Weekend (2011)
92%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: NA
It may be a chamber piece but Weekend’s revelations on modern sexuality expand far beyond the modest setting.
Weekend is the kind of movie that makes you want to fall in love, or at least go on a really good date. It’s a refreshing take on the romantic genre, with two charming leads and a realistic portrayal of modern relationships. Plus, the Nottingham setting adds a touch of British charm to the whole thing. Whether you’re in the mood for a tearjerker or just a feel-good movie, Weekend is definitely worth a watch.
Production Company(ies)
Korea Pictures, L J Film Pandora Filmproduktion,
Distributor
Sundance Selects
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-14
Year of Release
2011
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:2.00 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 36m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 23, 2011 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2014
Genre(s)
Drama/Romance
Keyword(s)
Weekend, 2011, Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+, Tom Cullen, Chris New, directed by Andrew Haigh, written by Andrew Haigh, produced by Tristan Goligher, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Alison Willmore, Sara Michelle Fetters, Alonso Duralde, Samuel Wigley, Derek Malcolm, Peter Bradshaw, David Lamble, MPAA rating, Sundance Selects, modern sexuality, gay man, artist, unexpected ways, Nottingham, U.K., Before Sunrise, romance, hetero, emotional, odyssey, tearful, euphoric, love story, chemistry, explicit, minimalist, touching, conversations, realistic, unromantic, contemporary British life, tender, humane, easy, unforced, cinematic language, adult, reinvents, off-beat pairing, deep topics, gay men, hook up, peripheral characters, natural, solid, performances, falling, deep, sincere, poetic, terrible editing, sound track, buried, brutally honest, revelatory, strangers, effect, lives, beautiful, honesty, human heart
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
Chris New – Glen
Jonathan Race – Jamie
Laura Freeman – Jill
Sarah Churm – Helen
Vauxhall Jermaine – Damien
Director(s)
Andrew Haigh
Writer(s)
Andrew Haigh
Producer(s)
Tristan Goligher
Film Festivals
South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (85) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (81) | Rotten (4)
Weekend, which was shot with watery beauty on location in Nottingham in the U.K., also owes something to Before Sunrise, but it’s not a gay remake of a straight movie. Its romance is very deliberately not some reworked version of a hetero one.
November 10, 2015
Alison Willmore
BuzzFeed News
TOP CRITIC
Romantic, tragic, heartbreaking and euphoric, this is an emotionally invigorating odyssey that held me spellbound all the way through, the movie elegantly building to a beautifully poignant coda that is as tearful as it uplifting.
January 27, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
The best film of 2011.
January 7, 2012
Alonso Duralde
What the Flick?!
TOP CRITIC
Weekend is finally a deeply romantic film, assured of the pleasure that one person can find in another, but rooted in the quirks and textures of contemporary British life.
November 8, 2011
Samuel Wigley
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Haigh treats his subject matter with matter-of-fact realism. If this is a new voice on the British film scene, it’s a refreshingly adult one.
November 4, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Derek Malcolm
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
It is a tender, humane film, with an easy, unforced cinematic language: a film that doesn’t need to try too hard.
November 3, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Andrew Haigh reinvents the romantic chamber piece with this off-beat pairing…
June 10, 2020
David Lamble
Bay Area Reporter
Although a love story, it is the unromantic and realist presentation of the story which gives it its resonance and allows the characters to mull over issues that go beyond the immediate reality of themselves.
February 14, 2020
Jim Ross
Roobla
Weekend lets you witness two people opening up to each other and discovering each other on a level that can only be described as falling. And I swear, you won’t be able to stop smiling about it.
August 7, 2019 | Rating: 4.5/5
Karl Delossantos
Smash Cut Reviews
Its seeming aimlessness makes it that much more real, deftly avoiding romantic cliches and sentimentality, thereby creating something infinitely more beautiful and moving.
August 6, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
A superb slice of contemporary British cinema from an hugely talented filmmaker.
December 5, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Ivan Radford
CineVue
A remarkably assured, charismatic, distinct and refreshingly unabridged romantic drama about two gay men finding love at the unlikeliest of times.
August 14, 2018 | Rating: 5/5
Jamie Neish
HeyUGuys…
Plot
Two best friends, Kate and Beth who have overcome personal setbacks and no matter what life throws at them, they always look forward to their annual weekend way. This year they are on a trip to Croatia, and everything is perfect until Beth wakes up to find Kate missing. With only a fuzzy memory of the previous night and the police not helping, her frantic search uncovers devastating secrets closer to home.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Tom Cullen, who plays the lead character Russell, is also a writer and director, and has directed several short films.
Andrew-Haigh.jpg
92%
A Film Unfinished (2010)
92%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: 6 wins & 11 nominations
A heartbreaking, haunting historical document, A Film Unfinished excavates particularly horrible chapter of Holocaust history, and in doing so, the film provides a glimpse into the Nazi propaganda machine.
A Film Unfinished is like a history lesson on steroids, but instead of bulking up your muscles, it bulks up your brain with knowledge. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the power of film and how it can be used to manipulate the truth. It’s a haunting reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and the importance of never forgetting the past. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of Nazi propaganda. Just don’t be surprised if they start avoiding you at parties.
