Le passé (The Past) (2013)
89%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 15 wins & 41 nominations
Beautifully written, sensitively directed, and powerfully acted, The Past serves as another compelling testament to Asghar Farhadi’s gift for finely layered drama.
The Past is like a game of Jenga, where each piece pulled out reveals a new layer of secrets and lies. It’s a slow burn of a film, but the payoff is worth it. The performances are top-notch, and Farhadi’s direction keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just be prepared to leave the theater with a lot to unpack.
Production Company(ies)
Screen Gems Jerry Bruckheimer Films, L Star Capital
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Rue de Paris, Sevran, Seine-Saint-Denis, France
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material and brief strong language
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 10m
-
Language(s):French, Persian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2013 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2014
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Bérénice Bejo, Ali Mosaffa, Tahar Rahim, Pauline Burlet, Elyes Aguis, Jeanne Jestin, directed by Asghar Farhadi, written by Asghar Farhadi, Massoumeh Lahidji, produced by Alexandre Mallet-Guy, drama, PG-13, box office gross $1.3M, reviewed by Kate Muir, Francesca Steele, Ryan Gilbey, Mark Kermode, Laurence Phelan, Derek Malcolm, Brian Eggert, David Walsh, Debbie Lynn Elias, Nicholas Bell, C.J Prince, divorce, estranged wife, new lover, France, Iranian man, mature thematic material, brief strong language, finely layered drama, beautifully written, sensitively directed, powerfully acted, intricate stories, relationship dramas, naturalistic tone, conversation, character drama, relatable narrative, simplistic, complicated, common issues, baggage, secrets, lies, emotionally charged, finely staged script, engrossing performances, melodrama, formulaic, subtle emotional shifts, unsparing eye for detail, grounded, realistic portrait, exquisitely made film, finely layered drama
Worldwide gross: $12,673,462
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $16,099,708
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,795
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,755,693
US/Canada gross: $1,331,747
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,691,782
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,079
US/Canada opening weekend: $29,270
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $37,183
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,296
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $11,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $13,973,828
Production budget ranking: 1,539
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $7,524,907
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$5,399,027
ROI to date (est.): -25%
ROI ranking: 1,538
Ali Mosaffa – Ahmad
Tahar Rahim – Samir
Pauline Burlet – Lucie
Elyes Aguis – Fouad
Jeanne Jestin – Lea
Director(s)
Asghar Farhadi
Writer(s)
Asghar Farhadi, Massoumeh Lahidji, Asghar Farhadi
Producer(s)
Alexandre Mallet-Guy
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
15 wins & 41 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (156) | Top Critics (55) | Fresh (144) | Rotten (12)
No one wins in this ambiguous, accomplished film, which ends by burdening the audience with a secret that none of the characters will ever know.
January 1, 2018
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The Past never forgets its domestic focus, and [Asghar] Farhadi’s keen eye for subtle emotional shifts keeps the story afloat.
August 11, 2017
Francesca Steele
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
While Farhadi’s eye for detail is as unsparing as ever, his style this time around has begun to look formulaic.
April 3, 2014
Ryan Gilbey
New Statesman
TOP CRITIC
Farhadi finds his characters trapped, not by the constraints of an overbearing authority but by the spectre of the past.
March 30, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
With its sympathies forever shifting among its characters, the film asks whether the truth is ever even objectively knowable, let alone whether honesty is always the best policy.
March 28, 2014 | Rating: 5/5
Laurence Phelan
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This is an exquisitely made film which probes away at the rawest, most intimate emotions of its characters with a delicacy and insight reminiscent of Krzysztof Kieslowski in his prime.
March 28, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Derek Malcolm
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
By the end, the experience pulls us through unlikely turns. Yet, Farhadi’s skill as a dramatist makes the proceedings feel grounded in a remarkably realistic portrait.
May 12, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
The film is something of a long-winded melodrama, although it has truthful moments and circumstances and all the performers work diligently.
February 12, 2021
David Walsh
World Socialist Web Site
The Past is very much in the present.
January 8, 2020
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
While The Past may not trump Farhadi’s previous work, it’s still an excellent piece of melodramatic cinema, with a finely staged script and engrossing performances.
August 12, 2019
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
A tale of divorce unfolds as an onion-skin riddle of secrets and lies. It’s torqued with enough revelations that it would be melodrama if it were not so exquisitely rendered.
August 7, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
Nonethless, The Past is still a very good film with an excellent screenplay (don’t be surprised if Farhadi picks up another Oscar nomination for this) and direction.
June 27, 2019 | Rating: 7.5/10
C.J. Prince
Way Too Indie…
Plot
An Iranian man returns to France to finalize his divorce and discovers that his estranged wife has a new lover in the drama film, The Past.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Bérénice Bejo, who plays Marie-Ann in The Past, won the Best Actress award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival for her performance in the film.
Asghar-Farhadi.jpg
89%
The Punk Singer (2013)
89%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 6 nominations
It verges on hagiography, but given the deeply compelling nature of its subject’s story, The Punk Singer can be forgiven its lack of objectivity
The Punk Singer” is a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn about the Riot Grrrl scene and the iconic Kathleen Hanna. It’s not just a documentary, it’s a love letter to feminism and punk rock. The film does a great job of capturing the excitement and passion of Hanna’s music and activism, and it’s a rewarding and positive experience for anyone who watches it. Plus, who doesn’t love a good zine-like construction?
