The Last Waltz (1978)
96%RT Audience Score: 94%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 3 nominations
Among one of, if not the best rock movie ever made, The Last Waltz is a revealing, electrifying view of the classic band at their height.
If you’re a fan of rock music, then The Last Waltz is a must-watch flick. It’s like a backstage pass to one of the greatest bands of all time, The Band. This movie captures the band at their peak, and it’s electrifying to watch. You’ll get to see some of the most iconic musicians of the 70s, like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell, all jamming together. It’s like a rock and roll dream come true. Trust me, this movie is so good, you’ll want to watch it on repeat.
Production Company(ies)
FM Productions, Last Waltz Inc.,
Distributor
United Artists
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1978
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 57m
-
Language(s):English, Middle, English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 31, 1978 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2002
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $340,687
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,668,866
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,460
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 181,992
US/Canada gross: $322,313
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,578,861
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,092
US/Canada opening weekend: $16,151
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $79,116
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,027
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
Robbie Robertson – Self
Ringo Starr – Self
Muddy Waters – Self
Ron Wood – Self
Neil Young – Self
Paul Butterfield – Self
Director(s)
Martin Scorsese
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Robbie Robertson
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (53) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (1)
Martin Scorseses radical advancement of the concert documentary receives a superlative transfer that reaffirms the film as one of the directors great aesthetic achievements.
March 28, 2022
Jake Cole
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
At its best the style of The Last Waltz, at once kaleidoscopic and concentrated, discursive and fixated, distils more about its subject and its times (and about its maker and his obsessions) than the impressionism of cinema verite.
March 31, 2020
Richard Combs
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Simply one of the best rock docs ever, born of equal parts thunder and fatigue.
September 11, 2019 | Rating: 4/4
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
The Band’s music has such intrinsic strength and resilience that it can’t help but break through those self-imposed barriers and set itself and the audience free.
January 8, 2018
Kenneth Turan
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
A heady time capsule.
December 1, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
It’s arguably the most beautiful of rock movies, while the musical highlights – ‘The Weight’ with the Staples Singers, Van Morrison’s firebolt ‘Caravan’, every Levon Helm vocal – still astound.
February 9, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Huddleston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
There has been a considerable number of exemplary concert films over the years, and this one ranks just under the 1984 Talking Heads classic Stop Making Sense as my pick for the best of the best.
April 1, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
I dont think Scorseses made anything with this much joy in it.
March 24, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Michael J. Casey
Boulder Weekly
Emotional, soulful and one of the five best rock-docs ever made.
April 6, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Tom Meek
Cambridge Day
Essential viewing for budding musicians and misty-eyed folks who hark back to a golden era when these rock gods ruled the earth.
December 6, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Lee Cassanell
CineVue
Outstanding ’70s concert docu has smoking, drinking.
July 11, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
Renee Schonfeld
Common Sense Media
It might be the best concert film of all time.
April 18, 2013 | Rating: A+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
Thanksgiving, 1976, San Francisco’s Winterland: the Band performs its last concert after 16 years on the road. Some numbers they do alone, some songs include guest artists from Ronnie Hawkins (their first boss, when they were the Hawks) to Bob Dylan (their last, when as his backup and as a solo group, they came into their own). Scorsese’s camera explores the interactions onstage in the making of music. Offstage, he interviews the Band’s five members, focusing on the nature of life on the road. The friendships, the harmonies, the hijinks, and the wear and tear add up to a last waltz.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
Martin-Scorsese.jpg
96%
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
96%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: Won 4 Oscars
121 wins & 126 nominations total
The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter.
If you’re looking for a movie that’ll make you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster of emotions, then The Two Towers is the one for you. It’s got everything from heart-wrenching moments to epic battles that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat. And let’s not forget about the characters – they’re so well-developed that you’ll feel like you’re right there with them on their journey. By the end of the movie, you’ll be left feeling both satisfied and itching for more. Bring on the final chapter!
Production Company(ies)
New Line Cinema, Wing Nut Films, The Saul Zaentz Company,
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Wellington, New Zealand
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for epic battle sequences and some scary images
Year of Release
2001
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTSS DDS
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 59m
-
Language(s):English, Sindarin
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 2002 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 26, 2003
Genre(s)
Fantasy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Elijah Wood, starring Ian McKellen, starring Liv Tyler, starring Viggo Mortensen, starring Sean Astin, starring Cate Blanchett, directed by Peter Jackson, written by Peter Jackson, written by Philippa Boyens, written by Fran Walsh, written by Stephen Sinclair, written by J.R.R Tolkien, fantasy, adventure, box office success, budget, reviewed by Alexander Walker, reviewed by Mark Monahan, reviewed by Sarah Sands, reviewed by Suzi Feay, reviewed by Anthony Lane, reviewed by Keith Phipps, reviewed by Fico Cangiano, reviewed by Sean Axmaker, reviewed by Leigh Paatsch, reviewed by Film Companion Staff, PG-13 rating, Dolby EX, Dolby SR, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Surround, DTS, Dolby A, SDDS, New Line Cinema, Lord of The Rings, Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Arwen, Aragorn (Strider), Samwise Gamgee, Galadriel
Worldwide gross: $898,094,742
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,513,548,693
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 49
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 165,054,383
US/Canada gross: $316,115,420
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $532,745,665
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 68
US/Canada opening weekend: $47,211,490
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $79,564,979
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 108
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $93,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $156,731,826
Production budget ranking: 205
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $84,400,088
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $1,272,416,779
ROI to date (est.): 528%
ROI ranking: 241
Ian McKellen – Gandalf
Liv Tyler – Arwen
Viggo Mortensen – Aragorn (Strider)
Sean Astin – Samwise Gamgee
Cate Blanchett – Galadriel
Director(s)
Peter Jackson
Writer(s)
Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, Stephen Sinclair, J.R.R. Tolkien
Producer(s)
Peter Jackson, Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh, Eric Monette
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 4 Oscars
121 wins & 126 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (256) | Top Critics (57) | Fresh (244) | Rotten (12)
What an eyeful it is. This is probably the greatest battlepiece composed for the screen since Eisenstein’s Ivan the Terrible.
