Robert Pattinson on the Twilight series press circuits would occasionally mock the movies he was out there supposedly promoting, suggesting two things: (1) maybe this new on the scene IT boy was actually a genuine person, and (2) he had made enough money by New Moon to never work in this town again. Many young actors’ careers have been crushed under the weight of the very things that made them famous. And unemployment post-Twilight was a very real threat for Pattinson: Would he only be remembered as that pasty sparkling vegetarian vampire?
As Twilight wound down, Pattinson threw himself before the arthouse gods, who guided him to challenging directors like David Cronenberg (Cosmopolis, Maps to the Stars), Anton Corbijn (Life), Werner Herzog (Queen of the Desert), and David Michôd (The Rover). And though none of those movies represented their respective director’s best work, and in the case of Herzog it was actually his worst, they showcased Pattinson as a dedicated performer and, especially in dystopian western The Rover, a sometimes unpredictable and savage one.
And then in 2017 he put out Good Time, just to show you sometimes all you need is that one movie to turn your image around. As with the Safdie brothers’ later Uncut Gems, Good Time assaults the senses while building a central emphatic and engaging character defined by constant frantic action. Pattinson came out as the indie hero of that year, and having James Gray’s The Lost City of Z release around the same time didn’t hurt, either. A strong 2019 continued that trend with Claire Denis’ High Life and Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse.
His latest film was Netflix thriller The Devil All the Time, opposite Tom Holland. And currently a dark night falls upon Pattinson’s career as he takes on the mantle of Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Take a look at all Robert Pattinson movies, ranked by Tomatometer! —Alex Vo
Critics Consensus: A visual treat filled out by consistently stellar work from Robert Pattinson, Good Time is a singularly distinctive crime drama offering far more than the usual genre thrills.
Synopsis: A bank robber stops at nothing to free his brother from prison, launching himself into a nightlong odyssey through New... [More]
Critics Consensus: A gripping story brilliantly filmed and led by a pair of powerhouse performances, The Lighthouse further establishes Robert Eggers as a filmmaker of exceptional talent.
Synopsis: Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Childhood of a Leader mirrors the rise of fascism in post-WWI Europe with a well-acted, confidently crafted look at one young man's unsettling coming of age.
Synopsis: The childhood of a post-World War I leader.... [More]
Critics Consensus: The main characters are maturing, and the filmmakers are likewise improving on their craft; vibrant special effects and assured performances add up to what is the most complex yet of the Harry Potter films.
Synopsis: The fourth movie in the Harry Potter franchise sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) returning for his fourth year at Hogwarts School... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Lost City of Z's stately pace and visual grandeur hearken back to classic exploration epics, and Charlie Hunnam turns in a masterful performance as its complex protagonist.
Synopsis: At the dawn of the 20th century, British explorer Percy Fawcett journeys into the Amazon, where he discovers evidence of... [More]
Critics Consensus: A grim, gritty, and gripping super-noir, The Batman ranks among the Dark Knight's bleakest -- and most thrillingly ambitious -- live-action outings.
Synopsis: Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence... [More]
Critics Consensus:High Life is as visually arresting as it is challenging, confounding, and ultimately rewarding - which is to say it's everything film fans expect from director Claire Denis.
Synopsis: Monte and his baby daughter are the last survivors of a damned and dangerous mission to the outer reaches of... [More]
Critics Consensus: The beautifully filmed Damsel injects the western genre with a welcome dose of humor and some unexpected twists, although its stately pace may frustrate impatient viewers.
Synopsis: Samuel Alabaster, an affluent pioneer, ventures across the American frontier to marry the love of his life, Penelope. As his... [More]
Critics Consensus: Fueled by engaging performances from Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, the tension-filled The Rover overcomes its narrative faults through sheer watchability.
Synopsis: In the near future, mankind's greed and excesses have pushed civilization to the breaking point. Society is in decline, and... [More]
Critics Consensus: Though some may find it cold and didactic, Cosmopolis benefits from David Cronenberg's precise direction, resulting in a psychologically complex adaptation of Don DeLillo's novel.
Synopsis: A 28-year-old billionaire (Robert Pattinson) senses his empire collapsing around him as he takes a limo ride across Manhattan to... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Devil All the Time's descent into darkness can be harrowing to the point of punishment, but it's offset by strong work from a stellar cast.
Synopsis: A young man is devoted to protecting his loved ones in a town full of corruption and sinister characters.... [More]
Critics Consensus:Life may frustrate viewers seeking a James Dean biopic with its subject's intensity, but it remains a diverting, well-acted effort assembled with admirable craft and ambition.
Synopsis: In 1955, young photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson) develops a close bond with actor James Dean (Dane DeHaan) while shooting... [More]
Critics Consensus: Narratively unwieldy and tonally jumbled, Maps to the Stars still has enough bite to satisfy David Cronenberg fans in need of a coolly acidic fix.
Synopsis: Driven by an intense need for fame and validation, members of a dysfunctional Hollywood dynasty have lives as dramatic as... [More]
Critics Consensus: It's a tale tastefully told and beautifully filmed, but Water for Elephants suffers from a pronounced lack of chemistry between its leads.
Synopsis: Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson), a veterinary student, is close to graduating when a terrible tragedy forces him to leave school.... [More]
Critics Consensus: Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated.
Synopsis: High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she... [More]
Critics Consensus: It's the most entertaining Twilight, but that's not enough to make Breaking Dawn Part 2 worth watching for filmgoers who don't already count themselves among the franchise converts.
Synopsis: Bella (Kristen Stewart) awakes -- as a vampire -- from her life-threatening labor, and her newborn daughter, Renesmee, proves to... [More]
Critics Consensus: Stuffed with characters and overly reliant on uninspired dialogue, Eclipse won't win The Twilight Saga many new converts, despite an improved blend of romance and action fantasy.
Synopsis: Danger once again surrounds Bella (Kristen Stewart), as a string of mysterious killings terrorizes Seattle and a malicious vampire continues... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Twilight Saga's second installment may satisfy hardcore fans of the series, but outsiders are likely to be turned off by its slow pace, relentlessly downcast tone, and excessive length.
Synopsis: After the abrupt departure of Edward (Robert Pattinson), her vampire love, Bella (Kristen Stewart) finds comfort in her deepening friendship... [More]
Critics Consensus: Its leads are likeable, but Remember Me suffers from an overly maudlin script and a borderline offensive final twist.
Synopsis: Tyler (Robert Pattinson) has had a strained relationship with his father (Pierce Brosnan) since a family tragedy. Rebellious and troubled,... [More]
Critics Consensus:Bel Ami contains some soapy pleasures but it overall rushes through the narrative and suffers from a vague central performance by Robert Pattinson.
Synopsis: A morally bankrupt schemer (Robert Pattinson) rises to the upper echelons of Parisian society by seducing a series of powerful... [More]
Critics Consensus: Slow, joyless, and loaded with unintentionally humorous moments, Breaking Dawn Part 1 may satisfy the Twilight faithful, but it's strictly for fans of the franchise.
Synopsis: At last, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) are getting married. When Jacob (Taylor Lautner) finds out that Bella... [More]
Critics Consensus:Queen of the Desert unites some undeniably talented professionals, but it's difficult to discern what drew them together -- or understand how its compelling real-life story became such a muddled mess.
Synopsis: Gertrude Bell's life as an explorer, cartographer, and archaeologist for the British Empire.... [More]
Anna Kendrick’s first film was 2003’s Camp, a musical set at a camp for performing artists in upstate New York, a fitting extension of Kendrick’s childhood start in theater around her birthplace of Portland, Maine. The first of many Certified Fresh awards came with her next movie, Rocket Science; being cast as Jessica in the Twilight franchise meant Kendrick would have a high-profile job waiting for her for years to come.
Her career would soon become defined by steady versatility, appearing in a wide range of films like End of Watch, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, and Cake. Kendrick is particularly adept in comedy hybrids, as seen in in The Voices, A Simple Favor, 50/50, and Up in the Air, the last of which garnered her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nom. Meanwhile, she’s been one of the 2010s most reliable musical stars – just look at Into the Woods, Trolls and, of course, the Pitch Perfect series.
