10 Movies Not Screened For Critics (That Were Actually Good)

With a standout cast cast (Dwayne Johnson, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Ian McShane), a solid script and a host of superb action sequences, it's a real shame that this movie slipped largely under the radar, thanks in part to the decision not to offer critics an advance screening. Unfortunately, the film was marketed poorly, with the trailers suggesting it would be a straight retelling of Hercules' mythological labors (it isn't) or a grim psychological take on grief (it really isn't).

Instead, we get a great, slickly produced hero movie with lots of color and touches of comedy. The Rock does his thing with great gusto, reportedly even passing out several times for the scene in which he strains himself to the limit attempting to break free from a set of iron chains. The supporting cast are fantastic. The storyline, while it doesn't doesn't break any new ground, is deftly paced and even offers up a few unexpected twists.

It's a shame that it's unlikely now to get a sequel, but well worth watching nonetheless.