Los Angeles Times' Scores

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For 16,550 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 56% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 38% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.2 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Movie review score: 63
Highest review score: 100 Sand Storm
Lowest review score: 0 Saw VI
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8,714 out of 16550
  2. Mixed: 5,819 out of 16550
  3. Negative: 2,017 out of 16550
16550 movie reviews
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  1. 9 Songs
    Yet for all its ballyhooed candor about sexual matters, it's a surprisingly baffling and opaque film, too artistic to be standard pornography and too zealously focused on being graphic to the exclusion of all else to succeed as drama.
  2. The Edukators
    A sweet, funny and gripping romantic adventure, it's about the limitations of political activism in this day and age, and what happens when your girlfriend and your best friend fall in love.
  3. Last Days
    What Last Days offers is a blank and narrative-free, but pitch-perfect, dreamscape on which to project your own personal ruminations on Kurt, fame, whatever, nevermind. If you have none, you're on your own.
  4. November
    Increasingly perplexing film, which is more concerned with being clever than satisfying.
  5. Meet the Family
    Good-natured and exuberantly politically - socially is more like it - incorrect, but it is woefully under-inspired and amateurish.
  6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
    Burton's gifts ensure you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be happy with what you're seeing.
  7. Wedding Crashers
    Witty, unhinged and fearless, it's exactly the kind of movie we need now.
  8. Happy Endings
    Why aren't there more American movies like this? I mean smart, unpretentious, sophisticated, un-condescending and cheap.
  9. The Warrior
    It is chockablock with brutality, but the violence is of the high-minded, self-congratulatory sort that indicates without actually showing.
  10. God's Sandbox
    It's good that God's Sanbox has such an intriguing premise and compelling performances, because Doran Eran's pacing tends toward slackness, and most of the dialogue is in an English that is often impenetrable.
  11. The Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror
    The interviews are carefully augmented with speeches by President Bush and other administration officials, plus footage from Iraq and Afghanistan, and powerful graphics detailing the depletion of the global oil supply.
  12. On the Outs
    Bracing and remarkably compact drama, which invests some standard movie tropes of rough-and-tumble urban life with deep feeling and urgency.
  13. Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus
    Delightfully demented.
  14. Murderball
    A thoughtful and provocative look at a previously little-seen world.
  15. Dark Water
    Brazilian Walter Salles, who previously directed the Oscar-nominated films "Central Station" and "The Motorcycle Diaries," guides this stylish remake through treacherous territory to create a distressing, subtly suspenseful film full of emotional resonance.
  16. Fantastic Four
    Fails to be anything more than a mild summertime diversion. Based on the Marvel comic book, it's a prototypical air conditioner movie.
  17. The Beautiful Country
    It is a straightforward, conventional narrative, charting seemingly endless cruelty and hardship, but rewards the patient with an eloquent climactic sequence that is impossible to predict.
  18. Saraband
    Bergman has never been an ordinary filmmaker, and what he's given us is no genial last hurrah but rather an intensely dramatic, at times lacerating examination of life's conundrums that is exhilarating in its fearlessness and its command.
  19. Chronicles
    The result is reasonably absorbing and a provocative if familiar commentary on media manipulation, with Leguizamo terrific in a serious, intense performance.
  20. Rebound
    If I were 6, I could enjoy Rebound without thinking about all the better movies made from its concept.
  21. The Beat That My Heart Skipped
    What has resulted is a blistering film you feel in the pit of your stomach, a jumpy, edgy piece of work that thrusts us into a personal maelstrom so tortured and intense, the emotions could be spread with a knife.
  22. Undead
    However visually striking, this Australian film is ultimately as tedious as it is derivative.
  23. The World
    A remarkable film.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Twist of Faith
    It's a demanding film but one filled with important truths about humanity in all its denominations.
  25. War of the Worlds
    Working in the spirit of his predecessors but with the kind of uncanny special effects they could barely dream of, Spielberg has come up with an impressive production that is disturbing in the way only provocative science fiction can be.