November 12, 2014
Alexander Walker
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
This film is a towering achievement, and the next installment can’t come soon enough.
November 12, 2014
Mark Monahan
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is like being trapped in a nerd’s bedroom.
November 12, 2014
Sarah Sands
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The Two Towers is a satisfying and wholly gripping drama in its own right. Inevitably, Janus-like, it looks back to the Shire, and forward to the hour of doom. And after three hours, you will too.
November 12, 2014
Suzi Feay
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
When Gandalf arrives with reinforcements, descending a near-vertical slope using horses where you or I would use snowboards, the spirit of triumphant rampage is something rarely glimpsed since the days of Olivier and Henry V.
November 19, 2013
Anthony Lane
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
To live up to expectations, The Two Towers only had to be as good as its predecessor — and, astoundingly, it’s better.
November 19, 2013
Keith Phipps
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
The Battle of Helm’s Deep, in it of itself, is a grand cinematic achievement. The Two Towers is possibly the best middle entry of any film trilogy ever. [Full review in Spanish]
May 20, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Fico Cangiano
CineXpress Podcast
Peter Jacksons cinematic recreation of “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” is thrilling, enthralling, and dizzyingly exciting.
March 12, 2022
Sean Axmaker
Stream on Demand
What Jackson’s storytelling lacks in coherency – a major problem for non-Tolkienites with the first film – he makes up for with a new-found sense of urgency and a richer blend of drama, humour and human emotion.
November 17, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
In terms of battle sequences alone, it’s hard to find one that’s quite as daunting and absorbing as the Battle for Helm’s Deep in The Two Towers…
October 27, 2020
Film Companion Staff
Film Companion
The climactic battle of Helm’s Deep – though it still leaves much to be resolved for the final part – is a breathtakingly colossal skirmish in the rain and mud and fog.
October 9, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Call it a pretty good film and I’ll agree with you. Call it a great one, and I will beg to differ.
February 28, 2020
Kathi Maio
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction…
Plot
An ancient Ring thought lost for centuries has been found, and through a strange twist of fate has been given to a small Hobbit named Frodo. When Gandalf discovers the Ring is in fact the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, Frodo must make an epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it. However, he does not go alone. He is joined by Gandalf, Legolas the elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Aragorn, Boromir, and his three Hobbit friends Merry, Pippin, and Samwise. Through mountains, snow, darkness, forests, rivers and plains, facing evil and danger at every corner the Fellowship of the Ring must go. Their quest to destroy the One Ring is the only hope for the end of the Dark Lords reign.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found on Fresh Kernels about the film.
Peter-Jackson.jpg
96%
Ran (1985)
96%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
30 wins & 23 nominations total
Akira Kurosawa’s sprawling, epic take on King Lear should be required viewing for fans of westerns, war movies, or period films in general.
If you’re into westerns, war flicks, or anything set in the past, you gotta check out Akira Kurosawa’s version of King Lear. It’s like a big ol’ epic that’ll leave you feeling like you just went on a wild ride. Trust me, it’s a must-see for any movie buff.
Production Company(ies)
Greenwich Film Productions, Herald Ace Nippon Herald Films,
Distributor
Orion Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Aso, Kumamoto, Japan
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1985
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 40m
-
Language(s):Japanese
-
Country of origin:Japan
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 1985 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2005
Genre(s)
History/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Mieko Harada, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Yoshiko Miyazaki, directed by Akira Kurosawa, written by Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, William Shakespeare, history, drama, R rating, box office gross $454.0K, reviewed by David Robinson, Nigel Andrews, Paul Attanasio, Tara Brady, Kevin Maher, Masato Hara, Serge Silberman, Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, William Shakespeare, Orion Pictures, Magnetic Stereo 4 Track, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Scope (2.35:1), King Lear, abdication, empire, sons, obedience, banishment, war, period film, western, Akira Kurosawa’s last epic, Shakespearean dialogue, betrayal, insanity, horseback battles, traditional Japanese environment, costume design, production design, 4K restoration
Worldwide gross: $4,164,283
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $11,761,996
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,915
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,282,660
US/Canada gross: $4,135,750
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $11,681,405
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,573
US/Canada opening weekend: $3,567
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $10,075
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,705
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $11,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $32,481,691
Production budget ranking: 1,109
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $17,491,391
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$38,211,086
ROI to date (est.): -76%
ROI ranking: 1,855
Mieko Harada – Lady Kaede
Akira Terao – Taro Takatora Ichimonji
Jinpachi Nezu – Jiro Masatora Ichimonji
Daisuke Ryu – Saburo Naotora Ichimonji
Yoshiko Miyazaki – Lady Sue
Director(s)
Akira Kurosawa
Writer(s)
Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, William Shakespeare
Producer(s)
Masato Hara, Serge Silberman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
30 wins & 23 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (89) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (85) | Rotten (4)
Ran takes film spectacle to new heights. Kurosawa continues not only to extend his own powers but to exploit new technical advances.
January 29, 2020
David Robinson
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
There is not a wasted second. [Here] is proof of what we seldom doubted: Kurosawa is a director who becomes godlike rather than gaga in old age.
January 29, 2020
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Kurosawa may not be Shakespeare, but with images like these, he gets at something about the horror — and hopelessness — of being a man that is peculiarly his own.
January 3, 2018
Paul Attanasio
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
One can never be short of things to look at while Kurasawa’s Ran is in the world.
August 8, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
A magisterial achievement.
April 3, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Jonathan Romney
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Prepare your eyes to be gouged (this is a King Lear adaptation, after all).
March 31, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Over-long, dull in the middle, and unnecessarily tragic…
March 29, 2021
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension
Just in time for its 30th anniversary – and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death – comes a beautiful 4K restoration…
December 7, 2020
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher
An arresting amalgamation of unforgettable imagery.
