• 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
MV5BMjA4NzE0NjQ5NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODE0MzIxNDM@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,674,1000_AL_.jpg

Sweet Virginia (2017)

Directed by:Jamie M Dagg

Starring: Jon Bernthal, Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots

Rated: R for Violence, Some Strong Sexuality, Language, and Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Some Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Predictability

Sweet Virginia (2017)

September 18, 2018

A former rodeo champ turned hotel clerk unwittingly befriends a young man with a hidden violent side. 

Read More
In Action, Art House, Drama, Crime, Noir, Western, Thriller Tags Sweet Virginia, 2017, Jamie M Dagg, Jon Bernthal, Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, R
Comment
MV5BMTY3MjM1Mzc4N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODM0NzAxMDE@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,675,1000_AL_.jpg

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 16 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Story, Irony, Writing, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Content, Some Acting (?)

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

September 18, 2018

After a couple nights of ‘ultra-violence’ Alex DeLarge is sent to prison, where he undergoes an experimental surgery that will curb his more devious impulses.

Read More
In Adventure, Art House, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Kubrick Retrospective, Horror, Thriller Tags A Clockwork Orange, 1971, R, 5 Stars, Stanley Kubrick, Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates
Comment
MV5BMjk1MjhmZWQtNzU3OC00NDE4LThlODQtNTdhZGM4M2E3MWZkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTMxODk2OTU@._V1_.jpg

Mandy (2018)

Directed by: Panos Cosmatos

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache, Richard Brake

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Strong Bloody Violence, Disturbing Images, Drug and Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity and Some Language)

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Aesthetic, Cinematography, Uniqueness, Acting, Inventiveness

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing, Some Themes

Mandy (2018)

September 17, 2018

Set in alternative world in 1983. Red Miller hunts a religious cult after they murder the love of his life, Mandy.

Read More
In Action, Art House, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Mandy, 2018, Panos Cosmatos, Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache, Richard Brake, NR, 4 Stars
Comment
MV5BZTlmODM0ZTgtY2NkZS00Y2ZmLTkxMzktMTE4ZDg2NzNmNDkwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjUzOTY1NTc@._V1_.jpg

Lolita (1962)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: James Mason, Shelley Winters, Sue Lyon

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Strong Thematic Material)

Running Time: 2 h 33 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Content

Lolita (1962)

September 14, 2018

A middle-aged man marries a widow to be closer to her young daughter.

Read More
In Art House, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller, Kubrick Retrospective Tags 1962, Stanley Kubrick, James Mason, Shelley Winters, Sue Lyon, NR, 4 Stars, Peter Sellers
Comment
satb 1.jpg

Smokey and The Bandit (1977)

Directed by: Hal Needham

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1h 36m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

STRENGTHS: Burt Reynolds’ Charisma

WEAKNESSES: Everything else

Smokey and The Bandit (1977)

September 13, 2018

The Bandit is the legend, the greatest trucker, smuggler, runner of them all, so when two rich southerners want to haul some beer across state lines in a record time, he’s the only one to call, but will the Bandit still be able to make his run on time when he picks up a runaway bride hitch-hiker? 

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime Tags mjamesmcdonald, Smokey and The Bandit, 1977, 2 Stars, Hal Needham, PG, Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason
Comment
MV5BMjMzNzkwNjEyOF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwOTY3Njc3NjE@._V1_.jpg

Boogie Nights (1997)

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, William H. Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Thomas Jane, Alfred Molina

Rated: R for Strong Sex Scenes with Explicit Dialogue, Nudity, Drug Use, Language and Violence

Running Time: 2 h 35 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing Issues Towards the End

Boogie Nights (1997)

September 12, 2018

Eddie Adams AKA Dirk Diggler, a teenager living in California in the late seventies and early eighties, gets wrapped up in the porn industry, for better or worse. 

Read More
In Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic Tags Boogie Nights, Paul Thomas Anderson, Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, John C Reilly, Don Cheadle, William H Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Thomas Jane, Alfred Molina, R, 4 Stars, 1997
Comment
killing.jpg

The Killing (1956)

Directed by:Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 25 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story and Story Structure, Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing in First Act (?)

