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The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

Directed by: Orson Welles

Starring: Tim Holt, Agnes Moorehead, Anne Baxter, Joseph Cotton, Dolores Costello

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Story

WEAKNESSES: Last Five Minutes

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

August 7, 2019

A spoiled young child of a wealthy family comes between his widowed mother and the man she always loved.

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In Drama, Romance, Mystery Tags Orson Welles, Tim Holt, Agnes Moorehead, Anne Baxter, Joseph Cotton, Dolores Costello, 1942, NR, 5 Stars
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Notorious (1946)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern, Leopoldine Konstantin

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Acting, Writing, Story, Pacing, Classic Hollywood Charm

WEAKNESSES: -

Notorious (1946)

August 6, 2019

An American agent recruits a woman with ties to Nazis in South America. After they find themselves falling in love, he finds out her mission is to seduce a man with possible ties to future Nazi plots. 

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In Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Alfred Hitchcok, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern, Leopoldine Konstantin, 5 Stars, 1946, NR
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Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Directed by: Martin McDonagh

Starring: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, Peter Dinklage, John Hawkes, Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton

Rated: R for Violence, Language Throughout, and Some Sexual References

Running Time: 1 h 55 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Characters, Acting, Unconventionality

WEAKNESSES: -

Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

August 5, 2019

After her daughter is raped and killed, a mother in a small town puts up three billboards asking the police department why they haven’t found the killer.

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In Crime, Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Martin McDonagh, Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, Peter Dinklage, John Hawkes, Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, R, 5 Stars, 2017
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The Kill Team (2019)

Directed by: Dan Krauss

Starring: Alexander Skarsgard, Nat Wolff, Adam Long

Rated: R for Language Throughout, Violent Content and Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 27

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Themes, Directing, Cinematography, Alexander Skarsgard

WEAKNESSES: Emotional Connection, Mild Acting

The Kill Team (2019)

August 4, 2019

An young American soldier faces a moral dilemma when his commanding officer starts to use questionable methods in their missions.  

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In Adventure, Action, Crime, Drama, Coming of Age, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Alexander Skarsgard, Nat Wolff, Adam Long, Dan Krauss
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Cache (2005)

Directed by: Michael Haneke

Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche, Maurice Benichou

Rated: R for Brief Strong Violence

Running Time: 1 h 57 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing Issues

Cache (2005)

August 2, 2019

A married couple is terrorized by a series of surveillance videotapes that are left on their front door.

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche, Maurice Benichou, Michael Haneke, 2005, R, 4.5 Stars
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The Hateful Eight (2015)

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Channing Tatum, Bruce Dern, James Park

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 48m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Dialogue, Characters, Mystery

Weakness: None

The Hateful Eight (2015)

August 2, 2019

With a blizzard on their trail, a bounty hunter, his bounty, and a couple of hitch hikers decide to hunker down at Millie’s Haberdashery for the next couple of days but with four additional occupants already there, tensions are high and patience is thin.

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Western Tags Michael McDonald, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Channing Tatum, Bruce Dern, James Park, Quenti Tarantino, 2015, R Rated, 5 stars
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Warwick Davis, Bonnie Wright, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, David Bradley, Tom Felton, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane

Rated: PG for Frightening Moments, Creature Violence and Mild Language

Running Time: 2 h 22 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Cinematography, Use of Magic, Production Design, Acting, Writing, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

July 31, 2019

Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to attend classes, only this year an escaped murderous lunatic stalks him. 

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In Adventure, Coming of Age, Drama, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Alfonso Cuaron, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Warwick Davis, Bonnie Wright, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, David Bradley, Tom Felton, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, 2004, PG, 4.5 Stars
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Directed by: Chris Colombus

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, David Bradley, Warwick Davis

Rated: PG for Scary Moments, Some Creature Violence and Mild Language

Running Time: 2 h 41 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Directing, Pacing, Some Production Design, Some Acting

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

July 31, 2019

The boy wizard Harry Potter continues his education and misadventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Drama, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Mystery Tags 2002, Chris Columbus, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, David Bradley, Warwick Davis, PG, 3 Stars
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Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino

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

Running Time: 2 h 41 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Characters, Acting, Story, Homage, Cameos, Soundtrack, Humor

WEAKNESSES: Absolutely Nothing

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

July 27, 2019

An aging TV star and his stunt double try to achieve fame and fortune in the last years of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Austin Butler, Sydney Sweeney, Margaret Qualley, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Luke Perry, Damian Lewis, Emile Hirsch, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Scoot McNairy, Lena Dunham, Maya Hawke, Rafal Zawierucha, Mike Moh, Lorenza Izzo, Damon Herriman, Harley Quinn Smith, Quentin Tarantino
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House of Games (1987)

Directed by: David Mamet

Starring: Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, William H Macy

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Acting

House of Games (1987)

July 26, 2019

After a psychiatrist/bestselling author comes to the aid of one of her clients, a compulsive gambler, she finds herself led by a smooth-talking grifter into the world of con men.