Production Company(ies)
Universal Pictures, Studio Canal, Working Title Films,
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 20m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 29, 2013 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2014
Genre(s)
Documentary/Biography/Music
Keyword(s)
documentary, biography, music, Kathleen Hanna, Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, The Julie Ruin, riot grrrl, feminism, women’s issues, punk rock, zines, incendiary lyrics, interviews, critics, admirers, Sini Anderson, Gwen Bialic, Tamra Davis, directed by Sini Anderson, produced by Sini Anderson, Gwen Bialic, Tamra Davis, written by Sini Anderson, starring Kathleen Hanna, Corin Tucker, Allison Victoria-Wolfe, Ann Powers, Carrie Brownstein, Joan Jett, reviewed by Stef Schwartz, Laina Dawes, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Simran Hans, Jenni Miller, Jason Bailey, Brent McKnight, Bernard Boo, Leigh Clark, Ren Jender, Morgan Rojas, MPAA rating, box office performance, budget, streaming, theaters, rent/buy, audience score, critic consensus, runtime, distributor, original language
Worldwide gross: $146,000
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $182,463
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,946
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 19,898
US/Canada gross: $122,742
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $153,396
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,588
US/Canada opening weekend: $24,729
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $30,905
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,363
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
Corin Tucker – self
Allison Victoria-Wolfe – self
Ann Powers – self
Carrie Brownstein – self
Joan Jett – self
Sini Anderson – director, producer
Gwen Bialic – producer
Tamra Davis – producer
Director(s)
Sini Anderson
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Sini Anderson, Gwen Bialic, Tamra Davis
Film Festivals
Sundance, Berlin, South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (68) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (62) | Rotten (6)
What was most refreshing, though, was getting to see sides of Hanna’s personality that aren’t always immediately apparent from interviews and stage banter.
June 14, 2021
Stef Schwartz
Autostraddle
TOP CRITIC
In terms of providing a historical narrative of the Riot Grrl scene, The Punk Singer does an adequate, yet rushed job within an 80-minute film.
January 15, 2021
Laina Dawes
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
While exciting for the sheer range of archival visual material it employs to tell Hanna’s story, The Punk Singer is even more significant for capturing just how relevant the ideological pulse of Riot Grrrl is today.
August 25, 2018
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
The Blue Lenses
TOP CRITIC
The film, with its zine-like construction, is a whistle-stop tour of the fun stuff, of Hanna’s highs, and above all, a personal portrait of one girl’s ambition to create a space for herself in the front.
August 1, 2017
Simran Hans
DOX
TOP CRITIC
It is a love letter to Kathleen Hanna, to feminism, and to the fans, but it’s also just a damn good movie.
June 9, 2017 | Rating: 9/10
Jenni Miller
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
Both a captivating personal story and a history of a moment – as the best rock documentaries are.
June 21, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
What the “The Punk Singer” does best is capture the excitement, passion, and the conviction that is still evident on those records, and that you saw at those live shows.
July 9, 2020 | Rating: A-
Brent McKnight
The Last Thing I See
Hanna is shining symbol of feminist activism, ungodly perseverance, and artistic originality, and The Punk Singer captures her life and career to this point terrifically.
April 9, 2019 | Rating: 8.3/10
Bernard Boo
Way Too Indie
The Punk Singer is a rewarding and positive experience.
March 21, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Clark
CineVue
Sini Anderson’s The Punk Singer is all about music and politics: feminism and women, while focusing on one person, Kathleen Hanna, formerly of the bands Bikini Kill, Le Tigre and current front-woman of The Julie Ruin.
March 14, 2019
Ren Jender
Bitch Flicks
The Punk Singer is a great documentary that should be recognized for its quality filmmaking and message.
November 22, 2018
Morgan Rojas
Cinemacy
For an uncompromising and incendiary performer who commands your full attention, “The Punk Singer” gives Hanna the spotlight she deserves.
November 22, 2018
Stephen Saito
Moveable Fest…
Plot
The Punk Singer is a documentary that explores the life and career of punk rocker Kathleen Hanna, the Bikini Kill frontwoman who became a pioneer of the “riot grrrl” movement of the 1990s.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Punk Singer features interviews with Kathleen Hanna herself, as well as other critics and admirers of her work.
Sini-Anderson.jpg
89%
The Trials Of Muhammad Ali (2013)
89%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 6 nominations
Director Bill Siegel doesn’t explore any new boundaries of the documentary with The Trials of Muhammad Ali, but his subject is so inherently fascinating that the movie proves gripping in spite of its familiar beats
The Trials of Muhammad Ali” is a knockout documentary that packs a punch with its exploration of the man behind the legend. While some critics may find it conventional, I found it to be a fascinating look at Ali’s life and the struggles he faced both inside and outside of the ring. It’s not always easy to watch, but it’s a riveting examination of a true icon who was willing to take a stand for what he believed in. Plus, who doesn’t love footage of the charismatic and abrasive Ali? It’s a must-watch for any boxing fan or anyone interested in American history.
Production Company(ies)
Claudie Ossard Productions, Union Générale Cinématographique Victoires Productions,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Mono
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Apr 22, 2014
Genre(s)
Documentary/Biography
Keyword(s)
documentary, biography, Muhammad Ali, Bill Siegel, Rachel Pikelny, Louis Farrakhan, Rahman Ali, Gordon B Davidson, Abdul Rahman Muhammad, Salim Muwakkil, Abdul Bey Muhammad, box office, gross USA, 1h 34m, Tomatometer, audience score, reviewed by Kevin Jagernauth, Joe Neumaier, Tom Long, Peter Sobczynski, Bruce Ingram, J.R Jones, Norman Wilner, Craig Schroeder, Bernard Boo, Sean Burns, Christopher Long, Christopher Campbell, directed by Bill Siegel, produced by Rachel Pikelny, MPAA rating, Vietnam War, conscientious objector, boxing, civil rights, social justice, political activism, Muslim, Nation of Islam, heavyweight champion, sports, history, cultural impact, American icon, anti-war movement, patriotism, freedom of religion, Supreme Court, legal battles, media coverage, celebrity, personal life, family, health, Parkinson’s disease, legacy, interviews, archival footage, newsreels, photographs, music, sound effects
Worldwide gross: $59,081
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $75,053
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,050
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 8,185
US/Canada gross: $59,081
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $75,053
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,704
US/Canada opening weekend: $2,980
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $3,786
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,820
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
Rahman Ali – self
Gordon B. Davidson – self
Abdul Rahman Muhammad – self
Salim Muwakkil – self
Abdul Bey Muhammad – self
Bill Siegel – director
Rachel Pikelny – producer
Director(s)
Bill Siegel
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Rachel Pikelny
Film Festivals
Tribeca
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (5)
The Ali of this documentary entered the ring a phenom first, but came-of-age outside of it and grew into a man, second.
