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The Fanatic (2019)

Directed by: Fred Durst

Starring: John Travolta, Devon Sawa, Ana Golja

Rated: R for Some Strong Violence, and Language Throughout

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: John Travolta’s Unique Performance

WEAKNESSES: Story, Dialogue, Characters

The Fanatic (2019)

September 30, 2019

An obsessive fan stalks his favorite movie star.

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In Crime, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Thriller Tags John Travolta, Devon Sawa, Ana Golja, Fred Durst, 2019
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Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Directed By: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 44m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Atmosphere

Weakness: Certain Characters, On The Nose Dialogue, Action Sequence

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

September 25, 2019

Years have passed since the events of “Blade Runner” and K, a replicant blade runner, is on the trail of a replicant who may hold the key to replicants becoming a true race.

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In Crime, Epic, Drama, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, 5 Stars, Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright, Denis Villeneuve, 2017, Blade Runner 2049
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Sling Blade (1996)

Directed by: Billy Bob Thornton

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Lucas Black, John Ritter, James Hampton

Rated: R for Strong Language, Including Descriptions of Violent and Sexual Behavior

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing and Predictability Problems

Sling Blade (1996)

September 23, 2019

After twenty-five years in captivity, Karl Childers, a mentally challenged man, is released from the hospital where he was put after he murdered his mother and her lover. 

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In Crime, Drama, Noir, Thriller Tags Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Lucas Black, John Ritter, James Hampton, 1996, 4.5 Stars
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1984 (1984)

Directed by: Michael Radford

Starring: John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Story, Cinematography, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Some Acting

1984 (1984)

September 20, 2019

In an oppressive security state, a man tries to rebel by falling in love.

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Michael Radford, 1984, R, 4 Stars
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The Nightingale (2018)

Directed by: Jennifer Kent

Starring: Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman

Rated: R for Strong Violent and Disturbing Content Including Rape, Language Throughout, and Brief Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 16 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing Issues

The Nightingale (2018)

September 19, 2019

An Irish woman serving a prison sentence on Tasmania in the 1820s survives a horrific tragedy and then sets out for vengeance with the help of an Aboriginal man. 

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In Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Historical, Thriller Tags Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman, Jennifer Kent, 2018, 4 Stars, R
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The Guilty (2018)

Directed by: Gustav Moller

Starring: Jakob Cerdergren, Jessica Dinnage, Johan Olsen, Katinka Evers-Jahnsen

Rated: R for Language

Running Time: 1 h 25 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, World Building, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: A Bit Heavy Handed Near the Climax

The Guilty (2018)

September 17, 2019

A police officer assigned to dispatch receives a phone call from a kidnapped woman and does everything in his power to try to save her. 

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In Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Gustav Moller, 2018, 4.5 Stars, R, Jakob Cerdergren, Jessica Dinnage, Johan Olsen, Katinka Evers-Jahnsen
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Deliverance (1972)

Directed by: John Boorman

Starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox

Rated: R for Disturbing Content, Violence, and Some Language

Running Time: 1h 48m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Performances, Classic

WEAKNESSES: Needs a Good Restoration

Deliverance (1972)

September 17, 2019

A canoe trip goes horribly wrong for four friends in the deep Georgia wilderness.

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In Drama, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Deliverance, Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, John Boorman, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, 5 Stars, R Rated
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It: Chapter Two (2019)

Directed by: Andy Muschietti

Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone

Rated: R for Disturbing Violent Content and Bloody Images Throughout, Pervasive Language, and Some Crude Sexual Material

Running Time: 2 h 49 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: First Act, Some Special Effects, Some Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length, Character Chemistry, Ending

It Chapter Two (2019)

September 9, 2019

The conclusion of Stephen King’s It. 

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In Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Andy Muschietti, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, 2019, 2.5 Stars
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Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)

Directed by: Jaromil Jires

Starring: Jaroslava Schallerova, Helena Anyzovz, Petr Kopriva

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Nudity, Thematic Elements, and Two Scenes of Animal Cruelty)

Running Time: 1 h 17 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Strength of Themes, Production Design, Cinematography, Mis-En-Scene

WEAKNESSES: Sexualizes a Thirteen Year Old Girl, Two Scenes of Animal Cruelty

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)

September 9, 2019

A young girl whom lives in a surreal and fantastical world, finds herself being quested after, influenced, and tricked by vampires, bishops, men and women alike as she approaches womanhood. 

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In Adventure, Coming of Age, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Jaroslava Schallerova, Helena Anyzovz, Petr Kopriva, Jaromil Jires, 1970, NR, 4 Stars
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Ma (2019)

Directed by: Tate Taylor

Starring: Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis, Tate Taylor, Luke Evans, Allison Janney

Rated: R for Violent/Disturbing Material, Language Throughout, Sexual Content, and for Teen Drug and Alcohol Use

Running Time: 1 h 39 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Octavia Spencer

WEAKNESSES: Finding Target Audience, Some Acting

Ma (2019)

September 3, 2019

A lonely, middle-aged woman befriends a group of teenagers and lets them party in her house, but after a while, the middle-aged woman starts acting strangely possessive. 