  26. Tropical Malady
    Mysterious and original.
  27. Bewitched
    Isn't a remake, really. It's a "reimagining," which is a sparkly word for what happens to a beloved TV hit of yesteryear when it's cannibalized by committee.
  28. Land of the Dead
    Romero easily commands an enormous cast, a plethora of action sequences and a cornucopia of special effects -- some of them very gory -- and creates one darkly dazzling image after another that allows Land of the Dead to emerge without any nudging whatsoever as a bleakly humorous, hard-charging allegory.
  29. Rize
    José Cancella's original score complement the tremendous wit, vitality and sensuality of the dancers.
  30. Yes
    Bold, vibrant and impassioned, Yes is the work of a high-risk film artist in command of her medium and gifted in propelling her actors to soaring performances.
  31. Lila Says
    Raw, earthy yet tender and perceptive, Lila Says marks a strong directorial debut for Doueiri, who was Quentin Tarantino's camera operator on "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction" and "Jackie Brown."
  32. The Last Mogul
    A smart, well-paced documentary that balances the man's triumphs with his rare failures and discerningly explores the darker side of his power.
  33. March of the Penguins
    As uplifting as anything you will find in theaters.
  34. Herbie Fully Loaded
    It may be by-the-numbers, but it knows that under the right circumstances those numbers can lead to a fair amount of fun.
  35. Waging a Living
    Through sensitive, in-depth profiles of four workers, Weisberg drives home the point that hard-working men and women with full-time jobs find themselves and their families trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of poverty.
  36. The Deal
    The film might have worked as a taut, topical corporate intrigue thriller; instead, for all its ambition, it's just a routine mystery, despite a solid performance by Christian Slater.
  37. Pure
    This is a conventional, well-acted, English working-class drama in the familiar realist style, but it does not attain anywhere near the level of artistry and imagination of a Ken Loach film.
  38. The Perfect Man
    The movie is a tortured marshmallow.
  39. The Great Water
    Intent as it is on being both artistically and politically involving, The Great Water periodically miscalculates its effects, coming on stronger than it intends.
  40. Heights
    Beautifully shot on location in New York and consistently well-acted, but it sticks a little too closely to the surface to be very compelling.
  41. Me and You and Everyone We Know
    Optimistic and humanistic to the core, Me and You and Everyone We Know is a paean to perseverance and finding ways to cope.
  42. My Summer of Love
    Two teen girls forge an explosive connection in a compelling Pawel Pawlikowski film.
  43. The Talent Given Us
    It's difficult, though, to see how this picture -- essentially chronicling a long car trip -- could mean much to anyone but the Wagners and their friends and relatives.
  44. Ethan Mao
    At once a tender love story and a psychological suspense drama that lays bare the acute tensions that threaten to tear apart an upwardly mobile suburban L.A. Chinese American family.
  45. King of the Corner
    Warm and wise comedy of middle-age malaise.
  46. Batman Begins
    A carefully thought out and consummately well-made piece of work, a serious comic-book adaptation that is driven by story, psychology and reality, not special effects.
  47. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
    In the end, star charisma and Liman's style win us over and we relax into a sophisticated summertime diversion that is noticeably intended for adults.
  48. The Honeymooners
    John Leguizamo steals the show as its sleazy trainer -- not that there's much to steal from John Schultz's joylessly schematic paycheck.
  49. High Tension
    For much of its duration the film is a case of intense fare done with an undeniable effectiveness and ingenuity -- until it lurches into a deplorable surprise twist.
  50. The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D
    On the whole it feels genuine. Lautner and Dooley are compelling as the sullen, instinctual Sharkboy and the radiant, hot-headed Lavagirl, and it's easy to see why they dominate shy, hesitant Max's dreams.