Production Company(ies)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
Oscilloscope Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2010
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 29m
-
Language(s):German, Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish, English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 18, 2010 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 8, 2011
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $320,896
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $436,222
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,770
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 47,571
US/Canada gross: $320,486
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $435,664
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,361
US/Canada opening weekend: $34,060
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $46,301
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,237
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
Itai Ken-Tor – Producer
Noemi Schory – Producer
Joel Alexis – Film Editing
Director(s)
Yael Hersonski
Writer(s)
Yael Hersonski
Producer(s)
Itai Ken-Tor, Noemi Schory
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
6 wins & 11 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (65) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (64) | Rotten (1)
a new and uniquely disturbing perspective on the Shoah
November 13, 2013
Chris Chang
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Filmmaker Yael Hersonski reshapes the impossibly vile and tragic source material into a devastating record of Nazi criminality.
January 4, 2011
Cliff Doerksen
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
It’s impossible to watch A Film Unfinished and not feel haunted by the restless ghosts of history and those who tried — and failed — to use film to tell a lie.
December 3, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Yael Hersonski’s documentary is infuriating, heartbreaking, devastating — and scary. It depicts a lie upon a lie.
December 2, 2010 | Rating: 4.5/5
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
Yael Hersonski’s A Film Unfinished reclaims history, teaches a lesson about the reliability of images and raises unanswerable questions about complicity.
November 24, 2010
Joe Williams
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
A remarkable new documentary that reminds us of film’s inherent capacity for lying.
November 4, 2010 | Rating: 5/5
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
A Film Unfinished is an otherwise necessary deepening of our understanding of the Holocaust and an illustration of the power of film, which can elucidate reality or shroud it in layers of deception and prejudice.
January 22, 2020
Felicia Feaster
Charleston City Paper
The impact of A Film Unfinished is surely sufficient proof that, even in our media-saturated age, filmed images can still move our feelings, if not necessarily create a better world.
November 5, 2018
Ian Buruma
The New York Review of Books
A tremendously powerful historical documentary… [Full review in Spanish]
March 15, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Laura Hiros
Rincón de cine
Riveting, scary, and significant, Film Unfinished contrasts invaluable footage of agit-prop Nazi feature with the reaction of Warsaw Gehtto survivors to that footage and testimonies of the real life thee.
September 9, 2012 | Rating: A-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Painful, eye-opening, and extraordinarily necessary to view, especially by the young to whom the Holocaust is nowadays too abstract a notion to fully mentally envision in all of its grotesqueness
March 22, 2011 | Rating: 10/10
Brandon Judell
GreenCine
A heartbreaking but engrossing detective story that not only shines a light on Nazi evil but on the manipulative prowess of the Third Reich.
March 18, 2011 | Rating: 4/4
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune…
Plot
Yael Hersonski’s powerful documentary achieves a remarkable feat through its penetrating look at another film-the now-infamous Nazi-produced film about the Warsaw Ghetto. Discovered after the war, the unfinished work, with no soundtrack, quickly became a resource for historians seeking an authentic record, despite its elaborate propagandistic construction. The later discovery of a long-missing reel complicated earlier readings, showing the manipulations of camera crews in these “everyday” scenes. Well-heeled Jews attending elegant dinners and theatricals (while callously stepping over the dead bodies of compatriots) now appeared as unwilling, but complicit, actors, alternately fearful and in denial of their looming fate.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film on Fresh Kernels.
Yael-Hersonski.jpg
92%
GasLand (2010)
92%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Gasland is a documentary that exposes the devastating effects of fracking on the environment and the people who live near fracking sites. With a combination of powerful imagery and compelling interviews, director Josh Fox paints a picture of a corporate culture that is willing to sacrifice the health and safety of ordinary Americans for the sake of profit. The film is a wake-up call for anyone who cares about the future of our planet, and a reminder that we must take action now to protect our natural resources and our communities. With its mix of humor, intelligence, and passion, Gasland is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of our addiction to fossil fuels.
Gasland is a documentary that will make you want to hug your water bottle and never let go. With shocking footage of kitchen taps on fire and a corporate greed that would make Gordon Gekko blush, this film is a must-see for anyone who cares about the environment. It’s like a horror movie, but instead of zombies, the villains are oil and gas companies. So grab some popcorn and get ready to be scared straight.
Production Company(ies)
Communicado Productions, New Zealand Film Commission Avalon, NFU
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Milanville, Pennsylvania, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2011
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Dec 14, 2010
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $49,428
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $65,072
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,067
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 7,096
US/Canada gross: $30,846
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $40,609
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,768
US/Canada opening weekend: $2,641
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $3,477
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,828
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
Aubrey K. McClendon – Self
Mike Markham – Self
Marsha Mendenhall – Self
Weston Wilson – Self
Maurice Hinchey – Self
Director(s)
Josh Fox
Writer(s)
Josh Fox
Producer(s)
Josh Fox, Trish Adlesic, Molly Gandour
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (1)
Gasland will no doubt spark the political debate it intends.
January 20, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Zara Miller
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Josh Fox puts a fresh spin on a well-drilled – if continually relevant – story.
January 18, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Patrick Peters
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Cheney, the great outdoorsman, nearly killed a friend while hunting. That was nothing, however, compared with what he’s been doing to thousands of his fellow countrymen.
January 18, 2011
Philip French
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
With a remorselessness all the more powerful for its quiet unfussiness, Fox builds up a riveting portrait of near-apocalyptic environmental damage and a corporate mindset willing to ruin water sources irrevocably for the sake of a few years’ profit.
January 18, 2011
Sam Davies
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
It’s a powerful film.
January 13, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Gasland may be the first ever American film in which Nixon is the hero. It is the 101st in which Dick Cheney is the villain.
