Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
90%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
6 wins & 11 nominations total
As sensitive as the young man at its center, Searching for Bobby Fischer uses a prodigy’s struggle to find personal balance as the background for a powerfully moving drama
Searching for Bobby Fischer is like The Karate Kid, but with chess. It’s a heartwarming story about a young chess prodigy who doesn’t want his genius to ruin his life. The cast is first-rate, and newcomer Max Pomeranc is nothing short of brilliant as Josh. Plus, his raspy voice and slight lisp make him sound like Linus from the Peanuts cartoons. Conrad Hall’s Oscar-nominated photography is as impressive as the acting, and Zaillian brings the film to a satisfying ending. Overall, it’s a wonderfully engaging film that will make you want to dust off your old chessboard and start playing again.
Production Company(ies)
Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions, Rollins-Joffe Productions,
Distributor
Argentina Video Home, Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for thematic elements
Year of Release
1993
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 50m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 1993 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 12, 2013
Genre(s)
Biography/Drama
Keyword(s)
Searching for Bobby Fischer, PG, Biography, Drama, 1h 50m, directed by Steven Zaillian, written by Steven Zaillian, produced by William Horberg and Scott Rudin, starring Joe Mantegna, Max Pomeranc, Joan Allen, Ben Kingsley, Laurence Fishburne, reviewed by Jonathan Rosenbaum, Kenneth Turan, David Ansen, Brian Lowry, Michael Booth, box office gross of $7.9M, MPAA rating of PG, chess, child prodigy, competition, compassion, balance, family movie, heartwarming, inspirational, New York, chess hustler, famous coach, chess prodigy, chess match, chess player, chess tournament, chess championship, chess strategy, chessboard, chess pieces, chess game, chess club, chess lesson, chess training, chess book, chess opening, chess endgame, chess sacrifice, chess tactics, chess analysis, chess notation, chess clock, chess notation, chess rating, chess championship, chess world championship, chess Olympiad, chess puzzle, chess problem, chess engine, chess computer, chess software, chess database, chess variant, chess960, chess boxing, chess set
Worldwide gross: $7,266,383
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $15,094,132
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,814
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,646,034
US/Canada gross: $7,266,383
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $15,094,132
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,494
US/Canada opening weekend: $1,121,354
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $2,329,338
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,188
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $12,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $24,927,062
Production budget ranking: 1,254
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $13,423,223
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$23,256,153
ROI to date (est.): -61%
ROI ranking: 1,750
Max Pomeranc – Josh Waitzkin
Joan Allen – Bonnie Waitzkin
Ben Kingsley – Bruce Pandolfini
Laurence Fishburne – Vinnie
Michael Nirenberg – Jonathan Poe
Director(s)
Steven Zaillian
Writer(s)
Steven Zaillian
Producer(s)
William Horberg, Scott Rudin
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
6 wins & 11 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (45) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (45)
It makes for a good old-fashioned inspirational story, absorbing and pointed.
February 13, 2019
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Zaillian proves as much of a prodigy as his chess-playing subject, turning out a film that is a beautifully calibrated model of honestly sentimental filmmaking, made with delicacy, restraint and unmistakable emotional power.
February 13, 2019
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The story he is telling–about parenting, teachers and students, and the nature of competition–is a rich one, and Zaillian tells it with warmth, humor and zest. The cast is first-rate.
May 15, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
Earnest and well-acted, Steve Zaillian’s directorial debut explores the price of being a child prodigy while seeking to bring excitement to chess – becoming a kind of cerebral “The Karate Kid.”
March 10, 2011
Brian Lowry
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Pomeranc is wonderfully real and wide-eyed as Josh, with a raspy voice and slight lisp recalling Linus from the Peanuts cartoons.
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
The mystery of Fischer’s talent and torment adds depth to Searching for Bobby Fischer, about a young New York chess prodigy who doesn’t want his genius to ruin his life.
February 8, 2008
Michael Booth
Denver Post
TOP CRITIC
The fields of math, music, chess, and acting all produce child prodigies. Luckily for us, lead child actor Max Pomeranc can check two prodigy boxes.
August 13, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Jackson
Epoch Times
Newcomer Max Pomeranc is nothing short of brilliant as Josh, handing in one of the best performances by a child actor you could ever hope to see.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Searching for Bobby Fischer is a wonderfully engaging film about a young chess prodigy.
October 9, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
Conrad Hall’s Oscar-nominated photography is as impressive as the acting, with young Max Pomeranc, himself a top-ranking player, upstaging the likes of Joe Mantegna, Laurence Fishburne and Ben Kingsley.
February 13, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Radio Times
Zaillian brings Searching for Bobby Fischer to a satisfying ending, but throughout the film he holds us with the finely balanced writing of his screenplay and with his ability to penetrate into the mysteries of chess.
May 15, 2018
Malcolm Johnson
Hartford Courant
A film full of love and passion for chess, especially when it gets compare with life in general. [Full review in Spanish]
August 29, 2016
Alberto Abuín
Espinof…
Plot
Josh Waitzkin is just a typical American boy interested in baseball when one day he challenges his father at chess and wins. Showing unusual precocity at the outdoor matches at Washington Square in New York City, he quickly makes friends with a hustler named Vinnie who teaches him speed chess. Josh’s parents hire a renowned chess coach, Bruce, who teaches Josh the usefulness of measured planning. Along the way Josh becomes tired of Bruce’s system and chess in general and purposely throws a match, leaving the prospects of winning a national championship in serious jeopardy.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features a young Max Pomeranc in one of the best performances by a child actor.