Her latest films were Stowaway and the Trolls sequel, World Tour. And now, we’re ranking all Anna Kendrick movies by Tomatometer!
Critics Consensus: Inauthentic and unfunny, Get a Job is paltry to the point that its long-delayed release feels purely the result of its wasted cast having been promoted to greater fame all these years later.
Synopsis: A young man (Miles Teller) and his girlfriend (Anna Kendrick) struggle to find desirable employment after graduating from college.... [More]
Synopsis: A limousine driver (Jason Schwartzman) who once starred in high-school musicals hopes to cut an album, despite constant reminders of... [More]
Critics Consensus: The cast is stocked with likable performers, but What to Expect When You're Expecting is too disjointed -- and too reliant on stock rom-com cliches -- to live up to its distinguished literary namesake.
Synopsis: Challenges of impending parenthood turn the lives of five couples upside down. Two celebrities are unprepared for the surprise demands... [More]
Critics Consensus:Table 19 is marginally more entertaining than actually sitting with a table full of strangers at a wedding -- although most screenings won't come with an open bar, which makes it a wash.
Synopsis: Ex-maid of honor Eloise - having been relieved of her duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via... [More]
Critics Consensus: Slow, joyless, and loaded with unintentionally humorous moments, Breaking Dawn Part 1 may satisfy the Twilight faithful, but it's strictly for fans of the franchise.
Synopsis: At last, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) are getting married. When Jacob (Taylor Lautner) finds out that Bella... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Twilight Saga's second installment may satisfy hardcore fans of the series, but outsiders are likely to be turned off by its slow pace, relentlessly downcast tone, and excessive length.
Synopsis: After the abrupt departure of Edward (Robert Pattinson), her vampire love, Bella (Kristen Stewart) finds comfort in her deepening friendship... [More]
Critics Consensus:Pitch Perfect 3 strains to recapture the magic that helped the original spawn a franchise, but ends up sending this increasingly unnecessary trilogy out on a low note.
Synopsis: After the highs of winning the world championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren't job prospects... [More]
Critics Consensus:Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates benefits from the screwball premise and the efforts of a game cast, even if the sporadically hilarious results don't quite live up to either.
Synopsis: Mike and Dave Stangle are young, adventurous, fun-loving brothers who tend to get out of control at family gatherings. When... [More]
Critics Consensus: Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick work well together, but Mr. Right is too much of a tonal jumble to take advantage of their chemistry.
Synopsis: A woman (Anna Kendrick) comes to a crossroad when she finds out that her new beau (Sam Rockwell) is a... [More]
Critics Consensus: In spite of Aubrey Plaza's committed performance, Life After Beth remains a sketch-worthy idea that's been uncomfortably stretched to feature length.
Synopsis: A guy (Dane DeHaan) discovers that his girlfriend (Aubrey Plaza) has returned from the dead, but his joy turns to... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Hollars gathers an impressive assortment of talented stars; unfortunately, it's all in service of a story that's been played out more effectively in countless other indie dramedies.
Synopsis: A man (John Krasinski) returns home to his dysfunctional family after learning that his mother (Margo Martindale) has a brain... [More]
Critics Consensus:Cake finds Jennifer Aniston making the most of an overdue opportunity to test her dramatic chops, but it lacks sufficient depth or warmth to recommend for all but her most ardent fans.
Synopsis: After having visions of a member of her support group who killed herself, a woman (Jennifer Aniston) who also suffers... [More]
Critics Consensus: Stuffed with characters and overly reliant on uninspired dialogue, Eclipse won't win The Twilight Saga many new converts, despite an improved blend of romance and action fantasy.
Synopsis: Danger once again surrounds Bella (Kristen Stewart), as a string of mysterious killings terrorizes Seattle and a malicious vampire continues... [More]
Critics Consensus: Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated.
Synopsis: High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Accountant writes off a committed performance from Ben Affleck, leaving viewers with a scattershot action thriller beset by an array of ill-advised deductions.
Synopsis: Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a mathematics savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Using a small-town CPA office... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Company You Keep is a (frustratingly) slow-burning thriller about very contemporary issues.
Synopsis: Decades after an ill-fated robbery, a former member (Susan Sarandon) of the Weather Underground turns herself in to authorities. While... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Last Five Years hits a few awkward notes in its transition from stage to screen, but its freshness and sincere charm -- and well-matched stars -- offer their own rewards.
Synopsis: In New York, a struggling actress (Anna Kendrick) and a successful writer (Jeremy Jordan) sing about their failed marriage from... [More]
Critics Consensus: Absurd yet anchored in knotty real-world themes, The Day Shall Come adds another bleakly funny satire to director/co-writer Christopher Morris' filmography.
Synopsis: An impoverished preacher who brings hope to the Miami projects is offered cash to save his family from eviction. He... [More]
Critics Consensus:Digging for Fire finds director/co-writer Joe Swanberg working from a familiar palette, but in ways that suggest he's taking new and exciting strides as a filmmaker.
Synopsis: A house sitter (Jake Johnson) becomes an amateur sleuth after finding a bone and a gun on the property.... [More]
Critics Consensus: Campy comedy that squeaks by on its charms.
Synopsis: At Camp Ovation, kids of all ages spend their summer expressing themselves through dance, music and theater. Vlad (Daniel Letterle)... [More]
Critics Consensus: A fun follow-up for fans of the original, Trolls World Tour offers a second helping of colorful animation, infectious energy, and sing-along songs.
Synopsis: Poppy and Branch discover that there are six different troll tribes scattered over six different lands. Each tribe is also... [More]
Critics Consensus: On the whole, this Disney adaptation of the Sondheim classic sits comfortably at the corner of Hollywood and Broadway -- even if it darkens to its detriment in the final act.
Synopsis: As the result of the curse of a once-beautiful witch (Meryl Streep), a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Voices gives Ryan Reynolds an opportunity to deliver a highlight-reel performance -- and offers an off-kilter treat for fans of black comedies.
Synopsis: A mentally unhinged factory worker (Ryan Reynolds) must decide whether to listen to his talking cat and become a killer,... [More]
Critics Consensus:Trolls brings its instantly recognizable characters to the big screen in a colorful adventure that, while geared toward the younger set, isn't without rewards for parents.
Synopsis: After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy (Anna Kendrick), the happiest Troll ever born, and the overly-cautious, curmudgeonly Branch (Justin... [More]
Critics Consensus: Intelligent, well-acted, and satisfyingly low-key, Happy Christmas marks another step in prolific filmmaker Joe Swanberg's creative evolution.
Synopsis: An immature party girl (Anna Kendrick) moves in with her brother's family to get over a breakup and throws their... [More]
Critics Consensus: Pacing problems prevent Stowaway from fully engaging, but it's distinguished by its thoughtful, well-acted approach to a story built on an excruciating moral dilemma.
Synopsis: A three-person crew on a mission to Mars faces an impossible choice when an unplanned passenger jeopardizes the lives of... [More]
Critics Consensus: Though Rocket Science appears to be a typically quirky indie, the well-rounded performances and director Jeffrey Blitz's clear affection for his characters gives the film its proper human spark.
Synopsis: High-school student Hal Hefner's (Reece Daniel Thompson) life is falling down around him. His parents have split, his brother picks... [More]
Critics Consensus: Smart, funny, and powered by fine performances from Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson, Drinking Buddies offers a bittersweet slice of observational comedy.
Synopsis: Although they're both dating other people, two co-workers (Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson) hang out together in bars and try to... [More]
Critics Consensus: Twisty, twisted, and above all simply fun, A Simple Favor casts a stylish mommy noir spell strengthened by potent performances from Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.
Synopsis: Stephanie is a widowed, single mother who works as a vlogger in Connecticut. Her best friend, Emily, seems to have... [More]
Critics Consensus:End of Watch has the energy, devotion to characters, and charismatic performances to overcome the familiar pitfalls of its genre and handheld format.
Synopsis: Longtime LAPD partners and friends, Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña) patrol one of the most dangerous... [More]
Critics Consensus: Beautifully animated and solidly scripted, ParaNorman will entertain (and frighten) older children while providing surprisingly thoughtful fare for their parents.