January 12, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
GasLand shows ordinary Americans setting their formerly potable kitchen tap water on fire, it looks like a special effect, but sadly isn’t.
March 10, 2020
Kathi Maio
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
Recommended, especially for those who still think the Gulf spill is just a local problem.
October 19, 2018
Tim Heffernan
Esquire Magazine
This is the new American landscape, where George Romero meets Henry Thoreau.
April 30, 2018
A.S. Hamrah
n+1
A must-see documentary
May 1, 2013 | Rating: 80/100
Dan Jardine
Cinemania
An absorbing, level-headed documentary exposing the way in which nothing is allowed to stand in the path of corporate greed.
January 18, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Allan Hunter
Daily Express (UK)
By turns shocking and deeply upsetting, Gasland is a powerful, well made eco-documentary that carries a vitally important message.
January 15, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon…
Plot
It is happening all across America-rural landowners wake up one day to find a lucrative offer from an energy company wanting to lease their property. Reason? The company hopes to tap into a reservoir dubbed the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas.” Halliburton developed a way to get the gas out of the ground-a hydraulic drilling process called “fracking”-and suddenly America finds itself on the precipice of becoming an energy superpower.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Gasland features Josh Fox as both the director and narrator of the documentary.
Josh-Fox.jpg
92%
Toy Story 3 (2010)
92%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: Won 2 Oscars
61 wins & 96 nominations total
Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works.
Toy Story 3 is the perfect movie for anyone who has ever wondered what their toys do when they’re not around. From the hilarious antics of Woody and Buzz to the heartwarming moments between Andy and his toys, this movie has it all. And let’s not forget about the new characters, like the adorable and slightly terrifying Lotso. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, Toy Story 3 is a must-see film that will leave you feeling nostalgic and happy.
Production Company(ies)
Twentieth Century Fox, Brandywine Productions, Pinewood Studios,
Distributor
Walt Disney
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Pixar Animation Studios – 1200 Park Avenue, Emeryville, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
G
Year of Release
2010
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:SDDS Dolby Digital Dolby Surround 7.1 Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1 (original & intended ratio, Blu-ray)
-
Runtime:1h 42m
-
Language(s):English, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 2010 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 2, 2010
Genre(s)
Comedy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
Toy Story 3, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, Lee Unkrich, Darla K Anderson, Michael Arndt, Pixar, G, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, English, Walt Disney, Dolby Digital, SDDS, DTS, $415.0M, reviewed by John Anderson, Anthony Quinn, Deborah Ross, Eric Hynes, David Denby, Tom Charity, Cory Woodroof, Andrea Hubert, Mike Massie, Richard Propes, Allen Almachar, David Harris, 98%, 310 Reviews, 90%, 250,000+ Ratings
Worldwide gross: $1,066,970,811
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,450,425,736
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 53
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 158,170,746
US/Canada gross: $415,004,880
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $564,152,039
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 57
US/Canada opening weekend: $110,307,189
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $149,950,106
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 39
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $200,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $271,877,304
Production budget ranking: 26
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $146,405,928
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $1,032,142,505
ROI to date (est.): 247%
ROI ranking: 537
Tim Allen – Buzz Lightyear (Voice)
Joan Cusack – Jessie (Voice)
Ned Beatty – Lotso (Voice)
Don Rickles – Mr. Potato Head (Voice)
Michael Keaton – Ken (Voice)
Director(s)
Lee Unkrich
Writer(s)
Michael Arndt
Producer(s)
Darla K. Anderson
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 2 Oscars
61 wins & 96 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures Winners, Oscar Best Animated Feature Film Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Original Song Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (310) | Top Critics (77) | Fresh (305) | Rotten (5)
The ostensibly inanimate objects are far more animated than most movie stars.
April 7, 2015
John Anderson
America Magazine
TOP CRITIC
It takes a kind of genius to combine a children’s movie for grown-ups and a grown-up’s movie for children in one glittering digimated package, yet the folks at Pixar have done it time and again.
August 25, 2014 | Rating: 5/5
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Action-wise, this is essentially a prison-break caper, but there is so much more to it than this.
August 25, 2014
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
When teenaged Andy plops down on the grass to share his old toys with a shy little girl, the film spikes with sadness and layered pleasure — a concise, deeply wise expression of the ephemeral that feels real and yet utterly transporting.
August 4, 2013
Eric Hynes
Village Voice
TOP CRITIC
There are many sweet laughs and joking allusions to horror and prison-break movies, but the Pixar gang gets at the most primary fear — being cast off and no longer of use.
August 4, 2013
David Denby
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
I seriously doubt there will be a more hilarious and heartfelt blockbuster all summer.
August 4, 2013
Tom Charity
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
The last 45 minutes of this are perfect (especially the moments at the dump), some of the best moments in animation history.
July 6, 2022
Cory Woodroof
615 Film
Third time is equally charming for Woody and the gang.
May 19, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Andrea Hubert
NME
Nothing short of brilliant.
November 30, 2020 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Yet another masterful creation by Pixar Animation Studios.
September 26, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Not in the same league as Pixar’s previous efforts … it still solidifies the notion that this production company is at the forefront of modern animation.
August 14, 2020
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
Toy Story 3 is not only one of Pixar’s best films, but perhaps the best of the Toy Story trilogy.
October 24, 2019
David Harris
Spectrum Culture…
Plot
Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, it’s all for one and one for all as they join Barbie’s counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear to plan their great escape.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing specific is given, so here’s a fun fact about the Toy Story franchise: The character of Woody was originally supposed to be a ventriloquist’s dummy, but the filmmakers decided to make him a cowboy instead.
