Tower (2016)
94%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: 4 nominations
Tower probes into a painful chapter of American history with sensitivity and grace — and revisits its events from a valuable new perspective.
Tower is a documentary that will leave you feeling like you’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a mix of archival footage, interviews, and animation that tells the story of the 1966 University of Texas shooting. But don’t let the serious subject matter scare you away, because this film is beautifully rendered and emotionally heartbreaking. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves documentaries or just wants to learn more about this tragic event in American history. Plus, the rotoscope technique used in the animation gives it a unique and urgent feel. Tower is definitely worth your time.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Media Rights Capital,
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Cape Town Film Studios, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic material including sequences of gun violence and action.
Year of Release
2017
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:IMAX 6-Track Dolby Surround 7.1 Dolby Atmos 12-Track Digital Sound Auro 11.1 Sonics-DDP Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 38m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 12, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 10, 2017
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Tower, documentary, English, Keith Maitland, Megan Gilbride, Susan Thomson, Violett Beane, Blair Jackson, Josephine McAdam, Reece Everett Ryan, Chris Doubek, Louie Arnette, directed by Keith Maitland, written by Keith Maitland, produced by Megan Gilbride, Susan Thomson, box office gross $84.3K, Kino Lorber, MPAA rating, critic reviews, reviewed by Scott Marks, Christy Lemire, Alonso Duralde, David Edelstein, Melanie McFarland, Ed Bark, Kip Mooney, Richard Propes, Steven Prokopy, Rhys Tarling, Michael J Casey, genre, American history, University of Texas Tower, sniper, mass shooting, hostages, witnesses, survivors, archival footage, rotoscopic animation, heroes, tragedy, emotional, sound design, score, composer Osei Essed, innocence, community, information hungry, newsfeed culture, revolutionary
Worldwide gross: $113,231,078
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $136,583,411
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 881
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 14,894,592
US/Canada gross: $50,701,325
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $61,157,767
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 981
US/Canada opening weekend: $19,153,698
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $23,103,881
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 584
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $60,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $72,374,164
Production budget ranking: 583
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $38,973,488
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $25,235,759
ROI to date (est.): 23%
ROI ranking: 1,280
Blair Jackson – Houston McCoy
Josephine McAdam – Rita Starpattern
Reece Everett Ryan – Alfred “Alfie” McAlister
Chris Doubek – Allen Crum
Louie Arnette – Ramiro Martinez
Director(s)
Keith Maitland
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Megan Gilbride, Susan Thomson
Film Festivals
South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (100) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (99) | Rotten (1)
The overall absurdity of the piece left me numb beyond belief. Why stop here? Why not a claymation recreation of the events of 9-11? Or Jiminy Cricket in Steven Spielberg’s When You Wish Upon Auschwitz?
October 3, 2018
Scott Marks
San Diego Reader
TOP CRITIC
[The rotoscope technique] gives it urgency and a sense of movement.
September 12, 2018 | Rating: 9.6/10
Christy Lemire
What the Flick?!
TOP CRITIC
This movie is very smart about when it unpacks its interviews versus its recreations. It does it in such a way that I was emotionally flooded.
September 12, 2018 | Rating: 9.5/10
Alonso Duralde
What the Flick?!
TOP CRITIC
The sheer beauty of the images gives Tower a surreal quality and drenches it in emotion.
September 12, 2018
David Edelstein
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
A gripping examination of human bravery and frailty in the face of barbarity.
February 14, 2017
Melanie McFarland
Salon.com
TOP CRITIC
Tower is a vivid snapshot of derangement, heroism, endurance and sometimes admitted cowardice on what remains the most traumatic day in University of Texas history.
February 14, 2017 | Rating: A-
Ed Bark
Uncle Barky
TOP CRITIC
A harrowing combination of archival footage, interviews and animation.
August 29, 2021 | Rating: A-
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review
Beautifully rendered and emotionally heartbreaking, Tower is truly one of 2016’s must see documentaries.
September 26, 2020 | Rating: 4.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
The impact is astonishing and utterly eerie.
April 28, 2020
Steven Prokopy
Third Coast Review
Although Tower is made with consummate skill and artistry that rivals some of the best fictional films of this year, the event it depicts is nothing but the worst nightmare played out in reality.
September 27, 2019
Rhys Tarling
Isolated Nation
The survivor’s tale.
August 19, 2019
Michael J. Casey
Boulder Weekly
Tower is an incredibly important film that doesn’t feel self-important despite its extremely stylized take on the shooting. Its style is integral to its emotional core.
August 7, 2019 | Rating: 4.5/5
Karl Delossantos
Smash Cut Reviews…
Plot
11-year-old Jake Chambers experiences visions involving a Man in Black who seeks to destroy a Tower and bring ruin to the Universe while a Gunslinger opposes him. However, Jake’s mother, stepfather and psychiatrists dismiss these as dreams resulting from the trauma of his father’s death the previous year. At his apartment home in New York City, a group of workers from an alleged psychiatric facility offer to rehabilitate Jake; recognizing them from his visions as monsters wearing human skin, he flees from the workers who give chase. Jake tracks down an abandoned house from one of his visions where he discovers a high-tech portal that leads to a post-apocalyptic world called Mid-World..
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast of Tower includes Violett Beane, Blair Jackson, Josephine McAdam, Reece Everett Ryan, Chris Doubek, and Louie Arnette.
Keith-Maitland.jpg
94%
My Life as a Zucchini (Ma vie de courgette) (2017)
94%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
23 wins & 23 nominations total
My Life as a Zucchini’s silly title and adorable characters belie a sober story whose colorful visuals delight the senses even as it braves dark emotional depths.
My Life as a Zucchini is a claymation masterpiece that will make you laugh, cry, and want to hug every zucchini you see. The characters are so intricately crafted that you forget they’re not real children, and their stories of resilience and survival will touch your heart. It’s a film that tackles heavy subjects with delicacy and compassion, and it’s impossible not to be moved by it. Plus, who knew zucchinis could be so darn cute?
