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Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

Directed by: Ryuhei Kitamura

Starring: Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Kazuki Kitamura

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Violence

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Scenes With Kaiju

WEAKNESSES: Scenes With People

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

May 23, 2019

Godzilla, whom has been imprisoned for years in ice in Antarctica, might be humans’ only hope against a wave of angry kaiju bent on destroying the earth. Also, some aliens show up. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi, War Tags Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Kazuki Kitamura, 2 Stars, PG-13, 2004
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Godzilla (1998)

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Starring: Matthew Broderick,Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Monster Action/Violence

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Dumb Fun

WEAKNESSES: Pointless Scenes and Characters, Length, Dated CGI, Writing, Directing

Godzilla (1998)

May 20, 2019

Godzilla attacks New York and an earthworm scientist tries to stop him. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner, Roland Emmerich, PG-13, 1998
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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation, Production Design, Visual Storytelling, Final Scenes

WEAKNESSES: Uneven Pacing, Uninteresting Villain

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

May 20, 2019

After a dragon hunter threatens Berk, Hiccup and Toothless search for a place where dragons and humans might live together in peace.

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington, Dean DeBlois, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Worldbuilding, Story, Consequences, Characters, Emotional Connection, Music

WEAKNESSES: Supporting Character’s Subplot

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

May 20, 2019

After Hiccup and Toothless discover a mysterious new Dragon Rider, they find themselves at the center of a battle.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington, PG, 2014, 4 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant

Rated: PG for Sequences of Intense Action and Some Scary Images, and Brief Mild Language

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Music, Cinematography, Production Design, World Building, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

May 20, 2019

A young Viking who lives in a village that is perpetually attacked by dragons takes a new approach to handling the beasts.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Epic, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant, 5 Stars, 2010
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Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Directed By: Clyde Geronimi

Starring: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley

Rated: G

Run Time: 1h 15m

TMM Score: 4

Strengths: Gorgeous Animation

Weakness: Slow, Uneven Tone

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

May 8, 2019

When Princess Aurora is born he is blessed by three fairies but also cursed by an evil sorceress. Will the prince, fairies, and forces of good triumph over evil? Of course. This is a Disney film.

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In Animated, Adventure, Children's Movies, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Clyde Geronimi, Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, 1959, Sleeping Beauty, G Rated, 4 Stars
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Robin Hood (1973)

Directed by: Wolfgang Reitherman

Starring: Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, Andy Devine, Peter Ustinov, Roger Miller

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Fun Scenes, Likeable Characters

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Reuses Animation

Robin Hood (1973)

May 6, 2019

A retelling of the story of Robin Hood and his struggle against the Sherriff of Nottingham starring humanoid animals.

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance Tags Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, Andy Devine, Peter Ustinov, Roger Miller, Wolfgang Reitherman, 1973, G, 3 Stars
2 Comments
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Chocolat (2000)

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom

Starring: Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Judi Dench, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lena Olin, Peter Stormare, Hugh O’Conor

Rated: PG-13 for a Scene of Sensuality and Some Violence

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Tone, Writing, Acting, Themes, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Cinematography, Editing

Chocolat (2000)

May 3, 2019

A single mother opens a chocolate shop in a conservative village in France, challenging the morals of the town. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Crime, Fantasy, Romance Tags Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Judi Dench, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lena Olin, Peter Stormare, Hugh O’Conor, 4 Stars, 2000
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The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Adam Driver, Jonathon Pryce, Joana Ribeiro, Stellan Skarsgard, Olga Kurylenko

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 12m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design, Grand Concept

Weakness: Length

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

May 2, 2019

Toby, a disillusioned director, recalls his younger days wherein he made a short film as a student, starring a peasant cobbler as Don Quixote. As he flees his current project he and the cobbler are reunited only to discover the cobbler believes he really is Don Quixote still, and Toby begins to slip into insanity himself.

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In Adventure, Art House, Buddy Movies, Comedy, Epic, Drama, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Terry Gilliam, Adam Driver, Jonathon Pryce, Joana Ribeiro, Stellan Skarsgard, Olga Kurylenko, R Rated, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018), 5 Stars
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Jabberwocky (1977)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbitt, John Le Mesurier

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 45m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Directorial Voice, Humor

Weakness: Meandering Story

Jabberwocky (1977)

May 1, 2019

Dennis is a young man during the Dark Ages and he is ready to set out on his own. Of course, he sets out to the nearest city only to find that they won’t let anyone in because there are no available jobs. To top it off, there is a monster running loose in the woods killing everyone it meets.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbitt, John Le Mesurier, Jabberwocky, 1977, PG, 3 Stars, Terry Gilliam
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Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillian, Tessa Thompson, Bradley Cooper

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Science-Fi Violence and Action, and Some Language

Running Time: 3 h 1 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Subversion of Expectations, Character Development, Humor, Special Effects

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing, Fan Service

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

April 26, 2019

The remaining Avengers fight to undo the events at the end of “Avengers: Infinity War”.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Superhero, War, Thriller Tags Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillian, Tessa Thompson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Tom Holland, Zoe Saldana, Evangeline Lilly, Rene Russo, Elisabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Tom Hiddleston, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, John Slattery, Tilda Swinton, Natalie Portman, Marisa Tomei, Jon Faverau, Taiki Waititi, Cobie Smolders, William Hurt, Winston Duke, Linda Cadellini, Frank Grillo, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford, Stan Lee, 3.5 Stars, 2019, PG-13
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Dune (Extended Cut) (1984)

Directed by: Alan Smithee (David Lynch)

Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Sting, Patrick Stewart, Max Von Sydow, Kenneth McMillan, Jurgen Prochow

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 h 57 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: A Valiant Effort

WEAKNESSES: Practically Everything

Dune (Extended Cut) (1984)

April 26, 2019

After a Duke takes over a rich desert planet, forces around the galaxy descend in attempt to dethrone him. Meanwhile, a mysterious prophecy concerns the Duke’s son.