Lee-Unkrich.jpg
92%
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
92%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
25 wins & 63 nominations total
Exciting, emotionally resonant, and beautifully animated, How to Train Your Dragon 2 builds on its predecessor’s successes just the way a sequel should.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 is the perfect movie to watch with your family on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It’s got everything you could want – action, adventure, humor, and heart. Plus, who doesn’t love a good story about a boy and his dragon? The animation is stunning, the characters are lovable, and the plot is engaging. It’s no wonder this movie has received so many positive reviews. So grab some popcorn, snuggle up with your loved ones, and get ready for a wild ride with Hiccup and Toothless!
Production Company(ies)
Sony Pictures, Classics Radical Media, Sen Art Films,
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for sequences of intense action and some scary images, and brief mild language
Year of Release
2014
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital DTSS DDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 42m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 13, 2014 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 11, 2014
Genre(s)
Fantasy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
PG, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy, Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, directed by Dean DeBlois, written by Dean DeBlois, produced by Bonnie Arnold, reviewed by Charlotte O’Sullivan, Leslie Felperin, Geoffrey Macnab, Adam Woodward, Dave Calhoun, Helen O’Hara, Richard Crouse, James Croot, Mike Massie, Richard Propes, Allen Almachar, Kelechi Ehenulo, box office $177.0M, TOMATOMETER 91%, audience score 89%, Hiccup, Toothless, Berk, Valka, Drago, dragons, Vikings, wild dragons, dragon rider, power-hungry warrior, secret cave, mild rude humor, adventure action, 20th Century Fox, Dolby Atmos, SDDS, Datasat
Worldwide gross: $621,537,519
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $672,732,481
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 186
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 73,362,321
US/Canada gross: $217,581,231
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $295,776,992
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 192
US/Canada opening weekend: $43,732,319
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $59,449,125
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 178
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $165,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $224,298,776
Production budget ranking: 59
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $120,784,891
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $327,648,815
ROI to date (est.): 95%
ROI ranking: 955
Cate Blanchett – Valka – Voice
Gerard Butler – Stoick the Vast – Voice
Craig Ferguson – Gobber – Voice
America Ferrera – Astrid – Voice
Jonah Hill – Snotlout – Voice
Director(s)
Dean DeBlois, Tom Owens
Writer(s)
Dean DeBlois
Producer(s)
Bonnie Arnold
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
25 wins & 63 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (188) | Top Critics (57) | Fresh (172) | Rotten (16)
The characters in this movie are charmers. They’ve got me so well-trained, I’m even looking forward to HTTYD3.
July 11, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
It has a richness that’s highly compelling, especially in the way it explores the complex relationship between man and beast.
July 11, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Leslie Felperin
Radio Times
TOP CRITIC
The filmmakers borrow freely from Avatar, Sword In The Stone and even Brave but they bring enough vigour and imagination to their storytelling to get away with it.
July 10, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This swooping and soaring sequel boasts big thrills, innovative set-pieces and a surprisingly radical political outlook.
July 10, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Adam Woodward
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Hats off to Dreamworks for offering some bold surprises in a respectable sequel filled with moments of humour and emotion among its ample noise and movement.
July 8, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Dave Calhoun
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
At times terrifying and too tough for tinies, this is nevertheless a triumphant sequel that puts its faith in Hiccup and Toothless to find a way through dark times for man and dragon.
July 6, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Helen O’Hara
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
High on spectacle and never wastes an opportunity to entertain the eye and up the wonder factor, but it’s not just shock and awe. An emotional subplot regarding family adds some weight to the fantasy elements of the story.
February 1, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
An engaging and entertaining way to while away a couple of hours during the summer school holidays.
January 7, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
Imaginative, humorous, and thrilling, this sequel is everything the first film was – and a little bit more.
December 4, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
It’s a strong testimony to DeBlois that this second film in the series doesn’t feel like a transition film or a filler film but an actual story that stands on its own.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
How to Train Your Dragon 2 succeeds by fulfilling the potential established by the first film, without succumbing to the trappings of being a sequel.
July 21, 2020 | Rating: A
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a success on many levels.
July 16, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Kelechi Ehenulo
Confessions From A Geek Mind…
Plot
Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town’s fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can’t bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The voice cast of How to Train Your Dragon 2 includes Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, and Jonah Hill.
Dean-DeBlois.jpg
92%
Every Little Step (2009)
92%RT Audience Score: 88%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 6 nominations
Fascinating and insightful, Every Little Step is a thoroughly engrossing behind the scenes look at Broadway performers.
Every Little Step is a documentary that follows the audition process for the revival of A Chorus Line on Broadway. While some critics found it confusing and self-congratulatory, others were moved by the passion and dedication of the dancers. As a non-critic, I have to say that watching this documentary made me want to put on my dancing shoes and audition for a Broadway show myself (even though I have two left feet). The film captures the complexity of performance and the struggle that comes with pursuing your dreams. Plus, who doesn’t love a good montage of people dancing their hearts out? Overall, Every Little Step is a must-watch for anyone who loves musical theater or just needs a little inspiration to follow their dreams.
