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Hold the Dark (2018)

Directed by: Jeremy Saulnier

Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgard, Riley Keough, Macon Blair

Rated: TV-MA

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Atmosphere, Practical Effects

WEAKNESSES: Themes, Meaning (?)

Hold the Dark (2018)

October 5, 2018

After wolves take three children from an isolated village, writer Russell Core is recruited by one of the parents to track down a boy in the Alaskan wilderness. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Hold the Dark, 2018, 3 Stars, Jeremy Saulnier, Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgard, Riley Keough, Macon Blair, TV-MA
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Spring (2014)

Directed by: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead

Starring: Lou Taylor Pucci, Nadia Hilker, Francesco Carnelutti

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Disturbing Images, Some Sexuality/Nudity and Language)

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Cinematography, Story, Some Effects

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Some Effects

Spring (2014)

October 5, 2018

After Evan looses his Mom and his job in the same week, he heads to Italy, where he meets Louise, a seemingly perfect girl. But underneath her skin, Louise hides a secret.

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In Art House, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Not Rated, Lou Taylor Pucci, Nadia Hilker, Francesco Carnelutti, 4 Stars, Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
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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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Jacob's Ladder (1990)

Directed by: Adrian Lyne

Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Jason Alexander

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Atmosphere, Effects

WEAKNESSES: -

Jacob's Ladder (1990)

October 4, 2018

A Vietnam veteran struggles to maintain his sanity as he’s bombarded with delusions that might be the result of something that happened while he fought in the war. 

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Adrian Lyne, Tim Robbins, Jason Alexander, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Elizabeth Pena, Ving Rhames, R, 4.5 Stars
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Raising Cain (1992)

Directed by: Brian De Palma

Starring: John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer

Rated: R for Sexuality, Language and Terror Violence

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Directing, Editing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Familiar Story Elements

Raising Cain (1992)

October 3, 2018

After a man’s wife cheats on him, he becomes increasingly unstable. 

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In Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Romance Tags Brian De Palma, John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer, R, 1992, USA, 3 Stars
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Phenomena (1985)

Directed by: Dario Argento

Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Daria Nicoldi, Donald Pleasance

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 56 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Style, Practical Effects, Weird Story, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: A Bit Farfetched at Points, Some Acting, Some Writing

Phenomena (1985)

October 1, 2018

A young girl who is both a psychic with a strong connection to insects and the daughter of a famous actor is sent to a boarding school in Switzerland, where her unusual abilities may help her to solve a string of gruesome murders. 

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In Adventure, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Dario Argento, 1985, Jennifer Connelly, Daria Nicoldi, Donald Pleasance, 3 Stars
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Tenebre (1982)

Directed by: Dario Argento

Starring: Anthony Franciosa, Daria Nicolodi, Giuliano Gemma

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 40 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Soundtrack, Giallo Goodness, Meta Commentary

WEAKNESSES: It’s Not for Everyone

Tenebre (1982)

October 1, 2018

A writer arrives in Rome to promote his book, only to be stalked by a serial killer obsessed with the writers work.

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In Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tenebre, 1982, Dario Argento, 4.5 Stars, R, Anthony Franciosa, Daria Nicolodi, Giuliano Gemma
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Two Evil Eyes (1990)

Directed by: George A Romero, Dario Argento

Starring: Adrienne Barbeau, Ramy Zada, Bingo O'Malley, Harvey Keitel, Madeleine Potter

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Creepy Images, Harvey Keitel

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Dated Visual Effect in Romero's Segment, Some Acting, Depiction of Animal Cruelty

Two Evil Eyes (1990)

October 1, 2018

Two horror stories from Edgar Allan Poe, directed by horror auteurs George A Romero and Dario Argento.

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In Anthology, Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags 1990, R, George A Romero, Dario Argento, Adrienne Barbeau, Ramy Zada, Bingo O'Malley, Harvey Keitel, Madeleine Potter, 3 Stars
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Suspiria (1977)

Directed by: Dario Argento

Starring: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Udo Kier

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Music, Atmosphere, Giallo Goodness, Production Design, Color Usage

WEAKNESSES: -

Suspiria (1977)

October 1, 2018

An American ballerina attends a prestigious ballet academy, only to realize that something sinister is happening within its walls. 

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Dario Argento, Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, R, 1977
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The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

Directed by: Dario Argento

Starring: Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno, Eva Renzi, Umberto Raho

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Several Depictions of Murder)

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Story, Cinematography, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Expositional Ending

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

October 1, 2018

A writer is witness to an attempted murder and is then stalked by a serial killer. 

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno, Eva Renzi, Umberto Raho, NR, Dario Argento, 1970, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, 4 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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Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 51 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Characters, Acting, Story and Story Structure

WEAKNESSES: -

Reversal of Fortune (1990)

September 10, 2018

Based on a true story. Sunny von Bulow lies in a coma and her husband Claus has been convicted on two counts of attempted murder. He says he’s innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance Tags Reversal of Fortune, Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Ron Silver, R, 5 Stars, 1990
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Tell No One (2006)

Directed by: Guillaume Canet

Starring: Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier

Rated: NR (Suggest R for Violence, Language, and Some Nudity)

Running Time: 2 h 11 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Pacing, Story, Excitement, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Lengthy Expositional Scenes

Tell No One (2006)

September 4, 2018

Eight years after the murder of Doctor Alexandre Beck’s wife, new clues begin to surface, reopening the case. The police find strong evidence suggesting Beck might be responsible for the murder, so Beck must evade the police while he to tries to prove his innocence.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Guillaume Canet, Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier, NR, 2006, France, 4 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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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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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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Elevator to the Gallows (1958)

Directed by: Louis Malle

Starring: Jeanne Moreau, Maurice Ronet, Georges Poujouly, Yori Bertin

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Violence and Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Soundtrack, Always Raising Stakes

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing/ Drawn Out Scenes

Elevator to the Gallows (1958)

August 3, 2018

A businessman murders his employer, which sets off a series of crimes.

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In Adventure, Art House, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller, Noir Tags Louis Malle, 1958, Jeanne Moreau, Maurice Ronet, Georges Poujouly, Yori Bertin, NR, 4.5 Stars
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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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45 Years (2015)

Directed by: Andrew Haigh

Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

Rated: R for Language and Brief Sexuality

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Directing, Cinematography, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Slow Pacing May Turn Away Some Viewers

45 Years (2015)

August 1, 2018

A couple preparing for their forty-fifth wedding anniversary receives news that may change their lives forever.

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In Drama, Mystery, Romance
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