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags 1987, David Mamet, Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, William H Macy, 4 Stars, R
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Mulholland Drive (2001)

Directed by: David Lynch

Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Robert Forster, Patrick Fischler

Rated: R for Violence, Language and Some Strong Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 27 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Themes, Symbolism

WEAKNESSES: -

Mulholland Drive (2001)

July 19, 2019

After a car wreck leaves a woman without memory, she and cheerful aspiring actress embark on a trip across Hollywood searching for clues. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Noir, Thriller, Fantasy Tags Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Robert Forster, Patrick Fischler, David Lynch
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Short Cuts (1993)

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Jack Lemmon, Julianne Moore, Mathew Modine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Chris Penn, Robert Downey Jr., Madeleine Stowe, Tim Robins, Lily Tomlin, Tom Waits, Frances McDormand, Peter Gallagher, Annie Ross, Lori Singer, Huey Lewis

Rated: R for Graphic Sexual Language, and for Nudity

Running Time: 3 h 8 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Story, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

Short Cuts (1993)

July 17, 2019

An anthology film concerning the interconnecting lives of Los Angeles residents. 

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In Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance, Mystery, Thriller Tags Robert Altman, Jack Lemmon, Julianne Moore, Mathew Modine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Chris Penn, Robert Downey Jr., Madeleine Stowe, Tim Robins, Lily Tomlin, Tom Waits, Frances McDormand, Peter Gallagher, Annie Ross, Lori Singer, Huey Lewis, 4.5 Stars, 1993
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Blue Velvet (1986)

Directed by: David Lynch

Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Frances Bay, Dean Stockwell, Jack Nance, Hope Lange, George Dickerson

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Style, Story

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Lynchian-lite

Blue Velvet (1986)

July 15, 2019

A young man discovers a severed human ear which leads him on an investigation that could uncover a dark underworld that dwells beneath the seemingly perfect streets of Lumberton. 

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In Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags David Lynch, Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Frances Bay, Dean Stockwell, Jack Nance, Hope Lange, George Dickerson, R, 4 Stars, 1986
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World on a Wire (1973)

Directed by: Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Starring: Klaus Lowitsch, Barbara Valentin, Mascha Rabben

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Nudity)

Running Time: 3 h 32 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, World Building, Cinematography, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Some Pacing

World on a Wire (1973)

July 12, 2019

Set in the near future. After one of his colleagues dies mysteriously, a scientist named Fred Stiller decides to investigate further. He uncovers a conspiracy that could alter the fabric of reality as he knows it.

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Klaus Lowitsch, Barbara Valentin, Mascha Rabben, 4 Stars
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Hellboy (2019)

Directed by: Neil Marshall

Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence and Gore Throughout, and Language

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Acting, Creature Design, Some Action

WEAKNESSES: Jumbled Storyline, Needless Characters, Ridiculous Climax

Hellboy (2019)

July 8, 2019

Hellboy battles an ancient sorceress bent on destroying the human race.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Spy Film, Thriller Tags Neil Marshall, David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim, R, 2 Stars
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Midsommar (2019)

Directed by: Ari Aster

Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter, Anders Back, Ellora Torchia

Rated: R for Disturbing Ritualistic Violence and Grisly Images, Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Drug Use and Language

Running Time: 2 h 27 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, World Building, Themes, Cinematography, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing

Midsommar (2019)

July 4, 2019

A couple whose relationship is on the fritz travels to Sweden for a midsummer festival which, they soon learn, finds its roots in pagan ritual.

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In Adventure, Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Thriller Tags Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter, Anders Back, Ellora Torchia, Ari Aster, 2019, 4 Stars
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Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Directed by: Jon Watts

Starring: Tom Holland, Samuel L Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revolori, Martin Starr, J.B. Smoove, Cobie Smulders

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Action Violence, Some Language and Brief Suggestive Comments

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun, Characters, Themes, Pacing, Peter Parker Stuff

WEAKNESSES: Villain, Spider-Man Stuff

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

July 3, 2019

After the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, Spider-Man must rise to face a new world of challengers.

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In Action, Adventure, Coming of Age, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Superhero Tags Jon Watts, Tom Holland, Samuel L Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revolori, Martin Starr, J.B. Smoove, Cobie Smulders, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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The Lives of Others (2006)

Directed by: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Starring: Ulrich Muhe, Sebastian Koch, Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Tukur

Rated: R for Some Sexuality/Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 17 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Message

WEAKNESSES: -

The Lives of Others (2006)

June 28, 2019

In 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becoming absorbed into their lives. 

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Romance, Mystery, Thriller Tags Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, Ulrich Muhe, Sebastian Koch, Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Tukur, R, 5 Stars
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High Life (2018)

Directed by: Claire Denis

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth

Rated: R for Disturbing Sexual and Violent Content Including Sexual Assault, Graphic Nudity, and For Language

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Story Structure, Acting, Cinematography, Unique Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Some Production Design

High Life (2018)

June 17, 2019

A father and daughter struggle to survive in deep space.

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In Adventure, Art House, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, 2018, Claire Denis, 4 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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