September 7, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
One can hardly watch Ran without feeling a sense of prophecy fulfilled. The tragic results displayed in this film suggest we all need to discern more deeply exactly who we can trust to lead us.
April 10, 2020
Ed Travis
Hollywood Jesus
The great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, who has made a career of creating movie masterpieces, has at the age of 75 given the world a monumental work.
November 6, 2019
William Wolf
Gannett News Service
This film is the visual epic of the year, and one of the few really great movies of the 80s.
January 30, 2019
David Elliott
Copley News Service…
Plot
After consolidating his empire, Lord Hidetora Ichimonji decides to divide his domain amongst his three sons, but when his youngest son defies his elder brother, he is banished in Akira Kurosawa’s epic take on King Lear, Ran.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Tatsuya Nakadai’s portrayal of Lord Hidetora Ichimonji is described as “emotive and poignant” by an audience reviewer.
Akira-Kurosawa.jpg
96%
Psycho (1960)
96%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: 8 wins & 13 nominations
Infamous for its shower scene, but immortal for its contribution to the horror genre. Because Psycho was filmed with tact, grace, and art, Hitchcock didn’t just create modern horror, he validated it.
Psycho, oh boy, where do I even start? You know that shower scene that everyone talks about? Yeah, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This movie is a freakin’ legend in the horror genre. And it’s not just because of the scares, it’s because of how it was made. Hitchcock was a mastermind, and he proved it with Psycho. The way he filmed it was so smooth and elegant, it was like watching a work of art. And let’s be real, he didn’t just create modern horror, he made it legit. So if you haven’t seen Psycho yet, what are you waiting for? Get ready to be scared out of your mind, but also appreciate the beauty of a well-made horror flick.
Production Company(ies)
Am Psycho Productions, Lions Gate Films, Muse Productions,
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Shark City Bar and Grill – 117 Eglinton Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong violence, sexuality, drug use and language
Year of Release
2000
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 49m
-
Language(s):English, Spanish, Cantonese
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 16, 1960 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2005
Genre(s)
Horror
Keyword(s)
starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, written by Robert Bloch, Joseph Stefano, horror, box office success, budget, reviewed by Peter John Dyer, Philip K Scheuer, Jake Wilson, Chris Stuckmann, Jack Harrison, Wanda Hale, James Luxford, Jamie Broadnax, Cameron Meier, Howard Gorman, Sarah Brinks, R rating, shower scene, thriller, suspense, tension, surprise, virtuosity, control, taxidermy, heavy rainstorm, motel, mother-son relationship, iconic, Academy Awards, psycho-sexual, music score, top horror movies, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV premiere dates, worst horror movies, careers, newsletter, Fandango
Worldwide gross: $34,266,564
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $59,432,469
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,259
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 6,481,185
US/Canada gross: $15,070,285
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,138,140
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,320
US/Canada opening weekend: $4,961,015
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,604,463
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 994
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $12,140,910
Production budget ranking: 1,588
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,537,880
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $40,753,678
ROI to date (est.): 218%
ROI ranking: 597
Janet Leigh – Marion Crane
Vera Miles – Lila Crane
John Gavin – Sam Loomis
Martin Balsam – Det. Milton Arbogast
John McIntire – Sheriff Al Chambers
Director(s)
Alfred Hitchcock
Writer(s)
Robert Bloch, Joseph Stefano
Producer(s)
Alfred Hitchcock
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
8 wins & 13 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (107) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (103) | Rotten (4)
Psycho comes nearer to attaining an exhilarating balance between content and style than anything Hitchcock has done in years. Of course, it is a very minor work. But its virtues of tension, surprise, virtuosity and control are all major ones.
January 11, 2020
Peter John Dyer
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
It is one of [Hitchcock’s] most brilliantly directed shockers and also his most disagreeable.
April 22, 2019
Philip K. Scheuer
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
A brilliant technical exercise, an intimate character study, and the ultimate variant on the premise “boy meets girl.”
January 11, 2019
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Psycho continues to be thrilling to this day.
May 31, 2018 | Rating: A+
Chris Stuckmann
ChrisStuckmann.com
TOP CRITIC
Paramount won’t let anyone enter theatres where Psycho is playing after the picture starts. No one will want to leave before it is over.
June 16, 2017
Jack Harrison
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
The obvious thing to say is that Hitch has done it again; that the suspense of his picture builds up slowly but surely to an almost unbearable pitch of excitement.
June 16, 2015 | Rating: 4/4
Wanda Hale
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
Psycho still works on the big screen. Its success lies in its ability to find horror in the mundane… the true horror of Hitchcock’s masterpiece is that (Norman Bates) could be anywhere, just waiting at that next rest stop.
May 27, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
James Luxford
City AM
The score alone is a supporting character. It makes various appearances throughout suspenseful moments in the story most notably the shower scene. Those high-pitched, ear-piercing violin strings will forever be associated with fear and catastrophe.
April 10, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Jamie Broadnax
Black Girl Nerds
Psycho allowed [Hitchcock] and his audience to fulfill their desires of observing a fascinating, macabre world by becoming a fly on the wall without being swatted.
November 28, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Cameron Meier
MeierMovies.com
Hitchcock forged career-best performances out of Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh.
June 10, 2021
Howard Gorman
NME
Any excuse to watch Hitchcock’s film is all right with me. I hope I never find myself in a motel as creepy as the Bates’ but I do enjoy returning there on my television.
March 24, 2021
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension
For a report on what audiences experienced while watching “Psycho” when it was first released, listen to my own mother. My mom, Geraldine Calleri enjoyed seeing Hitchcock’s films. You couldn’t have found a more appreciative audience.