Production Company(ies)
Rita Productions, Blue Spirit Animation Gébéka Films,
Distributor
GKIDS
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Rhône-Alpes Studios, Lyon, France
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and suggestive material
Year of Release
2017
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 6m
-
Language(s):French
-
Country of origin:France, Switzerland
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 2017 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Nick Offerman, starring Elliot Page, starring Will Forte, starring Amy Sedaris, directed by Claude Barras, written by Céline Sciamma, produced by Marc Bonny, produced by Armelle Glorennec, produced by Pauline Gygax, produced by Max Karli, produced by Kateryna Merkt, produced by Michel Merkt, comedy, drama, animation, PG-13, box office gross, critic reviews, reviewed by Elissa Suh, reviewed by Michael Sragow, reviewed by Donald Clarke, reviewed by Hannah McGill, reviewed by Robbie Collin, reviewed by Mark Kermode, reviewed by Leigh Monson, reviewed by Lynden Barber, reviewed by Steven Prokopy, reviewed by Charlotte Harrison, reviewed by Katie Smith-Wong, reviewed by Leslie Combemale, audience reviews, French language, stop-motion animation, orphan, foster home, police officer, friendship, abandonment, mental toughness, emotional depths, colorful visuals, dark themes, poignant charm, heartwarming tale, Oscar nomination, Best Animated Feature Film, sweet, tender, expressive characters, lovely animation
Worldwide gross: $5,873,157
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $7,084,414
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,070
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 772,564
US/Canada gross: $309,766
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $373,651
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,404
US/Canada opening weekend: $31,853
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $38,422
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,279
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): 6500000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,840,534
Production budget ranking: 1,759
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,222,128
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$4,978,248
ROI to date (est.): -41%
ROI ranking: 1,631
Nick Offerman – Raymond – Voice
Elliot Page – Rosy – Voice
Amy Sedaris – Aunt Ida – Voice
Clara Young – Alice – Voice
Erick Abbate – Courgette – Voice
Director(s)
Claude Barras
Writer(s)
Céline Sciamma
Producer(s)
Marc Bonny, Armelle Glorennec, Pauline Gygax, Max Karli, Kateryna Merkt, Michel Merkt
Film Festivals
Sundance, Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
23 wins & 23 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (137) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (135) | Rotten (2)
With red frosted noses, sleepy bobble eyes, and oversize, oblong heads, the stop-motion munchkins of My Life as a Zucchini are figures approached with curious affection.
March 13, 2020
Elissa Suh
StageBuddy.com
TOP CRITIC
My Life as a Zucchini has grace and charm, but what breaks your heart is its mental toughness.
March 8, 2018
Michael Sragow
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The film is a beautifully balanced visual marvel.
June 13, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
The upfront acknowledgement in My Life as a Courgette that many childhoods play out with nary a hint of magic, sparkle or sugar to help the medicine go down feels unorthodox and bracing.
June 5, 2017
Hannah McGill
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
This isn’t just good writing, it’s humane and honourable. Every child here feels like a real human being, and as such is accorded a dignity the world invariably hasn’t extended to them in their lives to date.
June 5, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Robbie Collin
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Barras succeeds brilliantly in his stated ambition to “make a film about children that speaks to them about abuse and its remedies in today’s world”.
June 4, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
My Life as a Zucchini is a modern classic in its own right, a touching examination of the struggles of youth in extreme circumstances.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 4.5/5
Leigh Monson
Substream Magazine
….an utterly charming French claymation…
May 22, 2020
Lynden Barber
Limelight
Zucchini dares to take on some fairly heavy subjects… but it does so with delicacy and compassion, showing the survival skills and resiliency of these expressive and intricately crafted characters. It’s an exceptionally heartfelt offering.
May 5, 2020
Steven Prokopy
Third Coast Review
As devastating as the film can be, it is also sublimely joyous.
January 27, 2020
Charlotte Harrison
VultureHound
Beautifully animated and incredibly sweet, it is an entertaining feature debut from [Claude] Barras.
November 13, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Katie Smith-Wong
Flick Feast
A beautiful, poignant, exquisite gift of a film.
October 21, 2019 | Rating: A
Leslie Combemale
Cinema Siren…
Plot
A police officer and new friends help an orphan adjust to life at a foster home in the animated film “My Life as a Zucchini.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features the voice talents of Nick Offerman, Will Forte, and Elliot Page.
Claude-Barras.jpg
94%
The Handmaiden (Ah-ga-ssi) (2016)
94%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 BAFTA Award
70 wins & 108 nominations total
The Handmaiden uses a Victorian crime novel as the loose inspiration for another visually sumptuous and absorbingly idiosyncratic outing from director Park Chan-wook.
The Handmaiden is a wild ride of psychological manipulation, sexual tension, and unexpected twists and turns. Park Chan-wook’s direction is masterful, creating a sumptuous and visually stunning world that draws you in and refuses to let go. But don’t be fooled by the film’s beauty – underneath lies a dark and twisted tale that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. It’s a film that’s both disturbing and delightful, and one that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Production Company(ies)
C J Entertainment, Moho Film Yong Film
Distributor
Amazon Studios, Magnolia Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 24m
-
Language(s):Korean, Japanese
-
Country of origin:Korea (South)
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 24, 2017
Genre(s)
Drama/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Kim Hae-sook, Moon So-ri, directed by Park Chan-wook, written by Jeong Seo-kyeong, drama, romance, box office gross $2.0M, reviewed by Li Sian Goh, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, K Austin Collins, Tara Brady, Mark Kermode, Merryn Johns, Brian Eggert, Daisy Leigh-Phippard, Ben Turner, Panos Kotzathanasis, MPAA rating R, produced by Park Chan-wook, Syd Lim
Worldwide gross: $37,767,206
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $46,548,027
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,370
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,076,121
US/Canada gross: $2,006,788
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,473,363
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,984
US/Canada opening weekend: $92,129
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $113,549
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,888
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): ?10,000,000,000
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
Kim Tae-ri – Sook-Hee
Ha Jung-woo – Count Fujiwara
Cho Jin-woong – Uncle Kouzuki
Kim Hae-sook – Butler
Moon So-ri – Aunt of Noble Lady
Director(s)
Park Chan-wook
Writer(s)
Jeong Seo-kyeong
Producer(s)
Park Chan-wook, Syd Lim
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 BAFTA Award
70 wins & 108 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (224) | Top Critics (59) | Fresh (214) | Rotten (10)
The drama combines the sumptuous art direction and black humor of Park’s past work with a warmth and compassion that feeds the soul.
