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Rick Bentley
Tomatometer-approved critic
Publications:
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) |
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a spirited comedy that goes from the manically macabre to the ghostly ghoulish. It is strong enough for new and old fans to want to say the demon’s name three times if it means another sequel. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Sep 09, 2024
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You Gotta Believe (2024) |
This is a case of whether you know the story or never heard of the Texas team, the trek around the bases is not compelling enough to be a hit. It is little more than being just a safe space for families and baseball fans. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Sep 09, 2024
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Reagan (2024) |
On the other hand, those with admiration in their heart for Reagan will be able to look past all the problems. They will only see a story that reminds them of how a Hollywood actor rose to become the most powerful person on the planet. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Sep 09, 2024
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Blink Twice (2024) |
[Kravitz] and co-writer Feigenbaum have put together a good script but there are too many holes in the story and that makes the reveals surprising but not shocking. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 28, 2024
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The Forge (2024) |
What the Kendrick brothers have done with their latest film, “The Forge,” is start with a religiously sound foundation and then add layers of strong characters and a storyline designed to resonate with all moviegoers. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 28, 2024
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Strange Darling (2023) |
"Strange Darling" has elevated a genre that had gotten mired in the mundane. Many will try to copy it, but it will be difficult to capture the surprise and fascination generated by Mollner, his cast and his crew. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 28, 2024
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Alien: Romulus (2024) |
Fans of the franchise get multiple gifts from Álvarez and co-writer Sayagues as there are moments throughout the film that connect to past offerings in the series from the original movie to “Alien: Prometheus.” - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 20, 2024
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My Penguin Friend (2024) |
The real story made news around the world. And what unfolds in this film never goes too far beyond that story. There was no need because the connection between man and bird was enough to win hearts then and now. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 15, 2024
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It Ends With Us (2024) |
Too much caution keeps "It Ends with Us" from living up to its full potential. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 15, 2024
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Borderlands (2024) |
“Borderlands” hits a summer low. The only saving grace is that the theater ceiling didn’t fall during the screening. But there were times when that seemed like a better option. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 15, 2024
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Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) |
The two stars coupled with the massive action scenes and dark humor is enough to entertain anyone who has never seen a comic book movie. Those who have a history with the genre will get an additional level of fun... - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 06, 2024
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The Fall Guy (2024) |
If you can survive the childish romantic banter, The Fall Guy is a fun thrill ride when it comes to all the stunts. There is also great chemistry between Gosling and Blunt even with them having to spout their inane lines. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 06, 2024
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Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024) |
Saldanha's film is so juvenile in writing, presentation and acting the only proper audience for the film are the youngsters who are going to remember the book quite differently. At least the film has a running time of a scant 90 minutes... - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 06, 2024
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Trap (2024) |
The biggest criminal act is that Trap is not just poorly written but also is painfully boring because a much-needed big twist never arrives. Being frugal is not always a good thing. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Aug 06, 2024
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Fly Me to the Moon (2024) |
There are good romantic comedies on cable and streaming services, but the motion picture world needed a movie like this. Fly Me to the Moon takes romance into an entertaining orbit accented with a nice touch of nostalgia. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jul 29, 2024
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Twisters (2024) |
The bottom line that Twisters hits so neatly is to use the least amount of story to link together some big action scenes and a potential love story. Anything else is just an ill wind. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jul 29, 2024
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Despicable Me 4 (2024) |
The strength of the franchise remains the Minions. Although the patchwork script brings them in and out of the story on a few occasions, they prove the only part of the production that shows any life. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot (2024) |
Don’t let the name stop you as “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” is a story that embraces its faith-based foundation but goes far beyond the confines of that genre. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) |
Other invasion films bank on the glory of fighting back for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. “A Quiet Place: Day One” is all about the human spirit. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jul 03, 2024
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The Exorcism (2024) |
Crowe never finds the emotional depth to give Miller’s spiral down through the levels of hell any power. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 25, 2024
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Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film (2024) |
“Jesus” was made with a specific mission in mind, but the end result goes far beyond preaching to a deaf choir. Not a single word is spoken but this is a production that has plenty to say to those with or without hearing. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 25, 2024
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Inside Out 2 (2024) |
“Inside Out” works on so many levels you should not be shocked if your own emotions of Joy and Envy kick in while watching this production. The film moves at such a rapid rate there is no room for a moment of Ennui. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 21, 2024
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IF (2024) |
It is not a bad thing to be reminded of how important it is to embrace the past... It’s those pesky reality moments that prove to be too much of a sticking point for the production to be the comforting tale it should have been. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 13, 2024
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Sight (2023) |
“Sight” is a superb example of how refreshing it can be to see a production where the only collisions are cultural clashes and the explosions are the result of explosive new ideas. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 13, 2024
