• GOOD TOUGH KID
  • ARCHIVES
  • M. James McDonald
Menu

True Myth Media

  • GOOD TOUGH KID
  • ARCHIVES
  • M. James McDonald

Search the Archives…

Contact Us/ Request a REview
MV5BYmViNmFhYjEtYWRmZi00OTE1LTljYzQtZjY2MjA4NzZhODBmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjQ2MjQ5NzM@._V1_.jpg

A Touch of Zen (1971)

Directed by: King Hu

Starring: Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Sustain Sequences of Martial Arts Action Violence)

Running Time: 3 h

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Unconventional Storytelling, Characters, Action, Excitement, Worldbuilding, Empowerment

WEAKNESSES: -

A Touch of Zen (1971)

August 16, 2019

An unambitious small town painter and monks from a Buddhist monastery aid a lady fugitive in her run from corrupt government officials.  

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Martial Arts, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai, King Hu, 1971
Comment
h+1.jpg

Hook (1991)

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 22m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design

Weakness: Tinker Bell, Length

Hook (1991)

August 16, 2019

Peter Banning is a your classic workaholic father. When he travels to England with his family to visit the woman who adopted him so many years ago his children are kidnapped by a magical pirate and Peter must face his past and destiny as the real Peter Pan the story-books were based upon.

Read More
In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Hook, 1991, Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, PG, 4 Stars
1 Comment
mb 1.jpg

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

Directed By: Frank Lloyd

Starring: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone

Rated: NR

Run Time: 2h 12m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Production Design, Acting, Story

Weakness: None

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

August 14, 2019

A ship’s crew, under the fierce cruelty of their captain, leads a mutiny which became famous and changed British attitudes toward nautical law.

Read More
In Adventure, Drama, Epic Tags Michael McDonald, Mutiny on the Bounty, 1935, Frank Lloyd, Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, NR, 5 Stars
Comment
MV5BMjQ1NjM3MTUxNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMDc5MTY5OTE@._V1_.jpg

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington

Rated: R for Intense Prolonged Realistically Graphic Sequences of War Violence Including Grisly Bloody Images

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Story, Themes, Acting, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing in First Half

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

August 12, 2019

The true story of Desmond Doss, a soldier who helped to save wounded at the Battle of Okinawa without ever firing a shot at the enemy. 

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Biographical, Christian Film, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Mel Gibson, Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, 4 Stars, 2016
Comment
MV5BMTc5MzUxMjk4NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNTEzNDk4NjE@._V1_.jpg

Darkman (1990)

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Starring: Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Colin Friels, Larry Drake, Bruce Campbell

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Tone, Writing, Original Character

WEAKNESSES: Some Weaker Story Elements

Darkman (1990)

August 9, 2019

A brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact vengeance on the people who tried to kill him. 

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Romance, Superhero, Thriller Tags Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Colin Friels, Larry Drake, Bruce Campbell, R, 3.5 Stars
Comment
MV5BYTc1NGViOTMtNjZhNS00OGY2LWI4MmItOWQwNTY4MDMzNWI3L2ltYWdlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc1NTYyMjg@._V1_SY1000_SX654_AL_.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BMjU0NDk0N2EtNTliZS00MjNmLTk0M2MtYTMzOTUxMGQwZWI3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzE0MTQ2NzQ@._V1_.jpg

Top End Wedding (2019)

Directed by: Wayne Blair

Starring: Gwilym Lee, Miranda Tapsell, Kerry Fox, Ursula Yovich

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested: PG-13 for Some Sexual Humor)

Running Time: 1 h 43 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cultural Insights, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Plausibility, Stupid Character Choices, Repeated Jokes

Top End Wedding (2019)

August 4, 2019

After Ned and Lauren get engaged, they have ten days to find Lauren’s mom who has gone off the grid somewhere in the remote parts of Australia, reunite her parents and pull of a wedding. 

Read More
In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance Tags Wayne Blair, Gwilym Lee, Miranda Tapsell, Kerry Fox, Ursula Yovich
Comment
MV5BYjEyM2RjNjEtZGVjYy00YzA4LWJmZDAtNTNhZjQ0YTdjOWJlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjI0MzA4MTQ%40._V1_.jpg

The Kill Team (2019)

Directed by: Dan Krauss

Starring: Alexander Skarsgard, Nat Wolff, Adam Long

Rated: R for Language Throughout, Violent Content and Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 27

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Themes, Directing, Cinematography, Alexander Skarsgard

WEAKNESSES: Emotional Connection, Mild Acting

The Kill Team (2019)

August 4, 2019

An young American soldier faces a moral dilemma when his commanding officer starts to use questionable methods in their missions.  

Read More
In Adventure, Action, Crime, Drama, Coming of Age, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Alexander Skarsgard, Nat Wolff, Adam Long, Dan Krauss
Comment
tb 1.jpeg

Time Bandits (1981)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Ian Holm, Michael Palin, David Warner, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcom Dixon, Jack Purvis, Craig Warnock

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 50m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Imagination, Fun

Weakness: Child Acting

Time Bandits (1981)

August 1, 2019

Kevin’s parents barely notice him between their TV watching and wishing for every new invention being offered to them on TV so when a gang of diminutive, bickering, time-traveling robbers accidentally end up in his room one night he is only too eager to go with. 