February 28, 2021 | Rating: A
Kevin Jagernauth
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
For kids who need an Ali primer, the terrific “Trials” is required watching.
February 28, 2021
Joe Neumaier
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
As with the best stories, “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” puts one man’s story within a greater context. This is Ali’s story, but it’s America’s story, too. Here, it’s well told.
December 19, 2013 | Rating: B+
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
The Trials of Muhammad Ali allows us a chance to see Muhammad Ali not as an icon but as a man willing to take a stand, even an unpopular one, for something that he believed in.
November 11, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Peter Sobczynski
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
Conventional yet fascinating.
November 8, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Bruce Ingram
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Ali’s life has been recounted so many times that you’d think no one could come up with a fresh angle on it; documentary maker Bill Siegel succeeds, primarily by delving into the religious story, largely downplayed by the mainstream.
November 7, 2013
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
A solid if undistinguished documentary that’s content to show a series of incidents rather than dig into the cultural ramifications of Ali’s stand.
February 28, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Norman Wilner
NOW Toronto
Muhammad Ali was and still is charismatic. The Trials of Muhammad Ali is not.
February 25, 2021
Craig Schroeder
Battleship Pretension
A riveting, illuminating examination of a man who’s lauded for his triumphs in the squared circle, but in fact faced and overcame much, much more trying struggles outside of the ring.
April 10, 2019 | Rating: 8/10
Bernard Boo
Way Too Indie
A maddeningly incomplete portrait of the champ on the defensive, where he was never at his best.
April 28, 2015
Sean Burns
Philadelphia Weekly
It’s hard to go wrong with footage of the charismatic and abrasive Ali who is not always depicted as a saint
August 3, 2014 | Rating: 7/10
Christopher Long
Movie Metropolis
Works better as a history of events than a biographical film about Ali.
May 30, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Christopher Campbell
Nonfics…
Plot
The Trials of Muhammad Ali’ covers Ali’s toughest bout: his battle to overturn a five-year prison sentence for refusing US military service in Vietnam. Prior to becoming the most recognizable face on earth, Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali and found himself in the crosshairs of conflicts concerning race, religion, and wartime dissent. ‘Trials’ zeroes in on the most controversial years of Ali’s life, when an emerging sports superhero chooses faith and conscience over fame and fortune.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features interviews with Louis Farrakhan, Rahman Ali, and other notable figures in Muhammad Ali’s life.
Bill-Siegel.jpg
89%
Rush (2013)
89%RT Audience Score: 88%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 BAFTA Award
6 wins & 65 nominations total
A sleek, slick, well-oiled machine, Rush is a finely crafted sports drama with exhilarating race sequences and strong performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl
Rush is like a high-speed rollercoaster ride that you never want to end. Ron Howard’s direction and the performances by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl make this film a must-watch for any racing fan. It’s not just about the cars, it’s about the rivalry and the passion that drives these two men to be the best. Plus, who doesn’t love a good ’70s soundtrack? Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Production Company(ies)
3ality Digital Entertainment,
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Nürburgring, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 3m
-
Language(s):English, German, Italian, French, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 2013 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 28, 2014
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Pierfrancesco Favino, David Calder, directed by Ron Howard, written by Peter Morgan, action, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Candice Frederick, Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Jonathan Romney, Dave McGinn, Ann Hornaday, Wesley Morris, James Croot, Matt Brunson, Carla Renata, Scott Nye, Richard Crouse, produced by Andrew Eaton, Eric Fellner, Brian Oliver, Peter Morgan, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, R rating, Formula 1 racing, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, gas-filled, rolling bombs, physical endurance, mental endurance, women, intense rivalry, death, race sequences, sleek, slick, well-oiled machine, strong performances
Worldwide gross: $96,983,009
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $123,202,175
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 921
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 13,435,352
US/Canada gross: $26,947,624
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $34,232,861
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,228
US/Canada opening weekend: $187,289
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $237,922
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,604
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $38,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $48,273,225
Production budget ranking: 821
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $25,995,132
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $48,933,818
ROI to date (est.): 66%
ROI ranking: 1,078
Daniel Brühl – Niki Lauda
Olivia Wilde – Suzy Miller
Alexandra Maria Lara – Marlene Lauda
Pierfrancesco Favino – Clay Regazzoni
David Calder – Louis Stanley
Andrew Eaton – Producer
Eric Fellner – Producer
Brian Oliver – Producer
Peter Morgan – Producer, Writer
Brian Grazer – Producer
Ron Howard – Producer, Director
Director(s)
Ron Howard
Writer(s)
Peter Morgan
Producer(s)
Andrew Eaton, Eric Fellner, Brian Oliver, Peter Morgan, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 BAFTA Award
6 wins & 65 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (236) | Top Critics (65) | Fresh (209) | Rotten (27)
While it has its moments of sentimentality, the film as a whole is rather shallow and fails to capture the soul of either man.
September 6, 2017 | Rating: C
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
This thrilling drama is no more for petrol-heads only than Titanic is solely of interest to historic ship enthusiasts.
September 5, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
metro.co.uk
TOP CRITIC
Rush is pure ‘print the myth’ stuff — but since both its heroes really are myths, it gets away with it, with more grace and vigor than you might expect.
February 6, 2014
Jonathan Romney
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
An entertaining movie with two solid performances that only occasionally stalls because of its sometimes heavy-handed treatment of Hunt and Lauda’s differences.
December 31, 2013 | Rating: 2.5/4
Dave McGinn
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Considering the subject matter, Rush delivers the expected visceral jolts; what’s surprising is how endearing it is, even when its two protagonists are behaving like little more than boys with very fast toys.