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In Action, Adventure, Art House, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Sting, Patrick Stewart, Max Von Sydow, Kenneth McMillan, Jurgen Prochow, PG-13, 2 Stars, 1984, David Lynch
2 Comments
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Fellini Satyricon (1969)

Directed by: Federico Fellini

Starring: Martin Potter, Hiram Keller, Max Born

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Production Design, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Emotional Connection, Pacing

Fellini Satyricon (1969)

April 22, 2019

A series of bizarre events surround a young man’s journey through the hedonistic landscape of first century Rome.

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In Art House, Anthology, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Romance, Thriller Tags Martin Potter, Hiram Keller, Max Born, Federico Fellini, R, 1969, Fellini Satyricon, 4 Stars
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Dick Tracy (1990)

Directed by: Warren Beatty

Starring: Warren Beatty, Charlie Korsmo, Glenne Headly, Al Pacino, Madonna, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Kathy Bates, Dick Van Dyke, James Caan

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Direction, Makeup and Production Design, Acting, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Not For Everyone

Dick Tracy (1990)

April 22, 2019

A comic strip detective finds his life increasingly complicated as he investigates the notorious Big Boy Caprice’s mob.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Warren Beatty, Charlie Korsmo, Glenne Headly, Al Pacino, Madonna, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Kathy Bates, Dick Van Dyke, James Caan, PG, 4 Stars, 1990
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro

Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Alexander, Seth MacFarlane, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor, Luke Goss, John Hurt

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Action and Violence, and Some Language

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Characters, Writing, Production Design, Expanded World

WEAKNESSES: Some Coincidental Moments

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

April 18, 2019

The continuing adventures of Hellboy and his paranormal friends.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Epic, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Superhero, Thriller Tags Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Alexander, Seth MacFarlane, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor, Luke Goss, John Hurt, Guillermo Del Toro, PG-13, 4 Stars, 2008
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Hellboy (2004)

Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro

Starring: Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Action Violence and Frightening Images

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Production Design, Worldbuilding, Writing, Action, Characters

WEAKNESSES: Climax, Some Dated Effects

Hellboy (2004)

April 18, 2019

A demon that was brought from another dimension by Nazis is raised by a secret US organization to protect the world from darkness. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Noir, Thriller, Superhero Tags Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden, Guillermo Del Toro, PG-13, 3.5 Stars
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About Time (2013)

Directed by: Richard Curtis

Starring: Domhnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Lindsay Duncan, Lydia Wilson

Rated: R for Language and Some Sexual Content

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Intent, Some Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Unacknowledged Implications and Consequences

About Time (2013)

April 11, 2019

A young man discovers he can time travel and decides to use his newfound power to help land him a girlfriend. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance Tags Domhnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Lindsay Duncan, Lydia Wilson, Richard Curtis, 3.5 Stars, R, 2013
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The Apple (1980)

Directed By: Menahem Golan

Starring: Catherine Mary Stewart, Geourge Gilmour, Grace Kennedy

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Campy, Weird, and Just How Poorly Done It Is

Weakness: Everything

The Apple (1980)

April 10, 2019

In the future of 1994, the world is dominated by celebrity, rock status, and the winner of an American Idol style battle of the bands where Mr. Boogaloo, the producer of the show and agent/manager for the winning band tugs the strings of everyone except Alphie, a folk singer who sees through his lies. Oh, it’s also a retelling of the story of Adam & Eve.

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In Fantasy, Musical, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Catherine Mary Stewart, Geourge Gilmour, Grace Kennedy, Menahem Golan, The Apple, 1980, 3 Stars, PG
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Pet Sematary (2019)

Directed by: Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer

Starring: Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow, Jete Laurence, Obssa Ahmed

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 41 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Tone, Writing, Production Design, Mishandling of Story

Pet Sematary (2019)

April 8, 2019

After a doctor buries his daughter’s dead cat in a mysterious plot of land, it comes back to life and strange incidents begin to occur.

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer, Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow, Jete Laurence, Obssa Ahmed, R, 1.5 Stars, 2019
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Shazam! (2019)

Directed by: David F. Sandberg

Starring: Zachary Levi, Djimon Hounsou, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, Marta Milans, Adam Brody

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Action, Language, and Suggestive Material

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Humor, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Never Breaks From Superhero Formula, Length

Shazam! (2019)

April 8, 2019

A fourteen-year-old foster kid is granted new powers that allow him to turn into a superhero.

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In Action, Adventure, Buddy Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Superhero Tags Zachary Levi, Djimon Hounson, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, Marta Milans, Adam Brody, David F. Sandberg, PG-13, 3 Stars
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