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Tom Santilli

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Tom Santilli is a respected journalist and member of the Critics Choice Association, Detroit Film Critics Society and Online Film Critics Society since 2010. Tom is the Executive Producer and co-host of the syndicated TV show, "Movie Show Plus," which has been on the air for 15+ years in the Metro-Detroit market and Mid-West. Tom also appears weekly on the FOX affiliate in Detroit, on the TV show "CriticLEE Speaking" with host Lee Thomas, and appears on WXYZ (ABC affiliate) in Detroit as well. A blurb from his review of David Chase's film, "Not Fade Away," appears on the front cover of the DVD/Blu-Ray release. Tom graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Broadcast & Cinematic Arts. His contributions to movie criticism led him to be chosen for a national campaign by National CineMedia, where he was featured in movie theaters across the country as one of America's "Top Upcoming Movie Critics." Twitter: @tomsantilli

Publications:

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) 66% A- EDIT “Cameron has once again built, refined and deepened his cinematic universe, delivering another immersive, meticulously crafted chapter that reminds us why Pandora remains one of the most fully realized worlds in modern blockbuster filmmaking.” – Movie Show Plus Dec 19, 2025 Full Review If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025) 92% B+ EDIT “It is not a film you simply watch. It sticks to you. And honestly, I loved it for that.” – Movie Show Plus Nov 25, 2025 Full Review Zootopia 2 (2025) 91% A- EDIT “...Disney has delivered one of its best animated features in years.” – Movie Show Plus Nov 25, 2025 Full Review Wicked: For Good (2025) 66% A EDIT “It's a reminder that movies are meant to be felt, believed in, and embraced with wonder...even if some will always be tempted to peek behind the curtain.​” – Movie Show Plus Nov 21, 2025 Full Review Predator: Badlands (2025) 86% C EDIT “ ...this latest effort feels like a blatant, soulless attempt to try to broaden the series' appeal.” – Movie Show Plus Nov 6, 2025 Full Review TRON: Ares (2025) 53% D EDIT “Ironically, this movie did not remind me at all of the 1980s...It was more reminiscent of the mid-90s, when big-budget CG movies...and filmmakers became so enamored in the technology that they often created giant, eye-popping yet soulless spectacles.” – Movie Show Plus Oct 8, 2025 Full Review A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE (2025) 75% B EDIT “"A House of Dynamite" is explosive, well-acted and definitely worth the watch. It just may leave viewers a bit more frustrated than fulfilled. ” – Movie Show Plus Oct 8, 2025 Full Review Megadoc (2025) 98% EDIT “For anyone who hasn’t seen Megalopolis, this documentary will hold little meaning. But for those who have, it becomes almost an essential companion piece.” – Movie Show Plus Sep 19, 2025 Full Review A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) 36% D EDIT “The only door worth finding was the exit door to the theater, and I couldn't run through it fast enough.” – Movie Show Plus Sep 19, 2025 Full Review The Naked Gun (2025) 87% B- EDIT “The best "dumb" comedy is actually quite smart, but "The Naked Gun" isn't consistently as clever as I wanted it to be...criticisms aside, what a refreshing breath of fresh air it is, to see a comedy like this on the big-screen.” – Movie Show Plus Aug 1, 2025 Full Review The Bad Guys 2 (2025) 87% B EDIT “...a fun time at the movies that leaves everyone feeling good.” – Movie Show Plus Jul 31, 2025 Full Review The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) 86% B+ EDIT “On the heels of "Superman" and now "Fantastic Four: First Steps," the future of superhero movies isn't only bright...it's surprisingly optimistic.” – Movie Show Plus Jul 25, 2025 Full Review Superman (2025) 83% B EDIT “Recent depictions of Superman on film have tried to bring him into this modern darkness. With Gunn's "Superman," he goes in the opposite direction. Superman is the immovable pillar, and he tries to pull this harsh, divided world closer to his direction.” – Movie Show Plus Jul 11, 2025 Full Review Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything (2025) 100% A- EDIT “It left me with a deep respect for her drive, her ambition, and the impact she made.” – Movie Show Plus Jul 11, 2025 Full Review Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) 50% B EDIT “No, "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is not nearly as good as the original movie. But if they're going to make dinosaur action movies, this is a good one.” – Movie Show Plus Jul 2, 2025 Full Review Elio (2025) 83% C EDIT “Despite the promising themes, Elio lacks originality in its execution. It might be passable, but Pixar has seasoned us to expect so much more.” – Movie Show Plus Jun 20, 2025 Full Review Ballerina (2025) 75% B EDIT “...it knows that its a John Wick film, and it knows that we know it's a John Wick film...so let's just roll with that and have some fun.” – Movie Show Plus Jun 5, 2025 Full Review Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) 80% C+ EDIT “There has been no better action movie series than the Mission: Impossible movies. Tom Cruise is a star in his own category. And despite its many flaws, tonal issues and dreadful pacing, there is still a lot that will satisfy audiences.” – Movie Show Plus May 15, 2025 Full Review Thunderbolts* (2025) 88% C+ EDIT “...being self-aware doesn't excuse mediocrity...” – Movie Show Plus May 2, 2025 Full Review Sinners (2025) 97% A EDIT “Sinners isn’t just horror—it’s Ryan Coogler confronting trauma, faith, and survival through the Black experience. His voice is vital: fearless and rooted. In his hands, horror becomes heritage, and bloodshed becomes poetry.” – Movie Show Plus Apr 17, 2025 Full Review A Minecraft Movie (2025) 48% B EDIT “So the verdict is a firm "it could have, and very well should have, been worse." But by accounts of those that know the game the best, it also could have, and perhaps should have, been better too. ” – Movie Show Plus Apr 3, 2025 Full Review Thank You Very Much (2023) 91% B+ EDIT “"Thank You Very Much" celebrates Andy Kaufman without ever attempting to deconstruct him.” – Movie Show Plus Apr 3, 2025 Full Review Disney's Snow White (2025) 39% A- EDIT “It was crafted with purpose and confidence, and much like the original, it carries a sense of innovation that makes it feel just as groundbreaking in its own way...​For me, it's the fairest Disney remake of them all.” – Movie Show Plus Mar 21, 2025 Full Review Magazine Dreams (2023) 80% B EDIT “...a testament to what could have been...what might have been...both on and off the screen.” – Movie Show Plus Mar 19, 2025 Full Review The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024) 86% C EDIT “...while this weird, zany sci-fi story is quite harmless, it also feels a bit uninspired. ” – Movie Show Plus Mar 14, 2025 Full Review
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