February 11, 2021
Li Sian Goh
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
Once again Park finds himself immersed in a world of woman-driven intrigue, and like Stoker before it The Handmaiden is concerned with the power dynamics between women in what are contextually configured as sexually transgressive scenarios.
August 25, 2018
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
The Blue Lenses
TOP CRITIC
The Handmaiden is exemplary proof of Park’s mastery, a high point from a director known for his purposeful aesthetic care, even in matters of overwrought sexual melodrama.
August 10, 2017
K. Austin Collins
The Ringer
TOP CRITIC
The tricksy plot streamlines and improves the final messy section of the source novel, to tease and mislead even the most astute viewer.
April 26, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
There are giddy pleasures to be found in this rip-roaringly ripe erotic thriller/melodrama from Oldboy director Park Chan-wook.
April 17, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The result is a lush, silken, erotic, disturbing, beautifully photographed drama of betrayal and passion.
April 14, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It’s a beautiful film of quality and cleverness.
May 19, 2022
Merryn Johns
Curve
Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden envelops the viewer in a clever con game of psychological duplicity, depraved predators, dark humor, and sordid sexual delights.
April 9, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
While its a feat of technical brilliance and visual genius, its the way Park uses his story to force his audience to question their assumptions that made me speechless the first time I saw it.
February 21, 2022
Daisy Leigh-Phippard
Screen Queens
The Handmaiden is a remarkably progressive film that, despite using and abusing sex for the most part, refuses to objectify its subjects.
September 2, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Ben Turner
The Pink Lens
Through the extremity of the story, Park manages to present a number of social messages, once more
April 11, 2021
Panos Kotzathanasis
Asian Movie Pulse
Whether you’ve seen it before or not, now’s as perfect time as any to see what all the fuss is about while [director director Park Chan-Wook] begins filming his upcoming his romantic murder mystery Decision to Leave this year.
February 25, 2021
Toussaint Egan
Polygon…
Plot
1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl (Sookee) is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress (Hideko) who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle (Kouzuki). But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to elope with him, rob her of her fortune, and lock her up in a madhouse. The plan seems to proceed according to plan until Sookee and Hideko discover some unexpected emotions.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Handmaiden features “intense performances” from its leading ladies, including Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri.
Park-Chan-wook.jpg
94%
Hidden Figures (2017)
94%RT Audience Score: 93%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 3 Oscars
37 wins & 94 nominations total
In heartwarming, crowd-pleasing fashion, Hidden Figures celebrates overlooked — and crucial — contributions from a pivotal moment in American history.
Hidden Figures is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer all at the same time. It tells the story of three brilliant Black women who played a crucial role in NASA’s early days during the space race. The performances are outstanding, and the direction is sensitive and inspiring. It’s a movie that transcends cliché and becomes a genuinely moving tale of perseverance, strength, and love. Plus, who doesn’t love a good girl power moment? Hidden Figures is a must-watch for anyone who wants to be inspired and uplifted.
Production Company(ies)
Fox 2000 Pictures, Chernin Entertainment, Levantine Films,
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
East Point, Georgia, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for thematic elements and some language
Year of Release
2017
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Auro 11.1 SDDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 7m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 6, 2017 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 11, 2017
Genre(s)
History/Drama
Keyword(s)
Hidden Figures, PG, History/Drama, 2h 7m, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, NASA, astronaut, John Glenn, Space Race, African American women, pivotal moment, American history, heartwarming, crowd-pleasing, overlooked contributions, Theodore Melfi, directed by, Allison Schroeder, written by, Donna Gigliotti, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Pharrell Williams, produced by, $169.3M, box office, 93%, Tomatometer, 50,000+ ratings, critics consensus, critic reviews, Taraji P Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Mahershala Ali, Kirsten Dunst, reviewed by, PG rating, English, Dolby Digital, 20th Century Fox
Worldwide gross: $235,956,898
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $284,619,722
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 532
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 31,038,138
US/Canada gross: $169,607,287
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $204,586,428
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 338
US/Canada opening weekend: $515,499
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $621,813
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,353
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $25,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $30,155,902
Production budget ranking: 1,156
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $16,238,953
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $238,224,867
ROI to date (est.): 513%
ROI ranking: 251
Octavia Spencer – Dorothy Vaughan
Janelle Monáe – Mary Jackson
Kevin Costner – Al Harrison
Mahershala Ali – Jim Johnson
Kirsten Dunst – Vivian Mitchell
Director – Theodore Melfi
Producers – Donna Gigliotti, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Pharrell Williams, Theodore Melfi
Writers – Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi
Director(s)
Theodore Melfi
Writer(s)
Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi
Producer(s)
Donna Gigliotti, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Pharrell Williams, Theodore Melfi
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 3 Oscars
37 wins & 94 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (324) | Top Critics (70) | Fresh (302) | Rotten (22)
It’s a story of greatness demanding acknowledgement.
August 17, 2021
Ari
Autostraddle
TOP CRITIC
The movie features outstanding performances and pays tribute to three pioneering Black women who played a central role at NASA in the early 1960s during the “space race” between the United States and the Soviet Union.
February 17, 2021
Deesha Philyaw
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
Hidden Figures presented three brilliant black women who just wanted to do their jobs.
March 31, 2020
Jenna Marotta
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
Hidden Figures is more about race than the space race, both of which are conquered with grace and girl power.
