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Honey Boy (2019)

Directed By: Alma Har’el

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges, Noah Jupe, Byron Bowers, Laura San Giacomo, FKA Twigs, Natasha Lyonne, Martin Starr

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 34m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Personal Meaning

Weakness: Certain Connections are Weak

Honey Boy (2019)

December 12, 2019

A child actor struggles with his relationship with his father and the pressures that fame, money, and a dad who hasn’t figured out his own life yet can bring to a child before he is ready to cope.

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In Biographical, Coming of Age, Drama Tags Michael McDonald, R Rated, 3 Stars, Shia LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges, Noah Jupe, Byron Bowers, Laura San Giacomo, FKA Twigs, Natasha Lyonne, Martin Starr, Alma Har’el, 2019, Honey Boy
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Chappie (2015)

Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Yo-Landi Visser

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Emotional Connection, Worldbuilding, Unique Characters

Weakness: Some Fortunate Coincidences

Chappie (2015)

December 10, 2019

When the engineer behind the world’s first robotic police force goes against orders to crack the code for Artificial Intelligence he is forced to enlist a group of gangsters to help him ‘raise’ his new creation into adulthood.

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In Action, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Chappie, 2019, Neill Blomkamp, 4 Stars, R Rated, Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Yo-Landi Visser
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Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Directed By: Taika Waititi

Starring: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, Stephen Merchant, Archie Yates

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 1h 48m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Characters, Humor, Touching Moments

Weakness: Cohesive Integrity, Slight

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

November 22, 2019

Toward the end of WW2, a young boy, Jojo, a member of the Hitler Youth whose imaginary friend is also Adolf Hitler, discovers a Jew hiding in the crawlspace of his home in Berlin.

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In Coming of Age, Fantasy, Historical, War Tags Michael McDonald, Jojo Rabbit, 2019, Taika Waititi, Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, Stephen Merchant, Archie Yates, PG-13, 3 Stars
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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.

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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
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Dead Poets Society (1989)

Directed by: Peter Weir

Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 h 8 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Writing, Directing, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Melodrama, Knox Overstreet’s Character, Somewhat Predictable

Dead Poets Society (1989)

November 1, 2019

An English teacher at a prestigious preparatory school inspires his students to look at the world in a different light. 

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In Coming of Age, Drama Tags Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Peter Weir, 1989, PG, 4 Stars
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The Omen II: Damien (1978)

Directed by: Don Taylor

Starring: Jonathan Scott-Taylor, William Holden, Lee Grant

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 47 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Moral Dilemma, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Similar Story and Plot Progression to Original

The Omen II: Damien (1978)

October 29, 2019

The continuing misadventures of Damien the Antichrist.

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In Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Horror Tags Jonathan Scott-Taylor, William Holden, Lee Grant, Don Taylor, R, 1978
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The Perfection (2018)

Directed by: Richard Shepard

Starring: Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Webber

Rated: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Execution

The Perfection (2018)

October 13, 2019

A musical prodigy seeks out the star pupil of her former school, and the encounter sends both musicians down a dark path.

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Webber, TV-MA
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Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Paul Sorvino, Anthony Stewart Head, Alexa PenaVega, Paris Hilton, Sarah Brightman

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence and Gore, Some Drug and Sexual Content

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Anthony Stewart Head, Some Songs, General Concept, Practical Effects

WEAKNESSES: Paris Hilton, Most Songs, Overall Execution, Visual Effects

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

October 9, 2019

After a wave of organ failures sweeps through the human populous, a genetics company begins manufacturing artificial organs. But if the recipients of those organs can’t pay, the company sends in a Repo Man to take their product back. A musical!

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In Action, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Musical, Thriller Tags 2008, Darren Lynn Bousman, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Stewart Head, Alexa PenaVega, Paris Hilton, Sarah Brightman, 1.5 Stars, R
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Last Action Hero (1993)

Directed By: John McTiernan

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance, Austin O'Brien

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 10m

TMM Score: 5

Strengths: Arnold, Nostalgia, Meta

Weakness: Length, Kid Acting

Last Action Hero (1993)

September 20, 2019

When a movie obsessed kid gets magically transported into his favorite action series of films, he finds out the difference between a movie world hero and a real life one.


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In Action, Adventure, Buddy Movies, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance, Austin O'Brien, Last Action Hero, 1993, John McTiernan, PG-13, 5 Stars
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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Directed by: John Hughes

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 h 43 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Humor, Inventive Writing, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

September 13, 2019

A popular high school student skips school and his principal tries to catch him in the act.

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In Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama Tags Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, John Hughes, 1986, PG-13, 3.5 Stars
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The Emperor's Club (2002)

Directed By: Michael Hoffman

Starring: Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Joel Gretsch, Edward Hermann, Harris Yulin, Paul Dano, Jesse Eisenberg

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 1h 49m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Themes, Unexpected Turns

Weakness: Schmaltzy

The Emperor's Club (2002)

September 13, 2019

An aging teacher of Classics at a boarding school is given the opportunity to see how he affected the lives of his students when one of them organizes a reunion weekend.

