Action Reviews
Review: Legion
“Legion” is astronomically tiresome and teems with idiotic
dialogue bluntly performed by a limited cast. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: The Spy Next Door
"The Spy Next Door" is dreary, by-the-numbers action comedy. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: The Book of Eli
The Hughes Brothers craft a compellingly abrasive tone of moral manipulation to embellish
the traditional post-apocalyptic tale. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B-)
Review: Sherlock Holmes
This reworked version of Sherlock Holmes goes far beyond pipe sucking and deerstalker hats. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: Avatar
Despite teeming with
fantastical sights and sounds, "Avatar" remains a leaden viewing
experience. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: Ninja Assassin
Posted to:
Action Reviews
"Ninja Assassin" trips over itself trying to establish
something substantial out of a frivolous concept. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: 2012
"2012" is disturbingly repetitive, obnoxiously noisy, and almost pornographic in length. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Law Abiding Citizen
Despite thought-provoking material, "Law Abiding Citizen" is morphed into a contrived thriller. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C+)
Review: Ong Bak 2: The Beginning
Posted to:
Action Reviews
This unexpected prequel is an often exhilarating, but supremely baffling martial arts picture. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: Surrogates
Well-executed special effects, coupled with underwhelming plots and misguided performances, makes "Surrogates" an interesting failure. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: Inglourious Basterds
Posted to:
Action Reviews
"Inglourious Basterds" skillfully rides the line between geekgasms and flamboyant historical pageantry. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A)
Review: District 9
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sci-Fi Reviews
Despite astounding visual reach, "District 9" is riddled with inconsistencies and a confusing point of view. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B-)
Review: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sci-Fi Reviews
"G.I. Joe" is the latest bloated float in director Stephen Sommerss sad
parade of cinematic shame. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: G-Force
"G-Force" is a halfway interesting movie that doesnt trust itself enough to enjoy the wacky premise. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
The restraint Michael Bay showed with the original "Transformers" is replaced by excess and idiocy. (Grade: D)
Review: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Skip this wasted effort from ineffectual filmmaker Tony Scott. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: Land of the Lost
Surprisingly, Sleestaks and Will Ferrell do not result in comic gold. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: Fast & Furious
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sequel Reviews
"Fast & Furious" is the best entry in the franchise. That's not saying much. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: Race to Witch Mountain
"Race to Witch Mountain is a a vibrant diversion, but lacks heart. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B-)
Review: Watchmen
"Watchmen" may speak to fans of the original story, but the the film's execution is
muddy and jarring for newcomers. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Poor execution turns the "Street Fighter" legacy into an insipid and joyless film. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still
Posted to:
Action Reviews
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a grotesque creation that prefers noise to thought. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Punisher: War Zone
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Comic Book Reviews
The depths of awful that "War Zone" sinks to are dumbfounding. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: F)
Review: Transporter 3
Posted to:
Action Reviews
In "Transporter 3" the thrill has been replaced by a joyless machine of violence. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Twilight
Alternating between embarrassingly overindulgent and outright boring "Twilight" is a poorly contained unintentional joke. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The latest installment in "The Mummy" franchise features mindless action and insipid
screenwriting. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D-)
Review: The Dark Knight
"The Dark Knight" is a mesmerizing crime story that just happens to be a comic book film. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A)
Review: Wanted
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sci-Fi Reviews
"Wanted" is an uneven, but rewarding rocket-powered ride of escapism. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: The Incredible Hulk
Despite disappointing special effects and lack of characterization, "Hulk" is a a persuasive, fist-pumping sequel. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: War, Inc.
"War Inc," is a mischievous political satire full of outrage, slapstick, and ultraviolence. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A-)
Review: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sequel Reviews
Indiana Jones embarks on an exquisitely crafted thrill ride that was worth the wait. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A)
Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
"The Chronicles of Narnia" sequel lacks needed dimension and narrative. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C-)
Review: Speed Racer
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Family Film Reviews
Despite stunning visual effects, "Speed Racer" is a joyless, over-plotted nostalgia machine. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Iron Man
"Iron Man" is a high-quality effective entry in the superhero genre. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: Never Back Down
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
Mixed Martial Arts' cinematic debut is a laughably directed artistic travesty. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D-)
Review: Doomsday
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sci-Fi Reviews
Writer/director Neil Marshall offers up a mess of lousy filmmaking and artistic bankruptcy. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: The Bank Job
Posted to:
Action Reviews
A mix of brawn and historical record make for rollicking heist cinema. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: 10,000 B.C.
