely balanced between plausibility and cruel fantasy.
September 23, 2021
Dick Banks
Charlotte Observer
[Frankenheimer] succeeds in making the tale a weirdly absorbing thriller, full of twists and fascinating surprises, and that cinematographer James Wong Howe complements the eerie spell with his inventive black-and-white photography.
September 23, 2021
John Bustin
Austin American-Statesman
It’s a harrowing little story, well adapted by John Lewis Carlino from David Ely’s novel, and director John Frankenheimer, with the assistance of James Wong Howe’s fluid black-and-white photography, has done it up in a stark and uncompromising style.
September 23, 2021
Gordon Stoneham
Ottawa Citizen
It isn’t often that someone finds something new to say with the Faust legend, but John Frankenheimer has managed to come up with something that, while not completely satisfying is still engrossing.
September 23, 2021
Jacob Siskind
Montreal Gazette
Hudson, however, can’t be blamed for the story going to pot. It never does regain the hypnotic appeal of the initial sequences. Yet Hudson actually turns in the most forcefully convincing performance of his career.
September 23, 2021
Stanley Eichelbaum
San Francisco Examiner…
Plot
In exchange for his little brother’s life, the reformed car thief, Randall “Memphis” Raines, has to do the impossible: in less than three days, he has to steal not one, but fifty exotic supercars for the ruthless crime lord, Ray Calitri. To stand a chance of pulling off this intricate and time-sensitive grand theft auto, once more, Memphis has to rely on his old gang
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rock Hudson delivers a surprisingly strong lead performance in Seconds.
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87%
Magnolia (1999)
87%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 3 Oscars
28 wins & 59 nominations total
Magnolia is an ambitious, lengthy work that ultimately succeeds due to interesting stories and excellent ensemble performances
Magnolia is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. But instead of chocolates, it’s a bunch of different storylines that somehow all come together in a beautiful mess. It’s a movie that will make you think, feel, and question everything you thought you knew about life. Plus, Tom Cruise gives a performance that will make you forget all about Mission Impossible.
Production Company(ies)
Miramax, A Band Apart Jersey Films,
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Reseda, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong language, drug use, sexuality and some violence
Year of Release
2000
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital SDDS DTS
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:3h 8m
-
Language(s):English, German, French
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 2000 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2007
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C Reilly, Melora Walters, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, written by Paul Thomas Anderson, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Candice Frederick, Radheyan Simonpillai, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Andrew Sarris, Derek Adams, Jeff Millar, Toussaint Egan, Jonah Koslofsky, Sarah Brinks, Richard Propes, Gena Radcliffe, R rating, New Line Cinema, produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, JoAnne Sellar, ensemble performances, San Fernando Valley, dying father, young wife, male caretaker, famous lost son, police officer in love, boy genius, ex-boy genius, game show host, estranged daughter, multiplicity of plots, Altman-esque mosaic, L.A citizens, rainy day, mistakes, torrential emotions, neurosis, guilt, happiness, hope, captivating performances, Julianne Moore, John C Reilly, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Cruise as Frank T.J Mackey, eccentric motivational speaker, broken man, soundtrack, original writing, meaning, metaphor, repeated viewings, lengthy work, interesting stories, successful set of performances, nice soundtrack, original writing, genuinely interesting stories
Worldwide gross: $48,451,803
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $84,035,571
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,100
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 9,164,184
US/Canada gross: $22,455,976
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $38,947,999
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,176
US/Canada opening weekend: $193,604
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $335,790
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,508
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $37,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $64,173,384
Production budget ranking: 645
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $34,557,367
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$14,695,179
ROI to date (est.): -15%
ROI ranking: 1,477
Julianne Moore – Linda Partridge
Tom Cruise – Frank T.J. Mackey
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Phil Parma
John C. Reilly – Jim Kurring
Melora Walters – Claudia Wilson Gator
Director – Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer – Paul Thomas Anderson, JoAnne Sellar
Writer – Paul Thomas Anderson
Director(s)
Paul Thomas Anderson
Writer(s)
Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer(s)
Paul Thomas Anderson, JoAnne Sellar
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 3 Oscars
28 wins & 59 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (149) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (124) | Rotten (25)
Though I couldn’t really make heads or tails of this 1999 movie, I found it interesting.
September 12, 2017 | Rating: B+
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
A decade after its release, P.T. Anderson’s emotionally epic Magnolia gets the glorious Blu-ray treatment it deserves. This Altman-esque mosaic follows several disparate L.A. citizens on one rainy day, as they navigate through mistakes and torrenti
January 22, 2010 | Rating: 87/100
Radheyan Simonpillai
AskMen.com
TOP CRITIC
A wonderful mess.
