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Michael A. Smith

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

I started doing film reviews while a student at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida. I got a great deal of help from Tampa Times movie guru Steve Otto. I moved to Baltimore in 1982 and, on a whim, purchased a chance to attend a movie with then Baltimore Sun film critic Stephen Hunter from a PBS sponsored auction. The movie was "Beastmaster." Not the best, but the lunch and discussion afterwards was more then memorable. More then 20 years later, I'm proud to still think of Stephen as a friend and mentor. He is currently reviewing films for the Washington Post and recently won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism!

Favorites:

Jaws

Location:

Lee's Summit, MO

Official Website:

http://www.mediamikes.com/film-reviews/

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) 58% 3/5 EDIT “The martial arts scenes are spectacularly done, with some amazing choreography. Chan is 71 – Macchio is 63 – but they both move like they are in their prime.” – MediaMikes Jun 3, 2025 Full Review One of Them Days (2025) 94% 3.5/5 EDIT “The film also serves as a great reminder that the Honey Butter Biscuits at Church’s Chicken are worth fighting for.” – MediaMikes May 24, 2025 Full Review Into the Deep (2025) 27% 3.5/5 EDIT “ And what a great bit of casting to have Mr. Dreyfuss in the cast. He has always had a way of holding the audience with just his words, and as we listen to his advice, shown through flashbacks, you hang on every word. ” – MediaMikes May 24, 2025 Full Review Love Hurts (2025) 18% 3/5 EDIT “If you’ve ever seen an interview with Quan, you know that he is a very likable person, and that personality fits Marvin to a tee. ” – MediaMikes May 24, 2025 Full Review The Brutalist (2024) 93% 5/5 EDIT “The film is also propelled by it’s Academy Award nominated musical score, as well as the greatest selection of mid-century standards since, well, “L.A. Confidential.”” – MediaMikes May 24, 2025 Full Review Novocaine (2025) 81% 3.5/5 EDIT “ The action scenes are top notch, if not a little over the top. I mean, sure you can’t feel someone smash your head into a wall but you should at least stumble a little, right?” – MediaMikes May 24, 2025 Full Review Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) 80% 4.5/5 EDIT “...this film is ana amazing way to kick the summer off with a bang! I definitely recommend that you accept this mission.” – MediaMikes May 24, 2025 Full Review Better Man (2024) 89% 5/5 EDIT “Not since the “South Park” movie has there been a more innovative film musical.” – MediaMikes Jan 12, 2025 Full Review A Complete Unknown (2024) 82% 5/5 EDIT “Chalamet, who not only embodies Dylan in speech patterns and mannerisms but does his own singing, channels the rebellious energy that made Dylan a folk hero. As I told the studio rep after the screening, “give that kid the Oscar now.” ” – MediaMikes Dec 27, 2024 Full Review Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) 56% 5/5 EDIT “Beautifully rendered (this is by far the best live-action/animated film I’ve ever seen)” – MediaMikes Dec 27, 2024 Full Review Kraven the Hunter (2024) 15% 3.5/5 EDIT “Action packed from beginning to end, “Kraven the Hunter” is an unapologetic film where the nastier they bad guys fall, the happier the hero becomes. ” – MediaMikes Dec 27, 2024 Full Review Moana 2 (2024) 60% 3.5/5 EDIT “Overall, while younger children may be frightened by some of the images, the older ones (my two grandchildren included) should have a fun time.” – MediaMikes Nov 27, 2024 Full Review Gladiator II (2024) 70% 4.5/5 EDIT “On my short list of film directors who criminally have never won an Academy Award for their work, Ridley Scott is right at the top.” – MediaMikes Nov 22, 2024 Full Review Wicked (2024) 88% 5/5 EDIT “But it’s the music that makes “Wicked” what it is, and each and every song are presented magnificently.” – MediaMikes Nov 22, 2024 Full Review Red One (2024) 30% 3.5/5 EDIT “Overall, I recommend you get in your sleigh and head out over the river and through the woods to see “Red One.”” – MediaMikes Nov 16, 2024 Full Review The Wild Robot (2024) 97% 5/5 EDIT “ The story is a cross between “The Iron Giant” and “E.T.,” with love for others over oneself the message that is being delivered. And it is one that should resonate with everyone.” – MediaMikes Nov 10, 2024 Full Review Megalopolis (2024) 46% 3/5 EDIT “Visually the film is breathtaking, and it is here that Coppola shines. The man has fourteen Academy Award nominations and five Oscars and his place in the history of cinema is assured. ” – MediaMikes Nov 10, 2024 Full Review Saturday Night (2024) 77% 5/5 EDIT “The film is well paced and the jokes hit hard and often. It took me back to a time when there were only three television channels and you could get a burger, fries and drink at McDonalds for a dollar. Really.” – MediaMikes Nov 10, 2024 Full Review The Apprentice (2024) 82% 3.5/5 EDIT “Like him or not, Donald Trump is a force to be reckoned with, though I think I can say with a great deal of certainty that he will not be a fan of “The Apprentice.”” – MediaMikes Nov 10, 2024 Full Review Here (2024) 36% 3.5/5 EDIT “Overall, the film is an interesting piece of cinema and definitely worth taking a trip to the theatre for.” – MediaMikes Nov 10, 2024 Full Review Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) 75% 5/5 EDIT “The script is hilarious, but not afraid to throw in a couple of thrills and Burton’s pacing is pitch perfect. This is Burton’s best work since 2007’s “Sweeney Todd” and ranks up there with “Batman’ and “Ed Wood” as among his best films ever.” – MediaMikes Sep 5, 2024 Full Review Slingshot (2024) 38% 4/5 EDIT “As the story progresses the audience is almost as confused as those on board the Odyssey 1, not knowing what is real and what isn’t.” – MediaMikes Aug 30, 2024 Full Review Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) 78% 5/5 EDIT “Yes, it’s raunchy. Yes, it’s bloody. But it also one of the best films of the year.” – MediaMikes Aug 30, 2024 Full Review Boneyard (2024) 44% 4/5 EDIT “ The film is well cast, with Gibson and Van Holt leading the way.” – MediaMikes Aug 26, 2024 Full Review The Beach Boys (2024) 89% 5/5 EDIT “ But despite the ups and downs, the music continues and it is the music that will endear us to the band for as long as we have music. ” – MediaMikes Jul 7, 2024 Full Review
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