John Petrakis

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Chicago Tribune
For 178 reviews, this critic has graded:
  • 61% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 34% lower than the average critic
On average, this critic grades 3.7 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)

John Petrakis' Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average review score: 62
Highest review score: 100 Stone Reader
Lowest review score: 0 Car 54, Where Are You?
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 111 out of 178
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 178
  3. Negative: 34 out of 178
178 movie reviews
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    • 95 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    Don't Look Now
    More a triumph of tone and texture than of storytelling....But what makes Don't Look Now one of the creepiest movies of all time is the artful way director Roeg leads us around blind corners and down dark alleys (both literally and figuratively), straddling the line between reality and mysticism. [4 May 2001, p.4]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    Shane
    Shane is one of those movies that I revisit at least once a year, just to remind myself how stirring a Western can be when the mix of myth and method is just right. [21 June 2002, p.C8]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 72 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    Stone Reader
    Moskowitz may soon find himself in the same boat as many of the artists he is analyzing, because Stone Reader is going to be one tough act to follow.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    Walkabout
    The transition from cinematographer to director can be a bumpy ride, but few have navigated it as well as British filmmaker Nicolas Roeg. [08 Mar 2002, p.C6]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 77 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    Village of the Damned
    A British horror classic, filled with enough creepy imagery to keep "normal" children awake at night, and parents looking over their shoulders at the "little monsters" plotting away in the room down the hall. [29 Nov 2004, p.C4]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 73 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    One, Two, Three
    Based on a one-act play by Ferenc Molnar, and scripted by Wilder and his frequent collaborator, I.A.L. Diamond, One Two Three is all-Cagney all the time. [11 May 2001, p.C2]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 77 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    Daughter from Danang
    Brilliant documentary.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 John Petrakis
    The Long Day Closes
    Davies has said that he loves the "poetry of the ordinary." In that sense, he doesn't just wax nostalgic about the good old days, but rather, he makes us question and reevaluate those things we may not remember so readily-not the general, but the specific.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Unstrung Heroes
    Unstrung Heroes is an extremely moving and surprisingly funny love sonnet to family, tolerance and the joys of individuality.... One of the best films of the year. [15 Sep 1995]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 72 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack
    The beauty of The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack lies in its ability to transform itself into a sad tale of loss, regret and missed opportunities while it also remains a solid documentary about a once-influential artist seeking his place in the sun.
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Late Marriage
    One of those welcome visitors, a movie that turns out to be much more than we expected.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Gun Crazy
    A fascinating study of sexual heat fueled by guns and ammo. [19 Oct 2001, p.C8]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 79 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Dinner Rush
    It's rare to find an American movie that works so well structurally from beginning to end, including a second act that withstands the plethora of fast-moving action, and a climax that is satisfying and well earned.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Frankenstein
    For its influence alone, this is a movie that more than deserves its classic status. [23 June 2000, p.M]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    The Filth and the Fury
    The concerts are hypnotic, the music is swell, and the entire package moves along at just the right pace.
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 69 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    The Cruise
    Even if you have no interest in documentaries or the facade that is New York City, The Cruise transcends its artistic boundaries to becomes something strange and unique.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Urbania
    One of those small films that will, one hopes, find a larger audience through word of mouth.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Sound and Fury
    By the time the film is over, you may not feel differently about the key issues than you first did, but you will have many more facts (sound) and opinions (fury) to consider.
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 73 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Himalaya
    Most of the performers have limited acting experience, but they are perfect for their parts, exhibiting the courage, stamina and wariness essential to live in such a harsh environment.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Jesus' Son
    A story of faith and redemption, as viewed through the blurry and bloodshot eyes of a young man.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Titus
    Once you get used to the broad gestures, visual stylings and reach-for-the-sky emotions, you may find yourself luxuriating in this movie's undeniable grandeur.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    James' Journey to Jerusalem
    This wise, clever Israeli film reintroduces the once-popular concept of film as allegory, as it follows a Christian pilgrim on his bumpy road to salvation.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    The Last September
    One of those rare movies that manages to maintain the hushed intensity and claustrophobic anxiety that is normally associated with theater or prose.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Butterfly Tongues
    May be a bit sentimental for some, but I found its patient examination of how the forces of optimism can be overwhelmed by a wave of cruelty to be both moving and wise.
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 72 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Exotica
    Exotica may be a gloomy journey up river, but it's a trip worth taking. See it with a friend. One who has something to say. [03 Mar 1995, p.J]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 74 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Judy Berlin
    Beautiful little film.
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 80 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Big Night
    May not have the size and grandeur of some of the biographical and political epics being released this fall, but I defy you to find a better written, more honest -- or yes, more satisfying and delicious -- movie this year. [27 September 1996, Friday, p.C]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 71 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance
    An eliptical puzzle that comes together beautifully in the last five minutes. Challenging, disturbing and at times brilliant. [21 Oct 1994]
    • Chicago Tribune
    • 40 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Some Body
    Bennett also co-wrote the script, based loosely on her own experiences, and is the best thing about the film. A physical cross between Holly Hunter and Christine Lahti, she's quite convincing as she tries to figure out what has gone wrong in her personal life - and how she can fix it before it is too late.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 88 John Petrakis
    Heavenly Creatures
    The performances are all superb, but special mention should go to Melanie Lynskey, a first-time film actress, who brings a frightening calm to the role of Pauline, and Sarah Peirse as Pauline's mother, whose main fault seems to be exhibiting too much care and concern for her strong-willed and imaginative daughter. [25 Nov 1994, p.M2]
    • Chicago Tribune
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