Sci-Fi Reviews
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: Avatar
Despite teeming with
fantastical sights and sounds, "Avatar" remains a leaden viewing
experience. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon
While promising in spurts, "New Moon" is a stilted drag when concentrating on the love triangle. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: The Fourth Kind
"The Fourth Kind" will likely tire audiences before it has a chance to swindle them. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: The Box
Director Richard Kelly gets overly ambitious, making "The Box" feel like amateurish stalling. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C-)
Review: Zombieland
Bloody, quippy, and full of jaw-cracking action "Zombieland" is horror-comedy done proper. 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: 9
Posted to:
Animation Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
"9" is stuck between astounding visual accomplishment and storytelling inertia. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
Review: The Time Traveler's Wife
Posted to:
Drama Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
"The Time Traveler’s Wife" is a beautifully crafted mood piece placed in the center of an engrossing love story. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: District 9
Posted to:
Action Reviews
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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
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Action Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
"G.I. Joe" is the latest bloated float in director Stephen Sommers’s sad
parade of cinematic shame. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Aliens in the Attic
"Aliens in the Attic" combines physical comedy and CG-enhanced shenanigans to make routine, flavorless pap. 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: Land of the Lost
Surprisingly, Sleestaks and Will Ferrell do not result in comic gold. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
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: Push
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Sci-Fi Reviews
"Push" is a ruthlessly tedious film peppered with confused performances. 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-)
The X-Files: I Want to Believe
"The X-Files: I Want to Believe" offers faithful fans a rewarding odyssey. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: WALL-E
Posted to:
Animation Reviews
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Comedy Reviews
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Drama Reviews
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Family Film Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
Pixar's latest is a misguided, preach-fest that suffers from storytelling lethargy. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C-)
Review: Wanted
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Action Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
"Wanted" is an uneven, but rewarding rocket-powered ride of escapism. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: The Happening
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Drama Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
Despite a blood-spurting, skin-crawling first act, "The Happening" slowly, painfully deflates. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C)
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: Iron Man
"Iron Man" is a high-quality effective entry in the superhero genre. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B+)
Review: Doomsday
Posted to:
Action Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
Writer/director Neil Marshall offers up a mess of lousy filmmaking and artistic bankruptcy. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D+)
Review: Jumper
Posted to:
Action Reviews
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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: Cloverfield
Desperate storytelling and empty thrills combine in this much-hyped thriller. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C-)
Review: I Am Legend
An introspective study on isolation-until the unimpressive special effects ruin EVERYTHING! Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: C+)
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: Next
Posted to:
Action Reviews
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Sci-Fi Reviews
"Next" is an idiotic thriller, but its earnest desire to entertain is endearing. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: B)
Review: Premonition
Fate and time and all that other mind-bendy stuff get mushed up in this confusing thriller. 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: The Covenant
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Sci-Fi Reviews
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Thriller Reviews
Invented mythologies and camera-friendly actors can't mask the obvious: this is a horrible movie. Review by Brian Orndorf. (Grade: D)
Review: A Scanner Darkly
Rotoscoping blends well with this hallucinogenic tale, but untethered acting sends the core story into a tailspin. 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: 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-)
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