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The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

Directed by: Dario Argento

Starring: Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno, Eva Renzi, Umberto Raho

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Several Depictions of Murder)

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Story, Cinematography, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Expositional Ending

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

October 1, 2018

A writer is witness to an attempted murder and is then stalked by a serial killer. 

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno, Eva Renzi, Umberto Raho, NR, Dario Argento, 1970, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, 4 Stars
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Opera (1985)

Directed by: Dario Argento

Starring: Cristina Marsillach, Ian Charlson, Urbano Barberini

Rated: R for Strong Terror and Violence, and a Scene of Sexuality

Running Time: 1 h 47 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Atmosphere, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: Dialogue, Plot Holes (?)

Opera (1985)

October 1, 2018

A young opera singer is stalked by a fan intent on killing the people around her.

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In Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller Tags Dario Argento, Cristina Marsillach, Ian Charlson, Urbano Barberini, R, 4 Stars, 1985, Italy
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Relaxer (2018)

Directed by: Joel Potrykus

Starring: Joshua Burge, David Dastmalchian, Andre Hyland

Rated: NR

Running Time: 1h 31m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Storytelling Style, Compelling Performances, Bold Camera Work

WEAKNESSES: A Slight Pacing Drag in the Middle.

Relaxer (2018)

September 28, 2018

Abbie is a quitter. He has quit every challenge his brother, Cam, has ever posed to him, but NO MORE. For once he’s going to complete the challenge, even if it means not moving from his seat on the couch till he beats level 256 of Pac Man. After all, with Y2K looming he only has 6 months to do it.

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In Comedy, Drama, Sci Fi, Sports, Thriller, West Michigan Films Tags mjamesmcdonald, Joel Potrykus, Joshua Burge, David Dastmalchian, Andre Hyland, NR, 2018, 4 Stars, West Michigan Film, Relaxer
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Ordet (1955)

Directed by: Carl Theodor Dreyer

Starring: Henrik Malberg, Emil Hass Christensen, Preben Lerdorff Rye

Rated: NR

Running Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Story

WEAKNESSES: None

Ordet (1955)

September 27, 2018

Morten Borgen has three sons. One is an atheist, another is insane, thinking himself to be Jesus, and the youngest wishes to marry the daughter of a fundamentalist. When The eldest sons wife, falls ill and her pregnancy turns dangerous, family ties and faith will be tested. 

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In Art House, Christian Film, Drama Tags mjamesmcdonald, Ordet, Carl Theodor Dyer, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Henrik Malberg, Emil Hass Christensen, Preben Lerdorff Rye, NR, 5 Stars, 1955
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Divorce Italian Style (1961)

Directed by: Pietro Germi

Starring: Marcello Mastroianni, Daniela Rocca, Stefania Sandrelli

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Suggestive Content)

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Directing, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Content (?)

Divorce Italian Style (1961)

September 26, 2018

A married Sicilian man, unhappy in his marriage, falls in love with his younger cousin and vows to wed her. But, since divorce is illegal in Italy, he must devise a way to convince his wife to have an affair so he can commit a crime of passion.  

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Thriller Tags Divorce Italian Style, Pietro Germi, Marcello Mastoianni, Daniela Rocco, Stefani Sandrelli, NR, 5 Stars, Italy
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A Taxing Woman (1987)

Directed by: Juzo Itami

Starring: Nobuko Miyamoto, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Masahiko Tsugawa

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Sexual Content and Nudity)

Running Time: 2 h 7 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

A Taxing Woman (1987)

September 24, 2018

An ambitious young tax investigator rises through the ranks of the bureau she works at while forming a friendly relationship with Hideki Gondo, a rich middle-aged man she’s investigating for tax evasion. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film Tags A Taxing Woman, 1987, Juzo Itami, Nobuko Miyamoto, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Masahiko Tsugawa, 4 Stars, Japan
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Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Todd Field, Sydney Pollack

Rated: R for Strong Sexual Content, Nudity, Language and Some Drug-Related Material

Running Time: 2 h 39 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Cinematography, Writing, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Length and Pacing, Climaxes Too Early

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

September 21, 2018

A wealthy Doctor living in New York City reevaluates his life and marriage while wandering through the city after his wife admits she fantasized about cheating on him.

