• GOOD TOUGH KID
  • ARCHIVES
  • M. James McDonald
Menu

True Myth Media

  • GOOD TOUGH KID
  • ARCHIVES
  • M. James McDonald

Search the Archives…

Contact Us/ Request a REview
badlieutenant.jpg

Bad Lieutenant (1992)

Directed by: Abel Ferrara

Starring: Harvey Keitel, Frankie Thorn, Zoe Lund

Rated: NC-17 for Sexual Violence, Strong Sexual Situations and Dialogue, Graphic Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Content Will Deter Some Viewers, Some Melodrama

Bad Lieutenant (1992)

August 19, 2019

A police lieutenant with serious gambling and drug addictions reevaluates the way he chooses to live his life during his investigation into the rape of a nun. 

Read More
In Art House, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Harvey Keitel, Frankie Thorn, Zoe Lund, Abel Ferrara, NC-17, 4 Stars, 1992
Comment
MV5BMTcyMzY0NTMzMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTc1MjY4Mg@@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,676,1000_AL_.jpg

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.

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BYmViNmFhYjEtYWRmZi00OTE1LTljYzQtZjY2MjA4NzZhODBmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjQ2MjQ5NzM@._V1_.jpg

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.  

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Martial Arts, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai, King Hu, 1971
Comment
c 1.jpg

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.

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BMjQ1NjM3MTUxNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMDc5MTY5OTE@._V1_.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BMTc5MzUxMjk4NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNTEzNDk4NjE@._V1_.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
image.jpg

Official Secrets (2019)

Directed by: Gavin Hood

Starring: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Matt Smith, Matthew Goode

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 52m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Performances, Story, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Heavy Handed

Official Secrets (2019)

August 8, 2019

The story of British whistleblower Katharine Gun.

Read More
In Drama, Foreign Film, Political, Spy Film, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Official Secrets, 2019, 4 stars, rated r, Gavin Hood, Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Matt Smith, Matthew Goode
Comment
MV5BNzljY2U2MDItYWE3Yi00OWE3LWEyMjQtMGNkZmJjNDE0NDJjXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc1NTYyMjg@._V1_.jpg

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. 

Read More
In Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Michael Curtiz, Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett, 1945, 4 Stars
Comment
MV5BYTc1NGViOTMtNjZhNS00OGY2LWI4MmItOWQwNTY4MDMzNWI3L2ltYWdlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc1NTYyMjg@._V1_SY1000_SX654_AL_.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
Three-Billboards-Outside-Ebbing-Missouri1.jpg

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.

Read More
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
Comment
MV5BYjEyM2RjNjEtZGVjYy00YzA4LWJmZDAtNTNhZjQ0YTdjOWJlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjI0MzA4MTQ%40._V1_.jpg

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.  

Read More
In Adventure, Action, Crime, Drama, Coming of Age, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Alexander Skarsgard, Nat Wolff, Adam Long, Dan Krauss
Comment
cache.jpg

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.

Read More
In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche, Maurice Benichou, Michael Haneke, 2005, R, 4.5 Stars
Comment
1*DrGUVaTZJe8m5_MuVmtv_g.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
Goblet_of_Fire_Film_Poster.jpg

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Directed by: Mike Newell

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robert Pattinson, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Tom Felton, Clemence Poesy, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Fantasy Violence and Frightening Images

Running Time: 2 h 37 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Special Effects, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Directing, Some Acting, Pacing in First Half

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

July 31, 2019

The fourth entry in the Harry Potter series pits him up against his greatest challenge yet: The Triwizard Tournament.

Read More
In Action, Adventure, Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Thriller Tags Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robert Pattinson, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Tom Felton, Clemence Poesy, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Mike Newell, 3.5 Stars, 2005, PG-13
Comment
MV5BOTg4ZTNkZmUtMzNlZi00YmFjLTk1MmUtNWQwNTM0YjcyNTNkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjg2NjQwMDQ@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,674,1000_AL_.jpg

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.

Read More
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
2 Comments
91jYEVUzrVL._RI_.jpg

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.

Read More
In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags 1987, David Mamet, Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, William H Macy, 4 Stars, R
Comment
p173259_v_v8_al.jpg

Death Proof (2007)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Rosario Dawson

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

Running Time: 1h 53m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Nostalgia, Kurt Russell, Action

WEAKNESSES: Not Very Compelling

Death Proof (2007)

July 26, 2019

Stuntman Mike is a sociopath who stalks young women, until he messes with the wrong ones.

Read More
In Action, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Death Proof, Quentin Tarantino, Rated R, 4 Stars, action, Horror, Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Rosario Dawson
Comment
pulp-fiction-pic-1.jpg

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.

Read More
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
Comment

Jackie Brown (1997)

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 34m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Music, Dialogue, Story, Camera

Weakness: None

Jackie Brown (1997)

July 23, 2019

When Beaumont, a money man for gun runner Ordell, gets nabbed by the cops, the fallout forces Jackie Brown to start planning her escape from the criminal organization of which she is part.

Read More
In Crime, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, jackie Brown, 1997, Quentin Tarantino, Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker, R Rated, 4 Stars
Comment
MV5BMjIyNTQ5NjQ1OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODg1MDU4OA@@._V1_.jpg

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. 

Read More
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
Comment
← Newer Posts Older Posts →

Powered by Squarespace