The Killing (1956)

September 11, 2018

Mobsters plan to rob a racetrack.

Read More
In Action, Crime, Drama, Noir, Thriller, Kubrick Retrospective Tags The Killing, 1956, 4 Stars, Stanley Kubrick, Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards
Comment
tez8bipcizkcnivyrcpu.jpg

Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 51 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Characters, Acting, Story and Story Structure

WEAKNESSES: -

Reversal of Fortune (1990)

September 10, 2018

Based on a true story. Sunny von Bulow lies in a coma and her husband Claus has been convicted on two counts of attempted murder. He says he’s innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

Read More
In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance Tags Reversal of Fortune, Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Ron Silver, R, 5 Stars, 1990
Comment
killers kiss 1.jpg

Killer's Kiss (1955)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Frank Silvera, Irene Kane, Jamie Smith

Rated: NR

Running Time: 1h 7m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Standard Story

Killer's Kiss (1955)

September 10, 2018

When a low level boxer, Davey, falls for a private dancer, Gloria, he runs afoul of her manager, Vincent, who fancies her and has no qualms about using violence to get her.

Read More
In Romance, Crime, Drama, Noir, Kubrick Retrospective Tags mjamesmcdonald, 3 Stars, NR, Killer's Kiss, Stanley Kubrick, 1955, Frank Silvera, Irene Kane, Jamie Smith
Comment
mi3 1.jpg

In Bruges (2008)

Directed by: Martin McDonagh

Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleason, Ciaran Hinds, Ralph Fiennes

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 47m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: Darker Theme than is Readily Apparent

In Bruges (2008)

September 6, 2018

A young hitman for the mob is sent to Bruges, a quaint touristy medieval town, after a hit doesn’t go as planned. With nothing interesting to distract him, he is left alone with his thoughts, and his guilt over past actions.

Read More
In Comedy, Drama, Crime Tags mjamesmcdonald, in bruges, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleason, 2008, Ciaran Hinds, Ralph Fiennes, R Rated, Martin McDonagh, 4 Stars
Comment
MV5BMjA1NDcyMzY1Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNjc1MDY3MQ@@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,682,1000_AL_.jpg

Tell No One (2006)

Directed by: Guillaume Canet

Starring: Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier

Rated: NR (Suggest R for Violence, Language, and Some Nudity)

Running Time: 2 h 11 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Pacing, Story, Excitement, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Lengthy Expositional Scenes

Tell No One (2006)

September 4, 2018

Eight years after the murder of Doctor Alexandre Beck’s wife, new clues begin to surface, reopening the case. The police find strong evidence suggesting Beck might be responsible for the murder, so Beck must evade the police while he to tries to prove his innocence.

Read More
In Action, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Guillaume Canet, Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier, NR, 2006, France, 4 Stars
1 Comment
MV5BNTQ0Njc3ODkyMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwODQxOTE4MjE@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,676,1000_AL_.jpg

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

Directed by: Sion Sono

Starring: Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Frenetic Bloody Violence and Strong Language)

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Crazy Story, Unique Chracters

WEAKNESSES: CGI Effects, Pacing

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

September 3, 2018

An independent film crew becomes entangled in a yakuza war.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Crime, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Thriller Tags Sion Sono, Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa, Japan, 2013, NR, 3.5 Stars
Comment
The-Decline-of-Western-Civilization-III-images-3ebeb533-8c67-40d8-a6b7-f3a97169c4b.jpg

The Decline of Western Civilization Part III (1998)

Directed by: Penelope Spheeris

Starring: Flea

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Pervasive Language and Destructive Behavior)

Running Time: 1 h 26 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story

WEAKNESSES: Content

The Decline of Western Civilization Part III (1998)

August 31, 2018

A documentary following the lives of gutter punks in Los Angeles in the late nineties.

Read More
In Art House, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Documentary, Musical Tags Penelope Spheeris, 1998, NR, Flea, 4 Stars
Comment
h613N59p1DoFoFML74fb1u9B5m6-1.jpg

Sid & Nancy (1986)

Directed by: Alex Cox

Starring: Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Content

Sid & Nancy (1986)

August 30, 2018

The true story of Sid Vicious, bassist for The Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.

