• 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
MV5BYmY3NGJlYTItYmQ4OS00ZTEwLWIzODItMjMzNWU2MDE0NjZhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQzMDA3MTI@._V1_.jpg

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Directed by: Mike Flanagan

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Emily Alyn Lind, Alex Essoe, Jacob Tremblay, Danny Lloyd

Rated: R for Disturbing Violent Content, Some Bloody Images, Language, Nudity and Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 32 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Melding of Kubrick and King’s Worlds, Story, Acting, Ingenuity

WEAKNESSES: Pacing (Particularly in First Act), Length

Doctor Sleep (2019)

December 20, 2019

Years after the events of “The Shining”, Dan Torrance fights to protect a girl who possesses the same psychic ability as him. 

Read More
In Adventure, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Emily Alyn Lind, Alex Essoe, Jacob Tremblay, Danny Lloyd, Mike Flanagan, 2019, 4 Stars, R
Comment
fa 1.jpg

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Max von Sydow, Peter Mayhew, Gwendoline Christie

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 18m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Feels Like Star Wars

Weakness: Some Characterizations

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

December 19, 2019

When an abandoned young woman and a runaway storm trooper befriend a droid which contains a map to Luke Skywalker’s hiding place, they are thrown into the midst of a galactic conflict between good and evil.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars, Episode VII, The Force Awakens, 5 Stars, PG-13, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Max von Sydow, Peter Mayhew, Gwendoline Christie, J.J. Abrams
Comment
MV5BOWZlMjFiYzgtMTUzNC00Y2IzLTk1NTMtZmNhMTczNTk0ODk1XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTAyODkwOQ@@._V1_.jpg

Star Wars: Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)

Directed by: Richard Marquand

Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams

Rated: PG for Sci Fi Action Violence

Running Time: 2h 16m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Satisfying Conclusion, VFX, Characters

WEAKNESSES: Story not as Strong as Predecessor

Star Wars: Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)

December 18, 2019

The epic conclusion of the original Star Wars trilogy…

Read More
In Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Karl Nagurski, Star War, The Return of the Jedi, Richard Marquand, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, 4.5 Stars, PG, Sci fi, Fantasy, Adventure
Comment
MV5BYmU1NDRjNDgtMzhiMi00NjZmLTg5NGItZDNiZjU5NTU4OTE0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzkwMjQ5NzM@._V1_.jpg

Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Directed by: Irvin Kershner

Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fischer, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams

Rated: PG for Sci-Fi Action Violence

Running Time: 2h 7m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Expanding Universe, Characters, Story, Twist

WEAKNESSES: -

Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

December 18, 2019

The saga continues for Luke Skywalker…

Read More
In Sci Fi, Fantasy, Adventure Tags Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, PG, Sci fi, Action
Comment

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Directed By: George Lucas

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mahew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 1m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: VFX Game Changer

Weakness: Standard Plot Line

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

December 17, 2019

A Farmhand from a backwater planet is caught in the crossfire of an intergalactic battle between dark and light when he receives a distress call from a captured princess and decides to help.

Read More
In Adventure, Action, Children's Movies, Epic, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, A New Hope, Episode IV, 1977, George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mahew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, PG, 5 Stars
Comment
MV5BNTc4MTc3NTQ5OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTg0NjI4NA@@._V1_.jpg

Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Directed by: George Lucas

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Jimmy Smits, Christopher Lee

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Violence and Some Intense Images

Running Time: 2 h 20 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Darker Entry, Some Action, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Battle Fatigue, Acting, Ubiquitous CGI, Dialogue, Cheesy Moments

Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

December 17, 2019

Three years after the start of the clone wars, Obi-Wan and Anakin find themselves lured into a plot that may offset the balance of the force, and set the Sith up for rule.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Sci Fi Tags Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Jimmy Smits, Christopher Lee, 2005, George Lucas
Comment
jumanji-the-next-level-2019-02.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BMDAzM2M0Y2UtZjRmZi00MzVlLTg4MjEtOTE3NzU5ZDVlMTU5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDUyOTg3Njg@._V1_.jpg

Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Directed by: George Lucas

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Lee, Samuel L Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Rose Byrne

Rated: PG for Sustained Sequences of Sci-Fi Action/Violence

Running Time: 2 h 22 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Action, Ewan McGregor, Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Dialogue, Ubiquitous CGI, Hayden Christensen

Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

December 16, 2019

Ten years after their initial meeting, Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala begin a forbidden romance, while Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates an assassination attempt on Amidala’s life.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Romance, War Tags Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Lee, Samuel L Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Rose Byrne, George Lucas, 2002, 3 Stars, PG
Comment
MV5BYTRhNjcwNWQtMGJmMi00NmQyLWE2YzItODVmMTdjNWI0ZDA2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTAyODkwOQ@@._V1_.jpg

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Directed by: George Lucas

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Keira Knightley, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, Terence Stamp, Ahmed Best, Warwick Davis, Samuel L. Jackson

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 h 16 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Ideas, World Building, Production Design, Action, Darth Maul, John Williams’ Score

WEAKNESSES: Dialogue, Cinematography, Pacing, Plot Holes, Acting, Jar Jar Binks

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

December 16, 2019

Two Jedi caught up in a violent trade dispute between the Federation and Naboo discover a boy that may bring balance to the force.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Sci Fi, War Tags Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Keira Knightley, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, Terence Stamp, Ahmed Best, Warwick Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, PG, 3 Stars
Comment
MV5BNTAxZWM2OTgtOTQzOC00ZTI5LTgyYjktZTRhYWM4YWQxNWI0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjMwNDgzNjc@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,677,1000_AL_.jpg

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Directed by: Adrian Grunberg

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Yvette Monreal, Adriana Barraza, Sergio Peris-Mencheta

Rated: R for Strong Graphic Violence, Grisly Images, Drug Use and Language

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Last Twenty Minutes Are Pretty Funny

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Story, Tone, Themes, Pacing

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

December 6, 2019

Rambo takes on Mexican drug cartels.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller Tags Sylvester Stallone, Yvette Monreal, Adriana Barraza, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adrian Grunberg, 2019, 1.5 Stars
Comment
MV5BNzJlYmZhNTMtMWM2Yy00MDZiLWJlOGMtMTRkOTEzYmZlZWQ5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQxNzMzNDI@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,656,1000_AL_.jpg

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

Directed by: Russ Meyer

Starring: Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, John Lazar, Michael Blodgett, David Gurian

Rated: NC-17

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Themes, Story, Soundtrack, Editing, Overall Insanity

WEAKNESSES: Monologue at the End

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

December 5, 2019

Three girls in a band travel to Hollywood to make it big, but instead only find drugs, promiscuity, and a procession of insane characters. 

Read More
In Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller Tags Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, John Lazar, Michael Blodgett, David Gurian, 1970, Russ Meyer, NC-17, 5 Stars
Comment
tr 1.jpg

Total Recall (1990)

Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Dean Norris

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 53m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Arnold, Fun, Action, Mystery

Weakness: A Little Slight in Aim

Total Recall (1990)

December 4, 2019

In the future, when Quaid decides to take a memory vacation from his mundane life, he accidentally triggers a real life action/espionage adventure which ranges across two planets. Or so it seems to.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci Fi, Spy Film, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Total Recall, 1990, Paul Verhoeven, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Dean Norris, R Rated, 4 Stars
Comment
Faster_pussycat_kill_kill_poster_(1).jpg

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)

Directed by: Russ Meyer

Starring: Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams, Ray Barlow, Sue Bernard, Dennis Busch, Stuart Lancaster, Paul Trinka

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Violence and Suggestive Content)

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Story, Characters, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Exploitative Nature Won’t Appeal to Everyone

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)

December 2, 2019

After three Go-Go dancers kill a man and kidnap a young girl, they come across an old man living with his two sons in the desert, and they plan to rob him of his fortune. 

