Gone Girl (2014)
90%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
64 wins & 188 nominations total
Dark, intelligent, and stylish to a fault, Gone Girl plays to director David Fincher’s sick strengths while bringing the best out of stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
Gone Girl is like a rollercoaster ride that you can’t get off of, even if you want to. It’s a twisted, dark, and hilarious take on marriage that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about relationships. The performances are top-notch, especially Rosamund Pike who deserves all the awards for her chilling portrayal of Amy Dunne. David Fincher’s direction is as sharp as ever, and the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will give you goosebumps. Just make sure you’re ready for the ride before you buckle up.
Production Company(ies)
Dreamworks Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Amblin Entertainment,
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Datasat Dolby Surround 7.1
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 29m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2014 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 13, 2015
Genre(s)
Drama/Crime
Keyword(s)
starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, Carrie Coon, directed by David Fincher, written by Gillian Flynn, drama, crime, mystery, thriller, box office success, budget, reviewed by Olivia Luder, Candice Frederick, Jason Bailey, Alissa Wilkinson, Richard Roeper, Nick Schager, Josh Parham, George Fenwick, Dan Brightmore, Cate Young, Richard Crouse, MPAA rating R, Ceán Chaffin, Arnon Milchan, Joshua Donen, Reese Witherspoon, producer, 20th Century Fox, distributor, Dolby Digital, Nick Dunne, Amy Dunne, Desi Collings, Det Rhonda Boney, Tanner Bolt, Det Jim Gilpin
Worldwide gross: $369,330,363
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $461,569,595
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 323
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 50,334,743
US/Canada gross: $167,767,189
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $209,666,578
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 324
US/Canada opening weekend: $37,513,109
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $46,881,904
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 258
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $61,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $76,234,581
Production budget ranking: 554
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $41,052,322
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $344,282,693
ROI to date (est.): 294%
ROI ranking: 465
Rosamund Pike – Amy Dunne
Neil Patrick Harris – Desi Collings
Tyler Perry – Tanner Bolt
Kim Dickens – Det. Rhonda Boney
Patrick Fugit – Det. Jim Gilpin
Director – David Fincher
Producer – Ceán Chaffin, Arnon Milchan, Joshua Donen, Reese Witherspoon
Writer – Gillian Flynn
Director(s)
David Fincher
Writer(s)
Gillian Flynn
Producer(s)
Ceán Chaffin, Arnon Milchan, Joshua Donen, Reese Witherspoon
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
64 wins & 188 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (366) | Top Critics (89) | Fresh (320) | Rotten (46)
Gone Girl is the movie Flynn fans hoped for and sets Pike up for a worthy Oscar nomination but Fincher disappoints in failing to improve upon the already-brilliant book.
May 25, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Olivia Luder
One Room With A View
TOP CRITIC
Gone Girl is a rather funhouse version of this fateful couple’s relationship that teeters on depravity, desperation and bitter irony in its every step.
September 1, 2017 | Rating: A
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
‘Gone Girl’ may come advertised as a thriller, but that’s Fincher being a trickster-he’s gone and made the curtest, nastiest, most acidic black comedy about the marital accord since ‘The War of the Roses.’
June 18, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
The premise is flat-out creepy. Make sure you’re game for that before you see it.
January 4, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Alissa Wilkinson
Christianity Today
TOP CRITIC
This is a nutty film, and for the most part I mean that in a good way.
January 4, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Richard Roeper
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Couching its commentary in a propulsive pulp tale, it’s a genre triumph at once scary, silly, and deceptively sly.
January 4, 2015
Nick Schager
SF Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Employing crisp cinematography, atmospheric sound design, and an incredibly effective score, Fincher manages to utilize many of these crafts to create an engaging premise that sells an intriguing thematic insight.
May 27, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Josh Parham
Next Best Picture
A brilliant example of a book-to-film adaptation that managed to stay faithful to the novel, while also injecting the story with its own inventive style.
September 3, 2021
George Fenwick
Stuff.co.nz
Fincher combines a maze-like plot with brutal drama to create an unmissable thriller.
May 26, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Dan Brightmore
NME
The dirty little secret of Gone Girl is that Amy never hated men as so many have alleged. Women had always been the true targets of her disdain.
March 19, 2021
Cate Young
Thirty, Flirty + Film
Not great art, but it is an artfully made potboiler with memorable performances and slick direction that will keep you guessing until the end.
February 2, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Gone Girl not only entertains, but engages the viewer. This is one creepy masterpiece.
January 31, 2021 | Rating: 4/4
Leo Brady
AMovieGuy.com…
Plot
On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne reports that his wife, Amy, has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick’s portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rosamund Pike’s performance in Gone Girl is praised as “mesmerizing” and “terrific” by both critics and audiences.
David-Fincher.jpg
90%
A Summer’s Tale (2014)
90%RT Audience Score: 82%
Awards & Nominations: 1 nomination
A Summer’s Tale is a cinematic masterpiece that transcends the typical summer blockbuster fare. Eric Rohmer’s ability to capture the essence of human interaction through intelligent and compelling conversation is unparalleled. The film’s naturalistic approach to storytelling immerses the viewer in the lives of the characters, making it feel like you are living in their world for two hours. Rohmer’s feather-light touch and astute observations of human behavior make A Summer’s Tale a must-see for fans of the director and a fine introduction for those who are not familiar with his work. It’s a piercingly funny work of indecision that will leave you pondering the complexities of life long after the credits roll.
A Summer’s Tale is the perfect movie to watch when you’re feeling indecisive about life. It’s like having a wise old friend who tells you stories about their own experiences and makes you feel better about your own. The characters are quirky and lovable, and the seaside setting is so dreamy you’ll want to pack your bags and move there. Plus, the conversations are so intelligent and compelling, you’ll forget you’re even watching a movie. So, grab some popcorn and get ready for a frolicsome adventure that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.