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In Art House, Crime, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Kubrick Retrospective Tags Stanley Kubrick, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Todd Field, Sydney Pollack
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Buzzard (2014)

Directed by: Joel Portykus

Starring: Joshua Burge, Joel Potrykus, Joe Anderson

Rated: NR (Suggest R for Some Language and a Scene of Mild Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Originality

WEAKNESSES: Last Scene (?), Some Makeup

Buzzard (2014)

September 21, 2018

A slacker goes to extreme lengths to avoid doing any kind of work whatsoever. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller, West Michigan Films Tags Buzzard, 2014, Joshua Burge, Joe Anderson, NR, 4.5 Stars, Joel Potrykus
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Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Directed by:Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D’Onofrio

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 56m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Theme, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Not A Typical War Film

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

September 21, 2018

A young military recruit, nicknamed Joker, got through bootcamp and then becomes a reporter for the Army’s newspaper, “The Stars and Stripes.” What he sees the military and war do to his fellow recruits is dehumanizing and thought provoking.

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In Drama, Kubrick Retrospective, War Tags mjamesmcdonald, Stanley Kubrick, Full Metal Jacket, R Rated, 1987, Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D’Nofrio, Vincent D Onofrio
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The Shining (1980)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 26 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: -

The Shining (1980)

September 20, 2018

A writer takes his wife and child to be a caretaker for an isolated hotel during the winter, only to find that there might be an evil presence lurking in the hotel.  

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In Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Kubrick Retrospective, Mystery, Thriller Tags Stanley Kubrick, Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, 1980, The Shining, R, 5 Stars
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King Kong (2005)

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks, Andy Serkis, Jamie Bell, Kyle Chandler

Rated: PG-13 for Frightening Adventure Violence and Some Disturbing Images

Running Time: 3 h 7 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Ambition, Direction, Production Design, Most Visual Effects, Character, Story, Doesn’t Take Itself Seriously

WEAKNESSES: Some Dated Visual Effects, Length, Somewhat Episodic

King Kong (2005)

September 19, 2018

A movie director convinces his cast and crew to travel to a mysterious island where he plans to shoot his next film. The inhabitants of the island complicate the shoot. 

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Fantasy Tags King Kong (2005), 2005, Peter Jackson, Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks, Andy Serkis, Jamie Bell, Kyle Chandler, PG-13, 3.5 Stars
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Barry Lyndon (1975)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee

Rated: PG

Running Time: 3 h 5 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Mise-En-Scene, Cinematography, Writing, Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing During Second Act

Barry Lyndon (1975)

September 19, 2018

An Irish scrapper slowly rises through the ranks of English aristocracy.​​​​​​​ 

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In Adventure, Art House, Biographical, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Romance, War, Kubrick Retrospective Tags Stanley Kubrick, Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, 4.5 Stars, PG, 1975
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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. 

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In Action, Art House, Drama, Crime, Noir, Western, Thriller Tags Sweet Virginia, 2017, Jamie M Dagg, Jon Bernthal, Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, R
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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.

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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
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Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1h 35m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Acting, Script

WEAKNESSES: NA

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

September 17, 2018

When a  US General in the 1960s suffers a nervous breakdown, he orders an all out nuclear strike on Russia and the entire United States Military must try to stop him from starting World War III and the Apocalypse.

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In Comedy, Drama, Kubrick Retrospective, War Tags mjamesmcdonald, Dr. Strangelove, Stanley Kubrick, Peter Sellers, George C Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, PG, 5 Stars
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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.

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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
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Paths of Glory (1957)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready

Rated:NR (Suggested PG-13 for War Violence and Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Message, Story, Cinematography, Characters, Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

Paths of Glory (1957)

September 12, 2018

After failing to attack a well-fortified position, a general accuses soldiers of cowardice and a commanding officer steps in to defend them. 

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In Action, Drama, Thriller, War, Kubrick Retrospective Tags Paths of Glory, 1957, Stanley Kubrick, Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, NR, 5 Stars
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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. 

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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
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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.

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

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance Tags Reversal of Fortune, Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Ron Silver, R, 5 Stars, 1990
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