Synopsis: Young Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) has the ability to speak with the dead -- and he often prefers their company... [More]
Critics Consensus: Led by charismatic performances by its three leads, director Jason Reitman delivers a smart blend of humor and emotion with just enough edge for mainstream audiences.
Synopsis: An idea from a young, new co-worker (Anna Kendrick) would put an end to the constant travel of corporate downsizer... [More]
Before she became ambassador for vegetarian vampire-and-werewolf relations in the late 2000s, Kristen Stewart had already built a steady career transitioning from child actor roles and into young adulthood. First, she starred in David Fincher’s efficient potboiler Panic Room, then went into space with with Jumanji cinematic universe-adjacent Zathura (directed by pre-Iron Man Jon Faverau), and helped guide a wayward traveler in Into the Wild.
Of course, that all seems like pre-history in the wake of Twilight, the romantic fantasy phenomenon that would make unlikely tabloid stars out of Stewart and Robert Pattinson for years to come. Five Twilight movies released annually for a half-decade, and whatever the benefits of becoming household names through them, there was also the very real threat of a post-career forever in the shadow of the vampire.
Stewart responded, much like Pattinson, by going indie, as she racked up impressive performances in the likes of Still Alice, Personal Shopper, Clouds of Sils Maria, and Certain Women, working with big arthouse names like Olivier Assayas and Kelly Reichardt. She also completed her unofficial “Co-Starring Jesse Eisenberg” trilogy that started with Adventureland, following through with American Ultra and Cafe Society.
Even Stewart’s approach towards mainstream filmmaking come packaged with feminist or revisionist touches, like Charlie’s Angels or Snow White and the Huntsman. She took a dive in Underwater, and ended 2020 on a Happiest Season. And now we’re ranking all her movies by Tomatometer!
Critics Consensus: An unimaginative heist movie aimed strictly at the preteen set.
Synopsis: Athletic 12-year-old Maddy (Kristen Stewart) shares an enthusiasm for mountain climbing with her father, Tom (Sam Robards). Unfortunately, Tom suffers... [More]
Critics Consensus: Featuring uninvolving characters and loose narrative, Jumper is an erratic action pic with little coherence and lackluster special effects.
Synopsis: Aimless David Rice (Hayden Christensen) has the ability to instantly transport himself to any place he can imagine. He uses... [More]
Critics Consensus:Fierce People's premise of a teenager studying rich people like animals is grating and self-satisfied, and Anton Yelchin's smug performance makes the film even harder to agree with.
Synopsis: Finn (Anton Yelchin) is a teenager trying to escape his drug-addicted mother (Diane Lane) by going to study tribal people.... [More]
Critics Consensus:Anesthesia's incredible cast is wasted on a sloppily-assembled drama whose grand ambitions are undermined by a flawed screenplay.
Synopsis: The lives of a self-destructive student (Kristen Stewart), a hard-drinking housewife (Gretchen Mol) and an impoverished junkie (K. Todd Freeman)... [More]
Critics Consensus: Slow, joyless, and loaded with unintentionally humorous moments, Breaking Dawn Part 1 may satisfy the Twilight faithful, but it's strictly for fans of the franchise.
Synopsis: At last, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) are getting married. When Jacob (Taylor Lautner) finds out that Bella... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Twilight Saga's second installment may satisfy hardcore fans of the series, but outsiders are likely to be turned off by its slow pace, relentlessly downcast tone, and excessive length.
Synopsis: After the abrupt departure of Edward (Robert Pattinson), her vampire love, Bella (Kristen Stewart) finds comfort in her deepening friendship... [More]
Critics Consensus:Equals is a treat for the eyes, but its futuristic aesthetic isn't enough to make up for its plodding pace and aimlessly derivative story.
Synopsis: Nia (Kristen Stewart) and Silas work together in a futuristic society known as the Collective. A seemingly utopian world, the... [More]
Critics Consensus:Seberg's frustratingly superficial treatment of a fascinating true story does a disservice to its subject -- and Kristen Stewart's performance in the central role.
Synopsis: In the late 1960s, French new wave actress and "Breathless" star Jean Seberg becomes the target of the FBI due... [More]
Critics Consensus:American Ultra has some interesting ideas, but like its stoned protagonist, it's too easily distracted to live up to its true potential.
Synopsis: Small-town stoner Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) spends most of his time getting high and writing a graphic novel. What Mike... [More]
Critics Consensus:Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk has noble goals, but lacks a strong enough screenplay to achieve them -- and its visual innovations are often merely distracting.
Synopsis: Nineteen-year-old private Billy Lynn (Joe Alwyn), along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing... [More]
Critics Consensus: Beautiful to look at but a bit too respectfully crafted, On the Road doesn't capture the energy and inspiration of Jack Kerouac's novel.
Synopsis: An aspiring writer (Sam Riley), his new friend (Garrett Hedlund) and his friend's seductive wife (Kristen Stewart) heed the call... [More]
Critics Consensus: Stuffed with characters and overly reliant on uninspired dialogue, Eclipse won't win The Twilight Saga many new converts, despite an improved blend of romance and action fantasy.
Synopsis: Danger once again surrounds Bella (Kristen Stewart), as a string of mysterious killings terrorizes Seattle and a malicious vampire continues... [More]
Critics Consensus: Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated.
Synopsis: High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she... [More]
Critics Consensus: It's the most entertaining Twilight, but that's not enough to make Breaking Dawn Part 2 worth watching for filmgoers who don't already count themselves among the franchise converts.
Synopsis: Bella (Kristen Stewart) awakes -- as a vampire -- from her life-threatening labor, and her newborn daughter, Renesmee, proves to... [More]
Critics Consensus: While it offers an appropriately dark take on the fairy tale that inspired it, Snow White and the Huntsman is undone by uneven acting, problematic pacing, and a confused script.
Synopsis: Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron), who seized control of her kingdom by marrying and killing its rightful ruler, needs the life... [More]
Critics Consensus:Underwater's strong cast and stylish direction aren't enough to distract from the strong sense of déjà vu provoked by this claustrophobic thriller's derivative story.
Synopsis: Disaster strikes more than six miles below the ocean surface when water crashes through the walls of a drilling station.... [More]
Critics Consensus: Earnest and energetic, if a bit uneven, Elizabeth Banks's pulpy Charlie's Angels adds new flair to the franchise with fun performances from its three leads.
Synopsis: Elena Houghlin is a scientist, engineer and inventor of Calisto -- a sustainable energy source that will revolutionize the way... [More]
Critics Consensus: Despite earnest performances, Welcome to the Rileys cannot escape its belabored over-sentimentality and sluggish delivery.
Synopsis: Seeking refuge from his grief and crumbling marriage, a salesman (James Gandolfini) becomes a surrogate father to an underage stripper... [More]
Critics Consensus:Undertow's gently fantastical elements are balanced by fully realized characters and a story with genuine, steadily accumulating emotional weight.
Synopsis: After his wife dies, John Munn (Dermot Mulroney) moves with his sons Chris (Jamie Bell) and Tim (Devon Alan) to... [More]
Critics Consensus: While it may leave some viewers wishing for a more in-depth exploration of its story and themes, J.T. Leroy offers a diverting dramatization of incredible real-life events.
Synopsis: A young woman named Savannah Knoop spends six years pretending to be the celebrated author JT LeRoy, the made-up literary... [More]
Critics Consensus: Though light on theme and craftsmanship, The Cake Eaters relies on fine performances and brisk direction to provide an affecting tale of small-town life.
Synopsis: The death of the Kimbrough family matriarch affects the three male survivors of the clan. Widower Easy (Bruce Dern) tries... [More]
Critics Consensus: Small and intimate -- occasionally to a fault -- The Yellow Handkerchief rises above its overly familiar ingredients thanks to riveting performances from William Hurt and Kristen Stewart.
Synopsis: Former con man Brett Hanson (William Hurt) is imprisoned for six years before finally being released on parole. Now he... [More]
Critics Consensus:Lizzie forces audiences to take a new look at a widely known true-crime story -- even if the well-acted end result is never quite as gripping as it could be.