Production Company(ies)
Toho Company,
Distributor
Big World Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Rue de la Malouine, Dinard, Ille-et-Vilaine, France
MPAA / Certificate
G
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 53m
-
Language(s):French
-
Country of origin:France
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Genre(s)
Comedy/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Melvil Poupaud, Amanda Langlet, Aurelia Nolin, Gwenaëlle Simon, Aimé Lefèvre, Alain Guellaff, directed by Éric Rohmer, written by Éric Rohmer, comedy, romance, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Josh Kupecki, Steven Rea, Ben Sachs, Barbara VanDenburgh, Peter Rainer, Kenneth Turan, Nicholas Bell, Charles Mudede, Neely Swanson, Joe Bendel, Peter Labuza, produced by Francoise Etchegaray, MPAA rating, beach town, dating, friendship, waitress, physical relationship, free spirit, conflicted feelings, French (Canada), Big World Pictures
Worldwide gross: $198,706
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $248,332
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,896
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 27,081
US/Canada gross: $198,126
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $247,607
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,503
US/Canada opening weekend: $12,863
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $16,075
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,584
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
Amanda Langlet – Margot
Aurelia Nolin – Lena
Gwenaëlle Simon – Solene
Aimé Lefèvre – The Newfoundlander
Alain Guellaff – Uncle Alain
Director(s)
Éric Rohmer
Writer(s)
Éric Rohmer
Producer(s)
Francoise Etchegaray
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (1)
The film is a welcome tonic to the cinematic landfill that gets pushed into theatres this time of year.
September 4, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Josh Kupecki
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
A Summer’s Tale is one of those movies where it looks like nothing is happening …
August 29, 2014 | Rating: 3/4
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Few directors could say as much with as little as Eric Rohmer.
August 22, 2014 | Rating: 4/4
Ben Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
There’s a purity to the experience of watching a film so naturalistic, like living in someone else’s life for two hours.
August 21, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Barbara VanDenburgh
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
This is a movie of high innocence, set at a time in life when romantic love is still a frolic and the seaside is a balm that quells all ills.
July 18, 2014 | Rating: B+
Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor
TOP CRITIC
Astute, unhurried and gently amusing, it will be welcomed by the director’s fans while serving as a fine introduction for those who know him not.
July 17, 2014
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
As far as human interaction via intelligent and compelling conversation goes, it’s hard to best Rohmer, whose simple, sometimes banal situations reveal unpredictable depths.
August 30, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
The sheer beat of the words keeps the actors moving in time, moving in circles, moving toward or away from each other…
September 6, 2018
Charles Mudede
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
… suffice it to say that there is little or no reason to see this film.
September 16, 2017
Neely Swanson
Easy Reader (California)
Eric Rohmer characters never get a vacation from their personality hang-ups. Strangely, they are still good company, thanks to the auteur’s feather-light touch.
May 26, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5
Joe Bendel
Epoch Times
A piercingly funny work of indecision.
March 28, 2016 | Rating: A-
Peter Labuza
The Film Stage
[Rohmer] gives us a concept of time passed, of meals eaten, of travel and weather. In other words, these characters are talking about their lives while they live them, trying to figure it all out as it happens.
August 29, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid…
Plot
Gaspard, a man waiting for his casual girlfriend to arrive, strikes up a friendship with a waitress named Margot and meets Solene, a free spirit who wants a physical relationship if he agrees to be faithful, leading to conflicted feelings in A Summer’s Tale.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Melvil Poupaud, who plays the lead character Gaspard, is also a musician and has released several albums.
Éric-Rohmer.jpg
90%
Particle Fever (2014)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 6 wins & 4 nominations
The concepts behind its heady subject matter may fly over the heads of most viewers, but Particle Fever presents it in such a way that even the least science-inclined viewers will find themselves enraptured.
Particle Fever is like a science class, but with more excitement and less homework. This documentary takes you on a journey through the world of particle physics, introducing you to the brilliant minds behind the experiments and the incredible technology they use. Even if you’re not a science buff, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next. And who knows, you might even learn something new about the universe we live in. So grab some popcorn and get ready for a wild ride through the world of particle physics!
Production Company(ies)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
Abramorama
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Geneva, Canton de Genève, Switzerland
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 37m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 2013 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2015
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Particle Fever, documentary, English, Mark A Levinson, David Kaplan, Andrea Miller, Carla Solomon, box office gross $869.8K, reviewed by Philippa Hawker, Tirdad Derakhshani, Peter Keough, Michael O’Sullivan, Barbara VanDenburgh, Ben Sachs, Stephen A Russell, Steve Erickson, Paul Parcellin, Jared Mobarak, Cris Kennedy, starring Martin Aleksa, Nima Arkani-Hamed, Savas Dimopoulos, Monica Dunford, Fabiola Gianotti, David Kaplan, MPAA rating N/A, origin of matter, big-bang theory, universe, particle physics, Large Hadron Collider, scientists, engineers, international cooperation, Higgs Particle, CERN, Switzerland, Super Symmetry, Multiverse, practical applications, radio waves, time travel
Worldwide gross: $869,838
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,087,078
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,581
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 118,547
US/Canada gross: $869,838
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,087,078
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,165
US/Canada opening weekend: $53,901
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $67,363
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,096
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
Nima Arkani-Hamed – Self
Savas Dimopoulos – Self
Monica Dunford – Self
Fabiola Gianotti – Self
David Kaplan – Self
Director(s)
Mark A. Levinson
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
David Kaplan, Mark Levinson, Andrea Miller, Carla Solomon
Film Festivals
Telluride
Awards & Nominations
6 wins & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (49) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (47) | Rotten (2)
Particle Fever shows how the theorists and experimenters need and respect each other, in the course of setbacks, disappointments, premature celebrations and public relations glitches.
