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Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Directed by: George Lucas

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Jimmy Smits, Christopher Lee

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Violence and Some Intense Images

Running Time: 2 h 20 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Darker Entry, Some Action, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Battle Fatigue, Acting, Ubiquitous CGI, Dialogue, Cheesy Moments

Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

December 17, 2019

Three years after the start of the clone wars, Obi-Wan and Anakin find themselves lured into a plot that may offset the balance of the force, and set the Sith up for rule.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Sci Fi Tags Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Jimmy Smits, Christopher Lee, 2005, George Lucas
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Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Directed by: George Lucas

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Lee, Samuel L Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Rose Byrne

Rated: PG for Sustained Sequences of Sci-Fi Action/Violence

Running Time: 2 h 22 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Action, Ewan McGregor, Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Dialogue, Ubiquitous CGI, Hayden Christensen

Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

December 16, 2019

Ten years after their initial meeting, Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala begin a forbidden romance, while Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates an assassination attempt on Amidala’s life.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Romance, War Tags Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Lee, Samuel L Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Rose Byrne, George Lucas, 2002, 3 Stars, PG
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Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Directed by: George Lucas

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Keira Knightley, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, Terence Stamp, Ahmed Best, Warwick Davis, Samuel L. Jackson

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 h 16 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Ideas, World Building, Production Design, Action, Darth Maul, John Williams’ Score

WEAKNESSES: Dialogue, Cinematography, Pacing, Plot Holes, Acting, Jar Jar Binks

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

December 16, 2019

Two Jedi caught up in a violent trade dispute between the Federation and Naboo discover a boy that may bring balance to the force.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Sci Fi, War Tags Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Keira Knightley, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, Terence Stamp, Ahmed Best, Warwick Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, PG, 3 Stars
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The Irishman (2019)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jesse Plemons

Rated: R for Pervasive Language and Strong Violence

Running Time: 3 h 29 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Production Design, Scope, World Building

WEAKNESSES: -

The Irishman (2019)

December 2, 2019

A mob hitman recounts his possible involvement with the killing of Jimmy Hoffa.

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In Crime, Drama, Epic, Historical, Mystery, Political, Thriller Tags Martin Scorsese, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jesse Plemons, 2019, 5 Stars
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The Bear (1988)

Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Starring: Jack Wallace, Tcheky Karyo, Youk the Bear, Bart the Bear

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Story, Simplicity

WEAKNESSES: -

The Bear (1988)

November 29, 2019

An orphaned bear cub teams up with an adult male and the pair try to dodge human hunters. 

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic Tags Jack Wallace, Tcheky Karyo, Youk the Bear, Bart the Bear, 1988, PG, 5 Stars
2 Comments
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Kundun (1997)

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 14m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Production Design, Direction

Weaknesses: NA

Kundun (1997)

November 28, 2019

The story of the Dalai Lama’s discovery, search for enlightenment, and eventual exile from Tibet.

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In Biographical, Art House, Drama, Epic, Historical Tags Michael McDonald, Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin, Martin Scorsese, 1997, Kundun, R Rated, 4 Stars
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The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 44m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Performance, Production Design, Themes

Weakness: NA

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

November 20, 2019

An alternate telling of the life of Christ as he battles internally and externally with his destined role, his personal desire, and the dichotomy between soul and body.

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In Art House, Biblical, Christian Film, Drama, Epic, Historical Tags Michael McDonald, The Last Temptation of Christ, 1988, 5 Stars, R Rated, Martin Scorsese, Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey
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Casino (1995)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles

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

Running Time: 2 h 58 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

Casino (1995)

November 18, 2019

Adapted from the true story of Las Vegas mobsters Lefty Rosenthal and Tony Spilotro.

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In Crime, Drama, Epic, Biographical, Romance, Thriller Tags Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Martin Scorsese, 1995, 3.5 Stars, R
1 Comment
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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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Ad Astra (2019)

Directed By: James Gray

Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 3m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Cinematic Language

Weakness: Voice Over

Ad Astra (2019)

November 7, 2019

In the near future, Roy McBride is tapped by Space Command Brass to engage in a search for his father, a hero astronaut who disappeared years ago, in order to save the earth from a devastating phenomenon which is on the verge of destroying all human life.