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Director Roland Emmerich offers little substance beyond special effects. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Jumper
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sci-Fi Reviews
Director Doug Liman chooses rapid sci-fi action over plot development, and the gamble works. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A-)
Review: Rambo
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sequel Reviews
Ruthless violence drives this sequel. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: National Treasure: Book of Secrets
A "sequel" rehashing the original's story and locations. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Hitman
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Poor acting, directing, and writing unite in this video game adaptation. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: Beowulf
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Brilliant direction and technological innovation make for heart-pounding adventure. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: The Kingdom
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
"The Kingdom" is nothing more than a puffed-up action flick wrapped in flimsy politics. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: The Invasion
This film's behind-the-scenes director switch leads to a jarring shift of pace. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A-)
Review: Transformers
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Michael Bay and "Transformers" mix unexpectedly well. Who knew? Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A-)
Review: Live Free or Die Hard
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sequel Reviews
John McClane deserves better than this. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
"Rise of the Silver Surfer" isn't as bad as the first "Fantastic Four," but that's not saying much. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sequel Reviews
"At World's End" is visually stunning, but a tangle of story threads makes it a chore to sit through. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C-)
Review: Spider-Man 3
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Comic Book Reviews
The essential joys of Spider-Man are all present, but a buffet of plots and villains pushes this sequel to its limits Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: Next
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sci-Fi Reviews
"Next" is an idiotic thriller, but its earnest desire to entertain is endearing. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: The Condemned
Posted to:
Action Reviews
A violent film that lectures the audience about violence. Wow. Great idea. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: Hot Fuzz
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Comedy Reviews
"Hot Fuzz" is a unique blend of action-flick idolatry and parody. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A)
Review: Grindhouse
Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez let their fan-boy flags fly in this roaring homage to B-films. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A)
Review: 300
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Comic Book Reviews
"300" is an overblown visual spectacle with little subtstance and even less justification for existence. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: 300
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Impressive visuals can't stave off this film's underlying corniness. Review by Kuan-Lin Connie Wang (Grade: C+)
Review: Ghost Rider
Nicolas Cage clearly enjoys himself, but "Ghost Rider" doesn't match its star's entertainment level. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: Smokin' Aces
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
A surprisingly complicated story lies beneath this film's visual trickery and ultra violence. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: Apocalypto
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
Yet again, we're faced with a massive dose of Mel Gibson's ultra-violence. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Blood Diamond
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
Shunning subtlety, "Blood Diamond" rams its "message" down the audience's throat. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C+)
Review: Deja Vu
Stuck between a thriller and a sci-fi film, "Deja Vu" never comes together. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C-)
Review: Casino Royale
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Character development and gritty emotions highlight this welcome reboot of the Bond franchise. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A-)
Review: The Guardian
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
Despite a decent performance from Kevin Costner, "The Guardian" caves under the weight of its action/heroism cliches. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Fearless
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
Jet Li's elegant performance gives "Fearless" a potent mixture of wire-fu and surprising drama. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: Crank
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Essential elements, like plot and characters, are buried beneath this jacked-up film's jump cuts and hipster irony. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D-)
Review: Miami Vice
Michael Mann delivers a vivid "Vice" update, but a disconnect between characters keeps the audience at arm's length. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Self-awareness and high expectations suck the playfulness out of this "Pirates" sequel. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C+)
Review: Superman Returns
With the majestic "Superman Returns," director Bryan Singer has crafted one of the best films of the year. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A)
Review: Waist Deep
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Drama Reviews
This film aims for anti-hero revenge and gritty street violence. What it gets are unintentional laughs. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D-)
Review: The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sequel Reviews
The third "Fast and Furious" film is better than the second one, but that's not saying much. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: X-Men: The Last Stand
"Last Stand" works as an action flick, but hardcore "X-Men" fans might be disappointed. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: A-)
Review: Poseidon
Posted to:
Action Reviews
Eye-popping visuals ignite this remake, but the short running time leads to cringe-worthy characters. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B-)
Review: Mission: Impossible III
Posted to:
Action Reviews
,
Sequel Reviews
Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams revitalize the "Mission: Impossible" franchise with a rollicking action thriller. (Grade: A)
Fodder Headlines