December 3, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Philippa Hawker
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Particle Fever explores with awe-inspiring precision, and in remarkably accessible language, how 10,000 scientists and engineers from around the world built what in effect is the ultimate test tube for particle physics.
March 21, 2014 | Rating: 4/4
Tirdad Derakhshani
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
The enthusiasm, idealism, and cheerful brilliance of the six subjects convey the thrill, if not the full significance, of this scientific breakthrough.
March 20, 2014 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Keough
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
It plays out with all the suspense of a thriller.
March 20, 2014 | Rating: 3/4
Michael O’Sullivan
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Even the most math-averse viewer will be on pins and needs to know the results.
March 20, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Barbara VanDenburgh
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
The filmmakers find room for some witty philosophical bull sessions and affectionate portraits of some of the physicists; this is an agreeable light entertainment on a complex subject.
March 13, 2014
Ben Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Levinson studied particle physics at Berkley, but despite clearly possessing a gargantuan brain, this fabulous whistle-stop tour of the Hadron Collider and the clever and surprisingly cool boffins … never makes you feel out of your depth
August 26, 2020 | Rating: 4.5/5
Stephen A. Russell
The New Daily (Australia)
The movie could have been as dry as a NOVA episode, and indeed its weakest moments carry an arid whiff of PBS infotainment. For the most part, though, Particle Fever both captures and evokes the human tension behind the experiment.
December 14, 2018
Steve Erickson
Nashville Scene
Considering the complexities of the subject matter, the film holds together surprisingly well. It’s catnip for physics geeks, of course, but others with even a mild curiosity about the physical world can appreciate it.
April 16, 2018 | Rating: 8/10
Paul Parcellin
Film Threat
I know nothing about any of this [science] and yet it’s absolutely captivating.
March 9, 2016 | Rating: B
Jared Mobarak
The Film Stage
Funny and fascinating, this is the kind of evidence that support why governments need to have long-term vision and invest in, not scale back, funding in research.
December 11, 2015 | Rating: 4.5/5
Cris Kennedy
The Canberra Times (Australia)
You’ll be entertained and, to whatever degree, you will not only learn something, you might have your whole understanding of the universe altered. Pretty good for ninety-nine minutes.
December 2, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/5
CJ Johnson
Film Mafia…
Plot
As the Large Hadron Collider is about to be launched for the first time, physicists are on the cusp of the greatest scientific discovery of all time
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features interviews with physicists such as Nima Arkani-Hamed and Fabiola Gianotti.
Mark-A.-Levinson.jpg
90%
Mistaken for Strangers (2014)
90%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 2 nominations
A suitably complicated look at fraternal bonds, Mistaken for Strangers offers more depth and insight than the usual tour documentary.
Mistaken for Strangers is like watching a hilarious and heartwarming home video of a dysfunctional family, but with a famous rock band thrown in. Tom Berninger’s antics and self-deprecating humor make for a refreshing take on the typical music documentary. While it may not delve too deeply into The National’s music, it’s a fun ride that explores the complexities of sibling relationships and the struggles of finding one’s place in the world. Plus, who doesn’t love a good karaoke session with Matt Berninger?
Production Company(ies)
Miramax, Be Gentlemen Limited Partnership, Lawrence Bender Productions,
Distributor
Abramorama
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 20m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2014
Genre(s)
Documentary/Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring, directed by, written by, documentary, comedy, music, fraternal bonds, tour documentary, depth, insight, TransFatty Lives, The Overnighters, Among the Believers, Desperate Living, The Amazing Catfish, Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Carin Besser, Barack Obama, Tom Berninger, producer, box office, budget, critic reviews, Mark Kermode, Tara Brady, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Leslie Felperin, Adam Woodward, Robbie Collin, Kip Mooney, David Harris, Tom Bond, Patrick Gamble, Luis Fernando Galván, audience reviews, Brendan N, Carlos M, genre, MPAA rating, international tour, filmmaker, distributor, Abramorama, runtime, cast and crew, Tomatometer, audience score, streaming, theaters, limited release, release date
Worldwide gross: $253,285
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $316,542
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,842
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 34,519
US/Canada gross: $138,991
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $173,704
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,567
US/Canada opening weekend: $87,743
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $109,657
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,900
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
Aaron Dessner – self
Bryce Dessner – self
Carin Besser – self
Barack Obama – self
Tom Berninger – director
Director(s)
Tom Berninger
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Matt Berninger, Carin Besser, Craig Charland
Film Festivals
Tribeca
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (62) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (57) | Rotten (5)
It’s an uneven affair, embraced as unguardedly “intimate” by some fans of the band, but in reality less moving than Anvil! The Story of Anvil, and lacking the objective insight of Terry Zwigoff’s oddly comparable Crumb.
June 29, 2014 | Rating: 2/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
We loved every minute of Tom’s company and his film, right down to Halford’s O Holy Night over the closing credits.
June 27, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
A beautiful movie about fame and family.
June 27, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
An amusing, and occasionally touching meditation on fame, sibling rivalry and ambition, with a sweet payoff.
June 26, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Leslie Felperin
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
One of the most hilarious, honest films about two brothers you’re ever likely to see.
June 26, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Adam Woodward
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
We learn almost nothing about the band, other than they’re fairly diligent and boring …
June 26, 2014 | Rating: 2/5
Robbie Collin
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A messy experience that’s different than the standard tour documentary.
August 10, 2021
Kip Mooney
Screen Invasion
Mistaken for Strangers feels like a depressed guy riding his famous older sibling’s coattails in a vain attempt to make sense out of his life.
November 22, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
Brilliant when exploring the creative process and the internal struggle any artist faces to make something good despite their doubts and fears.
June 15, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Bond
One Room With A View
By wearing his heart on his sleeve and exhibiting an unflinching degree of honesty and passion, Mistaken for Strangers traverses the banal hero worship and reverie of an orthodox music documentary.
