Film Review Archive
Some kids keep diaries. When I was a kid, I wrote reviews — reviews of music, books, and movies. And I never stopped. I eventually wrote film and music reviews for my college newspaper, and I started posting reviews online as soon as I learned how (in the late ’90s). This archive contains reviews dating all the way back to those early endeavors as an amateur online film critic.
I frequently revise my film reviews with new perspectives. My view on any work of art is always evolving. (I hope my writing is improving as well.)
You’re invited to browse a selection of those reviews, which are included here as an alphabetical index, and elsewhere in a chronological flow. Many of my reviews are currently offline because they needed maintenance due to the blog’s many format changes, or because they need revision.
If you’re looking for a review that isn’t listed here, email me at joverstreet@gmail.com.
Also note: This archive includes some guest reviews by friends and colleagues, and some Film Forum reviews which include excerpts from a variety of critics.
- 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
- 12 Years a Slave (2013)
- 13th (2016)
- 127 Hours (2010)
- 1917 (2019)
- 20th Century Women (2016)
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (re-release) (1968)
- 2046 (2004)
- 21 Grams (2003)
- 24 Frames (2018)
- 28 Days Later (2003)
- 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2006)
- 8 1/2 (1963): a Filmwell dialogue
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
- A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- A Brighter Summer Day (1991)
- A Ghost Story (2017)
- A Hidden Life (2019)
- A History of Violence (2005)
- A Mighty Wind (2003)
- A Quiet Passion (2017)
- A Quiet Place II (2021)
- A River Runs Through It (1992)
- A Scanner Darkly (2006)
- A Serious Man (2009)
- A Star is Born (2018)
- A Thousand and One (2023)
- A Very Long Engagement (2004)
- Abigail Harm (2012)
- Adaptation (2002)
- Alien: Resurrection (1997)
- All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
- All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2024)
- All the Pretty Horses (2000)
- Amazing Grace (2019)
- Amistad (1997)
- Amores Perros (2001)
- Amour (2013)
- Anchorman (2004)
- Anger Management (2003)
- Another Year (2010) – reviewed alongside “Win Win”
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Apocalypse Now Redux (2001)
- Apocalypse Now: Final Cut (2019)
- April and the Extraordinary World (2016)
- Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret (2023)
- Argo (2012)
- Army of Shadows (1969)
- Arrival (2016)
- As It Is In Heaven (2014)
- Ash is Purest White (2019)
- Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)
- At the Death House Door (2008): a guest review
- At the Edge of the World (2008): a guest review
- Atanarjuat – The Fast Runner (2001)
- Atlantis: The Lost World (2001)
- Avatar (2009)
- Awake My Soul (2006): reviewed alongside Homemade Hillbilly Jam, We Are Together
- Bacarau (2020)
- Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
- Babel (2006)
- Babette’s Feast (1987), and other food-related films
- Babies (2010)
- Baby Driver (2017)
- Bacarau (2020)
- Barbie (2023): three-part coverage — Part One, Part Two, Part Three
- Batman Begins (2005)
- Battle in Seattle (2007)
- Be Cool (2005)
- Be Kind Rewind (2008)
- Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
- Before Midnight (2013) – An All-Thumbs Review and a Capsule Review
- Before Sunrise (1994)
- Beginners (2010)
- Bella (2007)
- Best in Show (2000)
- Bewitched (2005)
- Birdman (2014)
- Black Panther (2017)
- Black Swan (2010)
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
- Blue Jasmine (2013)
- Blue Like Jazz (2012) – A review published at Filmwell.
- Body of Lies (2008)
- Booksmart (2019)
- Born Into Brothels (2005)
- Bottoms (2023)
- Boyhood (2014) – A three-part review; and a podcast conversation at Christ and Pop Culture.
