Latest news with #Popcornmeter
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix just got this fantasy action movie with Vin Diesel and Elijah Wood — and it's not even in the 'so bad it's good' category
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Netflix's latest addition is a dark fantasy action movie starring Vin Diesel that, on paper, sounds like it'll be a riot. As of today (June 16), Breck Eisner's "The Last Witch Hunter" is now available on the streaming service. This 2015 action flick pits Diesel's sword-swinging supernatural hunter against nefarious sorcerers. Sounds like a recipe for campy fun, right? Unfortunately.... It's anything but Even as a big fantasy guy myself, this is one new-to-Netflix watch I'd urge you to find something else to stream — and it turns out I'm not alone on that front, either. If you were waiting to stream "The Last Witch Hunter" on Netflix, you can find a little more info about the movie, and why I (and plenty of other viewers) would suggest you steer clear. "The Last Witch Hunter" introduces us to Kaulder (Vin Diesel), a powerful warrior cursed with immortality moments before he slayed the all-powerful Witch Queen hundreds of years ago. Working with "The Axes and Cross," Kaulder has kept humanity safe from supernatural forces, hunting down rogue witches who violate the fragile peace between the witches and the human race and keeping their powers in check. When a modern coven hatches a deadly plan to resurrect their queen, Kaulder and a few close allies look to be humanity's only chance at survival. In addition to Vin Diesel, "The Last Witch Hunter" also stars Michael Caine, Elijah Wood and Rose Leslie. Put simply, "The Last Witch Hunter" is a dreary watch. I'm no stranger to going against the grain when it comes to the fantasy genre — I went to bat for the "Warcraft" movie when it came to Netflix — but I don't think the movie that made it to our screens is worth shouting about. A lot of the problem is simply that I just don't buy Vin Diesel in the lead role; "The Last Witch Hunter" does not feel like his kind of movie. While the visual effects aren't bad (compared to some of today's watches), and the fights might occasionally thrill, it's just not very entertaining stuff. A lot of the problem is simply that I just don't buy Vin Diesel in the lead role; "The Last Witch Hunter" does not feel like his kind of movie. I can't even really see it landing as a guilty pleasure; "The Last Witch Hunter" does not veer into "so bad its good" territory. It's a self-serious, "edgy" mishmash of fantasy tropes and action, and a poorly written, plodding one at that. It's the kind of movie that wants you to think it is cool... but doesn't come off that way whatsoever. In other words, it's the movie equivalent of that dodgy "Shadow the Hedgehog" PS2 game. As I mentioned above, this isn't exactly a unique stance on the film, either. At the time of writing, "The Last Witch Hunter" holds a measly 18% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This isn't a situation where critics and viewers differ wildly, either; that 44% score on the Popcornmeter is indicative of a mixed reception, at best. As a sample of what people have to say about "The Last Witch Hunter," take Guy Lodge's review at Variety, who summed the movie up as a "limp, lame-brained occult thriller" and said it was "too drab to succeed even as defiantly unvirtuous trash." The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw gave the movie a one-star rating, calling it "dismal and dull" and positing Diesel and co.'s witch-hunting flick measures up unfavorably to Paramount's shlocky fairytale effort, "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters". And, reviewing at Entertainment Weekly, Kyle Anderson described the movie as "an unfortunately heavy-handed, humorless, self-serious" affair, adding: "It should be crazy fun on paper — Vin Diesel murders witches with a flaming sword! — but the only thing The Last Witch Hunter will successfully eradicate is insomnia." Unless you're desperate for some swords-and-sorcery fun (and you've already watched the far superior "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves"), I'd suggest you avoid streaming "The Last Witch Hunter" on Netflix. If that means you're now in need of some new streaming suggestions for your next movie night, check out our round-up of the best movies on Netflix for tons of top recommendations. 7 new to Netflix shows and movies to stream this week Netflix's new mind-bending mystery thriller gets first trailer Netflix is losing this swoonworthy romantic drama very soon
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just got this fantasy action movie with Vin Diesel and Elijah Wood — but it's no 'Lord of the Rings'
Netflix's latest addition is a dark fantasy action movie starring Vin Diesel that, on paper, sounds like it'll be a riot. As of today (June 16), Breck Eisner's "The Last Witch Hunter" is now available on the streaming service. This 2015 action flick pits Diesel's sword-swinging supernatural hunter against nefarious sorcerers. Sounds like a recipe for campy fun, right? Unfortunately.... It's anything but Even as a big fantasy guy myself, this is one new-to-Netflix watch I'd urge you to find something else to stream — and it turns out I'm not alone on that front, either. If you were waiting to stream "The Last Witch Hunter" on Netflix, you can find a little more info about the movie, and why I (and plenty of other viewers) would suggest you steer clear. "The Last Witch Hunter" introduces us to Kaulder (Vin Diesel), a powerful warrior cursed with immortality moments before he slayed the all-powerful Witch Queen hundreds of years ago. Working with "The Axes and Cross," Kaulder has kept humanity safe from supernatural forces, hunting down rogue witches who violate the fragile peace between the witches and the human race and keeping their powers in check. