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MV5BYjQ5NjM0Y2YtNjZkNC00ZDhkLWJjMWItN2QyNzFkMDE3ZjAxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyODIxMzk5NjA@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,699,1000_AL_.jpg

Coco (2017)

Directed by: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina

Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach

Rated: PG for Thematic Elements

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Coco (2017)

June 17, 2019

An aspiring musician enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer, to receive his blessing. 

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In Adventure, Animated, Coming of Age, Children's Movies Tags Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina, Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, 2017, 4 Stars
1 Comment
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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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Tideland (2005)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Jodelle Ferland, Brendan Fletcher, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly

Rated: R Rated

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Concept

Weakness: Gross, Meandering

Tideland (2005)

June 13, 2019

Jeliza-Rose’s parents are a couple of dead beat drug addicts. The only thing keeping her from going insane is a vivid imagination and the imaginary friends she invents as she lives on an old abandoned country estate.

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In Art House, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Tideland, 2005, Terry Gilliam, Jodelle Ferland, Brendan Fletcher, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly, R Rated, 3 Stars
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Knife in the Water (1962)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Knife in the Water (1962)

June 13, 2019

A couple picks up a hitchhiker on their way to a sailing trip and decides to bring him along. 

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Foreign Film, Romance, Thriller, Noir Tags Roman Polanski, Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz, NR, 4.5 Stars, 1962
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Repulsion (1965)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Violence, and Disturbing/Sexual Content)

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Production Design, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

Repulsion (1965)

June 11, 2019

A sex-repulsed young woman slowly sinks into madness.

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags 1965, Roman Polanski, Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux, NR, 5 Stars
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The New World (2005)

Directed By: Terrence Malick

Starring: Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, David Thewlis, Ben Mendelsohn

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 15m

TMM Score: 5

Strengths: Acting, Production Design, Cinematography

Weakness: None

The New World (2005)

June 6, 2019

When the British arrive in Virginia, they expect to find a new land teeming with gold and people who are outclassed in weaponry, religion, and culture. What they find instead is a young woman who discovers that not all new worlds are physical places.

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In Art House, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, David Thewlis, Ben Mendelsohn, PG-13, 5 Stars, Terrence Malick, 2005, The New World
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Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki, Kirk Wise

Starring: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki

Rated: PG for Some Scary Moments

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation, Story, Characters, Fun, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: -

Spirited Away (2001)

May 30, 2019

A young girl wanders into the realm of the spirits and begins working at the magical bathhouse that resides there. 

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In Adventure, Anime, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery Tags Hayao Miyazaki, Kirk Wise, PG, Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, 2001, 5 Stars
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Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crystal

Rated: PG for Frightening Images, And Brief Mild Language

Running Time: 1h 59m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Animation, Themes, Characters, Lots of Fun

WEAKNESSES: Ending

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

May 29, 2019

A woman must break a curse with the help of demigod, Howl.

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In Anime, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film Tags Karl Nagurski, Hayao Miyazaki, Billy Crystal, Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, 4.5 Stars, Anime, Animation, PG
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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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Ben is Back (2018)

Directed by: Peter Hedges

Starring: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Kathryn Newton, Courtney B. Vance

Rated: R for Language Throughout and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 1h 44m

TMM Score: 3.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Performances, Message

WEAKNESSES: Too Safe

Ben is Back (2018)

May 14, 2019

A recovering drug addict must battle towards sobriety with the help from his mother.

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In Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Kathryn Newton, Courtney B. Vance, Peter Hedges, 3, 3.5 Stars, 2018, America
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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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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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Jabberwocky (1977)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbitt, John Le Mesurier

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 45m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Directorial Voice, Humor

Weakness: Meandering Story

Jabberwocky (1977)

May 1, 2019

Dennis is a young man during the Dark Ages and he is ready to set out on his own. Of course, he sets out to the nearest city only to find that they won’t let anyone in because there are no available jobs. To top it off, there is a monster running loose in the woods killing everyone it meets.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbitt, John Le Mesurier, Jabberwocky, 1977, PG, 3 Stars, Terry Gilliam
1 Comment
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Dune (Extended Cut) (1984)

Directed by: Alan Smithee (David Lynch)

Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Sting, Patrick Stewart, Max Von Sydow, Kenneth McMillan, Jurgen Prochow

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 h 57 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: A Valiant Effort

WEAKNESSES: Practically Everything

Dune (Extended Cut) (1984)

April 26, 2019

After a Duke takes over a rich desert planet, forces around the galaxy descend in attempt to dethrone him. Meanwhile, a mysterious prophecy concerns the Duke’s son.

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In Action, Adventure, Art House, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Sting, Patrick Stewart, Max Von Sydow, Kenneth McMillan, Jurgen Prochow, PG-13, 2 Stars, 1984, David Lynch
2 Comments
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Fellini Satyricon (1969)

Directed by: Federico Fellini

Starring: Martin Potter, Hiram Keller, Max Born

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Production Design, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Emotional Connection, Pacing

Fellini Satyricon (1969)

April 22, 2019

A series of bizarre events surround a young man’s journey through the hedonistic landscape of first century Rome.

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In Art House, Anthology, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Romance, Thriller Tags Martin Potter, Hiram Keller, Max Born, Federico Fellini, R, 1969, Fellini Satyricon, 4 Stars
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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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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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Shazam! (2019)

Directed by: David F. Sandberg

Starring: Zachary Levi, Djimon Hounsou, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, Marta Milans, Adam Brody

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Action, Language, and Suggestive Material

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Humor, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Never Breaks From Superhero Formula, Length

Shazam! (2019)

April 8, 2019

A fourteen-year-old foster kid is granted new powers that allow him to turn into a superhero.

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In Action, Adventure, Buddy Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Superhero Tags Zachary Levi, Djimon Hounson, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, Marta Milans, Adam Brody, David F. Sandberg, PG-13, 3 Stars
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