USA Today's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Select another publication »
For 4,670 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 61% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 36% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.1 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Movie review score: 64
Highest review score: 100 Fruitvale Station
Lowest review score: 0 Amos & Andrew
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,963 out of 4670
  2. Mixed: 1,021 out of 4670
  3. Negative: 686 out of 4670
4670 movie reviews
view
per page
  1. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
    Poor, no-respect ABBA gets tweaked repeatedly in this unexpectedly handsome widescreen import - though, in keeping with the movie's soft tone, the gooning isn't mean-spirited or even all that catty. [10 Aug 1994]
    • USA Today
  2. Soul Food
    Nothing too fancy or ambitious. Instead, writer-director George Tillman Jr. serves up down-home fare that enriches the heart and leaves you satisfied if stuffed. [26Sep1997 Pg.06.D]
    • USA Today
  3. Nightmare Alley
    Even though there are a bunch of interesting personalities (like Ron Perlman’s strongman Bruno), Nightmare Alley lacks the human connections that not only made del Toro’s last effort, best picture winner The Shape of Water, so entrancing but also populate the 1947 adaptation of Gresham’s book.
  4. The Hoax
    The Hoax lures you in with its captivating performances.
  5. Lethal Weapon 2
    Lethal Weapon 2 is bang-bang and brain-dead in roughly equal measure. If there's an advantage this time out, it's that the film seems to play the action (and its lead character's psychoses) more for laughs. [7 Jul 1989, p.1D]
    • USA Today
  6. Wuthering Heights
    The new Wuthering Heightsis all gloomy moors and muck, but not much convincing passion.
  7. 21 Grams
    Unstintingly explores and exposes excruciating pain, raw grief, ruinous vengeance and life-affirming resilience, creating human portraits that are uncommonly exhilarating in their honesty. This is cinematic art in its highest form.
  8. Caramel
    Caramel is a sweeter and more believable version of "Steel Magnolias," Middle Eastern style.
  9. Rampart
    Though the plot can be vague and occasionally convoluted, Harrelson is mesmerizing.
  10. Late Night
    Unlike the corner of the entertainment industry it tackles, Mindy Kaling’s quick-witted screenplay for “Late Night” doesn’t go for cheap laughs, but instead wields incisive barbs to successfully make its point.
  11. City Slickers
    Crystal is in top form, and if laughs are all you want, this movie has them.[7 June 1991, p.2D]
    • USA Today
  12. Clerks
    A few crude verbal exchanges nearly got Clerks an NC-17 rating; some (not all) of these provide some of the funniest moments in a film that's funny about 30% of the time. [24 Oct 1994]
    • USA Today
  13. RoboCop
    Though Robocop is too well-crafted to be entirely loathsome, it's at best an amoral goof. Yet like the comparably silly Lethal Weapon, it cynically pushes all the right action-audience buttons. Better duck - here comes a monster hit. [17 Jul 1987]
    • USA Today
  14. Lady in White
    Writer/director Frank LaLoggia's chiller about the dark underbelly of an idyllic small town is so effectively heartfelt yet also creepy that it's surprising he couldn't parlay it into more assignments.
  15. The Old Guard
    Old Guard feels fresher as a high-minded treatise on mortality and loss than a superhero-y franchise-starter.
  16. Contagion
    While potent and well-paced, Contagion doesn't come together as the fearsome bio-thriller it starts out to be. But it may make audiences twitchy about the guy coughing in the next row.
  17. Bad Santa
    This is a filmmaker who instinctively knows that a shot of Santa sitting at a bar as Ricky Nelson sings Jingle Bells will be no-frills funny.
  18. Waking Sleeping Beauty
    It could have delved a little deeper to keep us wide-eyed and engaged.
  19. It Might Get Loud
    It's a pleasure to watch these men perform. These are real-life guitar heroes. But it would have been a treat to see more of them talking shop.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Madonna: Truth or Dare
    Deftly directed by 26-year-old Alek Keshishian, who was granted near-total access by the attention-craving star, the film is somewhat bloated at two hours, but still the freshest rockumentary since Don't Look Back, D.A. Pennebaker's brilliant Bob Dylan study. [10 May 1991, p.2D]
    • USA Today
  21. Materialists
    Both embracing and deconstructing the genre, "Materialists" is a well-acted affair with three A-list leads – Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal – and while certainly thoughtful, the film's strengths are upended by a mood-murdering melancholy.