December 31, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
The script is another Peter Morgan special. Like, say, The Queen and Frost/Nixon, it’s a speculative duet built around a moment of newsworthiness.
September 30, 2013
Wesley Morris
Grantland
TOP CRITIC
The 1970s really have been happy days for Ron Howard.
March 21, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
A film that never eases up on the entertainment value.
November 1, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Ron Howard directs a high octane, in your face film about two racers at the height of the Formula One racing era. Hemsworth and Bruhl give the performances of their career
March 11, 2021
Carla Renata
The Curvy Film Critic
…make no mistake about it, this is a Ron Howard film in every single way that counts. It’s unapologetically upfront about its character motivations and conflicts…
February 24, 2021
Scott Nye
Battleship Pretension
Rush is more than Rocky on four wheels, it’s an exhilarating, stylish film with pedal-to-the-metal verve.
January 31, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
An exceptional story that transcends mere thrill-seeking arenas, fast cars, beautiful women, and close calls.
December 4, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins…
Plot
Set against the sexy, glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing in the 1970s, the film is based on the true story of a great sporting rivalry between handsome English playboy James Hunt (Hemsworth), and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Austrian driver Niki Lauda (Bruhl). The story follows their distinctly-different personal styles on and off the track, their loves, and the astonishing 1976 season in which both drivers were willing to risk everything to become world champion in a sport with no margin for error: if you make a mistake, you die.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy, funny, or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels review for Rush.
Ron-Howard.jpg
89%
Call Me Kuchu (2013)
89%RT Audience Score: 79%
Awards & Nominations: 16 wins & 13 nominations
Alternately horrific and uplifting, Call Me Kuchu exposes heinous systematic brutality with a clear eye and admirable precision
Call Me Kuchu is a documentary that will leave you feeling all sorts of emotions. From heartbreak to inspiration, this film tells the story of a group of Ugandans who risk their lives to fight for equality. It’s a necessary call for action that sheds light on the persecution of gay men and lesbians in Uganda. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom – there are moments of hope and triumph that will leave you feeling empowered. Overall, Call Me Kuchu is a must-watch for anyone who cares about human rights and wants to make a difference in the world.
Production Company(ies)
Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Hessischer Rundfunk
Distributor
Cinedigm
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 27m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States, Uganda
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2013 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 24, 2013
Genre(s)
Documentary/Drama
Keyword(s)
Call Me Kuchu, documentary, drama, Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall, written by Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall, produced by Malika Zouhali-Worrall, David Kato, Uganda, homosexuality, death penalty, persecution, activism, courage, oppression, human rights, LGBTQ+, social justice, injustice, discrimination, equality, systematic brutality, critic reviews, Shadow and Act, Times (UK), Independent (UK), Entertainment Weekly, Globe and Mail, Los Angeles Times, AwardsCircuit.com, The Film Stage, IONCINEMA.com, EricDSnider.com, Metro UK, audience score, box office, Cinedigm, English, 1h 27m, documentary/drama, MPAA rating, rent/buy, David Bahati
Worldwide gross: $12,110
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $15,384
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,128
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,678
US/Canada gross: $9,124
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $11,591
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,817
US/Canada opening weekend: $3,476
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $4,416
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,811
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
Katherine Fairfax Wright – director, writer
Malika Zouhali-Worrall – director, writer, producer
Director(s)
Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall
Writer(s)
Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall
Producer(s)
Malika Zouhali-Worrall
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
16 wins & 13 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (50) | Rotten (1)
A necessary, yet cinematic call for action.
May 28, 2020
Shadow and Act Staff
Shadow and Act
TOP CRITIC
Call Me Kuchu leaves you flabbergasted by its portrait of the persecution of gay men and lesbians in Uganda.
December 31, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It’s a lesson in courage, in being determined to enjoy one’s life even as the authorities threaten to take it away.
December 31, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The film is impassioned and powerful but not frenzied, riling the viewers’ emotions without giving in to them itself.
October 4, 2013 | Rating: A-
Keith Staskiewicz
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Stirring, heartbreaking and thoroughly infuriating …
August 16, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Geoff Pevere
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Both Senyonjo and Kato light up the screen.
June 20, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Betsy Sharkey
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
If more documentaries were filmed like Call Me Kuchu, the genre could return to its roots of educating and mobilizing viewers instead of simply entertaining them.
May 28, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Joseph Braverman
AwardsCircuit.com
I cannot believe anyone watching this documentary won’t become emotionally enraged at how cruel mankind still is in the twenty-first century.
May 28, 2020 | Rating: A-
Jared Mobarak
The Film Stage
Provocative and heartbreaking…
May 28, 2020
Jordan M. Smith
IONCINEMA.com
What emerges is a compassionate, troubling, and ultimately hopeful story that is still unfolding in Uganda’s streets, houses, and political corridors.
May 28, 2020 | Rating: B+
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com
Heartbreak and inspiration mix as a group of Ugandans risk their lives trying to change their country’s thinking.
May 28, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Metro UK Staff
metro.co.uk
The film is well-structured and tells a compelling story of wins and losses in the fight for equality in Uganda.
February 5, 2019
Sarah Gopaul
Digital Journal…
Plot
Call Me Kuchu follows openly gay activist David Kato and his fellow activists in Uganda as they fight against new legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by death.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope.
Katherine-Fairfax-Wright.jpg
89%
Django Unchained (2012)
89%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: Won 2 Oscars
58 wins & 158 nominations total
Bold, bloody, and stylistically daring, Django Unchained is another incendiary masterpiece from Quentin Tarantino.
Django Unchained is like a rollercoaster ride through the Wild West, with Tarantino at the helm as your crazy conductor. It’s a mix of blood, guts, and humor that will leave you both entertained and slightly disturbed. While some may find it silly or infuriating, others will appreciate the film’s boldness in tackling the subject of slavery in a revisionist western. Overall, it’s a fun but flawed film that’s worth the ride.
Production Company(ies)
Therapy Content Roswell Films,
Distributor
Weinstein Co.
