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Back Stage

Back Stage is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this publication only count toward the Tomatometer® when written by the following Tomatometer-approved critic(s): Pete Hammond, Tim Grierson.

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Rating Title | Year Author Quote
To the Wonder (2012) Tim Grierson "To the Wonder" is not Malick's first attempt at chronicling the ebb and flow of a relationship, but it may be his most heart-rending.
Posted Apr 12, 2013  Edit critic review
Upstream Color (2013) Tim Grierson If "Primer" was a Rubik's Cube, "Upstream Color" is a poem or a half-remembered dream -- or, more accurately, a nightmare.
Posted Apr 04, 2013  Edit critic review
Starbuck (2011) Tim Grierson If nothing else, this might be the most heartwarming film ever made about masturbating into a plastic cup for money.
Posted Mar 21, 2013  Edit critic review
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) Tim Grierson Though formulaic and a bit uneven, "Burt Wonderstone" is further proof that Steve Carell's small-scale comedies have their pleasures.
Posted Mar 15, 2013  Edit critic review
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) Tim Grierson Though never quite feeling impersonal, this "Lord of the Rings"-style fantasy film is as ungainly as the movie's hulking, fearsome monsters -- and not nearly as powerful.
Posted Feb 28, 2013  Edit critic review
Jack Reacher (2012) Tim Grierson Tom Cruise bulks up as best as he can, and he has playful sexual chemistry with Rosamund Pike, but "Jack Reacher" ultimately proves too formulaic.
Posted Dec 20, 2012  Edit critic review
Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) Tim Grierson Despite the clear emotional and political stakes in the balance, "Hyde Park" plays like a diverting anecdote and nothing more.
Posted Dec 06, 2012  Edit critic review
Killing Them Softly (2012) Tim Grierson As with "The Assassination of Jesse James," "Killing Them Softly" indulges in a hyper-stylish approach that both demythologizes and romanticizes its milieu.
Posted Nov 30, 2012  Edit critic review
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (2011) Pete Hammond This is a love letter to a born star and living legend that will make you laugh, cry, and be thankful that the great Channing is still here among us.
Posted Feb 02, 2012  Edit critic review
4/4
War Horse (2011) Pete Hammond Old fashioned in the best sense of the word. A triumph and a stirring story not to be missed.
Posted Dec 27, 2011  Edit critic review
4/4
Young Adult (2011) Pete Hammond The kind of pitch perfect black comedy studios seem to have abandoned. It's nice to see Paramount embracing such a smart effort again.
Posted Dec 23, 2011  Edit critic review
3/4
Albert Nobbs (2011) Pete Hammond Glenn Close's singular accomplishment in willing Albert Nobbs to the screen is the stuff actors dream about.
Posted Dec 23, 2011  Edit critic review
3.5/4
In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011) Pete Hammond A brilliant and astonishing writing and directorial debut from Angelina Jolie. Uncompromising.
Posted Dec 23, 2011  Edit critic review
2/5
Tyrannosaur (2011) Pete Hammond Does anyone really need to sit through this almost unbearably bleak downer of a movie?
Posted Nov 19, 2011  Edit critic review
3.5/5
Horrible Bosses (2011) Pete Hammond Black comedy at its most delicious.
Posted Jul 08, 2011  Edit critic review
The Double Hour (2009) Pete Hammond If a Hitchcockian psychological thriller peppered with elements from several different films is what you are looking for, then look no further than the compelling Italian drama The Double Hour.
Posted Jun 02, 2011  Edit critic review
Skateland (2010) Pete Hammond The performances in Skateland will serve as early evidence of the actors' supreme talent.
Posted May 16, 2011  Edit critic review
3.5/5
Meeting Spencer (2011) Pete Hammond A touch of class and sweet sophistication with a brilliantly funny cast. Definitely an indie sleeper worth checking out.
Posted Apr 08, 2011  Edit critic review
4.5/5
In a Better World (2010) Pete Hammond A riveting movie that must be seen. There's a very good reason it won that Oscar.
Posted Apr 01, 2011  Edit critic review
2/5
Monogamy (2010) Pete Hammond You may just want to forget about any sort of cinematic monogamy and find another movie to see.
Posted Mar 18, 2011  Edit critic review
3/5
Desert Flower (2009) Pete Hammond A stirring story that mixes personal horror, courage and eventually triumph.
Posted Mar 18, 2011  Edit critic review
4/5
Win Win (2011) Pete Hammond This one really is winning all the way.
Posted Mar 18, 2011  Edit critic review
3.5/5
Eat Pray Love (2010) Pete Hammond A female adventure movie aimed almost exclusively at 30 or 40-something women who feel there must be more to life than the way they are currently living it.
Posted Aug 13, 2010  Edit critic review
3.5/5
Middle Men (2009) Pete Hammond With outstanding performances from a brilliant ensemble cast, Middle Men turns out to be wickedly entertaining with some of the best acting you will see all year.
Posted Aug 06, 2010  Edit critic review
4/5
The Concert (2009) Pete Hammond A wonderful comedy with big laughs, a big heart and great music. This is one summer concert you don't want to miss.