November 11, 2020
Michael Calleri
Niagara Gazette…
Plot
It’s the late 1980s. Twenty-seven year old Wall Streeter Patrick Bateman travels among a closed network of the proverbial beautiful people, that closed network in only they able to allow others like themselves in in a feeling of superiority. Patrick has a routinized morning regimen to maintain his appearance of attractiveness and fitness. He, like those in his network, are vain, narcissistic, egomaniacal and competitive, always having to one up everyone else in that presentation of oneself, but he, unlike the others, realizes that, for himself, all of these are masks to hide what is truly underneath, someone/something inhuman in nature. In other words, he is comprised of a shell resembling a human that contains only greed and disgust, greed in wanting what others may have, and disgust for those who do not meet his expectations and for himself in not being the first or the best. That disgust ends up manifesting itself in wanting to rid the world of those people, he not seeing them as people but only of those characteristics he wants to rid.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Anthony Perkins delivers a career-best performance as Norman Bates in Psycho.
Alfred-Hitchcock.jpg
96%
All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre) (1999)
96%RT Audience Score: 93%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
58 wins & 40 nominations total
Almodovar weaves together a magnificent tapestry of femininity with an affectionate wink to classics of theater and cinema in this poignant story of love, loss and compassion.
Almodovar totally nailed it with this flick! He’s got this amazing way of blending together all these different elements of femininity and giving a nod to the classics of theater and cinema. It’s a real tear-jerker, but also super heartwarming. You’ll definitely need some tissues handy. Overall, it’s a beautiful story about love, loss, and compassion that’ll leave you feeling all the feels.
Production Company(ies)
El Deseo Renn Productions, France 2 Cinéma
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for sexuality including strong sexual dialogue, language and some drug content
Year of Release
2000
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 39m
-
Language(s):Spanish, Catalan
-
Country of origin:Spain
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 24, 1999 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 3, 2009
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
All About My Mother, R, Drama, 1h 39m, 98% Tomatometer, 93 Reviews, 93% Audience Score, Pedro Almodóvar, Agustín Almodóvar, Cecilia Roth, Eloy Azorín, Marisa Paredes, Penélope Cruz, Candela Peña, Antonia San Juan, reviewed by David Ansen, David Edelstein, Jonathan Holland, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Andrew Sarris, Geoff Andrew, Bryan Petroff, Jan Stuart, Nick Levine, Nicholas Bell, Ruhaan Shah, directed by Pedro Almodóvar, written by Pedro Almodóvar, produced by Agustín Almodóvar, Drama, Spanish (Spain), $8.3M Box Office, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround, Scope (2.35:1), Manuela, Esteban, Huma Rojo, Sister Rosa, Nina, Agrado, femininity, love, loss, compassion, transvestite, LGBTQ+, organ donation, hookers, AIDS, transsexuals, sexuality, language, some drug content, strong sexual dialogue
Worldwide gross: $67,953,969
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $117,860,436
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 945
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 12,852,828
US/Canada gross: $8,344,738
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $14,473,245
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,507
US/Canada opening weekend: $50,362
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $87,349
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,986
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
Eloy Azorín – Esteban
Marisa Paredes – Huma Rojo
Penélope Cruz – Sister Rosa
Candela Peña – Nina
Antonia San Juan – Agrado
Director(s)
Pedro Almodóvar
Writer(s)
Pedro Almodóvar
Producer(s)
Agustín Almodóvar
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
58 wins & 40 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Winners, Oscar Best International Feature Film Of The Year Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (93) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (91) | Rotten (2)
This is humanism in drag: Almodovar’s passionate redefinition of family values.
March 6, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
It’s a lovely work.
August 12, 2008
David Edelstein
Slate
TOP CRITIC
An emotionally satisfying and brilliantly played take on the ups and (mostly) downs of a group of less-than-typical female friends.
August 12, 2008
Jonathan Holland
Variety
TOP CRITIC
For me it felt like a good many weeks at a politically correct summer camp.
August 12, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
All About My Mother, for all its self-deconstruction, is played with more sobriety and conviction than any of Mr. Almodvar’s previous films.
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris
Observer
TOP CRITIC
It displays a depth and maturity lacking in Almodvar’s earlier work.
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Not only is this the Spanish director’s most sophisticated film to date, it’s a watershed moment in his career and one of the best movies of the year.
May 27, 2022
Bryan Petroff
Out Magazine
Almodóvar has never been shy about displays of feeling, but rarely has he employed his operatic shifts of emotion with such confidence and control.
April 5, 2022
Jan Stuart
The Advocate
Arguably the best ever film by visionary Pedro Almodóvar, this heartfelt comedy drama is a celebration of womanhood and maternity which also explores – with tender sensitivity – the trials and tribulations of LGBTQ+ life.
May 10, 2021
Nick Levine
NME
On paper, it features a plot which sounds like the soapiest of Sirk mixed with the most lurid of telenovela and yet, as a testament to the writer/director’s mastery, it’s a vividly joyful odyssey of fluctuating emotional tones.
August 10, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
…this melodramatic narrative, in the end, is a satisfying story about femininity and companionship. Arguably one of Almodóvar’s masterpieces…
April 29, 2020
Ruhaan Shah
Film Companion
For all the film’s purple prose and soap opera dramatics, Almodóvar never loses sight of his characters’ simple humanity.
February 22, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row…
Plot
Argentine Manuela Echevarria, an organ transplant coordinator at a Madrid hospital, ran off from her husband in Barcelona eighteen years ago upon learning that she was pregnant, their son, Esteban, who she has never told about his father despite his curiosity, and her husband who didn’t know about the pregnancy when she ran off. An event coinciding with Esteban, an aspiring writer, turning seventeen leads to Manuela feeling the need to return to Barcelona to look for her husband. There, she ends up further acting as the maternal figure for people in need. One is a young nun named Sister Rosa, who she meets through her old friend, a transvestite prostitute who has assumed the name Agrado in her agreeable nature. Rosa has a strained relationship with her own conservative mother, as she is consumed with caring for her ill husband, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. The other is actress Huma Rojo, currently appearing as Blanche Dubois in a stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire, which has long been a touchstone for Manuela in productions of it coinciding with milestone moments in her life, this production no different. Huma is in a troubled codependent relationship with her younger “Stella Kowalski” costar Nina Cruz, a closet junkie, hence Huma’s emotional need for support. By the end of her stay in Barcelona, Manuela will have another non-relative for who she will feel the need to act as a mother figure.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Antonia San Juan’s performance as Agrado, a socially unacceptable transsexual, is described as “colorful” and “optimistic” by a critic review.
