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Magic (1978)

Directed by: Richard Attenborough

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith 

Rated: R

Running Time:1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Themes, Atmosphere

Magic (1978)

October 17, 2020

A ventriloquist’s peculiar relationship with his dummy begins to affect his personal life.

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In Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Richard Attenborough, Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, 1978, 2.5 Stars, R
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Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018)

Directed by: Stephen Cognetti

Starring: Vasile Flutur, Jillian Geurts, Joy Shantz

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Violence and Terror)

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Spooky Moments

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Generic

Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018)

October 9, 2020

Eight years after the tragedy at Hell House LLC, an investigative journalist decides she will try to uncover the mystery of what happened that night. 

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In Fantasy, Horror, Mockumentary, Thriller Tags Stephen Cognetti, Vasile Flutur, Jillian Geurts, Joy Shantz, NR, 2.5 Stars
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Brain Dead (1990)

Directed by: Adam Simon

Starring: Bill Pullman, Bill Paxton, Bud Cort

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 25 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Inventiveness

WEAKNESSES: Predictability, Acting, Schmaltzy Moments

Brain Dead (1990)

October 8, 2020

A neurosurgeon is recruited to extract crucial data from the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic, and finds he himself in a waking nightmare. 

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In Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Horror Tags 1990, Adam Simon, Bill Pullman, Bill Paxton, Bud Cort, R, 2.5 Stars
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U Turn (1997)

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Starring: Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Sexuality and Language

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Directing, Editing

U Turn (1997)

February 5, 2020

A man heading to Vegas to pay off his gambling debt is waylaid in a strange Arizona town where everything goes wrong.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler, Oliver Stone, R, 2.5 Stars
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The Gentlemen (2019)

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant, Jeremy Strong, Colin Ferrell, Henry Goulding, Eddie Marsan

Rated: R for Violence, Language Throughout, Sexual References and Drug Content

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Writing, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Thinks It’s More Clever Than It Is, Pacing, Some Acting

The Gentlemen (2019)

January 27, 2020

A drug lord tries to sell his empire to a billionaire, but things get complicated. 

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Guy Ritchie, Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant, Jeremy Strong, Colin Ferrell, Henry Goulding, Eddie Marsan, R, 2.5 Stars
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Ride with the Devil (1999)

Directed by: Ang Lee

Starring: Tobey McGuire, Jewel Kilcher, Skeet Ulrich, Jeffrey Wright, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tom Wilkinson, Margo Martindale, Jim Caviezel, Mark Ruffalo

Rated: R for Graphic War Violence

Running Time: 2 h 28 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Cinematography, Action

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing, Some Acting

Ride with the Devil (1999)

January 24, 2020

During the American Civil War, two friends join a band of Confederate guerrilla fighters known as the Bushwackers. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Historical, Romance Tags Ang Lee, Tobey McGuire, Jewel Kilcher, Skeet Ulrich, Jeffrey Wright, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tom Wilkinson, Margo Martindale, Jim Caviezel, Mark Ruffalo, R, 2.5 Stars
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Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Danny DeVito, Awkwafina, Alex Wolff, Colin Hanks, Rory McCann

Rated: PG-13 for Adventure Action, Suggestive Content and Some Language

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Humor, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Worn Out Jokes, Pacing 

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

December 17, 2019

Once again, people are sucked into the world of Jumanji, and they must fight to escape. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Jake Kasdan, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Danny DeVito, Awkwafina, Alex Wolff, Colin Hanks, Rory McCann, 2019, 2.5 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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Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Directed by: Tommy Lee Wallace

Starring: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Some Ideas

WEAKNESSES: Not Remotely Scary, Acting, Dialogue, Predictability

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

October 31, 2019

A man investigates the latest Halloween craze, Silver Shamrock masks, thinking that there might be a kind of plot surrounding them. 

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In Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy, Tommy Lee Wallace, 1982, 2.5 Stars, R
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Feast (2005)

Directed by: John Gulager

Starring: Navi Rawat, Judah Friedlander, Jason Mewes, Balthazar Getty, Dueane Whitaker

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Creature Violence and Gore, Language, Some Sexuality and Drug Content

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Some Humor

WEAKNESSES: Thin Story, Thinks It’s More Clever Than It Is

Feast (2005)

October 26, 2019

Bar patrons face off against bloodthirsty aliens. 

