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Russ Simmons

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Russ Simmons is a two-time winner of the National Entertainment Journalism Award for "Best TV Movie Critic." His reviews have appeared in print, broadcast and online outlets for over 20 years. Russ is a long-time member of the Critics' Choice Association and the Kansas City Film Critics' Circle, the nation's second oldest critics group.

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
In Cold Light (2025) 43% 2/5 EDIT “"In Cold Light" is a little too cold and a little too calculated.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 23, 2026 Full Review H Is for Hawk (2025) 78% 3/5 EDIT “"H is for Hawk" is relatable, thanks to Foy’s performance, but never quite soars.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 23, 2026 Full Review Mercy (2026) 24% 3/5 EDIT “While it gets a bit goofy and stretches credibility to the limit, "Mercy" gets to its over-the-top climax in an entertaining manner.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 23, 2026 Full Review The Choral (2025) 67% 3/5 EDIT “"The Choral" is well crafted, but very lightweight.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 16, 2026 Full Review Dead Man's Wire (2025) 91% 3/5 EDIT “While it generates a certain level of tension, this thriller from filmmaker Gus Van Sant is really a sober study of utter desperation.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 16, 2026 Full Review The Rip (2026) 80% 4/5 EDIT “Fans of the genre will enjoy the action of "The Rip," as well as the challenge of figuring out who the good guys are…if there are any.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 16, 2026 Full Review 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) 92% 3/5 EDIT “While gripping, well-made and genuinely scary, its graphic and sadistic violence approaches the level of torture porn.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 16, 2026 Full Review Rosemead (2025) 89% 2/5 EDIT “The intent is admirable, and the execution is competent enough. But "Rosemead" is a hard watch that offers no easy answers. It’s tragic and depressing in equal measure.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 9, 2026 Full Review Father Mother Sister Brother (2025) 81% 3/5 EDIT “The talented cast helps a lot, but "Father Mother Sister Brother" is one that will probably only appeal to fans of Jarmusch’s slow, low-key style.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 9, 2026 Full Review Is This Thing On? (2025) 86% 3/5 EDIT “Arnett’s foul-mouthed comedy material isn’t really all that funny but still rings true. "Is This Thing On?" should appeal to those not easily offended.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Jan 9, 2026 Full Review The Testament of Ann Lee (2025) 88% 3/5 EDIT “"The Testament of Anne Lee" is dark and dramatically erratic but oddly involving.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 26, 2025 Full Review Song Sung Blue (2025) 78% 3/5 EDIT “The stars are very appealing, but if you’re not a fan of Diamond’s music, steer clear.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 26, 2025 Full Review Marty Supreme (2025) 93% 4/5 EDIT “"Marty Supreme" is supremely watchable.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 26, 2025 Full Review Goodbye June (2025) 65% 3/5 EDIT “It’s manipulative and obvious, but the sterling cast prevents "Goodbye June" from becoming too saccharine.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 26, 2025 Full Review The Secret Agent (2025) 98% 4/5 EDIT “The structure of "The Secret Agent" is disjointed for sure, but only that adds to its offbeat appeal.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 19, 2025 Full Review The Housemaid (2025) 74% 2/5 EDIT “"The Housemaid" doesn’t clean up because the filmmakers didn’t have the nerve to go full camp…which would have been the better route to take. ” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 19, 2025 Full Review David (2025) 76% 3/5 EDIT “The story’s violence has been toned down, but it’s still faithful to the Biblical themes and is a painless introduction for the kiddies.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 19, 2025 Full Review Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) 66% 3/5 EDIT “The third entry in the phenomenally successful sci-fi franchise delivers exactly what you’d expect, 3 hours and 12 minutes of spectacular visuals and zippy action. The story, however, is very repetitive and has little to offer that’s new.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 19, 2025 Full Review Dust Bunny (2025) 85% 3/5 EDIT “The wildly original horror satire "Dust Bunny" plays like a midnight movie for the junior high set.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 12, 2025 Full Review Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) 92% 3/5 EDIT “This mildly engaging mystery is overlong and really stretches credibility. Still, "Wake Up Dead Man" is more than entertaining enough to keep you awake.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 12, 2025 Full Review Merv (2025) 36% 2/5 EDIT “"Merv" is well meaning, but as artificial as an aluminum Christmas tree.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 12, 2025 Full Review Oh. What. Fun. (2025) 35% 2/5 EDIT “"Oh. What. Fun." is a lump of coal for your cinematic stocking.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 5, 2025 Full Review Jay Kelly (2025) 75% 3/5 EDIT “While somewhat engaging, there are phony elements in the movie that are uncharacteristic of the gifted filmmaker Noah Baumbach. "Jay Kelly" is a mixed bag bolstered by megawatt star power.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 5, 2025 Full Review Hunting Season (2025) 60% 2/5 EDIT “This is the kind of fodder that used to be called "grindhouse cinema," prodding audiences into vengeful bloodlust. Happy Holidays!” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 5, 2025 Full Review Hamnet (2025) 86% 4/5 EDIT “Anchored by terrific performances by Paul Mescal and Jesse Buckley as Shakespeare and his troubled wife Agnes, it’s an emotionally involving tale.” – KKFI-FM (Kansas City) Dec 5, 2025 Full Review
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