Synopsis: In 1892 Lizzie Borden lives a quiet life in Massachusetts under the strict rules established by her father. Lizzie finds... [More]
Critics Consensus: Viewers expecting an in-depth biopic will be disappointed, but The Runaways is as electric as the band's music, largely thanks to strong performances from Michael Shannon, Dakota Fanning, and Kristen Stewart.
Synopsis: Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the... [More]
Critics Consensus:Café Society's lovely visuals and charming performances round out a lightweight late-period Allen comedy whose genuine pleasures offset its amiable predictability.
Synopsis: Looking for an exciting career, young Bobby Dorfman leaves New York for the glitz and glamour of 1930s Hollywood. After... [More]
Critics Consensus:Camp X-Ray's treatment of its subject verges on the shallow, but benefits greatly from a pair of impressive performances from Kristen Stewart and Peyman Moaadi.
Synopsis: A female guard (Kristen Stewart) at Guantanamo Bay forms an unlikely friendship with one of the facility's longtime detainees.... [More]
Critics Consensus: Elevated by David Fincher's directorial talent and Jodie Foster's performance, Panic Room is a well-crafted, above-average thriller.
Synopsis: Trapped in their New York brownstone's panic room, a hidden chamber built as a sanctuary in the event of break-ins,... [More]
Critics Consensus:Personal Shopper attempts a tricky series of potentially jarring tonal shifts with varying results, bolstered by a performance from Kristen Stewart that's impossible to ignore.
Synopsis: A young American in Paris works as a personal shopper for a celebrity. She seems to have the ability to... [More]
Critics Consensus: With his sturdy cast and confident direction, Sean Penn has turned a complex work of non-fiction like Into the Wild into an accessible and poignant character study.
Synopsis: Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), son of wealthy parents (Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt), graduates from Emory University as a top... [More]
Critics Consensus: Elevated by a gripping performance from Julianne Moore, Still Alice is a heartfelt drama that honors its delicate themes with bravery and sensitivity.
Synopsis: Dr. Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) is a renowned linguistics professor at Columbia University. When words begin to escape her and... [More]
Critics Consensus: Full of humor and nostalgia, Adventureland is a sweet, insightful coming-of-age comedy that will resonate with teens and adults alike.
Synopsis: It's the summer of 1987, and recent college grad James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) can't wait to begin his long-anticipated dream... [More]
Critics Consensus: Bolstered by a trio of powerful performances from its talented leads, Clouds of Sils Maria is an absorbing, richly detailed drama with impressive depth and intelligence.
Synopsis: A veteran actress (Juliette Binoche) comes face-to-face with an uncomfortable reflection of herself when she agrees to take part in... [More]
Critics Consensus:Certain Women further demonstrates writer-director Kelly Reichardt's gift for telling the stories of ordinary people with uncommon empathy and skill.
Synopsis: Three strong-willed women (Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Michelle Williams) strive to forge their own paths amidst the wide-open plains of... [More]
If you’re getting ready to experience the seductive, suspenseful love story of Bella and Edward for the first time, here’s how you can watch all Twilight movies in order. 2008’s original Twilight introduces us to teenager Bella (Kristen Stewart) and her attraction to Edward (Robert Pattinson), a vampire-among-us. New Moon makes it a triangle with the arrival of Jacob (Taylor Lautner), he of a rival werewolf pack. The real battle begins in Eclipse, come to a bed-smashing head in the two-part Breaking Dawn. See below for our guide on how to watch all Twilight movies in order.
Critics Consensus: Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated.
Synopsis: High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Twilight Saga's second installment may satisfy hardcore fans of the series, but outsiders are likely to be turned off by its slow pace, relentlessly downcast tone, and excessive length.
Synopsis: After the abrupt departure of Edward (Robert Pattinson), her vampire love, Bella (Kristen Stewart) finds comfort in her deepening friendship... [More]
Critics Consensus: Stuffed with characters and overly reliant on uninspired dialogue, Eclipse won't win The Twilight Saga many new converts, despite an improved blend of romance and action fantasy.
Synopsis: Danger once again surrounds Bella (Kristen Stewart), as a string of mysterious killings terrorizes Seattle and a malicious vampire continues... [More]
Critics Consensus: Slow, joyless, and loaded with unintentionally humorous moments, Breaking Dawn Part 1 may satisfy the Twilight faithful, but it's strictly for fans of the franchise.
Synopsis: At last, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) are getting married. When Jacob (Taylor Lautner) finds out that Bella... [More]
Critics Consensus: It's the most entertaining Twilight, but that's not enough to make Breaking Dawn Part 2 worth watching for filmgoers who don't already count themselves among the franchise converts.
Synopsis: Bella (Kristen Stewart) awakes -- as a vampire -- from her life-threatening labor, and her newborn daughter, Renesmee, proves to... [More]
(Photo by Magnolia Pictures, New Line Cinema, Sony Pictures Classics, Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection)
The 30 Essential Vampire Movies To Watch Right Now
Werewolves, mummies, and cobbled-together lab freaks have been around since the earliest decades of film, but no monster was perhaps more camera-ready than the vampire. Those counts and lords who love to mug and menace for the camera, mesmerize with their fancy capes, and whose pale skin glows in the luminous flicker of old film cameras. So no surprise that some of the best vampire movies back then are some of the best vampires now, like Dracula, Nosferatu, and Vampyr, even as they approach their centennial anniversaries. That’s the bar that’s been set for our guide to the essential and best vampire movies, and still we found plenty worthy to follow in their fang-steps.
Across legend, we know vampires for their allure and seductive properties. (Or at least, just their property — who wouldn’t be charmed by a 600-bedroom castle?) The sex appeal of the vampires has especially been played up in movies since the ’80s: As the sexy suburban neighbor (Fright Night), the upper-strata socialites (The Hunger), and a smoulderer’s row of hot guys (Interview with the Vampire) and leather jacket rebels (The Lost Boys).
Or if you just want some action, see From Dusk ‘Til Dawn, Daybreakers, Underworld, and 30 Days of Night.
So, looking for something to watch on your next open-coffin-and-chill night? Then go to bat with our 30 Essential Vampire Movies!
Synopsis: During a visit to Transylvania, an African prince (William Marshall) gets turned into a vampire by Count Dracula (Charles McCauley).... [More]
Critics Consensus: Though it arrives during an unfortunate glut of vampire movies, Daybreakers offers enough dark sci-fi thrills -- and enough of a unique twist on the genre -- to satisfy filmgoers.
Synopsis: Ten years after a plague turns most of the world's population into vampires, a critical blood shortage causes panic and... [More]
Critics Consensus: Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated.
Synopsis: High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she... [More]
Critics Consensus: This uneven but amiable 1967 vampire picture is part horror spoof, part central European epic, and 100 percent Roman Polanski, whose signature sensibility colors every frame.
Synopsis: Vampire hunter Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) and his faithful assistant, Alfred (Roman Polanski), are traveling across Transylvania when they stop... [More]
Critics Consensus: George A. Romero's contribution to vampire lore contains the expected gore and social satire -- but it's also surprisingly thoughtful, and boasts a whopper of a final act.
Synopsis: Young Martin (John Amplas) is entirely convinced that he is an 84-year-old blood-sucking vampire. Without fangs or mystical powers, Martin... [More]
Critics Consensus: Mario Bava's official narrative debut is a witchy nightmare steeped in gothic splendor, shot in chiaroscuro black and white and punctuated with startling gore.
Synopsis: Burned at the stake, a vampire witch princess (Barbara Steele) wakes up centuries later with her undead henchman.... [More]
Critics Consensus: Guillermo del Toro's unique feature debut is not only gory and stylish, but also charming and intelligent.
Synopsis: Antique dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) stumbles across Cronos, a 400-year-old scarab that, when it latches onto him, grants him... [More]
Critics Consensus:Vampire Hunter D's gothic charms may be lost on those unfamiliar with the anime series that spawned it, but the crisp action and nightmarish style will satiate horror aficionados' bloodlust.
Synopsis: In a dark and distant future, when the undead have arisen from apocalyptic ashes, an original story unfolds. Ten thousand... [More]
Critics Consensus: Though some may find the plot a bit lacking, Blade's action is fierce, plentiful, and appropriately stylish for a comic book adaptation.
