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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    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Korengal
    It’s absorbing to a point, but adds little to what’s gone before.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    The Other Woman
    A few lowbrow laughs… but far too many one-note characters, performances, and plot points to make them worth showing up for.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Ilo Ilo
    As their early fights give way to growing respect, it’s a beautifully calibrated relationship, with small moments gradually building into something much bigger. A gem.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Divergent
    Loyal to the novel, but welcoming enough for newbies, Divergent does a decent if not jawdropping job of bringing its dystopian world to life.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Young & Beautiful
    Ozon keeps the melodrama at bay to deliver a typically subversive study of growing pains. And in Vacth he’s found a real star-in-waiting.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Tom at the Farm
    It’s wildly melodramatic, typified by the ear-assaulting score. But there’s something compelling about Dolan’s supreme self-confidence, even when misplaced. He takes risks – and that’s attractive.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Dom Hemingway
    Shepard’s film is fun but forgettable in the first hour, then disappointing in the final third. But Law’s raucous turn keeps you watching.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Suzanne
    Quillévéré’s elliptical plot isn’t always spot-on, skipping years to a near maddening degree. But treading a fine line between poetry and realism, it’s still heartfelt and harrowing.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    Need For Speed
    The cars are hot, the action is decent, but the characters and plot need a serious tune-up.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    Non-Stop
    A nifty lift-off and a tense first hour lead us, disappointingly, to a very bumpy landing. While Neeson and co. do their best, the script just doesn’t deliver where it really matters.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Love Is in the Air
    Sagnier is appealing in her first real romantic role and there’s Gallic charm galore.
    • 31 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    Charlie Countryman
    Mostly, this is empty, ugly and pretentious.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Bastards
    Denis’ sparse story delivers details on a need-to-know basis, right up to the finale. Strong on atmos, thanks to Tindersticks’ score, it’ll chill you to the core.
    • 36 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    That Awkward Moment
    Gormican’s script is the film’s big strength; the dialogue fizzes while the set-pieces pay off handsomely.
    • 40 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    Flu
    The result? Not so much "World War Z" as World War Zzzz.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Anton Corbijn Inside Out
    It’s not groundbreaking, but the impressionistic approach at least strives for more than your standard-issue bio.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Milius
    [A] memorable, conventional account of a true maverick.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 100 James Mottram
    Gravity
    A stunning space saga that takes off for new technical frontiers without leaving its humanity behind.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Seduced and Abandoned
    Maverick director James Toback (Fingers) and Alec Baldwin front this frequently hilarious insider doc.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 40 James Mottram
    Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
    Most of the gags fall flatter than a Knoxville belly-flop.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 James Mottram
    Enough Said
    Assured, adult filmmaking from a writer/director who knows her way around the ups and downs of relationships.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 James Mottram
    Le Week-End
    The result? An accomplished, bittersweet drama that's more bitter than sweet.
    • 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.
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