The Berlin Film Festival does not start for another week but early screenings for "The Monuments men" have proven that George Clooney's latest is a dud.
The new film, which was originally scheduled for a December release and had already started an intricate Oscar campaign, screened for critics early this week and scored terrible reviews.
Some critics complained that the movie was unfinished and played more like a rough cut. Others complained that it was lifeless and flat-out unwatchable. The film is currently at 22 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and based on the early reception, the movie does not seem like it will get better reviews.
The film marks Clooney's fifth directiorial effort. He recently directed "The Ides of March," which was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars. He also directed "Leatherheads," and "Confessions of Dangerous Mind." His most acclaimed film was in 2005 when he directed "Good Night, and Good Luck," which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
"The Monuments Men" tells the story of an unlikely World War II platoon that is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners.
The film also stars Matt Damon ("The Bourne Ultimatum," "Invictus"), Bill Murray ("Moonrise Kingdom," "Hyde Park on Hudson"), John Goodman ("Argo," "The Artist"), Cate Blanchett ("Blue Jasmine," "Notes on a Scandal"), Jean DuJardin ("The Artist," "The Wolf of Wall Street"), Hugh Bonneville ("Iris"), and Bob Balaban ("Moonrise Kingdom," "Ghost World").
Sony/Columbia Picture will release "The Monuments Men" in 2,500 theaters on Feb. 7.