April 28, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
What this film may have needed to get on its feet is some honest-to-goodness violence.
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris
Observer
TOP CRITIC
One of the most enthralling and exhilarating American movies in ages.
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
All the work is top-notch.
July 21, 2005
Jeff Millar
Houston Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Magnolia is unlike anything that Anderson has produced before or since and as such, a vital watch for anyone claiming to be a fan of the director’s work.
October 22, 2021
Toussaint Egan
Polygon
Something ineffable in Hoffman’s mannerisms, in the way he listens, expresses more than just patience but warmth.
August 18, 2021
Jonah Koslofsky
The Spool
Cruise’s performance as Mackey is really fantastic, especially when he is at his most vulnerable. Cruise is just one example of the fantastic performances in the film. There isn’t any weak link that I can point to in the impressive cast list.
April 1, 2021
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension
There is no film ever that has made me think and made me feel and made me question like Magnolia.
September 15, 2020 | Rating: 4.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
We’re all walk-on characters in the movies of other people’s lives, and that’s what Magnolia is, a series of short films that all have a thread tying them together.
January 19, 2020
Gena Radcliffe
The Spool
The sprawling, messy, brilliant, exhausting, miraculous Magnolia-Paul Thomas Anderson’s third film-is a mosaic of Los Angeles at the turn of the century.
March 26, 2019
Sean Fennessey
The Ringer…
Plot
24 hours in L.A.; it’s raining cats and dogs. Two parallel and intercut stories dramatize men about to die: both are estranged from a grown child, both want to make contact, and neither child wants anything to do with dad. Earl Partridge’s son is a charismatic misogynist; Jimmy Gator’s daughter is a cokehead and waif. A mild and caring nurse intercedes for Earl, reaching the son; a prayerful and upright beat cop meets the daughter, is attracted to her, and leads her toward a new calm. Meanwhile, guilt consumes Earl’s young wife, while two whiz kids, one grown and a loser and the other young and pressured, face their situations. The weather, too, is quirky.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Tom Cruise’s performance as the eccentric motivational speaker in Magnolia is considered one of the best of his career.
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87%
Galaxy Quest (1999)
87%RT Audience Score: 79%
Awards & Nominations: 7 wins & 14 nominations
Intelligent and humorous satire with an excellent cast — no previous Trekkie knowledge needed to enjoy this one
Galaxy Quest is the ultimate sci-fi comedy that will have you laughing from start to finish. With a cast of iconic actors and a hilarious take on fandom, this movie is a love letter to all things sci-fi. The special effects are top-notch and the jokes range from wry to slapstick-y, making it the perfect movie for a family night in. Whether you’re a die-hard Trekkie or just looking for a good laugh, Galaxy Quest is a must-watch. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride!
Production Company(ies)
Fox 2000 Pictures, Chernin Entertainment, Levantine Films,
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some action violence, mild language and sensuality
Year of Release
1999
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 12.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 44m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1999 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 12, 2009
Genre(s)
Comedy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Daryl Mitchell, directed by Dean Parisot, written by David Howard, Robert Gordon, produced by Mark Johnson, Charles Newirth, comedy, adventure, action, PG rating, box office gross $71.4M, reviewed by Keith Phipps, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Nell Minow, Trevor Johnston, Neil Smith, Kim Newman, Charlotte Harrison, Norman Wilner, Mike Massie, Johnny Gayzmonic, Kathi Maio, washed-up actors, sci-fi conventions, aliens, historical documents, oppressive regime, Star Trek, fandom, satire, parody, special effects, makeup, prosthetics, evil villain, cheesy sets, CGI, sarcastic, ironic, dark, wry, childish, slapstick, intelligent, humorous, excellent cast, no previous Trekkie knowledge needed
Worldwide gross: $90,683,916
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $162,780,158
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 803
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 17,751,380
US/Canada gross: $71,583,916
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $128,495,125
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 597
US/Canada opening weekend: $7,012,630
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $12,587,866
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 880
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $45,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $80,776,255
Production budget ranking: 521
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $43,498,013
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $38,505,890
ROI to date (est.): 31%
ROI ranking: 1,240
Sigourney Weaver – Gwen DeMarco, Lieutenant Tawny Madison
Alan Rickman – Sir Alexander Dane, Dr. Lazarus
Tony Shalhoub – Fred Kwan, Tech Sergeant Chen
Sam Rockwell – Guy Fleegman, Security Chief ‘Roc’ Ingersol
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell – Tommy Webber, Lieutenant Laredo
Director(s)
Dean Parisot
Writer(s)
David Howard, David Howard, Robert Gordon
Producer(s)
Mark Johnson, Charles Newirth
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
7 wins & 14 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (126) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (113) | Rotten (13)
It’s a warm, appealing comedy filled with well-realized characters and jokes ranging from the wry to the slapstick-y.