July 30, 2019
Udita Jhunjhunwala
Livemint
TOP CRITIC
Through strong performances, sensitive direction and the strength of its source material, Hidden Figures transcends cliché to become a genuinely moving, inspirational tale of perseverance, strength and love.
August 25, 2018
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
The Blue Lenses
TOP CRITIC
The pragmatism that flows through Hidden Figures provides a beacon of hope in a modern era that feels marked by uncertainty and despair.
September 26, 2017
Soraya Nadia McDonald
Andscape
TOP CRITIC
The right crowd-pleaser for the right time.
April 5, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
This glossy historical celebration leans towards the sentimental, but is timely and important nonetheless.
February 21, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
James Luxford
City AM
Brilliant performances by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae and a first rate ensemble make this a not to be missed revelation and righting of American herstory…
October 5, 2021
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film
To me, the film speaks of simple respect, due to every person because he or she is human.
August 26, 2021
Hosea Rupprecht
Pauline Center for Media Studies
The film never relinquishes its tight focus on three remarkable individuals who repeatedly demonstrate that they, too, possess the right stuff.
August 17, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Hidden Figures puts the familiar period-piece lens on an overlooked part of space history without glossing over the ugly bits while still feeling hopeful for what science and technology can achieve when the best and brightest can participate
July 28, 2021
Nathan Mattise
Ars Technica…
Plot
As the United States raced against Russia to put a man in space, NASA found untapped talent in a group of African-American female mathematicians that served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in U.S. history. Based on the unbelievably true life stories of three of these women, known as “human computers”, we follow these women as they quickly rose the ranks of NASA alongside many of history’s greatest minds specifically tasked with calculating the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and guaranteeing his safe return. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Gobels Johnson crossed all gender, race, and professional lines while their brilliance and desire to dream big, beyond anything ever accomplished before by the human race, firmly cemented them in U.S. history as true American heroes.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe deliver outstanding performances in Hidden Figures.
Theodore-Melfi.jpg
94%
Gleason (2016)
94%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Gleason stands out among sports-themed documentaries by offering a clear-eyed look at its subject’s physical deterioration — and an intimate portrait of the family affected by his ordeal.
Gleason is a documentary that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS, and the unwavering support of his wife and family. While the film-making may not be the most polished, the heart and soul of the story shines through. You’ll be inspired by the courage and resilience of the human spirit, and reminded of the power of love and family. Bring tissues, and maybe some popcorn too, because this is a documentary that you won’t want to miss.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Amazon Studios, Open Road
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Prime Video), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 51m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 25, 2016
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, ALS, NFL, video journals, family, physical deterioration, J Clay Tweel, Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Scott Fujita, Mary Rohlich, Tom Lavia, Thomas McEachin, Kevin Lake, R, English, Jul 29 2016, Limited, Oct 25 2016, $576.6K, Amazon Studios, Open Road, Steve Gleason, Drew Brees, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder, reviewed by Wendy Ide, Ed Potton, Peter Bradshaw, Geoffrey Macnab, Tom Huddleston, Katie Walsh, Kip Mooney, Kelechi Ehenulo, Thom Denson, Thrillist Entertainment Staff, Kiko Martinez, directed by J Clay Tweel, produced by Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Scott Fujita, Mary Rohlich, Tom Lavia, Thomas McEachin, Kevin Lake, written by J Clay Tweel, genre, MPAA rating, budget, box office performance, producer names, critic names, actor names
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
Drew Brees – Self
Mike McCready – Self
Eddie Vedder – Self
J. Clay Tweel – Director
Seth Gordon – Producer
Kimi Culp – Producer
Scott Fujita – Producer
Mary Rohlich – Producer
Tom Lavia – Producer
Thomas McEachin – Producer
Kevin Lake – Producer
J. Clay Tweel – Writer
Director(s)
J. Clay Tweel
Writer(s)
J. Clay Tweel
Producer(s)
Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Scott Fujita, Mary Rohlich, Tom Lavia, Thomas McEachin, Kevin Lake
Film Festivals
Sundance, South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (70) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (3)
The film-making might not be particularly polished, but the subject matter of this documentary is wrenching.
March 19, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The power of Clay Tweel’s tear-jerking documentary, based on Gleason’s video diaries, comes from the honesty and humour with which Gleason presents the gradual loss of control over his bodily functions.
March 17, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A moving testament to the courage shown by Gleason and his formidable wife, Michel …
March 16, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The film is moving and insightful because it is more concerned with being honest than with being uplifting.
March 15, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Frank, unashamed and bruising.
March 13, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Huddleston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
A remarkable, heartrending portrait that showcases the triumph of the human spirit at its most raw.
December 19, 2016
Katie Walsh
Tribune News Service
TOP CRITIC
Gleason is a moving portrait of a remarkable fighter.
August 10, 2021 | Rating: B
Kip Mooney
Central Track
It’s hard to write about a film without getting emotional and Gleason will pull on every heart string that you possess.
August 26, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Kelechi Ehenulo
Confessions From A Geek Mind
As one of the most moving documentaries of recent times, Gleason displays humanity in cuttingly stark detail. It finds beauty in the brutality of existence in the face of adversity…
March 6, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Thom Denson
One Room With A View
What sounds like a completely devastating tearjerker is filled with humor thanks to its subjects’ candor.
November 28, 2018
Thrillist Entertainment Staff
Thrillist
Offers a profound examination on faith, forgiveness, marriage and parenthood.
January 26, 2018 | Rating: A-
Kiko Martinez
San Antonio Current
Gleason manages to instill those triumph-of-the-human-spirit feelings despite, or maybe because of, the unvarnished and uncomfortable look into the life of Gleason and those around him.
August 14, 2017
Matt Borcas
The Ringer…
Plot
Former NFL player Steve Gleason records video journals for his unborn son after being diagnosed with ALS in this emotional documentary.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features former NFL player Steve Gleason and includes appearances from Drew Brees, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder.
J.-Clay-Tweel.jpg
94%
Beasts of No Nation (2015)
94%RT Audience Score: 92%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award
31 wins & 57 nominations total
Beasts of No Nation finds writer-director Cary Fukunaga working with a talented cast to offer a sobering, uncompromising, yet still somehow hopeful picture of war’s human cost.
