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easy rider 1.jpg

Easy Rider (1969)

Directed by: Dennis Hopper

Starring: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Phil Spector

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 35m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Authenticity, Intimacy

WEAKNESSES: Slow Pacing

Easy Rider (1969)

August 24, 2018

A couple of young, drug dealing, motorcycle enthusiast friends, set out across America, West to East, looking for the freedom that the American Dream promised them.

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In Art House, Drama Tags mjamesmcdonald, 1969, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, R Rated, Motorcycle, Road Movie, 4 Stars, Phil Spector
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The Rock (1996)

Directed by: Michael Bay

Starring: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Language and a Sex Scene

Running Time: 2 h 16 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, No Holds Barred Action, Ridiculous Premise, Humorous Writing

WEAKNESSES: Ridiculous Premise, Directing

The Rock (1996)

August 23, 2018

An ex-con and a chemist team up to stop a general who has taken control of Alcatraz Island and plans to release nerve gas on San Francisco.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Thriller Tags Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, Michael Bay, 3 Stars
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Fantastic Planet (1973)

Directed by: Rene Laloux

Starring: Jennifer Drake, Eric Baugin, Jean Valmont

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1h 12m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation

WEAKNESSES: Obvious Typology

Fantastic Planet (1973)

August 23, 2018

On a distant world, human like creatures, fed up with their animal like lives, rebel against their gigantic blue alien masters.

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In Animated, Art House, Fantasy, Foreign Film Tags mjamesmcdonald, Rene Laloux, 5 Stars, PG, 1973
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A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

Directed by: Edward Yang

Starring: Chen Chang, Lisa Yang, Hung-Ming Lin

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Brutal Violence Involving Teens and Language)

Running Time: 3 h 57 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Cinematography, Staging

WEAKNESSES: Length Will Deter Viewers

A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

August 22, 2018

Based on a true story of rival youth gangs in 1960s Taiwan. 

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In Action, Art House, Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Edward Yang, Chen Chang, Lisa Yang, Hung-Ming Lin, Not Rated, 5 Stars
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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer

Rated: PG13

Running Time: 2h 3m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Story Concept

WEAKNESSES: Visual Effects, Uneven Story Structure

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)

August 22, 2018

An Ancient Storyteller and his band of entertainers, travel the world, opening people’s imaginations and competing with The Devil to enthrall their souls. Now, a new wager, threatens the life of his daughter who may be falling for a mysterious, dashing, and shady new member of their troupe.

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In Comedy, Art House, Drama, Fantasy Tags mjamesmcdonald, 2009, PG13, 3 Stars, Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer, Terry
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Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Directed by: John Schlesinger

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Creative Dream/Fantasy Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Failed to Engage Me Emotionally

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

August 21, 2018

A naïve self-proclaimed hustler from Texas travels to New York, but finds he’s unable to do so. Instead he teams up with a streetwise lowlife, and the two form an unlikely friendship.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama Tags R, Dustin Hoffman, John Voight, John Schlesinger, 3.5 Stars
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BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Directed by: Spike Lee

Starring: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Laura Harrier

Rated: : R for Language Throughout, Including Racial Epithets, and for Disturbing/Violent Material and Some Sexual References

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Directing, Heavy-Handedness

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

August 20, 2018

Based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer in Colorado Springs, who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan.

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In Action, Biographical, Drama, Crime Tags R, Spike Lee, John David Washington, Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Laura Harrier, 2018, 3.5 Stars
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Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Directed by: Mike Leigh

Starring: Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Timothy Spall, Lesley Mansville

Rated: R for a Scene of Risque Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 34 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Mise-En-Scene, Direction, Acting, Production Design, Characters

WEAKNESSES: Length, Cultural Appropriation (?)

Topsy-Turvy (1999)

August 20, 2018

The two leaders of a Victorian era theatre troupe struggle to come up with any good new material, straining their relationship, until inspiration for something new strikes.

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In Comedy, Drama, Biographical, Epic, Musical Tags R, 4 Stars, Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Timothy Spall, Lesley Mansville, Mike Leigh
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Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

Directed by: Brian Henson

Starring: Tim Curry, Billy Connolly, Kevin Bishop

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 39 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Humor, Innocence, Fun, Music, Story

WEAKNESSES: Not As Tight As Other Muppet Movies

Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

August 17, 2018

The Muppets embark on a quest to Treasure Island. 

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In Adventure, Action, Children's Movies, Comedy, Fantasy Tags 1996, Brian Henson, Tim Curry, Billy Conolly, Kevin Bishop, G Rated, Seth Steele, 4 Stars, Muppets
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Barfly (1987)

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway, Alice Krige

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 40 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Subject Matter

Barfly (1987)

August 16, 2018

A semi-autobiographical film about the alcoholic author and poet, Charles Bukowski.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags 1987, Barbet Schroeder, Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway, Alice Krieg, R Rated, 4 Stars, Seth Steele
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8 1/2 (1963)

Directed by: Federico Fellini

Starring: Marcello Mastoianni, Anouk Aimee, Claudia Cardinale

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Sexual and Suggestive Material)

Running Time: 2 h 18 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Ingenuity, Set Design

WEAKNESSES: -

8 1/2 (1963)

August 15, 2018

A director scrambles to come up with an idea for his next picture.