Production Company(ies)
Plattform Produktion Film i Väst Essential Filmproduktion, GmbH,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
42nd Street Studios, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some strong language including sexual references
Year of Release
2009
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 36m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2009 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 13, 2009
Genre(s)
Documentary/Music
Keyword(s)
Every Little Step, documentary, music, Broadway musical, behind the scenes, audition process, revival, A Chorus Line, James D Stern, Adam Del Deo, directed by, produced by, Candy Ann Brown, Michelle Liu Coughlin, Mara Davi, Natascia Diaz, Tyce Diorio, Rick Faugno, starring, PG-13, some strong language, sexual references, genre, English, Sony Pictures Classics, box office, gross USA, $1.7M, critic reviews, reviewed by, Michael Koresky, Keith Uhlich, Jonathan F Richards, Sandra Hall, Philippa Hawker, Ruth Hessey, Kelly Jane Torrance, David D’Arcy, James Plath, Rob Thomas, Mike Scott, Dennis Schwartz, MPAA rating, audience score, Tomatometer, runtime, distributor, writer names, producer names
Worldwide gross: $2,769,763
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,828,119
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,249
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 417,461
US/Canada gross: $1,725,141
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,384,336
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,991
US/Canada opening weekend: $68,504
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $94,680
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,953
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
Michelle Liu Coughlin – Self
Mara Davi – Self
Natascia Diaz – Self
Tyce Diorio – Self
Rick Faugno – Self
Director(s)
Adam Del Deo, James D. Stern
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Adam Del Deo, James D. Stern
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (96) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (88) | Rotten (8)
Every Little Step, like A Chorus Line itself, should prove catnip for any self-respecting, self-flagellating actor-dancer.
October 20, 2014
Michael Koresky
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
There’s a terribly interesting story behind the creation of the musical phenom A Chorus Line, but don’t look to this confused and often self-congratulatory documentary to tell it.
November 16, 2011 | Rating: 2/6
Keith Uhlich
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
It’s all up there on the screen in this impassioned, exhilarating documentary. They want to dance for you. It’s what they did for love.
August 23, 2009
Jonathan F. Richards
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
All the dancers who move towards the final cut are so good that the line between success and failure seems cruelly arbitrary and the disappointment of those who don’t make it is acute. But nobody’s giving up.
July 9, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
There are still plenty of engrossing aspects to the film, moments in the audition process that demonstrate the complexity of performance.
July 2, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/5
Philippa Hawker
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
I was thrilled and moved by Every Little Step, despite the abundance of bad dancing pouring out of reality television these days, because it’s about the real thing, and offers marvellous insights into of the process of creating a Broadway hit.
July 2, 2009
Ruth Hessey
MovieTime, ABC Radio National
TOP CRITIC
These stories of struggle, leading to triumph or defeat, are what make Every Little Step so fascinating. They’re also the film’s weakness – we only get a taste of who these people are and how they came to be here.
December 7, 2018 | Rating: 3/4
Kelly Jane Torrance
Washington Times
The documentary, edited down from some 400 hours, is packed with crowd-pleasing moments.
December 16, 2009
David D’Arcy
Screen International
Like the dancers themselves, this documentary has heart.
October 25, 2009 | Rating: 8/10
James Plath
Movie Metropolis
The tights and the hairstyles may have changed a lot in 30 years, but the desperation and the elation remain the same.
October 7, 2009 | Rating: 3/4
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Dedicated theater rats might enjoy it, but it’s too one-dimensional to qualify as a singular sensation.
August 14, 2009 | Rating: 2/2
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune
It says nada about Broadway that hasn’t been said better many times before.
August 12, 2009 | Rating: C
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
Starting at midnight January 26, 1974, dancer and choreographer Michael Bennett held a twelve-hour taped get-together with twenty-two dancers talking about themselves, he not knowing exactly where it would lead. It would become the genesis for what has become one of the most influential Broadway musicals of all time, and a show which speaks to theatrical dancers’ hearts: “A Chorus Line”. In 2008, a Broadway revival of the show is being mounted, with many involved in the original production part of the creative team behind the revival. The issue for the revival’s creative team is to make the show and the casting fresh, while respecting the original, where the characters, their stories and their related songs all came out of the 1974 dancers’ stories, they who were cast in the original production. Although the names and the faces have changed from 1974, the dancers auditioning mirror many of the stories and issues faced by those original dancers. As such, they “really want this job” as it speaks to who they are and what they do and want to do for a living. It ends up being a difficult process for both sides as there end up being 3,000 dancers at the start of the eight month audition process.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features interviews with past and present cast and crew members of “A Chorus Line.”
Adam-Del-Deo.jpg
92%
Up (2009)
92%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 4 Oscars
16 wins & 87 nominations total
An exciting, funny, and poignant adventure, Up offers an impeccably crafted story told with wit and arranged with depth, as well as yet another visual Pixar treat.
Up” is the perfect movie for anyone who wants to laugh, cry, and shout “Squirrel!” all in one sitting. It’s a heartwarming adventure that will have you soaring high and tugging at your heartstrings. The first 20 minutes alone will leave you feeling all the feels, and the rest of the movie is just as good. Plus, who doesn’t love a movie with a talking dog? “Up” is a true masterpiece that will leave you with a smile on your face and a tear in your eye.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures,
Distributor
Walt Disney, Pixar Animation Studios
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language throughout, some sexual content, graphic nudity and drug content.
