William Wolf
William Wolf's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer® when published at Tomatometer-approved publication(s).
Biography:
WILLIAM WOLF, who publishes the WOLF ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE on the web, is a critic, author, journalist and lecturer. He writes extensively on film and stage and teaches film courses at New York University. He was formerly film critic for the Gannett newspaper chain, a critic and contributing editor for New York Magazine and the film critic of Cue Magazine. His articles have appeared in newspapers throughout the country, national magazines and prestigious annuals.
Mr. Wolf served two terms as chairman of the New York Film Critics Circle. He is currently a member of the National Society of Film Critics, the Online Film Critics Society, the Drama Desk, P.E.N. and the American Association of University Professors. He has covered film festivals throughout the world, including those in Cannes, Moscow, Budapest, Berlin, Toronto and New York, and has served on the juries of the Chicago and Miami film festivals. During his career he has interviewed many luminaries of film, theater and the world of entertainment.
At New York University, he is known for his courses on Film as Literature in the English Department, Cinema and Literature in the French Department, and The Screening Room preview course at Lincoln Center's Walter reade Theater for NYU's School of Continuing andProfessional Studies.
Mr. Wolf is the author of two books, Landmark Films: The Cinema and Our Century, written in collaboration with Lillian Kramer Wolf, and The Marx Brothers.
Official Website:
http://www.wolfentertainmentguide.com
Stand by Me (1986)
88%
3/4
EDIT
“Reiner and script authors Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans have come up with a dandy, richly entertaining movie.” –
Gannett News Service
Jan 13, 2026
Full Review
The Sure Thing (1985)
84%
3.5/4
EDIT
“It looks as if the movies may have an authentic new comedy voice.” –
Gannett News Service
Jan 7, 2026
Full Review
The Terminator (1984)
90%
1/4
EDIT
“As awful as the movie is, it probably will earn considerable money at the box office because there's an audience for Schwarzenegger and such orgies of destruction.” –
Gannett News Service
Dec 8, 2025
Full Review
From Beyond (1986)
74%
1.5/4
EDIT
“After a while "From Beyond" just becomes overkill, more revolting than scary or funny.” –
Gannett News Service
Oct 20, 2025
Full Review
Re-Animator (1985)
88%
3/4
EDIT
“"Re-Animator" is stylish mayhem.” –
Gannett News Service
Oct 16, 2025
Full Review
My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
95%
3.5/4
EDIT
“Powerful, complex, and entertaining movie making, with a cannily chosen cast that could scarily be better. ” –
Gannett News Service
Oct 10, 2025
Full Review
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
71%
EDIT
“O'Bannon's spoof is only a pale imitation of the genre.” –
Gannett News Service
Aug 13, 2025
Full Review
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
78%
1.5/4
EDIT
“Herman's nerd quickly grows tiresome. And the situations created for him by screenwriters Phil Hartman, Paul Reubens, and Michael Varhol lack wit.” –
Gannett News Service
Jul 30, 2025
Full Review
Explorers (1985)
49%
2.5/4
EDIT
“It smacks too much of the sort of packaging that strains to tap into a heavily targeted market.” –
Gannett News Service
Jul 8, 2025
Full Review
Supergirl (1984)
19%
EDIT
“The production is slick, the requisite special effects are there, the know-how is evident, but the movie just won't fly.” –
Gannett News Service
Jun 27, 2025
Full Review
Day of the Dead (1985)
61%
EDIT
“I've never been a particular fan of Romero's violent indulgences before, but "Day of the Dead" has such a wickedly perverse sense of humor that it is hilarious. The more gruesome it becomes, the funnier it gets.” –
Gannett News Service
Jun 25, 2025
Full Review
Return to Oz (1985)
59%
EDIT
“It is mostly senselessly scary.” –
Gannett News Service
Jun 19, 2025
Full Review
The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
49%
1.5/4
EDIT
“The sequel, whether in combat or in conversation, lacks the original's spirit. ” –
Gannett News Service
May 27, 2025
Full Review
The Karate Kid (1984)
81%
EDIT
“The Karate Kid bids to be a great favorite of young audiences this summer, and adults can share the fun if they don't mind corn husking.” –
Gannett News Service
May 27, 2025
Full Review
Fandango (1985)
70%
EDIT
“While it smacks of the familiar, it also has enough crazy moments to give it personality.” –
Gannett News Service
May 19, 2025
Full Review
Starman (1984)
83%
EDIT
“John Carpenter does an imaginative job directing the movie.” –
Gannett News Service
May 13, 2025
Full Review
C.H.U.D. (1984)
43%
EDIT
“Even though the modern monster opus doesn't totally click, the situation is sufficiently unnerving to stir a few chills, as well as a thought or two about where society is headed.” –
Gannett News Service
May 9, 2025
Full Review
The Breakfast Club (1985)
87%
3.5/4
EDIT
“This movie has every right to be popular -- it entertains vigorously and explodes with plenty to say about knowing oneself and fellow students.” –
Gannett News Service
Feb 14, 2025
Full Review
Blue Velvet (1986)
91%
2.5/4
EDIT
“Say this for Lynch: He does make you sit up and take notice. He also has some strong ideas kicking around in his exploration of ugly, behind-the-scenes doings in a small American town. ” –
Gannett News Service
Jan 22, 2025
Full Review
Aliens (1986)
94%
2.5/4
EDIT
“Aliens, directed this time by James Cameron, is better than your typical sequel. His script is lively; the special effects are flashy; and Weaver is a show unto herself. The first time around, she did all right. Here she's a powerhouse.” –
Gannett News Service
Jul 24, 2024
Full Review
Heavenly Bodies (1985)
17%
EDIT
“This almost non-stop carnival of choreographed calisthenics is yet another version of the dance movies becoming a mass product. ” –
Gannett News Service
Apr 15, 2024
Full Review
Dune (1984)
36%
EDIT
“The dialog is only a cut above the balloon captions of comic strips. Perhaps fans of the book will be enthralled nonetheless, and maybe some will find the visuals enough. But Dune could use a good dose of the spice. ” –
Gannett News Service
Feb 12, 2024
Full Review
The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
39%
2/4
EDIT
“The movie directed by Matthew Robbins has a spunky spirit and good will in its favor. But an audience has to keep suspending belief to ride with it.” –
Gannett News Service
Nov 17, 2023
Full Review
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
68%
EDIT
“Apart from the busy special effects frenzied scenes of intended horror, the movie is lethargic. ” –
Gannett News Service
Jul 18, 2023
Full Review
The Color Purple (1985)
73%
EDIT
“The Color Purple, although unable to do everything that Alice Walker accomplished with her beautiful and brilliant novel, is a strong film in its own right. ” –
Gannett News Service
May 25, 2023
Full Review
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