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Gladiator (2000)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Harris, Connie Nielson

Rated: R

Running Time: 2h 35m

TMM Score: 5 Stars (Loved It)

STRENGTHS: Production, Acting, Spectacle

WEAKNESSES: Final Speech/Ending

Gladiator (2000)

November 8, 2018

When Maximus, a Roman General, is betrayed by Commodus, the Roman Emperor, His family is killed and he narrowly escapes into the life of a slave. As a Gladiator, will he ever realize vengeance upon the man who ruined his life?

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In Action, Cinema World Tour, Drama, Epic, Thriller, UK Series Tags mjamesmcdonald, Russell Crowe, Gladiator, 2000, Ridley Scott, Connie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Harris, R Rated, 5 Stars
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A Passage to India (1984)

Directed by: David Lean

Starring: Judy Davis, Victor Banerjee, Peggy Ashcroft, James Fox, Alec Guinness

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Production Design, Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Cultural Appropriation, Pacing

A Passage to India (1984)

November 7, 2018

A commentary on cultural mistrust and British colonialism. A high-class English woman travels to India for adventure (and possibly love), but things go awry when she takes an expedition to the Marabar caves with a local named Aziz. 

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In Adventure, Drama, Crime, Epic, Mystery, UK Series, Cinema World Tour Tags David Lean, Judy Davis, Victor Banerjee, Peggy Ashcroft, James Fox, Alex Guinness, 1984, PG, 3 Stars
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Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Directed by: David Lean

Starring: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 3h 17m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Production

WEAKNESSES: Personal Connection

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

November 6, 2018

Sprawling across the Russian landscape, this epic film follows Yuri, a doctor and poet, and Lara, a young woman with a scandalous past. As the turmoil which gripped Russia before and after WW1 tears Yuri and Lara apart, they continue to serendipitously cross paths over and over, harboring a secret love for each other.

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In Drama, Epic, Romance, War Tags mjamesmcdonald, David Lean, Doctor Zhivago, 1965, Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chapman, Geraldine Chaplin, Sir Alec Guinness, R Rated, 3 Stars
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Warwick Davis, John Hurt, Mathew Lewis, Tom Felton, John Cleese, Alan Rickman, David Bradley

Rated: PG for Some Scary Moments and Mild Language

Running Time: 2 h 32 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Some Production Design, Some Acting, Directing, Pacing

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

November 5, 2018

An orphaned boy learns he is famous in the wizarding world for once having bested an evil wizard as a baby. Upon rejoining the world of wizards, the boy joins a wizard school. 

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Sports, Thriller Tags Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Warwick Davis, John Hurt, Mathew Lewis, Tom Felton, John Cleese, Alan Rickman, David Bradley, Chris Columbus, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, 2001, 3 Stars, PG
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Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E Grant, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits

Rated: R for Sexuality and Horror Violence

Running Time: 2 h 8 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Gary Oldman, Takes Chances

WEAKNESSES: Chances Don't Always Pay Off, Some Writing, Some Directorial Choices

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

October 30, 2018

Francis Ford Coppola’s retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel.

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Francis Ford Coppola, Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E Grant, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits, 2.5 Stars, 1992, R
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The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Directed by: James Wan

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Frances O'Connor

Rated: R for Terror and Horror Violence

Running Time: 2 h 14 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Atmosphere, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Lack of Subtlety, The Crooked Man

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

October 26, 2018

The Warrens head to London to help a single mother and her children deal with a restless spirit.

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In Biographical, Drama, Fantasy, Epic, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags 2016, R, 3.5 Stars, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Frances O'Connor, Vera Farmiga
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The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Robin Williams, Uma Thurman

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 4 Stars (Really Liked It)

STRENGTHS: Creativity, Fantasy, Performances

WEAKNESSES: Uneven, Slow in Spots

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

October 26, 2018

The City is under attack by the Turks and while the government know it alls claim to have it all in hand, the townspeople are being treated with a theatrical presentation of the adventures of Baron Munchausen. That is, until the real Baron shows up and tells them that the siege outside their gates is really his fault, but not to fear. He will set it right, again.

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In Adventure, Art House, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy Tags mjamesmcdonald, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 1988, Terry Gilliam, 4 Stars, PG, John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Robin Williams, Uma Thurman
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It (2017)

Directed by: Andy Muschietti

Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Fin Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer

Rated: R for Violence/Horror, Bloody Images, and for Language

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Characters, Story, Aesthetic

WEAKNESSES: It's Not That Scary

It (2017)

October 18, 2018

In the summer of 1989, a group of outcast kids band together to fight a mysterious force that feeds on the children of the town.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Epic, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags 2017, R, 4 Stars, Andy Muschietti, Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Fin Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jacky Dylan Grazer
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First Man (2018)

Directed by: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Pablo Schreiber, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Christopher Abbot, Ciaran Hinds, Olivia Hamilton, Shea Whigham, Patrick Fugit

Rated: PG-13 for Some Thematic Content Involving Peril, and Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 2 h 21 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Cinematography (?)