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In Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film Tags 1963, Federico Fellini, Marcello Mastoianni, Anouk Aimee, Claudio Cardinale, NR, 5 Stars, Seth Steele
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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 58m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Originality, Acting, Effects

WEAKNESSES: Sound Mix

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

August 15, 2018

A sports writer detours to Las Vegas while on assignment and struggles to pull his drug riddled brain and body out of the city that seems to always pull him back in.

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In Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Tags mjamesmcdonald, Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Terry Gilliam, Hunter S. Thompson, R Rated, 4 Stars, 1988
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Straw Dogs (1971)

Directed by: Sam Peckinpah

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughn

Rated: R for Strong Brutal Violence Including a Sexual Attack, Menace, Some Sexual Content, and Pervasive Language

Running Time: 1 h 58 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Pacing, Acting, Directing, Editing, Characters

WEAKNESSES: Uncomfortable Controversial Material

Straw Dogs (1971)

August 14, 2018

A young American and his English wife move to the wife’s hometown, only to face harassment from the locals.

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In Action, Adventure, Art House, Drama, Thriller, Horror Tags 1971, Sam Peckinpah, Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughn, R Rated, 4 Stars, Seth Steele
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House (1977)

Directed by: Nobuhiko Obayashi

Starring: Kimiko Ikegami, Miki Jinbo, Kumiko Ohba

Rated: NR (Best Guess: R)

Running Time: 1h 28m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Concept, Unique Feeling of Nostalgia/Terror

WEAKNESSES: Sound Mix/Distracting Music

House (1977)

August 14, 2018

A group of High School/College girlfriends visit the home of one of the girl’s aunt’s, for the holidays. That wouldn’t be a problem if she wasn’t a child eating witch who has eaten all the girls from the nearby village.

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In Fantasy, Horror, Foreign Film Tags mjamesmcdonald, Nobuhiko Obayashi, 5 Stars, 1977, Haunted House
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Summer Hours (2008)

Directed by: Oliver Assayas

Starring: Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling, Jeremie Renier, Edith Scob

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Thematic Materials Including a Drug Reference)

Running Time: 1 h 43 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Directing, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

Summer Hours (2008)

August 13, 2018

Three siblings must decide what to do with their deceased mother’s estate.

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In Drama, Foreign Film Tags Oliver Assayas, 2008, Juliette Binoche, NR, 5 Stars
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Red Sonja (1985)

Directed by: Richard Fleischer

Starring: Brigitte Nielsen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sandahl Bergman

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Practical Effects

WEAKNESSES: Literally Everything Else

Red Sonja (1985)

August 10, 2018

Red Sonja, a fiery warrior, seeks revenge on the evil queen that murdered her entire family. Meanwhile the evil queen seeks to use a magic orb for darkness. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy Tags Richard Fleisher, Brigitte Nielsen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sandahl Bergman, PG13, 1 Star, 1985
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Kull the Conqueror (1997)

Directed by: John Nicolella

Starring: Kevin Sorbo, Tia Carrere, Thomas Ian Griffith

Rated: PG-13 for Fantasy Action Violence and Sensuality

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Interesting Premise

WEAKNESSES: Execution of Everything

Kull the Conqueror (1997)

August 10, 2018

After Kull is named the successor to a Kingdom, the kingdom’s heirs conspire to overthrow him by resurrecting an evil sorceress.

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy Tags John Nocolella, Kevin Sorbo, Tia Carrere, Thomas Ian Griffith, PG13, 1.5 Stars
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Conan the Barbarian (2011)

Directed by: Marcus Nispel

Starring: Jason Momoa, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan, Stephen Lang

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence, Some Sexuality and Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Gloriously Gory, Silly Sword and Sorcery Premise, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Directing, Writing, Pacing

Conan the Barbarian (2011)

August 10, 2018

Conan the Barbarian seeks vengeance on the warlord that killed his father, while the warlord tries to find a power that will help him to resurrect the dead. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy Tags Marcus Nispel, Jason Momoa, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan, Stephen Lang, R Rated, 2.5, 2011
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Conan the Destroyer (1984)

Directed by: Richard Fleischer

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Olivia d'Abo

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 43 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Effects, Story

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Dialogue, Some Effects

Conan the Destroyer (1984)

August 10, 2018

A queen asks Conan to help her daughter princess retrieve a ceremonial horn from a dungeon so they resurrect a god named Dagoth.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy Tags PG, 1984, Richard Fleisher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Olivia d'Abo, 3 stars
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Solomon Kane (2009)

Directed by: M.J. Bassett

Starring: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Pete Postlethwaite

Rated: R for Violence Throughout

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cool Concepts, Grimdark Storyline

WEAKNESSES: Tepid Execution, Wooden Lead, Tropes

Solomon Kane (2009)

August 10, 2018

After an encounter with a demon that tells him his soul is bound for hell, a mercenary renounces his ways of violence for a life of peace, but when he’s forced to travel back to his homeland, his vow of peace is tested. 

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In Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Action, Adventure Tags 2009, M.J. Bassett, James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Pete Postlethwaite, R Rated, 3 stars
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