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. When a modern coven hatches a deadly plan to resurrect their queen, Kaulder and a few close allies look to be humanity's only chance at survival. In addition to Vin Diesel, "The Last Witch Hunter" also stars Michael Caine, Elijah Wood and Rose Leslie. Put simply, "The Last Witch Hunter" is a dreary watch. I'm no stranger to going against the grain when it comes to the fantasy genre — I went to bat for the "Warcraft" movie when it came to Netflix — but I don't think the movie that made it to our screens is worth shouting about. A lot of the problem is simply that I just don't buy Vin Diesel in the lead role; "The Last Witch Hunter" does not feel like his kind of movie. While the visual effects aren't bad (compared to some of today's watches), and the fights might occasionally thrill, it's just not very entertaining stuff. A lot of the problem is simply that I just don't buy Vin Diesel in the lead role; "The Last Witch Hunter" does not feel like his kind of movie. I can't even really see it landing as a guilty pleasure; "The Last Witch Hunter" does not veer into "so bad its good" territory. It's a self-serious, "edgy" mishmash of fantasy tropes and action, and a poorly written, plodding one at that. It's the kind of movie that wants you to think it is cool... but doesn't come off that way whatsoever. In other words, it's the movie equivalent of that dodgy "Shadow the Hedgehog" PS2 game. As I mentioned above, this isn't exactly a unique stance on the film, either. At the time of writing, "The Last Witch Hunter" holds a measly 18% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This isn't a situation where critics and viewers differ wildly, either; that 44% score on the Popcornmeter is indicative of a mixed reception, at best. As a sample of what people have to say about "The Last Witch Hunter," take Guy Lodge's review at Variety, who summed the movie up as a "limp, lame-brained occult thriller" and said it was "too drab to succeed even as defiantly unvirtuous trash." The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw gave the movie a one-star rating, calling it "dismal and dull" and positing Diesel and co.'s witch-hunting flick measures up unfavorably to Paramount's shlocky fairytale effort, "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters". And, reviewing at Entertainment Weekly, Kyle Anderson described the movie as "an unfortunately heavy-handed, humorless, self-serious" affair, adding: "It should be crazy fun on paper — Vin Diesel murders witches with a flaming sword! — but the only thing The Last Witch Hunter will successfully eradicate is insomnia." Unless you're desperate for some swords-and-sorcery fun (and you've already watched the far superior "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves"), I'd suggest you avoid streaming "The Last Witch Hunter" on Netflix. If that means you're now in need of some new streaming suggestions for your next movie night, check out our round-up of the best movies on Netflix for tons of top recommendations.
Metro
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix is about to axe the highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes
Sophie-May Williams Published June 11, 2025 3:36pm Link is copied Comments Calling all Netflix fans: you only have a few weeks left to watch arguably the best movie the streaming platform has to offer. Unfortunately, Leave No Trace, which currently boasts a rare, perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is getting the boot on June 30. The movie, which also tops the Rotten Tomatoes 100% Club ranking, was first released back in 2018 (Picture: Scott Green/Bleecker Street/THA/REX/Shutterstock) The thriller stars Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie as Will and Tom, a father-daughter duo who live an isolated existence in a forest in Oregon. Will, a veteran suffering from PTSD, teaches his daughter forest survival skills, from building fires to seeking out shelter. The pair rarely venture into the nearby town - only for basic necessities like food and water (Picture: Bleecker Street/THA/REX/Shutterstock) However, when a jogger reports Will and Tom to the authorities, they are arrested by park rangers and detained by social services. Thrust back into the real world, they must learn to adapt and conform to civilisation and society. While Tom is found to be exceptionally clever for her age, despite not attending school, her reintegration back into the community sees her learning new skills. As for Tom, the world he so desperately sought to leave behind engulfs him once more, which only exacerbates the symptoms of his PTSD (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock) As the film develops, Tom learns that she can be happy outside of the woods, and encourages her father to try and do the same. But, this epiphany causes them both to realise that at some point, they must go their separate ways. Tom belongs in her own version of the outside world, while Will is desperate to return to his solitary lifestyle in nature, unable to move on from his past (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock) With 252 Tomatometer reviews - which is the compilation of critics' reviews - Leave No Trace has the most positive testimonials of any film on Rotten Tomatoes with a 100% rating. It's also got a decent score of 78% on the Popcornmeter, where general viewers rate and share their thoughts on a film. Currently, this meter has over 5,000 ratings (Picture: Bleecker Street/THA/REX/Shutterstock) JD Duran from InSession Film spotlighted the performances by the lead actors. The critic said: 'Foster and McKenzie not only give great individual performances, but their chemistry together is stunning and it made for an emotional experience that few movies matched in 2018.' For Brittany Patrice Witherspoon from Pop Culture Reviews, the movie left a lasting impression. She said: 'The beauty of it all is while the characters find any means necessary to erase their existence from the world, they will surely find a way to creep into and leave a trace in your heart' (Picture: Bleecker Street/THA/REX/Shutterstock) Robert Roten of Laramie Movie Scope sang the praises of the director, Debra Granik. He penned: 'The