Dina (2017)
90%RT Audience Score: 82%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Dina presents a clear-eyed and uncommonly detailed view of one couple’s relationship, offering insights as broadly illuminating as they are compassionate.
Dina is a heartwarming and hilarious documentary that follows the lives of a middle-aged autistic couple, Dina and Scott. The filmmakers do an excellent job of capturing the couple’s daily routines and journeys, painting a picture of their emotionally dappled lives. The film is sweet without being sappy, and it extends an uncommon empathy to two characters that colder films (and people) would treat as a punchline. Dina is a story about resilience and a woman’s indomitable will to seek out her best life, but it’s also a rom-com that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures, Lucasfilm,
Distributor
The Orchard
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2017
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 41m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2017 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 9, 2018
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, mental disability, Asperger’s syndrome, relationship, eccentric, outspoken, directed by Antonio Santini, directed by Dan Sickles, produced by Antonio Santini, produced by Dan Sickles, reviewed by Brad Newsome, reviewed by Charles Bramesco, reviewed by April Wolfe, reviewed by Bruce DeMara, reviewed by Tim Grierson, reviewed by Rahul Desai, reviewed by Stephen Saito, reviewed by Daniel Barnes, reviewed by Steve Erickson, reviewed by Pat Padua, Dina Buno, Scott Levin, Frank Costanzo, Jeannie Levin, Jenny Osborne, Lisa Mai, box office gross $90.9K, MPAA rating N/A, Pad Man, Menashe, The Young and Prodigious T.S Spivet, Te Ata, Right Now, Wrong Then, actor, actress, director, producer, writer, budget, critic, genre, relationship drama, mental health, disability, love story, compassion, empathy, poignant, tender, humorous, candid, raw intimacy, artifice, Woody Allen-esque, anxiety, neuroses
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Scott Levin – self
Frank Costanzo – self
Jeannie Levin – self
Jenny Osborne – self
Lisa Mai – self
Antonio Santini – director, producer
Dan Sickles – director, producer
Director(s)
Antonio Santini, Dan Sickles
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Antonio Santini, Dan Sickles
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (57) | Rotten (1)
Filmmakers Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles mostly let the couple’s routines and journeys paint their own emotionally dappled picture.
April 2, 2020
Brad Newsome
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Sweet without being sappy, the film extends an uncommon empathy to two characters that colder films (and, as we see, people) would treat as a punchline.
December 14, 2017
Charles Bramesco
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
Dina is a story about resilience and a woman’s indomitable will to seek out her best life.
November 30, 2017
April Wolfe
Village Voice
TOP CRITIC
There are moments of humour in a gently affecting story that celebrates the ordinariness of its subjects.
November 3, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
Bruce DeMara
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Co-directors Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles tell the story gracefully, doling out Dina’s tragic backstory in excellent increments.
November 3, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brad Wheeler
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
… the tableau-style presentation succeeds in embedding us with the film’s subjects, letting viewers see the bond between Dina and Scott that, although sometimes brittle, stubbornly endures.
October 27, 2017
Tim Grierson
Paste Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The result might be a poignant, morally ambiguous and awkwardly engaging love story – replete with the knowledge that this is just another brave month in her life.
March 1, 2019
Rahul Desai
Film Companion
In telling their story in such a beautiful way, Sickles and Santini seem to realize how precious what Dina and Scott have before they do, but then again, it’s hard not to fall for Dina, or her film.
November 1, 2018
Stephen Saito
Moveable Fest
There is a rare mix of raw intimacy and artifice to Dina, with obvious camera set-ups and movie-like music cues but also amazing moments of tenderness, humor and candor.
October 29, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Daniel Barnes
Dare Daniel
… a film about the universal drama of watching a relationship mature.
August 27, 2018
Steve Erickson
Gay City News
We live in an anxious age of irony and increasing rancor, and if earnest antidotes seem too easy to dismiss, just try to resist Dina, a documentary about a middle-aged autistic couple. It may be the year’s best documentary, and the best rom-com.
August 27, 2018
Pat Padua
DCist
Initially starting as a charming portrayal of American eccentrics, with a dose of Woody Allen-esque humour riddled by anxiety and neuroses, the film eventually grows more depth as it explores a topic rarely discussed in society.
May 9, 2018
Alistair Ryder
Film Inquiry…
Plot
It’s 1992. Young Dina lives in a remote mountain village where life is strictly governed by centuries of tradition. Dina’s grandfather has promised her to David, who is returning from the war. But with him comes a comrade-in-arms, the handsome Gegi, and Dina falls in love. Is it possible to defy the firmly established order?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
Antonio-Santini.jpg
90%
Tampopo (1985)
90%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: 6 wins & 4 nominations
Thanks to director Juzo Itami’s offbeat humor and sharp satirical edge, Tampopo is a funny, sexy, affectionate celebration of food and its broad influence on Japanese culture
Tampopo is a foodie’s dream come true! This movie is a love letter to all things delicious, and it’s impossible not to get hungry while watching it. The characters are quirky and charming, and the vignettes are hilarious and heartwarming. It’s like a Japanese version of Ratatouille, but with more noodles and less rats. If you’re a fan of food, comedy, or just good movies in general, Tampopo is a must-watch!