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Ad Astra, 2019, James Gray, Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland, PG-13, 4 Stars
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300 (2006)

Directed by: Zack Snyder

Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Regan, Dominic West, Rodrigo Santoro

Rated: R for Graphic Battle Sequences Throughout, Some Sexuality and Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 57 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Action

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Style Over Substance

300 (2006)

September 27, 2019

King Leonidas leads three hundred Spartans in a fight against King Xerxes and his massive army.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Romance, War Tags Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Regan, Dominic West, Rodrigo Santoro, Zack Snyder, 3.5 Stars, 2006
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Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Directed By: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 44m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Atmosphere

Weakness: Certain Characters, On The Nose Dialogue, Action Sequence

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

September 25, 2019

Years have passed since the events of “Blade Runner” and K, a replicant blade runner, is on the trail of a replicant who may hold the key to replicants becoming a true race.

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In Crime, Epic, Drama, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, 5 Stars, Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright, Denis Villeneuve, 2017, Blade Runner 2049
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The Nightingale (2018)

Directed by: Jennifer Kent

Starring: Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman

Rated: R for Strong Violent and Disturbing Content Including Rape, Language Throughout, and Brief Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 16 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing Issues

The Nightingale (2018)

September 19, 2019

An Irish woman serving a prison sentence on Tasmania in the 1820s survives a horrific tragedy and then sets out for vengeance with the help of an Aboriginal man. 

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In Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Historical, Thriller Tags Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman, Jennifer Kent, 2018, 4 Stars, R
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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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A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Directed by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Starring: David Niven, Kim Hunter, Robert Coote, Kathleen Byron, Richard Attenborough, Marius Goring, Roger Livesey

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept, Production Design, Special Effects, Humor, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

September 6, 2019

After a British pilot miraculously survives jumping from his plane without a parachute, all the powers of heaven convene for a court case to see if he should be allowed to live. 

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Romance Tags Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, David Niven, Kim Hunter, Robert Coote, Kathleen Byron, Richard Attenborough, Marius Goring, Roger Livesey, 4 Stars, 1946
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Danton (1983)

Directed By: Andrzej Wajda

Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Wojciech Pszoniak, Anne Alvaro

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 16m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design

Weakness: Length

Danton (1983)

August 28, 2019

In France, under the reign of Terror, one of the most prominent leaders of the revolution, Georges Danton, attempts to lay bare the corruption of the Committee for Public Safety and its chair, Maximillian Robespierre.

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In Anthology, Cinema World Tour, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Political, Historical Tags Michael McDonald, Gérard Depardieu, Wojciech Pszoniak, Anne Alvaro, PG, Danton, 1983, Andrzej Wajda
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The Saragossa Manuscript (1965)

Directed by: Wojciech Has

Starring: Zbigniew Cybulski, Iga Cembrzynska, Elzbieta Czyzewksa

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Nudity and Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 3 h 2 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Unexpected Humor, Production Design, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

The Saragossa Manuscript (1965)

August 28, 2019

A soldier in a war finds a book that recounts a tale of a soldier traveling through Spain and meeting a variety of characters, many of who have stories of their own to tell. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Wojciech Has, Zbigniew Cybulski, Iga Cembrzynska, Elzbieta Czyzewksa, 1965, NR, 4 Stars
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Rob Roy (1995)

Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones

Starring: Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Brian Cox

Rated: R for Violence and Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Production Design, Some Acting, Some Writing

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Pacing, Length, Some Writing

Rob Roy (1995)

August 23, 2019

A Scottish man seeks a loan from a British nobleman, and after his honor is wronged he seeks vengeance.

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In Action, Adventure, Biographical, Drama, Crime, Epic, Romance, War, Thriller Tags Michael Caton-Jones, Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Brian Cox, R, 3 Stars
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A Touch of Zen (1971)

Directed by: King Hu

Starring: Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Sustain Sequences of Martial Arts Action Violence)

Running Time: 3 h

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Unconventional Storytelling, Characters, Action, Excitement, Worldbuilding, Empowerment

WEAKNESSES: -

A Touch of Zen (1971)

August 16, 2019

An unambitious small town painter and monks from a Buddhist monastery aid a lady fugitive in her run from corrupt government officials.  

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Martial Arts, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai, King Hu, 1971
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Hook (1991)

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 22m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design

Weakness: Tinker Bell, Length

Hook (1991)

August 16, 2019

Peter Banning is a your classic workaholic father. When he travels to England with his family to visit the woman who adopted him so many years ago his children are kidnapped by a magical pirate and Peter must face his past and destiny as the real Peter Pan the story-books were based upon.

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Hook, 1991, Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, PG, 4 Stars
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