Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Nolan's Pop Culture Review is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this
publication only count toward the Tomatometer when written by the following
Tomatometer-approved critic(s):
Michael A. Smith
Rating
Title/Year
Author
1
4/5
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is a smartly directed film that sits squarely on the shoulders of Andy Serkis.
Posted Aug 4, 2011
2
4/5
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
3
4.5/5
...the greatest showdown between good and evil since Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader mixed it up in "Return of the Jedi."
Posted Jul 14, 2011
4
4/5
Horrible Bosses (2011)
Day, who was the best thing about last years rom-com "Going the Distance," is hilarious here.
Posted Jul 7, 2011
5
4.5/5
6
3/5
Bad Teacher (2011)
7
2.5/5
Green Lantern (2011)
Faithful to the comics almost to its detriment, "Green Lantern" is a two hour film that would have been much better at ninety minutes.
Posted Jun 16, 2011
8
5/5
Super 8 (2011)
9
4/5
X-Men: First Class (2011)
10
5/5
The Hangover Part II (2011)
If the first film was "The Godfather" of comedies I'd have to call this once "The Godfather Part II."
Posted May 25, 2011
11
4/5
12
4.5/5
Bridesmaids (2011)
13
4.5/5
Thor (2011)
A family torn apart, war, betrayal...these are all things the Bard wrote about and who better then the classically trained Branagh to help bring the story to the screen.
Posted May 5, 2011
14
2.5/5
Fast Five (2011)
The film gets much better in its second half when it becomes an "Ocean's Eleven" type adventure featuring many faces that will instantly be familiar to "Fast/Furious" fans.
Posted Apr 28, 2011
15
5/5
Water for Elephants (2011)
...one of the best films I've seen this year.
Posted Apr 21, 2011
16
4.5/5
Scream 4 (2011)
Directed with the true eye of a horror master, with a smartly written script by the series' creator, Kevin Williamson, "Scream 4" is what a horror movie should be. Fun.
Posted Apr 12, 2011
17
1/5
Arthur (2011)
I can honestly say that the loud whirring noise you're hearing may in fact be (original writer/director Steve) Gordon spinning in his grave.
Posted Apr 7, 2011
18
4/5
Source Code (2011)
Gyllenhaal easily gives his best performance since "Brokeback Mountain."
Posted Mar 31, 2011
19
3.5/5
Sucker Punch (2011)
20
3/5
Paul (2011)
Let's just say that if you have any love for science fiction and fantasy films from the past 40 years you'll certainly enjoy the film.
Posted Mar 17, 2011
21
4/5
Rango (2011)
"Rango" is proof that not all new animated films need to go the gimmicky way of 3-D.
Posted Mar 10, 2011
22
4/5
Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
...the bigger, badder brother to "Independence Day."
Posted Mar 10, 2011
23
5/5
Hall Pass (2011)
I laughed from beginning to end and to me that's the sign of a comedy classic.
Posted Feb 24, 2011
24
4/5
Unknown (2011)
The film is smartly edited and the thrills one would expect are nicely delivered.
Posted Feb 17, 2011
25
5/5
Biutiful (2010)
Bardem proves himself to be one of the finest actors now working in any language.
Posted Feb 10, 2011
26
2/5
Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)
...way this film is the "Mama Mia" of garden gnomes!
Posted Feb 10, 2011
27
3/4
The Company Men (2011)
A fine companion piece to last year's George Clooney film "Up In the Air"
Posted Jan 22, 2011
28
2.5/4
The Green Hornet (2011)
The fight scenes, filmed in what I'll call "Kato-Vision," are top shelf and rival anything you'd find in the "Matrix" world.
Posted Jan 16, 2011
29
3.5/4
True Grit (2010)
And while Bridges is not the Duke, he IS the Dude, and he makes Rooster his own...
Posted Dec 21, 2010
30
2.5/4
Tron Legacy (2010)
...an entertaining film that tries to make up for its lack of substance with some pretty impressive action set pieces.
Posted Dec 16, 2010
31
2.5/4
The Tourist (2010)
Enjoyable but light on substance...
Posted Dec 9, 2010
32
2/4
Due Date (2010)
Let me say right off that I liked this movie the first time I saw it, when it was called "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."
Posted Nov 17, 2010
33
3.5/4
Megamind (2010)
Full of fun and eye-popping images, "Megamind" is what they used to call in the old days of television "side-splittingly funny."
Posted Nov 17, 2010
34
3.5/4
Kloves brings Rowling's world to life, engrossing you in the story and making your truly care about these characters.
Posted Nov 17, 2010
35
3.5/4
Conviction (2010)
As single mom Betty Anne Waters, Swank is a marvel.
Posted Oct 28, 2010
36
4/4
Hereafter (2010)
Filmed with a master's eye, "Hereafter" continues the streak of outstanding films directed by Clint Eastwood.
Posted Oct 21, 2010
37
3/4
Life as We Know It (2010)
Imagine if Josh Brolin and Josh Hartnett joined these two on screen. It would be a virtual Josh-a-thon.
Posted Oct 14, 2010
38
3.5/4
Red (2010)
"RED" is a smart, well directed action film that counts among its cast an incredible fourteen Academy Award nominations and four Awards.
Posted Oct 14, 2010
39
4/4
Let Me In (2010)
...easily one of the best horror films I have ever seen.
Posted Sep 30, 2010
40
4/4
The Town (2010)
A tense thriller full of great performances, "The Town" is a heist film that rivals "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Heat."
Posted Sep 23, 2010
41
1.5/4
But pretty pictures do not a good movie make (I'm looking at YOU, "Avatar.") And "Legends of the Guardians" is not a good movie.
Posted Sep 23, 2010
42
3/4
Machete (2010)
Strong and mostly silent, Trejo brings to mind the late Charles Bronson, an underrated actor who made it big as an action star.
Posted Sep 2, 2010
43
3/4
The Switch (2010)
...the best romantic comedy to come down the pike in some time.
Posted Aug 19, 2010
44
2.5/4
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Roberts has taken a role that could have been played very stereotypically (lonely divorcee' searches for love and the secret of life) and breathes life into it.
Posted Aug 12, 2010
45
3.5/4
The Other Guys (2010)
Easily the best comedy of the year...
Posted Aug 5, 2010
46
4/4
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
"A great drama that is sure to be remembered at Oscar time (note to the Academy – the last name is spelled B-E-N-I-N-G)..."
Posted Jul 28, 2010
47
3/4
Salt (2010)
I would be remiss if I didn't give mention to film editor Stuart Baird, who skillfully conveys the action on screen at a breakneck pace.
Posted Jul 22, 2010
48
3.5/4
Inception (2010)
The visual effects are outstanding, including a fight scene that rivals any ever put on film.
Posted Jul 15, 2010
49
3/4
Predators (2010)
The make- up effects, by maestros Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger, are well done and not over the top.
Posted Jul 8, 2010
50
2.5/4
Knight & Day (2010)