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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.

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In Adventure, Biographical, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic Tags 1987, PG-13, 4.5 Stars, Bernardo Bertolucci, John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole
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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.

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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
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Rocketman (2019)

Directed by: Dexter Fletcher

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard

Rated: R for Language Throughout, Some Drug Use and Sexual Content

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Music, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Ending

Rocketman (2019)

July 9, 2019

A musical that looks at the breakthrough years of Elton John. 

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In Biographical, Art House, Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Musical, Romance Tags Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard Rating:, Dexter Fletcher, 2019, R
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Hotel Mumbai (2018)

Directed by: Anthony Maras

Starring: Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher, Jason Isaacs

Rated: R for Disturbing Violence Throughout, Bloody Images, and Language

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Some Overly Dramatic Moments, Pacing

Hotel Mumbai (2018)

June 17, 2019

The true story of the Taj Hotel terrorist attack in Mumbai.

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In Action, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags 2018, Anthony Maras, Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher, Jason Isaacs
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The Disaster Artist (2017)

Directed by: James Franco

Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, Paul Scheer, Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, Ari Graynor, Megan Mullally, Jason Mantzoukas

Rated: R for Language Throughout and Some Sexuality/Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Story

WEAKNESSES: Weak Ending, Narrow Audience for Some Jokes

The Disaster Artist (2017)

June 14, 2019

The true story of Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero, the team behind the infamously bad movie The Room.

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In Biographical, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama Tags James Franco, Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, Paul Scheer, Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, Ari Graynor, Megan Mullally, Jason Mantzoukas, 3.5 Stars, 2017
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In The Name of the Father (1993)

Directed by: Jim Sheridan

Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Emma Thompson

Rated: R for Language and Politically-Generated Violence

Running Time: 2 h 13 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: Uneven Pacing, A Bit Dramatic

In The Name of the Father (1993)

June 3, 2019

The true story of Gerry Conlon, whom was falsely imprisoned after he was coerced into signing an untrue confession admitting guilt to an IRA bombing.

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Jim Sheridan, Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Emma Thompson, R, 1993, 3.5 Stars
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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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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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Fighting with My Family (2019)

Directed by: Stephen Merchant

Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Merchant

Rated: PG-13 for Crude and Sexual Material, Language Throughout, Some Violence and Drug Content

Running Time: 1 h 48 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Follows Sports Movie Cliches

Fighting with My Family (2019)

May 13, 2019

The true story of Saraya-Jade Bevis AKA Paige, the WWE superstar.

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In Biographical, Comedy, Coming of Age, Sports Tags Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Merchant, PG-13, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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Blaze (2018)

Directed by: Ethan Hawke

Starring: Ben Dickey, Alia Shawkat, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Linklater, Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Charlie Sexton

Rated: R for Language Throughout, Some Sexual Content and Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Unique Structure, Acting, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

Blaze (2018)

May 13, 2019

A look at the life of Texas songwriting legend Blaze Foley.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Biographical, Drama, Romance Tags Ben Dickey, Alia Shawkat, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Linklater, Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Charlie Sexton, Ethan Hawke, 2018, 4.5 Stars
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Jodorowsky’s Dune (2013)

Directed by: Frank Pavich

Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky, Nicolas Winding Refn

Rated: PG-13 for Some Violent and Sexual Images and Drug References

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story

WEAKNESSES: Narrow Target Audience

Jodorowsky's Dune (2013)

April 26, 2019

An exploration of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempt to bring Frank Herbert’s Dune to screen. 

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In Biographical, Documentary, Drama, Sci Fi Tags Alejandro Jodorowsky, PG-13, 4 Stars, Brontis Jodorowsky, Nicolas Winding Refn
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The Glass Castle (2017)

Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Brie Larson, Naomi Watts, Ella Anderson, Sarah Snook, Max Greenfield

Rated: PG-13 for Mature Thematic Content Involving Family Dysfunction, and For Some Language and Smoking

Running Time: 2 h 7 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting

WEAKNESSES: Overly Sentimental, Betrays the Spirit of the Memoir

The Glass Castle (2017)

April 15, 2019

Based on the memoirs of Jeanette Walls, The Glass Castle tells the story of a family living in poverty and dysfunction. 