Beasts of No Nation is a movie that will leave you feeling like you’ve been through a war yourself. The film follows the story of Agu, a child soldier, and his journey through the horrors of war. The cinematography is stunning, and the acting is top-notch, especially from Idris Elba. However, be warned, this movie is not for the faint of heart. It’s a gut-wrenching, emotional rollercoaster that will leave you feeling drained but also grateful for the life you have. So, grab some tissues and buckle up for a wild ride.
Production Company(ies)
Red Crown Productions, The Princess Grace Foundation Participant
Distributor
Bleecker Street Media, Netflix
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Netflix), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Ghana
MPAA / Certificate
TV-MA
Year of Release
2015
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 16m
-
Language(s):English, Akan
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2015 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 6, 2017
Genre(s)
War/Drama
Keyword(s)
War, Drama, Africa, Civil War, Guerrilla Soldiers, Orphan, Warlord, Child Soldier, Human Cost, Sobering, Uncompromising, Hopeful, Cary Fukunaga, Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Amy Kaufman, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker, Daniel Crown, Written by Cary Fukunaga, Produced by Cary Fukunaga, MPAA Rating, Box Office Performance, Budget, Reviewed by Jason Bailey, Alison Willmore, David Edelstein, Leonard Maltin, Geoffrey Macnab, Peter Rainer, David Harris, Brian Eggert, Kevin Wight, Rob Aldam, Matt Brunson, Starring Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Opeyemi Fagbohungbe, Kurt Egyiawan, Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Screenplay by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Bleecker Street Media, Netflix
Worldwide gross: $90,777
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $113,314
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,017
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 12,357
US/Canada gross: $90,777
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $113,314
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,648
US/Canada opening weekend: $51,003
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $63,665
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,120
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $6,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,489,610
Production budget ranking: 1,791
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,033,155
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$11,409,451
ROI to date (est.): -99%
ROI ranking: 2,020
Abraham Attah – Agu
Opeyemi Fagbohungbe – Sergeant Gaz
Kurt Egyiawan – 2nd I-C
Cary Joji Fukunaga – Director, Screenwriter
Amy Kaufman – Producer
Daniela Taplin Lundberg – Producer
Riva Marker – Producer
Daniel Crown – Producer
Idris Elba – Producer
Director(s)
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Writer(s)
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Producer(s)
Amy Kaufman, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker, Daniel Crown, Idris Elba
Film Festivals
Venice, Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award
31 wins & 57 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (148) | Top Critics (48) | Fresh (135) | Rotten (13)
It wants to immerse itself entirely in Agu’s experience, yet the filmmaker can’t resist standing aloft in scenes that underscore the soldiers’ ages and their actions, and pointing out easy ironies.
May 3, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
Fukunaga gives the film a visual grandeur that makes it feel like it’s taking place after the world has ended, and all that’s left for Agu is this morass of endless, uncaring violence.
November 10, 2015
Alison Willmore
BuzzFeed News
TOP CRITIC
Fukunaga’s hurtling camera and taut cutting keep Beasts of No Nation only just this side of hallucinatory, and Elba is the kind of titanic actor to kick it to a near-mythic level.
October 16, 2015
David Edelstein
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
Under Fukunaga’s expert guidance the camerawork nearly becomes a third character alongside the real find in the film, newcomer Abraham Attah as Agu.
October 16, 2015
Leonard Maltin
leonardmaltin.com
TOP CRITIC
It’s a powerful tale of lost innocence, albeit sometimes heavy-handed in its depiction of the plight of African child soldiers.
October 16, 2015 | Rating: 3/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Attah is an industrious little actor, but his fall from innocence is not delineated with the same force as the carnage.
October 16, 2015 | Rating: B-
Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor
TOP CRITIC
As a psychological study of the effects of war and atrocity on a young mind, Fukunaga’s film feels more like a ride than a true examination of the horrors of war, exhausting the viewer for the wrong reasons.
May 31, 2022
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
It might be Elba’s best performance outside of “Luther.”
May 12, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
An urgent, brutal, and harrowing vision of war through the eyes of a child, made by a filmmaker of rare vision and talent.
September 28, 2021 | Rating: 4
Kevin Wight
The Wee Review
A powerful and emotive war drama which highlights the plight of child soldiers and the evil of those who exploit them.
September 23, 2021
Rob Aldam
Backseat Mafia
This looks at one of the many ways in which innocent children are caught in the web of war — in this case, it’s those unfortunate boys who are captured and trained to become child soldiers.
September 17, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
A harrowing experience.
March 4, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse…
Plot
Follows the journey of a young boy, Agu, who is forced to join a group of soldiers in a fictional West African country. While Agu fears his commander and many of the men around him, his fledgling childhood has been brutally shattered by the war raging through his country, and he is at first torn between conflicting revulsion and fascination Depicts the mechanics of war and does not shy away from explicit, visceral detail, and paints a complex, difficult picture of Agu as a child soldier.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Idris Elba’s performance as the warlord Commandant is considered one of his best outside of his role in Luther.
Cary-Joji-Fukunaga.jpg
94%
Room (2015)
94%RT Audience Score: 93%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
108 wins & 140 nominations total
Led by incredible work from Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, Room makes for an unforgettably harrowing — and undeniably rewarding — experience.
Room is a film that will make you feel all the emotions. From heartbreak to hope, this movie takes you on a journey that you won’t soon forget. Brie Larson gives an incredible performance as a mother trying to protect her son from the horrors of their captivity. The film is both haunting and beautiful, and it will leave you thinking about it long after the credits roll. Don’t miss out on this emotional rollercoaster of a movie.
