Tag: style-over-substance

“To Catch a Thief” (1955) – The Worst Movie Alfred Hitchcock Ever Made

Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis ‘A Disappointment’ “To Catch a Thief” is directed by … More

“The Counselor” (2013) – Ridley Scott’s Disappointing Drug Cartel Drama

Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Cormac McCarthy Starring: Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz ‘Waste of Talent’ Glamorous style overrides … More

“Hillbilly Elegy” (2020) – A Mediocre Adaptation of a Beloved Memoir

Director: Ron Howard Writer: Vanessa Taylor (based on book by J.D. Vance) Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso … More

“The Killer” (2023) – David Fincher’s Fantastic Serial Killer Thriller

Writer/Director: David Fincher Starring: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell                     … More

“Star Trek: Beyond” (2016) – A Forgettable Star Trek Sequel

Director: Justin Lin Writers: Simon Pegg and Doug Lin Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban ‘Fun but Forgettable’ … More

“The Man From U.N.C.L.E” (2015) – Guy Ritchie’s Bland Spies Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Guy Ritchie Co-writer: Lionel Wigram (based on TV show) Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander ‘A Time-Pass … More

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – A Magnificent Mad Max Reboot

Writer/Director: George Miller Co-writers: Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult ‘Madly Entertaining’ Is … More

“2 Guns” (2013) – Denzel Washington’s Disappointing Action Comedy

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novels by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … More

“World War Z” (2013) – Brad Pitt’s Boring Zombie Blockbuster

Director: Marc Forster Writers: Drew Goddard, Matthew Carnahan and Damon Lindelof Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and Fana Mokoena ‘Bland … More

“Star Trek: Beyond” (2016) – A Disappointing Star Trek Sequel

Director: Justin Lin Writers: Simon Pegg and Doug Lin Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban ‘Fun but Forgettable’ … More

“Red 2” (2013) – A Disappointing Spies Sequel

Director: Dean Parisot Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker and John Malkovich ‘Forgettable Sequel’ By settling … More

“Jack the Giant Slayer” (2013) – A Gigantic Giant Disaster

Director: Bryan Singer Writers: Darren Lemke and Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor ‘A Giant Disappointment’ … More

“Gangster Squad” (2013) – A Disastrous Gangster Period Piece

Director: Ruben Fleischer Writer: Will Beall (based off novel by Paul Lieberman) Starring: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Sean Penn … More

“The Counselor” (2013) – A Disappointing Drug Cartel Drama

Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Cormac McCarthy Starring: Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz ‘Waste of Talent’ Glamorous style overrides … More

“Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012) – A Superb Snow White Reboot

Director: Rupert Sanders Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron ‘Enjoyable Entertainment’ “Snow White and the Huntsman” is directed … More

“The Bourne Legacy” (2012) – A Boring Jason Bourne Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Tony Gilroy Starring: Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz ‘A Bourne-ing Reboot’ “The Bourne Legacy” is written and … More

“To Catch a Thief” (1955) – Alfred Hitchcock’s Worst Movie

Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis ‘A Disappointment’ “To Catch a Thief” is directed by … More

“Cats” (2019) – A Catastrophic Adaptation of the Broadway Play

Writer/Director: Tom Hooper Co-writer: Lee Hall Starring: Francesca Hayward, Jennifer Hudson and Judi Dench ‘A Cat-astrophic Musical’ It is not … More

“The Mummy” (2017) – Messy Mummy Remake

Director: Alex Kurtzman Writer: David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie and Dylan Kussman Starring: Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe and Sofia Boutella ‘Mindless … More

“Suicide Squad” (2016) – The Worst Comic-Book Movie Ever Made

Writer/Director: David Ayer Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto ‘A Suicidal Disaster’ Have you ever been let down … More

“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” (2015) – Bland Spies Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Guy Ritchie Co-writer: Lionel Wigram (based on TV show) Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander ‘A Time-Pass … More

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014) – A Sequel that’s Anything but Amazing

Director: Marc Webb Writers: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx ‘A … More

“2 Guns” (2013) – Disastrous Action Comedy

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novels by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … More

“World War Z” (2013) – Boring Zombie Blockbuster

Director: Marc Forster Writers: Drew Goddard, Matthew Carnahan and Damon Lindelof Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and Fana Mokoena ‘Bland … More

“Red 2” (2013) – Disappointing Spies Sequel

Director: Dean Parisot Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker and John Malkovich ‘Forgettable Sequel’ By settling … More

“Planes” (2013) – Plainly Boring Animated Entertainment

Director: Klay Hall Writer: Jeffrey M. Howard Starring: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach and Priyanka Chopra ‘A Plane Crash Disaster’ If … More

“Pacific Rim” (2013) – Breathtaking Summer Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Guillermo del Toro Co-writer: Travis Beacham  Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi ‘Exhilarating Entertainment’ Over the last … More

“Jack the Giant Slayer” (2013) – Gigantic Giant Disappointment

Director: Bryan Singer Writers: Darren Lemke and Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor ‘A Giant Disappointment’ … More

“Gangster Squad” (2013) – Disappointing Gangster Period Piece

Director: Ruben Fleischer Writer: Will Beall (based off novel by Paul Lieberman) Starring: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Sean Penn … More

“The Counselor” (2013) – Disastrous Drug Cartel Drama

Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Cormac McCarthy Starring: Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz ‘Waste of Talent’ Glamorous style overrides … More

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014) – Far from Amazing Spider-Man Sequel

Director: Marc Webb Writers: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx ‘A … More