  51. Howl's Moving Castle
    Parse it any way you like, Miyazaki's gifts as an animator place him in a category of his own. To see his latest film is to be somehow reminded of Italians who could hear Verdi's operas as soon as they were sung or English readers who could experience the novels of Dickens episode by episode.
  52. Slutty Summer
    Andreas is way too low-energy to hold the screen as the film's lead, but he was wise to surround himself with a talented cast. Unfortunately, the wooden dialogue and overall shallowness of the writing keep the film from being even an amiable diversion.
  53. Wild Side
    This process unfolds in terse, compelling fashion with ravishing camerawork by Agnès Godard.
  54. 5x2
    Bruni-Tedeschi is a lovely actress, and whatever emotion is evident onscreen comes courtesy of her.
  55. Chrystal
    Chrystal unravels a bit toward the end as it becomes more fable-like, but the performances make it worthwhile.
  56. The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam
    There is nothing extraordinary about the filmmaking, but Mashayekh's old-fashioned commitment to his and co-writer Belle Avery's story creates an overall satisfying experience.
  57. Cinderella Man
    Cinderella Man's key emotional moments feel as if they've been predigested for an audience that can't be trusted to feel things for itself but needs to be firmly albeit lovingly pointed in the appropriate direction.
  58. Lords of Dogtown
    As beautifully structured as one of the Z-Boys' graceful and intricate maneuvers. It is economic yet possesses depth and is visually striking, capturing an idea of what life is like in a very fast lane.
  59. Rock School
    Immensely entertaining.
  60. Apres Vous (After You)
    This delightfully spirited film is perfectly cast, and it's hard to imagine how Daniel Auteuil, José Garcia and Sandrine Kiberlain could possibly improve upon their irresistible, multifaceted portrayals.
  61. Deep Blue
    Numerous films have explored undersea life, but few as comprehensively and as consistently compelling as Deep Blue, by the creators of the "Blue Planet" TV series.
  62. Milwaukee, Minnesota
    Not quite the sum of its occasionally interesting parts. Most of its cast makes strong impressions, but the plot and motivation don't quite jell, resulting in a minor item that shows its star Troy Garity to good advantage.
  63. Caterina va in città
    Smart, sassy, compassionate and critical.
  64. The Story of an African Farm
    As it is, Bustin' Bonaparte is an enjoyable diversion, but with more energy and style it might have been a gem.
  65. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
    Has its share of summery charms, including gorgeous postcard views of Santorini, an old-worldy Romeo-Juliet romance, and some particularly good performances by Tamblyn and Boyd.
  66. Or
    A work of exceptional subtlety and is all the more captivating and heart-rending for being so.
  67. A Wake in Providence
    The film aims for a light social satire but mainly falls flat. It feels more like a long-lost pilot for some never-aired 1970s sitcom or a misguided sequel to a Billy Joel song.
  68. The Longest Yard
    If you're thinking of seeing it, and you're old enough to drive (or even read this), do yourself a favor and rent the original instead.
  69. Madagascar
    Madagascar is a classical gas. It's a good-humored, pleasant confection that has all kinds of relaxed fun bringing computer-animated savvy to the old-fashioned world of Looney Tunes cartoons.
  70. Bomb the System
    Hurting the film is the fact that the central character, Anthony, is so self-absorbed.
  71. A League of Ordinary Gentlemen
    Informativeand endearing film.
  72. Saving Face
    Alice Wu's debut film is so deft, natural and exquisitely specific, it feels fresh.
  73. Genesis
    As extraordinary as all of this imagery is, it is the film's sound design that takes it to another level. A quirky, electric mix of ambient sound, effects and music by composer Bruno Coulais and sound designer Laurent Quaglio gives the film its heart and its sense of humor.
  74. Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
    Instantly forgettable.
  75. Fixing Frank
    Fixing Frank is "good theater," and in the writing and in Butler's quietly chilling, ever-so-civilized portrayal, Apsey emerges as a veritable Svengali.