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Evergreen Plantation, 4677 Highway 18, Edgard, Louisiana, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity
Year of Release
2012
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 45m
-
Language(s):English, German, French, Italian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2012 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2013
Genre(s)
Western/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L Jackson, Kerry Washington, Walton Goggins, directed by Quentin Tarantino, written by Quentin Tarantino, produced by Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone, Western, Drama, Action, R rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anne Thompson, Deborah Ross, Roxane Gay, Candice Frederick, Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, MPAA rating, slavery, Civil War, bounty hunter, revenge, violence, plantation, slave, wife, German, Brittle brothers, Calvin Candie, Stephen, Dr King Schultz, Broomhilda von Shaft, Billy Crash, Sergio Leone, tension, physical comedy, blood, nudity, Quentin Tarantino cameo, Inglourious Basterds, Hans Landa, authentic, storytelling, explosions, bloodshed, dark, brutal, racism, violent, stylish, deliciously violent, horror, MCU, Netflix, TV shows, streaming, Lone Survivor, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Prometheus, 12 Years a Slave, Cloud Atlas
Worldwide gross: $426,074,373
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $549,305,489
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 261
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 59,902,452
US/Canada gross: $162,805,434
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $209,892,742
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 323
US/Canada opening weekend: $30,122,888
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $38,835,163
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 329
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $100,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $128,922,443
Production budget ranking: 277
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $69,424,735
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $350,958,311
ROI to date (est.): 177%
ROI ranking: 694
Christoph Waltz – Dr. King Schultz
Leonardo DiCaprio – Calvin Candie
Samuel L. Jackson – Stephen
Kerry Washington – Broomhilda von Shaft
Walton Goggins – Billy Crash
Director(s)
Quentin Tarantino
Writer(s)
Quentin Tarantino
Producer(s)
Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 2 Oscars
58 wins & 158 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Writing Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (296) | Top Critics (76) | Fresh (256) | Rotten (40)
Tarantino designed this revisionist western to blow people’s gaskets. Packed with physical comedy, bloody action and hell-bent revenge, it looks like a classic widescreen Sergio Leone western…
March 31, 2020
Anne Thompson
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
A good film, and a crazily entertaining film, until Tarantino does blow everything up, at which point it just becomes rather silly.
September 4, 2018
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
The film is at times brilliant but mostly infuriating. It is a good movie in that masturbatory way most Tarantino films are good.
May 25, 2018
Roxane Gay
BuzzFeed News
TOP CRITIC
Django Unchained is a ruthless and romantic epic that is also filled with unbridled entertainment that challenges audiences, rather than coddling them.
September 7, 2017 | Rating: A
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
It’s an intelligently provocative, massively entertaining exercise in postmodern revisionism, highlighting how shamefully few movies Hollywood has ever made about slavery.
September 1, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
metro.co.uk
TOP CRITIC
It was a mixed bag for me; some great moments scattered about amongst lots of humdrum, considering the subject matter.
August 15, 2017
Tambay Obenson
Shadow and Act
TOP CRITIC
It’s a fun but flawed film on the cusp of mastery that comes up slightly short.
June 23, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Danilo Castro
Next Best Picture
Two Tarantinos directed each a half of the film, a dizzying way of telling a dizzying story, all of it to bring the western apocalypse, referencing Kill Bill (USA, 2003) and culminating with and ending that is so pop culture… [Full review in Spanish]
June 7, 2022
Erick Estrada
Cinegarage
I think to myself that “disappointed” is a strong word for it. But it’s not. Pieces work but somehow the movie just really didn’t gel.
January 10, 2022
Jason Adams
My New Plaid Pants
Packed with thrilling gunfights, tense drama, memorable quippy dialogue, and an impressive collection of breakout performances (minus Tarantino’s weird cameo), Django Unchained easily ranks among the very best films Tarantino has ever produced.
October 22, 2021
Toussaint Egan
Polygon
Gutsy and entertaining.
September 18, 2021 | Rating: A-
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review
Django is another example of Tarantino looking at cultural American history through the lens of privilege, twisting truth and fiction through a grotesque, funhouse mirror.
February 14, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Tony Black
Cultural Conversation…
Plot
In 1858, a bounty-hunter named King Schultz seeks out a slave named Django and buys him because he needs him to find some men he is looking for. After finding them, Django wants to find his wife, Broomhilda, who along with him were sold separately by his former owner for trying to escape. Schultz offers to help him if he chooses to stay with him and be his partner. Eventually they learn that she was sold to a plantation in Mississippi. Knowing they can’t just go in and say they want her, they come up with a plan so that the owner will welcome them into his home and they can find a way.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Calvin Candie, was originally written to be much older, but DiCaprio convinced Quentin Tarantino to make him younger so he could play the role.
Quentin-Tarantino.jpg
89%
Still Mine (2013)
89%RT Audience Score: 82%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 11 nominations
James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold are outstanding in this tender, affecting, insightful drama about the bonds and sacrifices of marriage
Still Mine” is a heartwarming film that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the beauty of true love. The performances by Cromwell and Bujold are simply amazing, and their chemistry is undeniable. The story is both touching and inspiring, and it will leave you feeling uplifted and hopeful. Whether you’re young or old, this film is a must-see for anyone who believes in the power of love. So grab some tissues and get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions – you won’t regret it!
