(Photo by Mark Tille/©Sony Pictures Classics/Courtesy Everett Collection)
Moon celebrates its 15th anniversary!
We’re ranking the films of Sam Rockwell by Tomatometer! A prolific actor, we start the guide with his Certified Fresh films, including two from his breakthrough 1999 year: The Green Mile (as psychotic inmate Wild Bill) and Galaxy Quest, where he played pragmatic panicker Guy Fleegman. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Matchstick Men continued to grow his stature, heading into the lead on hidden gems-lists fixture Moon, and a spot in the MCU as Iron Man 2‘s Justin Hammer. Rockwell’s also been in some of the more interesting, quirky, and abrasive wide releases of the past two decades, including The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Seven Psychopaths, Jojo Rabbit, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
#1
Adjusted Score: 103703%
Critics Consensus: Frost/Nixon is weighty and eloquent; a cross between a boxing match and a ballet with Oscar worthy performances.
#2
Adjusted Score: 113302%
Critics Consensus: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri deftly balances black comedy against searing drama — and draws unforgettable performances from its veteran cast along the way.
#3
Adjusted Score: 97725%
Critics Consensus: Boosted by Sam Rockwell’s intense performance, Moon is a compelling work of science-fiction, and a promising debut from director Duncan Jones.
#4
Adjusted Score: 96443%
Critics Consensus: Intelligent and humorous satire with an excellent cast — no previous Trekkie knowledge needed to enjoy this one.
#5
Adjusted Score: 96900%
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced, funny, and full of colorful visual appeal, The Bad Guys is good news for audiences seeking options the whole family can enjoy.
#6
Adjusted Score: 92454%
Critics Consensus: Despite its familiar themes, The Way Way Back makes use of its talented cast, finely tuned script, and an abundance of charm to deliver a funny and satisfying coming-of-age story.
#7
Adjusted Score: 93236%
Critics Consensus: Seven Psychopaths delivers sly cinematic commentary while serving up a heaping helping of sharp dialogue and gleeful violence.
#8
Adjusted Score: 89334%
Critics Consensus: Breezy and well-acted, Matchstick Men focuses more on the characters than on the con.
#9
Adjusted Score: 102836%
Critics Consensus: Jojo Rabbit‘s blend of irreverent humor and serious ideas definitely won’t be to everyone’s taste — but either way, this anti-hate satire is audacious to a fault.
#10
Adjusted Score: 85422%
Critics Consensus: Rockwell is spot-on as Barris, and Clooney directs with entertaining style and flair.
#11
Adjusted Score: 85787%
Critics Consensus: Though The Green Mile is long, critics say it’s an absorbing, emotionally powerful experience.
#12
Adjusted Score: 92709%
Critics Consensus: Richard Jewell simplifies the real-life events that inspired it — yet still proves that Clint Eastwood remains a skilled filmmaker of admirable economy.
#13
Adjusted Score: 83870%
Critics Consensus: On the strength of its two lead performances Assassination is an expertly crafted period piece, and an insightful look at one of the enduring figures of American lore.
#14
Adjusted Score: 84677%
Critics Consensus: It isn’t quite the breath of fresh air that Iron Man was, but this sequel comes close with solid performances and an action-packed plot.
#15
Adjusted Score: 42014%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#16
Adjusted Score: 80788%
Critics Consensus: A fun follow-up for fans of the original, Trolls World Tour offers a second helping of colorful animation, infectious energy, and sing-along songs.
#17
Adjusted Score: 72402%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#18
Adjusted Score: 77280%
Critics Consensus: An uncertain approach to the story’s darker themes undermines its emotional stakes, but The One and Only Ivan offers heartwarming entertainment for younger viewers.
#19
Adjusted Score: 75610%
Critics Consensus: Less compelling — and more manipulative — than it should be, Conviction benefits from its compelling true story and a pair of solid performances from Swank and Rockwell.
#20
Adjusted Score: 73706%
Critics Consensus: Mixing tongue-in-cheek cheesecake with glossy action set pieces, Charlie’s Angels is slick and resonably fun despite its lack of originality.
#21
Adjusted Score: 71443%
Critics Consensus: Heist didn’t cover any new ground, but the cast and Mamet’s expertise with witty banter make it worthwhile.
#22
Adjusted Score: 71024%
Critics Consensus: With fine acting and considerable emotional depth, Snow Angels aptly captures the highs, and especially the lows of human relationships.