Read More
In Art House, Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Musical, Thriller Tags R, 4 Stars, Alex Cox, Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman
Comment
MV5BMzU5NzhlOGYtODE0YS00ZmUxLWI2YzctNTM0ZWNjMmJjMjBkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTAzMTY4MDA@._V1_SY1000_SX675_AL_.jpg

A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

Directed by: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire

Starring: Joe Cole, Pornchanok Mabklang, Panya Yimmuphai

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 56 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Realism, Writing, Directing, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

August 29, 2018

The true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer who was incarcerated in a Thai prison and fought in a Muay Thai tournament to prove himself to the other inmates.

Read More
In Sports, Thriller, Crime, Action, Biographical, Drama Tags Joe Cole, Thailand, Jean-Stephane Sauvaire, Pornchanok Mabklang, Panya Yimmuphai, R, 4 Stars
Comment
MV5BYjM0N2ViMzUtMTc1OS00YmEzLWE2NWYtNjU5NTY4NjRlOTI0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQxNzMzNDI@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,670,1000_AL_.jpg

Serial Mom (1994)

Directed by: John Waters

Starring: Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake

Rated: R for Satirical Presentation of Strong Violence, Vulgar Language, and Sexual Episodes

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Uniqueness, Dripping With Satire, Hilarity

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Joke Feels Played Out

Serial Mom (1994)

August 24, 2018

Little annoyances drive a happy suburban mother to murder.

Read More
In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Kathleen Turner, John Waters, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake, R, 3.5 Stars
Comment
MV5BMTY5NzgyMjUwOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjc2NjQzMTE@._V1_.jpg

Female Trouble (1974)

Directed by: John Waters

Starring: Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Edith Massey

Rated: NC-17

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Eccentricity

WEAKNESSES: Content, Acting(?), Cinematography

Female Trouble (1974)

August 24, 2018

A spoiled high school girl runs away from home and has to turn to a life of crime to support herself.

Read More
In Art House, Comedy, Crime, Biographical, Fantasy, Thriller Tags John Waters, Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Edith Massey, NC-17, 1974, 3.5 Stars
Comment
MV5BZDJjOTE0N2EtMmRlZS00NzU0LWE0ZWQtM2Q3MWMxNjcwZjBhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDk3NzU2MTQ@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,675,1000_AL_.jpg

The Rock (1996)

Directed by: Michael Bay

Starring: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Language and a Sex Scene

Running Time: 2 h 16 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, No Holds Barred Action, Ridiculous Premise, Humorous Writing

WEAKNESSES: Ridiculous Premise, Directing

The Rock (1996)

August 23, 2018

An ex-con and a chemist team up to stop a general who has taken control of Alcatraz Island and plans to release nerve gas on San Francisco.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Thriller Tags Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, Michael Bay, 3 Stars
Comment
xRGfRb80dpUeQ6IJGG8hjNwXpppDHF_large.jpg

A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

Directed by: Edward Yang

Starring: Chen Chang, Lisa Yang, Hung-Ming Lin

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Brutal Violence Involving Teens and Language)

Running Time: 3 h 57 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Staging

WEAKNESSES: Length Will Deter Viewers

A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

August 22, 2018

Based on a true story of rival youth gangs in 1960s Taiwan. 

Read More
In Action, Art House, Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Edward Yang, Chen Chang, Lisa Yang, Hung-Ming Lin, Not Rated, 5 Stars
Comment
MV5BNTgwZmIzMmYtZjE3Yy00NzgzLTgxNmUtNjlmZDlkMzlhOTJkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjUwNzk3NDc@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,657,1000_AL_.jpg

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Directed by: John Schlesinger

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Creative Dream/Fantasy Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Failed to Engage Me Emotionally

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

August 21, 2018

A naïve self-proclaimed hustler from Texas travels to New York, but finds he’s unable to do so. Instead he teams up with a streetwise lowlife, and the two form an unlikely friendship.

Read More
In Comedy, Crime, Drama Tags R, Dustin Hoffman, John Voight, John Schlesinger, 3.5 Stars
Comment
← Newer Posts Older Posts →

Powered by Squarespace