March 26, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Patrick Gamble
CineVue
A road movie that plays with the conventions of a rockumentary to make a very intimate film about dealing with stardom. [Full review in Spanish]
January 15, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5
Luis Fernando Galván
En Filme
Whether he’s playing a character or simply being his goofy self, Tom Berninger is an impishly comic figure…
November 25, 2014 | Rating: 3/4
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm…
Plot
Filmmaker Tom Berninger follows members of The National on an international tour, offering a complicated look at fraternal bonds in Mistaken for Strangers.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Tom Berninger, the director of Mistaken for Strangers, is the younger brother of Matt Berninger, the lead singer of The National.
Tom-Berninger.jpg
90%
The Last of the Unjust (2014)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 3 nominations
Documentarian Claude Lanzmann brings the ghosts of the Holocaust back to vivid life once again The Last of the Unjust, a dense and haunting investigation into complicity and moral quandary.
The Last of the Unjust is a documentary that will leave you haunted and questioning everything you thought you knew about the Holocaust. Director Claude Lanzmann’s use of unused footage from a 1975 interview with Benjamin Murmelstein, the last surviving member of the Jewish Council installed by the Nazis, is both fascinating and heart-wrenching. At times, the film may feel overlong and detailed, but it’s worth it to fully understand the truth. Plus, who doesn’t love a good moral and aesthetic question that can’t be answered?
Production Company(ies)
Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Terezin, Czech Republic
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some thematic material
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):German, French, English
-
Country of origin:Austria, France
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2014
Genre(s)
Documentary/Biography
Keyword(s)
documentary, biography, Holocaust, World War II, Jewish elder, Adolf Eichmann, moral quandary, complicity, Claude Lanzmann, directed by Claude Lanzmann, written by Claude Lanzmann, produced by David Frenkel, Danny Krausz, Jean Labadie, Kurt Stocker, Benjamin Murmelstein, reviewed by J Hoberman, Mark Kermode, Geoffrey Macnab, Wendy Ide, Peter Bradshaw, David Parkinson, D.W Mault, Daniel Kasman, Christoph Huber, Michael Atkinson, Rich Cline, PG-13, $38.4K box office, 96% Tomatometer, 79% audience score, German, streaming, rent/buy, documentary film, historical, war, genocide, survivor, Jewish council, Theresienstadt, Rome, Viennese rabbi, unused footage, haunting, dense, moving, compassionate, unsentimental, truth, questions, moral, aesthetic, Shoah, follow-up, interview footage, Austrian, Jewish Elders, Nazis, Jewish ghettos
Worldwide gross: $63,136
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $80,205
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,048
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 8,746
US/Canada gross: $40,563
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $51,529
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,751
US/Canada opening weekend: $14,328
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,202
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,544
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): 2500000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $3,175,870
Production budget ranking: 1,971
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $1,710,206
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$4,805,871
ROI to date (est.): -98%
ROI ranking: 2,011
Claude Lanzmann – Self, Director, Writer
David Frenkel – Producer
Danny Krausz – Producer
Director(s)
Claude Lanzmann
Writer(s)
Claude Lanzmann
Producer(s)
David Frenkel, Danny Krausz, Jean Labadie, Kurt Stocker
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (48) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (2)
The best one can say for this troubling, if intermittently fascinating, mess is that it succeeds in raising questions, moral as well as aesthetic, that it cannot answer.
December 31, 2015
J. Hoberman
Tablet
TOP CRITIC
Each viewer will judge its truth for themselves, but the director’s compassionately unsentimental acceptance is clear and profound.
January 11, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This is a complex and very moving documentary.
January 9, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The Last of the Unjust is cinema at its very best.
January 9, 2015 | Rating: 5/5
Wendy Ide
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Haunted and haunting.
January 8, 2015 | Rating: 5/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The 89 year-old director has lost none of his bold inquisitiveness in a Shoah follow-up that plunges the viewer deep into the hustle and anguish of the Czech ghetto.
January 8, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The running time (like all Lanzmann’s films) is not oppressive but allows for Murmelstein and his interlocutor to talk through, around and inside the context and reality of pragmatism, egoism, heroism and evil.
April 4, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
D.W. Mault
CineVue
Claude Lanzmann has created a new film whose heart is the interview footage shot for his monumental “Shoah” project of Austrian Benjamin Murmelstein, the so-called last of the Jewish Elders, those nominally in charge of the Nazis’ Jewish ghettos.
November 16, 2017
Daniel Kasman
MUBI
The Last of the Unjust breaks with the rigorous approach its director previously employed to find a just way to talk about the Nazis’ mass murder of the Jews with film.
October 2, 2017
Christoph Huber
Cinema Scope
To some degree, the force of The Last of the Unjust is delivered in spite of Lanzmann’s laxness as a filmmaker.
April 12, 2016
Michael Atkinson
In These Times
At three and a half hours, this documentary sometimes feels both overlong and far too detailed, but filmmaker Claude Lanzmann knows that this material is vitally important, and by putting it all out there he challenges the viewer to understand the truth.
January 12, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Rich Cline
Contactmusic.com
Lanzmann draws on unused footage of a 1975 interview in Rome with Viennese rabbi Benjamin Murmelstein to assess his role as the sole surviving member of the Jewish Council installed by the Nazis to help run the Theresienstadt ghetto camp.
January 9, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Radio Times…
Plot
The Last of the Unjust is a documentary that explores the moral quandaries faced by Benjamin Murmelstein, the only Jewish elder to survive World War II, as he fought with Adolf Eichmann to help more than 120,000 Jews leave Germany.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Last of the Unjust features an interview with Benjamin Murmelstein, the only Jewish elder to survive World War II.
