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The Martian (2015)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover, Aksel Hennie

Rated: PG-13 or Some Strong Language, Injury Images, and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 24 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Visual Effects, Story Themes

WEAKNESSES: Some Farfetched Cheesy Moments

The Martian (2015)

September 5, 2018

After an accident, an astronaut is stranded on Mars and has to figure out a way to survive.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Sci Fi Tags Ridley Scott, Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover, Aksel Hennie, 4 Stars, 2015, PG-13
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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.

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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
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Interstellar (2014)

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Timothee Chalamet, David Oyelowo, Wes Bently, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Topher Grace, Mackenzie Foy

Rated: PG-13 for Some Intense Perilous Action and Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 2 h 49 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Soundtrack, Cinematography, Acting, Visual Effects

WEAKNESSES: Cheesy Climax

Interstellar (2014)

August 28, 2018

A team of astronauts travels through a wormhole in search of a planet that might support mankind. 

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Christopher Nolan, Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Timothee Chalamet, David Oyelowo, Wes Bently, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Topher Grace, Mackenzie Foy, PG-13, 4 Stars, 2014
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Return to Oz (1985)

Directed by: Walter Murch

Starring: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Production Design, Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Trouble Finding Target Audience

Return to Oz (1985)

August 27, 2018

Six months after the tornado took Dorothy to Oz, she must return to help lift the curse that a witch and the Nome king have placed across the land.

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy Tags 4.5 Stars, PG, Walter Murch, Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh
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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.

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

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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
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Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Directed by: Mike Leigh

Starring: Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Timothy Spall, Lesley Mansville

Rated: R for a Scene of Risque Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 34 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Mise-En-Scene, Direction, Acting, Production Design, Characters

WEAKNESSES: Length, Cultural Appropriation (?)

Topsy-Turvy (1999)

August 20, 2018

The two leaders of a Victorian era theatre troupe struggle to come up with any good new material, straining their relationship, until inspiration for something new strikes.

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In Comedy, Drama, Biographical, Epic, Musical Tags R, 4 Stars, Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Timothy Spall, Lesley Mansville, Mike Leigh
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8 1/2 (1963)

Directed by: Federico Fellini

Starring: Marcello Mastoianni, Anouk Aimee, Claudia Cardinale

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Sexual and Suggestive Material)

Running Time: 2 h 18 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Ingenuity, Set Design

WEAKNESSES: -

8 1/2 (1963)

August 15, 2018

A director scrambles to come up with an idea for his next picture.

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In Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film Tags 1963, Federico Fellini, Marcello Mastoianni, Anouk Aimee, Claudio Cardinale, NR, 5 Stars, Seth Steele
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Conan the Destroyer (1984)

Directed by: Richard Fleischer

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Olivia d'Abo

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 43 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Effects, Story

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Dialogue, Some Effects

Conan the Destroyer (1984)

August 10, 2018

A queen asks Conan to help her daughter princess retrieve a ceremonial horn from a dungeon so they resurrect a god named Dagoth.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy Tags PG, 1984, Richard Fleisher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Olivia d'Abo, 3 stars
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Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Directed by: Otto Preminger

Starring: James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, Arthur O'Connell, George C. Scott

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Thematic Material Including Rape Related Dialogue)

Running Time: 2 h 40 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Length

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

August 9, 2018

A lawyer from a small Michigan town defends a man who killed another man who raped his wife. 

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In Crime, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Thriller Tags Otto Preminger, James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, Arthur O'Connell, George C. Scott, NR, 4 Stars
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The Thin Red Line (1998)

Directed by: Terrence Malick

Starring: Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Woody Harrelson

Rated: R for Realistic War Violence and Language

Running Time: 2 h 50 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Directing, Acting, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing (?)

The Thin Red Line (1998)

August 8, 2018

A depiction of the conflict at Guadalcanal during WW2.

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In Action, Adventure, Art House, Drama, Epic, Biographical, War, Thriller
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Days of Heaven (1978)

Directed by: Terrence Malick

Starring: Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Symbolism, Writing

WEAKNESSES: -

Days of Heaven (1978)

August 2, 2018

A farm hand convinces the woman he loves to marry their dying boss so they can claim his fortune.

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In Adventure, Drama, Crime, Epic, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
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Hostiles (2017)

Directed by: Scott Cooper

Starring: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, Jesse Plemons

Rated: R for Strong Violence, and Language

Running Time: 2 h 14 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Directing, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Well Worn Themes

Hostiles (2017)

July 27, 2018

An army captain with a history of violence towards Native Americans is forced to escort a dying Cheyenne chief across miles of violence-ridden territory.

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In Action, Adventure, Art House, Epic, Western, Romance, Thriller
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Yi Yi (2000)

Directed by: Edward Yang

Starring: Nien-Jen Wu, Kelly Lee, Jonathan Chang

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Thematic Elements and Brief Nudity)

Running Time: 2 h 53 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Acting, Aesthetic

WEAKNESSES: -

Yi Yi (2000)

July 27, 2018

The members of the Taipei family experience life in all its various stages, reconciling old relationship, starting new romances, and shaping their view or the world.

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In Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Directed by: David Lean

Starring: William Holden, Alec Guinnes, JAck Hawkins

Rated: PG for Mild War Violence

Running Time: 2 h 41 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Cinematography, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

July 19, 2018

A British Colonel in a Japanese POW camp works to complete a bridge, while, unbeknownst to him, a small team of Allies is moving to destroy it. 

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Thriller
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La Dolce Vita (1960)

Directed by: Federico Fellini

Starring: Marcello Mastroianni, Annita Ekberg, Anouk Aimee, Yvonne Furneaux

Rated: NR (Suggested: PG-13 for Some Sexual and Disturbing Material)

Running Time: 2 h 54 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Pacing, Cinematography, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: -

La Dolce Vita (1960)

July 16, 2018

La Dolce Vita follows Marcello Rubini, a journalist living in Rome, through a week of his life.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film
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L.A. Confidential (1997)

Directed by: Curtis Hanson

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito

Rated: R

Running Time: 2h 18m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: None

L.A. Confidential (1997)

July 13, 2018

In 1950s Hollywood, the Glitz and Glam draws all like a moth to a flame and 3 cops; a boyscout, a bruiser, and a schmoozer, are out to find out who murdered everyone in a coffee shop late one night. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Thriller, Noir Tags Noir, Mystery, Crime, Drama, Curtis Hanson, Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pierce, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, Guy Pearce
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The Great Beauty (2013)

Directed by: Paolo Sorrentino

Starring: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Sexual Material Including Nudity, Mild Language, and Drug References)

Running Time: 2 h 21 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Pretentiousness(?)

The Great Beauty (2013)

July 12, 2018

Sixty-five-year-old Jep Gambardella takes stock of his party lifestyle after his recent birthday. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Romance
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Ivan's Childhood (1962)

Directed by: Andrei Tarkovsky

Starring: Nikolay Burlyaev, Irina Tarkoskaya, Evgeniy Zharikov

Rated: Running Time: 1 h 24 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Directing, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

Ivan's Childhood (1962)

July 9, 2018

A twelve-year-old boy works for the Soviet army as a spy behind German lines during WWII. 

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Horror, Thriller, War
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Black Narcissus (1947)

Directed by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Starring: Deborah Kerr, David Farrar, Kathleen Byron, Jenny Laird, May Hallat

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Some Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 1 h 41 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Production Design, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Mild Moments of Melodrama, May Hallatt

Black Narcissus (1947)

July 6, 2018

A group of nuns are sent to the Himalayas where they are tasked with turning an old home for concubines into a functioning convent. 

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic, Thriller
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