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Rich Heldenfels
Tomatometer-approved critic
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Flags of Our Fathers (2006) |
The movie explores two themes Eastwood has addressed before... One is good men driven to questionable acts, while the other involves the distinction between a celebrity image and basic humanity. Both once again receive thoughtful treatment here. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Nov 10, 2023
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The Girl (2012) |
While Miller is good, it is at moments like the bird-attack scene when it is clear how much the movie is taken over by Jones. His face blends the need to dominate with an often powerful sense of shame. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Aug 04, 2020
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) |
While I have laughed at times during previous "Star Wars" movies, I did not expect to do so as quickly as "The Last Jedi" made me. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Dec 12, 2017
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) |
... the end result is immensely satisfying, and should be so both for fans like myself and newcomers. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Sep 19, 2017
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Dear White People (2014) |
... for the most part [writer/director Justin Simien] admirably presents the complexities of race in contemporary culture... - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Sep 19, 2017
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Baby Driver (2017) |
Even with those reservations, I absolutely loved Baby Driver: the marvelous soundtrack, the blending of music and choreographed movement, the car scenes that are so exciting that I thought I was being fed megadoses of caffeine. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 13, 2017
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Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) |
This is a pleasant diversion and an antidote to the glummer Spideys we saw from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield; there's also good business from Downey and from Jon Favreau. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 13, 2017
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Moonlight (2016) |
Jenkins' skill is in silences, and in his refusal to make people say more than they would -- no grand expository speeches here -- and in the heartache he shows in the faces of the splendid actors. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Mar 02, 2017
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Patriots Day (2016) |
It is the most effective at the end when Berg shows off some of the real people from the film. Their stories can still bring audiences to tears. Too bad the movie itself could not get closer to that. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Mar 02, 2017
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Draft Day (2014) |
As movies go, Draft Day is the equivalent of an 8-8 NFL team. Maybe even a 7-9. It is sporadically interesting, and suggests that it is worth sticking around for the final play. But there's no guarantee you will be satisfied with the outcome. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Mar 02, 2017
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Logan (2017) |
Jackman and Stewart are at the top of their game, and Dafne Keen as Laura makes the most of her watchful, silence-laden role. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Mar 02, 2017
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Hidden Figures (2016) |
A lovely movie, buoyed by understated performances. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jan 06, 2017
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Fences (2016) |
While it does fully overcome the demands of transition from stage to screen, "Fences" soars on the performances by Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jan 06, 2017
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La La Land (2016) |
With the first musical number in La La Land, I thought that I was in love. Unfortunately, as is the case with romance in the movie, holding onto that love was more difficult than I at first thought. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Dec 29, 2016
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Manchester by the Sea (2016) |
I believe that the film is great. I also believe that I may never watch it again. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Dec 29, 2016
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Arrival (2016) |
A remarkable piece, at once a cerebral and emotional epic which I am still thinking about days after seeing it. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Nov 17, 2016
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Indignation (2016) |
I expected something more powerful from the screen Indignation than it managed to deliver. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Aug 12, 2016
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X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) |
While there are some genuinely moving moments in X-Men: Apocalypse, it is too often an overly familiar reworking of superhero-movie ideas, especially the seemingly all-powerful villain confronted by a group of flawed heroes. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted May 19, 2016
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Captain America: Civil War (2016) |
Where Batman v Superman tossed out ideas without ever thinking them all the way through, Civil War is constantly aware of the consequences of its characters' actions, both to themselves and to the people around them. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted May 04, 2016
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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) |
[I] really wanted this to work both on its own and as the real launch of a series of DC Comics-based movies akin to Marvel's cinematic universe. But yes, I was that disappointed. This film is an artistic failure on almost every level. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Mar 25, 2016
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Trainwreck (2015) |
I welcome more Schumer on any size screen. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Oct 14, 2015
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Listen Up Philip (2014) |
Moss is terrific, as usual. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Oct 24, 2014
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) |
Not only a big action movie, this one is a game-changer in the Marvel saga as well as meditation on what American ideals mean in the modern world. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Apr 03, 2014
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The Monuments Men (2014) |
