Fred Topel
Tomatometer-approved critic
Publications:
We Live Entertainment,
Bloody Disgusting,
CraveOnline,
Nerd Report,
Deadline Hollywood Daily,
Monsters and Critics,
Suite101.com,
Slashfilm,
Guff.com,
Nuke the Fridge,
United Press International,
Screen Junkies,
Can Magazine,
Syfy Wire,
Madblast.com,
Moviepilot,
Wizard,
Mandatory,
Popdust,
Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Favorites:
Labyrinth, Toy Story 2, The Rock, Face/Off, True Lies, The Big Hit, The Big One (Michael Moore), Casablanca
Location:
Los Angeles, CA
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York (2026)
EDIT
“Updates the heist gone wrong genre while crafting an effective crime thriller.” –
United Press International
Jan 28, 2026
Full Review
Cookie Queens (2026)
EDIT
“Wholesome entertainment, rooting for open-hearted kids to excel.” –
United Press International
Jan 27, 2026
Full Review
Frank & Louis (2026)
85%
EDIT
“Tough subjects combine for a powerful story about trying to make meaning when health and systems are against you.” –
United Press International
Jan 27, 2026
Full Review
The Gallerist (2026)
50%
EDIT
“Watching these three women scheme to get away with murder (or technically manslaughter), and in the process make a sale, is an absolute delight.” –
United Press International
Jan 26, 2026
Full Review
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (2026)
73%
EDIT
“A firm commitment to silliness and dirty jokes is comedy gold.” –
United Press International
Jan 26, 2026
Full Review
I Want Your Sex (2026)
88%
EDIT
“This is the age-old story of a woman coming into a young man's life and changing him. Elliot goes from boy to man in a roundabout, awkward, explicit and bumbling way.” –
United Press International
Jan 25, 2026
Full Review
zi (2026)
EDIT
“The overall theme of Zi is simply the kindness of strangers. It is inspiring to be reminded that one can make a difference in anyone's life just by caring.” –
United Press International
Jan 25, 2026
Full Review
The Disciple (2026)
EDIT
“There are enough technicalities to further illuminate the story for even the most savvy Wu-Tang fan. ” –
United Press International
Jan 24, 2026
Full Review
Saccharine (2026)
92%
EDIT
“A solid visual manifestation of the obsession for weight loss. People take unhealthy risks to achieve goals so Sacharine just makes it literal. ” –
United Press International
Jan 24, 2026
Full Review
The Moment (2026)
57%
EDIT
“It's not really satire. It's just chaos. For a non-Brat outsider, little seems uniquely Charli XCX.” –
United Press International
Jan 24, 2026
Full Review
Buddy (2026)
80%
EDIT
“An effective satire of those shows that simplify morals for kids. Turning it into a slasher movie with Buddy stalking the kids turns the show into a funhouse hell.” –
United Press International
Jan 24, 2026
Full Review
Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story (2026)
EDIT
“Celebrates the deeply personal absurdity of the comedian. In seeking to understand her, the film serves up a poignant dose of classic Bamford.” –
United Press International
Jan 23, 2026
Full Review
Tuner (2025)
97%
EDIT
“An engaging crime caper through the unique lens of sound. This angle makes the criminal danger feel fresh.” –
United Press International
Jan 22, 2026
Full Review
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 (2025)
EDIT
“Offers fans a look at the process of making the show, and the emotions involved with concluding it. It is perhaps the first proper DVD extra on the Netflix platform.” –
United Press International
Jan 12, 2026
Full Review
Labyrinth (1986)
78%
EDIT
“The supreme creative thesis from a pioneering artist. The last film Jim Henson directed, 40 years ago in 1986, expresses maximum creativity in every scene.” –
United Press International
Jan 8, 2026
Full Review
Greenland 2: Migration (2026)
50%
EDIT
“The Greenland movies strive to insert humanity into the peril. The Garritys keep encountering enclaves of remnants of humanity, and the different variations of makeshift homes survivors have made are touching.” –
United Press International
Jan 8, 2026
Full Review
Primate (2025)
79%
EDIT
“Delivers what one wants out of an animal attack film. Viewers seeking a killer chimpanzee movie will find one that embraces indiscriminate, graphic carnage.” –
United Press International
Jan 6, 2026
Full Review
Song Sung Blue (2025)
78%
EDIT
“Feels like it is exploiting people who did not ask for the spotlight in the way celebrities have.” –
United Press International
Dec 24, 2025
Full Review
Anaconda (2025)
48%
EDIT
“Sub-Entourage-level industry inside baseball. The characters discuss I.P. and thematic metaphors, but the jokes only amount to 'Can you believe we're really remaking Anaconda? I know, right?'” –
United Press International
Dec 23, 2025
Full Review
No Other Choice (2025)
97%
EDIT
“Park never lets No Other Choice become a vicarious revenge tale. He keeps denying the audience gratification for Man-su's pursuits.” –
United Press International
Dec 22, 2025
Full Review
Is This Thing On? (2025)
86%
EDIT
“It is refreshing that the plot of Is This Thing On? is not about Alex becoming great and trying to get signed. That's the Hollywood underdog version, but here it's enough that Alex just wants to be good enough to keep doing it.” –
United Press International
Dec 16, 2025
Full Review
The Housemaid (2025)
74%
EDIT
“A sexy thriller with a wink to the genre but still delivers the goods. ” –
United Press International
Dec 16, 2025
Full Review
Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)
66%
EDIT
“It can be silly and spread too thin, but the highs are genuine.” –
United Press International
Dec 16, 2025
Full Review
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025)
81%
EDIT
“A step down for SpongeBob.” –
United Press International
Dec 15, 2025
Full Review
Ella McCay (2025)
22%
EDIT
“Misguided and downright irresponsible” –
United Press International
Dec 10, 2025
Full Review
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