Production Company(ies)
Lost Boys of Sudan National Geographic Films, Silver Nitrate Pictures,
Distributor
New Yorker Films
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 54m
-
Language(s):Japanese
-
Country of origin:Japan
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 1986 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 25, 2017
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ken Watanabe, Nobuko Miyamoto, Kôji Yakusho, Rikiya Yasuoka, Kinzo Sakura, directed by Juzo Itami, written by Juzo Itami, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anupama Chopra, Anton Bitel, John Semley, Justin Chang, Michael Sragow, Serena Donadoni, Matt Brunson, Pieter-Jan Van Haecke, Nicholas Bell, Mattie Lucas, Nathanael Hood, Sean Mulvihill, producer Seigo Hosogoe, Juzo Itami, Yasushi Tamaoki, MPAA rating, Japanese culture, food, noodles, milk-truck drivers, restaurant owner, romantic comedy, satire, Western influences, Dolby sound, Flat aspect ratio, food culture, food preparation, food consumption, food rituals, social unifier, social divider, healthy uses of food, perverse abuses of food, erotic scenes, fetish porn, chopsticks, trucker, widow, perfect noodle, Monty Python, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Japanese culture, random, hilarious, memorable movie scenes, good acting, New Yorker Films, streaming, rent/buy from $2.99, rent/buy from $3.99
Worldwide gross: $444,213
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $547,492
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,715
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 59,705
US/Canada gross: $224,097
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $276,199
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,479
US/Canada opening weekend: $16,410
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $20,225
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,508
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
Nobuko Miyamoto – Tampopo
Ken Watanabe – Gun
Kôji Yakusho – Man in White Suit
Rikiya Yasuoka – Pisuken
Kinzo Sakura – Shohei
Director(s)
Juzo Itami
Writer(s)
Juzo Itami
Producer(s)
Seigo Hosogoe, Juzo Itami, Yasushi Tamaoki
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
6 wins & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (56) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (56)
So you’re watching all this amazing food being consumed, you’re getting hungrier and hungrier and you’re laughing harder and harder.
May 18, 2020
Anupama Chopra
Film Companion
TOP CRITIC
In Tampopo, every aspect of life is filtered through the prism of food – its rituals of preparation and consumption, its role as a social unifier or divider, its many healthy uses and perverse abuses.
May 2, 2017
Anton Bitel
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
It unfolds as a series of madcap, effortlessly charming comic vignettes, centred around food and food culture in mid-’80s Japan.
December 9, 2016 | Rating: 3/4
John Semley
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
There are many love stories folded into this film’s enjoyably meandering two hours, but “Tampopo” is above all about the romance of food, and the joyous, agonizing devotion and hard work required to tease out its manifold mysteries.
October 27, 2016
Justin Chang
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Tampopo creates a culinary empire of the senses while entertaining an audience like crazy.
October 20, 2016
Michael Sragow
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
A biting satire of Japanese culture and its uneasy incorporation of Western influences.
October 20, 2016
Serena Donadoni
Village Voice
TOP CRITIC
What is it about food that brings out the best in filmmakers all across the globe?
April 10, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Tampopo is a classic that shows that life, in all its diverse aspects, turns around food and the enjoyment it provides. A narrative that needs to be savoured!
August 11, 2020
Pieter-Jan Van Haecke
Psychocinematography
Itami’s film is indefatigably sweet-hearted and whatever your level of entertainment derived from this effervescent time capsule, you’re bound to leave with a pleasant glow.
August 22, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
A wild and uniquely Japanese culinary fantasia, but it’s also not particularly cohesive.
June 4, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
…one of the most gleefully unconventional, joyfully anarchic, and thoroughly original films of the 1980s.
December 29, 2018 | Rating: 10/10
Nathanael Hood
The Retro Set
This is a movie that is brimming with passion for life, love, movies, and food.
November 1, 2018 | Rating: 5/5
Sean Mulvihill
FanboyNation.com…
Plot
In this humorous paean to the joys of food, the main story is about trucker Goro, who rides into town like a modern Shane to help Tampopo set up the perfect noodle soup restaurant. Woven into this main story are a number of smaller stories about the importance of food, ranging from a gangster who mixes hot sex with food, to an old woman who terrorizes a shopkeeper by compulsively squeezing his wares.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no specific tidbit about the cast mentioned in the Fresh Kernels description of Tampopo.
Juzo-Itami.jpg
90%
Lucky (2017)
90%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Lucky is a bittersweet meditation on mortality, punctuating the career of beloved character actor Harry Dean Stanton.
Lucky is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and ponder the meaning of life all at once. It’s a beautiful tribute to the late Harry Dean Stanton, who delivers a soulful and matter-of-fact performance as the titular character. The film is a meditation on mortality, but it’s also a celebration of life and all its quirks. With a smart script and a wonderful supporting cast, Lucky is a must-see for anyone who wants to be reminded of the beauty of the human experience. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and get ready to feel lucky to be alive.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros.,
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2017
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Mono
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 28m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:Italy
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 2017 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Harry Dean Stanton, directed by John Carroll Lynch, written by Logan Sparks and Drago Sumonja, comedy, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Tara Brady, Simran Hans, Ed Potton, Mark Kermode, Robbie Collin, Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Daniel Howat, Jeff Mitchell, Gisela Savdie, Dan Buffa, Leigh Monson, MPAA rating, Magnolia Pictures, Ira Steven Behr, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Greg Gilreath, Adam Hendricks, Richard Kahan, John H Lang, Logan Sparks, Drago Sumonja, David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley Jr., Tom Skerritt, Beth Grant, mortality, enlightenment, aging, atheism, minimalist, Jim Jarmusch, David Lynch, philosophical, Harry Dean Stanton’s farewell, character study, isolated town, American desert, conservative views, deadpan humor, natural acting, elders, cinematography, bittersweet meditation
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
David Lynch – Howard
Ron Livingston – Bobby Lawrence
Ed Begley Jr. – Dr. Christian Kneedler
Tom Skerritt – Fred
Beth Grant – Elaine
Director(s)
John Carroll Lynch
Writer(s)
Logan Sparks, Drago Sumonja
Producer(s)
Ira Steven Behr, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Greg Gilreath, Adam Hendricks, Richard Kahan, John H. Lang, Logan Sparks, Drago Sumonja
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (152) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (147) | Rotten (5)
This is no fluffy eulogy or hagiography. There are flashes of anger and discontentedness throughout.
September 18, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
A goldmine of small but perfectly formed parts.
