Ebert's Zero-Star Review: Bronson's Ten to Midnight

0:00On March 17th, here's the latest in entertainment and celebrity news. In 1983, Charles Bronson starred in the crime thriller Ten to Midnight as a tough detective hunting a serial killer targeting women. The movie bombed at the box office and drew mostly negative reviews from critics. Roger Ebert took his dislike to another level, refusing to give it even one star out of four, calling it one of the worst films he ever saw. He put it below other notorious flops like Battlefield Earth, which still scraped half a star. Ebert had praised Bronson's earlier hit Death Wish, awarding it three stars despite some reservations about its vigilante theme. By the time of Ten to Midnight though, his opinion of Bronson had soured completely. The film follows Bronson and his partner, chasing the killer who murders women after they turn him down. Directed by veteran J. Lee Thompson, it leaned into graphic violence that turned off many viewers. On Rotten Tomatoes Today, it sits at 40% from critics largely dragged down by Ebert Zero.

1:02That harsh take highlights how one review can shape a movie's lasting reputation. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-P-L-O-D-C-A-I.