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Akron Beacon Journal

Akron Beacon Journal is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this publication only count toward the Tomatometer® when written by the following Tomatometer-approved critic(s): Chuck Klosterman, Clint O'Connor, David Bianculli, George M. Thomas, Rich Heldenfels, Tony Mastroianni.

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Rating Title | Year Author Quote
B
Mercy (2026) George M. Thomas It’s not a perfect film, but "Mercy" is intelligent, thought-provoking, well-acted and wholly entertaining. It should not have been exiled to January’s cinematic tundra.
Posted Jan 21, 2026  Edit critic review
B
The Rip (2026) George M. Thomas It should be of little surprise that Affleck and Damon, even when it’s adversarial, exude chemistry. Their performances complement one another.
Posted Jan 21, 2026  Edit critic review
B
Song Sung Blue (2025) George M. Thomas The film, very conventional by today’s standards, is a straight-forward crowd pleaser with a compelling story and a couple of top-notch veterans in Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson – leading the way.
Posted Dec 23, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
Marty Supreme (2025) George M. Thomas Chalamet delivers the oily, abundantly arrogant performance that makes this all work. Marty could be easily hated and dismissed, but he and Safdie imbue the character with a likeability that he should not have.
Posted Dec 22, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) George M. Thomas But the reality with "Avatar" films as strong as the voice and motion-capture work are, the star will likely, until the fifth and final film, be those stunning visuals...
Posted Dec 16, 2025  Edit critic review
3/4
The Abyss (1989) George M. Thomas The Abyss has its charms.
Posted Dec 09, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
Jay Kelly (2025) George M. Thomas The enjoyment in "Jay Kelly" comes from watching Clooney and Sandler, who are both worthy of awards consideration, work through their relationship.
Posted Dec 05, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
Hamnet (2025) George M. Thomas With awards season underway, "Hamnet" is quickly positioning itself as a top contender for multiple honors — Oscar gold included.
Posted Dec 04, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
Zootopia 2 (2025) George M. Thomas Films in [the animated] genre click best when they work on multiple levels and writer and co-director Jared Bush along with partner Byron Howard — the duo behind the original film and another Disney classic "Encanto" — ensure "Zootopia 2" does.
Posted Nov 25, 2025  Edit critic review
C
Wicked: For Good (2025) George M. Thomas Chu’s follow up is a helter-skelter mix where the timing is off. The editing is equally so where both just take the viewer out of the film, lending the audience to believe the film’s runtime matches its predecessor when it’s close to a half hour less.
Posted Nov 19, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Being Eddie (2025) George M. Thomas But the reality of the documentary: we’re given a perspective of who Murphy is now. That would be proud father, producer and someone who has aged gracefully and evolved as a person.
Posted Nov 18, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
Frankenstein (2025) George M. Thomas Director Guillermo del Toro’s "Frankenstein," is almost too elegant and too visually stunning – despite being painted in shades of grey – to be called horror.
Posted Nov 18, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Now You See Me: Now You Don't (2025) George M. Thomas Taken on its own terms – that of being pure entertainment – “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” satisfies as cinematic junk food. Do not go too deep beyond that.
Posted Nov 11, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Nuremberg (2025) George M. Thomas “Nuremberg” proves to be a fascinating character study led by several strong performances and Vanderbilt’s capable hand.
Posted Nov 07, 2025  Edit critic review
B+
Predator: Badlands (2025) George M. Thomas Few directors have been able to drop into an established franchise – especially one as mature as “Predator” – revive it and truly make it their own. Dan Trachtenberg ("10 Cloverfield") has not only refreshed it, but he’s imbued it with intelligence
Posted Nov 06, 2025  Edit critic review
B+
A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE (2025) George M. Thomas Told from multiple perspectives, including that of the military, the president’s cabinet and just everyday people, it’s gripping, thought-provoking television.
Posted Nov 04, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025) George M. Thomas [Scott] Cooper isn’t content to delve into Springsteen’s psyche solely, but he asks a broader question regarding the creation of art and whether it necessarily has to spring from a place of happiness. The answer is an unequivocable “no.”
Posted Oct 23, 2025  Edit critic review
C-
Regretting You (2025) George M. Thomas The affair proves to be the only twist in “Regretting You,” as it becomes increasingly predictable with each and every dramatic moment that’s telegraphed from miles away, thus, in turn, making the film a long trip.
Posted Oct 22, 2025  Edit critic review
B
TRON: Ares (2025) George M. Thomas “Tron: Ares” is a visually stunning mind bender for those willing to take the trip.
Posted Oct 10, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Roofman (2025) George M. Thomas Is it classic trailer bait-and-switch? That’s not necessarily the case if you take the film for what it is, which is the story of a guy who makes the wrong choices for the right reasons.
Posted Oct 10, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
John Candy: I Like Me (2025) George M. Thomas “John Candy: I Like Me,” much like the man it explores, is an often hilarious, sometimes tragic and intimate portrayal that anyone who appreciates comedy and the creators behind it should see.  
Posted Oct 06, 2025  Edit critic review
B
The Lost Bus (2025) George M. Thomas ...performances certainly add to the film, but Greengrass deserves a heaping amount of praise for recreating the disaster on the screen providing scope that does indeed put the audience right in the middle of action.
Posted Oct 02, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
One Battle After Another (2025) George M. Thomas How many masterpieces is one director allowed? We’ll see once Thomas’ career is done, but you can add “One Battle After Another” to a stellar list that includes “Boogie Nights,” “There Will Be Blood” and “Magnolia.”
Posted Sep 26, 2025  Edit critic review
B
HIM (2025) George M. Thomas Whether audiences will want to indulge the tearing apart the country’s favorite sport and leaving it in shambles given its ending remains to be seen. For some – like yours truly – “Him” represents intelligent horror, something that’s always welcome.