Pedro-Almodóvar.jpg
96%
The Third Man (1949)
96%RT Audience Score: 93%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
5 wins & 4 nominations total
This atmospheric thriller is one of the undisputed masterpieces of cinema, and boasts iconic performances from Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles.
This movie is the bomb! It’s got all the thrills and chills you could ever want, and the acting is off the charts. Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles are total legends in this flick. You won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen. Trust me, this is one of those movies that you’ll be talking about for years to come.
Production Company(ies)
London Film Productions,
Distributor
Selznick International Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, British Lion Films Ltd., Vintage Video, Spiegel Media GmbH.
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
8 Schreyvogelgasse, Vienna, Austria
MPAA / Certificate
Approved
Year of Release
1949
-
Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.37 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 44m
-
Language(s):English, German, Russian, French
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 1, 1949 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2008
Genre(s)
Mystery & thriller
Keyword(s)
The Third Man, Mystery & Thriller, Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, directed by Carol Reed, written by Graham Greene, Alexander Korda, produced by Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, David O Selznick, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Ed Potton, Mark Feeney, Moira MacDonald, Michael Phillips, David Jenkins, Andrew O’Hehir, Cole Smithey, Brian Eggert, MPAA rating, Alexander Korda, Graham Greene, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Paul Hoerbiger, Ernst Deutsch, Continental Home Vídeo [br], Selznick International Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, British Lion Films Ltd., Vintage Video, Spiegel Media GmbH, Mono, Flat (1.37:1), postwar Vienna, Austria, Holly Martins, pulp Westerns, Harry Lime, conspiracy theory, British officer Maj Calloway, Anna Schmidt, critic reviews, audience score, mystery, thriller, Feb 1, 1949 Wide, Oct 28, 2008, $447.0K, 1h 44m
Worldwide gross: $1,226,797
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $17,509,982
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,759
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,909,486
US/Canada gross: $1,067,364
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $15,234,407
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,491
US/Canada opening weekend: $13,576
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $193,769
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,676
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
Joseph Cotten – Holly Martins
Trevor Howard – Major Calloway
Alida Valli – Anna Schmidt
Paul Hoerbiger – Porter
Ernst Deutsch – “Baron” Kurtz
Director(s)
Carol Reed
Writer(s)
Graham Greene, Alexander Korda, Graham Greene
Producer(s)
Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, David O. Selznick
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
5 wins & 4 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (87) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (86) | Rotten (1)
Seventy years on such sombreness seems timely, as does Harry Lime, Welles’s deliciously elusive antihero.
September 8, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Krasker’s camera reveals a dank, matte, defeated city – so dully vivid as to be a character unto itself – except that this Vienna becomes something altogether different seen at night or underground.
August 6, 2015 | Rating: 4/4
Mark Feeney
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
Reed and screenwriter Graham Greene let the story unfold slowly and deliberately, like the cigarette smoke that floats around the characters, and keep us guessing at every step.
July 2, 2015 | Rating: 4/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
Like many, I have loved this thriller of conscience and betrayal most of my moviegoing life.
July 2, 2015 | Rating: 4/4
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
This is a film which does away with such cretinous inanity as offering up goodies and baddies, instead presenting its cast of characters as doing things which they believe to be good, but are not seen as such through the eyes of observers.
June 26, 2015 | Rating: 5/5
David Jenkins
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
“The Third Man” is important not just because of its technique but because of its theme …
June 26, 2015
Andrew O’Hehir
Salon.com
TOP CRITIC
has one of the greatest chase sequences ever filmed and it doesnt involve cars.
April 23, 2022 | Rating: A+
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Reed remains the picture’s greatest asset, even if he is not the first name that comes to mind when remembering The Third Man.
March 21, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Welles’ Harry Lime looms over the narrative just as the shadow of World War II looms over the film’s post-war Vienna.
December 12, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Matt Neal
Movies Ate My Life
It’s often described as the best British-produced film ever made, and that’s … an understatement, as it’s an easy addition to any … list of the top 10 movies of all time.
November 29, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Cameron Meier
MeierMovies.com
Iconic.
September 8, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Michael J. Casey
Michael J. Cinema
It isn’t a particularly challenging film but it is entertaining, it moves at a quick pace, and the mystery at the heart of it is fun to try and piece together.
March 24, 2021
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension…
Plot
An out of work pulp fiction novelist, Holly Martins, arrives in a post war Vienna divided into sectors by the victorious allies, and where a shortage of supplies has led to a flourishing black market. He arrives at the invitation of an ex-school friend, Harry Lime, who has offered him a job, only to discover that Lime has recently died in a peculiar traffic accident. From talking to Lime’s friends and associates Martins soon notices that some of the stories are inconsistent, and determines to discover what really happened to Harry Lime.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Orson Welles’ performance as Harry Lime is described as “absolutely brilliant” and his character as a “deliciously elusive antihero.”
Carol-Reed.jpg
96%
Central Station (Central do Brasil) (1998)
96%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
43 wins & 26 nominations total
Walter Salles’ Central Station is a cinematic masterpiece that seamlessly blends the beauty of Brazil’s landscapes with the harsh realities of its people. The film’s imagery is hauntingly beautiful, and Salles’ direction is watchful, penetrating the depths of each character encountered on Dora and Josue’s journey. Fernanda Montengero’s stunning performance elevates the film above the familiar neo-realist type of melodrama, and the mismatched couple’s bond is textured and gritty. While some may find the pairing of an adorable young boy and a selfish, honesty-challenged older woman manipulative, it takes time to discover the pure soul beneath. Central Station is a film of uncommon simplicity and complexity, a true gem of Brazilian cinema.