Claude-Lanzmann.jpg
90%
Tim’s Vermeer (2014)
90%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
1 win & 6 nominations total
Entertaining and profound in equal measure, Tim’s Vermeer uses its seemingly esoteric subject to pose fascinating questions about art and obsession.
Tim’s Vermeer is a fascinating and hilarious documentary that follows the journey of one man’s obsession with recreating a Vermeer painting. With the help of technology and a lot of determination, Tim Jenison sets out to prove that Vermeer used a camera obscura to create his masterpieces. Along the way, we are treated to some truly hilarious moments, including Tim’s attempts to recreate the painting in his own studio and his interactions with the art world elite. This film is a must-see for anyone who loves art, technology, or just a good laugh.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Delft, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some strong language
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 20m
-
Language(s):English, Dutch
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 31, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 10, 2014
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, art history, technology, painting technique, obsession, inventor, Johannes Vermeer, Tim Jenison, directed by Teller, produced by Penn Jillette, Farley Ziegler, written by Teller, Penn Jillette, Sony Pictures Classics, PG-13, box office gross, $1.7M, critic reviews, reviewed by Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Eddie Cockrell, Marc Savlov, Moira MacDonald, Joe Williams, Donald Clarke, Richard Crouse, Joanne Laurier, Brian D Johnson, Mattie Lucas, Bernard Boo, audience score, 86%, runtime, 1h 20m, distributor, Peter Adam Golden, Glenn S Alai, cast, crew, self, executive producer, original language, English, genre, documentary film, MPAA rating, limited release, streaming release, rent/buy, Chasing Ice, Undefeated, 20 Feet From Stardom, Lilting, Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words, budget, producer, Tim’s Vermeer, documentary film, art and obsession, Johannes Vermeer’s painting techniques, photographic realism, optical devices, camera obscura, geometry, Vermeer’s accomplishments, Baroque painting, special effects innovator, engineering expertise, modern photograph, family, horsetrading, magic of the paintings, painstaking tasks, great art, capacity for obsession, art and technology
Worldwide gross: $1,686,917
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,108,220
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,398
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 229,904
US/Canada gross: $1,671,377
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,088,799
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,022
US/Canada opening weekend: $49,777
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $62,209
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,130
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
Teller – Director
Penn Jillette – Producer
Farley Ziegler – Producer
Peter Adam Golden – Executive Producer
Glenn S. Alai – Executive Producer
Director(s)
Teller
Writer(s)
Teller, Penn Jillette
Producer(s)
Penn Jillette, Farley Ziegler
Film Festivals
Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
1 win & 6 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (121) | Top Critics (50) | Fresh (108) | Rotten (13)
As a portrait of one man’s all-consuming persistence alone, it’s astonishing.
September 6, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
metro.co.uk
TOP CRITIC
Perhaps the ultimate take-away from Tim’s Vermeer is the unquenchable curiosity of certain people, albeit those with the money to finance that inquisitiveness, to get to the bottom of history’s mysteries. In that respect, Jenison is an artist.
July 9, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Eddie Cockrell
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
It’s obvious in hindsight why Penn and Teller would be so drawn to this ethereally beautiful mystery: Their passion for all things seemingly magical, often mechanical, and always amazing is practically their trademark.
March 20, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
“Tim’s Vermeer” is about many things – art history, technology, painting technique, beauty – but ultimately it’s a beguiling study of fascination.
March 6, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
We should never forget that Penn and Teller are professional bamboozlers, and their attempt to re-frame the definition of genius might be nothing but smoke and mirrors.
March 6, 2014 | Rating: 3/4
Joe Williams
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
Shot on grainy video, with some indifferent sound, Tim’s Vermeer is an amusing study of obsession in action.
February 28, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
The technical nuts and bolts of Jenison’s theory are playfully presented and fascinating but the real appeal here is the personal story of the eccentric inventor’s obsession and determination.
February 1, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Tim’s Vermeer is, just that, Tim Jenison’s “Vermeer.” In fact, the movie is not about Vermeer. It is about Tim Jenison-a fascinating and unusual subject…
August 13, 2020
Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
The film is a fascinating inquiry, but over time it becomes even more intriguing as a Herzog-like portrait of one man’s crazy obsession, and just how far he will go to fulfill it.
August 7, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
While the filmmakers were clearly going for a more lighthearted tone at times, it often seems at odds with what’s actually going on.
August 7, 2019 | Rating: 2/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
Despite Jenison’s soft-spoken nature and Teller’s unadorned style, the film is wildly entertaining and thought-provoking, and it awakens a giddy, childlike sense of discovery and curiosity few films manage to capture.
April 3, 2019 | Rating: 8.8/10
Bernard Boo
Way Too Indie
Tim’s Vermeer shares similarities with other recent art-mystery docs like Who The #$&% Is Jackson Pollock and My Kid Could Paint That, both of which dare to question the perceived truths held dear by art world elites.
December 11, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/5
Di Golding
Dear Cast and Crew…
Plot
Inventor Tim Jenison conducts experiments to discover how 17th-century Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer achieved such photographic realism in his paintings in the documentary film “Tim’s Vermeer”.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Tim Jenison, the inventor and subject of the documentary, is also a co-founder of the software company NewTek, which created the popular video production tool, the Video Toaster.
Teller.jpg
90%
I Am Divine (2013)
90%RT Audience Score: 83%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 3 nominations
With warmth and affection, I Am Divine offers an engaging portrait of the complex personality behind a trailblazing cinematic figure.
I Am Divine is the ultimate tribute to the one and only drag queen who paved the way for all the fabulous queens we know and love today. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about the life and legacy of the original queen of filth. From the touching interviews with friends and family to the hilarious clips of Divine’s outrageous performances, this film has it all. So grab your wig, put on your best sequined dress, and get ready to worship at the altar of Divine!