Posted Jul 30, 2010  Edit critic review
2/5
Valhalla Rising (2009) Pete Hammond In the mood for a slower-than-molasses viking movie inspired by spaghetti westerns and samurai swordplay epics. Have we got the flick for YOU!
Posted Jul 23, 2010  Edit critic review
4/5
Farewell (2009) Pete Hammond The tale of 'Farewell' with its momentous world-changing events is worth savoring - and remembering - in these troubled times.
Posted Jul 23, 2010  Edit critic review
4.5/5
The Kids Are All Right (2010) Pete Hammond It would be criminal if , come Oscar time, Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are not competing for a Best Actress award.
Posted Jul 14, 2010  Edit critic review
4/5
Cyrus (2010) Pete Hammond First and foremost an actor's dream, CYRUS proves to be one of a slow year's rare delicious comedic treats.
Posted Jun 22, 2010  Edit critic review
3.5/5
Jerusalema (2008) Pete Hammond A riveting look at a side of South Africa that seems to have been swept under the rug.
Posted Jun 12, 2010  Edit critic review
3/5
The Karate Kid (2010) Pete Hammond The saving grace of this remake is the inspired idea to set it in China, offering bountiful travelogue opportunities.
Posted Jun 12, 2010  Edit critic review
3.5/5
Princess Kaiulani (2009) Pete Hammond This absolutely fascinating true story is a rich, romantic and captivating movie experience.
Posted Jun 04, 2010  Edit critic review
2/5
Holy Rollers (2010) Pete Hammond Like Michael Cera, Jesse Eisenberg is seriously in danger of playing the same guy over and over. Or maybe Cera and Eisenberg ARE the same guy. At least the hair's different this time.
Posted Jun 04, 2010  Edit critic review
4/5
Solitary Man (2009) Pete Hammond Douglas is terrific, delivering one of the best performances of his career.
Posted Jun 04, 2010  Edit critic review
4/5
Get Him to the Greek (2010) Pete Hammond Brand and Hill have an outrageous and hilarious blast that rocks and rolls with constant comedy.
Posted Jun 04, 2010  Edit critic review
3/5
Harry Brown (2009) Pete Hammond Caine's finest acting hour in a while reminds us he can still get down and dirty with the best of them.
Posted Apr 30, 2010  Edit critic review
2/5
Boogie Woogie (2009) Pete Hammond Faux Altman sexual wallow in which a lot of fine actors are wasted on pretentious mumbo jumbo.
Posted Apr 26, 2010  Edit critic review
2/5
The Exploding Girl (2009) Pete Hammond Indie down to its core , this dreary film fails to engage on many levels. The camera work is nice though, particularly when it's focused on pigeons.
Posted Mar 27, 2010  Edit critic review
3.5/5
Chloe (2009) Pete Hammond A seamy and delicious melodramatic wallow centered by another fearless performance from Julianne Moore.
Posted Mar 27, 2010  Edit critic review
4/5
Greenberg (2010) Pete Hammond Noah Baumbach rebounds in a big way with Greenberg, a brilliant triumph for all involved.
Posted Mar 22, 2010  Edit critic review
4/5
City Island (2009) Pete Hammond City Island is pure entertainment in the vein of Moonstruck. Star Andy Garcia has never been better or, surprisingly, more in his comedic element.
Posted Mar 22, 2010  Edit critic review
1/5
The Bounty Hunter (2010) Pete Hammond The sad thing is good romantic comedies are on the endangered species list. The Bounty Hunter proves the point.
Posted Mar 22, 2010  Edit critic review
3.5/5
That Evening Sun (2009) Pete Hammond The 84 year old Hal Holbrook shows how it is done in this Oscar worthy tour-de-force performance.
Posted Nov 21, 2009  Edit critic review
4/5
London River (2009) Pete Hammond An engrossing and engaging drama with two fine performances by two veteran actors.
Posted Nov 21, 2009  Edit critic review
5/5
Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (2009) Pete Hammond A vitally honest and emotionally compelling film that hits you in the gut.
Posted Nov 21, 2009  Edit critic review
4/5
Me and Orson Welles (2008) Pete Hammond A must-see for movie lovers and theater aficionados of every stripe.
Posted Nov 21, 2009  Edit critic review
4/5
Amelia (2009) Pete Hammond Critics may balk but Amelia is old fashioned in the best sense and soars as a big, beautiful and sweeping motion picture biography about a true American legend.
Posted Oct 23, 2009  Edit critic review
3/5
New York, I Love You (2009) Pete Hammond If this New York love letter follow-up to 'Paris j'taime' is successful expect another sequel. 'Cleveland, I Love You', anyone?
Posted Oct 17, 2009  Edit critic review
2/5
Where the Wild Things Are (2009) Pete Hammond Spike Jonze is an original cinematic voice but in the end you just wish he left this on the bookshelf where it belongs.
Posted Oct 17, 2009  Edit critic review
4/5
Trucker (2008) Pete Hammond With the sad state of the indie business Trucker may make a fast exit to Netflix, but thanks to Michelle Monaghan it's a trip worth taking wherever you may find it.
Posted Oct 09, 2009  Edit critic review
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