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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
2 Comments
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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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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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Ghost in the Shell (2017)

Directed By: Rupert Sanders

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence, Suggestive Content, and Some Disturbing Images

Run Time: 1h 47m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

Strengths: Action Sequences, Some Production Design Elements

Weakness: Story, Acting, Characterizations

Ghost in the Shell (2017)

May 28, 2019

Major Mira Killian will stop at nothing to track down Section 9’s greatest enemy, a cyber terrorist, callsign: The Puppetmaster. As she unravels the mystery behind him, will she unravel herself in a miasma of blocked memories and identity? Are these all just byproducts of being a cyborg?

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In Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Ghost in the Shell, 2017, Rupert Sanders, Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, R Rated, 2 Stars
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Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Directed By: Mamoru Oshii

Starring: Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 23m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Animation, Philosophical Discussions

Weakness: Doesn’t Always Explain Difficult Concepts

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

May 28, 2019

Major Motoko Kusanagi of Section 9 is the most advanced cybernetically modified human ever, her entire body being replaced with robotic parts. When a cyber terrorist hacker, The Puppetmaster, eludes section 9’s grasp, Major is faced with a mystery which tangles the state’s actions, the future of humanity, and her own identity.

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In Action, Anime, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Ghost in the Shell, 1995, Mamoru Oshii, Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, NR, 5 Stars
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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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Climax (2018)

Directed by: Gaspar Noe

Starring: Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub

Rated: R for Disturbing Content Involving a Combination of Drug Use, Violent Behavior and Strong Sexuality, and For Language and Some Graphic Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Technical Aspects, Length

WEAKNESSES: Story

Climax (2018)

May 27, 2019

French dancers gather for an all-night celebration and soon learn their sangria is laced with LSD.

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In Art House, Horror, Foreign Film, Musical, Mystery, Thriller Tags Gaspar Noe, Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub
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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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Memories of Murder (2003)

Directed by: Bong Joon-Ho

Starring: Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested R for Strong Violence and Disturbing Material)

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Characters, Acting, Message

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During Second Act

Memories of Murder (2003)

May 27, 2019

“Memories of Murder” tells the true story of the Hwaseong Serial Killer as told from the perspective of the police officers working to catch him.

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In Action, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim, 2003, 4.5 Stars, South Korea, Bong Joon-Ho
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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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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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John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarico, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo

Rated: R for Strong Violence Throughout, Some Language and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 2 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Pacing, Story, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, John Wick is Invincible (?)

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

May 17, 2019

The further adventures of hit man John Wick. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarico, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Chad Stahelski, R, 4.5 Stars
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John Wick (2014)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Adrianne Palicki, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Dean Winters

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence Throughout, Language and Brief Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 41 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting

John Wick (2014)

May 17, 2019

An ex-hit-man comes out of retirement to track down the mobsters that killed his dog and stole his car.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Adrianne Palicki, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Dean Winters, Keanu Reeves
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Nosferatu (1922)

Directed by: F.W. Murnau

Starring: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schroder, Alexander Granach

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Some Scary Images)

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Max Schreck, Cinematography, Direction, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Nosferatu (1922)

May 14, 2019

An unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, featuring the vampire Count Orlok.

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In Adventure, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Silent, Thriller Tags F.W. Murnau, Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schroder, Alexander Granach, NR, 4.5 Stars
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Everybody Knows (2018)

Directed By: Asghar Farhadi

Starring: Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Ricardo Darin

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 13m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Mystery

Weakness: A Hair Long

Everybody Knows (2018)

May 14, 2019

Laura’s family is gathering in her small hometown village for her sister’s wedding but when a crisis emerges, the family’s baggage and secrets are brought to light, clouding the resolution of a life or death struggle.

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Everybody Knows, 2018, 4 Stars, R Rated, Asghar Farhadi, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Ricardo Darin
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Chinatown (1974)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 10 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

Chinatown (1974)

May 13, 2019

A private eye in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit after being hired by a woman who is not who she seems. 

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Roman Polanski, Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, R
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The Ghost Writer (2010)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Ewan McGregor, John Bernthal, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Jim Belushi

Rated: PG-13 for Language, Brief Nudity/Sexuality, Some Violence

Running Time: 2 h 8 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Coincidental Moments

The Ghost Writer (2010)

May 10, 2019

A ghostwriter finds his life in danger when he begins work on the memoirs of a controversial former British Prime Minister. 

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In Drama, Crime, Mystery, Thriller Tags The Ghost Writer, 2010, Ewan McGregor, John Bernthal, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Jim Belushi, PG-13, 3.5 Stars, Britain, France, Roman Polanski
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