I loved Roger Ebert’s reviews, which I found was almost always spot on.
The SF Chronicle has a moron named Mick LaSalle doing film criticism, and if he likes a film, I usually hate it, and the reverse.
I have a deep understanding of cinema, and have seen more movies than anyone I know (up to 80 each month). MLS is a good writer with no understanding of film.
Of the movies you nearly walked out on:
Anomalisa: Interesting. I love Charlie Kaufman, but this is a minor work. 7/10
Inherent Vice: I didn’t care for it.4/10
Under the Skin: Incredible and fascinating. I can see why you almost walked out, but I bought a copy just to loan to people. 9.6/10
Dear White People: Didn’t see it.
Florence Foster Jenkins: I don’t care for Meryl Streep, and this film has too many I Love Lucy moments for me to like. 4/10
Kubo & the Two Strings: Brilliant. Animation like nothing I have seen. 9.2/10
Mad Mad: Fury Road: I am a huge Road Warrior fan, and I was waiting 13 years for this, from when it was first announced. 9.8/10
Sausage Party: Didn’t see it.
The Lobster: yes, this is odd. Not for everyone, but different from the usual fare. 7.8/10
Logan: The best of the Wolverine/X-Men films. 9.2/10