- Brave (2012)
- Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
- Broken Flowers (2005)
- Brooklyn (2015)
- Buechner (2005)
- Cabrini (2024)
- Calvary (2014)
- Cameraperson (2016)
- Cars 2 (2011)
- Casa de Mi Padre (2012)
- Catwoman (2004)
- Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010) – “Stories from Before We Can Remember, Part One”
- Challengers (2024)
- Certified Copy (2010)
- Chariots of Fire (1981): Part 1, Part 2
- Children of Men (2006)
- Chungking Express (1994)
- Civil War (2024)
- The Clearing (2004)
- Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)
- Closer (2004)
- Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)
- Collateral (2004)
- Compliance (2012) – “Why I Abandoned Compliance“
- Constantine (2005)
- Contagion (2011)
- Conviction (2010)
- Coraline (2009) – “Neil Gaiman’s Girls” (Part One, Part Two)
- Cowboys (2021)
- Crash (2005)
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
- Crimes of the Future (2022)
- Da 5 Bloods (2020)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) – A film forum review
- Days of Heaven (1978): full review; capsule review for Arts & Faith
- Deliver Us From Evil (2014)
- Departures (2008)
- Devi (1960)
- Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
- Distant (2002)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022): some first impressions
- Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
- Dogville (2003)
- Don’t Think Twice (2016)
- Doubt (2008)
- Dreamcatcher (2003)
- Dream Scenario (2023)
- Drive (2011)
- Duma (2005) – guest review
- Dune (2021)
- Dunkirk (2017)
- Eastern Promises (2007)
- El Dorado (2008)
- El Sur (1983)
- Elf (2003)
- Eighth Grade (2018)
- Emergency (2022)
- Enemy at the Gates (2001)
- Evening (2007)
- Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Exodus: Gods and King (2014)
- Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008)
- Extra Ordinary (2020)
- Fast, Cheap and Out of Control (1997)
- Ferrari (2024)
- Fight Club (1999)
- Finding Dory (2016)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Finding Neverland (2004) – guest review
- First Man (2018)
- First Position (2011)
- First Reformed (2018)
- Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
- Flannery (2020)
- Flight (2012)
- Flight of the Red Balloon (2007)
- Ford v Ferrari (2019)
- Foxcatcher (2014)
- Frost/Nixon (2008)
- Galaxy Quest (1999)
- Game Night (2018)
- Get Out (2017)
- Get Shorty (1995)
- Girl Rising (2013)
- Gladiator (2000)
- Gloria (2014)
- God Grew Tired of Us (2007)
- God’s Not Dead (2014) – links to reviews worth reading
- Godzilla Minus One (2023)
- Gomorrah (2009)
- Good Time (2017)
- Gravity (2013)
- Grizzly Man (2005) – guest review
- Grosse Point Blank (1997)
- Hail, Caesar! (2016)
- Hamilton (2020)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
- Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
- Hellboy (2004)
- Her (2013) – Also: guest review
- Her Smell (2019)
- Hero (2002)
- High Fidelity (2002)
- Hit the Road (2022)
- Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015) – guest review
- Holy Motors (2012)
- Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians (2011)
- Homecoming (2019)
- Honeydripper (2008)
- Honeyland (2019)
- House of Flying Daggers (2004)
- How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2023)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
- Hundreds of Beavers (2024)
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
- Hustlers (2019)
- I Am Not a Witch (2018)
- I Don’t Want to Live In This World Anymore (2017) — guest review
- I Heart Huckabees (2004)
- I’m Not There (2007)
- Ida (2014)
- In America (2004)
- In My Country (2005)
- In the Heights (2021)
- Inception (2010) – Part One and Part Two
- Incredibles 2 (2018)
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) – “The Inglourious Dilemma” – Part One and Part Two
- Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
- Inside Out (2015)
- Interstellar (2014)
- Into Great Silence (2005)
- Isle of Dogs (2018)
- Jane Eyre (2011)
- Jindabyne (2007)
- John Carter (2012)
- Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
- Junebug (2005)
- Juno (2007)
- Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
- Killer of Sheep (1977/2007)
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
- King Kong (2006)
- Kinsey (2004) – guest review
- Knife in the Water (1962)
- Knocked Up (2007) – guest reviews
- L’Enfant (2006)
- La Dolce Vita (1960)
- La Vie en Rose (2007)
- Labyrinth (1986)
- Lady Bird (2017) — an audio review
- Lake Tahoe (2009)
- Lassie (2006)
- Last Days in the Desert (2016)
- Leave No Trace (2018)
- Left Behind (2014) – A review roundup and a commentary: “Well-Made Films Won’t Be… Left Behind“
- Les Misérables (2012)
- Let Me In (2010)
- Let the Corpses Tan (2019)
- Let the Right One In (2008)
- Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
- Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
- Life Itself (2014) – First impressions.