Year of Release
2009
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 29m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 29, 2009 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2009
Genre(s)
Comedy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, Jerome Ranft, directed by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, written by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, comedy, adventure, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Tom Charity, Cosmo Landesman, Ian Freer, Toby Young, Limara Salt, Jonathan Romney, Mike Massie, Jason Best, Richard Propes, Sergio Benítez, PG, Walt Disney, Pixar Animation Studios, Carl Fredricksen, balloon salesman, South American wilderness, Russell, stowaway, house, adventure, emotional, heartwarming, animated, Pixar, Up, movie, film, critic reviews, audience reviews, best animated flick, masterpiece, visual designs, imaginative storytelling, funny, poignant, sad, whimsical, adventurous, standout picture, finest of Pixar’s animated features, highly entertaining, charming, solid animated feature, wonderful, amusing, memorable, sad moments, feel-good, richer, fuller, enjoyable, entrancing, horror movies, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV shows, news, reviews, Fandango
Worldwide gross: $791,863
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $861,236
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,628
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 93,919
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
Christopher Plummer – Charles Muntz – Voice
Jordan Nagai – Russell – Voice
Bob Peterson – Dug, Alpha – Voice
Delroy Lindo – Beta – Voice
Jerome Ranft – Gamma – Voice
Director(s)
Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Writer(s)
Bob Peterson, Pete Docter
Producer(s)
Jonas Rivera
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 4 Oscars
16 wins & 87 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures Winners, Oscar Best Animated Feature Film Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Original Score Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (297) | Top Critics (76) | Fresh (290) | Rotten (7)
Funny and poignant and full of life, Up easily qualifies as one of the best movies of the year so far. Go with someone you care about.
July 6, 2010
Tom Charity
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
A hugely enjoyable work, whose care, craftsmanship and creative courage are rarely found in mainstream films – animated or otherwise.
October 16, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Cosmo Landesman
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
If it had lived up to its golden first five minutes, Up would have been the film of the decade. As it is, it remains the best animated flick of 2009, a funny, moving, beautifully made argument that dreamers can move mountains.
October 9, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
What’s so impressive about Up is that the film-makers never lose sight of their adult concerns.
October 9, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Toby Young
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Another original, boundary pushing story. It’s not quite Nemo, but it will have you shouting ‘Squirrel!’ at every opportunity.
October 9, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Limara Salt
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
The humour gets weirder as it goes on and it’s among the lightest of Pixar’s films, but the first 20 minutes offer the saddest, most poignant sequence seen in an animation film since Bambi’s mother died.
October 9, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Jonathan Romney
Uncut Magazine [UK]
TOP CRITIC
A perfect blend of visual designs and imaginative storytelling.
November 29, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
First Up gently tugs at your heartstrings, then it sends you soaring aloft.
November 24, 2020
Jason Best
Movie Talk
An absolute triumph.
September 26, 2020 | Rating: 4.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
‘Up’ is an adventure from start to finish that… deals with many things that complement each other, making up a whole that would be impossible not to consider a masterpiece. [Full Review in Spanish]
May 8, 2020
Sergio Benítez
Espinof
There is not a moment in this film where there’s not a smile on your face or in your heart…24 kt. Oscar gold.
November 3, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
Here’s a movie that ultimately goes to the dogs (Dug!), and it still deserves enthusiastic thumbs up.
June 20, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy…
Plot
Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), an astronomy grad student, and her professor Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system. The problem – it’s on a direct collision course with Earth. The other problem? No one really seems to care. Turns out warning mankind about a planet-killer the size of Mount Everest is an inconvenient fact to navigate. With the help of Dr. Oglethorpe (Rob Morgan), Kate and Randall embark on a media tour that takes them from the office of an indifferent President Orlean (Meryl Streep) and her sycophantic son and Chief of Staff, Jason (Jonah Hill), to the airwaves of The Daily Rip, an upbeat morning show hosted by Brie (Cate Blanchett) and Jack (Tyler Perry). With only six months until the comet makes impact, managing the 24-hour news cycle and gaining the attention of the social media obsessed public before it’s too late proves shockingly comical – what will it take to get the world to just look up?.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Ed Asner voices the main character, Carl Fredericksen, in Up.
Pete-Docter.jpg
92%
About Elly (2015)
92%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: 20 wins & 13 nominations
About Elly offers viewers performances as powerful as its thought-provoking ideas, and adds another strong entry to Asghar Farhadi’s impressive filmography.
Darbareye Elly” is a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but don’t worry if you miss a detail or two – you’ll still be blown away by the intricate plot and well-defined characters. Farhadi’s ability to explore a wide variety of situations is truly impressive, and the cast of performers is flawless. Plus, there’s a gentle whisper of political critique that adds an extra layer of depth to the story. It’s like “L’avventura” meets a psychological, political, cultural explosion – but with more heart and compassion. Don’t miss it!
Production Company(ies)
Tokuma Japan Communications, Studio Ghibli, Nibariki
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Tonekabon, Mazandaran, Iran
MPAA / Certificate
TV-PG
Year of Release
2009
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):Persian, German
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2015
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Golshifteh Farahani, Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti, Merila Zare’i, Mani Haghighi, Peyman Moaadi, directed by Asghar Farhadi, written by Asghar Farhadi, Azad Jafarian, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kenneth Turan, Tom Long, Walter V Addiego, Michael Phillips, Tirdad Derakhshani, Peter Keough, Brian Eggert, Patrick Gamble, Kaleem Aftab, Charles Mudede, Sean Axmaker, MPAA rating, producer Asghar Farhadi, Simaye Mehr, Mahmoud Razavi, Persian language, mystery, social drama, friendships, marriages, philosophy, morality tale, cultural commentary, northern Iran, disappearance, potential suitor, performances, thought-provoking ideas, intricate plotting, well-defined characters, honest, powerful, intriguing, emotional depth, tension, compassionate, riveting
Worldwide gross: $879,422
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,215,459
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,552
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 132,547
US/Canada gross: $470,760
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $650,642
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,274
US/Canada opening weekend: $13,180
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,216
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,543
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
Shahab Hosseini – Ahmad
Taraneh Alidoosti – Elly
Merila Zare’i – Shohreh
Mani Haghighi – Amir
Peyman Moaadi – Peyman
Director(s)
Asghar Farhadi
Writer(s)
Asghar Farhadi, Azad Jafarian
Producer(s)
Asghar Farhadi, Simaye Mehr, Mahmoud Razavi
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
20 wins & 13 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (71) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (70) | Rotten (1)
Farhadi has written a first-rate script, enabling intricate plotting to intertwine with well-defined characters, and “About Elly” shows him at ease with the wide variety of situations his writing explores.