July 22, 2019
Keith Phipps
The Verge
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A-
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Hilarious, fast, funny, fresh fun for the family.
December 24, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
Effects and production design are splendidly integrated into the overall enterprise, which is even more enjoyable for being so unexpected.
June 24, 2006
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
A sparkling blend of sci-fi and comedy that affectionately spoofs every Star Trek clich known to man, Romulan, or Klingon.
December 10, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Neil Smith
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
There are genuinely imaginative special effects which manage to be recognisably in the spirit of the cheesy originals.
December 2, 2002
Kim Newman
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
This is one of the finest comedy films, possibly ever. It’s fantastically written, parodying fandom with much love and affection, and so well performed by a cast of total icons.
December 12, 2020
Charlotte Harrison
Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies
Everyone has their own specific definition of comfort food. Dean Parisot’s pitch-perfect send-up/embrace of Star Trek fandom sits near the top of my list.
November 10, 2020
Norman Wilner
NOW Toronto
With such an entertaining cast and premise, it’s no wonder the film has found a cult status that ironically mirrors its own satirizing of fandom and waning stardom.
September 13, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
There is a lot to love about Galaxy Quest, from its hilarious comedy to its dynamic characters to its fascinating take on sci-fi fandom.
June 5, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
Johnny Gayzmonic
Fanboys of the Universe
Galaxy Quest is dumbfounded by the devotion of the obsessive fan. And yet it treats SF fanatics with so much exasperated affection and respect that no Trekker could take offense at the ribbing.
February 26, 2020
Kathi Maio
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
What helps drive Galaxy Quest home is that this film really is a love letter to sci-fi fans.
December 25, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies…
Plot
The sci-fi television series “Galaxy Quest”, which took place aboard the intergalactic spaceship NSEA Protector, starred Jason Nesmith as suave Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, Gwen DeMarco as sexy communications person Lt. Tawny Madison (a role which consisted solely of repeating what the computer stated, much to Gwen’s chagrin), Shakespearean trained Sir Alexander Dane as alien Dr. Lazarus, Fred Kwan as engineer Tech Sergeant Chen, and Tommy Webber as child pilot Laredo. Eighteen years after the series last aired, it lives on in the hearts of its rabid fans. However, it lives on in infamy for its stars, who have not been able to find meaningful acting work since. Their current lives revolve around cashing in on however those roles will afford, which usually entails attending fan conventions or worse, such as electronic store openings. Only Jason seems to relish his lot in life, until he finds out that his co-stars detest him because of his superior attitude as “the Commander”, and much of the public considers him a laughing stock. Their lives change when Jason is approached by who he thinks are convention fans asking for help. They are in reality an alien race called Thermians, led by Mathesar, who have modeled their existence after the series, which they believe to be real. When Jason and then the rest of his co-stars (along with Guy Fleegman, who was killed off before the opening credits in only one episode) go along with the Thermians, Jason’s co-stars who believe they are off to yet another paying gig, they learn that they have to portray their roles for real. Without screenwriters to get them to a happy and heroic ending, they have to trust that their play acting will work, especially in dealing with the Thermians’ nemesis, General Sarris. Guy in particular fears that he will go the way his character did on the series. But when they run across technical issues that they as actors didn’t care anything about during the filming of the series and thus now don’t know how to deal with, they need to find someone who should know what to do.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast includes Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Sam Rockwell.
Dean-Parisot.jpg
87%
Three Kings (1999)
87%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: 8 wins & 19 nominations
Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War
Three Kings is a movie that’s got it all: action, humor, politics, and even a little bit of heart. It’s like if Die Hard and Dr. Strangelove had a baby, and that baby grew up to be George Clooney. The shootouts are intense, the satire is biting, and the message is clear: war is hell, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Plus, Ice Cube is in it, and he’s always cool. If you’re looking for a movie that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, Three Kings is the king of the hill.