Production Company(ies)
Perfect Day Films,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Apr 8, 2014
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, cultural icon, recording artist, actor, Divine, Jeffrey Schwarz, Lotti Pharriss Knowles, Michael Musto, Mark Payne, Greg Gorman, Mink Stole, John Waters, Vincent Peranio, reviewed by Kerensa Cadenas, Mark Kermode, Geoffrey Macnab, Donald Clarke, Mike McCahill, Patrick Peters, Nicholas Bell, Leigh Clark, J Hurtado, Dominic Mill, Adam Smith, Lisa Williams, 96% Tomatometer, 54 reviews, 83% audience score, $63.7K box office, English, 1h 30m, genre, biography, LGBTQ+, cult, budget, produced by Jeffrey Schwarz, Lotti Pharriss Knowles, directed by Jeffrey Schwarz, written by Jeffrey Schwarz, starring Divine, cultural icon, recording artist, actor, John Waters, Mink Stole, Greg Gorman, Michael Musto, Vincent Peranio, critic reviews, producer names, MPAA rating, LGBTQ+ icon, trailblazing cinematic figure, archival footage, outrageous alter-ego, poignant, humorous, glorious excess, influential figure, outsiders, shy man, family rejection, anger at society, celebration of life
Worldwide gross: $115,739
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $144,644
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,984
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 15,774
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
Mark Payne – Self
Greg Gorman – Self
Mink Stole – Self
John Waters – Self
Vincent Peranio – Self
Jeffrey Schwarz – Director, Producer
Lotti Pharriss Knowles – Producer
Director(s)
Jeffrey Schwarz
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Jeffrey Schwarz, Lotti Pharriss Knowles
Film Festivals
South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (54) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (2)
After seeing the film premiere at SXSW, I asked a Divine-devotee friend of mine why she loves Divine so much. She simply said, “Because Divine’s the original.” If it wasn’t already obvious, Schwartz’s I Am Divine cements it.
January 15, 2021
Kerensa Cadenas
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
It’s surprisingly moving stuff – dressed up with just enough archival outrage to remind you how scandalous Divine once seemed.
July 20, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The interviewees and even his mother, with whom he was reconciled late in his life, all portray him as a generous and very sweet-natured man.
July 18, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This is, for the most part, a celebration of Divine’s life unencumbered by guilt or oppression.
July 18, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
Schwarz offsets the camp with a sincere appreciation of both the obvious, larger-than-life personality and this performer’s oft-overlooked skills …
July 17, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Mike McCahill
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Touching and funny. Waters fans should sign up now.
July 17, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Patrick Peters
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
While it serves as a wonderful preface to Divine’s notable body of work, it’s equally enjoyable to revisit the infamous, intriguing, and incomparable career of a star whose life ended much too soon.
August 29, 2019
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
I Am Divine is a thoroughly optimistic and exuberant celebration of life that quashes any myths about transvestism and reveals a side to the icon, that had been previously unseen.
April 2, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Leigh Clark
CineVue
This is the film that Divine deserves.
November 6, 2017
J Hurtado
ScreenAnarchy
A fascinating larger-than-life portrait of its larger-than-life subject, I Am Divine is a beguiling blend of poignancy, humor and glorious excess.
August 9, 2014 | Rating: 8/10
Dominic Mill
We Got This Covered
Schwarz interviews friends and fans, piecing together a picture of a gentle, perhaps surprisingly shy man who channelled his family’s rejection and his anger at society into his outrageous alter-ego.
July 18, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Adam Smith
Radio Times
Despite the sadness, we are reminded of what an influential figure Divine was, and how his very presence continues to bring comfort to others who identify as outsiders.
July 18, 2014
Lisa Williams
Electric Sheep…
Plot
I Am Divine is a documentary that explores the life and work of the cultural icon, recording artist, and actor Divine.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary I Am Divine features interviews with friends and fans of the late actor and recording artist, including filmmaker John Waters and photographer Greg Gorman.
Jeffrey-Schwarz.jpg
90%
After Tiller (2013)
90%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 9 nominations
While fans of the series will surely appreciate it, First Contact is exciting, engaging, and visually appealing enough to entertain Star Trek novices.
Star Trek: First Contact is the perfect movie for anyone who wants to boldly go where no one has gone before, but also wants to be thoroughly entertained. With a sleek and confident style, this movie stands proud and apart from its predecessors, making it accessible even to those who are not familiar with the Trek universe. The story is elegant and exciting, enhanced by the sure direction of Jonathan Frakes, who also plays Commander William Riker. And let’s not forget the Borg, one of the franchise’s greatest antagonists, who make for a thrilling and unforgettable adventure. So, whether you’re a die-hard Trekkie or just looking for a fun sci-fi flick, First Contact is highly recommended.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
13233 Executive Park Terrace, Germantown, Maryland, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving abortion, and brief strong language
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 50m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 1996 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 1998
Genre(s)
Sci-Fi
Keyword(s)
starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Alice Krige, James Cromwell, Alfre Woodard, Neal McDonough, reviewed by Leonard Pitts Jr., Jay Carr, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Richard Corliss, Lisa Alspector, Joe Leydon, Danielle Solzman, Stephen Silver, Mike Massie, Leigh Paatsch
Worldwide gross: $72,125
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $90,138
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,036
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 9,830
US/Canada gross: $72,125
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $90,138
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,675
US/Canada opening weekend: $15,500
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $19,371
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,525
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
– Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Thomas Riker
– Brent Spiner as Lieutenant Commander Data
– LeVar Burton as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
– Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Commander Worf
– Gates McFadden as Commander Beverly Howard Crusher, M.D.
– James Cromwell as Zefram Cochrane
– Alice Krige as Borg Queen
– Rick Berman as Producer
– Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore as Writers
– Jonathan Frakes as Director
Director(s)
Jonathan Frakes
Writer(s)
Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore
Producer(s)
Rick Berman
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 9 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (63) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (58) | Rotten (5)
This is why we go to Star Trek: for a tomorrow of promise and possibility and stories that lift us from the muck of what we are to the summit of what we might learn to be.