Central Station is a movie that will make you feel all the emotions. It’s beautiful, haunting, and gritty all at the same time. The story follows a young boy and an older woman who are mismatched but end up bonding on a road trip. The visuals are stunning, and the performances are top-notch. It’s not your typical melodrama, and that’s what makes it stand out. Plus, who doesn’t love a good road trip movie? Hop on board and enjoy the ride with Central Station.
Production Company(ies)
Audiovisual Development Bureau, Ministerio da Cultura BEI Comunicações Bahiatursa
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Central do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
1998
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 50m
-
Language(s):Portuguese, German
-
Country of origin:Brazil, France
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 1998 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 13, 1999
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Central Station, drama, Portuguese (Brazil), Walter Salles, Marcos Bernstein, João Emanuel Carneiro, starring Fernanda Montenegro, Vinícius de Oliveira, Marília Pêra, Soia Lira, Othon Bastos, Otávio Augusto, directed by Walter Salles, written by Walter Salles, Marcos Bernstein, João Emanuel Carneiro, box office gross $6.2M, Sony Pictures Classics, reviewed by Kevin Thomas, Richard Schickel, Peter Brunette, Susan Stark, Janet Maslin, Lucy Mohl, Emanuel Levy, Susan Tavernetti, Philip Martin, Jeffrey Westhoff, Marty Mapes, Bitter former schoolteacher, illiterate people, Rio de Janeiro, road trip, moving, universal, manipulative, adorable young boy, selfish, honesty-challenged older woman, stylized visual style, stunning performance, road movie, uncommon texture, grit, mismatched couple, defensive, guarded, bond, sorrow, uncertain journey, sophisticated cinematography, lush musical score, metaphor-rich, heavy, powerful, dramatic story, commentary, religiosity, idolatry, pilgrimage scene
Worldwide gross: $5,971,073
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $10,957,761
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,943
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,194,958
US/Canada gross: $5,969,553
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $10,954,971
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,591
US/Canada opening weekend: $35,708
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $65,529
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,105
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $2,900,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,321,909
Production budget ranking: 1,868
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,865,848
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,770,004
ROI to date (est.): 34%
ROI ranking: 1,227
Marília Pêra – Irene
Vinícius de Oliveira – Josué
Soia Lira – Ana
Othon Bastos – Cesar
Otávio Augusto – Pedrão
Director(s)
Walter Salles
Writer(s)
Walter Salles, Marcos Bernstein, João Emanuel Carneiro
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
43 wins & 26 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (48) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (3)
As beautiful as it is wrenching.
February 14, 2001 | Rating: 4.5/5
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
[Salles’] imagery, like his storytelling, is clear, often unaffectedly lovely, and quietly, powerfully haunting.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4.5/5
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
its blatantly manipulative pairing of an adorable young boy and a selfish, honesty-challenged older woman … so calculating that I could never get emotionally involved.
January 1, 2000
Peter Brunette
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4/4
Susan Stark
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Salles directs simply and watchfully, with an eye that seems to penetrate all the characters who are encountered on Dora’s and Josue’s journey.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4/5
Janet Maslin
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
What gives the film its strength is that cutting away the first layer only reveals more levels of toughness; it takes time to discover the pure soul beneath.
January 1, 2000
Lucy Mohl
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
What separates and elevates Walter Salles’ film above the familiar neo-realist type of melodrama is the stylized visual style and Fernanda Montengero’s stunning performance.
August 9, 2010 | Rating: B+
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
May 20, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Susan Tavernetti
Palo Alto Weekly
…a road movie of uncommon texture and grit during which the mismatched couple, each initially defensive and guarded, bond with each other.
January 23, 2003 | Rating: B
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
September 3, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
August 21, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/4
Marty Mapes
Movie Habit
‘Central do Brasil’ tem a simplicidade dos grandes filmes.
May 31, 2002 | Rating: 5/5
Pablo Villaça
Cinema em Cena…
Plot
Dora, a dour old woman who hates customers and calls them ‘trash,’ works at a Rio de Janeiro central station writing and mailing letters for customers. Josue is a 9-year-old boy who never met his father. His mother is sending letters to his father through Dora. When she dies in a car accident, Dora takes Josue on a trip to find his father.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing goofy, funny, or odd is mentioned about the film or anyone in the cast.
Walter-Salles.jpg
96%
Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di biciclette) (The Bicycle Thief) (1949)
96%RT Audience Score: 94%
Awards & Nominations: NA
An Italian neorealism exemplar, Bicycle Thieves thrives on its non-flashy performances and searing emotion.
If you’re looking for a movie that’ll make you feel all the feels, Bicycle Thieves is the way to go. This Italian flick is all about the realness – no fancy special effects or over-the-top acting here. Just raw, emotional performances that’ll leave you feeling like you’ve been punched in the gut (in a good way, we promise). It’s the kind of movie that’ll make you want to hug your loved ones a little tighter and appreciate the little things in life. So grab some tissues and get ready for a ride – this one’s a tearjerker.
Production Company(ies)
Produzioni De Sica
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Citta Valmelaina, Via Salaria, Rome, Lazio, Italy
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
1949
-
Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Mono
-
Aspect ratio:1.37 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):Italian, English, German
-
Country of origin:Italy
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1948 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 12, 2003
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Lamberto Maggiorani, Lianella Carell, Enzo Staiola, Elena Altieri, Vittorio Antonucci, Gino Saltamerenda, directed by Vittorio De Sica, written by Luigi Bartolini, Cesar Zavattini, Suso Cecchi d’Amico, drama, Italian neorealism, box office gross $332.9K, reviewed by Richard Winnington, Bob Thomas, Christy Lemire, Kate Muir, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Don Druker, Brian Eggert, André Bazin, Sarah Brinks, Mike Massie, Merl Edelman, MPAA rating N/A, produced by Vittorio De Sica
Worldwide gross: $436,655
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $6,232,344
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,106
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 679,645
US/Canada gross: $371,111
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,296,840
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,786
US/Canada opening weekend: $25,377
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $362,204
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,482
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $133,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $1,898,299
Production budget ranking: 2,032
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $1,022,234
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $3,311,811
ROI to date (est.): 113%
ROI ranking: 888
Lianella Carell – Maria
Enzo Staiola – Bruno
Elena Altieri – The charitable Lady
Vittorio Antonucci – The Thief
Gino Saltamerenda – Baiocco
Director(s)
Vittorio De Sica
Writer(s)
Luigi Bartolini, Cesar Zavattini, Suso Cecchi d’Amico
Producer(s)
Vittorio De Sica
Film Festivals
Berlin
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (67) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (1)
Bicycle Thieves is a wholly satisfying film in that de Sica has so simplified and mastered the mechanics of the job that nothing stands between you and his intention.