Synopsis: A half-mortal, half-immortal is out to avenge his mother's death and rid the world of vampires. The modern-day technologically advanced... [More]
Critics Consensus:A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night blends conventional elements into something brilliantly original -- and serves as a striking calling card for writer-director Ana Lily Amirpour.
Synopsis: Residents of a worn-down Iranian city encounter a skateboarding vampire (Sheila Vand) who preys on men who disrespect women.... [More]
Critics Consensus: Worth watching for Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton's performances alone, Only Lovers Left Alive finds writer-director Jim Jarmusch adding a typically offbeat entry to the vampire genre.
Synopsis: Artistic, sophisticated and centuries old, two vampire lovers (Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston) ponder their ultimate place in modern society.... [More]
Critics Consensus: Overblown in the best sense of the word, Francis Ford Coppola's vision of Bram Stoker's Dracula rescues the character from decades of campy interpretations -- and features some terrific performances to boot.
Synopsis: Adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic vampire novel. Gary Oldman plays Dracula whose lonely soul is determined to reunite with his... [More]
Critics Consensus: Trading gore for grandeur, Horror of Dracula marks an impressive turn for inveterate Christopher Lee as the titular vampire, and a typical Hammer mood that makes aristocracy quite sexy.
Synopsis: On a search for his missing friend Jonathan Harker (John Van Eyssen), vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) is... [More]
Critics Consensus: Bela Lugosi's timeless portrayal of Dracula in this creepy and atmospheric 1931 film has set the standard for major vampiric roles since.
Synopsis: The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British soldier, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into his mindless slave, travels... [More]
Critics Consensus: Stunning visuals from Werner Herzog and an intense portrayal of the famed bloodsucker from Klaus Kinski make this remake of Nosferatu a horror classic in its own right.
Synopsis: Jonathan Harker is sent away to Count Dracula's castle to sell him a house in Virna, where he lives. But... [More]
Critics Consensus: Flawed but eminently watchable, Joel Schumacher's teen vampire thriller blends horror, humor, and plenty of visual style with standout performances from a cast full of young 1980s stars.
Synopsis: Teenage brothers Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim) move with their mother (Dianne Wiest) to a small town in... [More]
Critics Consensus: Despite lacking some of the book's subtler shadings, and suffering from some clumsy casting, Interview with a Vampire benefits from Neil Jordan's atmospheric direction and a surfeit of gothic thrills.
Synopsis: Born as an 18th-century lord, Louis is now a bicentennial vampire, telling his story to an eager biographer. Suicidal after... [More]
Critics Consensus:Let the Right One In reinvigorates the seemingly tired vampire genre by effectively mixing scares with intelligent storytelling.
Synopsis: When Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a sensitive, bullied 12-year-old boy living with his mother in suburban Sweden, meets his new neighbor,... [More]
Critics Consensus: One of the silent era's most influential masterpieces, Nosferatu's eerie, gothic feel -- and a chilling performance from Max Schreck as the vampire -- set the template for the horror films that followed.
Synopsis: In this highly influential silent horror film, the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) summons Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) to... [More]
(Photo by Summitt Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection.)
All Twilight Saga Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer
Re-visit the series that launched Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (not to mention vegetarian vampires) into the international spotlightlight! From 2008 and 2012, The Twilight Saga was a pop culture fixture, with the hype, secrecy, and buzz for each movie on par with the latest comic book blockbuster. The critics may not have been on board for each one, but audiences sure showed up, and now we’re looking back on everything from the original Twilight to Breaking Dawn as we rank all Twilight Saga movies by Tomatometer!
Critics Consensus: Slow, joyless, and loaded with unintentionally humorous moments, Breaking Dawn Part 1 may satisfy the Twilight faithful, but it's strictly for fans of the franchise.
Synopsis: At last, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) are getting married. When Jacob (Taylor Lautner) finds out that Bella... [More]
Critics Consensus:The Twilight Saga's second installment may satisfy hardcore fans of the series, but outsiders are likely to be turned off by its slow pace, relentlessly downcast tone, and excessive length.
Synopsis: After the abrupt departure of Edward (Robert Pattinson), her vampire love, Bella (Kristen Stewart) finds comfort in her deepening friendship... [More]
Critics Consensus: Stuffed with characters and overly reliant on uninspired dialogue, Eclipse won't win The Twilight Saga many new converts, despite an improved blend of romance and action fantasy.
Synopsis: Danger once again surrounds Bella (Kristen Stewart), as a string of mysterious killings terrorizes Seattle and a malicious vampire continues... [More]
Critics Consensus: It's the most entertaining Twilight, but that's not enough to make Breaking Dawn Part 2 worth watching for filmgoers who don't already count themselves among the franchise converts.
Synopsis: Bella (Kristen Stewart) awakes -- as a vampire -- from her life-threatening labor, and her newborn daughter, Renesmee, proves to... [More]
Critics Consensus: Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated.
Synopsis: High-school student Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she... [More]
While there would’ve been a certain amusement in watching a surly, 75-year-old Harrison Ford pretending to meet Lando for the first time and winning the Millennium Falcon, Disney went with the age-correct Alden Ehrenreich for Solo: A Star Wars Story. Though a few were up-in-blasters over casting someone besides Ford in the Han Solo role, that fervor has died down now that the reviews are out claiming the movie to be moderately neat-o. And that makes it the right time to look at 24 more movie characters replaced and recast with new actors, and how that turned out on the Tomatometer.
Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2
At one point, Cheadle nudges the audience and says “It’s me, and I’m here, so get over it and move on,” referencing the very nasty and public exit of Terrence Howard from the War Machine role. Though IM2 (73%) is just a mostly respectable follow-up to Iron Man (94%), Cheadle’s appearance in MCU toppers like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War has done much for the long-term health of the franchise.
Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers
Edward Norton appeared to have an issue being signed on for so many movies in a franchise (though he seems to have no problem getting swallowed up by the Wes Anderson Cinematic Universe — WHAT’S UP WITH THAT, ED), so Marvel found a more willing Bruce Banner in Mark Ruffalo. The first Hulk is the green sheep of the MCU with a 67% Tomatometer, so there wasn’t much challenge for Ruffalo to beat that in his inaugural appearance — especially when said appearance was the first Avengers (92%).
Michael Gambon in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Richard Harris died after filming the first two Harry Potter movies, with the Dumbledore role thenceforth in the films played by Michael Gambon. He entered the series at a watershed moment with Prisoner of Azkaban, which added some menace and directorial personality to Hogwarts. Though every Potter movie is Certified Fresh, Azkaban is a 91% score over Chamber of Secrets‘ 82%, which would be the franchise high until the final movie.
Ellen Page in X-Men: The Last Stand
Kitty Pryde only had cameo appearances in Fox’s film series, so it was cool to see a young up-and-comer like Page come in to give the character new depth…only to see TLS (58%) drive the franchise into the ground. X2 had previously gotten Certified Fresh at 85%, though her Pryde reprisal 8 years later with Days of Future Past hit 90%.
The kids in every Vacation movie
Clark and Ellen Griswold (Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo) were so focused on spicing up and keeping their marriage intact, they never noticed Audrey and Rusty were abducted and replaced by body snatchers every few years; across 4 movies, Griswold spawn were played by 4 different pairs of actors. Maybe more attention should’ve been paid: only the first Vacation is Certified Fresh, though Christmas Vacation manages to eke a Fresh score at 64%.
Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Dark Knight
Katie Holmes didn’t wish to continue on as Rachel Dawes from Batman Begins (84%), so Mags took up WB’s offer. Though it takes a bit to reconcile the fact the two Rachels look nothing alike, it helps that TDK would become the superhero film to beat at 94%.
Emilia Clarke in Terminator Genisys
They certainly couldn’t have cast 2015 Linda Hamilton as 1984 Sarah Connor, though crazier things have happened in this off-the-rails franchise (just look at that title, for god’s sake). So enters Clarke, whose Genisys (26%) wound up being the worst-rated in the franchise, even lower than Salvation‘s 33% and certainly several Tomatometer strata beneath Judgment Day‘s 93%.