- Light from Light (2019)
- Like Someone in Love (2013)
- Lincoln (2012)
- Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
- Little Children (2006)
- Living (2023)
- Longford (2006)
- Lorna’s Silence (2008) – Also: a guest review
- Lourdes (2009)
- Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
- Lucky (2017) — an audio review
- Lucky Life (2010)
- Lucy (2014) – A film forum survey
- Machine Gun Preacher (2011)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Madeline’s Madeline (2018)
- Madison (2005)
- Man on Fire (2004)
- Man on Wire (2008) – A Reflection
- Manchester By the Sea (2016)
- Manderlay (2005)
- Mandy (2019)
- Mank (2020)
- Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022) — original review, plus a short essay at The Rabbit Room;
- March of the Penguins (2005) – A Guest Review by J. Robert Parks
- Margaret – The Extended Cut (2012)
- Margot at the Wedding (2007)
- Martha Marcy May Marlene – “Martha in the Middle”
- Mass (2021)
- Maudie (2017)
- Max (2002)
- May December (2023)
- Meek’s Cutoff (2010)
- Meeting Andrei Tarkovsky (2009) – “Stalking the Master of Stalker” – Part One and Part Two
- Memento (2001)
- Memoria (2022)
- Miami Vice (2006)
- Midnight Special (2016)
- Million Dollar Baby (2004)
- Millions (2004)
- Mine (2009)
- MirrorMask (2005) — “Neil Gaiman’s Girls, Part One, Part Two“
- Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning (2023)
- Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)
- Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)
- Monster (2023)
- Monster’s Ball (2001)
- Monsters University (2013)
- Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
- Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)
- Much Ado About Nothing (2013)
- Mud (2013)
- Munyurnagabo (2007)
- Museum Hours (2013)
- My Father’s Dragon (2022)
- My Kid Could Paint That (2007) – Also: A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield
- My Life as a Zucchini (2017) — an audio review
- My Week with Marilyn (2011) —”An American Starlet in Sir Laurence’s Court”
- Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield
- No Country for Old Men (2007) —Also: A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield
- No End in Sight (2007)
- Noah (2014) — Review: Part One, Part Two; plus, a commentary and notable reviews, and a podcast discussion
- Nomadland (2020)
- No Sudden Move (2021)
- Nothing Compares (2022)
- Ocean’s 8 (2018)
- Of Gods and Men (2010)
- Oldboy (2005)
- Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019): A Guest Review by Damian Arlyn
- Onward (2020)
- Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)
- Oppenheimer (2023)
- Paddington 2 (2018)
- Palm Springs (2020)
- Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
- Paprika (2006)
- Passing (2021)
- Paterson (2016) — First impressions, Full Review
- Pather Panchali (1955)
- Penelope (2006)
- Personal Shopper (2017)
- Pete’s Dragon (2016)
- Peter Pan and Wendy (2023)
- Petite Maman (2022)
- Pig (2021)
- Pina 3D (2011)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Playtime (1967)
- Police, Adjective (2009)
- Priscilla (2023)
- Problemista (2024)
- Promises (2001)
- Prospect (2018)
- Puzzle (2018)
- Quo vadis, Aida? (2021)
- Ragamuffin (2014) – A Guest Review by Martin Stillion.