February 2, 2021
Richard Winnington
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
This gem tells the story of a frantic search bv a man and his son for a stolen bike which provided for the family’s existence. It is told with the usual Italian realism, but with unusual excitement.
March 29, 2019
Bob Thomas
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
Decades later, you can see the influence of Bicycle Thieves everywhere, in a variety of genres and languages.
February 27, 2018 | Rating: 4/4
Christy Lemire
ChristyLemire.com
TOP CRITIC
Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves is tender and immediate, a simple tale of a man whose bike is stolenwhen his job and life depends upon it.
August 13, 2015 | Rating: 5/5
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The work of screenwriter Cesare Zavattini, director Vittorio De Sica, the nonprofessional actors, and many others is so charged with a common purpose that there’s no point in even trying to separate their achievements.
January 14, 2013
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Undeniably the most important neorealist film after Rossellini’s Open City.
January 14, 2013
Don Druker
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
At its most essential, the film cries out with humanity, establishing its place of renown in the highest ranks of international cinema.
February 14, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
[Bicycle Thieves] does not depend on the mathematical elements of drama, the action does not exist beforehand as if it were an “essence.” It follows from the pre-existence of the narrative, it is the “integral” of reality.
December 8, 2021
André Bazin
Esprit
The story of Bicycle Thieves is simple but the film isn’t simple at all. I love that at its heart it is a film about the limits of a man’s morality and his relationship with his son.
March 29, 2021
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension
Deceptively simple, Vittorio De Sica’s cinematic masterpiece features unequalled, authentic performances by non-actors.
August 3, 2020 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
So immediate is the reality of its experience that the audience seldom notices the excellence of its directorial craftsmanship.
January 24, 2020
Merl Edelman
Los Angeles Free Press
If there ever was a picture whose impact left one realizing that men who are tortured are the same in any country — this is the movie.
October 30, 2019
Robert Ellis
California Eagle…
Plot
Antonio Ricci, an unemployed man in the depressed post-WWII economy of Italy, finally gets a job hanging up posters, but he needs a bicycle. But when his bicycle is stolen,, he and son walk the streets of Rome looking for it. Antonio finally manages to locate the thief, but with no proof he must abandon his cause. But he and his son know perfectly well that without a bike, Antonio won’t be able to keep his job.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Bicycle Thieves features non-professional actors in its lead roles, including Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio Ricci and Enzo Staiola as his son Bruno.
Vittorio-De-Sica.jpg
96%
Good Will Hunting (1997)
96%RT Audience Score: 94%
Awards & Nominations: Won 2 Oscars
24 wins & 61 nominations total
It follows a predictable narrative arc, but Good Will Hunting adds enough quirks to the journey — and is loaded with enough powerful performances — that it remains an entertaining, emotionally rich drama.
Good Will Hunting may not be the most unpredictable movie out there, but it’s got enough quirks to keep you on your toes. Plus, the performances are so good, you’ll forget you’re watching a movie and start feeling like you’re part of the story. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that’s worth the ride.
Production Company(ies)
Miramax, Be Gentlemen Limited Partnership, Lawrence Bender Productions,
Distributor
Miramax Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Central Tech. High School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong language, including some sex-related dialogue
Year of Release
1998
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 6m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 1998 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 8, 1998
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring matt damon, robin williams, ben affleck, minnie driver, stellan skarsgard, casey affleck, directed by gus van sant, written by matt damon, ben affleck, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by bill boisvert, roxana hadadi, mike clark, jason bailey, duane byrge, quentin curtis, mark jackson, robin holabird, jim rohner, fico cangiano, mike massie, leigh paatsch, genius, psychology, therapy, professor, janitor, math, MIT, Boston, Southie, love, friendship, family, redemption, emotional, inspiring, heartwarming, poignant, powerful, authentic, human, humor, drama, R-rated, Miramax Films, Lawrence Bender, Surround, Dolby Digital, 35mm
Worldwide gross: $225,933,435
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $414,619,711
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 371
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 45,214,799
US/Canada gross: $138,433,435
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $254,044,873
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 245
US/Canada opening weekend: $272,912
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $500,832
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,405
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $18,351,410
Production budget ranking: 1,410
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $9,882,234
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $386,386,067
ROI to date (est.): 1,369%
ROI ranking: 81
Robin Williams – Sean Maguire
Ben Affleck – Chuckie Sullivan
Minnie Driver – Skylar
Stellan Skarsgård – Gerald Lambeau
Casey Affleck – Morgan O’Mally
Director(s)
Gus Van Sant
Writer(s)
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Producer(s)
Lawrence Bender
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 2 Oscars
24 wins & 61 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Writing Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (83) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (80) | Rotten (3)
The problem becomes more glaring when movies portray geniuses, characters who not only think constantly but think thoughts that are incomprehensible to the rest of us.
June 16, 2022
Bill Boisvert
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Good Will Hunting is lyrically directed, efficiently written, side-splittingly funny, quietly devastating.
June 5, 2020
Roxana Hadadi
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
The headline story from this slice of honestly earned sentiment is Matt Damon, who delivers the year’s No. 1 breakthrough performance directly atop his agreeable high-profile turn in John Grisham’s The Rainmaker.
