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The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Starring: Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay

Rated: G

Running Time: 1h 35m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Dark Setting, Beautiful Animation, Good Message, Great Music

WEAKNESSES: Overly Silly Characters, Some Strange Writing Choices

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

May 9, 2019

The Disney adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel.

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In Adventure, Animated, Comedy, Drama, Romance, Mystery, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, 1996, Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay, G, 4.5 Stars
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The Constant Gardener (2005)

Directed by: Fernando Meirelles

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Donald Sumpter, Pete Postlethwaite

Rated: R for Language, Some Violent Images and Sexual Content/Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting, Editing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During First Half of Second Act

The Constant Gardener (2005)

May 6, 2019

After his wife is murdered, a British Diplomat living in Africa embarks on a quest to find out why, along the way uncovering a conspiracy that could have deadly impact.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Spy Film Tags Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Donald Sumpter, Pete Postlethwaite, Fernando Meirelles, 2005, 4 Stars
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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
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Cat o’ Nine Tails (1971)

Directed by: Dario Argento

Starring: James Francisus, Karl Malden, Catherine Speak, Horst Frank, Rada Rassimov

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Violence and Terror)

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Writing, Subversion of Expectations, Characters, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Dialogue, Pacing in First Act, Believability (?)

Cat o' Nine Tails (1971)

April 25, 2019

A reporter and a retired blind crossword puzzle writer collaborate to solve a slew of murders. 

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror Tags James Francisus, Karl Malden, Catherine Speak, Horst Frank, Rada Rassimov, Dario Argento, 1971, 3.5 Stars, NR
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Blow-Up (1966)

Directed By: Michelangelo Antonioni

Starring: David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 51m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Visual Storytelling, Themes

Weakness: Character and Emotional Connections

Blow-Up (1966)

April 24, 2019

Thomas is a London photographer worshipped by and bored of models and actresses. When tired, he roams the city and parks for new photographic subjects and ends up accidentally photographing a murder and being spotted by the killer.

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In Art House, Cinema World Tour, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, NR, Michaelangelo Antonioni, 1966, Blow-Up
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Observe and Report (2009)

Directed by: Jody Hill

Starring: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liota, Michael Pena, Jesse Plemmons

Rated: R for Pervasive Language, Graphic Nudity, Drug Use, Sexual Content and Violence

Running Time: 1h 26m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Pitch Black Humor, Seth Rogen

WEAKNESSES: Weak Story, One Joke Goes Too Far, Anna Faris, Too Silly

Observe and Report (2009)

April 23, 2019

A bi-polar mall cop decides to be a police officer to take down a streaking menace.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Noir Tags Karl Nagurski, Seth Rogen, Michael Pena, Ray Liota, Anna Faris, Jesse Plemons, 3 stars, R
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The Passenger (1975)

Directed by: Michelangelo Antonioni

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre, Ian Hendry

Rated: PG-13 for Some Violence, Nudity and Language

Running Time: 2 h 6 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Writing, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

The Passenger (1975)

April 23, 2019

A war correspondent, frustrated with his work and unable to find the war he’s supposed to cover, takes up the identity of a dead man who looks similar to him, only to find his plan may have many flaws.

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In Art House, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Noir, Thriller Tags Michaelangelo Antonioni, Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre, Ian Hendry, PG-13, 4.5 Stars, 1975
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L’Avventura (1960)

Directed by: Michelangelo Antonioni

Starring:Monica Vitti, Lea Massari, Gabriele Ferzetti, Dominique Blachar

Rated: NR

Running Time: 2 h 24 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Cinematography, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

L'Avventura (1960)

April 23, 2019

After a woman goes missing, her boyfriend and best friend form a search party to try to find her. 

