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Enemy (2013)

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Melanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon

Rated: R for Some Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity and Language

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Acting, Themes, Cinematography, Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: A Bit Slight

Enemy (2013)

December 14, 2020

A man spots his doppelganger in a film and tries to seek him out.

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In Drama, Romance, Mystery, Thriller Tags Denis Villeneuve, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon, 4 Stars, 2013
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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition) (2013)

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, John Callen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry

Rated: PG-13 for Extended Sequences of Intense Fantasy Action Violence, and Frightening Images

Running Time: 3 h 7 m

TMM Score: 3.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Action, Cinematography, Score, Smaug

WEAKNESSES: Tauriel and Legolas, Convoluted Side Plots, Overlong, Too Much CGI

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition) (2013)

April 14, 2020

Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves of Erebor continue their journey.

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In Adventure, Action, Fantasy Tags Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, John Callen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, 2013, 3.5 Stars
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Zero Theorem (2013)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Christoph Waltz, Lucas Hedges, Mélanie Thierry, David Thewlis, Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 47m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

Strengths: Briefly Humorous

Weakness: Plot, Coherence, Resolution, Meandering

Zero Theorem (2013)

April 10, 2020

Qohen is a singularly minded omni-phobic computer operator who believes that the meaning of his life is just a phone call away if only he can keep Management’s constant demands for the Zero Theorem Proof off his back.

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In Drama, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Zero Theorem, 2013, 2 Stars, R Rated, Christoph Waltz, Lucas Hedges, Mélanie Thierry, David Thewlis, Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, Terry Gilliam
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Don Jon (2013)

Directed By: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Brie Larson

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Realistic Depictions of Subject Matter

Weakness: Uninspired Cinematography

Don Jon (2013)

January 21, 2020

Jon is a New Jersey dream son and friend. He values work, family, and church, but, unbeknownst to his new girlfriend Barbara, pornography has shaped much of how he views relationships and women and he’s only beginning to realize what those effects are.

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In Drama, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Brie Larson, R Rated, 2013, Don Jon, 4 Stars
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The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favrea, Jean Dujardin, Shea Whigham, Cristin Milioti

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

Running Time: 3 h

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, General Insanity, Themes

WEAKNESSES:

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

November 25, 2019

The rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a criminal Wall Street stocker broker.

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Comedy, Thriller Tags Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favrea, Jean Dujardin, Shea Whigham, Cristin Milioti, Martin Scorsese, 2013
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Her (2013)

Directed By: Spike Jonze

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Pratt, Rooney Mara

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Performances, World Building, Emotional Connection

Weakness: Drags Just Slightly

Her (2013)

November 14, 2019

A writer, heartbroken over an old breakup, installs an OS with such advanced AI that it becomes actually sentient and, to him at least, an actual relationship.

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In Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Her, 2013, Spike Jonze, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Pratt, Rooney Mara, R Rated, 4 Stars
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Upstream Color (2013)

Directed By: Shane Carruth

Starring: Amy Seimetz, Frank Mosley, Shane Carruth

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 36m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Directorial Authorship, Themes

Weakness: -

Upstream Color (2013)

September 27, 2019

Two people become victims of an organism, which draws the two of them together, forcing them to try and make sense of the ruins of their lives.

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In Art House, Drama, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, 5 Stars, Shane Carruth, Upstream Color, 2013, Amy Seimetz, Frank Mosley
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Under the Skin (2013)

Directed By: Jonathan Glazer

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 48m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Directorial Integrity

Weakness: -

Under the Skin (2013)

September 19, 2019

A visitor from another planet observes human individuals, groups, patterns, and behaviour from a detached alien point of view.

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In Art House, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay, Under the Skin, 2013, R Rated, 5 Stars
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Only God Forgives (2013)

Directed By: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Visuals, Score

Weakness: Acting, Shallow Substance

Only God Forgives (2013)

July 10, 2019

When an ex-pat Gangster’s brother is killed by a cop, revenge is the only thing on the mind of his mother. He, however, hopes for another way.

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In Art House, Crime, Drama Tags Michael McDonald, Nicolas Winding Refn, Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm, R Rated, 3 Stars, Only God Forgives, 2013
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The Wind Rises (2013)

Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

Starring: Hideaki Anno, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Miori Takimoto

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Animation, Main Character

Weakness: Not Enough Time Spent on Early Love Story

The Wind Rises (2013)

May 29, 2019

A fantastical character study of Jiro Horikashi, the man who designed the Mitsubishi Zero Fighter Plane.

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In Anime, Biographical, Drama, Foreign Film, War Tags Michael McDonald, Hayao Miyazaki, 2013, Hideaki Anno, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Miori Takimoto, PG-13, 4 Stars, The Wind Rises
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About Time (2013)

Directed by: Richard Curtis

Starring: Domhnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Lindsay Duncan, Lydia Wilson

Rated: R for Language and Some Sexual Content

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Intent, Some Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Unacknowledged Implications and Consequences

About Time (2013)

April 11, 2019

A young man discovers he can time travel and decides to use his newfound power to help land him a girlfriend. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance Tags Domhnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Lindsay Duncan, Lydia Wilson, Richard Curtis, 3.5 Stars, R, 2013
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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
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Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)

Directed by: Abellatif Kechiche

Starring: Adele Exarchopoulos, Lea Seydoux, Salim Kechiouche

Rated: NC-17 for Explicit Sexual Content

Running Time: 3 h

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Story, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)

February 14, 2019

Adele, a young schoolteacher in France, has a life altering awakening when she meets Emma, an artist with blue hair. 

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In Art House, Coming of Age, Drama, Foreign Film, Romance Tags Adele Exarchopoulos, Lea Seydoux, Salim Kechiouche, Abellatif Kechiche, NC-17, 2013, France
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The Conjuring (2013)

Directed by: James Wan

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farminga, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy

Rated: R for Sequences of Disturbing Violence and Terror

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Good Blend of Atmospheric and Jump Scares, Characters, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Corny Dialogue and Climax, Some Tropes

The Conjuring (2013)

October 26, 2018

Paranormal investigators help a family that is being terrorized by a malicious presence that lives in their home.

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Biographical, Thriller Tags 2013, 4 Stars, James Wan, R, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farminga, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy
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Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

Directed by: Sion Sono

Starring: Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Frenetic Bloody Violence and Strong Language)

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Crazy Story, Unique Chracters

WEAKNESSES: CGI Effects, Pacing

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

September 3, 2018

An independent film crew becomes entangled in a yakuza war.

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In Action, Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Crime, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Thriller Tags Sion Sono, Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa, Japan, 2013, NR, 3.5 Stars
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