Steven-Zaillian.jpg
90%
The Joy Luck Club (1993)
90%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
4 wins & 5 nominations total
The Joy Luck Club traces the generational divide, unearthing universal truths while exploring lives through the lens of a specific cultural experience.
The Joy Luck Club is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and reach for the tissues. It’s a heartwarming story about the bond between mothers and daughters, and the struggles they face as they try to understand each other’s cultures and identities. The ensemble cast is fantastic, with each actress bringing their own unique perspective to their role. While some may find the film melodramatic or manipulative, it’s hard not to be moved by the powerful emotions on display. So grab your eight handkerchiefs and settle in for a movie that will leave you feeling both joyful and touched.
Production Company(ies)
Charles Chaplin Productions,
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
610 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong depiction of thematic material
Year of Release
1993
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 18m
-
Language(s):English, Mandarin, Cantonese
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 8, 1993 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2002
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Rosalind Chao, Tamlyn Tomita, France Nuyen, Lisa Lu, Ming-Na Wen, Lauren Tom, Andrew McCarthy, Kieu Chinh, directed by Wayne Wang, written by Amy Tan, Ronald Bass, drama, R rating, box office gross $32.8M, reviewed by Mary F Chen, Derek Malcolm, Carrie Rickey, David Ansen, Joe Pollack, Richard Corliss, Rene Jordan, Augusto Martínez Torres, Molly Haskell, Marshall Fine, Steve Persall, Roger Hurlburt, Amy Tan’s bestselling novel, cultural conflict, generational divide, Chinese-American women, immigrant mothers, Mahjong, San Francisco, specific cultural experience, universal truths, parental relationships, female empowerment, Buena Vista Pictures, Ronald Bass, Patrick Markey, Amy Tan, MPAA rating R, surround sound, stereo
Worldwide gross: $32,901,136
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $68,344,055
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,201
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 7,453,005
US/Canada gross: $32,901,136
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $68,344,055
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 932
US/Canada opening weekend: $159,009
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $330,302
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,510
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $11,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $22,849,807
Production budget ranking: 1,300
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,304,621
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $33,189,627
ROI to date (est.): 94%
ROI ranking: 961
Tamlyn Tomita – Waverly Jong
France Nuyen – Ying-Ying St. Clair
Vivian Wu – An Mei’s Mother
Andrew McCarthy – Ted Jordan
Kieu Chinh – Suyuan Woo
Director(s)
Wayne Wang
Writer(s)
Amy Tan, Ronald Bass
Producer(s)
Ronald Bass, Patrick Markey, Amy Tan
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
4 wins & 5 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (85) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (73) | Rotten (12)
Both generations are fearful of revealing their true identities, yet hopeful of discovery. This is the greatest truth of The Joy Luck Club, both the film and the novel.
December 17, 2020
Mary F. Chen
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
The film persists in telling us what to think and feel, rather than letting us have our own quiet thoughts.
December 17, 2020
Derek Malcolm
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
This heartrending and transcendent adaptation of Amy Tan’s bestseller about a quartet of Chinese American daughters and their immigrant mothers is the ultimate movie about almost everyone’s first love: Mom.
December 17, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Melodramatic? Manipulative? Sure, at times, but great storytellers can get away with anything, and the trio behind this film are in that class.
December 17, 2020
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
While it’s a great tear-jerker, it falls short of being a great movie.
December 17, 2020
Joe Pollack
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
One warning: the typhoon of emotions makes this an eight-handkerchief movie. Bring four for the mothers, four for the daughters when they realize what brave resolve is hidden in an old woman’s stern love.
December 17, 2020
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Wang goes from homey intimacy to the political whirlwinds of China seamlessly, a one piece texture, without showing its seams.
[Full review in Spanish]
June 7, 2022
Rene Jordan
El Nuevo Herald (Miami)
No one will want to miss this celebration of the mother- daughter bond, that most vexed and fascinating of relationships — and one of the most neglected themes in American film.
August 4, 2021
Molly Haskell
Ladies’ Home Journal
The ensemble cast is perfect… All of the women playing the daughters Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita and Ming-Na Wen are equally strong, though Wen and Tomita are particularly affecting.
December 17, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Marshall Fine
Gannett News Service
Not since Terms of Endearment has the brittle bond between mothers and daughters been presented in such effective and entertaining fashion.
December 17, 2020 | Rating: A-
Steve Persall
Tampa Bay Times
An unforgettable, highly emotional mosaic of a film.
December 17, 2020
Roger Hurlburt
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Wayne Wang ranks among the best filmmakers of his generation with this highly complex and near-perfect adaptation of Amy Tan’s debut novel. [Full review in Spanish]
December 17, 2020
Augusto Martínez Torres
El Pais (Spain)…
Plot
In San Francisco, four first-generation Chinese-American women and their mothers navigate cultural conflict and turbulent relationships in a series of sixteen vignettes in the adaptation of Amy Tan’s bestselling novel, The Joy Luck Club.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The ensemble cast is perfect… All of the women playing the daughters Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita and Ming-Na Wen are equally strong, though Wen and Tomita are particularly affecting.