Val Kilmer in Batman Forever
Despite the sharp changes in tone, the four live-action Batman movies from the ’80s/’90s are one story. Kilmer came in after director Tim Burton tired of the series, which meant Michael Keaton fled the coop as well. Joel Schumacher came in as director and the difference was immediately felt: Forever was lighter and more comedic, resulting in a 39% against Batman Returns‘ 81%.
George Clooney in Batman & Robin
And few can stomach Clooney (or anything) in Batman & Robin beyond an ironic level, which gets a ice-cold 10% from critics.
Julianne Moore in Hannibal
Jodie Foster won the Oscar for Silence of the Lambs (94%), though an equally accomplished actress took up the Clarice Starling role for sequel Hannibal. Turns out the project was another Ridley Scott off-movie: it got 39%, which doesn’t even beat the prequel that came out a few years later, Red Dragon (69%), which was directed by Brett Ratner.
Elisabeth Shue in Back to the Future Part II
No stranger to cast replacements, this. Eric Stoltz was famously replaced early in the shoot on the first BttF with Michael J. Fox, and Crispin Glover was replaced by a guy in a Crispin Glover mask for the sequel, leading to litigation and new industry rules. Also in BttF2, Marty McFly’s girlfriend, originally played by Claudia Wells, was replaced with Elisabeth Shue. The second movie got the lowest score (63%) and then bounced back with Part III‘s 74%, though neither hold a candle to the first’s 96%.
Robert John Burke in Robocop 3 Robocop 2 (31%) was not a good movie by any stretch, but at least that had original Murph: Peter Weller. By his luck, he was too busy to sign up for another sequel, allowing Burke to join. Robocop 3 egregiously went for a PG-13 rating, and was in turn rated 3% by critics.
Maria Bello in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Brendan Fraser was back on board (and so was freakin’ John Hannah), but Rachel Weisz had had enough after two Mummy movies. She was replaced with Maria Bello for Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, which unearthed a dusty 13% Tomatometer, versus Mummy Returns‘ 47%.
George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Yeah, MI6 goes through 007s faster than Q can find new ways make a ballpoint pen kill a man, but this first post-Connery James Bond actually comments on the switch. In Secret Service, Lazenby winks to the camera with a “This never happened to the other fellow” line. Though Lazenby’s sole Bond outing, Majesty’s 82% improves on Connery’s “final” Bond movie from two years earlier: You Only Live Twice, which hit 73%.
Bryce Dallas Howard in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Howard was shuffled into the series, blindsiding original Victoria actress Rachel Lefevre. Eclipse was an improvement over New Moon‘s 28%; in fact, Eclipse‘s 49% is the franchise high, which it shares with original Twilight and vamp capper Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
Mike Weinberg in Home Alone 4
After Home Alone 3 focused on another feckless family, HA4 returned to the McCallister clan, replacing the long franchise gone Macaulay Culkin with Weinberg as Kevin. The movie hasn’t generated enough critical evaluation for a Tomatometer (perhaps in the next 16 years?), though we doubt it would’ve mustered anything even past Lost in New York‘s 27%.
Bernie Mac in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
The first Angels was a surprise hit, one that insisted that the directing career of McG would not be denied, no matter how much the public hates that name. Bill Murray vacated the boss Bosley role when the sequel came around, and Bernie Mac came in. Full Throttle kicked up a 43% Tomatometer versus the original’s 68% which, along with lower box office returns, fizzed out this nostalgia trip.
Omar Epps in Major League II
Seems like benching Wesley Snipes wasn’t a good idea for this franchise. Okay, Snipes had actually become too much of a star to come back (though who could be too “famous” for Tom Berenger?). Pinch hitting was Epps: Unfortunately, despite the other lead principles returning, MLII fouled with 5%, versus the Certified Fresh 83% of the original.
Cuba Gooding Jr. in Daddy Day Camp
0% movies are infamous on Rotten Tomatoes, but the 1% is more impressive and harder to achieve. Enter Daddy Day Camp, underwear run up the 1% flagpole, which replaced Eddie Murphy from Daddy Day Care (27%).
Harrison Ford in Patriot Games
Ford had a brief and memorable run as reluctant CIA hero Jack Ryan during the first half of the ’90s. He replaced Alec Baldwin after The Hunt for Red October, which has the franchise high at 86%. Ford’s Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger fare respectably with 75% and 82%, respectively.
Mary Alice in The Matrix Revolutions
Original Oracle actress Gloria Foster died during the back-to-back shoot of the two Matrix sequels, and was replaced with Alice. Perhaps Foster was the series’ secret good luck charm: the first two Matrix movies are Certified Fresh, while Revolutions is so not the one with 36%.
Jason Drucker in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
The five years after Dog Days had aged the young cast out of their roles. So for The Long Haul, the producers recast from the ground up, including getting Drucker as the titular wimp post-Zachary Gordon. Long Haul produced the worst Tomatometer of the series: 20%, following Dog Days‘ second-highest score of 51%.
Mark Addy, Stephen Baldwin, Kristen Johnston, and Jane Krakowski in The Flintstones in Viva
Rock Vegas
Another full recast here! Viva Rock Vegas (25%) actually improves on the first Flintstones‘ Tomatometer (21%, starring John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, Rick Moranis, and Rosie O’Donnell), though it made significantly less bedrock boffo at the box office.
Dan Castellaneta in Aladdin: The Return of Jafar
Disney started the tactic of hiring and advertising big name celebrities with Aladdin — something Robin Williams explicitly said he didn’t want to happen when he signed to play the Genie. Simpsons legend Castellaneta signed on for the 33%-rated, VHS-direct sequel, which unsurprisingly punches lower than the original’s 94%. Williams was lured back to the role for the last DTV sequel, King of Thieves, and that one bottoms the franchise out at 27%.
Kate Beckinsale continues her fight against Lycans and her own faction in Underworld: Blood Wars, prompting this week’s gallery of the hottest vampires from movies and television. And because we couldn’t possibly fit all that undead sexiness in just 24 pictures the same way Beckinsale slips into a leather onesie, let us know in the comments which vampires we missed that get your blood flowing!
It’s had its share of detractors and naysayers, but Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga has become a bona fide cultural phenomenon, a popular and lucrative franchise that has raked in over $2 billion at the box office and spurred a renewed obsession with vampires and werewolves. Unfortunately for its fans, however, the series will draw to a close this weekend with the release of its final chapter, Breaking Dawn, Part 2. As such, we thought it would be a good time to hunker down and examine what it is, exactly, that makes the series such a hit. To that end, we’ve commissioned two dedicated RT staffers — one fan and one neophyte — to trade observations on The Twilight Saga. Today, we bring you part two of the discussion, which focuses on the third installment, Eclipse:
Cat: Out of the three films, this is my favorite thus far. Maybe third time really is the charm. I’m not sure if it was the storyline or director David Slade, but this film addressed a lot of the issues I’ve had in the two previous films. There’s a lighter tone and their characters seem a little more their age by making fun of themselves. From Bella’s comment about getting married at her age signifying she’s knocked up, to Edward’s comment regarding Jake’s lack of clothing in the torso area — “Doesn’t he have a shirt?” — to the pack members picking on Jake about his obsession with Bella, a number of things added a realistic quality to the three main characters and, in turn, to the film itself.
Jeff: There’s no doubt that Eclipse is a far more enjoyable viewing experience than New Moon or Twilight. By relying more on action and humor — and broadening the focus to let the spotlight shine on some of the supporting characters — it hints at something more than the soggy melodrama that weighed down the first two films. It’d be nice if it did something more than hint, but at this point in the series, I’m happy to get anything more compelling than moping and mooning.
C: At last, her parents seem worried about how attached Bella is to Edward. Between her mother expressing her concern, to her father attempting to give her “the talk,” (which was as cringe-worthy as I imagine the opposite sex parent trying to do this with their teenager can be) they finally act and feel like parents.
J: I felt the same way. The interlude with Bella’s mother was particularly nice, especially since it’s always nice to see a little sun and hear a little normal conversation in these movies. Even if it’s never believable enough to carry any real dramatic weight, all this silly supernatural anguish starts to feel oppressive after awhile.