Read More
In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Ian Holm, Michael Palin, David Warner, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcom Dixon, Jack Purvis, Craig Warnock, PG, 1981, Time Bandits, 4 Stars
Comment
1*DrGUVaTZJe8m5_MuVmtv_g.jpg

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Warwick Davis, Bonnie Wright, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, David Bradley, Tom Felton, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane

Rated: PG for Frightening Moments, Creature Violence and Mild Language

Running Time: 2 h 22 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Cinematography, Use of Magic, Production Design, Acting, Writing, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

July 31, 2019

Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to attend classes, only this year an escaped murderous lunatic stalks him. 

Read More
In Adventure, Coming of Age, Drama, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Alfonso Cuaron, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Warwick Davis, Bonnie Wright, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, David Bradley, Tom Felton, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, 2004, PG, 4.5 Stars
Comment
ALOExwKoxdkdeBvVi7NkaFl5Wa5.jpg

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Directed by: Chris Colombus

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, David Bradley, Warwick Davis

Rated: PG for Scary Moments, Some Creature Violence and Mild Language

Running Time: 2 h 41 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Directing, Pacing, Some Production Design, Some Acting

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

July 31, 2019

The boy wizard Harry Potter continues his education and misadventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

Read More
In Adventure, Children's Movies, Drama, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Mystery Tags 2002, Chris Columbus, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, David Bradley, Warwick Davis, PG, 3 Stars
Comment
Goblet_of_Fire_Film_Poster.jpg

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Directed by: Mike Newell

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robert Pattinson, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Tom Felton, Clemence Poesy, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Fantasy Violence and Frightening Images

Running Time: 2 h 37 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Special Effects, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Directing, Some Acting, Pacing in First Half

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

July 31, 2019

The fourth entry in the Harry Potter series pits him up against his greatest challenge yet: The Triwizard Tournament.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Thriller Tags Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robert Pattinson, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Tom Felton, Clemence Poesy, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Mike Newell, 3.5 Stars, 2005, PG-13
Comment
LASTEMPEROR1.jpg

The Last Emperor (1987)

Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci

Starring: John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 3 h 39 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Characters, Locations and Production Design, Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing

The Last Emperor (1987)

July 29, 2019

The story of Pu Yi the last emperor of China.

Read More
In Adventure, Biographical, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic Tags 1987, PG-13, 4.5 Stars, Bernardo Bertolucci, John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole
Comment
MV5BOTg4ZTNkZmUtMzNlZi00YmFjLTk1MmUtNWQwNTM0YjcyNTNkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjg2NjQwMDQ@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,674,1000_AL_.jpg

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino

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

Running Time: 2 h 41 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Characters, Acting, Story, Homage, Cameos, Soundtrack, Humor

WEAKNESSES: Absolutely Nothing

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

July 27, 2019

An aging TV star and his stunt double try to achieve fame and fortune in the last years of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Read More
In Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Austin Butler, Sydney Sweeney, Margaret Qualley, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Luke Perry, Damian Lewis, Emile Hirsch, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Scoot McNairy, Lena Dunham, Maya Hawke, Rafal Zawierucha, Mike Moh, Lorenza Izzo, Damon Herriman, Harley Quinn Smith, Quentin Tarantino
2 Comments
pulp-fiction-pic-1.jpg

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.

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BMjIyNTQ5NjQ1OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODg1MDU4OA@@._V1_.jpg

Django Unchained (2012)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Don Johnson, Quentin Tarantino, Jonah Hill, Bruce Dern

Rated: R for Strong Graphic Violence Throughout, A Vicious Fight, Language and Some Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 45 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography, Tone, Story Structure

WEAKNESSES: -

Django Unchained (2012)

July 22, 2019

With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner. 

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Don Johnson, Quentin Tarantino, Jonah Hill, Bruce Dern, 2012
Comment
MV5BNWM2MDZmMDgtYjViOS00YzBmLWE4YzctMDMyYTQ2YTc4MmVkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDk3NzU2MTQ@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,666,1000_AL_.jpg

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. 

Read More
In Adventure, Art House, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Noir, Thriller, Fantasy Tags Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Robert Forster, Patrick Fischler, David Lynch
Comment
PS 1.jpg

Police Story (1985)

Directed By: Jackie Chan, Chi-Hwa Chen

Starring: Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Kwok-Hung Lam, Bill Tung, Yuen Chor

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 1h 40m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Martial Arts, Comedy, Set Pieces

Weakness: Emotional Connection

Police Story (1985)

July 18, 2019

When a Hong Kong Hero Police Officer is tasked with protecting a witness and girlfriend of a powerful gangster he must navigate the dicey waters of his own personal relationship, the police precinct’s bureaucracy, and clear his name from being framed for killing a fellow cop.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Foreign Film, Martial Arts, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Police Story, 1985, Jackie Chan, Chi-Hwa Chen, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Kwok-Hung Lam, Bill Tung, Yuen Chor, PG-13, 4 Stars
Comment
p8726110_v_v8_ab.jpg

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.

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BMjUzMzk5MTUtNjg4MC00OTdmLWI3NmEtY2U0YjU2OTQyNTFmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQxNzMzNDI@._V1_.jpg

Europa Europa (1990)

Directed by: Agnieszka Holland

Starring: Marco Hofschneider, Andre Wilms, Julie Delpy

Rated: R for Mature Treatment of Holocaust Issues

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Melodrama, Coincidence

Europa Europa (1990)

July 11, 2019

A young Jewish boy joins Hitler’s Youth Army in an attempt to conceal his identity.

Read More
In Adventure, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Biographical, Romance, Thriller, War, Foreign Film Tags Agnieszka Holland, 1990, Marco Hofschneider, Andre Wilms, Julie Delpy, R, 3.5 Stars
Comment
← Newer Posts Older Posts →

Powered by Squarespace