Lyles' Movie Files
Lyles' Movie Files is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this
publication only count toward the Tomatometer when written by the following
Tomatometer-approved critic(s):
Jeffrey Lyles
Rating
Title/Year
Author
1
6/10
Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021)
Has some good ideas, excellent fight scenes and a strong cast, but a more streamlined story would help it achieve true Zen.
Posted Jan 18, 2021
2
9.5/10
One Night in Miami (2020)
Doesn't need lavish, expensive sets and showy cinematography. King is a confident filmmaker assured of her cast and provides them a tremendous platform to show their talent.
Posted Jan 17, 2021
3
5/10
The Marksman (2021)
Too similar to far better escort mission films with Lorenz under the impression that audiences want to take a road trip instead of watching Neeson go out guns blazing.
Posted Jan 13, 2021
4
4/10
Redemption Day (2021)
So stale and generic it feels like it was assembled via algorithm and completely stripped of any entertainment value.
Posted Jan 8, 2021
5
0/10
Don't Click (2020)
The best news for every other mediocre, abysmal and outfight awful film of 2020? They're only competing for second worst film of the year thanks to this atrocity.
Posted Dec 29, 2020
6
9/10
Soul (2020)
A lot of Pixar films provide adults a whimsical look at life they've already experienced. Soul suggests the future is still ahead for those willing to embrace it.
Posted Dec 25, 2020
7
4/10
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
If the first was a modern origin film a la Christopher Reeves' Superman than the sequel plays out like Superman III.
Posted Dec 24, 2020
8
8/10
Safety (2020)
Safety follows the playbook and scores with its admittedly very impressive actual true story.
Posted Dec 23, 2020
9
7/10
Yan delivers above expectations. The action sequences are intricately staged with a continual surge of energy, movement and brutality.
Posted Dec 22, 2020
10
7.5/10
GetAWAY (2020)
With a less derivative final act and better it could have been been one of the best horror films in years. It's still good although just misses being special.
Posted Dec 21, 2020
11
3/10
The Stand In (2020)
Either skip it or have your own doppelganger watch instead of wasting your time.
Posted Dec 11, 2020
12
9/10
Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
13
7/10
Midnight at the Magnolia (2020)
While it doesn't offer many surprises, Midnight at the Magnolia benefits from the chemistry of its two leads.
Posted Dec 7, 2020
14
9/10
A terrific surprise and exactly the kind of feel good movie needed to close out this year.
Posted Dec 3, 2020
15
8/10
All My Life (2020)
Maybe All My Life's biggest offense is not forking up enough money to get the K-Ci and Jo-Jo song to play at just one point in the film.
Posted Dec 3, 2020
16
7/10
Vanguard (2020)
For audiences perfectly happy to ignore a basic plot in exchange for some spectacular action.
Posted Dec 2, 2020
17
6/10
Trail of Ashes (2020)
Often frustrating as this is the kind of interesting, fleshed out world worth getting invested in if it were more inviting.
Posted Dec 1, 2020
18
8.5/10
The Croods: A New Age (2020)
Follows the age old sequel blueprint that seems like it originated in the Stone Age, but infuses it with plenty of fun, genuine laughs and embraces the importance of family.
Posted Nov 24, 2020
19
8/10
This identity twist sequel is more than up to the challenge with another fun effort that already has me looking forward to to the third installment.
Posted Nov 22, 2020
20
7/10
Operation Christmas Drop (2020)
Doesn't have lofty aspirations to upend expectations for Christmas movies satisfies the basic tenant of making viewers feel good.
Posted Nov 15, 2020
21
7/10
Freaky (2020)
Pretty ingenious premise even if the execution mostly comes off good enough instead of great.
Posted Nov 12, 2020
22
8/10
Come Away (2020)
Isn't so much a child's fairy tale as it is a compelling drama with fantasy elements that beautifully unites two classic stories.
Posted Nov 12, 2020
23
8/10
Holidate (2020)
24
8/10
My Dad's Christmas Date (2020)
Decked out like a traditional feel good romantic comedy, but underneath the wrapping it's a heartfelt and authentic look at the grieving process.
Posted Nov 6, 2020
25
4/10
Triggered (2020)
If Triggered isn't enough fun for the designer of the carnage to sit through there's little reason for the audience to endure it either.
Posted Nov 2, 2020
26
7/10
Expulsion (2020)
As it settles in to its story and focuses less on some less than enthralling characters, Expulsion dives in to an engaging look at some interesting science fiction themes.