Production Company(ies)
Break Thru Films,
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
New Brunswick, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and brief sensuality/partial nudity
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 43m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 2013 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2013
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring James Cromwell, Geneviève Bujold, Campbell Scott, Julie Stewart, Rick Roberts, George R Robertson, directed by Michael McGowan, written by Michael McGowan, drama, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Marjorie Baumgarten, Tom Long, Lisa Kennedy, Andrea Gronvall, Peter Keough, Nicholas Bell, Brian D Johnson, Megan Basham, Francesca Rudkin, Stephen Schaefer, Bill Newcott, produced by Michael McGowan, Jody Colero, Tamara Deverell, Avi Federgreen, Samuel Goldwyn Company, partial nudity, brief sensuality, farmer, dementia-stricken wife, building a cottage, government bureaucracy, aging couple, extended family, enduring love, Alzheimer’s, Canadian Screen Awards, Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Hugh Marsh, Don Rooke, Michelle Willis, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Worldwide gross: $1,552,730
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,972,507
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,421
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 215,104
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
Geneviève Bujold – Irene Morrison
Campbell Scott – Gary
Julie Stewart – Ruth
Rick Roberts – John
George R. Robertson – Chester
Director(s)
Michael McGowan
Writer(s)
Michael McGowan
Producer(s)
Michael McGowan, Jody Colero, Tamara Deverell, Avi Federgreen
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 11 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (64) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (59) | Rotten (5)
Lovely performances by Cromwell and Bujold, as well as those playing their extended family of children and friends, are understated yet truthful. And it’s good to be reminded that love that withstands a lifetime is a most precious thing.
September 27, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Growing old together can’t be easy, but in this case, it’s certainly beautiful.
August 30, 2013 | Rating: B
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Writer-director Michael McGowan covers all the bases here — the long-standing romance between the aging couple, the hovering concerns of their son and daughter, the constant head-butting with the building inspector — with well-paced confidence.
August 2, 2013
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
TOP CRITIC
Writer-director Michael McGowan (Saint Ralph) shows affinity for the subtle undercurrents of a long, happy marriage, but the friction between Cromwell and the government bureaucracy stays one-note.
August 2, 2013
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Bring a handkerchief, or possibly a bedsheet, to “Still Mine”; this fact-based, beautifully acted drama could wring tears from a brick.
August 1, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
[A] tough-minded tearjerker, based on a true story …
August 1, 2013 | Rating: 2.5/4
Peter Keough
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
While featuring two well-known leads from the annals of cinema, whose presence here is bound to attract a certain interest to the title, they are unfortunately encapsulated in a film as flat as a plateau and barren as wintry tundra.
August 22, 2019
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
Cromwell and Bujold are both a treat, and they have genuine chemistry together…
August 13, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
The Morrisons’ relationship is real and complicated .
March 1, 2019
Megan Basham
WORLD
[Still mine] moves you to tears with a genuine and touching story of love, devotion and determination.
September 11, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Francesca Rudkin
New Zealand Herald
[A] warmly detailed, emotionally accurate portrait of enduring love.
June 8, 2016 | Rating: B
Stephen Schaefer
Boston Herald
Still Mine has romance, passion, suspense, and a David-and-Goliath narrative that may make you want to stand up and cheer.
April 18, 2016 | Rating: 4 of 5
Bill Newcott
AARP Movies for Grownups…
Plot
After years of stability, the lives of octogenarian couple, Craig and Irene Morrison, are slowly beginning to change. Because of changing times and regulations, they are no longer able to make a living from their small coastal New Brunswick farm. And Irene has begun to show signs of early dementia. Against the wishes of their two offspring who still reside in the area and who would like to see more standard care provided for Irene, Craig, the son of a master shipbuilder who inherited his father’s building abilities, decides to mill lumber from trees on their property and with it build a more suitable, small one story house on the property in which he and Irene can live. Beginning this project with only a design in his mind, he is encouraged by friends at least to go through the regulatory process of building permits and the like. Despite being able to complete this project to more than exacting centuries old standards, Craig ends up hitting one roadblock after another in this regulatory process, which could kibosh this project, and his want for what he sees as a comfortable life with Irene in their final years.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold deliver “outstanding” performances in this “tender, affecting, insightful drama” about marriage and sacrifice.
Michael-McGowan.jpg
89%
Skyfall (2012)
89%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Won 2 Oscars
67 wins & 123 nominations total
Sam Mendes brings Bond surging back with a smart, sexy, riveting action thriller that qualifies as one of the best 007 films to date
Skyfall is the perfect mix of action, humor, and heart. It’s like a fancy cocktail that you can’t get enough of. The villain is creepy and weird in all the right ways, and Daniel Craig is just as suave and badass as ever. Plus, the cinematography is stunning. It’s like watching a work of art come to life. If you’re a fan of Bond, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re not, well, you might just become one after watching Skyfall.
Production Company(ies)
Margate House Films,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Eminönü Square, Istanbul, Turkey
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for intense violent sequences throughout, some sexuality, language and smoking
Year of Release
2012
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS Sonics-DDP Dolby Surround 7.1 Dolby Atmos IMAX 6-Track
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 23m
-
Language(s):English, Turkish, Shanghainese, Portuguese, Japanese
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 9, 2012 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2013
Genre(s)
Action/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, directed by Sam Mendes, written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan, action, adventure, PG-13, box office, budget, reviewed by Monica Castillo, John Wildman, Jonathan Romney, Matthew Lickona, Alan Sepinwall, produced by Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, James Bond, MI6, undercover agents, Silva, M’s past, intense violent sequences, smoking, some sexuality, Dolby Digital, SDDS, Datasat, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Roger Deakins, Adele, Skyfall song
Worldwide gross: $1,108,569,499
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,429,194,876
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 54
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 155,855,494
US/Canada gross: $304,360,277
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $392,388,704
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 123
US/Canada opening weekend: $88,364,714
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $113,921,948
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 67
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $200,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $257,844,885
Production budget ranking: 29
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $138,849,471
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $1,032,500,520
ROI to date (est.): 260%
ROI ranking: 514
Judi Dench – M
Javier Bardem – Silva
Ralph Fiennes – Gareth Mallory
Naomie Harris – Eve
Bérénice Marlohe – Sévérine
Director(s)
Sam Mendes
Writer(s)
Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan
Producer(s)
Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 2 Oscars
67 wins & 123 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Editing Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Original Song Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (386) | Top Critics (85) | Fresh (354) | Rotten (32)
Britain is quite diverse right now, feel free to reflect that anytime, Mr. Bond.
