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The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

Directed by: Jacques Demy

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel, Ellen Farner

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Catherine Deneuve, Music, Direction, Cinematography, Unconventional Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

February 14, 2020

Lovers separated by war face life-altering decisions.

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In Drama, Coming of Age, Foreign Film, Musical, Romance Tags Jacques Demy, 1964, Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel, Ellen Farner
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The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)

Directed by: Takashi Miike

Starring: Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Shinji Takeda, Naomi Nishida, Tesuro Tanba, Tamaki Miyazaki

Rated: R for Violent Images and Some Sexual Content

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Absurdity, Themes, Story, Fun, Innovation

WEAKNESSES: Also Absurdity

The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)

January 15, 2020

A dark comedy concerning a family that opens an inn in a remote mountain region, only to have the arriving customers die in mysterious ways. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Musical, Mystery Tags Takashi Miike, Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Shinji Takeda, Naomi Nishida, Tesuro Tanba, Tamaki Miyazakii
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Cats (2019)

Directed By: Tom Hooper

Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, Taylor Swift, Robbie Fairchild, Jason Derulo, Daniela Norman, Steven McRae, James Corden, Naoimh Morgan, Danny Collins, Rebel Wilson, Laurie Davidson, Freya Rowley, Francesca Hayward, Idris Elba

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 50m

TMM Score: 1 Star

Strengths: Hilarious

Weakness: CG, Performances, Boring, Cat Puns, Crotch Licking

Cats (2019)

January 7, 2020

Once a year, the Jellicle Cats gather to send one to a place of heavenly reward, if the evil Macavity doesn’t get his way instead.

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In Fantasy, Musical Tags Michael McDonald, 1 Star, PG, Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, Taylor Swift, Robbie Fairchild, Jason Derulo, Daniela Norman, Steven McRae, James Corden, Naoimh Morgan, Danny Collins, Rebel Wilson, Laurie Davidson, Freya Rowley, Francesca Hayward, Idris Elba, Tom Hooper, Cats, 2019
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The Red Shoes (1948)

Directed by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Starring: Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Mild Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Cinematography, Production Design, Music, Characters

WEAKNESSES: -

The Red Shoes (1948)

December 27, 2019

A young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina.

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In Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Musical, Romance Tags Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring
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Scrooge (1970)

Directed By: Ronald Neame

Starring: Albert Finney, Sir Alec Guinness, Edith Evans, Kenneth More, Laurence Naismith, Michael Medwin, David Collings, Anton Rodgers

Rated: G

Run Time: 1h 53m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Music, Acting, Production

Weakness: One Person’s Acting

Scrooge (1970)

December 11, 2019

Ebeneazer Scrooge is the most callous hard-hearted miser and loan shark London has ever seen until a visit from his dead partner’s ghost and three spirits open his eyes to the spirit of Christmas in this musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale.

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In Fantasy, Musical, Christmas, Classic Literature Tags Michael McDonald, Ronald Neame, Albert Finney, Sir Alec Guinness, Edith Evans, Kenneth More, Laurence Naismith, Michael Medwin, David Collings, Anton Rodgers, G Rated, 5 Stars
2 Comments
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Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Paul Sorvino, Anthony Stewart Head, Alexa PenaVega, Paris Hilton, Sarah Brightman

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence and Gore, Some Drug and Sexual Content

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Anthony Stewart Head, Some Songs, General Concept, Practical Effects

WEAKNESSES: Paris Hilton, Most Songs, Overall Execution, Visual Effects

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

October 9, 2019

After a wave of organ failures sweeps through the human populous, a genetics company begins manufacturing artificial organs. But if the recipients of those organs can’t pay, the company sends in a Repo Man to take their product back. A musical!