Posted Oct 20, 2020
27
5.10
Don't Look Back (2020)
An odd film as the filmmaker tries to have it both ways as a supernatural thriller and a standard slasher resulting in a compromised film that doesn't succeed on either front.
Posted Oct 15, 2020
28
3/10
Welcome to Sudden Death (2020)
It's best to approach Welcome to Sudden Death like a bad comedy with the occasional impressively out of tone gratuitously bloody action scene.
Posted Oct 11, 2020
29
9/10
The War with Grandpa (2020)
The War With Grandpa didn't have a ton of competition, but its unbridled sense of fun made for one of the more enjoyable comedy movie experiences I've had all year.
Posted Oct 8, 2020
30
7/10
Black Box (2020)
Black Box isn't a revelatory thriller, but it's just unnerving enough to get the job done for most of its 90-minute run time of keeping viewers entertained and on edge.
Posted Oct 8, 2020
31
3.5/10
2067 (2020)
Just another doomsday movie wasted by weak performances and a plot that feels like it's experiencing its own global extinction event.
Posted Oct 4, 2020
32
4/10
Hidden in Plain Sight (2019)
Hidden in Plain Sight is a terrible movie.
Posted Oct 2, 2020
33
6.5/10
Death of Me (2020)
This will be high on my list for the most twisted, unnerving and creepy horror film of 2020 despite an unfortunately uncomfortable for the wrong reasons final act.
Posted Oct 1, 2020
34
7/10
Shortcut (2020)
As a drive-in or VOD option, there's definitely enough here to warrant the trip.
Posted Sep 24, 2020
35
7/10
Murder in the Woods (2020)
Doesn't revolutionize the stranded in the woods genre, but it plays the hits well making for an entertaining horror thriller.
Posted Sep 20, 2020
36
6/10
Beast Within (2020)
Beast Within isn't perfect, but its strengths overcome its flaws providing a fun horror whodunit with enough bite to be worth the investment.
Posted Sep 18, 2020
37
1/10
Antebellum (2020)
Get Jordan Peele to do a substantial rewrite and this could have been one of 2020's best films. As is, it's not worth the effort to watch or of anyone involved in making it.
Posted Sep 18, 2020
38
5/10
Lost Girls & Love Hotels (2020)
An erotic drama desperately in need of a spark or the cinematic equivalent of a small little blue pill.
Posted Sep 16, 2020
39
9/10
Immortal (2020)
A terrific quasi-horror/thriller anthology that forgoes the traditional blood and guts for a more thoughtful approach that fully plays into its title.
Posted Sep 14, 2020
40
6/10
Ultimately that lack of restraint ends up hurting Knights and Dragons far more than it helps. For a film about Deathstroke, a touch of subtlety goes a long way.
Posted Sep 11, 2020
41
7/10
Love, Guaranteed (2020)
Maybe it's a little too drama-free, but with this insane year I'll happily take a rom com that just wants to entertain and be endearing for 90-minutes.
Posted Sep 9, 2020
42
7/10
Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)
Its story isn't especially memorable, but the effort is there and sets this potential new Superman franchise up for superior sequels.
Posted Sep 7, 2020
43
5/10
Offers a wide variety of terrifying stores that despite some promise never fully reaches its true scream-filled potential.
Posted Sep 4, 2020
44
8.5/10
Escape Room (2019)
Escape Room largely makes the most of this concept with a fun if not overly bloody effort.
Posted Aug 30, 2020
45
3/10
Hard Kill (2020)
Should be a slam dunk, check your brain at the door action extravaganza. Instead it's almost too much work required to stay invested in this dull, predictable slog.
Posted Aug 20, 2020
46
1/10
Invasion Earth (2016)
Classic bait and switch with an exciting looking movie poster that sells the idea of an alien invasion only for the reality to be a near two-hour teen therapy session.
Posted Aug 16, 2020
47
9/10
Project Power (2020)
A modern spin on an 80s staple without playing out exactly like the standard buddy flick. An explosive and surprising effort that fits in nicely in the superhero era.
Posted Aug 15, 2020
48
8.5/10
Spinster (2020)
A heartfelt and funny exploration of modern single life backed by a terrific lead performance from Chelsea Peretti.
Posted Aug 9, 2020
49
7/10
Seriously Single (2020)
Despite some issues, it's worth checking out for fans looking for something different with enough to remind you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place.
Posted Aug 3, 2020
50
3.5/10
The Kissing Booth 2 (2020)