First Man (2018)

October 17, 2018

A look at the life of Neil Armstrong as he navigates the trials of Project Gemini and then prepares for the historic Apollo 11 Mission.

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In Adventure, Biographical, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller Tags Damien Chazelle, Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Pablo Schreiber, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Christopher Abbot, Ciaran Hinds, Olivia Hamilton, Shea Whigham, Patrick Fugit, PG-13, 5 Stars, 2018
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Cold Fish (2010)

Directed by: Sion Sono

Starring: Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Denden, Asuka Kurosawa

Rated: NR (Suggest R for Violence and Disturbing Graphic Images, Some Sexual Assaults and Language)

Running Time: 2 h 26 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Pacing, Story, Effects, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: -

Cold Fish (2010)

October 15, 2018

After a man’s daughter is caught stealing at a store and a friendly storeowner steps in to help, the man and the storeowner strike up a friendship. But when the storeowner asks the man for a favor, things take a very dark turn. 

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In Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Sion Sono, Misuru Fukikoshi, Denden, Asuka Kurosawa, NR, Japan, 4.5 Stars, 2010
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A Cure for Wellness (2016)

Directed by: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Dane Dehaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth

Rated: R for Disturbing Violent Content and Images, Sexual Content Including an Assault, Graphic Nudity, and Language

Running Time: 2 h 26 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Cinematography, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Pacing, Dialogue, Length

A Cure for Wellness (2016)

October 9, 2018

A wealthy young executive is sent to a retreat in the Swiss Alps to retrieve his company’s CEO, only to find the spa where the CEO is staying might hold some dark secrets. 

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In Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags 2 Stars, 2016, Gore Verbinski, Dane Dehaan, Mia Goth, Jason Isaacs, R
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Kwaidan (1964)

Directed by: Masaki Kobayashi

Starring: Rentaro Mikuni, Michiyo Aratama, Miskako Wantanabe, Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiko Kishi

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Frightening Moments)

Running Time: 3 h 3 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Stories, Culture, Mis-en-scene

WEAKNESSES: -

Kwaidan (1964)

October 7, 2018

An anthology film of four Japanese folk tales with supernatural themes.

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In Art House, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Kwaidan, 1964, Masaki Kobayashi, Rentaro Mikuni, Michiyo Aratama, Miskako Wantanabe, Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiko Kishi, 5 Stars, NR, Japan
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The Hourglass Sanatorium (1973)

Directed by: Wojciech Has

Starring: Jan Nowicki, Tadeusz Kondrat, Irena Orska, Halina Kowalska

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Nudity and Sexual Situations, and Foreboding Images and Themes)

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Writing, Directing, Acting, Editing, Ingenuity

WEAKNESSES: May Be Difficult to Follow First Time Through

The Hourglass Sanatorium (1973)

October 4, 2018

A man named Jozef visits a sanatorium where his father is staying, only to find that within its walls, time doesn’t behave the way it should. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Biographical, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Poland, Wojciech Has, 1973, Jan Nowicki, Tadeusz Kondrat, Irena Orska, Halina Kowalska, NR, 5 Stars
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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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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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2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester

Rated: G

Running Time: 2h 29m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Special Effects, Sound Design, Theme

WEAKNESSES: NA

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

September 17, 2018

From the age of prehistoric man to the future space age, man and technology have coexisted, but when an incredibly powerful supercomputer on a manned mission to Jupiter goes haywire, man must evolve beyond.

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In Art House, Epic, Kubrick Retrospective, Sci Fi Tags mjamesmcdonald, Stanley Kubrick, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Keir Dullea, 1968, 2001: A Space Odyssey, G Rated, 5 Stars
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Spartacus (1960)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov

Rated: PG13

Running Time: 3hrs 17min

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Epic Scale, Themes

WEAKNESSES: None

Spartacus (1960)

September 13, 2018

A slave, Spartacus, leads a rebellion of thousands of slaves across Italy, threatening the power of the Roman Empire.

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In Kubrick Retrospective, Action, Adventure, Biographical, Epic Tags mjamesmcdonald, 1960, Spartacus, Stanley Kubrick, Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, PG13, 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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