Action Reviews
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)
Spider-Man 3