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The Killing (1956)

Directed by:Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 25 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story and Story Structure, Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing in First Act (?)

The Killing (1956)

September 11, 2018

Mobsters plan to rob a racetrack.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Noir, Thriller, Kubrick Retrospective Tags The Killing, 1956, 4 Stars, Stanley Kubrick, Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards
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Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 51 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Characters, Acting, Story and Story Structure

WEAKNESSES: -

Reversal of Fortune (1990)

September 10, 2018

Based on a true story. Sunny von Bulow lies in a coma and her husband Claus has been convicted on two counts of attempted murder. He says he’s innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance Tags Reversal of Fortune, Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Ron Silver, R, 5 Stars, 1990
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Killer's Kiss (1955)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Frank Silvera, Irene Kane, Jamie Smith

Rated: NR

Running Time: 1h 7m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Standard Story

Killer's Kiss (1955)

September 10, 2018

When a low level boxer, Davey, falls for a private dancer, Gloria, he runs afoul of her manager, Vincent, who fancies her and has no qualms about using violence to get her.

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In Romance, Crime, Drama, Noir, Kubrick Retrospective Tags mjamesmcdonald, 3 Stars, NR, Killer's Kiss, Stanley Kubrick, 1955, Frank Silvera, Irene Kane, Jamie Smith
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Fear and Desire (1953)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Frank Silvera, Kenneth Harp, Paul Mazursky

Rated: NR

Running Time: 1h 2m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: It's not doing anything special.

Fear and Desire (1953)

September 10, 2018

Four soldiers are stuck six miles behind enemy lines after a plane crash. As they make their way back to their camp they must face their own fears and decide which risks are worth taking when they run a cross a village girl who may turn them in.

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In Action, Drama, Thriller, War, Kubrick Retrospective Tags mjamesmcdonald, NR, 1953, Fear and desire, Stanley Kubrick, Frank Silvera, Kenneth Harp, Paul Mazursky, 2 Stars
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Sita Sings the Blues (2008)

Directed by: Nina Paley

Starring: Annette Hanshaw, Assem Chhabra, Bhavana Nagulapally

Rated: NR

Running Time: 1h 22m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directorial Conviction, Music, Design

WEAKNESSES: Pacing and Simple Animation

Sita Sings the Blues (2008)

September 7, 2018

Sita and Rama, figures from the Vedas and Upanishads, are banished to a wild land of demons and monsters. When Sita is kidnapped by the king of the Rakshasa, Ravana, Rama must rescue her, but will he believe that she remained faithful during her stay with Ravana.

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In Animated, Biographical, Fantasy, Musical, Romance Tags mjamesmcdonald, Annette Hanshaw, Assem Chhabra, Bhavana, Bhavana Nagulapaly, 3 Stars, NR, Nina Paley, Sita Sings the Blues, 2008, Hinduism, Religious, Mythology
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In Bruges (2008)

Directed by: Martin McDonagh

Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleason, Ciaran Hinds, Ralph Fiennes

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 47m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Story

WEAKNESSES: Darker Theme than is Readily Apparent

In Bruges (2008)

September 6, 2018

A young hitman for the mob is sent to Bruges, a quaint touristy medieval town, after a hit doesn’t go as planned. With nothing interesting to distract him, he is left alone with his thoughts, and his guilt over past actions.

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In Comedy, Drama, Crime Tags mjamesmcdonald, in bruges, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleason, 2008, Ciaran Hinds, Ralph Fiennes, R Rated, Martin McDonagh, 4 Stars
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The Martian (2015)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover, Aksel Hennie

Rated: PG-13 or Some Strong Language, Injury Images, and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 24 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Visual Effects, Story Themes

WEAKNESSES: Some Farfetched Cheesy Moments

The Martian (2015)

September 5, 2018

After an accident, an astronaut is stranded on Mars and has to figure out a way to survive.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Sci Fi Tags Ridley Scott, Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover, Aksel Hennie, 4 Stars, 2015, PG-13
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Stalker (1979)

Directed by: Andrei Tarkovsky

Starring: Alisa Freyndlikh, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, Anatoliy Solonitsyn

Rated: NR

Running Time: 2h 42m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Acting, Directorial Vision

WEAKNESSES: Pacing if you don't have an patience

Stalker (1979)

September 5, 2018

The Zone. Dangerous. Alien. Restricted. So why would a Writer and Professor follow a guide called a Stalker to take them into the heart of the Zone? The Room found at the Zone’s center grants ones deepest desires.

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In Drama, Art House, Foreign Film, Sci Fi Tags mjamesmcdonald, philosophical, 1979, NR, Andrei Tarkovsky, Alisa Freyndlikh, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, Anatoliy Solonitsyn, 5 Stars
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Tell No One (2006)

Directed by: Guillaume Canet

Starring: Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier

Rated: NR (Suggest R for Violence, Language, and Some Nudity)

Running Time: 2 h 11 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Pacing, Story, Excitement, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Lengthy Expositional Scenes

Tell No One (2006)

September 4, 2018

Eight years after the murder of Doctor Alexandre Beck’s wife, new clues begin to surface, reopening the case. The police find strong evidence suggesting Beck might be responsible for the murder, so Beck must evade the police while he to tries to prove his innocence.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Guillaume Canet, Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier, NR, 2006, France, 4 Stars
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Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

Directed by: Sion Sono

Starring: Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Frenetic Bloody Violence and Strong Language)

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Crazy Story, Unique Chracters

WEAKNESSES: CGI Effects, Pacing

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

September 3, 2018

An independent film crew becomes entangled in a yakuza war.