August 17, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Leonard Pitts Jr.
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
It’s easily one of the best in the series — the best, in fact, since Leonard Nimoy and the old Enterprise crew saved the whales in “Star Trek IV.”
April 26, 2018
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
In zooming out from Picard’s glinty eyeball, this eighth feature film from the Trek factory displays a zippy new energy and a sleek, confident style fully independent of its predecessors.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
First Contact is no grab bag of camp gewgaws; it stands proud and apart, accessible even to the Trek-deficient. This old Star, it seems, has a lot of life in it.
May 3, 2009
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The elegance of the story is enhanced by the sure direction of Jonathan Frakes, who also plays Commander William Riker.
June 5, 2007
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
A smashingly exciting sci-fi adventure that ranks among the very best in the long-running Paramount franchise.
June 5, 2007
Joe Leydon
Variety
TOP CRITIC
If you’ve never watched anything Star Trek before, First Contact is a very accessible film and highly recommended.
April 6, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies
The best cinematic outing featuring the Next Generation cast, one that found a great story to tell featuring the Borg, one of the franchise’s greatest antagonists. (25th anniversary)
December 1, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Stephen Silver
Tilt Magazine
The dialogue has improved and the story elements are more in tune with the show, but there’s a wealth of unrealized potential and an equal amount of underdeveloped concepts.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 5/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
If you carry the Star Trek gene, you’ll be camped on this already.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
At once hopeful and dark, First Contact is a rousing space opera with terrific characterisation, performances, and surprisingly well-aged visual effects.
May 31, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Shaun Munro
Flickering Myth
It’s clear immediately that filmmaker Jonathan Frakes isn’t looking to deliver just another episode of the TV series here…
January 22, 2020 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews…
Plot
The crew of the Enterprise travels back in time to stop the Borg from taking over Earth in the past, while also helping a pioneer of space travel create the first warp drive.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features a cameo appearance by James Cromwell, who would later go on to play Zephram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact.
Jonathan-Frakes.jpg
90%
Captain Phillips (2013)
90%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 6 Oscars
16 wins & 154 nominations total
Smart, powerfully acted, and incredibly intense, Captain Phillips offers filmgoers a Hollywood biopic done right — and offers Tom Hanks a showcase for yet another brilliant performance.
Captain Phillips is a movie that will have you on the edge of your seat, even if you already know the outcome. Tom Hanks delivers a career-best performance, and newcomer Barkhad Abdi is a standout as the desperate and menacing Somali pirate. The film is a technical masterpiece that captures the human spirit in times of peril and serves as an allegory for the balance of global power and the value of life. It’s a terrifically tense thriller that is worth the price of a full seat, even though you’ll only use the edge. So grab some popcorn and get ready for a nail-bitingly exciting ride!
Production Company(ies)
Orion-Nova Productions,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Malta
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sustained intense sequences of menace, some violence with bloody images, and for substance use
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 12.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 13m
-
Language(s):English, Somali
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2013 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2014
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Tom Hanks, directed by Paul Greengrass, written by Billy Ray, action, box office performance, budget, reviewed by J Hoberman, Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, PG-13, Maersk Alabama, Somali pirates, Muse, Richard Phillips, Catherine Keener, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M Ali, Dolby Digital, SDDS, Datasat, Captain Phillips, Andrea Phillips, Bilal, Najee, Elmi, Hollywood biopic, intense, powerful, thriller, survival, hostage, pirates, tension, realism, convincing, emotional intensity, career best performance, allegory, global power, human spirit, peril
Worldwide gross: $218,791,811
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $277,941,747
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 541
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 30,309,896
US/Canada gross: $107,100,855
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $136,055,360
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 561
US/Canada opening weekend: $25,718,314
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $32,671,210
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 402
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $55,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $69,869,142
Production budget ranking: 602
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $37,624,533
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $170,448,072
ROI to date (est.): 159%
ROI ranking: 740
Catherine Keener – Andrea Phillips
Barkhad Abdi – Muse
Barkhad Abdirahman – Bilal
Faysal Ahmed – Najee
Mahat M. Ali – Elmi
Director(s)
Paul Greengrass
Writer(s)
Billy Ray
Producer(s)
Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 6 Oscars
16 wins & 154 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (280) | Top Critics (81) | Fresh (261) | Rotten (19)
The Navy SEALS procedural is a bit of a jumble even as it comfortingly demonstrates American competence in the face of a standoff. Still, it’s the captain’s passion that gives the movie its emotional intensity.
February 22, 2019
J. Hoberman
ARTINFO.com
TOP CRITIC
My heart was in my mouth throughout. It is nail-bitingly exciting, even if you know the outcome, and I think I can safely say it’s a better film than the one I thought I was going to see.
September 5, 2018
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
… this high-stakes, visceral drama that allows the audience to experience the myriad emotions at the same time as the characters. It captures what is truly remarkable about the human spirit in times of peril.
September 6, 2017 | Rating: A
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
The film’s real muscle – intelligently never over-flexed – is as an allegory in the balance of global power and the value of life.
September 6, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
metro.co.uk
TOP CRITIC
It seems strange to say that an actor as awarded and acclaimed as Tom Hanks is still capable of surprising us. But he does in ‘Captain Phillips,’ which is one of the best films of the year.
June 19, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
[W]e’re carried along not just by the momentum of events, but by the precision with which they’re depicted.
February 6, 2014
Jonathan Romney
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Time has been kind to this meat-and-potatoes film, for quality never goes out of style.
May 17, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Danilo Castro
Next Best Picture
Captain Phillips is a great adult orientated thriller that has a wonderful sense of tension and a career best Tom Hanks performance. You owe it to yourself to see this.
