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Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

Directed by: Werner Herzog

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, Fairuza Balk, Jennifer Coolidge, Tom Bower, Brad Dourif, Shea Whigham, Michael Shannnon

Rated: R for Drug Use and Language Throughout, Some Violence and Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 2 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Cheesy Ending, Uneven Quality

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

August 19, 2019

A drug and gambling addicted detective working in post-Katrina New Orleans investigates the brutal killings of five Senegalese immigrants.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, Faiiruza Balk, Jennifer Coolidge, Tom Bower, Brad Dourif, Shea Whigham, Michael Shannnon, Werner Herzog, 2009, 3 Stars
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A Touch of Zen (1971)

Directed by: King Hu

Starring: Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Sustain Sequences of Martial Arts Action Violence)

Running Time: 3 h

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Unconventional Storytelling, Characters, Action, Excitement, Worldbuilding, Empowerment

WEAKNESSES: -

A Touch of Zen (1971)

August 16, 2019

An unambitious small town painter and monks from a Buddhist monastery aid a lady fugitive in her run from corrupt government officials.  

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Martial Arts, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai, King Hu, 1971
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Casablanca (1942)

Directed By: Michael Curtiz

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 42m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Acting, Lighting

Weakness: Nothing

Casablanca (1942)

August 15, 2019

When Rick, the owner of a club in Casablanca, is given travel papers for safe keeping, he is unwittingly placed at the center of a love triangle, refugee escape plan, and Nazi manhunt.

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In Thriller, Spy Film, Political, Noir, Drama, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Casablanca, 1942, Michael Curtiz, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre, 5 Stars, PG
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Urban Cowboy(1980)

Directed by: James Bridges

Starring: John Travolta, Debra Winger, Scott Glen, Madolyn Smith

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2h 15m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

STRENGTHS: Music, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Hasn’t Aged Well, Bloated Runtime, Stupid Characters, Silly Plot

Urban Cowboy (1980)

August 13, 2019

A city boy sets out to the country to be the best mechanical bull rider in Texas.

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In Drama, Romance Tags Karl Nagurski, Urban Cowboy, Rated PG, PG, John Travolta, Debra Winger, Scott Glen, Madolyn Smith, 2 Stars, Drama, Romance, Cowboy
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Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington

Rated: R for Intense Prolonged Realistically Graphic Sequences of War Violence Including Grisly Bloody Images

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Story, Themes, Acting, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing in First Half

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

August 12, 2019

The true story of Desmond Doss, a soldier who helped to save wounded at the Battle of Okinawa without ever firing a shot at the enemy. 

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In Action, Adventure, Biographical, Christian Film, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Mel Gibson, Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, 4 Stars, 2016
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Darkman (1990)

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Starring: Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Colin Friels, Larry Drake, Bruce Campbell

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Tone, Writing, Original Character

WEAKNESSES: Some Weaker Story Elements

Darkman (1990)

August 9, 2019

A brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact vengeance on the people who tried to kill him. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Romance, Superhero, Thriller Tags Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Colin Friels, Larry Drake, Bruce Campbell, R, 3.5 Stars
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Mildred Pierce (1945)

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Starring: Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett

Rated: Passed (TMM Suggested PG-13 for Thematic Material and Brief Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 51 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Writing, Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing Issues in Second Act

Mildred Pierce (1945)

August 8, 2019

A hard-working mother divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to keep her spoiled daughter’s rich-tastes satisfied, but her lust for wealth seems unquenchable, and the pair hurdle towards disaster. 

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In Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Michael Curtiz, Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett, 1945, 4 Stars
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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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Punch-Drunk Love

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzman

Rated: R for Strong Language Including a Scene of Sexual Dialogue

Running Time: 1h 35m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Direction, Cinematography, Writing, Performances

WEAKNESSES: -

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

August 6, 2019

A man with crippling social anxiety finds love.

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In Comedy, Drama, Romance Tags Karl Nagurski, Punch-Drunk Love, Adam Sandler, romance, Dark Comedy, Drama, Emily Watson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Luis Guzman, Rated R, 5 Stars
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Top End Wedding (2019)

Directed by: Wayne Blair

Starring: Gwilym Lee, Miranda Tapsell, Kerry Fox, Ursula Yovich

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested: PG-13 for Some Sexual Humor)

Running Time: 1 h 43 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cultural Insights, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Plausibility, Stupid Character Choices, Repeated Jokes

Top End Wedding (2019)

August 4, 2019

After Ned and Lauren get engaged, they have ten days to find Lauren’s mom who has gone off the grid somewhere in the remote parts of Australia, reunite her parents and pull of a wedding. 

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance Tags Wayne Blair, Gwilym Lee, Miranda Tapsell, Kerry Fox, Ursula Yovich
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Long Shot (2019)

Directed by: Jonathan Levine

Starring: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, Bob Odenkirk, Alexander Skarsgard, Randall Park, Andy Serkis, O’Shea Jackson Jr., June Diane Raphael, Ravi Patel

Rated: R for Strong Sexual Content, Language Throughout and Some Drug Content

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Writing, Acting, Humor

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

Long Shot (2019)

July 30, 2019

Journalist Fred Flarsky reunites with his childhood crush Charlotte Field, whom is preparing to run for president. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Romance Tags Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, Bob Odenkirk, Alexander Skarsgard, Randall Park, Andy Serkis, O’Shea Jackson Jr., June Diane Raphael, Ravi Patel
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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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Pulp Fiction (1994)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Christopher Walken, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros

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

Running Time: 2 h 34 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Stories, Characters, Influence

WEAKNESSES: -

Pulp Fiction (1994)

July 25, 2019

A series of violent and redemptive stories that intertwine the lives of LA mobsters, drug dealers, bandits and a boxer.

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In Action, Adventure, Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Christopher Walken, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, 1994, 5 Stars
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Django Unchained (2012)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Don Johnson, Quentin Tarantino, Jonah Hill, Bruce Dern

Rated: R for Strong Graphic Violence Throughout, A Vicious Fight, Language and Some Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 45 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography, Tone, Story Structure

WEAKNESSES: -

Django Unchained (2012)

July 22, 2019

With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Don Johnson, Quentin Tarantino, Jonah Hill, Bruce Dern, 2012
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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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Europa Europa (1990)

Directed by: Agnieszka Holland

Starring: Marco Hofschneider, Andre Wilms, Julie Delpy

Rated: R for Mature Treatment of Holocaust Issues

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Melodrama, Coincidence

Europa Europa (1990)

July 11, 2019

A young Jewish boy joins Hitler’s Youth Army in an attempt to conceal his identity.

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In Adventure, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Biographical, Romance, Thriller, War, Foreign Film Tags Agnieszka Holland, 1990, Marco Hofschneider, Andre Wilms, Julie Delpy, R, 3.5 Stars
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