September 16, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Simran Hans
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Stanton’s navy veteran quietly dominates virtually every frame, weather-beaten as the landscape around his small American town.
September 14, 2018 | Rating: 5/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
There is a slightly surreal feeling to it… it’s a bit Twin Peaksy…. I thought it was really charming.
September 14, 2018
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
This is a subtle, unhurried film – not sentimental in the usual sense, but studded with moments of poignant, low-key strangeness.
September 13, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Robbie Collin
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Sounds grim but character actor John Carroll Lynch’s directorial debut is a wonderful and warm meditation on mortality.
September 12, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
Metro Newspaper (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Lucky is a lovely, small film. It’s an ode to living. A farewell to a well-lived life, and an acceptance of what comes after.
May 19, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Daniel Howat
Next Best Picture
Harry Dean Stanton felt perfectly comfortable accepting dozens and dozens of small roles, but before he left this world, he resonates, as Lucky, with a soulful and matter-of-fact leading performance.
July 14, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Jeff Mitchell
Art House Film Wire
With a smart script, the movie is a true reflection on life and death [Full Review in Spanish]
November 8, 2020
Gisela Savdie
El Heraldo
He is proof that sometimes you really don’t know what you have until it is gone. Stanton may no longer be around, but his versatile resume remains. Lucky stands among some of his finest work.
November 6, 2020
Dan Buffa
KSDK News (St. Louis)
It’s a blip, unlikely to make you rethink your perspective on the aging process even as it tries to convince you that what it has to say is really artful and important.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 2.5/5
Leigh Monson
Substream Magazine
It is difficult to express how much I loved Lucky, a film that can be and should be interpreted differently by everyone who watches it.
September 15, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com…
Plot
Follows the literal and associated life journey of middle class Brit Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell), representing the “everyman”, as he tries to make his mark in his so far young life. He is able to make great strides in his traditional view of success by being what those in authority want him to be. As such, he achieves in a few weeks what it usually take years for others, namely having his own sales territory, the northeast and ultimately Scotland, for Imperial Coffee. He is also able to garner a plethora of fringe benefits from this job, including women throwing themselves at his feet. But he will ultimately face a struggle in class and authority warfare, which culminates with his encounter with the Burgess family, wealthy industrialist Sir James Burgess (Sir Ralph Richardson) and his daughter Patricia (Dame Helen Mirren), who Mick wants to marry, the former who is contemplating investing in the shady dealings in Zingara. Mick will also find that the class struggle not only applies in his case in an upward direction, but also in a downward direction with the working class and the truly down and out. Through it all, Alan Price and his small combo act as a Greek chorus of sorts providing commentary of Mick’s travails through song.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Harry Dean Stanton, who plays the lead role in Lucky, was a beloved character actor who appeared in over 200 films throughout his career.
John-Carroll-Lynch.jpg
90%
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 8 wins & 29 nominations
The Edge of Seventeen’s sharp script — and Hailee Steinfeld’s outstanding lead performance — make this more than just another coming-of-age dramedy.
The Edge of Seventeen is the perfect movie for anyone who has ever felt like a misunderstood teenager (so, basically everyone). Hailee Steinfeld gives an incredible performance as Nadine, a high school student who is struggling to navigate the ups and downs of adolescence. Woody Harrelson is also fantastic as her sarcastic and wise-cracking teacher. The movie is funny, heartwarming, and relatable, and it’s definitely one of the best coming-of-age films in recent memory. Whether you’re a fan of John Hughes or just love a good teen movie, The Edge of Seventeen is a must-see.
Production Company(ies)
Lama Films, United King Films, Rabinovich Film Fund, Cinema Project
Distributor
STX Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Guildford Park Secondary School, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for sexual content, language and some drinking – all involving teens
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Surround 7.1
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 45m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2016 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2017
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $19,370,020
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $23,873,522
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,647
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,603,437
US/Canada gross: $14,431,633
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $17,786,967
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,449
US/Canada opening weekend: $4,754,215
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $5,859,563
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,069
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $9,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $11,092,487
Production budget ranking: 1,624
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $5,973,304
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,807,730
ROI to date (est.): 40%
ROI ranking: 1,197
Haley Lu Richardson – Krista
Blake Jenner – D
Director(s)
Kelly Fremon
Writer(s)
Kelly Fremon
Producer(s)
James L. Brooks, Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
8 wins & 29 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (217) | Top Critics (64) | Fresh (204) | Rotten (13)
The Edge of Seventeen is compared to the work of John Hughes, because it’s destined to be a classic teens will look to for solace.
November 20, 2017
Kristen Lopez
Culturess
TOP CRITIC
Every decade has its cult teen movie. Thirty-two years ago, it was Sixteen Candles. For the ’90s, it was Clueless. The early aughts had Mean Girls. Now we have The Edge of Seventeen.
June 27, 2017
Anne Cohen
Refinery29
TOP CRITIC
The Edge of Seventeen, the feature debut from writer Kelly Fremon Craig, stands out above the countless other teenage movies from recent years by virtue of its honesty and realism.
January 13, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Steinfeld begins her performance at fever pitch, then cranks it up. It’s an astonishing high-wire act, one of the most sustained and perceptive and complete performances I’ve seen in years.
January 11, 2017 | Rating: 4.5/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
It’s a little winner.
December 27, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Hormonal strife is seldom this joyous, and the tremendous verbal sparring between Steinfeld and Harrelson brings a modern, post-ironic gloss to the rat-a-tat delivery of Golden Age Hollywood comedy.
December 4, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
Craig delivers a smart, funny, and occasionally heartrending story that surpasses many of the Hughes films we now call classics.
April 9, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
One of the brightest coming-of-age films of recent vintage.
August 18, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Lively, upbeat, and, most importantly, fresh.
June 11, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Michael J. Casey
Michael J. Cinema
A classic of the teen movie genre.