Posted Sep 18, 2025  Edit critic review
C-
Swiped (2025) George M. Thomas While the performances are certainly there with James offering a solid turn with what she’s given, the script doesn't pair up.
Posted Sep 16, 2025  Edit critic review
B+
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) George M. Thomas ...“Journey,” a film about love, life and regret, is as charming as it is ambitious featuring performances that possess range as Farrell and Robbie mine different situations for emotions ranging from melancholy to absolute joy.
Posted Sep 16, 2025  Edit critic review
C
Highest 2 Lowest (2025) George M. Thomas "[Spike]Lee has shown that he’s more than capable of directing from scripts he’s not written, “Inside Man” being a prime example. But he doesn’t seem to know how to put his stamp on this one."
Posted Sep 16, 2025  Edit critic review
3.5/4
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) George M. Thomas This movie rocks.
Posted Sep 09, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Caught Stealing (2025) George M. Thomas Ultimately, [Darren] Aronofsky and his collaborators deliver a satisfying, flawed thriller that possesses more than what’s on the surface.
Posted Aug 27, 2025  Edit critic review
C-
The Roses (2025) George M. Thomas “The Roses” lacks a sense of playfulness to go with the toxic level of acidity it presents on screen. It’s difficult to see how it finds the redemption of the characters [director Jay] Roach and company sorely seem to want.
Posted Aug 26, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Eenie Meanie (2025) George M. Thomas “Eenie Meanie” is flawed, wholly improbable, but, ultimately, it’s a movie that is perfect for a late-summer watch.
Posted Aug 22, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Nobody 2 (2025) George M. Thomas ...watch out for Stone who provides an evil, slithery performance that’s the equivalent of her “Basic Instinct” character of Catherine Tramell being hopped up on meth. It’s a delicious turn.
Posted Aug 13, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Freakier Friday (2025) George M. Thomas It won’t be a stretch going into “Freakier Friday” and expecting it to be at least entertaining, but what proves a revelation is just how much it hits you in the feels.
Posted Aug 06, 2025  Edit critic review
B-
The Pickup (2025) George M. Thomas That he’s paired with Davidson, who, like Murphy, was launched from the studios of “Saturday Night Live,” makes this Prime Video film that much more enjoyable, but the generational conflicts prove to be genuinely funny.
Posted Aug 05, 2025  Edit critic review
B+
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) George M. Thomas There will be time for the MCU to return to canon and its upcoming huge superhero team up with two “Avengers” reportedly on Marvel Studios slate the next two years. For now, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” arrives like a refreshing cool summer breeze.
Posted Jul 24, 2025  Edit critic review
A-
Superman (2025) George M. Thomas Gunn has taken a character that needed a refresh and given it one that provides optimism for what’s ahead for the DC Universe going forward.
Posted Jul 08, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) George M. Thomas What Edwards does is take what could’ve been a completely rote experience and elevate it enough to make “Jurassic World: Rebirth” enough of a thrill ride to take.
Posted Jul 02, 2025  Edit critic review
B+
F1 The Movie (2025) George M. Thomas “F1” offers the kind of escapist entertainment that once defined the summer movie season—films unburdened by the weight of expectations stemming from preexisting intellectual property.
Posted Jun 25, 2025  Edit critic review
Jurassic Park III (2001) George M. Thomas If your children have seen the other two Jurassic Park movies, they'll be fine with this one.
Posted Jun 25, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Elio (2025) George M. Thomas It’s a lusciously animated, family film that will entertain.
Posted Jun 20, 2025  Edit critic review
C
28 Years Later (2025) George M. Thomas There’s much to recommend in Williams’ performance, but “28 Years Later” is a loose set of ideas looking for an overall theme and plot. Maybe the franchise finds it going forward.
Posted Jun 20, 2025  Edit critic review
B+
How to Train Your Dragon (2025) George M. Thomas Ultimately, “How to Train Your Dragon” is a film about casting aside preconceived notions and prejudices after receiving new information and in that regard offers a noble message worth receiving.
Posted Jun 11, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Ballerina (2025) George M. Thomas What’s surprising is how much the film’s emotional elements work.
Posted Jun 06, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) George M. Thomas “Karate Kid: Legends” gives the franchise a modern sensibility. Yes, it can be a mixed bag, but it possesses the right blend of nostalgia for fans of the original while bringing in a younger audience.
Posted May 29, 2025  Edit critic review
1.5/4
Final Destination (2000) George M. Thomas At times the film jumps from one scene to the other with little regard for telling a coherent, linear story.
Posted May 22, 2025  Edit critic review
B-
Lilo & Stitch (2025) George M. Thomas It's no grand revelation.
Posted May 21, 2025  Edit critic review
3.5/4
Mission: Impossible III (2006) George M. Thomas Mission: Impossible III is a rollicking, intelligent, twisting, turning, satisfying way to kick off the summer movie season, and you can't help but give much of the credit to Abrams...
Posted May 16, 2025  Edit critic review
B
Nonnas (2025) George M. Thomas There’s little that’s unpredictable about “Nonnas” and in this instance that doesn’t matter. It’s familiar and welcome.
Posted May 12, 2025  Edit critic review
B+
Thunderbolts* (2025) George M. Thomas With his direction, Schreier walks a very fine line. He has to craft a film that will satisfy that comic book audience, but he clearly wants to break the mold that’s been constructed over 17 years and 36 films. He does so convincingly.
Posted May 08, 2025  Edit critic review
C-
Another Simple Favor (2025) George M. Thomas The script from Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis is both chaotic and predictable in some respects and, overall, never finds a consistent pace.
Posted May 01, 2025  Edit critic review
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