Wayne-Wang.jpg
90%
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
90%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
5 wins & 11 nominations total
Kenneth Branagh’s love for the material is contagious in this exuberant adaptation.
Much Ado About Nothing is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even fall in love with Shakespeare. With a talented cast and Branagh’s expert direction, this film is a gem that shines despite its flaws. Emma Thompson may not be at her best as Beatrice, but the rest of the actors more than make up for it with their spirited performances. And let’s not forget the music, which is simply enrapturing. So if you’re looking for a movie that’s both intelligent and fun, look no further than Much Ado About Nothing.
Production Company(ies)
London Film Productions,
Distributor
Columbia Tristar, Argentina Video Home
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Villa Vignamaggio, Greve in Chianti, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for momentary sensuality
Year of Release
1993
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 50m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 1993 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2003
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves, Michael Keaton, Kate Beckinsale, Robert Sean Leonard, directed by Kenneth Branagh, written by Kenneth Branagh, William Shakespeare, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by David Denby, Stanley Kauffmann, Adam Mars-Jones, Variety Staff, Owen Gleiberman, Todd McCarthy, Michael Dwyer
Worldwide gross: $22,549,338
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $46,840,729
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,365
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,108,040
US/Canada gross: $22,549,338
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $46,840,729
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,103
US/Canada opening weekend: $108,617
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $225,625
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,621
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $11,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $22,849,807
Production budget ranking: 1,300
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,304,621
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $11,686,301
ROI to date (est.): 33%
ROI ranking: 1,230
Emma Thompson – Beatrice
Denzel Washington – Don Pedro of Aragon
Keanu Reeves – Don John
Michael Keaton – Constable Dogberry
Robert Sean Leonard – Count Claudio of Florence
Director(s)
Kenneth Branagh
Writer(s)
Kenneth Branagh, William Shakespeare
Producer(s)
Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Evans, David Parfitt
Film Festivals
South by Southwest, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
5 wins & 11 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (49) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (5)
Much Ado About Nothing is one of the few movies of recent years that could leave its audiences weeping with joy.
December 31, 2019
David Denby
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
Doyle’s enrapturing music and Branagh’s cinematic grip of the play–inventive, lithe, somehow Shakespearean–are splendid. This Much Ado is a flawed gem. Certainly, regrettably, flawed; still, a gem.
January 5, 2018
Stanley Kauffmann
The New Republic
TOP CRITIC
Emma Thompson is normally a very reliable performer on screen, but Beatrice is not one of her successes.
November 16, 2017
Adam Mars-Jones
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A spirited, winningly acted rendition of one of the Bard’s most popular comedies.
February 23, 2012
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
[Branagh] has found his way to the play’s profound yet populist heart, rediscovering Shakespeare’s vision of romantic fulfillment – celebration with an underlying tug of sadness – for an era that believes itself all too wise to the ways of love.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A-
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Continuously enjoyable from its action-filled opening to the dazzling final shot…
July 2, 2008
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
What a piece of work is this.
February 19, 2019
Michael Dwyer
Irish Times
Imaginative, intelligent, and brilliantly filmed, Branagh’s Much Ado… is likely to make many people-especially the young-understand that Shakespeare can be vital, interesting, moving, and fun.
August 14, 2018
Anne Barton
The New York Review of Books
Very accessible, jubilant Shakespeare with brief bawdiness.
April 4, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Carrie R. Wheadon
Common Sense Media
Branagh’s highly entertaining and accessible take on one of the Bard’s zestiest comedies. [Blu-ray]
May 8, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/4
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews
November 20, 2007 | Rating: 4/5
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Although Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation does much to make Shakespeare’s play comprehensible, it ultimately fails to create any kind of enduring watchability.
May 3, 2007 | Rating: 70/100
Rachel Sanders
Apollo Guide…
Plot
Young lovers Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) are to be married in one week. To pass the time, they conspire with Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) to set a “lover’s trap” for Benedick (Sir Kenneth Branagh), an arrogant confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice (Dame Emma Thompson), his favorite sparring partner. Meanwhile, the evil Don Jon (Keanu Reeves) conspires to break up the wedding by accusing Hero of infidelity. In the end, though, it all turns out to be “much ado about nothing”.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Constable Dogberry is considered by many to be the definitive portrayal of the character.
Kenneth-Branagh.jpg
90%
Dead Alive (1993)
90%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: 14 wins & 7 nominations
Dead Alive, the gory masterpiece from Kiwi director Peter Jackson, is a film that revels in its own absurdity. With endless reserves of giddy energy and a delirious showcase of old-fashioned horror effects, this film is not for the faint of heart. The finale, in which Lionel reduces a horde of flesh-eaters to a mulch of blood, flesh, and offal with the aid of a flymo, is probably the goriest scene ever. But amidst the sensational grotesqueries and wondrously choreographed bloodbath, there lies a subtle anti-co-dependency tale that is both intelligent and humorous. Paired with truly inventive effects and plenty of monster mayhem, Dead Alive is a cult treat that continues to deliver nearly 30 years later.