April 3, 2021
Charlotte Harrison
Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies
Funny, heartbreaking and melancholic, sometimes all at once.
February 3, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
This isn’t a period piece. It’s merely a universally relatable story of a girl who doesn’t fit in to begin with falling out with her only real friend and going into a tailspin.
January 4, 2021
David Bax
Battleship Pretension…
Plot
Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Hailee Steinfeld’s performance in The Edge of Seventeen is described as “outstanding” by critics.
Kelly-Fremon.jpg
90%
Finding Dory (2016)
90%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
17 wins & 46 nominations total
Funny, poignant, and thought-provoking, Finding Dory delivers a beautifully animated adventure that adds another entertaining chapter to its predecessor’s classic story.
Finding Dory is the perfect sequel to Finding Nemo, and it’s not just because of the adorable blue tang fish. The movie explores themes of identity, family, and the importance of taking risks, all while taking us on a whimsical journey through the ocean. Sure, it may not be as mind-blowing as some of Pixar’s other films, but it’s still a solid and charming addition to the franchise. Plus, who doesn’t love a good talking fish?
Production Company(ies)
Charles Chaplin Productions,
Distributor
Walt Disney
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Pixar Animation Studios – 1200 Park Avenue, Emeryville, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for mild thematic elements
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1 Auro 11.1 SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 43m
-
Language(s):English, Indonesian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 17, 2016 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 15, 2016
Genre(s)
Comedy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, directed by Andrew Stanton, written by Andrew Stanton, Victoria Strouse, comedy, adventure, PG, box office, $486.2M, reviewed by K Austin Collins, Matthew Rozsa, Sara Michelle Fetters, Roxana Hadadi, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Wendy Ide, Brian Eggert, David Gonzalez, Anne Brodie, Nikki Baughan, Kip Mooney, Finding Nemo, Marine Life Institute, memory loss, family reunion, conservatory, ocean species, mild thematic elements, Lindsey Collins, Walt Disney, Datasat, Dolby Atmos, SDDS, DTS, Dolby Digital, flat (1.85:1), Pixar
Worldwide gross: $1,028,570,942
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,267,712,209
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 68
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 138,245,606
US/Canada gross: $486,295,561
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $599,358,580
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 53
US/Canada opening weekend: $135,060,273
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $166,461,592
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 26
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $200,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $246,499,713
Production budget ranking: 39
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $132,740,095
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $888,472,401
ROI to date (est.): 234%
ROI ranking: 563
Albert Brooks – Marlin (Voice)
Ed O’Neill – Hank (Voice)
Kaitlin Olson – Destiny (Voice)
Diane Keaton – Jenny (Voice)
Eugene Levy – Charlie (Voice)
Director(s)
Andrew Stanton
Writer(s)
Andrew Stanton, Victoria Strouse
Producer(s)
Lindsey Collins
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
17 wins & 46 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (340) | Top Critics (88) | Fresh (320) | Rotten (20)
The central irony of Finding Dory is that Dory is a risk-taker trapped in a movie that, for all its likability, won’t join her on whimsical leaps.
August 10, 2017
K. Austin Collins
The Ringer
TOP CRITIC
Who would have thought one of the deepest films ever made about learning disabilities would star a talking blue fish?
August 3, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matthew Rozsa
Salon.com
TOP CRITIC
Much like its titular character, it keeps swimming, and in doing so teaches all of us life lessons that we likely already knew yet still could use to revisit all the same.
August 9, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
Before a somewhat cluttered conclusion, Finding Dory is a truly touching film, graceful in its exploration of identity, family, and the way they intersect.
August 1, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Roxana Hadadi
Chesapeake Family Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Finding Dory is inferior to Finding Nemo (and both Toy Story sequels). Those films are tesseracts, this one’s a cube. That said, to label it average somehow misses the point.
July 31, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
It is approached with such charm and warmth that it hardly matters that the two films share such similar arcs.
July 31, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Finding Dory will stand as a solid, charming, and ceaselessly pleasant Pixar sequel.
April 11, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Finding Dory is not on the level of its predecessor Finding Nemo; however, both films are able to bring to life wonderful, endearing stories that show why Pixar is as at the top of the game in regards to animated films.
February 14, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Gonzalez
Reel Talk Inc.
There are few animated franchises that are as enchanting and powerful as this.
October 7, 2021
Anne Brodie
AWFJ Women on Film
Finding Nemo and the studio uses every tool at their disposal to create a lush and magical under-sea world that will once again enchant audiences of all ages.
October 7, 2021
Nikki Baughan
AWFJ Women on Film
By focusing so deeply on the pain beneath Dory’s happy-go-lucky exterior, the film still packs an emotional wallop.
August 28, 2021 | Rating: A-
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review
Finding Dory still manages to elicit loud laughs, a few tears, and some poignant moments about the true meaning of family.
August 27, 2021
Hosea Rupprecht
Pauline Center for Media Studies…
Plot
Dory is a wide-eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds or so. The one thing she can remember is that she somehow became separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find them. Her journey brings her to the Marine Life Institute, a conservatory that houses diverse ocean species.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny comment about the film Finding Dory on Fresh Kernels.
Andrew-Stanton.jpg
90%
Our Little Sister (Umimachi Diary) (2016)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 16 wins & 24 nominations
Our Little Sister uses the story of one fractured family to offer universal — and deeply moving — observations on the human condition.
Our Little Sister is like a warm hug from your favorite aunt, if your favorite aunt was a beautifully shot and emotionally resonant film. Kore-eda’s focus on character and feeling over plot makes for a refreshing and heartwarming experience. It’s the kind of movie that leaves you feeling a little bit better about the world, and a little bit closer to the people you love. Plus, the scenery is so gorgeous you’ll want to book a trip to Japan ASAP.