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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) |
Miller starts the movie in third gear and just keeps shifting to a faster speed with each moment. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 13, 2024
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Summer Camp (2024) |
“Summer Camp” has all the depth of a s’mores treat made with no marshmallows or chocolate. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 13, 2024
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Late Bloomers (2023) |
Gillan talks her way into one of the best performances of her career. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 13, 2024
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Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) |
[Ride or Die] feeds fans of the films a heavy dose of the Miami cops bickering as if they were an old married couple... That’s enough if all you want is the kind of mindless entertainment that has become the standard for summer movies. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jun 13, 2024
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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) |
The franchise has gone from being a very good effort to present humans in ape makeup to making all the apes so realistic they could be featured in National Geographic. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted May 10, 2024
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Challengers (2024) |
The slow grind of the tennis play would not have looked as pedestrian if the romance angle had been played for heat or passion. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Apr 26, 2024
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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) |
Ritchie allows the film to drag in a couple of spots but there is enough blending of action and comedy to have a jolly good time watching the film. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Apr 19, 2024
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Civil War (2024) |
There is nothing glaringly wrong with the action aspects of the film. But, Civil War works the best when it is embraced as a road picture rather than a war movie. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Apr 12, 2024
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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) |
Director Adam Wingard -- the man behind Godzilla vs. Kong -- is not slowed by the lack of story. He loads the movie with huge fight sequences that are as fast paced as any Transformer movie but are far easier to follow. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Mar 29, 2024
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Arthur the King (2024) |
The dog has enough personality to give the production some bite. It is just that the bark needed a little more work. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Mar 22, 2024
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) |
This busting will not make you feel good. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Mar 22, 2024
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Snack Shack (2024) |
What causes the viewing whiplash is watching the film go from a full-blown comedy to a tearful tale of teen angst. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Mar 21, 2024
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Cabrini (2024) |
It is a moving tale of how absolute desperation can be defeated one person at a time. Dell’Anna’s performance reinforces that message from start to finish. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Mar 08, 2024
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Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
A tale of comedy and action that is a sight to behold. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Mar 08, 2024
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Dune: Part Two (2024) |
“Dune: Part Two” is stunning to look at, has memorable action scenes and a bevy of great performances. It loses a few points in setting up that the audience will have to pay to see at least one more film. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Bob Marley: One Love (2024) |
The only good thing that will come out of this film is an introduction to Marley’s music to a new generation. It is good music, but the film doesn’t provide any glimpses into how that happened. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Feb 16, 2024
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Madame Web (2024) |
The only good thing that can be said is that it is not the worst film based on a Marvel comic book. It will take a mighty effort to dethrone Morbius. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Feb 15, 2024
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Argylle (2024) |
Argylle is nearly perfectly awful from story to acting. It is not smart enough to be intriguing and not enough of a spoof to be funny. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Feb 08, 2024
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The Inventor (2023) |
The story doesn’t portray da Vinci as some type of intellectual anomaly... Capobianco includes all those elements, but his film is a reminder that the incredible brain was housed in a very human body. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Feb 02, 2024
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I.S.S. (2023) |
There is nothing brutally wrong with the film but there is a complete void of anything that creatively stands out. The potential for this to be a high-flying tale ends up being lost in space. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jan 19, 2024
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Mean Girls (2024) |
The scene stealer is Cravalho (Moana) who belts out every tune with power and gusto. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jan 12, 2024
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The Beekeeper (2024) |
The Beekeeper handles those familiar action movie tropes so well the film could have easily been released in the summer. The character fits the blockbuster design so well, this could -- and should -- be the start of an action movie franchise. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jan 11, 2024
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American Fiction (2023) |
It started with a superb story and then got amplified by strong direction from Cord and a masterful piece of acting by Wright. It is just a beautifully presented film that should generate numerous conversations after being viewed. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jan 11, 2024
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Mean Girls (2004) |
The casting of Lohan makes the film even stronger. She brings a sweetness to the role that works both when she is the outsider and when she is lured to the dark side of the high school food chain. - Fresno Bee
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| Posted Jan 08, 2024
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Night Swim (2024) |
The lack of imaginative scares and a story that is padded to the point of exhaustion leaves this first release of the year as the early contender for the biggest flop. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Jan 05, 2024
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Ferrari (2023) |
All of this is tremendous material to build a story that should be full of anger, grief, obsession and pride. The elements are there but the presentation always seems to be stuck in second gear. - KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)
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| Posted Dec 28, 2023
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