May 10, 2016
Monica Castillo
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
It achieves an effective balance between the ever-escalating action sequences that each successive Bond picture apparently demands, fresh use of charismatic talent, and nods to the legacy
October 5, 2015
John Wildman
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Mendes’s breezily, imaginatively directed film shows faith in the thrill of the real — not the weightless dazzle of CGI but the feeling of actual objects (bikes, cars, Tube trains) crashing and colliding in a solid world.
October 5, 2015
Jonathan Romney
Independent on Sunday
TOP CRITIC
A Bond film should feature a menacing villain who’s also just a touch daffy; Javier Bardem has more fun than anybody else onscreen as a rogue agent with a mommy complex and a come-hither leer.
October 5, 2015 | Rating: 2/5
Matthew Lickona
San Diego Reader
TOP CRITIC
Skyfall easily moves into the top 5 of Bond movies ever, maybe even the top 3 with From Russia With Love and Casino Royale.
October 4, 2015 | Rating: A-
Alan Sepinwall
HitFix
TOP CRITIC
This latest installment, which firmly cements Daniel Craig as one of the best Bonds ever, feels more serious, less gimmicky, more geared towards mature adults.
October 4, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Dwight Brown
National Newspaper Publishers Association
TOP CRITIC
The filmmaking presents a gorgeous exhibition that features stunning aesthetics and enthralling action.
May 27, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Josh Parham
Next Best Picture
It’s a testament to the classic character in the sense that no matter how much the world changes around him, Bond’s still got what it takes to get the job done and probably won’t lose that fire anytime soon.
February 11, 2022
Cory Woodroof
Lumination Network
Skyfall is an immeasurably satisfying Bond film. Sumptuously photographed and terrifically executed, the film is a perfect valentine to the world of 007.
October 2, 2021
Jake Tropila
Film Inquiry
Skyfall is an anniversary film and delivers on every note.
September 30, 2021
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies
This chapter does so much right.
September 25, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
I do enjoy most of Skyfall, it has some great set pieces and a charismatic villain but some pacing issues hold it back for me. Still better than Quantum of Solace at least!
September 22, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
David Hogan
hoganreviews.co.uk…
Plot
action as James Bond must track down a former MI6 agent who is seeking revenge on M.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Skyfall on Fresh Kernels.
Sam-Mendes.jpg
89%
Brooklyn Castle (2012)
89%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 3 nominations
Brooklyn Castle is a captivating documentary that showcases the power of education and the game of chess. Through the lens of a group of students from a low-income school in Brooklyn, we witness the triumphs and struggles of these young minds as they navigate the complexities of life and the game. Director Katie Dellamaggiore masterfully captures the spirit of perseverance and hope that drives these students and their dedicated teachers. The film is a testament to the importance of after-school programs and the impact they can have on the lives of young people. With heartwarming moments and a touch of humor, Brooklyn Castle is a must-see for anyone who believes in the power of education and the potential of our youth.
Brooklyn Castle is the ultimate underdog story that will have you rooting for the kids of I.S. 318. It’s like The Queen’s Gambit, but real life and with a whole team of chess prodigies. You’ll be amazed at what these kids can do and how dedicated their teachers are to helping them succeed. Plus, you’ll learn a thing or two about chess strategy along the way. It’s a heartwarming documentary that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take on the world, or at least your next game of chess.
Production Company(ies)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
PDA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some language
Year of Release
2012
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:16:9 HD
-
Runtime:1h 41m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 19, 2012 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 4, 2013
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
starring, directed by, written by, documentary, chess, school, budget cuts, championship, New York, Brooklyn, students, teachers, education, triumph, perseverance, hope, community outreach, after-school activities, sportmanship, handshake, recession, box office, PG, producer, critic reviews, Tomatometer, audience score, Wendy Ettinger, Robert Mclellan, Brian Schultz, Katie Dellamaggiore, Nelson Dellamaggiore, David Hinckley, Linda Barnard, Tom Long, Nell Minow, Walter V Addiego, Mark Feeney, Ed Travis, Jordan M Smith, Elias Savada, Emily S Mendel, Bruce Bennett, Sarah Boslaugh, audience reviews, Seed: The Untold Story, Western Stars, Monkey Kingdom, The Island, Lost in Paris
Worldwide gross: $219,407
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $282,865
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,867
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 30,847
US/Canada gross: $219,407
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $282,865
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,473
US/Canada opening weekend: $18,761
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $24,187
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,446
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
Wendy Ettinger – Executive Producer
Robert Mclellan – Executive Producer
Katie Dellamaggiore – Producer
Nelson Dellamaggiore – Producer
Brian Schultz – Producer
Director(s)
Katie Dellamaggiore
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (53) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (2)
Brooklyn Castle does a superb job of celebrating the triumph while reinforcing the relentless vigilance it requires from everyone involved.
October 7, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
David Hinckley
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
Brooklyn Castle is inspiring stuff that grabs you by the throat and will leave you cheering – quietly of course. No shouting in a chess match.
March 28, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Linda Barnard
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
There’s a general spirit of triumph and perseverance to “Brooklyn Castle” that’s inevitably uplifting.
March 1, 2013 | Rating: B
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
January 22, 2013 | Rating: A-
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
“Brooklyn Castle” easily checkmates your inner cynic.
November 15, 2012 | Rating: 3/4
Walter V. Addiego
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Katie Dellamaggiore’s lively and affecting documentary introduces us to a cast of characters that’s very winning (in both senses of the word).
November 15, 2012 | Rating: 3/4
Mark Feeney
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
I cannot recommend this highly enough. You will find hope in a new generation of teenagers and a desire to see education thrive in our country again.
March 31, 2020
Ed Travis
Hollywood Jesus
Dellamaggiore has crafted a doc that highlights our currently shrinking school budgets, while making light of what can be done with a little hope, perseverance, and community outreach.
February 9, 2020
Jordan M. Smith
IONCINEMA.com
With Brooklyn Castle it’s really nice to see so many young, positive minds at play in the world, and to cheer on so many smiling children dreaming of enlightened futures.