  22. Cedar Rapids
    This is a Frank Capra-meets-Judd Apatow comedy with a sweetness-laced ribaldry.
  23. Happy Christmas
    A gently funny ensemble comedy that feels less like a movie than a short story.
  24. Lars and the Real Girl
    At a time when romantic comedies seem to have exhausted unique ideas, along comes Lars, an original, amusing and heartfelt tale sharply written by Nancy Oliver (Six Feet Under).
  25. Thumbsucker
    The movie and its theme of self-acceptance has an honesty, undercut by occasional preciousness, that makes it worth seeing.
  26. Inglourious Basterds
    Tarantino exercises both his obsession with vengeance and his fascination with the movies.
  27. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
    Fast and slick, it recalls The Buddy Holly Story - perhaps the last pop bio that was this much fun to watch. [7 May 1993, p.4D]
    • USA Today
  28. Never Let Me Go
    Just as its characters need a reason to live, Go needs a reason for audiences to watch. Neither find much satisfaction.
  29. Batman
    There's a cold intelligence at work here. Though its pleasures are plentiful enough to reward a second viewing, only Nicholson has saved Warners from a wing-clip. [23 June 1989, Life, p.1D]
    • USA Today
  30. Babel
    Babel may be the most ambitious movie of the year, tackling towering communication barriers, global politics and cultural divides in a structurally complex and fascinating narrative.
  31. The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans
    It's a maniacal performance, complete with mad gales of laughter and insane bouts of temper. Cage doesn't go over the top, but he teeters darn close.
  32. Unstoppable
    Scott paces the film like its mechanized star: deliberately and, ultimately, with enough speed to keep its passengers satisfied.
  33. Brave
    It's a lively, psychologically astute tale filled with humanity, wit and charming performances.
  34. Undercover Brother
    The soundtrack (which includes James Brown, Michael Jackson and The Commodores) is better than a K-Tel "Best of the '70s" compilation, and the broad physical comedy is as reliable as a brick house.
  35. Revolutionary Road
    It's not quite up to the caliber of Richard Yates' novel, which is deeply nuanced and rich in subtext. But the performances are superb, and the film is beautifully shot.
  36. Live Free or Die Hard
    Diverting enough if you want to see plenty of fast-paced action sequences, some heart-stopping chase scenes and plenty of things blow up.
  37. Palo Alto
    Palo Alto marks one of those rare films that is so accurate in its portrayal of characters that the movie suffers for it.
  38. The Opposite of Sex
    The opposite of entertainment, a self-satisfied soap opera from hell. But anyone itchy to see Ricci in her fleshy glory will adore her femme fatale for the Jerry Springer age, a Stanwyck stoked on steroids and SweeTarts.
  39. Lion
    Unsurprisingly, the finale is manipulative in every way, squeezing out the emotions of the audience. But Lion’s well-plotted narrative and thoughtful characters suck you in so much that the journey there is totally worth it.
  40. The September Issue
    While it doesn't scratch much below the surface, The September Issue is an entertainingly voyeuristic glimpse into the fashion world.
  41. Cinderella Man
    A premier boxing movie and a forceful Depression remembrance for the socially conscious, Cinderella Man also ices it for stargazers that Russell Crowe is the dominant screen actor working today.
  42. Rocketman
    John’s gifts are his songs, and with Rocketman, his wonderful life gets a worthy, refreshing big-screen treatment.
  43. The Cooler
    Grabber sub-plots further boost a story that is basically made by its three leads.
  44. Duplicity
    So with its smart writing delivered by an in-synch quartet, savor Duplicity as the ideal spring gift.
  45. The Painted Veil
    The Painted Veil is a welcome addition to the slate of holiday movies, particularly for those drawn to intriguing tales of multi-dimensional characters in exotic settings.
  46. It
    The infamous clown is plenty freaky, though it’s the youngsters, bursting with hormones and one-liners, who make It one of the better Stephen King adaptations.
  47. Cold Souls
    The low-key satire would have benefited from more of a back story to Giamatti's character and a clearer sense of his relationship with his wife. But what we do get is compelling in the way of an indelible, dreamy short story.