Dead Alive is the perfect movie to watch if you’re in the mood for some gore and laughs. It’s like a twisted version of a rom-com, except instead of a couple falling in love, there’s a guy fighting off a zombie outbreak with a lawnmower. The special effects are impressive, and the amount of blood and guts is enough to make even the most seasoned horror fan squirm. Just make sure you don’t have a full stomach before hitting play.
Production Company(ies)
The Samuel Goldwyn Company,
Distributor
Trimark Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Botanic Garden, Wellington, New Zealand
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for an abundance of outrageous gore
Year of Release
1993
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.66 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 41m
-
Language(s):English, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 12, 1993 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 8, 1998
Genre(s)
Horror/Comedy
Keyword(s)
Dead Alive, R, Horror/Comedy, 1h 41m, directed by Peter Jackson, written by Stephen Sinclair, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, produced by Jim Booth, starring Timothy Balme as Lionel Cosgrove, Diana Peñalver as Paquita Maria Sanchez, Elizabeth Moody as Mum (Vera Cosgrove), Ian Watkin as Uncle Les, reviewed by Scott Tobias, Peter Rainer, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Budd Wilkins, David Stratton, Nigel Floyd, Tim Brayton, Jas Keimig, Mike Massie, Ed Travis, R.L Shaffer, Rodolfo Sánchez, $70.5K box office gross in the USA, R MPAA rating, horror, comedy, zombie, gore, overprotective mother, Sumatran rat-monkey, zoo, bitten, zombie mother, locked in basement, walking dead, high-society party, Trimark Pictures
Worldwide gross: $242,623
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $503,990
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,740
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 54,961
US/Canada gross: $242,623
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $503,990
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,324
US/Canada opening weekend: $23,765
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $49,366
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,214
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $3,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $6,231,766
Production budget ranking: 1,836
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $3,355,806
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$9,083,581
ROI to date (est.): -95%
ROI ranking: 1,991
Diana Peñalver – Paquita Maria Sanchez
Elizabeth Moody – Mum (Vera Cosgrove)
Ian Watkin – Uncle Les
Brenda Kendall – Nurse McTavish
Stuart Devenie – Father McGruder
Director(s)
Peter Jackson
Writer(s)
Stephen Sinclair, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Producer(s)
Jim Booth
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
14 wins & 7 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (5)
[O]nce Lionel stops trying to cover up the zombie threat and starts fighting it, Dead Alive becomes a delirious showcase for molds, squibs, and other old-fashioned horror effects.
October 5, 2019
Scott Tobias
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
After you see it, you want to race out of the theater and recommend it to your sickest friends right away.
October 19, 2016
Peter Rainer
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Ordinarily I don’t care for this kind of thing at all, but something must be said for Jackson’s endless reserves of giddy energy, which are clearly meant to be silly.
October 19, 2016
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Lionsgate’s visceral, albeit barebones Blu-ray package lets viewers really sink their teeth into Dead Alive.
October 20, 2011
Budd Wilkins
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The best to date from Kiwi gore specialist Peter Jackson.
July 22, 2008
David Stratton
Variety
TOP CRITIC
The finale, in which Lionel reduces a horde of flesh-eaters to a mulch of blood, flesh and offal with the aid of a flymo, is probably the goriest scene ever.
June 24, 2006
Nigel Floyd
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Made with extraordinary, obvious joy by a filmmaking team besotted with the idea of making a movie.
April 6, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
Dead Alive is a grisly but absurd romp that you definitely shouldn’t watch while eating dinner.
February 1, 2022
Jas Keimig
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
Sensational grotesqueries lend to an intricately orchestrated, wondrously choreographed bloodbath that is one of the funniest – and most fun – of all horror flicks.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
I feel like Dead Alive is telling the definitive anti-co-dependency tale.
April 1, 2020
Ed Travis
Hollywood Jesus
Paired with some truly inventive effects (especially considering the budget), plenty of blood splatter and monster mayhem, Dead Alive is cult treat that continues to deliver nearly 20 years later.
October 5, 2019
R.L. Shaffer
IGN Movies
The film was capable enough to treat the zombie genre with humor as well as respect. [Full Review in Spanish]
October 5, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Rodolfo Sánchez
Sensacine…
Plot
After accidentally turning his mother into a zombie, Lionel tries to keep her locked in the basement, but her repeated escapes turn most of the neighbors into the walking dead in the horror-comedy film Dead Alive.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd statement about the film Dead Alive on Fresh Kernels.
Peter-Jackson.jpg
90%
Malcolm X (1992)
90%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
19 wins & 24 nominations total
Anchored by a powerful performance from Denzel Washington, Spike Lee’s biopic of legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X brings his autobiography to life with an epic sweep and a nuanced message.
Malcolm X is a movie that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. Denzel Washington’s performance is nothing short of amazing, and Spike Lee’s direction is top-notch. Sure, some critics may say it’s a bit slow or conventional, but who cares? This movie is a masterpiece and deserves all the praise it gets. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? Get ready to be blown away by the power of Malcolm X’s story and Washington’s incredible acting.
