“The term "godawful" should be used sparingly in connection with motion pictures. With Angels & Demons, however, it seems oddly appropriate. Not only does this prequel-turned-sequel to The Da Vinci Code make its predecessor seem like a masterwork of pacing and plotting, but it may represent a nadir for director Ron Howard and is probably the worst instance of acting from star Tom Hanks since back in the days when he was struggling out from under the shadow of Bosom Buddies.” ShouldMayDoeSeemsUsedStarsTermActingStruggleWorstDirectorsAngelShadowConnectionsInstanceCodeDemonAppropriateTomsBuddyBosomsSequelsPredecessorsMotion PicturesPacingNadirDa Vinci Code Author:James Berardinelli
“Despite his reputation as one of America's foremost "serious" filmmakers, Oliver Stone's name under the "director" caption does not guarantee a good movie. I learned that lesson while enduring the seemingly-endless tedium of The Doors, and was reminded of it during some of the long, drawn-out portions of JFK. However, nothing that Stone has directed or misdirected prepared me for the grotesque mess that is Natural Born Killers.” LongDoeAmericaNamesBornNaturalDoorsSeriousLessonsDirectorsStonesPreparedEndureEndlessReputationDespiteMessFilmmakerGuaranteesPortionsKillersGood MovieGrotesqueTediumCaption Author:James Berardinelli
“Aside from a couple of signature flourishes, there's nothing to mark Paycheck as the product of acclaimed action director John Woo. In fact, there's little about this movie that makes it worth anyone's time and money. With a script that waffles between being hilariously absurd and insultingly stupid, and action scenes that won't cause anyone's pulse to skip a beat, Paycheck is less appealing than a lump of coal in a Christmas stocking.” LittlesFactsActionCausesStupidProductsCoupleSceneDirectorsBeatsMarkScriptsAbsurdCoalPulseSignaturesSkipLumpsPaychecksTime And MoneyStockingsWaffles Author:James Berardinelli
“It's not hard to understand why an accomplished director like Gus Van Sant (whose most recent success, Good Will Hunting, gave him mainstream clout) would be interested in making this film. The lure of an exact remake presents a tremendous challenge. Unfortunately, it was undoubtedly a lot more stimulating for Van Sant and his crew to make Psycho than it is for an audience to watch it. Curiosity is going to be one of the primary reasons why people pay money to see this movie; boredom will be the predominant result.” PeopleHardReasonWould BeFilmChallengesResultsPayWatchesAudienceDirectorsPrimariesReason WhyBoredomAccomplishedHuntingMainstreamCrewVansGood WillLureRemakesPsychoCloutGusWill Hunting Author:James Berardinelli
“[Director Christopher] Nolan has not only crafted the best Batman movie, but arguably the second-best motion picture superhero narrative (topped only by the linked duo of Superman and Superman II). For those who thought Spider-Man and X-Men had a lot to offer, wait till you see where this film goes. Batman Begins is a strong re-start to a franchise that deserves better than it has often been accorded.” MenFilmStrongWaitingOffersDirectorsDeserveNarrativeLinkedSuperheroSpidersX MenMotion PicturesSpider ManSecond BestNolanDeserve BetterDuosBatman Movie Author:James Berardinelli