  48. A Shock to the System
    Since Michael Caine's charm, energy and abilities have managed to survive so many cheesy movies, it's heartening to note that A Shock to the System is a slice or two tastier than usual. [23 Mar 1990, p.4D]
    • USA Today
  49. Ride with the Devil
    Jewel is more like an acting zircon because she just can't project, but at least she looks the part, and her novelty value isn't unwelcome.
  50. Small Time Crooks
    Though this is a tough movie to dislike, it plays more like a second draft than a final product.
  51. Melody Time
    Modest yet pleasing musical pastiches that typified post-war Disney. [05 Jun 1998, p.6E]
    • USA Today
  52. Green Book
    It’s the master class put on by Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali that powers this moving and often hilarious work and gives it mass appeal.
  53. Boy Erased
    The 21-year-old actor holds his own in the emotional project opposite a couple of heavyweights, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Just as deft in his work is writer/director/co-star Joel Edgerton, who's crafted a touching look at the darker sides of evangelical belief and parental judgment.
  54. The Avengers
    Whedon weaves a story that allows each of the heroes to do what they do best. And while they may not have exactly equal time, audiences get enough of each to feel satisfied, but not sated. Clever work, indeed.
  55. Barton Fink
    Though less than the sum of its brilliant parts, the Coens' latest will still be must viewing in 32 years. [21 Aug 1991]
    • USA Today
  56. Nurse Betty
    Observing Zellweger as she dispenses her brand of movie magic definitely is good for what ails you.
  57. There's Something About Mary
    A gut-busting blast of tasteless tomfoolery.
  58. Chronicle
    Bolstered by the natural performances of a trio of little-known actors, the very watchable Chronicle keeps us captive throughout.
  59. Arthur Christmas
    Crisply shot and voiced by a legion of Brits, the animated Arthur seems aimed at the Scrooge and caroler in all of us.
  60. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
    Excesses or not, I'm rabid to see this again. [10 Mar 1989, p.1D]
    • USA Today
  61. Into the Woods
    The notion that children are raised on fairy tales and the question of how those early stories affect us all — even into adulthood — remains fascinating and is delivered here with visual panache and musical flair.
  62. Predestination
    This intriguing and well-acted gender-bending story occasionally feels like "The Crying Game" meets "Looper."
  63. Gremlins 2: The New Batch
    Watching the new batch of mischief makers in Gremlins 2 is like gorging on raw cookie dough. Tastes yummy at first, but pretty soon you begin to get sick of the stuff. [15 Jun 1990, p.1D]
    • USA Today
  64. Eyes Wide Shut
    A precisely modulated and mostly mesmerizing 2¾-hour suspense movie, in part because it's one of the most bravely disturbing screen works ever attempted about thoughts withheld by even the most devoted marriage partners and the ramifications of voicing them.
  65. Chicken with Plums
    Chicken With Plums is not a thoroughly delectable concoction, but its exotic flavor is worth sampling.
  66. Sunshine State
    Sayles is clearly aiming to construct a multilevel character study and sociological portrait, but too often the film lapses into a lecture.
  67. The Eyes of Tammy Faye
    A largely irresistible puff piece.
    • USA Today
  68. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
    Of all unlikely possibilities, the team has finally made a movie that, for them, is on the tepid side.
  69. Climax
    You won’t be able to tear your eyes off the screen, both because of the physically magnetic performances and also because it’s hard to fathom what madness exactly is going on at times.
  70. The Bank Job
    Imagine a blend of "Snatch," "Ocean's 11" and "The Italian Job." Then juxtapose the staples of the caper genre with real events involving national security and high-level corruption, and the result is The Bank Job.
  71. Little Voice
    Engagingly offbeat. [4 December 1998, Life, p.13E]
    • USA Today
  72. Talk to Me
    Talk to Me speaks powerfully to audiences with its potent blend of extraordinary performances and engaging soundtrack.
  73. The Birth of a Nation
    Parker creates a fascinating portrait of Nat Turner as neither hero nor villain. In the end, he’s portrayed as a man faced with tough decisions.
  74. Spider-Man: Far from Home
    Serving as an “Endgame” epilogue, director Jon Watts’ sequel isn’t as tightly focused or effortlessly charming as 2017’s “Homecoming,” yet it continues Holland’s amazing Spidey run and introduces Jake Gyllenhaal in his top-notch first comic-book role.