Production Company(ies)
Castle Rock Entertainment, Detour Filmproduction Filmhaus Wien Universa Filmproduktion,s
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Egypt
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for a scene of violence, and for drugs and some language
Year of Release
1992
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:3h 21m
-
Language(s):Arabic, English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1992 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 8, 2005
Genre(s)
Biography
Keyword(s)
starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr., Delroy Lindo, Theresa Randle, directed by Spike Lee, written by Alex Haley, Malcolm X, Arnold Perl, Spike Lee, biography, civil rights, Black Muslim, Nation of Islam, self-determination, racial pride, PG-13, Warner Bros Pictures, box office gross $47.1M, reviewed by Owen Gleiberman, Tom Hibbert, Todd McCarthy, Jonathan Rosenbaum, David Ansen, Richard Corliss, Danilo Castro, Victor Pineyro, Denzel Washington’s performance, Malcolm X’s speeches, epic sweep, nuanced message, powerful performance, legacy, tribute, controversy, civil rights leader, autobiography, racial justice, activism, social justice, human rights, political activism, historical drama, American history, African American history, inspiring, thought-provoking, educational, informative, emotional, powerful, inspiring, uplifting, important, relevant, timeless
Worldwide gross: $48,169,910
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $103,108,923
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 996
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 11,244,157
US/Canada gross: $48,169,910
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $103,108,923
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 727
US/Canada opening weekend: $9,871,125
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $21,129,395
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 632
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $33,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $70,637,343
Production budget ranking: 598
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $38,038,209
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$5,566,629
ROI to date (est.): -5%
ROI ranking: 1,425
Angela Bassett – Betty Shabazz
Albert Hall – Baines
Al Freeman Jr. – Elijah Muhammad
Delroy Lindo – West Indian Archie
Theresa Randle – Laura
Director(s)
Spike Lee
Writer(s)
Alex Haley, Malcolm X, Arnold Perl, Spike Lee
Producer(s)
Spike Lee, Marvin Worth
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
19 wins & 24 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (64) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (57) | Rotten (7)
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Lee’s film suffers from message over substance and is slightly tedious as a result.
January 6, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Tom Hibbert
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Spike Lee has made a disappointingly conventional and sluggish film in Malcolm X.
January 6, 2010
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Benefits from a lively lead performance by the miscast Denzel Washington but doesn’t come within light years of the book, one of the greatest American autobiographies.
January 6, 2010
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Lee and company have performed a powerful service: they have brought Malcolm X very much to life again, both as man and myth.
October 18, 2008
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
Lee sketches Malcolm’s life colorfully, if by the numbers. But he falls victim to the danger of movie biography: he elevates Malcolm’s importance until the vital historical context is obscured.
September 23, 2008
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Malcolm X is a masterpiece, plain and simple. It represents Spike Lee’s apex as a filmmaker, the peak for Denzel Washington as an actor, and the career highlight for the rest of the actors and artists involved.
May 17, 2022 | Rating: 10/10
Danilo Castro
Next Best Picture
Probably Spike Lee’s best and most mature film to date. Malcolm X’s story is as compelling as Denzel Washington’s portrayal of him. [Full review in Spanish]
September 30, 2021 | Rating: 9/10
Victor Pineyro
Seventh Art Studio
…paired with it’s plodding pace made it’s redemptive conclusion too little, too late.
August 27, 2021 | Rating: 60/100
Taylor Baker
Drink in the Movies
The power of X’s speeches delivered with such finesse by Washington is the main draw here. His firey Black Nationalist rhetoric might have been too harsh in criticizing the powers that be, but you can’t ignore the stings of truth in his words.
July 25, 2021
Dustin Chang
Floating World
Denzel gives the best performance I have ever seen…not one frame is wasted.
February 4, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Brandon Collins
Medium Popcorn
It’s one of the best films I have ever seen. This is Spike Lee’s greatest work.
February 4, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Justin Brown
Medium Popcorn…
Plot
Malcolm X is a biopic about the life of the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation, from his imprisonment in the ’50s to his assassination in 1965.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Denzel Washington’s performance in Malcolm X is hailed as one of the best of his career.
Spike-Lee.jpg
90%
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
90%RT Audience Score: 88%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
7 wins & 17 nominations total
The Last of the Mohicans is a breathless romantic adventure that plays loose with history — and comes out with a richer action movie for it.
The Last of the Mohicans is like a rollercoaster ride that starts off slow and shaky, but once it picks up speed, you’re in for a wild and thrilling adventure. Michael Mann’s vision is realized in stunning visuals and action-packed battle scenes that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Sure, it may not be the most historically accurate film out there, but who cares when you’re having this much fun? Strap in and enjoy the ride!
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Bona Film Group Heyday Films,
Distributor
Fox, 20th Century Fox
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Chimney Rock, North Carolina, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for violence
Year of Release
1992
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 54m
-
Language(s):English, French, North, American, Indian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 25, 1992 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 23, 2001
Genre(s)
Adventure/War
Keyword(s)
starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May, Steven Waddington, directed by Michael Mann, written by James Fenimore Cooper, John L Balderston, Paul Perez, Philip Dunne, Michael Gutmann, Michael Mann, Christopher Crowe, Adventure, War, Romance, box office performance, budget, reviewed by David Ansen, Owen Gleiberman, Peter Travers, Charles Taylor, Steve Davis, Roger Ebert, Trey Graham, Mike Massie, Leigh Paatsch, David Nusair, David Baron, Vanessa Letts, MPAA rating R, produced by Michael Mann, Hunt Lowry
Worldwide gross: $75,505,856
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $161,622,214
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 808
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 17,625,105
US/Canada gross: $75,505,856
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $161,622,214
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 480
US/Canada opening weekend: $10,976,661
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $23,495,823
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 572
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $40,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $85,621,022
Production budget ranking: 489
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $46,106,920
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $29,894,272
ROI to date (est.): 23%
ROI ranking: 1,279
Madeleine Stowe – Cora Munro
Russell Means – Chingachgook
Eric Schweig – Uncas
Jodhi May – Alice Munro
Steven Waddington – Maj. Duncan Heyward
Director(s)
Michael Mann
Writer(s)
James Fenimore Cooper, John L. Balderston, Paul Perez, Philip Dunne, Michael Gutmann, Michael Mann, Christopher Crowe
Producer(s)
Michael Mann, Hunt Lowry
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
7 wins & 17 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Mixing Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (3)
The Last of the Mohicans gets off to a bumpy start, gathers feeling and momentum and comes roaring into the homestretch at full gallop. When this historical adventure kicks in, it’s thrilling in the way old-fashioned epics used to be.