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In Action, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Musical, Thriller Tags 2008, Darren Lynn Bousman, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Stewart Head, Alexa PenaVega, Paris Hilton, Sarah Brightman, 1.5 Stars, R
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Nashville (1975)

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall, Robert DoQui, Ned Beatty, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Harris, Jeff Goldblum

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 40 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Satire

WEAKNESSES: -

Nashville (1975)

September 13, 2019

An ensemble film that satires American culture and politics in the 1970s. 

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In Anthology, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Musical, Romance Tags Robert Altman, Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall, Robert DoQui, Ned Beatty, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Harris, Jeff Goldblum, R, 5 Stars
1 Comment
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Boy Howdy: The Story of Creem Magazine (2019)

Directed by: Scott Crawford

Starring: Alice Cooper, Cameron Crowe, Joan Jett, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons

Rated: NR (Suggested: R for Language and Suggestive Material)

Running Time: 1 h 15 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Raw Unfiltered Energy

WEAKNESSES: Focus, Some Technical Aspects

Boy Howdy: The Story of Creem Magazine (2019)

August 3, 2019

A look at the rise and fall of Creem Magazine. 

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In Documentary, Musical Tags Alice Cooper, Cameron Crowe, Joan Jett, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Scott Crawford, 2019, 3 Stars
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Rocketman (2019)

Directed by: Dexter Fletcher

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard

Rated: R for Language Throughout, Some Drug Use and Sexual Content

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Music, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Ending

Rocketman (2019)

July 9, 2019

A musical that looks at the breakthrough years of Elton John. 

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In Biographical, Art House, Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Musical, Romance Tags Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard Rating:, Dexter Fletcher, 2019, R
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Her Smell (2018)

Directed by: Alex Ross Perry

Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Angel Christian Roman, Cara Delevinge, Dan Stevens, Ashley Benson, Amber Heard, Virginia Madsen

Rated: R for Language Throughout and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 14 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Elisabeth Moss, Directing, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length, Cheesy Ending

Her Smell (2018)

July 1, 2019

A punk rocker falls victim to her self-destructive lifestyle and must fight for her sobriety.

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In Art House, Drama, Musical Tags Elisabeth Moss, Angel Christian Roman, Cara Delevinge, Dan Stevens, Ashley Benson, Amber Heard, Virginia Madsen, Alex Ross Perry, R, 3 Stars
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Climax (2018)

Directed by: Gaspar Noe

Starring: Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub

Rated: R for Disturbing Content Involving a Combination of Drug Use, Violent Behavior and Strong Sexuality, and For Language and Some Graphic Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Technical Aspects, Length

WEAKNESSES: Story

Climax (2018)

May 27, 2019

French dancers gather for an all-night celebration and soon learn their sangria is laced with LSD.

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In Art House, Horror, Foreign Film, Musical, Mystery, Thriller Tags Gaspar Noe, Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub
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The Apple (1980)

Directed By: Menahem Golan

Starring: Catherine Mary Stewart, Geourge Gilmour, Grace Kennedy

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Campy, Weird, and Just How Poorly Done It Is

Weakness: Everything

The Apple (1980)

April 10, 2019

In the future of 1994, the world is dominated by celebrity, rock status, and the winner of an American Idol style battle of the bands where Mr. Boogaloo, the producer of the show and agent/manager for the winning band tugs the strings of everyone except Alphie, a folk singer who sees through his lies. Oh, it’s also a retelling of the story of Adam & Eve.

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In Fantasy, Musical, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Catherine Mary Stewart, Geourge Gilmour, Grace Kennedy, Menahem Golan, The Apple, 1980, 3 Stars, PG
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The Dirt (2019)

Directed by: Jeff Tremaine

Starring: Colson Baker, Douglas Booth, Daniel Webber, Iwan Rheon, David Costabile

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 48 m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Good Music, Solid Performances, Very Entertaining

WEAKNESSES: Messy Story, Clunky Dialogue, Sloppy Direction, Not Enough Grit

The Dirt (2019)

March 27, 2019

The rise of the notorious 80s rock band, Motley Crue.