Production Company(ies)
Black Mandala Onetti Brothers Productions, Rusty Robot
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Casa Grande, Arizona, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for graphic war violence, language and some sexuality
Year of Release
1999
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 55m
-
Language(s):English, Arabic
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 1, 1999 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 11, 2000
Genre(s)
War
Keyword(s)
starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze, Nora Dunn, Jamie Kennedy, directed by David O Russell, written by David O Russell, John Ridley, war, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kirk Honeycutt, Radheyan Simonpillai, Lisa Alspector, Rick Groen, John Wrathall, Jay Boyar, James Hannaham, Emanuel Levy, Charles Cassady, Garth Franklin, Philip Martin, MPAA rating R, produced by Charles Roven, Edward L McDonnell, Paul Junger Witt
Worldwide gross: $107,752,036
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $193,417,909
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 716
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 21,092,466
US/Canada gross: $60,652,036
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $108,872,096
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 691
US/Canada opening weekend: $15,847,636
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $28,446,948
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 486
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $75,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $134,627,091
Production budget ranking: 263
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $72,496,689
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$13,705,871
ROI to date (est.): -7%
ROI ranking: 1,429
Mark Wahlberg – Sfc. Troy Barlow
Ice Cube – SSgt. Chief Elgin
Spike Jonze – Pfc. Conrad Vig
Nora Dunn – Adriana Cruz
Jamie Kennedy – PV2 Walter Wogaman
David O. Russell – Director/Writer
Charles Roven – Producer
Edward L. McDonnell – Producer
Paul Junger Witt – Producer
John Ridley – Writer
Director(s)
David O. Russell
Writer(s)
David O. Russell, John Ridley
Producer(s)
Charles Roven, Edward L. McDonnell, Paul Junger Witt
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
8 wins & 19 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (129) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (121) | Rotten (8)
[Russell] not only has designed an action-adventure laced with incendiary humor but a movie that wants to explore race, politics, war, the media and U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. In large measure, he pulls it off with breathtaking aplomb.
October 25, 2019
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
It’s amazing how much action can be crammed into a movie about a war where most soldiers didn’t actually see any action. Three Kings has its fair share of shootouts, none that are merely squeezed in for guilty pleasures. Every shot fired is motivated by c
April 9, 2009 | Rating: 94/100
Radheyan Simonpillai
AskMen.com
TOP CRITIC
A damning yet idealistic satire about the motives behind U.S. foreign policy.
August 25, 2008
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
No, Three Kings is not a great picture, but it is a very good one, perhaps the first feature of merit to come out of the Gulf War.
April 25, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
What lingers in the mind far longer than the smart dialogue, the slightly cartoon characterisations or the neat feel-good ending is a vivid sense of the sickening nature of modern warfare.
December 2, 2002
John Wrathall
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Explosively good!
January 1, 2000
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
Russell’s manic vision of modern warfare and slice-up critique of American foreign policy even provide something Kubrick sometimes lacked — a sense of humor.
May 27, 2022
James Hannaham
Out Magazine
One of Hollywood’s few films about the Gulf War, David O. Russell’s Three Kings is an original war feature that’s effective as a social satire as well as political critique.
February 4, 2011 | Rating: A-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Violent, liberal George Clooney Gulf War caper.
December 15, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Charles Cassady
Common Sense Media
Ithis is a career making movie, then its writer/director David O. Russell who deserves the credit with this very creative effort from the debut filmmaker.
July 6, 2010
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons
Three Kings mightn’t be the best thought-out or most reassuring movie of the year, but the more I think about it, the more I’m sure that it is one of the best.
June 28, 2009 | Rating: 89/100
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
(The) screenplay abruptly changes tone after the first half-hour, eventually incorporating some genuinely harrowing sequences… The final picture becomes something noticeably deeper and smarter than its first reels suggest.
August 6, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/4
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette…
Plot
A small group of adventurous American soldiers in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War are determined to steal a huge cache of gold reputed to be hidden somewhere near their desert base. Finding a map they believe will take them to the gold, they embark on a journey that leads to unexpected discoveries, enabling them to rise to a heroic challenge that drastically changes their lives.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t mention anything goofy or funny about Three Kings, but it does highlight the star-studded cast, including George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze.
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87%
The Limey (1999)
87%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 9 nominations
Crafted with eccentric moodiness and style by Steven Soderbergh, The Limey is also a gritty neo-noir showcase for the talent of leading man Terence Stamp
The Limey is like a classic noir film, but with a twist. Terrence Stamp and Peter Fonda are like two old dogs fighting over a bone, and it’s a joy to watch them go at it. The script may be a bit thin, but Soderbergh’s direction makes up for it with some cool visuals and a killer supporting cast. Plus, who doesn’t love a good revenge story? It’s like Taken, but with a British accent and way more style. Overall, The Limey is a fun ride that’s definitely worth checking out.