February 8, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
…the action is richly detailed and thrillingly staged.
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
He conceives of the story as if it were a gigantic piece of mood music.
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor
Salon.com
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4.5/5
Steve Davis
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
…not as authentic and uncompromised as it claims to be – more of a matinee fantasy than it wants to admit – but it is probably more entertaining as a result.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Mann’s filmic vision is realized in glorious panoramas, taut action sequences, and some of the goriest battle scenes in movie history.
May 24, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Trey Graham
Washington Blade
A momentous, highly entertaining picture.
November 17, 2020 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
A solid adventure tale told with intelligence and great energy.
June 12, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Filmmaker Michael Mann kicks of The Last of the Mohicans with a muddled and mostly baffling opening stretch…
April 18, 2020 | Rating: 1/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
“The Last of the Mohicans” is, in short, an adventure flick for the intellectually unadventurous.
May 30, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Baron
Times-Picayune
Amazingly consistent with the spirit of the original. The only disappointment in the cinema is the feeling that the whole thing ends too soon.
July 24, 2018
Vanessa Letts
The Spectator…
Plot
The last members of a dying Native American tribe, the Mohicans
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a charismatic performance as Hawkeye/Nathaniel Poe.
Michael-Mann.jpg
90%
Welcome to Wrexham
90%RT Audience Score:
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney
Netflix
Year of Release
2022
Technical Specs
Color: Color
Sound mix: Stereo
Aspect ratio: 16:9 HD
Language(s): English
Country of origin: United States
Original premiere: 08/24/2022
Newest season premiere: 08/24/2022
Season Finale:
10/12/2022
2021-2022 Summer Primetime
UK Digital
Series Premiere:
08/25/2022
Season Premiere:
08/25/2022
2021-2022 Summer Primetime
Genre(s)
Documentary, Football, Sport, Sports, Thriller, War
Keyword(s)
Documentary Digital Alternative, Informative Digital Alternative, Sports, Boardwalk Pictures, TV Shows from 2022, Movies from United States, English Language, Documentary TV Alternative, Informative TV Alternative, Boardwalk Pictures Shows, TV Shows from United States, BAFTA Awards Nominees, NAACP Image Awards Nominees, Emmy Awards Nominees, Emmy Awards Winners, BAFTA Awards Winners, GLAAD Media Awards Nominees, Critics’ Choice Awards Nominees, 2+ Ethnicity Producer, Female Producer
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
NA
Director(s)
Writer(s)
Executive(s)
NA
Awards & Nominations
NA
Synopsis (Warning: Spoilers!)
Netflix
Stream Now
(Click to Watch)
Coming soon…
90%
Barton Fink (1991)
90%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 3 Oscars
19 wins & 30 nominations total
Twisty and unsettling, the Coen brothers’ satirical tale of a 1940s playwright struggling with writer’s block is packed with their trademark sense of humor and terrific performances from its cast.
Barton Fink is a wild ride that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about Hollywood. With its gnomic and hallucinatory style, it’s the kind of movie that will have you arguing with your friends over three espressos. But don’t worry, you won’t be alone in your confusion – even the main character, Barton Fink, is left isolated and paranoid in this fascinating potion of a film. So buckle up and get ready for a deep dive into the minds of the Coen brothers.
Production Company(ies)
Vendôme Pictures, Pathé Films, Picture Perfect Federation
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
The Wiltern – 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and some scenes of violence
Year of Release
1991
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 56m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 1991 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 1, 2005
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner, John Mahoney, Tony Shalhoub, directed by Joel Coen, written by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Adam Nayman, Gene Siskel, Owen Gleiberman, Richard Schickel, David Ansen, Quentin Crisp, produced by Ethan Coen and Graham Place, MPAA rating R, intellectual, writer’s block, 1940s, B-movie script, neighbor, satirical, sense of humor, terrific performances, Glengarry Glen Ross, Short Cuts, No Man’s Land, The Man Who Wasn’t There, 20th Century Fox, Surround, Dolby Stereo, Flat (1.66:1), twisty, unsettling, Coen brothers, Charlie Meadows, Audrey Taylor, Jack Lipnick, W.P Mayhew, Ben Geisler
Worldwide gross: $6,153,939
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $13,584,150
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,858
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,481,369
US/Canada gross: $6,153,939
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $13,584,150
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,519
US/Canada opening weekend: $268,561
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $592,819
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,367
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $9,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $19,866,520
Production budget ranking: 1,373
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $10,698,121
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$16,980,491
ROI to date (est.): -56%
ROI ranking: 1,721
John Goodman – Charlie Meadows
Judy Davis – Audrey Taylor
Michael Lerner – Jack Lipnick
John Mahoney – W.P. Mayhew
Tony Shalhoub – Ben Geisler
Director(s)
Joel Coen
Writer(s)
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Producer(s)
Ethan Coen, Graham Place
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 3 Oscars
19 wins & 30 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (64) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (58) | Rotten (6)
Barton Fink is one for the record books.