C: I must say the icing on the cake has to be that after all this time we saw some backstory on the wolves and how Jasper and Rosalie were turned into vampires. Even better would have been Alice’s story since she’s more central to the plot, but I’ll take what I can get with this franchise. And then who can forget the lovely Anna Kendrick being the voice of reason during her graduation speech? For a split second, Bella was considering what her long forgotten friend Jessica was saying. She may not consider Edward’s feelings, but at least someone got her to contemplate her rather rash decision to become a vampire.
J: I don’t need anyone to consider Edward’s feelings — Bella’s so obviously, profoundly out of her depth that I can’t fathom how he can even consider doing this to her — but it definitely felt good to hear Kendrick providing the voice of reason during her graduation speech, although it’s frustrating to hear the words “this isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions,” and to know the movie means them expressly for Bella, when that point of view is given such short shrift during the rest of the series. At every other moment, she’s bafflingly insistent on joining the ranks of the undead; it’s only during this one moment that we see her briefly question the logic of, you know, becoming a vampire.
C:Eclipse isn’t without its faults. It’s baffling how two supernatural entities with centuries of hatred manage to band together for the life of one girl. What makes her so special?
J: I know I’ve been saying this all along, but this is the fatal flaw of the Twilight series for me. Bella is a vacuum at the center of everything, and Stewart’s dead eyes and flat line readings belie the lack of a true character there; it probably works better on the page because the reader can more easily project his or her own emotions onto the characters, but on the screen, it’s often just nonsensical.
C: And then there’s something called imprinting. I agree with Bella when she said: “Do I even want to know what that is?”
J: I actually didn’t mind that scene, because I thought it gave Lautner a chance to do some nice acting with his eyes instead of his biceps, and his forced admission that he hadn’t imprinted on Bella was, I thought, kind of a tacit illustration of how he’s really just a kid. He knows he can’t have what he wants — and he understands, on some level, that it isn’t even right for him — but he’s pursuing it anyway, because that’s the stubbornness of youth. In that way, he really is better for Bella — Edward is over 100 years old, but he’s often childishly jealous.
I can’t believe I just put that much thought into these characters.
C: Jake and Bella were a mess together in this film. The fact that she’s supposed to be in love with Jacob as well is really never clearly conveyed. It’s very forced by these two because that’s what the script said — it’s as if Stewart’s real-life relationship with Pattinson is in the way of her acting within this love triangle. For me, it’s clear Edward was always her choice and her only true love. I feel really bad Jacob sticks around through all the shenanigans she involves him in, and lines like “Let’s face it, I am hotter than you” simply degrade the decent character he was in New Moon.
J: That line didn’t bother me, but the “triangle” here did, because it’s constructed entirely out of narrative gimmicks and Bella proving she’s an awful, manipulative person who has no compunction about driving some poor kid to the emotional brink but lacks the courage to deal with the consequences. In a sane fictional world, after Bella said “Jacob, kiss me,” all the werewolves and vampires would have banded together to kill her.
C: Going into Breaking Dawn: Part 1, I’m intrigued by what Jane’s agenda is since she knew Victoria was creating an army all along, yet kept it from the rest of the council. Is this the Volturi’s agenda as well, or is Jane flying solo on this?
J: That’s definitely one of the more interesting questions raised by Eclipse, which means the answer probably won’t even be hinted at until the final 20 minutes of Breaking Dawn Part 1. I’m sure we’ll have to sit through 100 minutes of wedding planning first.
Written by Jeff Giles and Catherine Pricci
2010 was a year when those obnoxious “surcharges” for 3-D glasses boosted movie studios’ bottom lines, while actual attendance dropped once again. It was a year when most of what Hollywood released was either a remake, a “reboot” a “re-imagining”… or an outright rip-off. In other words, it was a banner year for only one of Tinsel Town’s best-known award shows… the one that dis-honors
Worst Achievements in Film. Voting members of The Golden Raspberry Award Foundation have sifted through the cinematic rubble of last year and selected winners for The 31st Annual RAZZIE® Awards, announcing the “honorees” in a ceremony at Hollywood’s Barnsdall Gallery Theatre at 7:30pm/PST on Saturday, February 26 – the now traditional Night Before the Oscars. See below for the full list!
This week, we’ve got oodles of mystical, magical mayhem on offer in the home video department. The latest in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga hits the market, alongside a very badly reviewed spoof. Then there’s a viking actioner set during the Crusades, and two films from Disney that sort of overlap each other in story, one being a classic animated short and the other being a modern, live-action interpretation of the same. Lastly, we’ve also got a new rom-com starring Justin Long and Drew Barrymore and an action-comedy with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. Most of these hover somewhere in middle-of-the-road territory, but there’s some genre fun to be had, so check out the choices and pick accordingly.
Let’s start off by saying this: if you aren’t a fan of The Twilight Saga, based on the poplar tween fiction by Stephenie Meyer, then kindly skip to the rest of the entries below. This selection is clearly not for you, because if you aren’t a fan, then you either don’t care whatsoever about the films, or you actively hate them. There just isn’t much reason to believe you’ve “never heard of them,” because they have been everywhere for the past few years. This week, we get the home video release of the third and most recent installment of the series, Eclipse, in which Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) finds herself in the middle of the ages-old feud between vampires and werewolves, and she’s got suitors in both camps (Robert Pattinson as vampire Edward Cullen, and Taylor Lautner as werewolf Jacob Black). Who will she choose, and what will the repercussions be? Directed by David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night), Eclipse received the best reviews of the series so far, though it notched just a 51% on the Tomatometer. It’ll be passable entertainment for any who know what they’re getting into, but the fact that you’d have to sit through the first two to get the underlying story sort of precludes any non-Twilighters from giving this a shot.
Disney has already taken a crack at telling the story of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the 1797 German poem by Goethe, in its animated extravaganza Fantasia. This year, however, the studio decided to release a live action interpretation of it with help from Jay Baruchel, Nicolas Cage, Alfred Molina, and Monica Bellucci, among others. In this modernized tale, Cage plays Balthazar, a former apprentice to the great wizard Merlin, who is engaged in an ageless struggle against evil sorcerers who seek to free from prison the other apprentices who betrayed and murdered Merlin. At the same time, Balthazar is constantly searching for the one who will become Merlin’s successor, and in the year 2010, he quite fortuitously unites with Dave Stutler (Baruchel), a physics student who turns out to be the chosen one. Backed by producer Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Jon Turteltaub, the team that made the National Treasure movies possible, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is your typical special effects-driven, star-studded Summer popcorn flick, and it never really strives to be any more than that. If you keep that in mind, the 42% Tomatometer may not be such a big deal to you.
Tom Cruise may not have quite the star power he once did, and Cameron Diaz has always been a little hit-or-miss with mainstream audiences, but the two can still sell a few tickets. During a year absolutely filled to the brim with over-the-top action flicks, Cruise and Diaz starred in a spy thriller/comedy about an everywoman named June (Diaz) who gets swept up into some international intrigue by spy-on-the-run Roy Miller (Cruise). Not knowing who to trust, but embracing the mystery, June joins Roy as he attempts to outwit and outrun FBI agents at every turn, and hilarity presumably ensues. Knight and Day didn’t do gangbusters at the box office, but it still brought in a solid $76 million and earned a 53% Tomatometer rating based almost solely on the chemistry between its two stars and the brisk pace of the movie. If you’re not looking for much more than a globetrotting escapist genre flick graced by beautiful people, then you might get a decent rental out of this one.
He’s got his share of detractors, but Justin Long tends to play pretty likable characters, and for her part, Drew Barrymore has been one of Hollywood’s biggest child-actor success stories, emerging from a drug- and alcohol-addled adolescence to become one of America’s sweethearts. So one would think the pairing of the two in a romantic comedy would be a perfect fit. Indeed, critics felt that the duo’s collective charisma onscreen in Going the Distance, about a new couple who attempt to maintain a long distance relationship, was relatively effective, and the subject matter of the film felt timely, but also that the film overall fell a little flat, particularly when the two leads weren’t shining individually in scenes that had them apart. With just a 52% on the Tomatometer, this isn’t one of Long’s or Barrymore’s Fresher efforts, but there is something to be said about a movie that tackles a topic relevant to the current generation of 30-somethings, and the charm of its stars may be enough to carry the story for you.
