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
Bullet Train Explosion (2025)
73%
“Captures the thrill of a diverse ensemble of characters working together, and sometimes against each other, in a crisis. The film balances action and drama like the classic disaster movies of the '70s and '90s.” –
United Press International
Apr 23, 2025
Full Review
The Accountant 2 (2025)
78%
“Has an irreverent take on the extreme characters of a hitman and his savant accountant brother. The actors and filmmakers embrace the absurdity of making these characters the heroes of a movie, but celebrate that they are who the audience came to see.” –
United Press International
Apr 23, 2025
Full Review
The Shrouds (2024)
74%
“The ideas, both of technological intrusions upon the deceased and the emotions of mourners who can't move on, are fascinating. This time, however, the ideas needed more development to justify their exploration with a more satisfying conclusion.” –
United Press International
Apr 15, 2025
Full Review
The Legend of Ochi (2025)
80%
“Combines aspects of family films of the '80s with A24's arthouse aesthetic. The unique combination proves charming.” –
United Press International
Apr 14, 2025
Full Review
Sinners (2025)
98%
“Coogler assures viewers they are in the hands of a filmmaker guiding them through both simple and complex ideas.” –
United Press International
Apr 10, 2025
Full Review
G20 (2025)
58%
“A fun and silly throwback to Die Hard and other action movies of its like. With so many classics in the genre already, nostalgia carries G20 through its familiar beats.” –
United Press International
Apr 9, 2025
Full Review
The Amateur (2025)
61%
“Nothing new but still a competent and entertaining execution of a spy thriller” –
United Press International
Apr 8, 2025
Full Review
A Minecraft Movie (2025)
48%
“Jack Black and Jason Momoa work overtime to sell the film's overly complicated premise. Their admirable efforts are no match for a disastrous script.” –
United Press International
Apr 2, 2025
Full Review
Warfare (2025)
93%
“The story is based on memory, implicitly those of Mendoza and Miller who were involved directly with the film. Warfare makes those memories as vivid as possible to those watching them unfold in the comfort of a movie theater.” –
United Press International
Mar 28, 2025
Full Review
A Working Man (2025)
49%
“It is undeniably satisfying to watch Levon shoot rapists and send them flying to the back wall of the room. He employs extraordinary interrogation on equally deserving targets, especially when he scolds them for unrelated but equally unsavory offenses.” –
United Press International
Mar 26, 2025
Full Review
Death of a Unicorn (2025)
54%
“The rest of the movie ought to be grounded for the magical realism of a unicorn traffic accident to be humorous. Instead, the film makes every other character more outlandish than a unicorn, so none of it is believable, let alone funny.” –
United Press International
Mar 25, 2025
Full Review
The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025)
97%
“A charming comedy about music, nostalgia and regrets. Any viewer should be able to relate to at least two of the three.” –
United Press International
Mar 24, 2025
Full Review
Disney's Snow White (2025)
40%
“While it may only be the 2nd or 3rd best live-action Snow White, it is one of the better Disney live-action remakes.” –
United Press International
Mar 19, 2025
Full Review
The Alto Knights (2025)
40%
“A mob movie in need of enlivening. Though Robert De Niro plays two roles, neither invigorate the sequence of historical events.” –
United Press International
Mar 19, 2025
Full Review
Locked (2025)
65%
“Compares favorably to films like Panic Room, Phone Booth and Buried.” –
United Press International
Mar 19, 2025
Full Review
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024)
88%
“The best part of The Day the Earth Blew Up is the film's meta self-awareness. Daffy literally winks at the camera, and director Peter Browngardt reminds the viewer they're watching a movie with fun tricks not to be spoiled in this review. ” –
United Press International
Mar 10, 2025
Full Review
Novocaine (2025)
81%
“Nothing these tough guys do can faze him. Nathan is no John Wick. He is truly an average guy whose unique power is just that he keeps getting back up when he's slammed down.” –
United Press International
Mar 8, 2025
Full Review
Mickey 17 (2025)
77%
“A provocative science fiction story that mines intriguing possibilities out of its premise. Its allegories can sometimes veer into caricature, but overall the film delivers on the story.” –
United Press International
Mar 4, 2025
Full Review
Last Breath (2025)
80%
“An underwater Apollo 13” –
United Press International
Feb 27, 2025
Full Review
The Monkey (2025)
79%
“Bodies often explode and disintegrate as a result, a combination so extreme and impeccably timed that one can only interpret it as a punchline.” –
United Press International
Feb 17, 2025
Full Review
Ne Zha 2 (2025)
96%
“The rendering of martial arts battles is as graceful as DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda series. The myriad creatures should appeal to international fans of fantasy epics like Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings.” –
Deadline Hollywood Daily
Feb 15, 2025
Full Review
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)
88%
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy trades 'happily ever after' for 'we're going to be okay,' and is stronger for it.” –
United Press International
Feb 13, 2025
Full Review
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
48%
“Mackie carries his first movie as the headlining hero effectively. Even up against screen legends like Ford, it is clearly Captain America's movie.” –
United Press International
Feb 12, 2025
Full Review
Love Hurts (2025)
19%
“There are way too many characters for an 83-minute movie.” –
United Press International
Feb 6, 2025
Full Review
Lurker (2025)
96%
“Effectively creates discomfort on two fronts. A stalker is unsettling but the celebrity world is off-putting as well.” –
United Press International
Feb 4, 2025
Full Review
No Reviews Yet
Load More
Something went wrong.. try again