writing and direction by Debra Granik is sharp and sure. This has the lean, spare look of a low-budget independent film, but it is emotionally rich and powerful.' Keith Garlington from Keith & The Movies said Leave No Trace 'struck a chord with [him] early.' He said: 'I could feel its emotional tug all the way till the end. It's not a movie deeply concerned with plot. Instead it is all about character' (Picture: Bleecker Street/THA/REX/Shutterstock) As for the Popcornmeter reviews, one person called it 'tragically brilliant or brilliantly tragic.' They added: 'You can't help but get invested in both characters and put yourself in their shoes. The father's desire to do right for his daughter but inability to stay still is tough to watch but you can't look away.' Elsewhere, someone else dubbed it a 'fantastic cinematic masterpiece.' However, unlike the critics, not everyone was enamoured with the film. Among the five-star reviews, plenty of people dropped one to two-star ratings, calling Leave No Trace 'confusing' and 'average.' Another said it was 'overly long and extremely boring,' while someone went so far as to call it a 'snoozefest' (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock) Either way, movies are made to be subjective, so not everyone is going to have the same opinion. And isn't that what's so great about art? With that, there's only one thing left to do: cancel your Friday night plans and make your mind up for yourself. And, as Leave No Trace is literally about to leave the streaming platform without a trace, there's never been a better time to watch it. Leave No Trace is streaming on Netflix until June 30 (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Tom's Guide
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Ben Affleck action thriller 'The Accountant 2' is Prime Video's newest No. 1 movie — and fans rate it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes
Prime Video surprised us with an extra dose of action just a few days ago, as 'The Accountant 2' came to the Amazon streaming service on June 5, just six weeks after its theatrical release. Clearly, 'The Accountant 2' was exactly what Prime Video subscribers were waiting for, though, as the movie immediately became a hit for the streamer. The high-octane sequel went straight to No. 1 on Prime Video's top 10 list, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere fast. Viewers who've already checked the thriller out are full of praise, too; 'The Accountant 2' has bagged a 92% rating from moviegoers on Rotten Tomatoes, with the audience consensus reading: '[Stars Ben] Affleck and [Jon] Bernthal make for compelling leads in 'The Accountant 2,' a violence-packed sequel that accrues enough humor and heart you can take to the bank.' Not yet seen 'The Accountant 2,' and trying to decide whether to add it to your watchlist? Here's a little more info about the sequel, and a quick round-up of critical opinion to help you decide whether to stream 'The Accountant 2' on Prime Video. Gavin O'Connor's 'The Accountant 2' reunites us with Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck), a man with a talent for, as Amazon puts it, 'solving complex problems.' The film sees one of Wolff's acquaintances being murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to 'find the accountant,' and Wolff feels compelled to get to the bottom of things at once. When he realizes this particular case might require more extreme methods, he reaches out to his estranged (and highly lethal) brother, Braxton (Jon Bernthal). Working with the U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, and the pair end up putting themselves in the crosshairs of some foes who'll stop at nothing to ensure that their secrets remain undiscovered. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In addition to Affleck, Bernthal, and Addai-Robinson, 'The Accountant 2' also stars Daniella Pineda and Allison Robertson. As we mentioned, 'The Accountant 2' has been a big hit with moviegoers, especially, though it's performed reasonably well with critics, too. On Rotten Tomatoes, 'The Accountant 2' currently holds a 76% critics score (from more than 200 registered reviews), though that's not quite as high as that 92% score on the Popcornmeter we've already flagged. As an example of what reviews had to say, Empire, critic Kim Newman rated the movie 3/5, writing: "Affleck and Bernthal make a funny, if morally dubious, double act, as Christian's autism lets sociopathic hit man Brax think of himself as the 'normal' brother. Best bit: the line-dancing scene." The Guardian's Adrian Horton offered a similar 2-star verdict when she reviewed the movie at SXSW earlier this year, calling it a "decent enough fan service follow-up", adding: "This is a movie of cinematic adrenaline and ludicrous setups — ironically for its hero, stupid pleasures, but the fun kind of stupid, the kind that draws loud cheers from a crowd at a SXSW premiere and gets people streaming on the couch." And, reviewing at Variety, Owen Gleiberman called "The Accountant 2" "one of the only thrillers I've seen you could characterize as a hangout movie," writing: "This franchise had nowhere to go but up. And that, I'm pleased to say, is exactly what happened. "The Accountant 2" is an agreeably loopy hyperviolent good time." Personally, I left "The Accountant 2" feeling similar to how I did after streaming "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera" on Netflix earlier this year. Both are solid action movies that thrive thanks to decent on-screen thrills and a fun bro-chemistry between the two leads. Christian and Braxton make for an entertaining pair to go along for the ride with, and the flick packs in a surprising amount of laughs throughout. If you're after a decent action thriller to liven up your next movie night, I'd suggest you stream "The Accountant 2" on Prime Video. Not sold on the new Prime Video release? We can still help you find your next must-watch movie. Check out our guide to the best movies on Prime Video that you can stream right now for more top streaming recommendations.