June 6, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/5
Elias Savada
Film Threat
… a powerful and positive story about dedicated teachers helping kids succeed no matter what their circumstances
December 10, 2012
Emily S. Mendel
culturevulture.net
Like chess, not exactly a high-energy experience but seeing what these kids accomplish, seemingly against all odds is breathtaking all the same.
December 8, 2012 | Rating: B+
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
…provides a corrective to the popular image of American schools as obsessed with sports and popularity, and it makes the strongest possible case for funding after-school activities.
November 22, 2012 | Rating: 8/10
Sarah Boslaugh
PopMatters…
Plot
Brooklyn Castle is a documentary about I.S. 318 – an inner-city school where more than 65 percent of students are from homes with incomes below the federal poverty level – that also happens to have the best, most winning junior high school chess team in the country. (If Albert Einstein, who was rated 1800, were to join the team, he’d only rank fifth best). Chess has transformed the school from one cited in 2003 as a “school in need of improvement” to one of New York City’s best. But a series of recession-driven pubic school budget cuts now threaten to undermine those hard-won successes.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film or anyone in the cast on Fresh Kernels.
Katie-Dellamaggiore.jpg
89%
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
89%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
89 wins & 148 nominations total
Silver Linings Playbook walks a tricky thematic tightrope, but David O. Russell’s sensitive direction and some sharp work from a talented cast gives it true balance
Silver Linings Playbook is a rom-com that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even dance a little. The cast is amazing, especially Jennifer Lawrence who proves once again that she can do anything. And let’s not forget about Robert De Niro, who finally gets a role that does justice to his talent. The story may be a bit heavy-handed, but it’s forgivable when you see how well the characters are developed. Overall, it’s a feel-good movie that will leave you with a smile on your face and maybe even a desire to take up ballroom dancing.
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, Participant
Distributor
Weinstein Co.
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
238 S. Madison Avenue, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity
Year of Release
2012
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Datasat Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 2m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 2012 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 30, 2013
Genre(s)
Romance
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $236,412,453
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $304,788,709
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 496
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 33,237,591
US/Canada gross: $132,092,958
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $170,297,468
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 449
US/Canada opening weekend: $443,003
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $571,130
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,374
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $21,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $27,073,713
Production budget ranking: 1,214
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $14,579,194
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $263,135,802
ROI to date (est.): 632%
ROI ranking: 200
Jennifer Lawrence – Tiffany
Robert De Niro – Pat Sr.
Jacki Weaver – Dolores
Chris Tucker – Danny
Anupam Kher – Dr. Cliff Patel
David O. Russell – Director/Writer
Donna Gigliotti – Producer
Bruce Cohen – Producer
Jonathan Gordon – Producer
Director(s)
David O. Russell
Writer(s)
David O. Russell
Producer(s)
Donna Gigliotti, Bruce Cohen, Jonathan Gordon
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
89 wins & 148 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (263) | Top Critics (72) | Fresh (241) | Rotten (22)
Frustrating as it can be to watch, nixing nuance for a heavy-handed storyline that convinces viewers of Pat and Tiffany’s humanity is forgivable.
January 14, 2021
Katie Presley
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
Russell’s smart, snappy script is delivered by a top-notch cast, including two thoroughly likeable and well-matched leads.
April 9, 2018
Lisa Mullen
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
But Silver Linings Playbook never induces a roll of the eyes, even if it never really surprises.
November 5, 2013
Emma Myers
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Writer-director Russell is just the guy to bring out (and then calm) the manic dysfunction in these folks.
January 22, 2013
Bob Mondello
NPR.org
TOP CRITIC
Director David O. Russell, who adapted the novel, and his cast fill the story with engaging, believable characters.
January 22, 2013 | Rating: B+
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
It’s a rom-com that succeeds in revitalizing that discredited genre where so many others have failed, injecting it with the grit and emotion of realist drama rather than with amped-up whimsy or social satire or montages of people walking on the beach.
January 4, 2013
Andrew O’Hehir
Salon.com
TOP CRITIC
A romantic salad with a dressing for the masses. [Full review in Spanish]
June 27, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Antonio Trashorras
Fotogramas
A terrific, if slightly less punchy, follow-up to writer-director David O. Russell’s The Fighter.
December 8, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
Takes the audience through the emotional wringer but sends them out of the theater on a high note.
September 18, 2021 | Rating: A+
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review
It’s Lawrence’s turn as Tiffany that will likely get the most praise, once again revealing her versatility and range.
December 2, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Robert De Niro finally once again finds a film worthy of his talent.
September 23, 2020 | Rating: 4.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
This is a truly delightful comedy drama. [Full review in Spanish]
June 25, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados…
Plot
Against medical advice and without the knowledge of her husband Pat Solatano Sr., caring Dolores Solatano discharges her adult son, Pat Solatano Jr., from a Maryland mental health institution after his minimum eight-month court ordered stint. The condition of the release includes Pat Jr. moving back in with his parents in their Philadelphia home. Although Pat Jr.’s institutionalization was due to him beating up the lover of his wife Nikki, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Nikki has since left him and has received a restraining order against him. Although he is on medication (which he doesn’t take because of the way it makes him feel) and has mandatory therapy sessions, Pat Jr. feels like he can manage on the outside solely by healthy living and looking for the “silver linings” in his life. His goals are to get his old job back as a substitute teacher, but more importantly reunite with Nikki. He finds there are certain instances where he doesn’t cope well; however, no less so than some others who have never been institutionalized, such as his Philadelphia Eagles obsessed father who has resorted to being a bookie to earn a living, his best friend Ronnie who quietly seethes over the control wielded by his wife Veronica, and Veronica’s widowed sister, Tiffany Maxwell, a girl with problems of her own. In their fragile mental states, Pat Jr. and Tiffany embark on a love/hate friendship based primarily on what help the other can provide in achieving their individual goals. But they may reevaluate their goals as their relationship progresses.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The talented cast gives the film true balance, according to Fresh Kernels.
David-O.-Russell.jpg