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Wings of Desire (1987)

Directed By: Wim Wenders

Starring: Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Peter Falk

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 8m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Dialogue, Direction

Weakness: Maybe a Bit Slow

Wings of Desire (1987)

June 25, 2019

An angel, eternal spirit of observation, grows envious of humanity’s finite existence and corporal nature.

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In Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Wings of Desire, 1987, Wim Wenders, Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Peter Falk, PG-13, 5 Stars
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The Incredibles (2004)

Directed by: Brad Bird

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell, Wallace Shwan, Brad Bird

Rated: PG for Action Violence

Running Time: 1 h 55 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Animation, Humor, Soundtrack, Excitement

WEAKNESSES: A Few Small Plot Holes

The Incredibles (2004)

June 21, 2019

A family of superheroes, while trying to live quietly in suburban life, are forced to save the world. 

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Crime, Fantasy, Superhero, Sci Fi Tags 2004, Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell, Wallace Shwan, Brad Bird, PG
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Starship Troopers (1997)

Directed by: Paul Verhoeven

Starring: Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Clancy Brown, Patrick Muldoon, Michael Ironside

Rated: R for Graphic Sci-Fi Violence and Gore, and For Some Language and Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, World Building, Directing, Satire, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During First Half

Starship Troopers (1997)

June 21, 2019

A satire on fascism where humans wage war against giant alien bugs. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller, War Tags Paul Verhoeven, Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Clancy Brown, Patrick Muldoon, Michael Ironside, R, 4 Stars, 1997
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Brave (2012)

Directed By: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman

Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson, John Ratzenberger

Rated: G Rated

Run Time: 1h 33m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Setting, Wild Magic, Atmosphere, Demographic Target

Weakness: Humor

Brave (2012)

June 20, 2019

Merida faces the same foe as any princess her age; a mother who doesn’t care what she wants for her life, a national and family duty to marry on her birthday, and a highland witch who promises to change everything for her. You know the old fairy tale adage; Be careful what you wish for when speaking to a witch.

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In Animated, Adventure, Children's Movies, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Brave, 2012, Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson, John Ratzenberger, G Rated, 4 Stars
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A Bug’s Life (1998)

Directed by: John Lasseter

Starring: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind, Denis Leary, John Ratzenberger

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Humor, Originality, Story, World Building, Characters

WEAKNESSES: -

A Bug's Life (1998)

June 19, 2019

A misfit ant travels to the bug city to find warrior bugs, but mistakenly hires a failing circus crew instead. 

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy, War Tags John Lasseter, 1998, 4.5 Stars, Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind, Denis Leary, John Ratzenberger, G
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Toy Story (1995)

Directed By: John Lasseter

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Rated: G Rated

Run Time: 1h 21m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Story, Humor

Weakness: None

Toy Story (1995)

June 18, 2019

When Andy’s two favorite toys are lost they must set aside their rivalry and work together to find him again.

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In Adventure, Animated, Comedy, Fantasy, Children's Movies, Buddy Movies Tags Michael McDonald, Toy Story, 1995, John Lasseter, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, 4 Stars, G Rated
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Tideland (2005)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Jodelle Ferland, Brendan Fletcher, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly

Rated: R Rated

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Concept

Weakness: Gross, Meandering

Tideland (2005)

June 13, 2019

Jeliza-Rose’s parents are a couple of dead beat drug addicts. The only thing keeping her from going insane is a vivid imagination and the imaginary friends she invents as she lives on an old abandoned country estate.

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In Art House, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Tideland, 2005, Terry Gilliam, Jodelle Ferland, Brendan Fletcher, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly, R Rated, 3 Stars
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12 Monkeys (1999)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 9m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Story, Directorial Vision

Weakness: Some Acting

12 Monkeys (1995)

June 12, 2019

A man, possibly insane, is experiencing schizophrenic visions or possibly time travel. It’s hard for him to tell or know which version of reality is true as he attempts to track down the perpetrators of a world wide terrorist strike.

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In Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Terry Gilliam, 12 Monkeys, 1999, R Rated, 4 Stars
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Fallen (1998)

Directed by: Gregory Hoblit

Starring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland

Rated: R

Running Time: 2h 4m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Great Ideas, Good Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Weak Direction/Writing

Fallen (1998)

June 11, 2019

A detective and his partner track down a supernatural killer.

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In Thriller, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir Tags Karl Nagurski, Fallen, Gregory Hoblit, Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Rated R, 3 stars, Thriller
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Repulsion (1965)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Violence, and Disturbing/Sexual Content)

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Production Design, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

Repulsion (1965)

June 11, 2019

A sex-repulsed young woman slowly sinks into madness.