Production Company(ies)
Element Pictures, Film 4 Film Nation Entertainment,
Distributor
A24
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Apache Burgers, 5236 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Datasat Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 12.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 58m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:Canada
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 2016 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2016
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, Sean Bridgers, Tom McCamus, William H Macy, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, written by Emma Donoghue, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Candice Frederick, Kristen Yoonsoo Kim, Sara Michelle Fetters, Max Weiss, Jason Bailey, Stephen Romei, Brian Eggert, Hosea Rupprecht, Richard Crouse, Joanne Laurier, Wesley Lovell, Mike Massie, R rating, A24, Dolby Digital, Ed Guiney, David Gross, held captive, enclosed space, woman, young son, freedom, outside world, emotional, poignant, tragedy, simplicity, tenderness, nightmarish premise, emotionally moving, miraculous coda, affecting story, three-dimensional emotions, abduction melodrama-thriller, isolation, identity, perceived safety, vulnerable, intense, engaging, honest, strong leads, low budget film, gut-wrenching, emotional roller coaster, brilliant performances, underrated performance, horror movies, MCU movies, TV shows, Netflix series
Worldwide gross: $35,401,758
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $43,632,616
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,397
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,758,191
US/Canada gross: $14,677,654
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $18,090,187
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,443
US/Canada opening weekend: $118,298
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $145,802
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,795
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $13,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $16,022,481
Production budget ranking: 1,482
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $8,628,106
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $18,982,028
ROI to date (est.): 77%
ROI ranking: 1,023
Jacob Tremblay – Jack
Joan Allen – Grandma
Sean Bridgers – Old Nick
Tom McCamus – Leo
William H. Macy – Grandpa
Director(s)
Lenny Abrahamson
Writer(s)
Emma Donoghue
Producer(s)
Ed Guiney, David Gross
Film Festivals
Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
108 wins & 140 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (317) | Top Critics (80) | Fresh (295) | Rotten (22)
I remain struck by both the simplicity and tenderness of the narrative that is haunted by a deep tragedy.
March 21, 2017 | Rating: A
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
Room takes a nightmarish premise in an impossibly contained set and turns it into one of this year’s most emotionally poignant films.
February 27, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Kristen Yoonsoo Kim
Complex
TOP CRITIC
Room is a lithe, deeply moving wonder that builds to a miraculous coda.
August 22, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
Room can be, at times, an almost unbearably emotional experience, but that’s a good thing. It feels good to feel so much at the movies.
June 12, 2016 | Rating: 4/4
Max Weiss
Baltimore Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This is a film that trusts its audience, and takes its time letting them in on the particulars of what these two are doing in this room.
May 3, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
There’s no denying that Room starts from a dark place, but that does not necessarily make it a bleak film.
February 12, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Room never grandstands to overstated dramatic revelations or unrealistic catharsis; it tells an affecting story through the three-dimensional emotions of its characters, but not by spelling out each emotion through expositional dialogue.
April 25, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Room showcases the best and worst of humanity in a compelling story adapted by Emma Donoghue from her own novel.
August 27, 2021
Hosea Rupprecht
Pauline Center for Media Studies
A tearjerker that occasionally makes too much room for melodrama and on-the-money dialogue, but is captivatingly told nonetheless.
March 4, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Room is too vague and noncommittal … about its aims to do much more than cash in on its idiosyncrasies as an abduction melodrama-thriller.
February 26, 2021
Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
Brie Larson is at her vulnerable best in this exploration of isolation, identity, and perceived safety set around a young woman and her son held captive by her rapist.
December 16, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Wesley Lovell
Cinema Sight
The focus on the aftermath starts to dilute the potency of the initial premise and its hair-raising unraveling.
December 4, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins…
Plot
ROOM tells the extraordinary story of Jack, a spirited 5-year-old who is looked after by his loving and devoted mother. Like any good mother, Ma dedicates herself to keeping Jack happy and safe, nurturing him with warmth and love and doing typical things like playing games and telling stories. Their life, however, is anything but typical
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Brie Larson’s performance in Room is described as “incredible work” by Fresh Kernels.
Lenny-Abrahamson.jpg
94%
The Second Mother (Que Horas Ela Volta?) (2015)
94%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: 34 wins & 30 nominations
The Second Mother’s compelling characters serve an artfully drawn, thought-provoking story that’s beautifully brought to life by a talented cast.
The Second Mother” is a heartwarming and hilarious film that explores the complex relationships between a wealthy Brazilian family and their long-time maid. Director Anna Muylaert expertly weaves together humor and drama to create a thought-provoking commentary on class and family dynamics. The exceptional cast delivers standout performances, making this film a must-see for anyone who has ever had a second mother in their life. So grab some popcorn and get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even call your own second mother afterwards.
Production Company(ies)
Gullane Africa Filmes, Globo Filmes,
Distributor
Oscilloscope Laboratories
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
São Paulo, Brazil
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some language and brief drug use
Year of Release
2015
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 52m
-
Language(s):Portuguese
-
Country of origin:Brazil
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2015 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 5, 2016
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Regina Casé, Michel Joelsas, Lourenço Mutarelli, Karine Teles, Camila Márdila, Helena Albergaria, directed by Anna Muylaert, written by Anna Muylaert, drama, R rating, box office gross $375.7K, reviewed by Tara Brady, Stephanie Merry, Ben Sachs, Peter Keough, Molly Eichel, Bill Goodykoontz, Jennifer Merin, Nikki Baughan, Yasser Medina, Iñaki Fernández de Retana, Sian Brett, Val, Fabinho, Carlos, Barbara, Jéssica, Edna, live-in housekeeper, daughter, class barriers, Brazil, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Portuguese (Brazil)
Worldwide gross: $3,003,560
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,749,249
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,257
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 408,860
US/Canada gross: $376,986
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $470,580
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,340
US/Canada opening weekend: $24,086
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $30,066
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,368
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): R$4,000,000
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
Michel Joelsas – Fabinho
Lourenço Mutarelli – Carlos
Karine Teles – Barbara
Camila Márdila – Jéssica
Helena Albergaria – Edna
Anna Muylaert – Director, Writer
Fabiano Gullane – Producer
Débora Ivanov – Producer
Gabriel Lacerda – Producer
Director(s)
Anna Muylaert
Writer(s)
Anna Muylaert
Producer(s)
Fabiano Gullane, Débora Ivanov, Gabriel Lacerda, Anna Muylaert
Film Festivals
Sundance, Berlin, Cannes
Awards & Nominations
34 wins & 30 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (93) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (90) | Rotten (3)
Writer/director Anna Muylaert’s beautifully shot, frequently comical take on the ‘second mother’ phenomenon sets the film apart from other explorations of similar material.