- Ratatouille (2007)
- Ready Player One (2018)
- Return to Seoul (2023)
- Riddle of Fire (2024)
- Room (2015)
- Rye Lane (2023)
- Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
- Seraphine (2008)
- Serenity (2005) – “Can’t Stop the Signal: Flashback to a Meeting with Joss Whedon and the Firefly Cast“
- Shadow in the Cloud (2021)
- Shaft (2000)
- Shakespeare in Love (1998)
- Shotgun Stories (2008)
- Shrek (2001)
- Shrek 2 (2004)
- Shirley (2020)
- Showing Up (2023)
- Sing Street (2016)
- Sinister (2012)
- Skyfall (2012)
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
- Snowpiercer (2014): First impressions
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Song to Song (2017)
- Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005)
- Spider-man (2002)
- Spider-man 2 (2004)
- Spider-man 3 (2007)
- Spider-man: Homecoming (2017) — also, an introductory post about why Spider-man is important for me
- Stalker (1979)
- Star Trek Beyond (2016)
- Star Wars, Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- Star Wars Visions — Season Two (2023)
- Stardust (2007)
- Still Life (2006)
- Still Walking (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield
- Stone (2010)
- Stories We Tell (2013)
- Strange Negotiations (2019)
- Synechdoche New York (2008) – A Conversation with Charlie Kaufman About the Film
- Summer Hours (2008)
- Superman Returns (2006) – Plus… A Guest Review by Greg Wright
- Tár
- Tenet (2020)
- Terminator Salvation (2009)
- The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
- The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011)
- The Artist (2011)
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
- The Avengers (2012)
- The Balcony Movie (2023)
- The Beguiled (2017)
- The BFG (2016)
- The Big Short (2015)
- The Bling Ring (2020)
- The Bourne Identity (2002)
- The Bourne Legacy (2012)
- The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
- The Breadwinner (2017) — A review and a follow-up post.
- The Brothers Grimm (2005)
- The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) – A review in Christianity Today, and a review in Response
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
- The Class (2009) – Reviewed alongside To Be and To Have (2002)
- The Clearing (2004)
- The Counselor (2013)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
- The Courier (2021)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- The Departed (2006)
- The Dish (2000)
- The Duke (2022)
- The Edukators (2004) – A Guest Review by J. Robert Parks
- The Eight Mountains (2023)
- The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
- The End of the Affair (1999)
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005): a review and an interview with Scott Derrickson
- The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele de Blanc-Sec (2010/2013)
- The Fall Guy (2024)
- The Farewell (2019)
- The Fighter (2010)
- The Fits (2016)
- The Five Obstructions (2003)
- The Fountain (2006)
- The French Dispatch (2021): some first impressions
- The Girlfriend Experience (2009) — (also mentioned in “More Nightmares Before Christmas” at Image)
- The Gleaners and I (2000) – “A Fortune Right in Front of Me”
- The Golden Compass (2007)
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – and some second impressions
- The Great Beauty (2013)
- The Great Gatsby (2013)
- The Green Mile (1999)
- The Immigrant (2014)
- The Hate U Give (2018)
- The Hobbit (1976)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Holdovers (2023)
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- The Innocents (2016)
- The Insider (1999)
- The Island (Ostrov) (2006)
- The Jungle Book (2016)
- The Kid With a Bike (2011)
- The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
- The King’s Speech (2010)
- The Ladykillers (2004)
- The LEGO Movie (2014)
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
- The Limits of Control (2009) – “Jarmusch 101” – Part One, Part Two
- The Little Prince (2016)
- The Lives of Others (2006)
- The Loneliest Planet (2011)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2019)