July 9, 2015
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
By the time the mystery is solved, it hardly seems to matter. What matters is the casual lack of honesty that almost everyone seems to depend on.
June 26, 2015 | Rating: A
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
It’s an incisive portrait of a particular society, but it should resonate everywhere.
May 20, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Walter V. Addiego
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
There are no false notes anywhere in this cast of performers.
May 7, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Always, murmuring just beneath the surface, there’s a political undercurrent to Farhadi’s films, a gentle whisper of a critique aimed at the weight of Iran’s combined cultural and political intransigence.
May 7, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Tirdad Derakhshani
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
It is perhaps Farhadi’s richest, most complex and ambitious.
May 7, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Peter Keough
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
Farhadi peels back layer after layer of the story to heighten the dramatic stakes, gradually revealing his cultural commentary.
February 20, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Farhadi once again reveals himself to be a master of the morality tale, beautiful presenting a series of encounters in which each character is morally and ethically questioned.
February 2, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Patrick Gamble
CineVue
This is a tale of great emotional depth with intriguing philosophical discussions about the nature of despair, the value of individual choice and deception.
November 1, 2018
Kaleem Aftab
The National (UAE)
Simple, elegant, and yet incredibly complicated and tense. The action, the bombs, and the drama are all in the details. If you do not catch every word, change of tone, and glance, you’ll miss a huge psychological, political, cultural explosion.
August 28, 2018
Charles Mudede
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
The set-up recalls Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’avventura but this mystery becomes a vehicle for social drama and sharp observations of friendships and marriages under pressure.
February 12, 2016
Sean Axmaker
Seanax.com
Clever, compassionate, and completely riveting.
January 2, 2016
Jonathan Kiefer
SF Weekly…
Plot
A young teacher disappears before being introduced to a potential suitor in northern Iran, leading to a complex and thought-provoking exploration of societal norms and honesty in Asghar Farhadi’s drama “About Elly.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Golshifteh Farahani, who plays Sepideh in the film, was banned from returning to her home country of Iran after appearing in a Hollywood film.
Asghar-Farhadi.jpg
92%
Star Trek (2009)
92%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Star Trek reignites a classic franchise with action, humor, a strong story, and brilliant visuals, and will please traditional Trekkies and new fans alike.
Star Trek is the perfect movie for both die-hard fans and those who have never seen a single episode. With stunning special effects and a cast that brings beloved characters to life, this sci-fi adventure will have you on the edge of your seat. And let’s not forget the surprise cameos from Tyler Perry and Leonard Nimoy – talk about a blast from the past! Whether you’re a Trekkie or a newbie, Star Trek is a fun and exciting ride through the final frontier.
Production Company(ies)
Act III Productions, Artemis Rising Foundation Maramara Films,
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-PG
Year of Release
2009
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1
-
Aspect ratio:2.39:1
-
Runtime:2h 6m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 2009 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 17, 2009
Genre(s)
Adventure/Action
Keyword(s)
starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, reviewed by Shubhra Gupta, Candice Frederick, Mark Monahan, David Stratton, Deborah Ross, directed by J.J Abrams, written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, produced by J.J Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, PG-13, box office gross $257.7M, budget, Paramount Pictures
Worldwide gross: $385,680,446
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $257,730,019
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
Zachary Quinto – Spock
Leonard Nimoy – Spock Prime
Eric Bana – Nero
Bruce Greenwood – Capt. Christopher Pike
Karl Urban – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy
Director(s)
J.J. Abrams
Writer(s)
Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Producer(s)
J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Makeup Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (354) | Top Critics (83) | Fresh (334) | Rotten (20)
Star Trek works both as a nostalgia trip for those that remember, and a fun, on-the-run sci-fi flick for those that are Trekkie virgins.
April 25, 2019
Shubhra Gupta
The Indian Express
TOP CRITIC
Aside from the cool effects and surprise cameos from notable actor/director Tyler Perry and one of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s original passengers Leonard Nimoy, there really wasn’t much there.
September 12, 2017 | Rating: D
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
Whether watching Kirk and Sulu skydive from space, a rural Mid-West dotted with vast interstellar towers, or Kirk do battle with a very ill-tempered beastie on a frozen moon, it’s hard not to gape in wonder.
March 17, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Monahan
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
I didn’t go to this with much enthusiasm but, of course, it’s been completely reinvented by J.J. Abrams and he’s done a terrific job.
March 17, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
At the Movies (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
I’m no Trekkie, I don’t speak Klingon, I’ve never boldly been anywhere in the least bit exciting — my fear of motorways has always hampered me horribly in this respect — and I don’t like action epics but [Star Trek] is quite fun.
March 17, 2015
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
Did somebody just reach through the space-time continuum and pull out a white rabbit?