Production Company(ies)
Toho Company, Kurosawa Production Co.,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
MPAA / Certificate
– Rated PG for thematic elements and brief language
Year of Release
2015
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 6m
-
Language(s):Japanese
-
Country of origin:Japan
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 8, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2017
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Little Sister, PG, Drama, 2h 6m, Hirokazu Koreeda, Haruka Ayase, Masami Nagasawa, Kaho, Suzu Hirose, Kirin Kiki, Shinobu Ohtake, written by Hirokazu Koreeda, produced by Sony Pictures Classics, reviewed by Aliza Ma, Raphael Abraham, Calvin Wilson, Marjorie Baumgarten, Barbara VanDenburgh, Moira MacDonald, David Bax, Charlotte Harrison, Panos Kotzathanasis, Richard Propes, Ard Vijn, Carlos M, Anthony L, Nicki M, ZACHO D, box office gross $496.2K, Japanese, family drama, sisters, grief, death, human condition, universal observations, emotional, tragic past, bonding, moving forward, slow pace, realistic portrayal, sweet, beautifully made, actresses, believable, personalities, relationships, boyfriends, co-workers, auntie, small town, cooking, restaurant, Dolby Digital, PG rating, thematic elements, brief language
Worldwide gross: $15,853,660
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $19,789,622
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,717
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,158,083
US/Canada gross: $467,555
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $583,634
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,292
US/Canada opening weekend: $25,118
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $31,354
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,359
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
Masami Nagasawa – Yoshino Kôda
Kaho – Chika Kôda
Suzu Hirose – Suzu Asano
Kirin Kiki – Fumiyo Kikuchi
Shinobu Ohtake – Miyako Sasaki
Director(s)
Hirokazu Koreeda
Writer(s)
Hirokazu Koreeda
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
16 wins & 24 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (123) | Top Critics (40) | Fresh (116) | Rotten (7)
Never shying away from the picturesque, the film depicts a vivid world that is crystal clear, gleaming, and suffused with life.
November 3, 2017
Aliza Ma
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
[A] warmly enveloping exploration of grief, guilt and gradually letting go.
December 27, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Raphael Abraham
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Rarely has a film more eloquently captured the universality of human experience.
September 15, 2016 | Rating: 4/4
Calvin Wilson
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
Kore-eda is one of the most optimistic and humanist filmmakers working today, and even though Our Little Sister isn’t quite as finely articulated as some of his previous work, his core compassion for humanity comes through clearly.
September 8, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Under a less masterful hand, you’d be dying for a fistfight, a sex scene or a gunshot to shatter the calm. But Koreeda makes thrilling the rich inner lives of four young women trying to navigate rocky emotional terrain in the wake of their father’s death.
August 18, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Barbara VanDenburgh
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
It’s a movie that, by its serene final scene, changes its viewer. You leave happier, honored to have been, for two hours, part of this family.
August 11, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
Kore-eda seems so preoccupied with such small observations that the viewer may only gradually realize that time is passing and major events are taking place. That’s the point, though, and beautifully illustrated.
January 5, 2021
David Bax
Battleship Pretension
Exquisite filmmaking.
December 2, 2020
Charlotte Harrison
Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies
Koreeda tends to focus on feelings, attitudes and the general characters of his protagonists instead of specific incidents, and this style reaches its peak in this film.
September 27, 2020
Panos Kotzathanasis
Asian Movie Pulse
It is rare in cinema to see a film that exhibits so much naturally developed goodness.
September 19, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Koreeda tends to focus on feelings, attitudes and the general characters of his protagonists instead of specific incidents, and this style reaches its peak in this film
July 26, 2020
Panos Kotzathanasis
easternKicks.com
The film itself is pleasant enough, but you get the impression you wouldn’t want to see a prequel. Kore-eda shows thirst, not by filming a desert with parched people, but by filming an oasis, and the happiness of people finally able to drink.
September 24, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Ard Vijn
ScreenAnarchy…
Plot
After their estranged father’s death, three sisters invite their half-sister to live with them in Little Sister, a deeply moving drama that explores grief, guilt, and the complexities of family relationships.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Kirin Kiki, who plays Fumiyo Kikuchi in the film, was a renowned Japanese actress known for her work in both film and television. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 75.
Hirokazu-Koreeda.jpg
90%
Almost Holy (Crocodile Gennadiy) (2016)
90%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Almost Holy offers a close-up look at a fascinating figure whose controversial work and extraordinary story pack the narrative punch of a well-written drama.
Almost Holy is a wild ride that will have you on the edge of your seat. Gennadiy Mokhnenko, aka Pastor Crocodile, is a character that you won’t soon forget. He’s part vigilante, part philanthropist, and all heart. The documentary is a rollercoaster of emotions, from heartwarming moments of Mokhnenko helping children to disturbing scenes of drug addiction and poverty. But through it all, Mokhnenko remains a captivating figure, flawed but undeniably heroic. If you’re a fan of documentaries that challenge your perceptions of what it means to be a hero, Almost Holy is a must-watch.
