Would the following phrase be considered positive or negative?

tactic to cover up the fact that the picture is constructed around a core of flimsy -- or , worse yet , nonexistent -- ideas

negative

Would the following phrase be considered positive or negative?

the holes in this film remain agape -- holes punched through by an inconsistent , meandering , and sometimes dry plot .

negative

Would the following phrase be considered positive or negative?

most compelling

positive

Would the following phrase be considered positive or negative?

excruciating
negative