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Inland Empire (2006)

Directed by: David Lynch

Starring: Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons, Justin Theroux, Harry Dean Stanton, Karolina Gruszka, William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen, Terry Crews, Nastassja Kinski, Laura Harring, Naomi Watts

Rated: R for Language, Some Violence and Sexuality/Nudity

Running Time: 3 h

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Surreal Sequences, Unusual Acting

WEAKNESSES: Length

Inland Empire (2006)

February 24, 2020

An actress is cast to play the lead in a reputedly cursed script, and as she sets out to make the film, she finds it difficult to separate the film from reality, and reality from her dreams.

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Epic, Art House, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons, Justin Theroux, Harry Dean Stanton, Karolina Gruszka, William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen, Terry Crews, Nastassja Kinski, Laura Harring, Naomi Watts, David Lynch
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Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Directed by: Edward Norton

Starring: Edward Norton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Bobby Cannavale, Willem Dafoe, Bruce Willis, Ethan Suplee, Michael Kenneth Williams, Leslie Mann

Rated: R for Language Throughout Including Some Sexual References, Brief Drug Use, and Violence

Running Time: 2 h 24 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Story, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing

Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

February 5, 2020

A private detective with Tourette’s syndrome in 1950s New York tries to solve the murder of his mentor and friend. 

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance Tags Edward Norton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Bobby Cannavale, Willem Dafoe, Bruce Willis, Ethan Suplee, Michael Kenneth Williams, Leslie Mann, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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Vertigo (1958)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Tom Helmore, Barbara Bel Geddes

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 h 8 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Characters, Cinematography, Acting, Emotional Impact, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: -

Vertigo (1958)

January 29, 2020

At the request of a friend, a former detective investigates an acquaintance’s wife, whom has been acting mysterious. As he does, he finds himself falling in love with the woman. 

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Alfred Hitchcock, James Stewart, Kim Novak, Tom Helmore, Barbara Bel Geddes, PG, 5 Stars, 1958
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Split Second (1992)

Directed by: Tony Maylam

Starring: Rutger Hauer, Kim Cattrall, Alastair Duncan, Pete Postlethewait, Michael J Pollard, Alun Armstrong

Rated: R for Gore and Language

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun Concept, Fun World, Fun Story

WEAKNESSES: Overacting, Dialogue, Plot Holes, General Execution

Split Second (1992)

January 20, 2020

In 2008 dystopian London, global warming has caused flooding, and Detective Harley Stone must wade his way through the streets to find a vicious serial killer whom might not be human.  

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In Action, Adventure, Mystery, Noir, Sci Fi Tags Tony Maylam, Rutger Hauer, Kim Cattrall, Alastair Duncan, Pete Postlethewait, Michael J Pollard, Alun Armstrong
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Uncut Gems (2019)

Directed by: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Starring: Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, The Weekend, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Language, Violence, Some Sexual Content and Brief Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Pacing, Soundtrack, Editing

WEAKNESSES: -

Uncut Gems (2019)

December 31, 2019

Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler and compulsive gambling addict, makes a series of high stakes bets in an attempt to score a huge win, while simultaneously avoiding his bookies, and balancing his wife, kids and his mistress.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Noir, Thriller Tags Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, The Weekend, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian, 2019, 5 Stars
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Paycheck (2003)

Directed by: John Woo

Starring: Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Michael C. Hall

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Action Violence and Brief Language

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept, Some Action

WEAKNESSES: Direction, Lack of Sublety

Paycheck (2003)

November 22, 2019

A reverse engineer whom has had his memory wiped finds himself in a deadly chase. Using an envelope of clues, he tries to puzzle together who is after him and why. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Spy Film Tags Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Michael C. Hall, 2003, John Woo, 2.5 Stars
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Piercing (2018)

Directed by: Nicolas Pesce

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska, Laia Costa

Rated: R for Aberrant Violent and Sexual Content, Nudity, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 21 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Creativity, Acting

WEAKNESSES: More Style than Substance, Minor Deux Ex Machina

Piercing (2018)

November 14, 2019

A man with a growing inclination towards violence decides to murder a prostitute to get it out of his system. 

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In Crime, Drama, Comedy, Horror, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska, Laia Costa, Nicolas Pesce, R, 3.5 Stars
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Sling Blade (1996)

Directed by: Billy Bob Thornton

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Lucas Black, John Ritter, James Hampton

Rated: R for Strong Language, Including Descriptions of Violent and Sexual Behavior

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing and Predictability Problems

Sling Blade (1996)

September 23, 2019

After twenty-five years in captivity, Karl Childers, a mentally challenged man, is released from the hospital where he was put after he murdered his mother and her lover. 

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In Crime, Drama, Noir, Thriller Tags Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Lucas Black, John Ritter, James Hampton, 1996, 4.5 Stars
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Men in Black: International (2019)

Directed by: F. Gary Gray

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kumail Nanjiani

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Action, Some Language and Suggestive Material

Running Time: 1 h 54 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Tessa Thompson

WEAKNESSES: Story Structure, Directing, Pacing

Men in Black: International (2019)

September 3, 2019

  The Men in Black search for a mole amongst their ranks.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir, Sci Fi Tags Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kumail Nanjiani, F. Gary Gray, PG-13, 1.5 Stars, 2019
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Casablanca (1942)

Directed By: Michael Curtiz

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 42m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Acting, Lighting

Weakness: Nothing

Casablanca (1942)

August 15, 2019

When Rick, the owner of a club in Casablanca, is given travel papers for safe keeping, he is unwittingly placed at the center of a love triangle, refugee escape plan, and Nazi manhunt.