“The Killer” (2023) – David Fincher at His Best

Writer/Director: David Fincher Starring: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell                     … More

“Ticket to Paradise” (2022) – Captivating Divorce Romantic Comedy

Writer/Director: Ol Parker Starring Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Kaitlyn Dever  ‘Captivating Rom-Com’ Divorce is a time-consuming process inciting Kramer Vs. … More

“Suicide Squad” (2016) – Suicidal Comic-Book Disaster

Writer/Director: David Ayer Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto ‘A Suicidal Disaster’ Have you ever been let down … More

“Rebecca” (2020) – Mediocre Hitchcock Remake

Director: Ben Wheatley Writers: Jane Goldman, Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse Starring: Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas … More

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019) – Satisfactory Star Wars Finale

Writer/Director: J.J. Abrams Co-writer: Chris Terrio Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and John Boyega ‘A Satisfactory Finale’ When it comes … More

“Cats” (2019) – Catastrophic Musical Adaptation

Writer/Director: Tom Hooper Co-writer: Lee Hall Starring: Francesca Hayward, Jennifer Hudson and Judi Dench ‘A Cat-astrophic Musical’ It is not … More

“The Mummy” (2017) – Mindless Mummy Remake

Director: Alex Kurtzman Writer: David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie and Dylan Kussman Starring: Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe and Sofia Boutella ‘Mindless … More

“Suicide Squad” (2016) – Suicidal Supervillain Disaster

Writer/Director: David Ayer Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto ‘A Suicidal Disaster’ Have you ever been let down … More

“The Man From U.N.C.L.E” (2015) – Disappointing Spy Drama

Writer/Director: Guy Ritchie Co-writer: Lionel Wigram (based on TV show) Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander ‘A Time-Pass … More

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – Magnificent Mad Max Sequel

Writer/Director: George Miller Co-writers: Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult ‘Madly Entertaining’ Is … More

“2 Guns” (2013) – Disappointing Crime Comedy

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novel by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … More

“Jack the Giant Slayer” (2013) – A Giant Disappointment

Director: Bryan Singer Writers: Darren Lemke and Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor ‘A Giant Disappointment’ … More

“Gangster Squad” (2013) – Disappointing Gangster Drama

Director: Ruben Fleischer Writer: Will Beall (based off novel by Paul Lieberman) Starring: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Sean Penn … More

“The Counselor” (2013) – Disappointing Drug Cartel Drama

Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Cormac McCarthy Starring: Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz ‘Waste of Talent’ Glamorous style overrides … More

“American Hustle” (2013) – Amazing Period Piece

Writer/Director: David O. Russell Co-writer: Eric Warren Singer Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper ‘Powerful Period Piece’ In … More

“Zero Dark Thirty” (2012) – Intense Terrorism Thriller

 Director: Kathryn Bigelow Writer: Mark Boal Starring: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler ‘Tense Terrorism Thriller’ From what I … More

“Premium Rush” (2012) – Breathtaking Bicycling Thriller

Writer/Director: David Koepp Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez and Michael Shannon ‘Brilliant Bicycling Thriller’ “Premium Rush” is written and directed … More

“The Bourne Legacy” (2012) – Bland Jason Bourne Reboot

Writer/Director: Tony Gilroy Starring: Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz ‘A Bourne-ing Reboot’ “The Bourne Legacy” is written and … More

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014) – Anything but Amazing Spider-Man Sequel

Director: Marc Webb Writers: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx ‘A … More

“Drive” (2011) – Captivating Crime Thriller

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Writer: Hossein Amini (based on book) Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and Albert Brooks ‘Captivating Crime … More

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – Madly Entertaining Blockbuster

Writer/Director: George Miller Co-writers: Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult ‘Madly Entertaining’ Is … More

“Cats” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Tom Hooper Co-writer: Lee Hall Starring: Francesca Hayward, Jennifer Hudson and Judi Dench ‘A Cat-astrophic Musical’ It is not … More

“The Mummy” (2017) – Movie Review

Director: Alex Kurtzman Writer: David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie and Dylan Kussman Starring: Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe and Sofia Boutella ‘Mindless … More

“Suicide Squad” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: David Ayer Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto ‘A Suicidal Disaster’ Have you ever been let down … More

“Spy” (2015) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Paul Feig Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham and Jude Law ‘A Spy-tacular Comedy’ You rarely ever come across comedies … More

“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (2015) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Guy Ritchie Co-writer: Lionel Wigram (based on TV show) Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander ‘A Time-Pass … More

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – Analysis

Writer/Director: George Miller Co-writers: Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult ‘Madly Entertaining’ Is … More

“2 Guns” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novels by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … More

“Red 2” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Dean Parisot Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker and John Malkovich ‘Forgettable Sequel’ By settling … More

“Man of Steel” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Zack Snyder Writer: David S. Goyer (based off story by Christopher Nolan) Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael … More

“Jack the Giant Slayer” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Bryan Singer Writers: Darren Lemke and Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor ‘A Giant Disappointment’ … More

“Gangster Squad” (2013) – Movie Review

Directed by Ruben Fleischer Written by Will Beall (based off novel by Paul Lieberman) Starring Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and … More

“The Counselor” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Cormac McCarthy Starring: Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz ‘Waste of Talent’ Glamorous style overrides … More

“Premium Rush” (2012) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: David Koepp Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez and Michael Shannon ‘Brilliant Bicycling Thriller’ “Premium Rush” is written and directed … More

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – Revisited

Writer/Director: George Miller Co-writers: Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult ‘Madly Entertaining’ Is … More

“2 Guns” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novels by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … More