San Francisco Chronicle's Scores

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For 9,306 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 52% higher than the average critic
  • 2% same as the average critic
  • 46% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.1 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Movie review score: 63
Highest review score: 100 Mansfield Park
Lowest review score: 0 Speed 2: Cruise Control
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5,162 out of 9306
  2. Mixed: 2,658 out of 9306
  3. Negative: 1,486 out of 9306
9306 movie reviews
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  1. The Hitcher
    Any good will built up during the decent first half hour is quickly vaporized.
  2. The Italian
    The result is a deeply moving experience, alternately funny and sad.
  3. Mafioso [re-release]
    Lattuada has adapted a gritty neorealist style to suit his dark comedy and is in full command in the final half hour, when he ups the ante in surprising ways.
  4. Alpha Dog
    The whole thing is dizzying, like "Moulin Rouge" without songs and dances extolling love.
  5. Stomp the Yard
    Stomp the Yard, at nearly two hours, has a decent story, a good subject and a horrible plot.
  6. God Grew Tired of Us
    A well-made culture-shock documentary.
  7. Tears of the Black Tiger
    The movie is one big in-joke. It's watchable, but eventually wears you down with its over-the-top cleverness.
  8. Comedy of Power
    In many ways a meandering film, a collection of good scenes.
  9. Happily N'Ever After
    The best that can be said of this charmless animated picture is that whether or not it ends happily -- an outcome you're unlikely to give a hoot about -- it does, happily, end.
  10. Freedom Writers
    Overall Freedom Writers is a noble effort. At a time when New Year's resolutions to change already are falling by the wayside, you can't help but be moved by a group of young people who followed through on their resolve.
  11. Code Name: The Cleaner
    Although the finished product isn't great, it's more akin to a bad Steve Martin movie from the 1980s than bad Pauly Shore from the 1990s. We mean that as a compliment (sort of).
  12. Pan's Labyrinth
    Visually stunning, it meshes haunting images with a complex multilevel story about the enchantment of youth.
  13. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
    This isn't pleasant to watch. Neither is it amusing, intellectually engaging, whimsically fascinating, coldly satirical or painfully poignant, though at any given moment in this erratic film director Tom Tykwer might be trying for one of these conflicting tones.
  14. Miss Potter
    In every way, Miss Potter is a very beautiful thing.
  15. The Dead Girl
    The film is mired in gloom, not just sadness, but heaviness.
  16. Factory Girl
    This is a movie about power, and its spectacle is that of a woman losing all of it.
  17. The Flying Scotsman
    The filmmaking is unremarkable, but the obsessiveness of the lead character is infectious enough to make this drama passable entertainment.
  18. Unconscious
    Oristrell's comedic sense only seems to succeed in spurts, and he often burdens the proceedings with a theatrical and contrived air that undermines the humor.
  19. Arthur and the Invisibles
    Besson is a pro when it comes to action movies, but this part live, part animation effort is a mess, highlighted by creepy animation, derivative plot points and a child star who speaks way too fast.
  20. The Tiger and the Snow
    Remember that manic, rambling Oscar acceptance speech, when Benigni leapt around the auditorium? That might have been charming for two or three minutes, but imagine two hours of it.
  21. Notes on a Scandal
    Notes on a Scandal won't be everyone's cup of tea. But if you like your films strong, this one is not to be missed.
  22. Children of Men
    Children of Men is Cuarón's run for freedom, with a riveting story, fantastic action scenes and acting so universally solid that even the dogs perform masterfully under his direction.
  23. Black Christmas
    Props to the Weinstein Brothers for having the guts to release a slasher film on Christmas Day. Too bad this one is the cinematic equivalent of tryptophan.
  24. Night at the Museum
    For all its dazzling computer-generated sequences, "Museum'' wouldn't be nearly the delight it is without the talents of some of the best comedians in the business.
  25. We Are Marshall
    May not be a very enjoyable movie, but at least the badness is in good taste.
  26. Venus
    The suggestion that Peter O'Toole is playing some version of his real self in Venus adds a bittersweet poignancy to this quietly affecting British drama.
  27. Curse of the Golden Flower
    Like a soap opera, but most of what glitters is gold.
  28. Letters from Iwo Jima
    Far superior to its companion piece, "Flags of Our Fathers," released earlier this year, "Letters" is a grim and humane film that has to be counted among the director's better efforts.
  29. The Painted Veil
    The year's best romantic drama.
  30. Rocky Balboa
    Anyone who appreciates Sylvester Stallone or enjoys the "Rocky" movies will find moments to enjoy in Rocky Balboa and will leave the theater reasonably satisfied. It's just good to see the guy, and it's good to revisit the character. And that's everything good to be said for the experience.
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