#23
Adjusted Score: 70523%
Critics Consensus: Faultless production and shining performances display the Bard’s talent propitiously.
#24
Adjusted Score: 85656%
Critics Consensus: Vice takes scattershot aim at its targets, but writer-director Adam McKay hits some satisfying bullseyes — and Christian Bale’s transformation is a sight to behold.
#25
Adjusted Score: 69954%
Critics Consensus: Laggies may not do as much with its ideas as it could, but it’s buoyed by a winsome performance from Kiera Knightley, as well as Lynn Shelton’s empathetic direction.
#26
Adjusted Score: 66658%
Critics Consensus: Digging for Fire finds director/co-writer Joe Swanberg working from a familiar palette, but in ways that suggest he’s taking new and exciting strides as a filmmaker.
#27
Adjusted Score: 65402%
Critics Consensus: Though Joshua is ultimately too formulaic, its intelligence and suspenseful buildup heighten the overall creep factor.
#28
Adjusted Score: 61447%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#29
Adjusted Score: 67386%
Critics Consensus: A frantic and occasional funny adaptation of Douglas Adams’ novel. However, it may have those unfamiliar with the source material scratching their heads.
#30
Adjusted Score: 60577%
Critics Consensus: Woman Walks Ahead gets some extra mileage out of watchable work from Jessica Chastain and Michael Greyeyes, but uneven pacing and two-dimensional characters undermine their efforts.
#31
Adjusted Score: 57470%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#32
Adjusted Score: 61482%
Critics Consensus: While bolstered by strong performances from Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston, Choke struggles to capture the tone of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel.
#33
Adjusted Score: 56608%
Critics Consensus: Contains some funny moments, but it’s still a very lightweight comedy.
#34
Adjusted Score: 55621%
Critics Consensus: The Best of Enemies has the best of intentions, but they’re derailed by a problematic perspective and a disappointing lack of insight.
#35
Adjusted Score: 52659%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#36
Adjusted Score: 52024%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#37
Adjusted Score: 52410%
Critics Consensus: A calm, charismatic performance from Robert De Niro nearly saves the movie, but ultimately, Everybody’s Fine has the look and feel of a stereotypical Christmas dramedy.
#38
Adjusted Score: 48464%
Critics Consensus: It has a bleak sense of atmosphere and a terrific performance by Sam Rockwell, but A Single Shot is undercut by its predictable story and slow pace.
#39
Adjusted Score: 44904%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#40
Adjusted Score: 46769%
Critics Consensus: Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick work well together, but Mr. Right is too much of a tonal jumble to take advantage of their chemistry.
#41
Adjusted Score: 54433%
Critics Consensus: Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford are as dependably appealing as ever, but they’re let down by director Jon Favreau’s inability to smooth Cowboys & Aliens‘ jarring tonal shifts.
#42
Adjusted Score: 36643%
Critics Consensus: This contrived heist film strikes gold with Sam Rockwell, but there isn’t much else going for Blue Iguana.
#43
Adjusted Score: 55380%
Critics Consensus: Argylle gets some mileage out of its silly, energetic spin on the spy thriller, but ultimately wears out its welcome with a convoluted plot and overlong runtime.
#44
Adjusted Score: 33385%
Critics Consensus: True to its name, Loitering with Intent lingers longer than necessary — and not with good reason — as its script crumbles under the weight of mediocrity.
#45
Adjusted Score: 20311%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#46
Adjusted Score: 35106%
Critics Consensus: Paying competent homage without adding anything of real value to the original Poltergeist, this remake proves just as ephemeral (but half as haunting) as its titular spirit.
#47
Adjusted Score: 29986%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#48
Adjusted Score: 23797%
Critics Consensus: Better Living Through Chemistry proves suburban satire and a talented cast can be mixed together to produce a disappointingly tepid blend.
#49
Adjusted Score: 26697%
Critics Consensus: G-Force features manic action, but fails to come up with interesting characters or an inspired plot.
#50
Adjusted Score: 24944%
Critics Consensus: With its recycled plot, misguided gags, and formula performance from Jonah Hill, The Sitter adds up to another disappointing entry from director David Gordon Green.
#51
Adjusted Score: 22516%
Critics Consensus: Unselfconsciously juvenile and overwhelmingly quirky, Gentlemen Broncos offers a lot of potty humor but isn’t terribly funny.