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In Art House, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Michelangelo Antonioni, Monica Vitti, Lea Massari, Gabriele Ferzetti, Dominique Blachar, NR, 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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Fargo (1996)

Directed By: Joel & Ethan Coen

Starring: William H. Macey, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Frances McDormand, John Caroll Lynch, Larry Brandenberg

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 38m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Themes, Cinematography, Unique Setting

Weakness: None

Fargo (1996)

April 17, 2019

When Jerry Lundegaard, tired of scrounging for scraps and grinding as a failed car/undercoat salesman, decides to stage a kidnap and ransom of his wife to gain access to his father-in-law’s money and the mild mannered mid-westerner ends ends up in league with a violently pragmatic criminal cohort.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir Tags Michael McDonald, Joel & Ethan Coen, Fargo, 1996, William H. Macey, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Frances McDormand, John Caroll Lynch, Larry Brandenberg, R Rated, 5 Stars, Mid-Western, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
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A History of Violence (2005)

Directed by: David Cronenberg

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, Ashton Holmes, William Hurt

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

Running Time: 1h 36m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Performances, Subversive Writing, Direction

WEAKNESSES: First Act

A History of Violence (2005)

April 16, 2019

Tom Stall had the perfect life, until he became a hero.

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In Drama, Action, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ashton Holmes, William Hurt, Ed Harris, David Cronenberg, Rated R, 4 Stars, A History of Violence, Drama
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Glengary Glen Ross (1992)

Directed by: James Foley

Starring: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Price, Bruce Altman

Rated: R for Language

Running Time: 1 h 40 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

April 12, 2019

A brutal satire on the world of salesmanship.

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In Drama, Mystery, Crime, Thriller Tags Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Price, Bruce Altman, James Foley, 1992, 4.5 Stars
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Glass (2019)

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan

Starring: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Anya Taylor-joy, Sarah Paulson, Spencer Treat Clark

Rated: PG-13 for Violence and Some Bloody Images, Thematic Elements, and Language

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Themes

Glass (2019)

April 8, 2019

Security guard David Dunn uses his super powers to track a psychotic man with multiple personalities who calls himself “The Horde.” Simultaneously, criminal mastermind Elijah Price aka Mr. Glass hatches a new plan.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller, Sci Fi Tags James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Anya Taylor-joy, Sarah Paulson, Spencer Treat Clark, M. Night Shyamalan, 2019, Glass, 2 Stars, PG-13
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The Rocketeer (1991)

Directed by: Joe Johnston

Starring: Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin,Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino, Terry O’Quinn

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 48 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Nostalgic Tone, Story, Some Acting, Ending

WEAKNESSES: Billy Campbell

The Rocketeer (1991)

April 5, 2019

A young pilot finds a jetpack that allows him to be a masked hero.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino, Terry O’Quinn, Joe Johnston, PG, 3.5 Stars, 1991, The Rocketeer, Seth Steele
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In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Directed by: Norman Jewison

Starring: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Thematic Material, Mild Language and Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 50 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Message, Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Side Acting by Side Characters, Familiar Message

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

April 4, 2019

An African-American police detective is asked to assist in the investigation of a murder in Sparta, Mississippi, where the police chief and many of the officers are racist.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Thriller Tags Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Norman Jewison, 1967, NR, 4 Stars, Seth Steele
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Bumblebee (2018)

Directed by: Travis Knight

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr.

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Action Violence

Running Time: 1 h 54 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Simplicity, Humor, Hailee Steinfeld, Lack of Michael Bay

WEAKNESSES: Some Dialogue, Predictable

Bumblebee (2018)

April 1, 2019

Eighteen-year-old Charlie finds out her new car is actually a robot alien fugitive.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Travis Knight, Bumblebee, 2018, 3.5 Stars
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No Country for Old Men (2007)

Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring:Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald, Woody Harrelson

Rated: R for Strong Graphic Violence and Some Language

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

No Country for Old Men (2007)

March 29, 2019

After a man stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong, he seizes the two million dollars left behind and runs, only to be pursued by a ruthless psychopath.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Thriller, Western Tags Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald, Woody Harrelson, R, 5 Stars
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Mile 22 (2019)

Directed by: Peter Berg

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey, John Malkovich

Rated: R for Strong Violence and Language Throughout

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Iko Uwais, Action, Ending

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Acting, Length

Mile 22 (2019)

March 28, 2019

An elite intelligence team tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer out of Indonesia.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, Ronda Rousey, John Malkovich, Peter Berg, 2.5 Stars
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