>
Micheal Compton
Tomatometer-approved critic
I have been the local film critic for the Park City Bowling Green Daily News since 2002. I publish weekly in the newspaper, but also do online reviews for films that open in the Nashville (Tenn.) market when applicable. I also have two weekly local radio spots to discuss films and I have covered the Nashville Film Festival for the last three years.
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Twisters (2024) |
Twisters ultimately is a one-man show, with Powell keeping it somewhat interesting until it finally goes spinning out of control. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jul 22, 2024
|
|
|
|
Longlegs (2024) |
A taut psychological thriller that is on par with some of the great films in the genre. With strong work from its lead, Maika Monroe, and a gonzo turn from Nicholas Cage, it all adds up to one of 2024's most unforgettable films. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jul 11, 2024
|
|
|
|
MaXXXine (2024) |
Once again Goth delivers a memorable turn, one that completely transcends the genre and manages to lift some material that is a little flat and standard -- especially when compared to the previous two films. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jul 05, 2024
|
|
|
|
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) |
This is a pleasant blast of nostalgia that fans of the series will enjoy -- a nice mix of callbacks with a splash of new additions that help breathe life into a franchise left for dead after the last film. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jul 05, 2024
|
|
|
|
The Bikeriders (2023) |
With a stacked cast and solid work from writer/director Jeff Nichols, it’s a solid look at the motorcycle culture that works much like Goodfellas -- immersing its audience into a world rarely seen on film. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jun 28, 2024
|
|
|
|
Inside Out 2 (2024) |
The expansion of the world brings new depth to the franchise and raises the emotional stakes quite well. The results are perhaps Pixar’s best film since Inside Out and the best sequel by the studio since Toy Story 3. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jun 21, 2024
|
|
|
|
Hit Man (2023) |
Hit Man is an absolute joy -- a highly entertaining, based-on-a-true-story romantic comedy that is the perfect example of what happens when everything comes together. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jun 14, 2024
|
|
|
|
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) |
Ride or Die longs for the good old days, but at the end of the day, it feels more like that one guy who still wants to celebrate his four touchdown game in high school. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jun 07, 2024
|
|
|
|
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) |
There truly is no one like George Miller. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted May 31, 2024
|
|
|
|
IF (2024) |
The story is plodding and predictable, a bit of a slog. It's the kind of movie that even when a scene clicks it goes on too long and loses its effectiveness. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted May 24, 2024
|
|
|
|
Back to Black (2024) |
An ordinary film about an extraordinary talent. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted May 18, 2024
|
|
|
|
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) |
"Kingdom" is a bit of a mixed bag, a solid film that achieves its goal of restarting the franchise but one that is still well below the level of the previous three films. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted May 10, 2024
|
|
|
|
Boy Kills World (2023) |
“Boy” tries way too hard to be clever, but ultimately becomes mind-numblingly repetitive. The experience is like watching someone play a video game at warp speed. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted May 04, 2024
|
|
|
|
Challengers (2024) |
You can practically see the sparks flying off the screen in Challengers, the new film from director Luca Guadagnino. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Apr 26, 2024
|
|
|
|
Hundreds of Beavers (2022) |
Full of so many wonderful moments that it almost becomes too much. The film could have probably been tightened about 15 minutes, with some gags running a tad too long, but it’s hard to be upset with filmmakers willing to go that extra mile to entertain. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Apr 20, 2024
|
|
|
|
Civil War (2024) |
It’s a political movie that won’t take a side. It’s a mentorship story where the lesson is never truly delivered. It’s just a hollow shell of talking points that no one ever really talks about. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Apr 12, 2024
|
|
|
|
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) |
A cookie-cutter big budget blockbuster that checks all the boxes, without having any real imagination. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Apr 05, 2024
|
|
|
|
Late Night with the Devil (2023) |
A film that takes found footage concept to fresh new heights -- a meticulously crafted gem that features some great performances, some memorable scary sequences and enough mystery to leave audiences talking long after leaving the theater. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Mar 29, 2024
|
|
|
|
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) |
“Frozen Empire” may not make a profound impact, but if you are a fan of the franchise, it will certainly make you feel good. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Mar 22, 2024
|
|
|
|
Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
For the most part, "Panda" proves to be a film that kids will like and adults won't be bored with while watching, but it really does feel like a franchise whose time has passed. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Mar 22, 2024
|
|
|
|
Dune: Part Two (2024) |
Villeneuve has raised the bar with Dune: Part Two, which now takes its place not just as the quintessential adaptation of the beloved novel -- but one of the top level series in its genre. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Mar 01, 2024
|
|
|
|
Madame Web (2024) |
Madame Web is basically just a film that is there -- it’s a passable way to kill two hours while watching something that is pretty average. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Mar 01, 2024
|
|
|
|
Lisa Frankenstein (2024) |
This is a film that tries to be too many things at once and fails to find one that remotely works. It’s part homage to 80s teen rom-coms, part horror, part whimsical Tim Burton and all painful to experience. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Feb 22, 2024
|
|
|
|
Sometimes I Think About Dying (2023) |
Ridley is the driving force behind Sometimes I Think About Dying. It's a daring performance from an actress willing to take that challenge and run with it. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Feb 22, 2024
|
|
|
|
Argylle (2024) |
An overstuffed action flick that really feels the weight of its massive 139 minute run time -- hindered by a story that grows more uninteresting with every plot twist. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Feb 09, 2024
|
|
|
|
The Beekeeper (2024) |
Is The Beekeeper a good movie? No. But for the most part it’s comically entertaining, which is probably more than enough to satisfy fans of Statham. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Feb 02, 2024
|
|
|
|
Poor Things (2023) |
Director Yorgos Lanthimos has crafted a darkly comedic spin on the Frankenstein tale that is very smart with a very talented cast -- anchored by career work from Emma Stone. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jan 27, 2024
|
|
|
|
Mean Girls (2024) |
Rapp alone makes Mean Girls worth the price of admission, but fortunately the film has even more to offer -- making it a rare remake that manages to balance the nostalgia factor while providing a fresh spin on familiar material. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jan 19, 2024
|
|
|
|
The Book of Clarence (2023) |
"Clarence" completely comes off the rails in the final act -- a film where the jarring tone switches finally become too much. As a result "Clarence" is a wildly creative swing that ultimately misses the mark. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jan 12, 2024
|
|
|
|
Wonka (2023) |
Wonka is a delightful little treat, a prequel to the beloved Gene Wilder classic that builds off that original while adding its own unique flavor.
- Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Jan 06, 2024
|
|
|
|
The Iron Claw (2023) |
For longtime professional wrestling fans, the Von Erich family is a tale of tragic lore that feels like a modern day Greek tragedy. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Dec 23, 2023
|
|
|
|
The Holdovers (2023) |
Working from a script from David Hemingson, Payne has crafted a wonderful story of loneliness and isolation that manages to be both inspirational and uplifting. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Dec 15, 2023
|
|
|
|
Godzilla Minus One (2023) |
Sure, you have seen the monster before but this is Godzilla at his very best -- a fun action film that also has a compelling story to be more than just chaos. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Dec 08, 2023
|
|
|
|
Napoleon (2023) |
What Napoleon lacks in newfound insight, it makes up for with some well crafted sequences and Phoenix and Kirby’s dynamic chemistry. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Dec 01, 2023
|
|
|
|
The Killer (2023) |
If ever a film embodied the spirit of its director, The Killer would definitely be that film. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Nov 28, 2023
|
|
|
|
The Marvels (2023) |
Ultimately, The Marvels feels like it is just spinning its wheels, keeping these characters in motion long enough to get to the next chapter. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Nov 10, 2023
|
|
|
|
Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) |
This adaptation of a popular 2014 video game has some elements that really work well, but ultimately the latest entry to the horror genre falls short in large part to an uneven tone that can’t exactly decide how dark it truly wants to be. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Nov 07, 2023
|
|
|
|
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) |
Ultimately, it is Gladstone that provides the heart and soul of “Moon.” Some might recognize the actress from recent films Certain Women and First Cow, but this is an absolute breakout moment for a very talented actress. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Oct 31, 2023
|
|
|
|
Totally Killer (2023) |
A fun little slasher film with a twist -- a mash-up of two genres that manages to draw inspiration from previous films while creating its own unique presence. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Oct 20, 2023
|
|
|
|
Fair Play (2023) |
Anchored by strong work from Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich it is hard not to be drawn into Fair Play -- even as the film becomes more and more uncomfortable to watch. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Oct 14, 2023
|
|
|
|
Eileen (2023) |
Hathaway and McKenzie work well together, making their developing relationship believable and grounded in reality, with McKenzie really delivering a complex turn of a woman battling her own demons. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Oct 06, 2023
|
|
|
|
I Used to be Funny (2023) |
It’s a film that cements Sennott’s status as one of the brightest new stars in the film industry. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Oct 06, 2023
|
|
|
|
Flora and Son (2023) |
The wonderful thing about Carney's script is Flora and Son never goes in the direction you think it is going to go -- always taking unique turns that really gets the audience emotionally invested. Hewson's performance holds it all together, - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Oct 06, 2023
|
|
|
|
Expend4bles (2023) |
This isn't just a bad movie, it is a boring one -- not exactly what you would want in a film that relies on non-stop action. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Sep 30, 2023
|
|
|
|
A Haunting in Venice (2023) |
Branagh’s strong performance is enough to make A Haunting in Venice worth your time, but fortunately this mystery has a little more up its sleeve to make it a worthy addition to a franchise that continues to deliver. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Sep 22, 2023
|
|
|
|
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023) |
While the latest effort is slightly better than the previous film, its still pretty miserable -- a pale imitation of the original that plays more like a travel ad for Greece than an actual feature film. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Sep 15, 2023
|
|
|
|
Bottoms (2023) |
On paper, nothing about Bottoms should work, but with Seligman and this talented cast willing to do whatever it takes, the film winds up being a generational teenage comedy that sets the bar high for future films in the genre. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Sep 07, 2023
|
|
|
|
Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story (2023) |
Perhaps if Blomkamp had chosen to be a little more straight-forward with his visual story telling, Gran Turismo could have worked. As it is, it proves to be a missed opportunity -- a film that basically is middle of the road. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Sep 02, 2023
|
|
|
|
Blue Beetle (2023) |
This is one of the most low-key comic book films ever made. That laid back approach proves to be the film's strength, with "Beetle" one of the most charming surprises of the year. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Aug 26, 2023
|
|
|
|
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) |
In the end The Last Voyage of the Demeter doesn’t totally suck, but it lacks the bite it needs to separate it from the multitude of Dracula cinematic entries. - Bowling Green Daily News
Read More
| Posted Aug 22, 2023
|