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In Action, Fantasy, Horror, Monster Film, Sci Fi Tags John Gulager, 2005, Navi Rawat, Judah Friedlander, Jason Mewes, Balthazar Getty, Dueane Whitaker, R, 2.5 Stars
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A Nightmare on Elm Street IV: The Dream Master (1988)

Directed by: Renny Harlin

Starring: Robert Englund, Tuesday Knight, Lisa Wilcox

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Overall Franchise Progression, Dream Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Freddy’s Return, Doesn’t Stand on Its Own, More Covered in Spoiler Section

A Nightmare on Elm Street IV: The Dream Master (1988)

October 25, 2019

After the defeat of Freddy Krueger at the hands of the Dream Warriors, Freddy somehow returns to haunt the dreams of a girl named Alice, whom is a particularly strong dreamer. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Renny Harlin, 1988, Robert Englund, Tuesday Knight, Lisa Wilcox, R, 2.5 Stars
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Bride of Chucky (1998)

Directed by: Ronny Yu

Starring: Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile, Gordon Michael Woolvett

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

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Humor, Some Special Effects, Some Story Elements

WEAKNESSES: Some Story Elements, Human Characters

Bride of Chucky (1998)

October 18, 2019

Charles Lee Ray’s ex-girlfriend Tiffany resurrects the serial killing doll Chucky, and through a series of unfortunate events, becomes a doll herself. The two engage in a killing spree as they trek across the country towards Charles’ grave.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller Tags Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile, Gordon Michael Woolvett, Ronny Yu, 1998, R, 2.5 Stars
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Basket Case II (1990)

Directed by: Frank Henenlotter

Starring: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Judy Grafe, Annie Ross

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Creature Design, Bizarre Turns

WEAKNESSES: Different Tone Than The First

Basket Case II (1990)

October 14, 2019

Following the events of Basket Case, Duane and his Siamese-twin brother, a mutant named Belial flee the hospital where they are taken and join up with a troupe of wayward freaks.

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Kevin Van Hentenryck, Judy Grafe, Annie Ross, Frank Henenlotter, R, 2.5 Stars, 1990, Basket Case II
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The Frozen Ground (2013)

Directed by: Scott Walker

Starring: Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Vanessa Hudgens

Rated: R for Violent Content, Sexuality/Nudity, Language and Drug Use

Running Time: 1h 45m

TMM Score: 2.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Nic Cage, Atmosphere, True Story

WEAKNESSES: Vanessa Hudgens, Cinematography, Safe Writing

The Frozen Ground (2013)

October 8, 2019

A detective hunts down the famous serial killer Robert Hansen.

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In Drama, Mystery Tags Karl Nagurski, The Frozen Ground, Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, Rated R, 2.5 Stars, Drama, Myster, Mystery
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It: Chapter Two (2019)

Directed by: Andy Muschietti

Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone

Rated: R for Disturbing Violent Content and Bloody Images Throughout, Pervasive Language, and Some Crude Sexual Material

Running Time: 2 h 49 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: First Act, Some Special Effects, Some Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length, Character Chemistry, Ending

It Chapter Two (2019)

September 9, 2019

The conclusion of Stephen King’s It. 

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In Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Andy Muschietti, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, 2019, 2.5 Stars
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Season of the Witch (2011)

Directed by: Dominic Sena

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Claire Foy, Stephen Graham, Robert Sheehan, Christopher Lee

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Violence and Disturbing Content

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Claire Foy, Pacing, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Paint-By-Numbers Plot, Pointless Action Scenes, Character and Story Logic

Season of the Witch (2011)

August 20, 2019

Crusader deserters are charged with bringing a suspected witch to an isolated monastery, where the monks that reside there will use a book to judge her.

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, War Tags Dominic Sena, Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Claire Foy, Stephen Graham, Robert Sheehan, Christopher Lee, 2.5 Stars, 2011, PG-13
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Brightburn (2019)

Directed by: David Yarovesky

Starring: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn

Rated: R for Horror Violence/Bloody Images, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept, Fun, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: Tone, Acting, Plot Holes, Stupid Characters, Melodrama

Brightburn (2019)

August 20, 2019

A retelling of the Superman origin story wherein the Superman figure decides to be evil. 

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In Action, Crime, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Horror, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags David Yarovesky, Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn, R, 2.5 Stars, 2019
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John Carter (2012)

Directed by: Andrew Stanton

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, Bryan Cranston

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Violence and Action

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun, Worldbuilding, Pacing, Most CGI

WEAKNESSES: Some CGI, Acting, Writing, Rushed Third Act, Tone

John Carter (2012)

July 15, 2019

A civil war vet is transported to Mars where he discovers factions on the edge of war.

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Epic, Sci Fi, Thriller, Western Tags Andrew Stanton, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, Bryan Cranston, PG-13, 2.5 Stars
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Enemy at the Gates (2001)

Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Starring: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes, Ron Pearlman

Rated: R for Strong Graphic War Violence and Some Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 11 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Some Action, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Some Acting, Emotionally Distant, Pacing

Enemy at the Gates (2001)

June 24, 2019

A Russian and a German sniper play a game of cat and mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad. Inspired by the true story of Vasily Zaitsev.

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Jude Law, Ed Harris, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes, Ron Pearlman, Jean-Jacques Annaud, R, 2.5 Stars, 2001
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Mile 22 (2019)

Directed by: Peter Berg

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey, John Malkovich

Rated: R for Strong Violence and Language Throughout

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Iko Uwais, Action, Ending

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Acting, Length

Mile 22 (2019)

March 28, 2019

An elite intelligence team tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer out of Indonesia.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey, John Malkovich, Peter Berg, 2.5 Stars
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