Production Company(ies)
New Line Cinema, Wing Nut Films, The Saul Zaentz Company,
Distributor
The Orchard
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Mariupol, Ukraine
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for disturbing content involving drugs and alcohol, sexual references and language
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTSS DDS Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 40m
-
Language(s):English, Ukrainian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 20, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 16, 2016
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Crocodile Gennadiy, documentary, Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko, Ukraine, Steve Hoover, Danny Yourd, Terrence Malick, Nicolas Gonda, Michael Killen, Kathy Dziubek, R rating, box office, gross USA, SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, reviewed by Tara Brady, Kate Muir, Wendy Ide, Leslie Felperin, Cath Clarke, Charlie Theobald, Ian Brill, Morgan Rojas, Brad Keefe, David Parkinson, Allan Hunter, Tom Birchenough, starring Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko, directed by Steve Hoover, written by Steve Hoover, produced by Danny Yourd, executive produced by Terrence Malick, Nicolas Gonda, Michael Killen, Kathy Dziubek, documentary genre, disturbing content, language, drugs and alcohol, Mariupol, Ukraine, child-welfare activist, vigilante methods, moral vigilante justice, gritty modern-day Saint, moral and social failing, systemic cause of suffering, water and ritual cleansing, unsettling taint, true moral vigilante, holy or wholly pure activity, life’s mission, costs of deliverance, gray depressing sights, shattered and neglected school yards, propulsive power, arc of a drama, extraordinary story, fascinating figure, controversial work, sympathetic, quietly critical portrait, dark lensing, Atticus Ross’s score, close-up look, extraordinary story, narrative punch, well-written drama
Worldwide gross: $23,957
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $29,527
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,107
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,220
US/Canada gross: $21,142
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,057
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,790
US/Canada opening weekend: $4,195
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $5,170
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,797
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
Danny Yourd – Producer
Terrence Malick – Executive Producer
Nicolas Gonda – Executive Producer
Michael Killen – Executive Producer
Kathy Dziubek – Executive Producer
Director(s)
Steve Hoover
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Danny Yourd
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (1)
Steve Hoover’s film makes for a sympathetic,yet quietly critical portrait. John Pope’s dark lensing and Atticus Ross’s score add to the sense of unease and intrigue.
December 27, 2016 | Rating: 3/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
Almost Holy is a deeply disturbing and shocking documentary portrait of life at its lowest ebb.
August 22, 2016 | Rating: 3/5
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This gripping documentary about Gennadiy Mokhnenko, aka Pastor Crocodile, a controversial child-welfare activist in Ukraine, has the propulsive power and arc of a drama.
August 21, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A telling scene where he gets worked up about the “criticism” of him on his Wikipedia page hints at a darker side to his character, and he doesn’t take kindly to a journalist querying his vigilante methods.
August 18, 2016 | Rating: 3/5
Leslie Felperin
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The doc is maybe a little one-sided, but it’s fascinating.
August 18, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Cath Clarke
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
This is a film that challenges us to accept a flawed protagonist. His faults do not negate his charitable work, but it is up to us to decide whether they make him less of a hero.
August 5, 2016
Charlie Theobald
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Almost Holy shows the audience the true efforts and cost of heroism but also, with a truly charismatic character in Mokhnenko, the heart.
April 13, 2021
Ian Brill
Battleship Pretension
Almost Holy… is a stunning cinematic portrayal of one man’s mission to save, but it is hard to stomach (literally).
August 6, 2018
Morgan Rojas
Cinemacy
Almost Holy is bleak, but ultimately hopeful, and wholly fascinating. Documentary fans should take note.
December 31, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brad Keefe
Columbus Alive
Hoover is careful to balance Mokhnenko’s tough-love philanthropy and hot-dog-guzzling geniality with his messianic egotism …
August 21, 2016 | Rating: 3/5
David Parkinson
Radio Times
Steve Hoover’s documentary never questions Mokhnenko’s right to play God with people’s lives but builds a powerful portrait of the way one man has made a difference in a country that is no longer master of its own future.
August 21, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Allan Hunter
Daily Express (UK)
Searchig for a concealed subtext seems unnecessary when the story itself is so extraordinary.
August 19, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Birchenough
The Arts Desk…
Plot
Crocodile Gennadiy is a documentary about Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko, who takes homeless, drug-addicted children off the streets of Mariupol, Ukraine.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary Almost Holy features Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko, a controversial child-welfare activist in Ukraine.
Steve-Hoover.jpg
90%
Only Yesterday (1991)
90%RT Audience Score: 80%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 8 nominations
Only Yesterday’s long-delayed U.S. debut fills a frustrating gap for American Ghibli fans while offering further proof of the studio’s incredibly consistent commitment to quality.
Only Yesterday is a true masterpiece that captures the essence of growing up and the weight of memories. It’s a film that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own life experiences. Takahata’s attention to detail and emotional honesty make this film a standout in Studio Ghibli’s catalog. Plus, who doesn’t love a good animated film that can tug at your heartstrings? It’s a must-watch for anyone who appreciates the artistry of animation and the beauty of life’s small moments.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures,
Distributor
GKIDS
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for thematic elements, some rude behavior and smoking
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 58m
-
Language(s):Japanese, Bulgarian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 5, 2016
Genre(s)
Drama/Anime
Keyword(s)
Only Yesterday, Drama, Anime, Japanese, Isao Takahata, Yasuyoshi Tokuma, David Freedman, GKIDS, Daisy Ridley, Taeko Okajima, Dev Patel, Toshio, Ashley Eckstein, Yaeko, Alison Fernandez, MPAA rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by James Berardinelli, Roxana Hadadi, Peter Bradshaw, David Jenkins, Tom Huddleston, Jake Wilson, Michael J Casey, Clement Tyler Obropta, Christopher L Inoa, Rachel Wagner, Glenn Heath Jr., produced by Yasuyoshi Tokuma, directed by Isao Takahata, written by Isao Takahata, Fire of Love, Thor: Love and Thunder, Moon, 66 Questions, Both Sides of the Blade, Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel, Murina, Cop Secret, The Road to Galena, Take the Night, Fair Game, The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie, Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2 – Agni Pariksha, London Nahi Jaunga, Sohreyan Da Pind Aa Gaya, Elvis, The Deer King, My Name Is Sara, The Killer, Hyde Park, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Black Hen, No Date, No Signature, Crime + Punishment, Fagara, 1000 Rupee Note
Worldwide gross: $545,825
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $672,729
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,674
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 73,362
US/Canada gross: $453,243
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $558,621
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,301
US/Canada opening weekend: $14,970
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,451
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,538
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
Dev Patel – Toshio (Voice)
Ashley Eckstein – Yaeko (Voice)
Alison Fernandez – Taeko Okajima (5th Grade) (Voice)
Isao Takahata – Director, Screenwriter
Director(s)
Isao Takahata
Writer(s)
Isao Takahata, David Freedman
Producer(s)
Yasuyoshi Tokuma
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 8 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (58)
I have little in common with Takeo, yet I related to her experiences as if they were my own. This represents the genius of Takahata.