The art of spoofing vampire movie conventions is hardly a new one; Bela Lugosi played his iconic Dracula role for laughs in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and such noteworthy filmmakers as Roman Polanski, Mel Brooks, and Andy Warhol have tried their hands at lampooning those immortal bloodsuckers with mixed results. It probably goes without saying that Vampires Suck, the latest spoof from critical whipping boys Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, marks a new low in the sub-genre. Sending up the self-serious Twilight movies shouldn’t be too hard, but the critics found nary a laugh in Suck, a parade of lame pop-culture references that nonetheless marks something of an advance for Friedberg and Seltzer – their last three movies each scored two percent on the Tomatometer, whereas Suck notched a relatively robust four. The DVD and blu-ray editions compile a number of outtakes and a gag reel.
Nope, it’s not another Norwegian black metal documentary. Valhalla Rising is a rough, gloomy action flick about One Eye (Casino Royale‘s Mads Mikkelsen), a mute Norse warrior who lays waste to everything in his path, a man whose only relationship is with a young boy who brings him sustenance. He’s recruited by Christians to take part in the Crusades, and embarks on an ill-fated and hellish journey which results in brutish violence. The critics were largely impressed with Valhalla Rising‘s brooding, dreamlike evocation of Medieval times, as well as its deviation from any trace of period clichés. The DVD includes a making-of documentary and commentary from director Nicolas Winding Refn.
Back in 1940, Walt Disney Productions premiered its third feature-length animated film in the form of Fantasia, an omnibus film featuring eight animated shorts set to famous classical music and separated by live-action introductions. One of Disney’s most famous cartoon sequences, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (also reimagined in another of this week’s home video releases) came from this offering, which also included the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky, The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, and Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky. Then, sixty years later in 2000, the studio released a sequel titled (appropriately) Fantasia 2000, which followed the same formula as the first and included animated pieces set to classics like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, with a special reappearance of the original Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This week, both are being released in a four-disc package that includes not only the two films, but also a slew of extras that include a feature-length documentary on the relationship between Disney and Salvador Dali, newly discovered production notes on Fantasia, a look at the Disney Family Museum, an interactive art gallery, and more. Plus, you get both films on Blu-Ray and DVD; definitely worth a pickup for anyone interested in animation or classic Disney.
Written by Ryan Fujitani and Tim Ryan
Vampires and werewolves, and a certain mortal gal in between, ruled the
Independence Day holiday frame as The Twilight
Saga: Eclipse exploded with a massive top spot debut. Also generating
muscular results by bringing a property with a large built-in fan base to the
big screen was The
Last Airbender which counter-programmed Bella and company by appealing
to boys resulting in a strong finish in the runner-up spot despite some of the
year’s worst reviews. With Toy Story 3 still
attracting large crowds, the overall marketplace swelled delivering spectacular
results to kick off the second half of 2010.
Summit’s crown jewel kept getting bigger. Eclipse,
the third installment of the lucrative five-film Twilight franchise,
debuted to heated anticipation and generated a stunning $161M in ticket sales in
its first five days of release from Wednesday to Sunday, according to estimates.
The figure consisted of $92M during the week on Wednesday and Thursday and $69M
over the Friday-to-Sunday period. The weekend figure, which matched the debut of
the first Twilight pic from 2008, was deflated by the mid-week bow which
pushed the intense upfront demand to Wednesday, but the overall extended start
is truly remarkable. Summit is estimating another $20M on Monday which is a
holiday for many bringing the six-day tally to an estimated $181M which,
conveniently, would break the record for the biggest Fourth of July opening
edgiing past the $180.1M six-day score of Spider-Man 2 from 2004 when the
calendar was exactly the same. Ticket prices have risen significantly since
then, though.[rtimage]MapID=1210749&MapTypeID=2&photo=35&legacy=1[/rtimage]Still,
the PG-13 Eclipse flexed major muscles with a stellar $68.5M on Wednesday
becoming the second largest opening day in box office history trailing just the
$72.7M Friday of The Twilight Saga: New Moon from last November. Eclipse
set a new benchmark as the widest release ever playing in 4,468 locations. The
weekend average hit $15,443. Exit polls showed a broadening of the audience with
the new pic’s crowd being 65% female compared to 80% for New Moon.
Eclipse was also the first in the series to play on IMAX screens which helped
out the grosses too. That format has pulled in a remarkable $8.2M to date from
193 playdates.
Overseas, Eclipse was red hot too with an estimated $100.2M since
Wednesday from 42 territories with major markets like the UK, France, Germany,
Japan, and Korea still to come. New Moon grossed $709M worldwide and this
new saga could beat it.
M. Night Shyamalan enjoyed the best opening – and total gross – for any film in
six years with the 3D fantasy adventure The Last Airbender which debuted in second place with an estimated $40.7M over the
Friday-to-Sunday period. The PG-rated film based on the popular Nickelodeon
cartoon series aveaged a sturdy $12,827 from 3,169 locations and has collected
an impressive $58M in its first four days since its Thursday launch. Paramount
reported an early five-day estimate of $70M for the extended Thursday-to-Monday
debut which would put it ahead of the director’s last two films The Happening and Lady in the Water which grossed $64.5M and $42.3M, respectively.
All three share a common trait – they were all panned by critics. Airbender,
with a reported production cost of $150M, has been met with the worst reviews of
the filmmaker’s career, but the target audience of young males came out on
opening weekend anyway for the special effects and the franchise’s brand name. A
late-in-the-game upgrade to 3D added to the ticket prices too. Despite what
should be large declines in the days and weeks ahead, market share leader
Paramount should still score its fifth $100M+ grosser of
2010.[rtimage]MapID=1213190&MapTypeID=2&photo=45&legacy=1[/rtimage]Bumped down
to number three over the holiday weekend was Toy Story 3which
pulled in an estimated $30.2M in its third frame. Down 49%, the Disney/Pixar
sensation watched its cume soar to an amazing $289M putting it at number 42 on
the list of all-time domestic blockbusters behind the $290M of 2005’s Harry
Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Toy Story 3 could shatter the $300M mark on
Monday after only 18 days and may still reach the $400M barrier
too.[rtimage]MapID=1196045&MapTypeID=2&photo=42&legacy=1[/rtimage]Adam Sandler
and his comedy pals landed in fourth with Grown Upswhich
grossed an estimated $18.5M, down an understandable 54%. The decline was similar
to the 52% fall the funnyman’s 1999 hit Big Daddy suffered in its second
weekend when Independence Day also fell on a Sunday. Grown Ups could be
headed for a final tally in the neighborhood of $140M proving that Sandler still
has what paying audiences want.[rtimage]MapID=1223577&MapTypeID=2&photo=27&legacy=1[/rtimage]On
the other hand, Tom Cruise is learning that moviegoers are losing interest in
him as his latest entry Knight and Day
is turning into one of the lowest-grossing action films of his career. The Fox
release dropped 49% to an estimated $10.2M this weekend and lifted its 12-day
sum to only $45.5M. Knight is on course to end its run in the same
vicinity as Cruise’s 1990 summer action pic Days of Thunder which made
$82.7M at a time when the average movie ticket price was just $4.23.
80s remakes followed as The Karate Kid
took in an estimated $8M in sixth while the less successful The A-Team collected
an estimated $3M in seventh place. Sony’s Jaden Smith pic dropped 49% and has
taken in a stellar $151.5M to date and Fox’s action title upped its total to
$69.1M after declining by 51%.
Universal’s hit comedy Get Him
to the Greek tumbled 62% to an estimated $1.2M raising its cume to
$57.4M. Losing even more 3D screens, Shrek Forever After
crashed 74% to an estimated $799,000 and a $232.2M total.[rtimage]MapID=1212410&MapTypeID=2&photo=51&legacy=1[/rtimage]Indie
hit Cyrus was close
behind and jumped into the top ten in tenth place with an estimated $770,000
from only 77 theaters for a strong $10,000 average. Expanding in its third frame
from 17 locations, the Fox Searchlight release has grossed $1.5M and will
continue to invade more cities in July.
The top ten films grossed an estimated $182.3M which was up19% from last year
when Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen stayed in the top spot with
$42.3M; and up 22% from 2008 when Hancock debuted at number one with
$62.6M.