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags 1965, Roman Polanski, Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux, NR, 5 Stars
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Your Highness (2011)

Directed by: David Gordon Green

Starring: Danny McBride, James Franco, Rasmus Hardiker, Natalie Portman, Toby Jones, Justin Theroux, Zooey Deschanel, Charles Dance, Damian Lewis

Rated: R for Strong Crude and Sexual Content, Pervasive Language, Nudity, Violence and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Humor, Some Writing, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Some Humor, Some Writing, Narrow Target Audience

Your Highness (2011)

June 7, 2019

After Prince Fabious’s Bride is kidnapped, he goes on a quest to rescue her, accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy, Romance Tags Danny McBride, James Franco, Rasmus Hardiker, Natalie Portman, Toby Jones, Justin Theroux, Zooey Deschanel, Charles Dance, Damian Lewis, David Gordon Green, R, 3 Stars, 2011
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Scanners (1981)

Directed By: David Cronenberg

Starring: Stephen Lack, Jeniffer O’Neill, Patrick McGoohan, Michael Ironside

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 43m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Special Effects, Surreal Atmosphere

Weakness: Confusing Plot Thread

Scanners (1981)

June 5, 2019

A man discovers he possesses psychic powers and soon finds he might be the only one who can stop a rogue psychic who keeps killing people with his powers.

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In Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Sci Fi, Mystery, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, David Cronenberg, Stephen Lack, Jenniffer O’Neill, Patrick McGoohan, Michael Ironside, R Rated, 5 Stars, Scanners, 1981
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Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Directed by: Michael Dougherty

Starring: Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Bradley Whitford, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Sally Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Monster Action Violence and Destruction, and For Some Language

Running Time: 2 h 11 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Kaiju Stuff, Special Effects, Fun

WEAKNESSES: People Stuff, Story, Plot Holes Galore, Harebrained Schemes and Ideas, Dialogue

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

June 4, 2019

Godzilla faces off against a wave of monsters as humans from Monarch try to figure out a way to communicate with the beasts. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Epic, Monster Film, Thriller, War Tags Michael Dougherty, Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Bradley Whitford, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Sally Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
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The Matrix (1999)

Directed By: The Wachowskis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 16m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Effects, Story, Action Sequences

Weakness: Unimpressive Acting

The Matrix (1999)

June 4, 2019

Thomas Anderson is a hacker, obsessed with something called The Matrix, which even he doesn’t know what it is. When another hacker named Trinity introduces him to a cyber-terrorist terrorist named Morpheus, he finds out that nothing about the world he thought he knew is true.

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In Action, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Martial Arts Tags Michael McDonald, Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano, The Wachowskis, 1999, The Matrix, 5 Stars, R Rated
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Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki, Kirk Wise

Starring: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki

Rated: PG for Some Scary Moments

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation, Story, Characters, Fun, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: -

Spirited Away (2001)

May 30, 2019

A young girl wanders into the realm of the spirits and begins working at the magical bathhouse that resides there. 

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In Adventure, Anime, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery Tags Hayao Miyazaki, Kirk Wise, PG, Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, 2001, 5 Stars
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Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crystal

Rated: PG for Frightening Images, And Brief Mild Language

Running Time: 1h 59m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Animation, Themes, Characters, Lots of Fun

WEAKNESSES: Ending

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

May 29, 2019

A woman must break a curse with the help of demigod, Howl.

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In Anime, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film Tags Karl Nagurski, Hayao Miyazaki, Billy Crystal, Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, 4.5 Stars, Anime, Animation, PG
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Under the Silver Lake (2018)

Directed by: David Robert Mitchell

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez

Rated: R for Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Violence, Language Throughout and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: A Few Chintzy Sets and Effects

Under the Silver Lake (2018)

May 27, 2019

A directionless  young man living in LA meets a girl whom then mysteriously vanishes overnight, prompting him to embark on a quest to find her. As he quests, he finds himself wrapped up in a bizarre conspiracy. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags 2018, 4.5 Stars, David Robert Mitchell, Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez
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Akira (1988)

Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo

Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Saski, Takeshi Kusao

Rated: R for Graphic Violence and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Animation

WEAKNESSES: Compressed and Dense Story

Akira (1988)

May 27, 2019

In the distant future of 2019, warring biker gangs in Tokyo get mixed up in powers far beyond their understanding. 

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In Action, Adventure, Anime, Animated, Crime, Fantasy, Epic, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Katsuhiro Otomo, Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Saski, Takeshi Kusao, R, 4.5 Stars
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Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C Reilly, John Goodman, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Tian Jing, Jason Mitchell, Richard Jenkins

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action, and for Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 1 h 58 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Dumb B-Movie Fun, Surprising Amount of Humor, Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: It’s Dumb B-Movie Fun

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

May 24, 2019

Assisted by a military escort, a team of scientists travels to an uncharted island in the pacific in search of monsters. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C Reilly, John Goodman, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Tian Jing, Jason Mitchell, Richard Jenkins, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, PG-13, 3.5 Stars, 2017
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Godzilla (2014)

Directed by: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Destruction, Mayhem and Creature Violence

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Visual Effects, Godzilla Action

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Not Enough Godzilla, Boring Protagonist

Godzilla (2014)

May 24, 2019

Giant creatures begin appearing across the globe, and a giant lizard named Godzilla rises to fight them.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Gareth Edwards, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, PG-13, 3 Stars, 2014
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