October 20, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
TOP CRITIC
Only Yesterday is one of Studio Ghibli’s films aimed primarily at female viewers … an intentional story that is emotionally honest.
August 2, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5
Roxana Hadadi
Chesapeake Family Magazine
TOP CRITIC
There is real artistry here: it is a must.
June 2, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A(nother) animated marvel from one of cinema’s unsung maestros.
June 1, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
David Jenkins
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Calm, reflective, gorgeously uneventful.
May 31, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Tom Huddleston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Much of the emotional content is universal, especially the feelings of disappointment and shame that animation can portray with special force.
May 4, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Takahata takes full advantage of the medium, allowing past and present to overlap in magnificent and poignant ways.
August 13, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Michael J. Casey
Michael J. Cinema
Only Yesterday stands out as a mature, sophisticated gem among Studio Ghibli’s catalog, a poignant, thoughtful film about growing up, getting old, and the heavy burden of memory. It’s a film unlike any other animated project before or since.
July 23, 2021
Clement Tyler Obropta
Film Inquiry
Today, and hopefully for a long time to come, it will be seen for what it actually is, a masterpiece crafted by a master of the form.
February 21, 2020
Christopher L. Inoa
Hyperallergic
The childhood segments are very cute and charming but the adult sections drag a bit and are a little preachy.
April 15, 2019 | Rating: B
Rachel Wagner
rachelsreviews.net
As he did with Grave of the Fireflies, Takahata infuses the smallest of moments with a sense of sublime longing. The true joys of life are never far from one’s grasp, but one must be present to truly appreciate them.
November 3, 2018
Glenn Heath Jr.
San Diego CityBeat
Only Yesterday is easily among Studio Ghibli’s very best work.
April 6, 2017
Benjamin Wang
Film Inquiry…
Plot
A 27-year-old Japanese office worker travels to the countryside and reflects on her childhood in Tokyo and the life she could have had in Only Yesterday.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Daisy Ridley, known for her role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, provides the voice for the protagonist Taeko Okajima in Only Yesterday.
Isao-Takahata.jpg
90%
Rams (Hrútar) (2016)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 6 nominations
Rams transcends its remote location — and somewhat esoteric storyline — by using the easily relatable dynamic between two stubborn brothers to speak universal truths.
Rams is a movie that will make you appreciate sheep in a whole new way. The story of two estranged brothers who are both sheep farmers in Iceland is surprisingly touching and funny. The deadpan cinematography perfectly captures the stark beauty of the Icelandic landscape, and the performances by the two leads are fantastic. While the film does have its bleak moments, it ultimately leaves you with a sense of hope and forgiveness. So if you’re looking for a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even want to hug a sheep, Rams is definitely worth checking out.
Production Company(ies)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
Cohen Media Group
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Mount Barker, Western Australia, Australia
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for language
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 33m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:Australia
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 28, 2016
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Sigurður Sigurjónsson, Theodór Júlíusson, Charlotte Bøving, Jon Benonysson, Guðrún Sveinbjörnsdóttir, Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson, directed by Grímur Hákonarson, written by Grímur Hákonarson, produced by Grímar Jónsson, comedy, drama, Icelandic, R rating, box office gross $137.1K, reviewed by Nigel Andrews, Keith Uhlich, Jason Bailey, Paul Byrnes, Sandra Hall, Stephen Romei, Alexa Dalby, James Croot, Lucía Ros Serra, Katie Smith-Wong, Brian D Johnson, Daniel Barnes, hard-drinking farmer, estranged brothers, sheep, authorities, feud, snowstorm, hypothermia, universal truths, stubbornness, forgiveness, character development, strong performances, cinematography, limited release, Cohen Media Group
Worldwide gross: $4,155,492
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $4,742,104
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,192
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 517,132
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
Theodór Júlíusson – Kiddi
Charlotte Bøving – Katrin
Jon Benonysson – Runólfur
Guðrún Sveinbjörnsdóttir – Hildur
Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson – Bjarni
Director(s)
Grímur Hákonarson
Writer(s)
Grímur Hákonarson
Producer(s)
Grímar Jónsson
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (109) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (104) | Rotten (5)
After grim comedy comes the threat of grim tragedy. The ending is a do-or-die confrontation with the elements, powerfully presented.
December 27, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Gummi and Kiddi’s interactions tend toward the comical, but the rock-steady widescreen cinematography by Sturla Brandth Grøvlen lends the proceedings a deadpan aura.
November 15, 2016
Keith Uhlich
Brooklyn Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This small, peculiar story becomes strangely involving; it’s a movie that sneaks up on you, right up to the bursting-dam emotion of its extraordinary closing scenes.
May 3, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
This powerful volcanic landscape needs a complimentary style and Hakonarson brings one: long takes with little camera movement, almost a series of tableaux. It’s similar to documentary but with a more poetic touch.
April 6, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
The shafts of humour don’t shine nearly as brightly as they should.
April 6, 2016 | Rating: 2/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
This is a film that allows you space to think, to make connections — and to wonder what is going on and why. The actors are often silent; they are like people we might meet at any time, and being with them is challenging and rewarding.
April 1, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Director and screenwriter Grímur Hákonarson has crafted an unmissable tragic and noble fable that celebrates humanity.
December 6, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Alexa Dalby
Dog and Wolf
Iceland might not have the sheep-to-human ratio that has previously made us the butt of many an international joke, but we’ve yet to make a film like this that eulogizes their place in our society.
June 7, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
The stupid rivalry and the hate-protection relationship between both brothers result in a tender film with certain touches of humor. [Full Review in Spanish]
May 14, 2020
Lucía Ros Serra
Espinof
A meaningful drama with sparse moments of comedy, Rams is essentially a tale of determination and forgiveness.
