Bill Zwecker

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Chicago Sun-Times
For 87 reviews, this critic has graded:
  • 91% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 6% lower than the average critic
On average, this critic grades 5.6 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)

Bill Zwecker's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average review score: 71
Highest review score: 100 Step
Lowest review score: 25 Just Getting Started
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 87
  3. Negative: 7 out of 87
87 movie reviews
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    • 42 Metascore
    • 50 Bill Zwecker
    Suburbicon
    The idea of taking a mid-1980s screenplay by the Coens’ and marrying it to a very different story, penned by Clooney and Heslov, does not work. We might have had two quite good, independent features, if those scripts had been produced into two different movies. Instead, we are presented with quite the sad mishmash of ideas here.
    • 40 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
    This sequel is a good improvement over the 2014 adventure that rebooted the franchise. The effects are better, the pacing is tighter and the overall impact is much more entertaining.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    Need For Speed
    The best parts of Need for Speed are the actual racing and chasing sequences — a true thrill ride for the audience as the story unfolds.
    • 38 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    Free Birds
    While the overall concept of the script is pretty creative and original, at several points along the way the storyline gets a bit muddled.
    • 38 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    Third Person
    Wonderful as it is to watch great actors delve deeply into their roles, it’s a shame that the material they are delivering is just so damn confusing.
    • 37 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    The Nut Job
    While the animation is quite good and the filmmakers have brought together an excellent group of actors to provide the voice talent, the storyline leaves us with a tale more reminiscent of Saturday morning kids’ programming.
    • 36 Metascore
    • 75 Bill Zwecker
    Pan
    Full of non-stop action, an intriguing new take on J.M. Barrie’s classic “Peter Pan” tale and some old-fashioned, swashbuckling mischief led by Hugh Jackman, director Joe Wright’s Pan is one heck of a charming romp.
    • 35 Metascore
    • 50 Bill Zwecker
    The Huntsman: Winter's War
    The mishmash of filmmaking makes it clear this was a movie made by committee — and clearly that committee was composed of folks who were not all on the same page when it came to spinning what could have been a much more engaging piece of fantasy storytelling.
    • 34 Metascore
    • 75 Bill Zwecker
    The Forest
    With a nice, unexpected twist at the end, The Forest delivers as a healthy dose of psychological cinematic terror and an impressive first feature directing effort.
    • 34 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    My All American
    In the spirit of so many films created for the small screen, My All American works way too hard to make sure our heartstrings are pulled — and actually yanked hard from start to finish.
    • 33 Metascore
    • 50 Bill Zwecker
    The Divergent Series: Allegiant
    The special effects are among the more positive aspects of “Allegiant,” but those alone cannot rescue this highly flawed sequel.
    • 33 Metascore
    • 38 Bill Zwecker
    The Hero of Color City
    The best thing about The Hero of Color City is its good voice talent — and its running time of only 77 minutes. Other than that, this is a pretty lame computer-generated animated movie that will likely not engage kids much past the first grade.
    • 32 Metascore
    • 50 Bill Zwecker
    Paranoia
    The actors do their best. The problem here is simply a formulaic screenplay and less-than-inspired direction.
    • 32 Metascore
    • 38 Bill Zwecker
    Warcraft
    This loud, bombastic, often incoherent mishmash of magical-themed storytelling simply was not worth whatever effort went into it. While there are some acceptable action sequences, it’s the screenplay — complicated by some less than inspired performances — that dooms “Warcraft” at every point along the way.
    • 31 Metascore
    • 38 Bill Zwecker
    Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club
    This lame tale just falls completely flat.
    • 30 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    Little Boy
    While the lead actors deliver lovely performances, it’s a shame they have to work with material so ham-handed and overbearing.
    • 30 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    Stonewall
    This is an OK movie about a serious subject and an important milestone in the road to gay freedom and equality. It’s just a shame it didn’t accomplish the kind of cinematic punch as did the Oscar-winning “Milk.”
    • 29 Metascore
    • 88 Bill Zwecker
    Hector and the Search for Happiness
    This film is a winner. It will not only entertain you, but also make you think about what it takes to bring happiness into your own life.
    • 29 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    The Best of Me
    The Best of Me was a better film than I expected. Much of that is due to the performances delivered by Marsden, Monaghan, Liana Liberato and especially young Australian actor Luke Bracey as the younger version of Marsden’s character.
    • 28 Metascore
    • 38 Bill Zwecker
    CHIPS
    While I clearly cannot recommend this film, I have to admit there were a couple of amusing moments.
    • 27 Metascore
    • 50 Bill Zwecker
    Flatliners
    While the talented cast...do as well as can be expected with the (excuse the weak pun) pretty flat script, this remake likely will be all but forgotten shortly after it hits multiplexes this weekend.
    • 25 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    Moms' Night Out
    The life lessons about morals and values are soft-pedaled pretty well and packaged in a mostly funny romp as the trio of mothers’ night-on-the-town turns in all sorts of bizarre and wacky ways.
    • 25 Metascore
    • 38 Bill Zwecker
    Shut In
    This is a disappointing waste of good acting talent, coupled with a very pedantic and not very intriguing story from first-time screenwriter Christina Hodson.
    • 22 Metascore
    • 63 Bill Zwecker
    God's Not Dead 2
    While the actors do a yeoman’s job in presenting their characters with aplomb (especially Jesse Metcalfe, as Wesley’s lawyer), the entire film simply comes off as a two-hour, jazzed-up movie version of a sermon.
    • 21 Metascore
    • 25 Bill Zwecker
    Just Getting Started
    This film is a total dud and an insult to the intelligence of anyone who would see it — especially the seniors who clearly are the movie’s target audience. “Just Getting Started” simply never does get started. It’s D.O.A.
    • 18 Metascore
    • 25 Bill Zwecker
    Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas
    This may be one of the least artful holiday films ever made. Even devout born-again Christians will find this hard to stomach.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Bill Zwecker
    Signature Move
    It’s good to see a film that shares experiences — especially relating to sexuality — that have rarely before been showcased cinematically. While this likely will appeal strongly to LGBTQ audiences, I hope it finds a wider viewing, as the acting and the dialogue make for excellent drama.
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