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Ghost in the Shell (2017)

Directed By: Rupert Sanders

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence, Suggestive Content, and Some Disturbing Images

Run Time: 1h 47m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

Strengths: Action Sequences, Some Production Design Elements

Weakness: Story, Acting, Characterizations

Ghost in the Shell (2017)

May 28, 2019

Major Mira Killian will stop at nothing to track down Section 9’s greatest enemy, a cyber terrorist, callsign: The Puppetmaster. As she unravels the mystery behind him, will she unravel herself in a miasma of blocked memories and identity? Are these all just byproducts of being a cyborg?

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In Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Ghost in the Shell, 2017, Rupert Sanders, Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, R Rated, 2 Stars
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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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Akira (1988)

Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo

Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Saski, Takeshi Kusao

Rated: R for Graphic Violence and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Animation

WEAKNESSES: Compressed and Dense Story

Akira (1988)

May 27, 2019

In the distant future of 2019, warring biker gangs in Tokyo get mixed up in powers far beyond their understanding. 

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In Action, Adventure, Anime, Animated, Crime, Fantasy, Epic, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Katsuhiro Otomo, Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Saski, Takeshi Kusao, R, 4.5 Stars
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Memories of Murder (2003)

Directed by: Bong Joon-Ho

Starring: Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested R for Strong Violence and Disturbing Material)

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Characters, Acting, Message

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During Second Act

Memories of Murder (2003)

May 27, 2019

“Memories of Murder” tells the true story of the Hwaseong Serial Killer as told from the perspective of the police officers working to catch him.

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In Action, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim, 2003, 4.5 Stars, South Korea, Bong Joon-Ho
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Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C Reilly, John Goodman, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Tian Jing, Jason Mitchell, Richard Jenkins

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action, and for Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 1 h 58 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Dumb B-Movie Fun, Surprising Amount of Humor, Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: It’s Dumb B-Movie Fun

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

May 24, 2019

Assisted by a military escort, a team of scientists travels to an uncharted island in the pacific in search of monsters. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C Reilly, John Goodman, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Tian Jing, Jason Mitchell, Richard Jenkins, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, PG-13, 3.5 Stars, 2017
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Godzilla (2014)

Directed by: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Destruction, Mayhem and Creature Violence

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Visual Effects, Godzilla Action

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Not Enough Godzilla, Boring Protagonist

Godzilla (2014)

May 24, 2019

Giant creatures begin appearing across the globe, and a giant lizard named Godzilla rises to fight them.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Gareth Edwards, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, PG-13, 3 Stars, 2014
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Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

Directed by: Ryuhei Kitamura

Starring: Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Kazuki Kitamura

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Violence

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Scenes With Kaiju

WEAKNESSES: Scenes With People

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

May 23, 2019

Godzilla, whom has been imprisoned for years in ice in Antarctica, might be humans’ only hope against a wave of angry kaiju bent on destroying the earth. Also, some aliens show up. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi, War Tags Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Kazuki Kitamura, 2 Stars, PG-13, 2004
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Cold Pursuit (2019)

Directed by: Hans Peter Molland

Starring: Liam Neeson, Emmy Rossum, Tom Bateman, Laura Dern

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Drug Material, and Some Language Including Sexual References

Running Time: 1h 38m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Liam Neeson, Some Humor, Good Action

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Tom Bateman, Not Nearly As Good as the Original

Cold Pursuit (2019)

May 21, 2019

A lonely snow truck driver seeks revenger after the murder of his son.

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In Action, Drama, Crime Tags Karl Nagurski, Liam Neeson, Laura Dern, Tom Bateman, Action, Revenge, Emmy Rossum, Rated R, 3 stars, Cold Pursuit, Hans Peter Molland, Stellan Skarsgard
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Godzilla (1998)

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Starring: Matthew Broderick,Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Monster Action/Violence

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Dumb Fun

WEAKNESSES: Pointless Scenes and Characters, Length, Dated CGI, Writing, Directing

Godzilla (1998)

May 20, 2019

Godzilla attacks New York and an earthworm scientist tries to stop him. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner, Roland Emmerich, PG-13, 1998
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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation, Production Design, Visual Storytelling, Final Scenes

WEAKNESSES: Uneven Pacing, Uninteresting Villain

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

May 20, 2019

After a dragon hunter threatens Berk, Hiccup and Toothless search for a place where dragons and humans might live together in peace.