March 17, 2021 | Rating: 4.5
Niall Browne
Movies in Focus
The film is a technical chef-d’oeuvre. It’s a study on the misanthropy of international piracy. It’s a film that’s far more evocative and thought-provoking than its name suggests.
February 16, 2021
Craig Schroeder
Battleship Pretension
A terrifically tense thriller that is worth the price of a full seat, even though you’ll only use the edge.
January 31, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Features exceptional performances, led by veteran actor Tom Hanks.
December 3, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Newcomer Barkhad Abdi, a Somali with no previous acting experience who beautifully captures both the desperate menace and the thoughtful humanity.
September 4, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com…
Plot
Captain Phillips is a multi-layered examination of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. It is – through director Paul Greengrass’s distinctive lens – simultaneously a pulse-pounding thriller, and a complex portrait of the myriad effects of globalization. The film focuses on the relationship between the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (two time Academy Award®-winner Tom Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), who takes him hostage. Phillips and Muse are set on an unstoppable collision course when Muse and his crew target Phillips’ unarmed ship; in the ensuing standoff, 145 miles off the Somali coast, both men will find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Tom Hanks delivers another brilliant performance in Captain Phillips.
Paul-Greengrass.jpg
90%
The History Of Future Folk (2013)
90%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 2 nominations
High on quirky smarts and low on splashy special effects, The History of Future Folk is an unusual — and unusually fun — slice of sci-fi.
The History of Future Folk is like a quirky, indie sci-fi movie that you stumble upon and end up falling in love with. It’s not perfect, but it’s so earnest and charming that you can’t help but root for it. The music is surprisingly catchy and the low-tech special effects add to the film’s overall charm. It’s the kind of movie that you’ll want to share with your friends just so you can all sing “Space Worms” together.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
FilmBuff, Variance Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2013
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 26m
-
Language(s):English, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2013 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 29, 2014
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Nils d’Aulaire, Jay Klaitz, Julie Ann Emery, April L Hernandez, Dee Snider, Onata Aprile, directed by John Mitchell, Jeremy Kipp Walker, written by John Mitchell, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Ann Hornaday, Bill Goodykoontz, Tom Keogh, Eric Kohn, Sheri Linden, Neil Genzlinger, Kip Mooney, Lainna Fader, Sarah Ward, Adam Patterson, Michelle Kisner, Charlie Jane Anders, produced by Jon Bulette, Andrew Goldman, Smokey Nelson, Jeremy Kipp Walker, MPAA rating, sci-fi, bluegrass musicians, alien general, comrade, home world, mankind’s destruction, catchy tunes, low-tech basics, unusual, fun, slice of sci-fi, drama, romance, catchy songs, Twister Sister, lo-fi look, heart, charm, original songs, funny, social commentary, action film, unique experience, audience score, critic consensus, film buff, variance films, distributor
Worldwide gross: $17,646
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $22,417
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,120
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,445
US/Canada gross: $17,646
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $22,417
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,797
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,775
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $7,336
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,763
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
Jay Klaitz – Kevin
Julie Ann Emery – Holly
April L. Hernandez – Carmen
Dee Snider – Larry
Onata Aprile – Wren
Director – John Mitchell, Jeremy Kipp Walker
Producer – Jon Bulette, Andrew Goldman, Smokey Nelson, Jeremy Kipp Walker
Writer – John Mitchell
Director(s)
John Mitchell, Jeremy Kipp Walker
Writer(s)
John Mitchell
Producer(s)
Jon Bulette, Andrew Goldman, Smokey Nelson, Jeremy Kipp Walker
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (3)
A delightful sci-fi adventure that simultaneously strips the genre down to its low-tech basics and infuses it with audacious new verve.
April 10, 2014
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
It is so charming and sweet … and the songs are so winning that it is impossible not to fall for it.
July 25, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/5
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
The nonsense proves good, goofy fun that works well because “History” at least acts as if it takes itself seriously, going easy on obvious ironies while dishing out catchy tunes.
July 11, 2013 | Rating: 2.5/4
Tom Keogh
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better example of unadulterated escapism in which the craftsmanship lies not in visual polish but the universal appeal of a catchy tune.
June 6, 2013 | Rating: A-
Eric Kohn
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
The movie could have made its points – war is bad; music is the universal language – in half the time. But the harmonies are sweet, the acoustic picking impressive.
June 6, 2013
Sheri Linden
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
It may not make much sense in a brief plot summary, but it makes perfect, daffy sense on the screen.
May 30, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Neil Genzlinger
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Not very good, but earns a lot of points for its earnestness, music and charm.
September 18, 2021 | Rating: C+
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review
The History of Future Folk is a sweet and charming little story that seems destined to become a cult favorite.
June 5, 2020
Lainna Fader
ScreenAnarchy
Though competently performed and brimming with enthusiasm, the sweet but slight fable-based film that results is heavily reliant upon its idea and less cognisant of its wavering cinematic execution, however it does provide moments of heartfelt comedy.
December 4, 2018
Sarah Ward
Trespass
It’s a well-crafted science fiction tale that will leave you with a smile on your face and a song about farming space worms stuck in your head for weeks.
November 29, 2018 | Rating: 8/10
Adam Patterson
Film Pulse
It’s quite a low budget film but they make everything work somehow. It does help if you appreciate B movies or 1960’s style Martian films.
November 29, 2018
Michelle Kisner
The Movie Sleuth
It’s a fast, cheerful and most of all resolutely cute movie, that absolutely does not demand or expect brooding or deep thought.
March 28, 2018
Charlie Jane Anders
io9.com…
Plot
An alien general and his comrade join forces to save their home world, prevent mankind’s destruction, and book gigs as bluegrass musicians in the quirky sci-fi comedy, The History of Future Folk.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features a small performance by Dee Snider, the lead singer of Twisted Sister.
John-Mitchell.jpg