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In Action, Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Crime, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Thriller Tags Sion Sono, Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Hasegawa, Japan, 2013, NR, 3.5 Stars
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The Decline of Western Civilization Part III (1998)

Directed by: Penelope Spheeris

Starring: Flea

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Pervasive Language and Destructive Behavior)

Running Time: 1 h 26 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story

WEAKNESSES: Content

The Decline of Western Civilization Part III (1998)

August 31, 2018

A documentary following the lives of gutter punks in Los Angeles in the late nineties.

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In Art House, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Documentary, Musical Tags Penelope Spheeris, 1998, NR, Flea, 4 Stars
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The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)

Directed by: Penelope Spheeris

Starring: Alice Cooper, Lizzy Borden, Poison, Aerosmith, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Music, Story

WEAKNESSES: Content, Misogyny

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)

August 31, 2018

Filmmaker Penelope Spheeris revisits her Decline of Western Civilization documentary series, this time taking a look at the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles.

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In Biographical, Documentary, Drama, Musical Tags Alice Cooper, Lizzy Borden, Poison, Aerosmith, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Penelope Spheeris, R, 1988, 4 Stars
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The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

Directed by: Penelope Spheeris

Starring: Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, The Germs, X

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Pervasive Language and Real Depictions of Destructive Behavior)

Running Time: 1 h 40 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Direction

WEAKNESSES: Nihilistic View, Content

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

August 31, 2018

A documentary following six punk rock bands around Los Angeles in the year 1980.

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In Documentary, Musical Tags Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, The Germs, X, Penelope Spheeris, 4.5 Stars, 1981
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Sid & Nancy (1986)

Directed by: Alex Cox

Starring: Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Content

Sid & Nancy (1986)

August 30, 2018

The true story of Sid Vicious, bassist for The Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.

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In Art House, Biographical, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Musical, Thriller Tags R, 4 Stars, Alex Cox, Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman
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A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

Directed by: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire

Starring: Joe Cole, Pornchanok Mabklang, Panya Yimmuphai

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 56 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Realism, Writing, Directing, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

August 29, 2018

The true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer who was incarcerated in a Thai prison and fought in a Muay Thai tournament to prove himself to the other inmates.

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In Sports, Thriller, Crime, Action, Biographical, Drama Tags Joe Cole, Thailand, Jean-Stephane Sauvaire, Pornchanok Mabklang, Panya Yimmuphai, R, 4 Stars
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Interstellar (2014)

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Timothee Chalamet, David Oyelowo, Wes Bently, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Topher Grace, Mackenzie Foy

Rated: PG-13 for Some Intense Perilous Action and Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 2 h 49 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Soundtrack, Cinematography, Acting, Visual Effects

WEAKNESSES: Cheesy Climax

Interstellar (2014)

August 28, 2018

A team of astronauts travels through a wormhole in search of a planet that might support mankind. 

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Christopher Nolan, Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Timothee Chalamet, David Oyelowo, Wes Bently, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Topher Grace, Mackenzie Foy, PG-13, 4 Stars, 2014
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Return to Oz (1985)

Directed by: Walter Murch

Starring: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Production Design, Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Trouble Finding Target Audience

Return to Oz (1985)

August 27, 2018

Six months after the tornado took Dorothy to Oz, she must return to help lift the curse that a witch and the Nome king have placed across the land.

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy Tags 4.5 Stars, PG, Walter Murch, Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh
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Desperate Living (1977)

Directed by: John Waters

Starring: Liz Renay, Mink Stole, Susan Lowe, Jean Hill, Edith Massey

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Unique Story, Bizarre Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Content

Desperate Living (1977)

August 24, 2018

After a neurotic woman murders her husband with the help of her maid, they flee to a strange town called Mortville, which is ruled over by a fascist queen.

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In Comedy, Art House, Fantasy, Horror Tags John Waters, Liz Renay, Mink Stole, Susan Lowe, Jean Hill, Edith Massey, R Rated, 3 Stars, Seth Steele, 1977
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Serial Mom (1994)

Directed by: John Waters

Starring: Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake

Rated: R for Satirical Presentation of Strong Violence, Vulgar Language, and Sexual Episodes

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Uniqueness, Dripping With Satire, Hilarity

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Joke Feels Played Out

Serial Mom (1994)

August 24, 2018

Little annoyances drive a happy suburban mother to murder.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Kathleen Turner, John Waters, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake, R, 3.5 Stars
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Female Trouble (1974)

Directed by: John Waters

Starring: Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Edith Massey

Rated: NC-17

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Eccentricity

WEAKNESSES: Content, Acting(?), Cinematography

Female Trouble (1974)

August 24, 2018

A spoiled high school girl runs away from home and has to turn to a life of crime to support herself.

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In Art House, Comedy, Crime, Biographical, Fantasy, Thriller Tags John Waters, Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Edith Massey, NC-17, 1974, 3.5 Stars
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