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Rave Reviews

Rave Reviews is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this publication only count toward the Tomatometer® when written by the following Tomatometer-approved critic(s): Abby Olcese.

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Rating Title | Year Author Quote
85/100
EMMA. (2020) Abby Olcese Emma. is a fine and unchallenging way to spend an evening, but so is the 2009 PBS mini-series, the 1996 film and TV adaptations, and 1995's Clueless. These days, you can take your pick-they're just about all the same.
Posted Mar 25, 2020  Edit critic review
80/100
Ford v Ferrari (2019) Abby Olcese If you let it take you along on an entertaining, semi-predictable ride with interesting characters and style to spare, you'll have a good time. Certainly, the movie is worth appreciating for its performances and craft, if nothing else.
Posted Nov 19, 2019  Edit critic review
62/100
Lucy in the Sky (2019) Abby Olcese By trying to hold back for so long, Lucy in the Sky fails to prepare itself for the tone change it knows is coming, and burns up spectacularly upon impact.
Posted Oct 21, 2019  Edit critic review
46/100
The Death of Dick Long (2019) Abby Olcese It might have worked as a short film -- in fact, it could have made a great one -- but as a feature film, it feels like it's stretched way too thin. The movie is not as funny as it thinks it is, though it is perhaps a good deal meaner.
Posted Oct 07, 2019  Edit critic review
92/100
Hustlers (2019) Abby Olcese Anchored by Lopez's magnetic performance, it ends up being one of this year's most entertaining films.
Posted Sep 17, 2019  Edit critic review
83/100
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) Abby Olcese The movie occasionally falls prey to early filmmaker mistakes, but its winning performances and its delightful star are more than enough to buoy it along.
Posted Aug 26, 2019  Edit critic review
42/100
The Kitchen (2019) Abby Olcese It's frustratingly easy to see the ways in which The Kitchen could have been a better film. The pieces are all there. Unfortunately, the film is willing to settle for the very easiest way forward, which does a huge disservice to all involved.
Posted Aug 12, 2019  Edit critic review
80/100
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) Abby Olcese The goofy performances, excellent stunts, and assured directing from Leitch make this film a success in that sense, even if you're left with the impression that the director would rather have had the freedom to really make this movie his own.
Posted Aug 05, 2019  Edit critic review
90/100
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Abby Olcese Spider-Man: Far From Home is refreshing, irreverent and sweet.
Posted Jul 08, 2019  Edit critic review
83/100
Midsommar (2019) Abby Olcese It may not be entertainment per se, but as a work of art, and as a second step forward in a promising career, it's absolutely cinema that's worth engaging with.
Posted Jul 08, 2019  Edit critic review
45/100
Dark Phoenix (2019) Abby Olcese Dark Phoenix was made with the absolute minimum of care, from the bored performances to the lazily applied subtext to the movie's total lack of fun. It is less a whimper, and more of a death rattle.
Posted Jul 01, 2019  Edit critic review
93/100
Toy Story 4 (2019) Abby Olcese The new movie matches elements of David Lynch aesthetics, R.L. Stine-inflected villainy, and Pixar's trademark heartstring-pulling. It pays off to incredible results.
Posted Jun 26, 2019  Edit critic review
98/100
Booksmart (2019) Abby Olcese Booksmart, the stunning directorial debut of Olivia Wilde, is Gen-Z's high school graduation movie, and may very well rank among the best of the genre.
Posted May 24, 2019  Edit critic review
90/100
John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum (2019) Abby Olcese What it lacks in character beats, it makes up for in worldbuilding and stunning examples of well-executed action. It is gloriously fun performance art, with gun-fu and katanas.
Posted May 20, 2019  Edit critic review
77/100
Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) Abby Olcese If you aren't at least a little familiar with the characters, you'll be lost for most of the movie. For Pokémon lovers, though, the movie is mostly a clever, creative experience. The third act is wobbly, but the journey there, at least, is fun.
Posted May 14, 2019  Edit critic review
92/100
Long Shot (2019) Abby Olcese It plays with the formula just enough to create something really special, and gives audiences nuanced romantic leads in a relationship that's easy to root for... It's fluff, with substance.
Posted May 06, 2019  Edit critic review
78/100
Avengers: Endgame (2019) Abby Olcese Despite a few shortcomings, Avengers: Endgame is still an affectionate, enjoyable closing chapter for a long-standing series.
Posted Apr 25, 2019  Edit critic review
93/100
Missing Link (2019) Abby Olcese Missing Link continues to prove not only Laika's visual mastery, but also the studio's commitment to telling emotionally resonant stories.
Posted Apr 15, 2019  Edit critic review
87/100
Shazam! (2019) Abby Olcese Shazam! has a smart mouth and a heart of pure gold.
Posted Apr 08, 2019  Edit critic review
6/10
Dumbo (2019) Abby Olcese For Burton superfans, it's an interesting addition to his later-period work. However, for most of the rest of us, there's not a lot to get excited about.
Posted Apr 02, 2019  Edit critic review
8/10
Us (2019) Abby Olcese Comparisons to Get Out, while inevitable, are ultimately unfair, since Us isn't trying to hit that point. It's just a very entertaining horror movie with some interesting ideas under the hood, and that still counts for a lot.
Posted Mar 27, 2019  Edit critic review
90/100
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) Abby Olcese Being open-hearted means that sometimes things may not go well... What's truly impressive is that the movie gives that message to young audiences first through its rollicking Lego-based adventure, but also through a relatable, real-world example.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
85/100
The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) Abby Olcese Bolstered by winning performances from its young cast. As Merlin, Imrie is the standout performer, bringing goofy gravitas and gawky, committed physicality to the role.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
62/100
Glass (2019) Abby Olcese Any suggestion that M. Night Shyamalan is experiencing a career renaissance can be put aside halfway through the movie, when his worst tendencies begin to show through.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
85/100
Mary Poppins Returns (2018) Abby Olcese It functions as both a sweet nostalgia trip and a fun film that works quite well on its own merits. Whatever its flaws, the film presents a world audiences will be happy to get lost in.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
68/100
Boy Erased (2018) Abby Olcese The film's attempt to humanize all parties lessens the power of the statement it's trying to make. It avoids the deeper implications of the abusive practice it's addressing.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
65/100
On the Basis of Sex (2018) Abby Olcese On the Basis of Sex doesn't do Ruth Bader Ginsburg's reputation any harm, but that's only because the film doesn't really do anything with her at all.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
70/100
Suspiria (2018) Abby Olcese A stylish, original take on its 1977 progenitor. It's an atmospheric piece of arthouse horror that's full of curious details, as well as some timely feminist elements.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
73/10
The Old Man & the Gun (2018) Abby Olcese The Old Man and the Gun isn't here to rock the boat, but to give you a mug of something warm to drink by a fire. It may not be great, but good, in this case, is just fine.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
76/100
Mid90s (2018) Abby Olcese Occasionally, it seems like Hill is trying a little too hard to be taken seriously. But even the movie's pitfalls open up possibilities for conversation, and Hill authentically captures the complexity, tribalism, and insecurity of teenage boys.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
75/100
A Star Is Born (2018) Abby Olcese A worthwhile drama with impressive acting and musical performances, A Star Is Born proves this frequently revisited tale still has relevance and room for reinterpretation.
Posted Mar 18, 2019  Edit critic review
85/100
The House With a Clock in Its Walls (2018) Abby Olcese The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a thrilling world to spend time in, combining classic elements of a good family horror movie to lovely effect. For kids, parents, and kids-at-heart, it's a great way to kick off the Halloween season.
Posted Sep 24, 2018  Edit critic review
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