Palo Alto Weekly
Tomatometer-approved publication
Rating
Title/Year
Author
1
3.5/4
Holy Motors (2012)
Holy Motors has the power to haunt as much as to amuse.
Posted Apr 29, 2020
2
2.5/4
He Named Me Malala (2015)
3
3/4
Million Dollar Arm (2014)
The art of the deal gives way to matters of the heart, giving viewers a game changer both charming and uplifting.
Posted Oct 10, 2015
4
3/4
Finding Vivian Maier (2014)
As the title of the film hints, Maloof's discovery is only half of the story -- and it's only half the fun.
Posted Oct 10, 2015
5
3/4
6
2.5/4
Lone Survivor (2014)
The unwillingness to "engage" in larger questions disconcertingly reduces a real-life tragedy to an action movie.
Posted Oct 10, 2015
7
3.5/4
Leviathan (2014)
Cinematographer Mikhail Krichman's stunning images complement the narrative. The cool gray dawns and barren landscapes express Kolya's despair and isolation.
Posted Aug 12, 2015
8
2/4
Irrational Man (2015)
Sometimes the 79-year-old filmmaker's practice of churning out a film every year results in a miss.
Posted Aug 12, 2015
9
2.5/4
White House Down (2013)
While fun in a harmless, artificial sort of way -- like Pop Rocks or costume jewelry -- White House Down is little more than Die Hard at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Posted Dec 13, 2013
10
4/4
11
3/4
Homefront (2013)
This unlikely teaming of Jason Statham and James Franco proves to be a clever blend of action and acting.
Posted Dec 13, 2013
12
3/4
Pacific Rim (2013)
Guillermo del Toro infuses this monstrous undertaking with just what it needs -- a little heart.
Posted Jul 15, 2013
13
3/4
Man of Steel (2013)
DC still has much to learn from rival Marvel in the filmmaking realm, but Man of Steel at least offers hope. Hope, and a slight headache
Posted Jun 14, 2013
14
1/4
After Earth (2013)
After Earth is the sort of picture the Mystery Science Theater 3000 gang would salivate over.
Posted May 31, 2013
15
3/4
Iron Man 3 (2013)
16
2/4
Wonderstone is an enticing concept but lacks the laughs to back up its potential.
Posted Mar 16, 2013
17
3/4
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
Director Bryan Singer, of The Usual Suspects and X-Men fame, infuses the film with just the right balance of action, romance and goofy fun.
Posted Mar 3, 2013
18
1.5/4
Bullet to the Head (2013)
The title itself should deter viewers who favor smart cinema over mindless mayhem.
Posted Feb 1, 2013
19
3/4
Fantasy fans hungry for a second breakfast of Tolkien-fueled fare can get their fill with this visually sumptuous feast.
Posted Dec 14, 2012
20
3.5/4
Argo (2012)
A goofy sci-fi film dubbed Argo never got made in 1980. Fortunately for moviegoers, a brilliant, Oscar-worthy drama/thriller of the same name did get made in 2012.
Posted Oct 12, 2012
21
3/4
Pitch Perfect (2012)
22
3.5/4
Looper (2012)
Looper is a thoughtful genre-bender that brings science-fiction, action and mystery together in one tight package.
Posted Sep 28, 2012
23
2/4
Trouble with the Curve (2012)
Slogging through the first 75 minutes of Trouble with the Curve is akin to watching a scoreless baseball game that doesn't get exciting until the ninth inning.
Posted Sep 21, 2012
24
2.5/4
The Campaign (2012)
The strong cast and topical plot help make for a hilarious first hour.
Posted Aug 10, 2012
25
3/4
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
26
3/4
People Like Us (2012)
Solid writing and strong performances by leads Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks propel People Like Us from a maudlin drama to a memorable one.
Posted Jun 29, 2012
27
3.5/4
Brave (2012)
There is a surprising beauty to Brave that transcends its visual excellence. This one is worth the risk.
Posted Jun 22, 2012
28
2/4
Rock of Ages (2012)
Tom Cruise's magnetic performance almost makes the movie worth the price of admission. Almost.
Posted Jun 20, 2012
29
3/4
Men in Black III (2012)
An eclectic cast and stellar visual effects coalesce to make Men in Black 3 a quintessential kernel of summer popcorn cinema.
Posted May 25, 2012
30
2/4
Dark Shadows (2012)
Dark Shadows isn't an abomination, but it falls well short of the high expectations viewers anticipate from two of the industry's top talents.
Posted May 11, 2012
31
4/4
Marvel's The Avengers (2012)
32
3/4
Wrath of the Titans (2012)
While Wrath of the Titans may not be escapist fantasy entertainment at its finest, the film's strong cast and striking visuals make for a thrilling theatrical ride.
Posted Mar 30, 2012
33
3/4
John Carter (2012)
Fortunately for viewers, the film is directed by Pixar sensation Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E), and the visual effects are, literally, out of this world.
Posted Mar 9, 2012
34
2.5/4
The Vow (2012)
If the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore chuckler 50 First Dates had been recast as a romantic drama and produced by the Oprah Winfrey Network, The Vow might have been the result.
Posted Feb 10, 2012
35
2.5/4
The Woman in Black (2012)
The movie bombards viewers with a host of scare tactics, from barely startling to borderline terrifying. And therein lies the problem.
Posted Feb 8, 2012
36
3.5/4
War Horse (2011)
Expect War Horse, one of the year's best, to earn some accolades at the Academy Awards in February. Oscar always pays attention when Spielberg is in the saddle.
Posted Dec 23, 2011
37
3.5/4
38
3.5/4
Hugo (2011)
Director Martin Scorsese's well-documented affection for all things cinema has never been more evident than in the enchanting and imaginative Hugo.
Posted Nov 29, 2011
39
2/4
J. Edgar (2011)
Watching J. Edgar reminded this critic of sitting in a dimly lit history class after tossing back a tablespoon of NyQuil.
Posted Nov 10, 2011
40
2.5/4
Real Steel (2011)
41
3.5/4
Moneyball (2011)
42
3/4
Contagion (2011)
Contagion offers a healthy dose of smart filmmaking while most of Hollywood is serving up cinematic placebos.
Posted Sep 9, 2011
43
2.5/4
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford make a terrific, no-nonsense tandem, but there is a certain absurdity to the whole affair that makes the picture seem a bit small in scope.
Posted Jul 29, 2011
44
4/4
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 caps the series with visual panache and emotional punch. It's a fitting finale to an unparalleled cinematic accomplishment.
Posted Jul 15, 2011
45
3/4
Horrible Bosses (2011)
46
2.5/4
Green Lantern (2011)
Green Lantern is reminiscent of 2008's The Incredible Hulk, another superhero flick that boasted a strong cast but went overboard on visual stimuli.
Posted Jun 20, 2011
47
2.5/4
Just when you thought a Disney theme-park ride couldn't possibly spawn four feature-length films, here we go again.
Posted May 20, 2011
48
3.5/4
Bridesmaids (2011)
Think of it as a cinematic bouquet -- catch it.
Posted May 13, 2011
49
1.5/4
Prom (2011)
50
1.5/4
Arthur (2011)
The problem with Arthur is far more about concept than execution.
Posted Apr 8, 2011