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In Crime, Drama, Coming of Age, Horror, Thriller Tags Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis, Tate Taylor, Luke Evans, Allison Janney, 2 Stars, R, 2019
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3 Women (1977)

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Shelley Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Janice Rule, Robert Fortier

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Character Dynamics, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

3 Women (1977)

September 2, 2019

Two roommates and an artist share a bizarre relationship after a series of emotional traumas. 

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Shelley Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Janice Rule, Robert Fortier, Robert Altman, 1977, PG, 4 Stars
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Rage (2014)

Directed by: Paco Cabezas

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Peter Stormare, Danny Glover, Aubrey Peeples

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Violence and Language)

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Ending, Some Unintentionally Funny Action Scenes

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Unlikeable Characters, Acting, Pacing

Rage (2014)

August 30, 2019

After his daughter is murdered, an ex-criminal gets his old crew together to find the people that killed her.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Paco Cabezas, Nicolas Cage, Peter Stormare, Danny Glover, Aubrey Peeples, 2014, 2 Stars, NR
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The Saragossa Manuscript (1965)

Directed by: Wojciech Has

Starring: Zbigniew Cybulski, Iga Cembrzynska, Elzbieta Czyzewksa

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Nudity and Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 3 h 2 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Unexpected Humor, Production Design, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

The Saragossa Manuscript (1965)

August 28, 2019

A soldier in a war finds a book that recounts a tale of a soldier traveling through Spain and meeting a variety of characters, many of who have stories of their own to tell. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Wojciech Has, Zbigniew Cybulski, Iga Cembrzynska, Elzbieta Czyzewksa, 1965, NR, 4 Stars
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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Matthiew Amalric, Adrein Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Billy Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Lea Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson

Rated: R for Language, Some Sexual Content and Violence

Running Time: 1 h 39 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Mis-En-Scene, Writing, Production Design, Characters, Story, Fun

WEAKNESSES: -

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

August 26, 2019

The adventures of the legendary concierge Gustave H at the famous Grand Budapest Hotel between the first and second World Wars. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Wes Anderson, Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Matthiew Amalric, Adrein Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Billy Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Lea Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, R, 5 Stars
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Rob Roy (1995)

Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones

Starring: Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Brian Cox

Rated: R for Violence and Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Production Design, Some Acting, Some Writing

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Pacing, Length, Some Writing

Rob Roy (1995)

August 23, 2019

A Scottish man seeks a loan from a British nobleman, and after his honor is wronged he seeks vengeance.

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In Action, Adventure, Biographical, Drama, Crime, Epic, Romance, War, Thriller Tags Michael Caton-Jones, Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Brian Cox, R, 3 Stars
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Between Worlds (2018)

Directed by: Maria Pulera

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Penelope Mitchell, Franka Potente

Rated: R for Strong Sexual Content, Language Throughout, Some Violence

Running Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

STRENGTHS: Nicolas Cage

WEAKNESSES: Just About Everything Else

Between Worlds (2018)

August 22, 2019

Grieving truck driver Joe finds himself in a steamy story of spirits.

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In Drama, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Nicolas Cage, Rated R, 2 Stars, Between Worlds, Drama, Thriller, Erotic Thriller
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Face/Off (1997)

Directed by: John Woo

Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Alessandro Nivola, Joan Allen

Rated: R for Intense Sequences of Strong Violence, and For Strong Language

Running Time: 2 h 18 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects and Stunts, Ridiculous Performances, Bizarre Story

WEAKNESSES: Logic, Hokey 90s Moments

Face/Off (1997)

August 21, 2019

An FBI agent undergoes a facial transplant surgery to work his way into a terrorist sect, but the plan goes awry when the terrorist whose face he stole impersonates the FBI agent. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags John Woo, 1997, 3.5 Stars, John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Alessandro Nivola, Joan Allen
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Season of the Witch (2011)

Directed by: Dominic Sena

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Claire Foy, Stephen Graham, Robert Sheehan, Christopher Lee

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Violence and Disturbing Content

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Claire Foy, Pacing, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Paint-By-Numbers Plot, Pointless Action Scenes, Character and Story Logic

Season of the Witch (2011)

August 20, 2019

Crusader deserters are charged with bringing a suspected witch to an isolated monastery, where the monks that reside there will use a book to judge her.

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, War Tags Dominic Sena, Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Claire Foy, Stephen Graham, Robert Sheehan, Christopher Lee, 2.5 Stars, 2011, PG-13
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Brightburn (2019)

Directed by: David Yarovesky

Starring: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn

Rated: R for Horror Violence/Bloody Images, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept, Fun, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: Tone, Acting, Plot Holes, Stupid Characters, Melodrama

Brightburn (2019)

August 20, 2019

A retelling of the Superman origin story wherein the Superman figure decides to be evil. 

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In Action, Crime, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Horror, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags David Yarovesky, Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn, R, 2.5 Stars, 2019
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Limitless (2011)

Directed by: Neil Burger

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Material Involving a Drug, Violence Including Disturbing Images, Sexuality and Language

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun Concept, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: It Thinks It’s Smarter Than It Is, Some Acting

Limitless (2011)

August 19, 2019

A struggling writer takes an experimental drug and suddenly becomes a genius.

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Neil Burger, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, 3 Stars
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