Production Company(ies)
Cosmo Films, Distressed Films, Film Nation Entertainment,
Distributor
Artisan Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
The Astral House, 2210 Astral Place, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for violence and language
Year of Release
1999
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 30m
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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): Oct 8, 1999 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 21, 2000
Genre(s)
Crime/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Terence Stamp, Peter Fonda, Lesley Ann Warren, Luis Guzmán, Barry Newman, Joe Dallesandro, directed by Steven Soderbergh, written by Lem Dobbs, crime, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Emanuel Levy, Eleanor Ringel Cater, Liam Lacey, Philip Strick, Edward Guthmann, Mike Clark, Jason Shawhan, David Nusair, Fernando F Croce, Michael Dequina, Pablo Villaça, R rating, Artisan Entertainment, produced by John Hardy, Scott Kramer, Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital, Flat (1.85:1), revenge, Los Angeles, ex-con, daughter’s death, Valentine, L.A.’s toughest criminals, bodily harm, neo-noir, gritty, eccentric moodiness, style, talent, leading man, AVOD, WatchFree, Tubi Summer of Streaming 2022, staycation, adventure, streaming movies, TV shows, critics consensus, Tomatometer, audience score, original language, aspect ratio, sound mix, distributor, runtime, release date
Worldwide gross: $3,325,736
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,969,789
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,121
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 651,013
US/Canada gross: $3,204,663
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,752,459
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,767
US/Canada opening weekend: $187,122
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $335,889
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,507
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $17,950,279
Production budget ranking: 1,419
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $9,666,225
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$21,646,715
ROI to date (est.): -78%
ROI ranking: 1,871
Peter Fonda – Terry Valentine
Lesley Ann Warren – Elaine
Luis Guzmán – Ed
Barry Newman – Avery
Joe Dallesandro – Uncle John
Director(s)
Steven Soderbergh
Writer(s)
Lem Dobbs
Producer(s)
John Hardy, Scott Kramer
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 9 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (84) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (77) | Rotten (7)
The crimer suffers from a slim, underdeveloped script by Lem Dobbs (who also write Kafka), but benefits from Soderbergh’s astute direction that posits two 1960s cinematic icons, Brit Terrence Stamp and American Peter Fonda as long-time enemies.
November 9, 2006 | Rating: B+
Emanuel Levy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Those interested in more challenging work will find the film a unique meditation on the nature of Hollywood.
February 21, 2004
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
An apparently simple movie that demands and rewards a deeper look.
April 25, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
The film is subtly stolen by Amelia Heinle, joining such actresses as Andie MacDowell, Elisabeth Shue, Betsy Brantley and Jennifer Lopez as the latest in a line of Soderbergh’s saving graces.
December 2, 2002
Philip Strick
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
A first-rate crime thriller and further proof that director Stephen Soderbergh is one of our great contemporary film stylists.
June 18, 2002 | Rating: 4/4
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
This is one of those movies in which pacing, dialogue and the right actors enliven a familiar story.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4
Mike Clark
USA Today
TOP CRITIC
It’s a brisk and relentless story, with a killer supporting cast (Lesley Anne Warren, Joe Dallesandro, Nicky Katt and Luis Guzmán!) and an inevitability that you feel in every cut. Truly one of the great films of 1999.
September 10, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
…a high-water-mark in Soderbergh’s admittedly spotty body of work.
June 30, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
The Limey is a very simple noir revenge tale, told in broad daylight in a very complicated way.
March 25, 2019
Chris Ryan
The Ringer
Assuredly Soderbergh’s masterpiece
February 14, 2010
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion
Not your standard revenge movie, thanks to the inventive and stylish direction of Steven Soderbergh.
November 28, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
A montagem, a interessante utilização de imagens de Poor Cow e, claro, a interpretação impecável de Stamp transformam um roteiro prosaico em uma experiência intrigante.
June 2, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Pablo Villaça
Cinema em Cena…
Plot
An ex-con, fresh out of prison, goes to L.A. to try to learn who murdered his daughter. However, he quickly finds that he is completely out of place with no understanding of the culture he finds. His investigations are helped by another ex-con. Together they learn that his daughter had been having an affair with a record producer, who is presently having an affair with another young woman. An aging actress, who also knew his daughter, forces him to look at his own failures as a father. The movie does focus on the drama of the situation and the inter-relationships of the characters and seldom slips into an action piece.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Limey is a “gritty neo-noir showcase for the talent of leading man Terence Stamp.”
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