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington, Dean DeBlois, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Worldbuilding, Story, Consequences, Characters, Emotional Connection, Music

WEAKNESSES: Supporting Character’s Subplot

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

May 20, 2019

After Hiccup and Toothless discover a mysterious new Dragon Rider, they find themselves at the center of a battle.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington, PG, 2014, 4 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant

Rated: PG for Sequences of Intense Action and Some Scary Images, and Brief Mild Language

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Music, Cinematography, Production Design, World Building, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

May 20, 2019

A young Viking who lives in a village that is perpetually attacked by dragons takes a new approach to handling the beasts.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Epic, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant, 5 Stars, 2010
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John Wick Chapter 3- Parabellum (2019)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacasocos, Asia Kate Dillion, Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick, Jerome Flynn, Jason Mantzoukas

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Violence, and Some Language

Running Time: 2 h 10 m

TMM Score:4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Cinematography, Worldbuilding, Story, Themes, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Wick is Invincible, Some Acting

John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum (2019)

May 17, 2019

Super-Assassin John Wick flees as the members of the International Assassin’s Guild seek retribution for the death of one of their leaders.  

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller, War Tags Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacasocos, Asia Kate Dillion, Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick, Jerome Flynn, Jason Mantzoukas, Chad Stahelski, R, 4.5 Stars, 2019
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John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarico, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo

Rated: R for Strong Violence Throughout, Some Language and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 2 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Pacing, Story, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, John Wick is Invincible (?)

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

May 17, 2019

The further adventures of hit man John Wick. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarico, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Chad Stahelski, R, 4.5 Stars
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John Wick (2014)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Adrianne Palicki, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Dean Winters

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence Throughout, Language and Brief Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 41 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting

John Wick (2014)

May 17, 2019

An ex-hit-man comes out of retirement to track down the mobsters that killed his dog and stole his car.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Adrianne Palicki, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Dean Winters, Keanu Reeves
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Mulan (1998)

Directed by: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook

Starring: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Soon-Tek Oh, James Hong, Pat Morita, Miguel Ferrer

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Music, Animation Style, Song, Excitement, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

Mulan (1998)

May 7, 2019

Based on a Chinese legend, about a young girl whom disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s place in the army, and in doing so becomes one of China’s greatest heroes. 

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Romance, War Tags Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Soon-Tek Oh, James Hong, Pat Morita, Miguel Ferrer, 1998, 4.5 Stars, G, Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
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The Constant Gardener (2005)

Directed by: Fernando Meirelles

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Donald Sumpter, Pete Postlethwaite

Rated: R for Language, Some Violent Images and Sexual Content/Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting, Editing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During First Half of Second Act

The Constant Gardener (2005)

May 6, 2019

After his wife is murdered, a British Diplomat living in Africa embarks on a quest to find out why, along the way uncovering a conspiracy that could have deadly impact.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Spy Film Tags Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Donald Sumpter, Pete Postlethwaite, Fernando Meirelles, 2005, 4 Stars
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Shadow (2018)

Directed by: Zhang Yimou

Starring: Deng Chao, Leo Wu, Sun Li, Kai Zheng

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested PG-13)

Running Time: 1h 56m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Action, Direction

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Shadow (2018)

April 30, 2019

Two rival kingdoms plot and fight for ultimate victory.

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In Action, Drama, Foreign Film Tags Karl Nagurski, PG-13, 4.5 Stars, action, Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, Zhang Yimou, Deng Chao, Leo Wu, Sun Li, Kai Zheng
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Captain Marvel (2019)

Directed By: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Djimoun Hounsou

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 3m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Some of the Effects, Some Story Elements

Weakness: Main Character

Captain Marvel (2019)

April 30, 2019

Vers is an elite alien warrior in training for the Kree who are at war with the Skrulls, a shapeshifting alien species. When she is tasked with destroying a Skrull cell on Earth, she discovers that she is both more and less that who she thought she was.

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In Action, Superhero Tags Michael McDonald, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Djimoun Hounsou, PG-13, 3 stars, MCU
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