  75. Patriots Day
    In other hands, Patriots Day could have been a paint-by-the numbers action thriller, but strong performances and well-paced momentum make it an engrossing watch.
  76. Slacker
    Once you're onto its wavelength (it doesn't take long), Linklater's passing parade starts to ring true. [15 Aug. 1991, p. 5D]
    • USA Today
  77. 25th Hour
    Hour not only acknowledges the attacks -- they're a running theme. Lee opens his movie with a shot of the beaming blue spotlights that mark where the twin towers once stood.
  78. The Fault in Our Stars
    The movie is well-written, well-acted, acerbic, funny and wisely observed. Fans of the book will be glad to hear it is faithful to Green's tale.
  79. Welcome to Me
    While Kristen Wiig fully commits to her bizarre, mentally ill character in Welcome to Me, the result still feels more like an extended sketch than a movie.
  80. Europa
    A comic-fantasy nightmare of the wickedest kind. [22 Jul 1992, p.4D
    • USA Today
  81. 21 Jump Street
    The dialogue is fast-paced and full of pop-culture references. It all makes for an entertaining blend of buddy-cop action and irreverent teen-comedy satire.
  82. Redbelt
    It's certainly not Mamet's signature rapid-fire dialogue, but it's an intriguing and engrossing departure.
  83. Fair Game
    More admirable than riveting, Fair Game works best as a portrait of power games at the highest levels.
  84. Falling from Grace
    John Mellencamp's screen debut showcases his acting and directing, then limits his singing to off-camera filler. [05 Mar 1992, p.6D]
    • USA Today
  85. World's Greatest Dad
    A few scenes in World's Greatest Dad may qualify it as the most uncomfortable and unsettling movie to sit through of any this year.
  86. Circle of Friends
    Circle has a wit and warmth that makes something as glibly contemporary as Reality Bites seem trite and toothless. [15 Mar 1995, Pg.06.D]
    • USA Today
  87. The Drop
    Drop is based on Lehane's short story Animal Rescue, and the terrific cast and punchy dialogue make it particularly worth seeing, bringing energy to a deliberately-paced tale that occasionally feels plodding.
  88. The Company Men
    It's simple stuff, but the movie's heart is in the right place.
  89. Chicago 10
    An ambitious and occasionally illuminating hybrid documentary. But a cacophony of sights and sounds and a disjointed narrative dilute the message.
  90. The Wild Thornberrys Movie
    The movie features a musical score aimed more at boomer parents than their tykes.
  91. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
    Bill re-establishes that Tarantino ranks with "Boogie Nights'" Paul Thomas Anderson as one of the few Hollywood filmmakers of the past 25 years with the stuff to win a lifetime achievement award.
  92. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
    Scott Pilgrim, a lovelorn musician, is an appealing fusion of nerdy, cheeky and vulnerable. So, who better to play him than Michael Cera?
  93. A League of Their Own
    However flawed, this film proves two things: Davis is still peaking as a lead, and Hanks is in a league with funny male leads of any movie era. [1 July 1992, p.1D]
    • USA Today
  94. Crazy Love
    Crazy Love is pulp non-fiction.
  95. Starter for 10
    Despite its awkward title, Starter for 10 is a winning coming-of-age tale told with grace and charm.
  96. The Bridges of Madison County
    Richard LaGravenese's flashback script craftily tones down Waller's wind, adds a germane subplot and strengthens the novella's framing device. [02 Jun 1995, p.D1]
    • USA Today
  97. Changing Lanes
    If it's not conventionally speedy, it is almost always gripping.
  98. Monsieur Ibrahim
    The movie has a couple of surprises, including a major plot turn at the end that leads to a memorable resolution somewhere between happy and wistful.
  99. The Harder They Fall
    With a pair of Hollywood gunslingers, a few solid twists and plenty of bullets, The Harder They Fall is a shoot-’em-up to remember.
  100. A Dry White Season
    A Dry White Season, despite transcendent subject matter, is arousing natural moviegoer interest as Marlon Brando's first screen outing in nine years. To his and everyone else's credit, the actor's undiminished magnetism never overwhelms a no-frills drama inspired by the 1976 uprising in Soweto, South Africa. [20 Sept 1989, p.4D]
    • USA Today
Page:

Top Trailers

See all »
See all trailers »