- The Master (2012) – “A Long Post-Viewing Conversation“, “Wrestling The Master“
- The Matrix (1999)
- The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
- The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
- The Muppet Movie (1989) – “Something That I’m Supposed to Be” – Part One, Part Two
- The Muppets (2011)
- The New World (2005) – Reviews of the theatrical release and the “extended cut” video release
- The Northman (2022)
- The Passion of the Christ (2004) – Also: A Letter to Christians About Mel Gibson’s Movie; a 10-year anniversary reflection
- The Polar Express (2004)
- The Post (2017)
- The Proposition (2006)
- The Quarry (2020)
- The Quiet Girl (2023)
- The Reaping (2007)
- The Return (2004)
- The Revenant (2015)
- The Rider (2018)
- The Road (2009): “A Harrowing Journey But Meaningful“, and “More Nightmares Before Christmas”
- The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
- The Secret of Kells (2010) – A review in Christianity Today; “Revealing the Secret of Kells: A Conversation with Steven D. Greydanus“; and a podcast interview with Dr. Christine Chaney and Dr. Brian Bantum
- The Secret of the Grain (2007)
- The Social Network (2010)
- The Son (2004)
- The Song of Sparrows (2008)
- The Spectacular Now (2013)
- The Station Agent (2003)
- Sully (2016)
- The Tale of Despereaux (2008)
- The Taste of Tea (2004)
- The Terminal (2004)
- The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)
- The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
- The Tree of Life (2011)
- The Truffle Hunters (2020)
- The Unknown Country (2023)
- The Unknown Girl (2017)
- The Vast of Night (2020)
- The Way, Way Back (2013)
- The Wind Will Carry Us (1999)
- The Wings of the Dove (1997)
- The Witch (2016)
- The Wolfman (2009)
- The Wonder (2022)
- The World’s End (2013)
- Their Finest (2017)
- There Will Be Blood (2007)
- They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
- They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
- This is Martin Bonner (2013) – Plus… an interview with director Chad Hartigan
- Three Colors: Blue, White, and Red (1993) — Also, information on my major essay on Blue, published in an anthology of film essays.
- Three Identical Strangers (2018)
- THX 1138 – The Director’s Cut (2004)
- Timbuktu (2015)
- Times and Winds (2006)
- Titane (2021)
- To Be and To Have (2002) – Reviewed alongside The Class (2009)
- To the Wonder (2012)
- Together Together (2021)
- Tokyo Story (1953)
- Top Gun (1986) – some 2022 reflections
- Top Gun: Maverick (2022): a two-part review (Part One, Part Two)
- Toy Story 3 (2010)
- Toy Story 4 (2019): a three-part review (Part One, Part Two, Part Three)
- Troy (2004)
- True Grit (2010)
- Tsotsi (2005)
- Twelve Years a Slave (2013)
- Two Brothers (2004)
- Two Lovers (2009)
- Uncle Boonmee Who Can Remember His Past Lives (2010) – “Stories from Before We Can Remember, Part Two”
- Under the Skin (2014)
- Unwanted Witness (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield
- Up (2009)
- Up in the Air (2009) – “More Nightmares Before Christmas”
- Up the Yangtze (2007)
- Vagabond (1985)
- Vertigo (1958)
- Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
- Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen (2010)
- WALL·E (2008) – A Review and a Conversation with Andrew Stanton
- Waitress (2007)
- Walk the Line (2005)
- War Horse (2011) – “A War Story for Everyone”
- War of the Worlds (2005)
- Waste Land (2010)
- Watership Down (1978)
- Wendy and Lucy (2008) – A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield
- Whale Rider (2002)
- Where the Game Stands Tall (2014) – A film forum survey
- Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
- Widows (2018)
- Wild Rose (2019)
- Win Win (2011) – “Pillars of the Community”
- Wings of Desire (1987)
- Winter’s Bone (2010)
- Wonder Boys (2000)
- Wonder Woman (2017) — and a podcast conversation that includes reflections on Wonder Woman
- Won’t You Be My Neighbor (2018)
- Wrath of Man (2021)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- Yes God Yes (2020)
- Yi Yi (2000)
- You Can Count On Me (2000)
- Zodiac (2007)
- Zoolander (2001)
- Zoolander 2 (2016)