April 6, 2020
Adam Nayman
The Ringer
TOP CRITIC
It’s at its best when young Barton Fink simply stares at a picture of a bathing beauty contemplating the ocean — a Hollywood dream.
January 16, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Gnomic, claustrophobic, hallucinatory, just plain weird, it is the kind of movie critics can soak up thousands of words analyzing and cinephiles can soak up at least three espressos arguing their way through.
October 13, 2009
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Again the Coens take familiar movie tropes and twist them into something new. This may be their most haunting movie.
October 18, 2008
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
Scene after scene is filled with a ferocious strength and humor.
November 6, 2007
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
It has the best dialogue I have heard in a long time — witty without being jokey.
April 6, 2022
Quentin Crisp
Christopher Street
Ever readable, Barton Fink mixes a fascinating potion of isolation, paranoia, and anxiety, as well as a harsh dose of uncertainty for our unfortunate writer.
February 14, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Edgy, innovative, and often ambiguous in its intentions.
October 30, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
A deep dive into the life of the mind-or at least the minds of Joel and Ethan Coen.
May 22, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm
It’s often impossible to tell if we’re watching a particularly morbid dark comedy, or a particularly hilarious tragedy.
May 11, 2020 | Rating: 5/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
In their dark comic masterpiece “Bartin Fink,” [The Coens] draw the line between artistic integrity and artistic smugness.
January 7, 2019 | Rating: 10/10
Gary Shannon
The Young Folks…
Plot
In the wake of his early but undeniable theatrical success in Broadway, the idealistic author of the proletariat and self-pitying 1940s New York playwright, Barton Fink, finds himself lured to dazzling Hollywood to write scripts for eccentric Jack Lipnick’s Capitol Pictures. But, instead of writing a story pivoting around the common man, Fink’s first screenplay turns out to be a Wallace Beery wrestling movie, and, before he knows it, he develops a severe case of writer’s block. Now, holed up in the seedy, run-down Hotel Earle, before his silent Underwood typewriter, Barton comes to realise that his only hope to meet the deadline is to take inspiration from the burly insurance salesman living next door, Charlie Meadows, and the unassuming secretary, Audrey Taylor. In the meantime, the suffocating stranglehold of artistic bankruptcy tightens. Does self-destructive Barton Fink have the stomach for confronting Hollywood’s bitter reality?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
John Turturro delivers a captivating performance as Barton Fink in this Coen brothers’ film.
Joel-Coen.jpg
90%
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
90%RT Audience Score:
Creators: Lindsay Calhoon Bring, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Starring: Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Maia Reficco, Zaria, Malia Pyles
Alloy Entertainment, Ensemble, LGBTQ Stories, Verse, Warner Bros.
Year of Release
2022
Technical Specs
Color: Color
Sound mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby
Aspect ratio: 1.78 : 1
Language(s): English
Country of origin: United States
Original premiere:
Newest season premiere:
Genre(s)
Drama, Ensemble, Horror, LGBTQ Stories, Literary Adaptation, Music, Mystery, Revenge, Suspense, Teen, Thriller, War
Keyword(s)
Ensemble Digital Drama, LGBTQ Stories Digital Drama, Literary Adaptation Digital Drama, Mystery Digital Drama, Revenge Digital Drama, Serialized Drama Digital Drama, Spinoff Digital Drama, Suspense Digital Drama, Teen Digital Drama, Thriller, Warner Bros. Television, Alloy Entertainment, Muckle Man Productions, Movies from United States, English Language, Critics’ Choice Awards Nominees, GLAAD Media Awards Nominees, Critics’ Choice Awards Nominees, Golden Globes Nominees, NAACP Image Awards Nominees, BAFTA Awards Nominees, TV Shows from 2022, LGBTQ+ Producer, LGBTQ+ Writer, Latin/Hispanic Producer, Latin/Hispanic Writer, Female Producer, Female Writer, Black Lead Cast, Latin/Hispanic Lead Cast, 2+ Ethnicity Lead Cast, LGBTQ Producer, LGBTQ Writer, Latin/Hispanic Producer, Female Director, Latin/Hispanic Lead Cast, Asian Lead Cast, LGBTQ Lead Cast, LGBTQ Show Creator, Latin/Hispanic Show Creator, Female Show Creator, Black Producer, Black Writer, LGBTQ Director
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
Bailee Madison
Madison
Imogen
Chandler Kinney Kinney
Tabby
Maia Reficco Reficco
Noa
Zaria Zaria
Faran
Malia Pyles Pyles
Minnie
Mallory Bechtel Bechtel
Karen
Director(s)
Writer(s)
Executive(s)
NA
Awards & Nominations
NA
Synopsis (Warning: Spoilers!)