August 4, 2013
Tom Charity
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
Abrams, Orci, Kurtzman, and company manage to live up to the legacy that was passed down to them and give us one of the best films in Star Trek history.
April 10, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies
One of of them set their phaser to stun with discontent of how the movie is a shell of what it was supposed to be. The other set their phaser to love calling it their favorite fun film of 2009.
October 2, 2021
Don Shanahan
Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast
The plot itself is a mixture of complex alternate realities, supernovas, black holes, red matter, and science-fiction jargon, but the pacing is keen.
November 29, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
With a strong ensemble cast recreating beloved characters, Abrams gave us an origin story of the USS Enterprise.
October 27, 2020
Film Companion Staff
Film Companion
So, J.J., accept our apologies? We’re sorry for doubting you.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Without a whiff of calculated cynicism, Star Trek ’09 gives the series a much-needed adrenaline injection, while retaining the heart and pathos which has defined it since the beginning.
May 31, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Shaun Munro
Flickering Myth…
Plot
A novice crew aboard the USS Enterprise, led by James T. Kirk and Spock, must defeat a Romulan commander seeking vengeance in order to save humanity in the action-packed sci-fi adventure, Star Trek.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The critic reviews for Star Trek include a mix of positive and negative opinions, with one critic even mentioning Tyler Perry’s surprise cameo.
J.J.-Abrams.jpg
92%
Let the Right One In (2008)
92%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
75 wins & 58 nominations total
Let the Right One In reinvigorates the seemingly tired vampire genre by effectively mixing scares with intelligent storytelling.
Let the Right One In is the perfect blend of horror and heart, with a vampire love story that will make you swoon and shiver at the same time. The snowy landscapes of Sweden provide a stunning backdrop for this exquisitely crafted film, and the moody soundtrack will have you on the edge of your seat. It’s not your typical blood-and-guts horror flick, but rather a beautifully made and hauntingly realized masterpiece that will redefine the genre for years to come. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and let the right one in.
Production Company(ies)
London Film Productions,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Örnäset, Luleå, Norrbottens län, Sweden
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some bloody violence including disturbing images, brief nudity and language
Year of Release
2008
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):Swedish, Spanish
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Country of origin:France, Sweden
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2008 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2009
Genre(s)
Horror
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $11,227,336
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $15,465,226
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,807
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,686,502
US/Canada gross: $2,122,065
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,923,063
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,943
US/Canada opening weekend: $49,295
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $67,902
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,093
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $4,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,509,847
Production budget ranking: 1,857
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,967,053
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,988,326
ROI to date (est.): 82%
ROI ranking: 1,004
Lina Leandersson – Eli
Per Ragnar – Hakan
Henrik Dahl – Erik
Karin Bergquist – Yvonne
Peter Carlberg – Lacke
Director(s)
Tomas Alfredson
Writer(s)
John Ajvide Lindqvist
Producer(s)
Carl Molinder, John Nordling
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
75 wins & 58 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (194) | Top Critics (56) | Fresh (190) | Rotten (4)
My favorite Swedish import.
December 18, 2020
Annalee Schafranek
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
Sinister but gorgeous and compelling.
October 7, 2013
Carina Chocano
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
A remarkably moving horror tale, about a pale, bullied twelve-year-old boy (Kåre Hedebrant) and his first love (Lina Leandersson), who happens to be a vampire.
October 7, 2013
Bruce Diones
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
Lovelier than most bloodsucker flicks, but it doesn’t quite transcend its well-chewed genre.
July 6, 2010
Mark Jenkins
NPR
TOP CRITIC
Exquisitely crafted.
July 6, 2010
Laura Kern
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Calling to mind the work of Anne Rice and Stephen King, atmospheric adaptation of Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist’s bestseller is well directed by his countryman Tomas Alfredson.
July 6, 2010
Alissa Simon
Variety
TOP CRITIC
A near perfect horror film that captures the horrors of bullying and coming of age in a chilly, unflinching fashion. Is this a classic queer romance or a morally conflicted tragedy? The answer may just be yes.
April 25, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Joe Lipsett
Horror Queers Podcast
Gorgeous, haunting and poignant, Let the Right One ranks among the best vampire films.
April 18, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Trace Thurman
Horror Queers Podcast
The film is peculiar in all the ways it should be, and it’s one that is exquisitely imagined. By the time the credits roll, Let the Right One In really sinks its fangs in, and you are happy it did.
November 12, 2021
Kristy Strouse
Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying
Production values are pretty good: everything looks believably “eighties”, the snowscapes of Sweden look mighty fine and everything is underscored by a suitably moody soundtrack.
January 23, 2020
Ard Vijn
ScreenAnarchy
Beautifully made and exquisitely realised by all involved, this is a remarkable movie that redefines horror film-making and deserves to reach as wide an audience as possible.
October 29, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Nikki Baughan
Roll Credits
This is not your typical blood-and-guts horror film…the heart of Let the Right One In is the friendship between Oskar and Eli. Despite Eli’s vampirism, this relationship feels realistic.
October 2, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Harris
Spectrum Culture…
Plot
Oskar, a bullied 12-year old, dreams of revenge. He falls in love with Eli, a peculiar girl. She can’t stand the sun or food and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back but when he realizes that Eli needs to drink other people’s blood to live he’s faced with a choice. How much can love forgive? Set in the Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1982.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Kåre Hedebrant delivers a thoroughly convincing performance as a creepy youngster who finds the monotony in his life broken by extraordinary and dangerous situations.
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