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In Thriller, Spy Film, Political, Noir, Drama, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Casablanca, 1942, Michael Curtiz, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre, 5 Stars, PG
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Mildred Pierce (1945)

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Starring: Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett

Rated: Passed (TMM Suggested PG-13 for Thematic Material and Brief Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 51 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Writing, Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing Issues in Second Act

Mildred Pierce (1945)

August 8, 2019

A hard-working mother divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to keep her spoiled daughter’s rich-tastes satisfied, but her lust for wealth seems unquenchable, and the pair hurdle towards disaster. 

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In Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Michael Curtiz, Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett, 1945, 4 Stars
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Notorious (1946)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern, Leopoldine Konstantin

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Acting, Writing, Story, Pacing, Classic Hollywood Charm

WEAKNESSES: -

Notorious (1946)

August 6, 2019

An American agent recruits a woman with ties to Nazis in South America. After they find themselves falling in love, he finds out her mission is to seduce a man with possible ties to future Nazi plots. 

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In Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Alfred Hitchcok, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern, Leopoldine Konstantin, 5 Stars, 1946, NR
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House of Games (1987)

Directed by: David Mamet

Starring: Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, William H Macy

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Acting

House of Games (1987)

July 26, 2019

After a psychiatrist/bestselling author comes to the aid of one of her clients, a compulsive gambler, she finds herself led by a smooth-talking grifter into the world of con men.

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags 1987, David Mamet, Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, William H Macy, 4 Stars, R
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Pulp Fiction (1994)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Christopher Walken, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros

Rated: R for Strong Graphic Violence and Drug Use, Pervasive Strong Language and Some Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 34 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Stories, Characters, Influence

WEAKNESSES: -

Pulp Fiction (1994)

July 25, 2019

A series of violent and redemptive stories that intertwine the lives of LA mobsters, drug dealers, bandits and a boxer.

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In Action, Adventure, Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Christopher Walken, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, 1994, 5 Stars
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Mulholland Drive (2001)

Directed by: David Lynch

Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Robert Forster, Patrick Fischler

Rated: R for Violence, Language and Some Strong Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 27 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Themes, Symbolism

WEAKNESSES: -

Mulholland Drive (2001)

July 19, 2019

After a car wreck leaves a woman without memory, she and cheerful aspiring actress embark on a trip across Hollywood searching for clues. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Noir, Thriller, Fantasy Tags Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Robert Forster, Patrick Fischler, David Lynch
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Blue Velvet (1986)

Directed by: David Lynch

Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Frances Bay, Dean Stockwell, Jack Nance, Hope Lange, George Dickerson

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Style, Story

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Lynchian-lite

Blue Velvet (1986)

July 15, 2019

A young man discovers a severed human ear which leads him on an investigation that could uncover a dark underworld that dwells beneath the seemingly perfect streets of Lumberton. 

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In Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags David Lynch, Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Frances Bay, Dean Stockwell, Jack Nance, Hope Lange, George Dickerson, R, 4 Stars, 1986
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Knife in the Water (1962)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Knife in the Water (1962)

June 13, 2019

A couple picks up a hitchhiker on their way to a sailing trip and decides to bring him along. 

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Foreign Film, Romance, Thriller, Noir Tags Roman Polanski, Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz, NR, 4.5 Stars, 1962
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Fallen (1998)

Directed by: Gregory Hoblit

Starring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland

Rated: R

Running Time: 2h 4m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Great Ideas, Good Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Weak Direction/Writing

Fallen (1998)

June 11, 2019

A detective and his partner track down a supernatural killer.

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In Thriller, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir Tags Karl Nagurski, Fallen, Gregory Hoblit, Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Rated R, 3 stars, Thriller
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Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Directed By: Mamoru Oshii

Starring: Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 23m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Animation, Philosophical Discussions

Weakness: Doesn’t Always Explain Difficult Concepts

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

May 28, 2019

Major Motoko Kusanagi of Section 9 is the most advanced cybernetically modified human ever, her entire body being replaced with robotic parts. When a cyber terrorist hacker, The Puppetmaster, eludes section 9’s grasp, Major is faced with a mystery which tangles the state’s actions, the future of humanity, and her own identity.

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In Action, Anime, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Ghost in the Shell, 1995, Mamoru Oshii, Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, NR, 5 Stars
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Under the Silver Lake (2018)

Directed by: David Robert Mitchell

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez

Rated: R for Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Violence, Language Throughout and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: A Few Chintzy Sets and Effects

Under the Silver Lake (2018)

May 27, 2019

A directionless  young man living in LA meets a girl whom then mysteriously vanishes overnight, prompting him to embark on a quest to find her. As he quests, he finds himself wrapped up in a bizarre conspiracy. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags 2018, 4.5 Stars, David Robert Mitchell, Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez
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