January 9, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/4
Mike Clark
USA Today
TOP CRITIC
It’s a movie that captures (in a way that perhaps an older screenwriter could not convey) the limitless possibilities of youth, a movie in which a character can tell another, without cynicism, “You could do anything you want. You are bound by nothing.”
December 15, 2017
Jason Bailey
Vice
TOP CRITIC
The best thing about Good Will Hunting is not in its well-crafted, psychological symmetries but in the just-plain messiness of its humanity. It’s rowdy, it’s funny, it’s heartbreaking — it rings of life.
December 5, 2016
Duane Byrge
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
A crowd-pleaser, with bags of charm to spare.
August 15, 2014
Quentin Curtis
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It’s writer-stars Matt Damon & Ben Affleck’s childhood friendship-chemistry and the hilarious bickering between the real-life Affleck brothers that generates the magic in “Good Will Hunting.” Not to mention a magical performance by Robin Williams.
August 19, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Mark Jackson
Epoch Times
While Damon and Affleck clearly feel at home with each other in familiar surroundings during Good Will Hunting, their story relies on heart more than location since caring and friendship taking precedence.
August 10, 2021
Robin Holabird
Robin Holabird
Good Will Hunting still holds up as a great film.
April 14, 2021
Jim Rohner
Battleship Pretension
What Matt Damon and Ben Affleck accomplish with such a profound, witty, inspirational and heartbreaking script is quite extraordinary. And then, Mr. Robin Williams takes it to another level. [Full review in Spanish]
November 17, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Fico Cangiano
CineXpress Podcast
The acting is outstanding; Williams and Damon perfectly embody their roles, creating a believable, poignant, powerful partnership full of uplifting, feel-good triumphs.
September 14, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
On the surface there doesn’t seem to be too much going on, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find remarkably telling insights into the mind games that go with being a genius.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)…
Plot
A touching tale of a wayward young man who struggles to find his identity, living in a world where he can solve any problem, except the one brewing deep within himself, until one day he meets his soul mate who opens his mind and his heart.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Good Will Hunting on Fresh Kernels.
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96%
When We Were Kings (1996)
96%RT Audience Score: 94%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
12 wins & 5 nominations total
When We Were Kings is a cinematic masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of sports documentaries. Leon Gast’s film captures the essence of a pivotal moment in history, where black America and black Africa collided in a boxing ring. The film’s ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era is a testament to its power. Muhammad Ali’s charisma is on full display, and his journey to victory against all odds is nothing short of inspiring. Gast’s attention to detail and ability to build suspense make this film a thrilling ride from start to finish. When We Were Kings is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the art of storytelling and the power of sports to unite people.
When We Were Kings is the ultimate boxing documentary that will have you on the edge of your seat. It’s not just about the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, but also about the cultural significance of the event. The film captures the essence of the time when black America and black Africa came together, and Ali’s charisma steals the show. You’ll be laughing at his jokes and cheering for him in the ring. It’s a must-watch for any sports fan or history buff.
Production Company(ies)
Das Films, David Sonenberg Production Polygram Filmed Entertainment,
Distributor
Polygram, Image Entertainment Inc., Gramercy Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for images of violence, brief nudity and some language
Year of Release
1997
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 24m
-
Language(s):English, French
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 14, 1997 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 9, 2002
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
starring Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, B.B King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, directed by Leon Gast, written by Leon Gast, genre: documentary, box office performance: $2.7M, critic names: reviewed by Reece Pendleton, David Ansen, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Richard Corliss, Todd McCarthy, Rita Kempley, Graeme Tuckett, Matt Brunson, Renee Schonfeld, Alonso Díaz de la Vega, Christopher Campbell, MPAA rating: PG, produced by Taylor Hackford, Leon Gast
Worldwide gross: $2,789,985
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,200,758
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,164
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 567,149
US/Canada gross: $2,789,985
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,200,758
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,797
US/Canada opening weekend: $12,479
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $23,262
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,458
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
– George Foreman
– Don King
– B.B. King
– Mobutu Sese Seko
– Spike Lee
– Taylor Hackford (Producer)
– Leon Gast (Director/Producer)
Director(s)
Leon Gast
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Taylor Hackford, Leon Gast
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
12 wins & 5 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Documentary Feature Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (50) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (1)
Gast does a nice job of building the suspense leading up to the fight, fleshing out the story with some good color commentary…
June 15, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Reece Pendleton
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Both a tribute to Ali and an evocation of a bygone era, it’s about the transformative moment when black America, flexing its newborn pride, encountered black Africa.
March 2, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
If anyone deserves an award, it is Ali; his charisma makes the film.
August 4, 2008
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Enormously entertaining.
March 26, 2007
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
No comedian was ever funnier, no fighter ever faster than Muhammad Ali, who is caught at the top of his game in Leon Gast’s valentine, When We Were Kings.
March 26, 2007
Rita Kempley
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
When We Were Kings as not just one of the greatest sports documentaries of all time, but also one of the greatest concert movies.
December 29, 2021
Graeme Tuckett
Stuff.co.nz
At the time, it was a given that Foreman was going to slaughter Ali in the ring; the beauty of this movie is that it shows in amazing detail the process through which Ali stepped up to the challenge and succeeded against all expectations.
October 27, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Thrilling boxing docu covers race, politics; some profanity.
June 28, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Renee Schonfeld
Common Sense Media
A film that answers why Ali’s death is so significant. [Full review in Spanish]
June 9, 2016
Alonso Díaz de la Vega
El Universal
Almost too concentrated on Ali, but the story plays well with an exhilarating pace and plenty of well-remembered expositional details.
May 30, 2014 | Rating: 5/5
Christopher Campbell
Nonfics
Gast never makes a mistake by turning the camera on Ali-he comes through like a champ
March 3, 2011 | Rating: B+
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews…
Plot
It’s 1974, Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the Heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a backer in Mobutu Sese Seko, the dictator of Zaire and the “Rumble in the Jungle” is set. A musical festival, featuring the America’s top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King, is also planned.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features interviews with Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, and Spike Lee.
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