Stream Now
(Click to Watch)
Coming soon…
90%
The Rocket (2014)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 6 nominations
A feel-good success crafted with care, Kim Mordaunt’s story of two young kids in Laos is a heartfelt audience pleaser while remaining sensitive toward its subjects.
The Rocket is a heartwarming tale of a young Laotian boy who overcomes adversity and leads his family to a new home. While some critics found the film to be overproduced and manipulative, others praised its ability to remain a simple tale of hope and perseverance. Personally, I found myself on the edge of my seat during the nail-biting final scenes and was thoroughly impressed by the performance of Sitthiphon Disamoe, who brought a spirited energy to the central character. Overall, The Rocket is a likable and uplifting film that will leave you feeling inspired.
Production Company(ies)
Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Ennis House – 2607 Glendower Avenue, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1991
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 36m
-
Language(s):English, German
-
Country of origin:Australia
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 10, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2014
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Sitthiphon Disamoe, Loungnam Kaosainam, Alice Keohavong, Sumrit Warin, Bunsri Yindi, Udon Seesawat, directed by Kim Mordaunt, written by Kim Mordaunt, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Amy Taubin, Deborah Ross, Erik McClanahan, Tara Brady, Peter Bradshaw, Anton Bitel, Andrew Heskins, Nicholas Bell, Bernard Boo, Daniel Green, Naila Scargill, MPAA rating, produced by Sylvia Wilczynski, Laos, rocket festival, family, dam, displacement, competition, overcoming adversity, child protagonist, Southeast Asia, cinematography, cultural traditions, underdog story, heartwarming, feel-good, uplifting, emotional, inspiring, heartwarming, poignant, touching, heartwarming, charming, endearing, captivating, beautiful, stunning, breathtaking, powerful, moving, heart-rending, tear-jerking, heartening, triumphant, soulful, authentic, realistic, heartening, crowd-pleasing, heartening
Worldwide gross: $46,704,056
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $103,094,118
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 997
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 11,242,543
US/Canada gross: $46,704,056
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $103,094,118
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 728
US/Canada opening weekend: $9,600,754
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $21,192,619
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 630
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $35,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $77,258,689
Production budget ranking: 541
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $41,603,804
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$15,768,375
ROI to date (est.): -13%
ROI ranking: 1,466
Loungnam Kaosainam – Kia
Alice Keohavong – Mali
Sumrit Warin – Toma
Bunsri Yindi – Taitok
Udon Seesawat – Chief
Kim Mordaunt – Director/Writer
Sylvia Wilczynski – Producer
Director(s)
Kim Mordaunt
Writer(s)
Kim Mordaunt
Producer(s)
Sylvia Wilczynski
Film Festivals
Berlin
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (64) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (61) | Rotten (3)
Over-produced and shamelessly manipulative, The Rocket employs a cringe-inducing score that cues every desired audience response, including unalloyed uplift at the end.
August 28, 2019
Amy Taubin
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
[It’s] a feel-good, triumph-over-adversity story involving a small boy and, although this outcome also isn’t in any doubt, at least the journey is fascinating and it’s been made with a heart that is warm.
September 1, 2017
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
In some ways, it feels like a throwback to many ’80s teen movies, where everything comes down to a competition at the end, and the hero will finally get the chance to prove his worth.
March 31, 2014 | Rating: 3/4
Erik McClanahan
Minneapolis Star Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Try not to fall off the edge of your seat during the film’s nail-biting final scenes.
March 14, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
It is a likable piece of work whose gentleness is an interesting contrast to the grim and even tragic subject matter.
March 13, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A Lao-brow fable that resonates richly with the realities of globalisation.
March 13, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Anton Bitel
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Australian writer/director Kim Mordaunt brings a convincing tale of a young Laotian boy leading his family to a new home…
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Andrew Heskins
easternKicks.com
A unique locale and cinematically underexplored group of people serves an intriguing jumping point into a tale that’s otherwise quite predictable, though enhanced by its ability to remain, simply, a tale of overcoming unfortunate circumstance.
August 29, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
A feel-good family film that evokes the winning dazzle of the best Disney pictures (the animated ones, especially), but without the patronizing sentimentality.
April 3, 2019 | Rating: 8/10
Bernard Boo
Way Too Indie
Though its central didactic message of retaining hope in the face of adversity is utterly commendable, it’s in the winning lead turns of its two child stars that The Rocket really earns its plaudits.
March 8, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Daniel Green
CineVue
What elevates The Rocket from a good film to outstanding is the performance of Sitthiphon Disamoe, our spirited central character.
February 28, 2019
Naila Scargill
Trebuchet
Australian director [Kim] Mordaunt immerses us in this new land and its surprising people, only to reveal that the unknown “other” is just like us.
August 31, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Pat Padua
Spectrum Culture…
Plot
Straight from the pages of a pulp comic from a past era, the Rocketeer recreates 1930’s Hollywood, complete with gangsters, Nazi spies, and the growth of the Age of Aviation. Young pilot Cliff Secord stumbles on a top secret rocket-pack and with the help of his mechanic/mentor, Peevy, he attempts to save his girl and stop the Nazis as The Rocketeer.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Rocket features a standout performance from Sitthiphon Disamoe as the film’s spirited central character.
Kim-Mordaunt.jpg