Read More
In Exploitation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Thriller Tags Russ Meyer, Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams, Ray Barlow, Sue Bernard, Dennis Busch, Stuart Lancaster, Paul Trinka, 1965, 4 Stars
Comment
MV5BNjA4MTE4NTQzN15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMjM5MzkwMzE@._V1_.jpg

The Bear (1988)

Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Starring: Jack Wallace, Tcheky Karyo, Youk the Bear, Bart the Bear

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Story, Simplicity

WEAKNESSES: -

The Bear (1988)

November 29, 2019

An orphaned bear cub teams up with an adult male and the pair try to dodge human hunters. 

Read More
In Adventure, Drama, Epic Tags Jack Wallace, Tcheky Karyo, Youk the Bear, Bart the Bear, 1988, PG, 5 Stars
2 Comments
11634391_1300x1733.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BOWVmZGQ0MGYtMDI1Yy00MDkxLWJiYjQtMmZjZmQ0NDFmMDRhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjg3MDMxNzU@._V1_.jpg

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

Directed by: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz

Starring: Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, John Hawkes

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Content, Language Throughout, Some Violence and Smoking

Running Time: 1h 37m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Heartfelt, Poignant, Terrific Performances

WEAKNESSES: -

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

November 12, 2019

Two very different people form a bond on an exciting journey…

Read More
In Drama, Comedy, Adventure Tags Karl Nagurski, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz, Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, PG-13, 5 stars, Drama, Comedy, Adventure
Comment
w 1.5.jpg

Willow (1988)

Directed By: Ron Howard

Starring: Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Billy Barty

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Adventure, Story Structure, Characters

Weakness: A Little Slight

Willow (1988)

November 8, 2019

A Dwarf is tasked with delivering a child, chosen to fulfill prophecy, to those who will protect it from the evil Queen Bavmorda.

Read More
In Adventure, Buddy Movies, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Epic, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Willow, 1988, Ron Howard, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Billy Barty, PG, 4 Stars
Comment
aa 1.jpg

Ad Astra (2019)

Directed By: James Gray

Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 3m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Cinematic Language

Weakness: Voice Over

Ad Astra (2019)

November 7, 2019

In the near future, Roy McBride is tapped by Space Command Brass to engage in a search for his father, a hero astronaut who disappeared years ago, in order to save the earth from a devastating phenomenon which is on the verge of destroying all human life.

Read More
In Adventure, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Ad Astra, 2019, James Gray, Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland, PG-13, 4 Stars
Comment
LIGOS_105_M3.1V2.1.jpg

The Lighthouse (2019)

Directed by: Robert Eggers

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe

Rated: R for Sexual Content, Nudity, Violence, Disturbing Images and Some Language

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Themes, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

The Lighthouse (2019)

October 29, 2019

Two wickies on a post far out at sea begin to experience unusual phenomena.

Read More
In Adventure, Art House, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Robert Eggers, 2019
Comment
MV5BNTZiZTQ4YjItY2Y4ZC00MTVhLThmYTEtYWM5NmRlNDI5Y2JmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDY2MTk1ODk@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,657,1000_AL_.jpg

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Directed by: Charles Barton

Starring: Bud Abbot, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert, Jane Randolph

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested PG for Some Scary Images)

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Comedy, Production Design, Writing, Wide Appeal

WEAKNESSES: Some Jokes Go On Too Long

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

October 27, 2019

Two freight handlers encounter Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolf Man.

Read More
In Adventure, Buddy Movies, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Bud Abbot, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert, Jane Randolph, Charles Barton, NR, 4 Stars, 1948
Comment
← Newer Posts Older Posts →

Powered by Squarespace