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In Coming of Age, Drama Tags Michael McDonald, Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Joel Gretsch, Edward Hermann, Harris Yulin, Paul Dano, Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Hoffman, The Emperor's Club, 2002, PG-13, 4 Stars
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Nashville (1975)

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall, Robert DoQui, Ned Beatty, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Harris, Jeff Goldblum

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 40 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Satire

WEAKNESSES: -

Nashville (1975)

September 13, 2019

An ensemble film that satires American culture and politics in the 1970s. 

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In Anthology, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Musical, Romance Tags Robert Altman, Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall, Robert DoQui, Ned Beatty, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Harris, Jeff Goldblum, R, 5 Stars
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Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Directed By: Amy Heckerling

Starring: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Characters

Weakness: It Has Aged

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

September 12, 2019

The students of Ridgemont High explore their burgeoning adulthood and all the relationships, responsibility, and awkwardness that adolescence brings.

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In Comedy, Coming of Age Tags Michael McDonald, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982, 3 Stars, Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Amy Heckerling
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Superbad (2007)

Directed by: Greg Mottola

Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Emma Stone, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen

Rated: R for Pervasive Crude and Sexual Content, Strong Language, Drinking, Some Drug Use and a Brief Violent Image - All Involving Teens

Running Time: 2h

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Nostalgic, Hilarious Characters, Trend Setter

WEAKNESSES: Convenient Story Beats

Superbad (2007)

September 11, 2019

The final year of high school better be the best one for three friends.

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In Comedy, Coming of Age Tags Karl Nagurski, Superbad, Comedy, 4.5 Stars, Rated R, Greg Mottola, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Emma Stone, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen
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Easy A (2010)

Directed By: Will Gluck

Starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 1h 32m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Humor

Weakness: Harsh Treatment of Specific Group

Easy A (2010)

September 11, 2019

When responsible and uncool high school student Olive helps a gay friend stay in the closet, by pretending she had sex with him, her popularity booms and she finds out just how alluring the rumor mill’s power of popularity really is.

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In Comedy, Coming of Age Tags Michael McDonald, Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, PG-13, Will Gluck, 3 Stars, 2010, Easy A
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The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto

Rated: R for Sexual Content, Language and Some Drinking- All Involving Teens

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Humor

WEAKNESSES: A Few Cheesy Moments

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

September 10, 2019

Life gets more complicated for a high school student after her best friend starts dating her brother. 

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In Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Romance Tags Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto, Kelly Fremon Craig, 4 Stars, 2016
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Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)

Directed by: Jaromil Jires

Starring: Jaroslava Schallerova, Helena Anyzovz, Petr Kopriva

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Nudity, Thematic Elements, and Two Scenes of Animal Cruelty)

Running Time: 1 h 17 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Strength of Themes, Production Design, Cinematography, Mis-En-Scene

WEAKNESSES: Sexualizes a Thirteen Year Old Girl, Two Scenes of Animal Cruelty

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)

September 9, 2019

A young girl whom lives in a surreal and fantastical world, finds herself being quested after, influenced, and tricked by vampires, bishops, men and women alike as she approaches womanhood. 

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In Adventure, Coming of Age, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Jaroslava Schallerova, Helena Anyzovz, Petr Kopriva, Jaromil Jires, 1970, NR, 4 Stars
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Kick Ass (2010)

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 57m

TMM Score: 3 Stars (I liked it)

Strengths: High Concept, Nicolas Cage, Fun

Weakness: Acting

Kick Ass (2010)

September 6, 2019

Dave, a comic book nerd high school outcast, is tired of the petty crimes surrounding him and decides to fight back. Inspired by his love of comic heroes, he becomes Kick Ass the crime fighter. If only he had powers.

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In Action, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Fantasy, Superhero Tags Michael McDonald, Matthew Vaughn, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, R Rated, 3 Stars, Kick Ass, 2010
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Ma (2019)

Directed by: Tate Taylor

Starring: Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis, Tate Taylor, Luke Evans, Allison Janney

Rated: R for Violent/Disturbing Material, Language Throughout, Sexual Content, and for Teen Drug and Alcohol Use

Running Time: 1 h 39 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Octavia Spencer

WEAKNESSES: Finding Target Audience, Some Acting

Ma (2019)

September 3, 2019

A lonely, middle-aged woman befriends a group of teenagers and lets them party in her house, but after a while, the middle-aged woman starts acting strangely possessive. 

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In Crime, Drama, Coming of Age, Horror, Thriller Tags Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis, Tate Taylor, Luke Evans, Allison Janney, 2 Stars, R, 2019
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The Double Life of Veronique (1991)

Directed By: Krzysztof Kieslowski

Starring: Irène Jacob, Wladyslaw Kowalski, Halina Gryglaszewska

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 38m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Music, Cinematography

Weakness: -

The Double Life of Veronique (1991)

August 29, 2019

Two women, one in France, the other Poland, are inexplicably linked in spirit.

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In Art House, Cinema World Tour, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Foreign Film Tags Michael McDonald, Irène Jacob, Wladyslaw Kowalski, Halina Gryglaszewska, R Rated, The Double Life of Veronique, 1991, Krzysztof Kieslowski, 5 Stars
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