This is an admirable movie, then, in reminding moviegoers of middle-aged heroics and sacrifice -- not a bad idea in the context of protecting ancient culture. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Feb 07, 2014
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Elysium (2013) |
Although the plot does not hold up under close examination, the presentation is fast-paced, exciting and visually memorable, while also wrenching some legitimate emotion out of the audience. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Aug 09, 2013
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Fruitvale Station (2013) |
Was Oscar Grant going to turn his life around? We'll never know because of a pointless act of violence. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 26, 2013
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The Wolverine (2013) |
If Raymond Chandler wrote a mutant movie, it would look a lot like this. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 26, 2013
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Red 2 (2013) |
Good comedy, and a nice reminder that people over 50 can still kick ass. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 18, 2013
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Much Ado About Nothing (2012) |
Amy Acker, Amy Acker, Amy Acker. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jun 20, 2013
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Behind the Candelabra (2013) |
Excellent performances by Douglas and Damon highlight this tale of love and need. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jun 13, 2013
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The Kings of Summer (2013) |
A summer pleasure. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jun 13, 2013
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Man of Steel (2013) |
While the final fight sequences go on too long, the movie is for the most part a thoughtful reimagining of the 75-year-old character. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jun 13, 2013
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A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) |
Easily the worst and most ridiculous of the "Die Hard" films, but one that still fills the audience need for gunplay, explosions, a chatty villain, heavy machinery, wisecracks and an indestructible Willis with can-you-believe-this? excess. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Feb 14, 2013
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Safe Haven (2013) |
Routine thriller which begs the audience not to pay close attention, except to the pretty pictures and bland leads. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Feb 14, 2013
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Identity Thief (2013) |
Much as I like Melissa McCarthy, this aimless road movie misfires. And when is Hollywood going to let a plus-sized woman be not only sexual but erotic? - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Feb 07, 2013
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Stand Up Guys (2012) |
Not a great movie, but it's fun to watch Pacino and Walken make an effort. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Feb 01, 2013
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Amour (2012) |
Sadly effective, with two standout performances. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jan 31, 2013
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Broken City (2013) |
Tired and predictable. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jan 17, 2013
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Gangster Squad (2013) |
A second-tier "Untouchables" interested only in making a lot of noise while ignoring character and plot. The newspaper articles that inspired it tell a much better story. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jan 10, 2013
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Zero Dark Thirty (2012) |
As Bigelow has said, depiction is not endorsement, and "ZDT" shows the cost to the soul of fighting terrorism. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jan 10, 2013
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Alex Cross (2012) |
Silly plotting, murky action sequences, indifferent acting -- and a lot of violence against women. Not even the locally shot scenes are reason enough to see it. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Oct 19, 2012
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Trouble With the Curve (2012) |
A slight movie, thoroughly predictable, but buoyed by its cast, even if all their moves have been better elsewhere. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Sep 20, 2012
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Sparkle (2012) |
Slicker than the original, it is also less satisfying, erratic in pace and tone. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Aug 17, 2012
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The Bourne Legacy (2012) |
Disappointing recycling of bits from older "Bourne" movies with an unnecessarily complicated, slow-to-get-going and even by Bourne standards unbelievable plot. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Aug 10, 2012
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Total Recall (2012) |
Glum, heavily borrowed from other films, with murkily shot action sequences, it has none of the nutty brio of the original. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Aug 02, 2012
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Take This Waltz (2011) |
The raw and realistic look at love and marriage overcomes occasional overly artsy flourishes. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 19, 2012
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The Dark Knight Rises (2012) |
While acknowledging its flaws intellectually, I was still emotionally thrilled. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 19, 2012
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The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) |
While not as refreshing as the first Tobey Maguire film, the new production boasts a fine, anguished performance by Andrew Garfield and should appeal to Spidey neophytes. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jul 03, 2012
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Magic Mike (2012) |
While the ads are selling it as a romp (and crowds include Girls' Night Out groups), the movie turns in some grim but too obvious directions. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jun 28, 2012
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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) |
Some good effects, but takes its potentially amusing premise way too seriously. - Akron Beacon Journal
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| Posted Jun 28, 2012
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