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In Biographical, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Musical Tags Karl Nagurski, Colson Baker, Douglas Booth, Daniel Webber, Iwan Rheon, David Costabile, Jeff Tremaine, R, 3 Stars
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Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Directed By: Joel & Ethan Coen

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Adam Driver, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 44m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Performances, Music, Cinematography

Weakness: None

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

March 25, 2019

Flopping couch to couch, getting underpaid to perform in bars, and hitchhiking to Chicago may seem like the romantic life of a legendary singer but it’s just a week in the life for LLewyn Davis in 1961, New York City.

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In Drama, Musical Tags Michael McDonald, 5 Stars, R Rated, Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Adam Driver, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, Joel & Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, 2013, Inside Llewyn Davis
2 Comments
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The Blues Brothers (1980)

Directed By: John Landis

Starring: John Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, James Brown

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 13m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Performances

Weakness: Nothing

The Blues Brothers (1980)

March 6, 2019

When Jake Blues is released from prison, he and his brother Elwood are set on a mission from God, to save the orphanage they grew up in without tainting any of the money through illicit means.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy, Musical, Buddy Movies Tags Michael McDonald, John Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, James Brown, R Rated, 5 Stars, The Blues Brothers, 1980, Brothers
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Vox Lux (2018)

Directed by: Brady Corbet

Starring: Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Stacy Martin, Raffey Cassidy, Logan Riley Bruner, Willem Dafoe

Rated: R for Language, Some Strong Violence, and Drug Content

Running Time: 1 h 54 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Directing, Story, Music

WEAKNESSES: Tough Subject Matter, Increasingly Unlikable Protagonist

Vox Lux (2018)

March 4, 2019

An unusual set of circumstances bring success to a pop star.

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Musical, Mystery, Thriller Tags Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Stacy Martin, Raffey Cassidy, Logan Riley  Bruner, Willem Dafoe, R, 4.5 Stars, Brady Corbet, 2018
2 Comments
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Cold War (2018)

Directed by: Pawel Pawlikowski

Starring: Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot, Borys Szyc

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 29m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Lack of Emotional Connection

Cold War (2018)

February 21, 2019

A talented music director and his star performer fall in love but frustrated by Communist controlled Poland’s “requirements” for his art, he and his lover disagree about leaving Poland.

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In Art House, Drama, Foreign Film, Musical, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Cold War, 2018, Pawel Pawlikowski, Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot, Borys Szyc, R Rated, 4 Stars
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Some Like It Hot (1959)

Directed by: Billy Wilder

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon

Rated: Nr (Suggested PG-13 for Risque Humor)

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: -

Some Like It Hot (1959)

November 30, 2018

Two down on their luck male musicians must fleet Chicago after witnessing a mob hit, disguising themselves as two females for an all girls band playing in Florida. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Musical, Mystery Tags Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Some Like It Hot, 1959, Billy Wilder, NR
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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring: Tim Blake Nelson, Clancy Brown, James Franco, Liam Neeson, Zoe Kazan, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Waits

Rated: R for Some Strong Violence

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Coen Bros Flair, Irreverence and Poignancy, Clever Writing

WEAKNESSES: Some CGI and Sets Look A Little Cheap

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

November 20, 2018

Six stories set in the Coen Brothers’ Wild West. 

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In Action, Adventure, Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Musical, Western, Romance Tags Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Tim Blake Nelson, Clancy Brown, James Franco, Liam Neeson, Zoe Kazan, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Waits, R, 4.5 Stars
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Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Joe Mazzello

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2h 14m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Acting

WEAKNESSES: Standard Story

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

November 14, 2018

When Freddy went looking for the band after a show in London, he didn’t know he was meeting his new family. When the band met Freddy, they didn’t know they were meeting a future legend.

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In Biographical, Drama, Musical Tags mjamesmcdonald, Bohemian Rhapsody, 2018, Rami Malek, Bryan Singer, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, PG-13, 4 Stars
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