November 18, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Katie Smith-Wong
Flick Feast
Writer-director Grímur Hákonarson spins this idiosyncratic yarn with such sly, deadpan grace you don’t see what’s coming.
August 7, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
Hákonarson maintains a tone as chilly as the Icelandic countryside, but still offers touches of dry, dark Nordic humor, and just when the film can’t get any bleaker, it ends on a note of almost shocking tenderness. It’s quite a ride for such a quiet ride.
April 12, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Daniel Barnes
Dare Daniel…
Plot
Two estranged brothers in Iceland band together to save their flocks of sheep from authorities who want the animals destroyed in the comedy/drama film “Rams.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film Rams features Icelandic actors Sigurður Sigurjónsson and Theodór Júlíusson in the lead roles.
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90%
Sherpa (2015)
90%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
5 wins & 11 nominations total
A heartbreaking story told with tremendous narrative and visual skill, Sherpa exposes the audience to a side of Mount Everest that many have never seen or considered.
Sherpa is a documentary that will leave you in awe of the stunning landscapes and the courageous Sherpa community. It’s a story of exploited labor and their struggle for power, but it’s also a story of resilience and determination. The film captures the beauty of Everest and the harsh realities of those who work on the mountain. With a stirring orchestral score and stunning imagery, Sherpa is a must-watch for anyone who loves nature and human stories. Plus, it’s a refreshing change from the usual Everest movies that often overlook the Sherpas.
Production Company(ies)
Wildwood Enterprises Artemis Rising Foundation Foothill Productions,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Mount Everest, Nepal
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2016
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):Nepali, English, Chinese
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2016
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, Sherpa, Mount Everest, ice slide, grief, anger, Nepali, Jennifer Peedom, Bridget Ikin, John Smithson, written by Jennifer Peedom, directed by Jennifer Peedom, produced by Bridget Ikin, produced by John Smithson, executive producer David Gross, executive producer John Maynard, critic reviews, Stephen Romei, Paul Byrnes, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Mark Kermode, Geoffrey Macnab, Henry Barnes, Katie Smith-Wong, Nick Evan-Cook, Matthew Anderson, Nico Hines, Anwen Crawford, Alex Heeney, genre, box office performance, budget, MPAA rating, actors, crew, documentary filmmakers, Sherpas, exploited labor, struggle for power, workers taking control, stunning imagery, objective portrayal, complex cast, interviewees, slow motion imagery, accelerated time lapse photography, multiple cameras, stirring orchestral score, knife edge proceedings, nature photography, Renan Ozturk, Hugh Miller, Ken Sauls, wonder of Everest
Worldwide gross: $1,160,595
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,430,432
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,506
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 155,990
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
Jennifer Peedom – Screenwriter
David Gross – Executive Producer
John Maynard – Executive Producer
Bridget Ikin – Producer
John Smithson – Producer
Director(s)
Jennifer Peedom
Writer(s)
Jennifer Peedom
Producer(s)
Bridget Ikin, John Smithson
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
5 wins & 11 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (1)
Sherpa is different and arresting: it’s an old-fashioned documentary that allows the participants to tell their stories.
April 1, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Sherpa is an accomplished, gripping film.
March 25, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
The landscapes are gorgeous; the ironies stark.
December 27, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
For all its awe-inspiring scenery, this is a story of exploited labour’s struggle for power, of workers taking control of their workplace.
December 20, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
There is bad faith on all sides but, amid all the bickering about money and safety, Peedom always also pays attention to the courage and selflessness of her subjects.
December 17, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Smart, genuine, thoughtful film-making.
December 17, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Henry Barnes
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Overall, Sherpa is a thought-provoking, beautiful yet unbalanced documentary.
November 18, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Katie Smith-Wong
Flick Feast
Simultaneously arthouse-beautiful and fiercely political, this will set jaws agape both through its stunning imagery and its objective portrayal of its complex cast of interviewees.
April 9, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Nick Evan-Cook
One Room With A View
The blend of slow motion imagery and accelerated time lapse photography along with the use of multiple cameras instils Sherpa with an evolving vibrancy, reinforced by a stirring orchestral score which heaps ever more emotion on knife edge proceedings.
April 8, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Matthew Anderson
CineVue
The Sherpas hit the cutting room floor in most Everest movies. Not this time.
March 6, 2019
Nico Hines
The Daily Beast
In [Jennifer] Peedom’s film we see a mountain that is both workplace and sacred site, integral to both the economic livelihood and the religious beliefs of the surrounding Sherpa community.
September 12, 2017
Anwen Crawford
Kill Your Darlings
Through terrific nature photography from Renan Ozturk, Hugh Miller, and Ken Sauls, [Jennifer] Peedom has captured anew the wonder of Everest.
August 14, 2017
Alex Heeney
Seventh Row…
Plot
A fight on Everest? It seemed incredible. But in 2013 news channels around the world reported an ugly brawl at 6400 m (21,000 ft) as European climbers fled a mob of angry Sherpas. In 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit in a spirit of co-operation and brave optimism. Now climbers and Sherpas were trading insults – even blows. What had happened to the happy, smiling Sherpas and their dedication in getting foreigners to the top of the mountain they hold so sacred? Determined to explore what was going on, the filmmakers set out to make a film of the 2014 Everest climbing season, from the Sherpas’ point of view. Instead, they captured a tragedy that would change Everest forever. At 6.45am on 18th April, 2014, a 14,000 ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. It was the worst tragedy in the history of Everest. The disaster provoked a drastic reappraisal about the role of the Sherpas in the Everest industry. SHERPA tells the story of how, in the face of fierce opposition, the Sherpas united in grief and anger to reclaim the mountain they call Chomolungma.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Sherpa is a documentary film directed by Jennifer Peedom and produced by Bridget Ikin and John Smithson.
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