James Mottram

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NME, Radio Times, South China Morning Post, Total Film
For 310 reviews, this critic has graded:
  • 63% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 34% lower than the average critic
On average, this critic grades 3.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)

James Mottram's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average review score: 69
Highest review score: 100 Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Lowest review score: 20 Mortdecai
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 167 out of 310
  2. Mixed: 135 out of 310
  3. Negative: 8 out of 310
310 movie reviews
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    • 56 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Filth
    With McAvoy acting as if his life depends on it, Filth is the Irvine Welsh film we’ve been waiting years for. Tastier than a deep-fried Mars Bar.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 100 James Mottram
    Rush
    Utterly gripping. Aided by two punchy lead turns, an Oscar-worthy script and stunning in-car footage, Howard’s race film delivers top-gear drama. A piston- and heart-pumping triumph.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Gimme the Loot
    Full of ear-pleasing lines and obscure R&B tunes, it’s colourful, casual and full of flavour. An unexpected treat.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    What Maisie Knew
    Capturing the essence of the source novel, this is a superior adult drama. Harrowing, heartbreaking but utterly compelling.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    The Way, Way Back
    If the Collette/Carell reunion suggests Little Miss Sunshine, it’s not quite that crowd-pleasing. But, crafted with much TLC and sympathy, it’s perfectly tailored to the tongue-tied teen in us all.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Pain & Gain
    Like all of Bay’s work, it’s over-the-top, brash and exhausting to watch. But like the lifestyle its characters aspire to, there’s an allure too.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Alan Partridge
    Smartly executed, endlessly quotable and machine-gun quick, this is one of the funniest films of 2013. Accessible for Partridge novices and hugely rewarding for the faithful.
    • 37 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Only God Forgives
    It’s no "Drive," and even hardcore fans will struggle to love a film that’s as mad as a bag of prawn crackers, but as an exercise in style, it has many moments to savour.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    The Iceman
    Kneel before shannon. His primal, powerhouse turn drives this criminal biopic. the film won’t win any prizes for originality, but its star proves he’s a real man of steel.
    • 26 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    No One Lives
    Depending on taste, you’ll be left either barfing or laughing.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Fast & Furious 6
    Another silly but sturdy instalment that’s as well-oiled as The Rock’s muscles. If the ‘Letty in London’ story doesn’t exactly have that new-car smell, this is still the fastest soap opera on wheels.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    I'm So Excited
    Full of fizz, filth and fun, I’m So Excited! is like an ’80s retro-blast. Its scattershot comedy may not impress latecomers to Almodóvar’s career, but old-school fans will love it.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Iron Man 3
    Funny, twisty and thrilling, this is shellhead’s most entertaining solo flight to date. It’s also an impressive pace-setter for this summer’s barrage of big movies.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Laurence Anyways
    Dolan never flinches across this bold, brassy piece; it’s confidently directed, stylishly shot, passionately acted and evocatively scored.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    In the House
    Utterly assured, breathtakingly executed and riotously funny, this is a delight.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    The Croods
    But for the most part it’s Neanderthal compared to the Pixar stable.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    To the Wonder
    To The Wonder doesn’t quite live up to the sky-high expectations set by his earlier films. But it’s still a brave, soul-stirring and sensitive work.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Cloud Atlas
    A grand folly that makes the Wachowskis’ "The Matrix" trilogy look prosaic, Cloud Atlas is a fascinating if flawed work that will leave you gasping one minute and gagging the next.
    • 40 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Gangster Squad
    Typified by Penn's blustery performance, Gangster Squad is sleek, stylish but superficial. Easy on the eye, even easier on the brain, it doesn't last long in the memory.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Jack Reacher
    A superior thriller, with Cruise and McQuarrie slotting together like a bullet in a clip. Like Reacher on the firing range, the aim isn't always true – but the misses are fractional.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    On the Road
    It may lose its way on occasions, but thanks to a committed cast and a script that captures the Kerouac vibe, Salles' adaptation never ends up on the road to nowhere.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Smashed
    Two fine performances - particularly from an unhinged Winstead - almost elevate Smashed to greatness. But an under-worked script leaves you feeling groggy and bleary-eyed by the end.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Holy Motors
    A surreal head-scratcher that'd make Luis Buñuel smile, it may not be perfectly formed, but there's no denying its fierce originality.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Ruby Sparks
    Smart, literate and romantic, it's this year's (500) Days Of Summer, but with a few more shadows. Like Calvin, you'll find it hard to resist Ms Sparks.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 James Mottram
    Looper
    The best sci-fi movie since "Moon." The best time-travel yarn since "12 Monkeys." And one of the best films of 2012. You'll immediately want to see it again.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    The Forgiveness of Blood
    Even if it lacks a stand-out turn it's still a grippingly authentic slice of life.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
    The finale, as Ai's Twitter tirades lead to a serious human-rights breach, will make your blood boil.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
    Childminders rejoice: the formulaic but family-friendly series is back and it's business as usual.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Planet of Snail
    What emerges is a touching study (in more ways than one) of the trials, terrors and triumphs of living with physical disability.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    Lola Versus
    You'd think Greta Gerwig's bones were hurting, so achingly hip is this irritating New York indie.
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