March 2, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
All the elements of the story fit impeccably together for a humorous and occasionally wrenching examination of relationships.
September 24, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Stephanie Merry
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
The characters are so accustomed to keeping up appearances that they can’t bring themselves to say what’s bugging them. Their interactions may be mild, but the claustrophobic imagery creates the sense of being trapped in a powder keg.
September 17, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Ben Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Though hardly revolutionary, “Mother” subverts conventions – both cinematic and social.
September 17, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Peter Keough
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
The Second Mother is an interesting look at generational and class divides in Brazil, without the feel of a lecture or lesson.
September 10, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Molly Eichel
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
We’ve seen plenty of stories about the arrival of a mysterious stranger upsetting the order of things. But “The Second Mother,” Brazilian writer and director Anna Muylaert’s outstanding film, is different.
September 10, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
Brazilian filmmaker Anna Muylaert’s The Second Mother is a beautifully crafted drama about the interaction between wealthy urban Latin American families and their maids, most of whom come from impoverished rural environments.
October 12, 2021
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film
Muylaert’s expert, nuanced exploration of inter-familial relationships, particularly those between women, is a joy to behold, played beautifully by the exceptional cast.
September 29, 2021
Nikki Baughan
AWFJ Women on Film
Muylaert makes it very moving with his observation on mother-to-child relationships. [Full review in Spanish]
July 21, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
Director Anna Muylaert, who has worked as a film critic and reporter, drafted a thoughtful script and put care into directing the actors, with a big payoff.
March 9, 2020
Iñaki Fernández de Retana
Remezcla
A truthful depiction of what it means to be both parent and employee, The Second Mother leaves you pondering its characters long after you’ve flown the nest.
May 4, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Sian Brett
One Room With A View
The Second Mother doesn’t look to solve the socioeconomic gap, but rather paints a very vivid picture of the senselessness behind it all. It’s an intriguing and well-executed story from the perspective of the underprivileged characters.
April 11, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Mae Abdulbaki
Movies with Mae…
Plot
The Second Mother is a drama about a live-in housekeeper whose daughter’s sudden appearance breaks down the unspoken class barriers within the home.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Regina Casé delivers a “warm, humorous, gently nuanced performance” in The Second Mother, according to one critic review on Fresh Kernels.
Anna-Muylaert.jpg
94%
Inside Out (2015)
94%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
101 wins & 116 nominations total
Inventive, gorgeously animated, and powerfully moving, Inside Out is another outstanding addition to the Pixar library of modern animated classics.
Inside Out is the kind of movie that makes you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but in a good way. It’s like if your feelings had their own little personalities and were all living inside your head, and you got to watch them go on an adventure together. The animation is stunning, the writing is clever, and the voice acting is top-notch. It’s a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even learn a little something about yourself. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Pixar movie?
Production Company(ies)
Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,
Distributor
Walt Disney
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Pixar Animation Studios – 1200 Park Avenue, Emeryville, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for mild thematic elements and some action
Year of Release
2015
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Datasat Dolby Atmos SDDS Dolby Surround 7.1 Auro 11.1
-
Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 35m
-
Language(s):English, Portuguese
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 19, 2015 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 3, 2015
Genre(s)
Comedy/Fantasy
Keyword(s)
animated, comedy, fantasy, Pixar, Pete Docter, Jonas Rivera, Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley, box office, budget, critic reviews, MPAA rating, emotions, San Francisco, hockey, moving, stress, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Bing Bong, Dolby Atmos, Datasat, childhood memories, psychological, inventive, imaginative, captivating, storytelling, animation, performances, original, heart-warming, touching, creative, message-centric, target audience, love/hate, struggle, hero, unlikely, poignant, surreal, adventure, internal machinations, conflict, tween girl, conflicted emotional life, superb, sharp, funny, insightful, exceptional, gorgeous visuals, fish out of water, sharp, witty, psychological astute, outstanding, modern animated classics
Worldwide gross: $858,848,019
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,072,072,803
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 87
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 116,910,884
US/Canada gross: $356,921,711
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $445,534,077
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 94
US/Canada opening weekend: $90,440,272
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $112,893,729
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 70
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $175,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $218,446,962
Production budget ranking: 73
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $117,633,689
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $735,992,152
ROI to date (est.): 219%
ROI ranking: 594
Phyllis Smith – Sadness (Voice)
Richard Kind – Bing Bong (Voice)
Bill Hader – Fear (Voice)
Lewis Black – Anger (Voice)
Mindy Kaling – Disgust (Voice)
Pete Docter – Director, Writer
Jonas Rivera – Producer
Meg LeFauve – Writer
Josh Cooley – Writer
Director(s)
Pete Docter
Writer(s)
Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley
Producer(s)
Jonas Rivera
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
101 wins & 116 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Animated Feature Film Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (381) | Top Critics (90) | Fresh (374) | Rotten (7)
Inside Out is one of the best movies of the year, psychologically astute, witty, imaginative, utterly captivating.
October 4, 2021
Nell Minow
AWFJ Women on Film
TOP CRITIC
Almost as if someone realized that kids were people too…Inside Out truly pushed the envelope when it comes to kiddy flicks.
June 19, 2019
Aramide Tinubu
Stylecaster
TOP CRITIC
Inside Out, which is co-directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen, may be [Pixar’s] most inventive film yet.
June 10, 2016 | Rating: 4/4
Max Weiss
Baltimore Magazine
TOP CRITIC
In the first half of the film, I was being piloted by Confusion and Dissatisfaction. But by the end, Joy was very much in charge.
December 8, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
Nicholas Barber
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
[An] extraordinary and unprecedented film.
