James Mottram

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NME, Radio Times, South China Morning Post, Total Film
For 304 reviews, this critic has graded:
  • 64% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 33% lower than the average critic
On average, this critic grades 3.6 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)

James Mottram's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average review score: 69
Highest review score: 100 Whitney
Lowest review score: 20 The New Mutants
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 165 out of 304
  2. Mixed: 131 out of 304
  3. Negative: 8 out of 304
304 movie reviews
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    • 44 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Pacific Rim: Uprising
    Respectable. Boyega adds real bounce and DeKnight delivers spectacle, even if the plot doesn’t strain too far from the original’s crash-bang formula.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Gringo
    A fun romp with a great comic performance from Oyelowo. Doesn’t linger, but you’ll enjoy it while it lasts.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Finding Your Feet
    Its love-in-later-life insights are well-worn, but with Staunton on song, Richard Loncraine’s film mines genuine feeling.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Black Panther
    Confident, assured and athletic filmmaking. And with Boseman on such dignified, dynamic form, his Infinity War return can’t come soon enough.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Last Flag Flying
    A salty road trip tinged with sadness, sensitively handled by Linklater and his cast. Unfocused in places, but never less than diverting.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Hostiles
    Cooper’s western may be too meditative for some, but its grit, beauty and honesty are too potent to ignore.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Human Flow
    The cumulative effect is overwhelming. Poetically shot by a dozen DoPs, including Christopher Doyle, a powerful portrait of horror, hope and humanity emerges.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    The Dinner
    Loaded with flashbacks, it’s unevenly mounted but kept watchable by the lively script and classy cast.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 100 James Mottram
    Blade of the Immortal
    Stunning fights and creepy CG come wrapped inside a blade-sharp story, as the swordsman vows to hunt the killers of a young girl’s parents. Truly epic.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Professor Marston & the Wonder Women
    Whether or not you’re a fan of Wonder Woman, this tale of her creation is rich, evocative and enlightening.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Ingrid Goes West
    A superb satirical swipe at the worst excesses of the social media generation.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Loving Vincent
    An animated film like no other, Loving Vincent is a staggering visual achievement.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Goodbye Christopher Robin
    An engrossing biopic. More than just another author/creation story, Curtis’ film has things to say about celebrity, wartime and family.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    American Assassin
    From the generic title to the formulaic plot (stolen plutonium, highest bidder etc.), you can imagine the rest. But director Michael Cuesta (Kill the Messenger) injects vitality where it’s needed.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    mother!
    Aronofsky’s maternal horror is the most out-there studio movie of the year. You won’t believe your eyes.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Rough Night
    The farcical third act, wrapped up too neatly by director Lucia Aniello, softens the blows. More edges needed.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    A Man Called Ove
    Despite winning work from the lead, it’s a tame, feelgood effort from writer-director Hannes Holm. Academy bait.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Kedi
    While director Ceyda Torun lets the focus meander too much, it’ll leave you, ahem, feline good.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    The Midwife
    With recriminations turning to compassion, the film sings when these French titans share the screen, Deneuve’s loose cannon a mixture of hedonism and terror. If only the other scenes were as compelling.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    David Lynch: The Art Life
    An intriguing insight into Lynch’s genius, intimately crafted and leaving you wanting more.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Baby Driver
    Crime, romance, fast cars, hot tunes... slicker than your chrome hubcaps, Baby Driver is the summer’s coolest movie.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    My Life as a Zucchini
    Beautifully animated, scored and written, Barras’ little movie has a big heart. C’est fantastique.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
    The pacing is spot-on, the set-pieces memorable and all the characters are allowed to shine, without it ever becoming The Johnny Depp Show.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Urban Hymn
    It’s heavy-handed, but with such fine performances from the youngsters, aided by the ever-reliable Shirley Henderson (as a social worker), that it’s hard not to get sucked into this tragic tale.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Fast Five
    Say what you like about director Justin Lin’s lack of subtlety (or understanding of the laws of physics), but he knows how to kick-start an action movie.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    City of Tiny Lights
    A rich, rewarding crime film, shot with real skill. Riz Ahmed confirms his status as one of the most exciting Brit actors of his generation.
    • 28 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    CHIPS
    All hot wheels and dick jokes, it’s fun but forgettable.
    • 28 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Man Down
    LaBeouf is committed, and it’s fun seeing him go toe-to-toe with Gary Oldman (as his boss). But amid Montiel’s jigsaw-like structure lurk some generic revelations. Disappointing.
    • 36 Metascore
    • 20 James Mottram
    Criminal
    Jones and Oldman are on autopilot, while Costner grizzles like a sore-headed bear. Only Gal Gadot, as Reynolds’ widow, has any cred in this utter pap.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Eisenstein in Guanajuato
    Beautiful and bold, rebellious and riotous, its sexual frankness puts E.L. James in the shade.
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