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In Biographical, Coming of Age, Drama Tags Destin Daniel Cretton, Woody Harrelson, Brie Larson, Naomi Watts, Ella Anderson, Sarah Snook, Max Greenfield, PG-13, 2 Stars, 2017
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The Mule (2018)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Michael Pena, Taissa Farminga, Laurence Fishburne, Andy Garcia, Dianne Wiest

Rated: R for Language Throughout and Brief Sexuality/Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 56 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Themes

The Mule (2018)

April 1, 2019

A 90-year-old Korean War vet is roped into being a drug mule for a Mexican cartel.

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In Adventure, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Michael Pena, Taissa Farminga, Laurence Fishburne, Andy Garcia, Dianne Wiest, The Mule, 3 Stars, R, America
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Vice (2018)

Directed by: Adam McKay

Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Justin Kirk, Jesse Plemons, Shea Whigham, Tyler Perry, Alfred Molina, Naomi Watts

Rated: R for Language and Some Violent Images

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Directing, Some Writing

WEAKNESSES: Some Writing, Ending, Heavy-Handedness

Vice (2018)

March 29, 2019

The story of Dick Cheney, the most powerful Vice President in American History, and the way he forever changed the Global political landscape.

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In Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama Tags Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Justin Kirk, Jesse Plemons, Shea Whigham, Tyler Perry, Alfred Molina, Adam McKay, 3.5 Stars, 2018, Naomi Watts
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The Dirt (2019)

Directed by: Jeff Tremaine

Starring: Colson Baker, Douglas Booth, Daniel Webber, Iwan Rheon, David Costabile

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 48 m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Good Music, Solid Performances, Very Entertaining

WEAKNESSES: Messy Story, Clunky Dialogue, Sloppy Direction, Not Enough Grit

The Dirt (2019)

March 27, 2019

The rise of the notorious 80s rock band, Motley Crue.

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In Biographical, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Musical Tags Karl Nagurski, Colson Baker, Douglas Booth, Daniel Webber, Iwan Rheon, David Costabile, Jeff Tremaine, R, 3 Stars
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The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

Directed By: Carl Theodor Dreyer

Starring: Maria Falconetti, Eugene Sylvain, Andre Berley

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 54m (sort of)

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography and Acting

Weakness: Some of the Sets


The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

March 19, 2019

Joan of Arc, capture by the English, stands trial for heresy.

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In Art House, Biographical, Christian Film, Drama, Silent Tags Michael McDonald, Maria Falconetti, Eugene Sylvain, Andre Berley, Carl Theodor Dreyer, The Passion of Joan of Arc, 1928, 5 Stars
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A Private War (2018)

Directed by: Matthew Heineman

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, Tom Hollander, Stanley Tucci

Rated: R for Disturbing Violent Images, Language Throughout, and Brief Sexuality/Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 50 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Directing, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Some Dream Sequences

A Private War (2018)

March 18, 2019

The true story of British War correspondent Marie Colvin leading up to her death in Homs Syria during the 2012 bombings.

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In Action, Biographical, Drama, Thriller Tags Matthew Heineman, Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, Tom Hollander, Stanley Tucci, R, 4 Stars, 2018
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Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

Directed by: Josie Rourke

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Guy Pearce

Rated: R for Some Violence and Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Costumes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Writing, Directing, Out of Place Themes

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

March 1, 2019

An account of Mary Stuart’s relationship with Elizabeth I, Queen of England.

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In Adventure, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Guy Pearce, Josie Rourke, R, 2 Stars
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Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)


Directed by: Hiroshi Inagaki

Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Kōji Tsuruta, Kaoru Yachigusa, Mariko Okada

Rated: NR

Running Time: 1h 45m

TMM Score: 4.5 out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Mellow Drama

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)

February 28, 2019

Samurai Musashi, by now an accomplished swordfighter, finds himself at odds with Sasaki Jokiro, a ronin swordsman, when they are both considered for employment with the Shogun.

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In Foreign Film, Action, Adventure, Biographical Tags Musashi Miyamoto, NR, Toshiro Mifune, Mariko Okada, 4.5 Stars, Samurai III, Duel at Ganryu Island
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Green Book (2018)

Directed by: Peter Farrelly

Starring: Viggo Mortnesen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cadellini

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Content, Including Racial Epithets, Smoking, Some Violence and Suggestive Material

Running Time: 2 h 10 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Familiar Themes, Familiar Storyline, Familiar Character Arcs, White Savior Ending

Green Book (2018)

February 26, 2019

An Italian-American bouncer becomes a driver for an African American classical pianist through the 1960s American South. 

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In Adventure, Biographical, Comedy, Drama Tags Viggo Mortnesen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cadellini, Peter Farrelly, 3.5 Stars, 2018, PG-13
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