  76. Second Best
    The strongest scenes are those between Elliot and Richard, which give Second Best a verisimilitude lacking in the rest of the film. The truest thing here is that these two guys have been friends forever and always will be.
  77. Sex, Politics & Cocktails
    Julien Hernandez's Sex, Politics & Cocktails gives all three a bad name.
  78. Stolen Childhoods
    An impassioned plea for change, the film balances bleak, Dickensian conditions with details of a growing number of international programs designed to combat the epidemic.
  79. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
    The most energetic of the prequels, the only one at all worth watching. But that doesn't mean it is without the weaknesses that scuttled its pair of predecessors. Quite the contrary.
  80. Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire
    Dallaire is not only the protagonist of Shake Hands, he is a compelling reason to see it.
  81. Mindhunters
    Turns out to be a thudding dud, crammed with clunky dialogue, bad acting and gruesome but unpersuasive gore. Mindhunters will pass muster with only the most undemanding horror fans.
  82. Kicking & Screaming
    A threadbare comedy glomming onto the ample talent of its star, Will Ferrell.
  83. Monster-in-Law
    All I could think about while watching Jennifer Lopez prance through Monster-in-Law was how cool and poised she was in "Out of Sight."
  84. Unleashed
    Includes a few scenes of impressively choreographed mayhem, but they're all but buried in Freeman and Condon's mystical grandpa and weirdo teeny bopper routines.
  85. Mad Hot Ballroom
    A documentary experience to savor. Warm, funny and very difficult to resist, this engaging film combines the charm of "Spellbound" with the kinetic energy of "Strictly Ballroom" in a way that will make you want to laugh, cry and do a little dancing yourself, maybe all at the same time.
  86. My Mother
    Degrading, disgusting and depressing.
  87. Layer Cake
    A sleek, effective entertainment that is a refreshing respite from the slick emptiness of recent American crime dramas.
  88. Kings & Queen
    A complex, boldly experimental movie plotted like a thriller and paced like a farce, Kings and Queen is category-defying film that's as smart and emotionally resonant as it is entertaining.
  89. Lost
    Lost is consistently clever, amusing -- and scary.
  90. Modigliani
    Deeply silly and tendentious.
  91. Tell Them Who You Are
    A remarkable work -- lively, painful, humorous, deeply revealing of both father and son -- that is worthy of one of Hollywood's finest directors of photography.
  92. Crash
    Any glimpse of emotional honesty comes courtesy of the actors, who manage to do a credible job despite the material.
  93. House of Wax
    Related to the 1953 Vincent Price film in name, embalming technique and Warner Bros. pedigree only, the new House of Wax is a dreary, predictable tale.
  94. Kingdom of Heaven
    Scott and company have gotten so accomplished at re-creating history that the results have a welcome offhanded quality, making them spectacular without seeming to be showing off.
  95. Fighting Tommy Riley
    This small, lovingly crafted film continually surprises with its depth and resonance.
  96. Jiminy Glick in Lalawood
    A giddy, gassy piece of lunatic fluff that recounts Jiminy's rise to fame. In interviews, Short has described Glick as a moron with power, and in Jiminy Glick in Lalawood, he takes us back to the early days, when he was merely a moron.
  97. Mysterious Skin
    It's hard to imagine a more serious or persuasive indictment of the horrors inflicted on children by sexual abuse than Mysterious Skin.
  98. The Great Role
    It is a most tender love story, first and foremost, and a warm, affectionately humorous depiction of Kurz's close-knit Jewish friends and colleagues.
  99. Brothers
    The end result was that the performances reached a remarkable level of intimacy and intensity.
  100. A Hole in One
    The anesthetized, deadpan performances -- except for Meat Loaf as Anna's gangster boyfriend, who's so over-the-top it appears he stumbled in from another movie -- and dull storytelling result in an unsuccessful mix of screwball comedy, melodrama and noir.
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