Tom's Guide
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This inspirational sports biopic just crashed the Prime Video top 10 — and it's 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
Prime Video looks to have another hit on its hands with "The Fire Inside." Despite only coming to the platform a few days ago, it's already climbed into the Prime Video top 10 list. If you've not seen it before, "The Fire Inside" is a biopic about American professional boxer Claressa "T-Rex" Shields that was directed by Rachel Morrison (in her feature directorial debut) and written by Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight," "The Underground Railroad"). "The Fire Inside" might not have made a splash at the box office, but it was released to critical acclaim. Over on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes, you'll see it's Certified Fresh, with a 93% critics score and an equally impressive 94% on the Popcornmeter. The movie came to Prime Video on May 27, and in the days since, it's risen through the ranks to claim 5th place on the Prime Video top 10. That's quite the feat, given it's behind the likes of "Another Simple Favor", "Twisters", and "Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning." Trying to decide whether to stream "The Fire Inside" on Prime Video? Here's a little more info about the trending movie, and a round-up of what people have had to say about the streamer's new arrival. "The Fire Inside" is a sports biopic based on the early career of American professional boxer, Claressa "T-Rex" Shields (here played by Ryan Destiny). The movie explores her life from when the Flint, Michigan native first set foot inside a boxing gym, through to her becoming the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In addition to Ryan Destiny, "The Fire Inside" also stars Brian Tyree Henry as Claressa's coach, Jason Crutchfield, plus Oluniké Adeliyi as Jackie Shields, De'Adre Aziza as Mickey, and Adam Clark as Clarence. As I mentioned, "The Fire Inside" comes highly recommended from both critics and fellow moviegoers alike. For example, The Guardian's Benjamin Lee rated the movie 4/5 stars, praising it as a "blazing boxing drama [that] packs a serious punch", adding: "The real-life victories by Shields and her coach were not easy, both pre- and post- Olympics, and what really makes The Fire Inside soar is that Morrison works just as hard to win us over." Marya E. Gates wrote: "Although the film hits a lot of the beats you'd expect, as it outlines Shields' journey towards Olympic gold, it does so with the kind of simple, lived-in details and empathy that Jenkins brought to his Best Picture winner 'Moonlight." Reviewing for Variety, Owen Gleiberman called "The Fire Inside" both "a grippingly downbeat boxing drama" and "a real rouser," adding: "The arc of the drama is built around an enormous curveball it throws at the audience. And that's when the movie really gets good." If you look at audience reactions on Rotten Tomatoes, you'll see plenty more glowing praise, too, including plenty of perfect 5/5 ratings. One user called "The Fire Inside" "a must-watch," "a raw, relentless, and inspiring masterpiece, and added: "This isn't just a boxing movie; it's a powerful story of grit, resilience and unbreakable spirit." Elsewhere, you'll see praise for the cast's performances, and buzzwords like "uplifting", "emotional" and "rewarding". Given that glowing reaction, I couldn't help but check it out for myself, and I'm inclined to agree; "The Fire Inside" gets my recommendation, too. Morrison's movie absolutely is a rousing watch, one that shines a light on Claressa's achievements with some solid in-ring action, but also worth sticking with for the grounded drama that follows her 2012 Olympic victory. Not sold on "The Fire Inside," but still looking for something new to watch? Check out our round-up of the best movies on Prime Video for tons more streaming recommendations for your next movie night.