December 8, 2015
Leonard Maltin
leonardmaltin.com
TOP CRITIC
Inside Out is designed and presented with the accustomed skill and invention that have been the hallmark of Pixar productions.
December 8, 2015 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
An achievement of world-building and screenwriting in ways that are rarely seen in any movie, let alone an animated film ostensibly aimed at children.
June 30, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Cody Dericks
Next Best Picture
Inside Out beautifully transforms emotional conflict into an adventure, a surreal look at the internal machinations that encompass why we feel the way we do.
June 9, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Combining a classic fish out of water tale with the studio’s trademark sharp, funny, insightful writing, delivered by an exceptional comic cast, and, of course, those gorgeous visuals.
October 4, 2021
Nikki Baughan
AWFJ Women on Film
Pixar’s brilliantly conceived and realized Inside Out illuminates a tween girl’s conflicted emotional life with superb storytelling, animation and performances.
October 4, 2021
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film
A long-time proponent that Toy Story is Pixar’s best film, I might have to re-look at that conviction in light of the absolute delight that is Inside Out.
September 13, 2021
Hosea Rupprecht
Pauline Center for Media Studies
There’s beauty and care in every scene of this remarkable film.
August 29, 2021 | Rating: A
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review…
Plot
Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Lewis Black, who voices the character of Anger in Inside Out, is a well-known comedian known for his angry rants and comedic style.
Pete-Docter.jpg
94%
The Look of Silence (2015)
94%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
48 wins & 45 nominations total
The Look of Silence delivers a less shocking — yet just as terribly compelling — companion piece to Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing.
If you’re looking for a documentary that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, The Look of Silence is definitely not it. But if you want to be moved, disturbed, and left with a sense of awe at the power of cinema, then this is the film for you. Joshua Oppenheimer’s follow-up to The Act of Killing is a gut-wrenching exploration of the aftermath of the Indonesian genocide, and it’s not for the faint of heart. But if you can handle it, you’ll be rewarded with a film that’s both devastating and beautiful, and that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Production Company(ies)
Anonymous Britdoc Foundation Final Cut for Real
Distributor
Drafthouse Films
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Indonesia
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG – 13 for thematic material involving disturbing graphic descriptions of atrocities and inhumanity
Year of Release
2015
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 39m
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Language(s):Indonesian
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Country of origin:Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Norway
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 17, 2015 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2016
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
The Look of Silence, documentary, Indonesian, Joshua Oppenheimer, Signe Byrge Sørensen, Werner Herzog, Errol Morris, André Singer, PG-13, optician, Indonesian genocide, brother, confrontation, critic reviews, Lenika Cruz, Jake Wilson, David Stratton, Emily St James, Tom Long, Bill Goodykoontz, Angus Batey, David Bax, Alistair Lawrence, Brent McKnight, Brian D Johnson, Ryan Syrek, audience reviews, Anthony L, Carlos M, John B, box office, budget, reviewed by, produced by, directed by, starring
Worldwide gross: $157,857
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $197,048
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,935
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 21,488
US/Canada gross: $109,089
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $136,172
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,613
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,616
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,259
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,740
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
Joshua Oppenheimer – Director
Signe Byrge Sørensen – Producer
Werner Herzog – Executive Producer
Errol Morris – Executive Producer
André Singer – Executive Producer
Director(s)
Joshua Oppenheimer
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Signe Byrge Sørensen
Film Festivals
Berlin, South by Southwest, Venice, Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
48 wins & 45 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (139) | Top Critics (50) | Fresh (134) | Rotten (5)
Every scene weighs on the audience. But Oppenheimer and Adi manage to locate a lightness as well that lessens the burden.
January 21, 2016
Lenika Cruz
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
Oppenheimer’s follow-up, The Look of Silence, is more lucid but less interesting.
December 1, 2015 | Rating: 2.5/5
Jake Wilson
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
oshua Oppenheimer has followed his 2012 documentary, The Act of Killing, with another, even more powerful film, The Look of Silence.
December 1, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
If Killing was a cleverer film and perhaps a more “informative” one (if you want to learn about the Indonesian killings, at least), then Silence is a more gut-wrenching one.
October 20, 2015 | Rating: 5/5
Emily St. James
Vox
TOP CRITIC
“The Look of Silence” is so disturbing because so few people in it seem disturbed.
August 28, 2015 | Rating: A
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
A reminder that the architects of a massive tragedy remain present and unrepentant, the personification of the evil men do and a warning that it could happen again.
August 27, 2015 | Rating: 4.5/5
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
Exceptional.
May 18, 2021
Angus Batey
NME
If The Act of Killing was about the identity of a nation who perpetrated a genocide, The Look of Silence is about the other identity, the one that genocide was designed to erase.
January 14, 2021
David Bax
Battleship Pretension
Indonesian genocide docu sequel has graphic descriptions.
December 2, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Alistair Lawrence
Common Sense Media
Moving and devastating, The Look of Silence is a true illustration of the power of movies; you walk out of the theater and never look at the world in quite the same way ever again.
July 5, 2020 | Rating: A+
Brent McKnight
The Last Thing I See
Joshua Oppenheimer’s companion piece to The Act of Killing, his astonishing portrait of Indonesia’s genocide, is a rare cinematic feat: a personal film that frames a horrific inquiry with a transcendent beauty.
August 8, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
A documentary duo unlike any other, The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence are filmmaking as activism and cinema as history.
July 30, 2019 | Rating: A+
Ryan Syrek
The Reader (Omaha, NE)…
Plot
An Indonesian man with a communist background named Ramli was brutally murdered when the “Communist” purge occurred in 1965. His remaining family members lived in fear and silence until the making of this documentary. Adi, a brother of his, decided to revisit the horrific incident and visited the men who were responsible for the killings and one survivor of the purge. These meetings uncovered sadistic facts of the murders and exposed raw emotions and reactions of the killers’ family members about what happened in the past – much to Adi’s disappointment.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Werner Herzog serves as an executive producer for The Look of Silence.
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