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Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Directed By: Mamoru Oshii

Starring: Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 23m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Animation, Philosophical Discussions

Weakness: Doesn’t Always Explain Difficult Concepts

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

May 28, 2019

Major Motoko Kusanagi of Section 9 is the most advanced cybernetically modified human ever, her entire body being replaced with robotic parts. When a cyber terrorist hacker, The Puppetmaster, eludes section 9’s grasp, Major is faced with a mystery which tangles the state’s actions, the future of humanity, and her own identity.

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In Action, Anime, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Ghost in the Shell, 1995, Mamoru Oshii, Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, NR, 5 Stars
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Under the Silver Lake (2018)

Directed by: David Robert Mitchell

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez

Rated: R for Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Violence, Language Throughout and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: A Few Chintzy Sets and Effects

Under the Silver Lake (2018)

May 27, 2019

A directionless  young man living in LA meets a girl whom then mysteriously vanishes overnight, prompting him to embark on a quest to find her. As he quests, he finds himself wrapped up in a bizarre conspiracy. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags 2018, 4.5 Stars, David Robert Mitchell, Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez
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Climax (2018)

Directed by: Gaspar Noe

Starring: Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub

Rated: R for Disturbing Content Involving a Combination of Drug Use, Violent Behavior and Strong Sexuality, and For Language and Some Graphic Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Technical Aspects, Length

WEAKNESSES: Story

Climax (2018)

May 27, 2019

French dancers gather for an all-night celebration and soon learn their sangria is laced with LSD.

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In Art House, Horror, Foreign Film, Musical, Mystery, Thriller Tags Gaspar Noe, Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub
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Akira (1988)

Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo

Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Saski, Takeshi Kusao

Rated: R for Graphic Violence and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Animation

WEAKNESSES: Compressed and Dense Story

Akira (1988)

May 27, 2019

In the distant future of 2019, warring biker gangs in Tokyo get mixed up in powers far beyond their understanding. 

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In Action, Adventure, Anime, Animated, Crime, Fantasy, Epic, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Katsuhiro Otomo, Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Saski, Takeshi Kusao, R, 4.5 Stars
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Memories of Murder (2003)

Directed by: Bong Joon-Ho

Starring: Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim

Rated: NR (TMM Suggested R for Strong Violence and Disturbing Material)

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Characters, Acting, Message

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During Second Act

Memories of Murder (2003)

May 27, 2019

“Memories of Murder” tells the true story of the Hwaseong Serial Killer as told from the perspective of the police officers working to catch him.

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In Action, Biographical, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim, 2003, 4.5 Stars, South Korea, Bong Joon-Ho
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Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C Reilly, John Goodman, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Tian Jing, Jason Mitchell, Richard Jenkins

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action, and for Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 1 h 58 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Dumb B-Movie Fun, Surprising Amount of Humor, Production Design, World Building

WEAKNESSES: It’s Dumb B-Movie Fun

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

May 24, 2019

Assisted by a military escort, a team of scientists travels to an uncharted island in the pacific in search of monsters. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi Tags Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C Reilly, John Goodman, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Tian Jing, Jason Mitchell, Richard Jenkins, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, PG-13, 3.5 Stars, 2017
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Godzilla (2014)

Directed by: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Destruction, Mayhem and Creature Violence

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Visual Effects, Godzilla Action

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Not Enough Godzilla, Boring Protagonist

Godzilla (2014)

May 24, 2019

Giant creatures begin appearing across the globe, and a giant lizard named Godzilla rises to fight them.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Gareth Edwards, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, PG-13, 3 Stars, 2014
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Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

Directed by: Ryuhei Kitamura

Starring: Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Kazuki Kitamura

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Violence

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Scenes With Kaiju

WEAKNESSES: Scenes With People

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

May 23, 2019

Godzilla, whom has been imprisoned for years in ice in Antarctica, might be humans’ only hope against a wave of angry kaiju bent on destroying the earth. Also, some aliens show up. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi, War Tags Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Kazuki Kitamura, 2 Stars, PG-13, 2004
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Shin Godzilla (2016)

Directed By: Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi

Starring: Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara

Rated: NR

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Editing, Score, Direction, Scope/Scale

Weakness: Certain Effects Shots, Any American Character

Shin Godzilla (2016)

May 22, 2019

When an immense mysterious evolutionarily advanced creature emerges from the sea and begins walking to Tokyo, the government and people of Japan must band together to save their country and the world.

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In Epic, Foreign Film, Monster Film, Sci Fi, War Tags Michael McDonald, Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara, NR, 4 Stars, 2016, Shin Godzilla, Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi
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Godzilla (1954)

Directed By: Ishiro Honda

Starring: Takashi Shimura, Ahihiko Hirata, Akira Takarada, Takashi Shimura

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 36m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Theme, Legacy, Soundtrack

Weakness: Pacing, Some Poor Effects Shots

Godzilla (1954)

May 21, 2019

Ships off the coast of one of Japan’s islands are being mysteriously destroyed. When the cause turns out to be an immense fire breathing lizard, all of Japan seems doomed.

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In Epic, Foreign Film, Sci Fi, War, Monster Film Tags Michael McDonald, Takashi Shimura, Ahihiko Hirata, Akira Takarada, Ishiro Honda, Godzilla, 1954, NR, 3 Stars
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Cold Pursuit (2019)

Directed by: Hans Peter Molland

Starring: Liam Neeson, Emmy Rossum, Tom Bateman, Laura Dern

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Drug Material, and Some Language Including Sexual References

Running Time: 1h 38m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Liam Neeson, Some Humor, Good Action

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Tom Bateman, Not Nearly As Good as the Original

Cold Pursuit (2019)

May 21, 2019

A lonely snow truck driver seeks revenger after the murder of his son.

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In Action, Drama, Crime Tags Karl Nagurski, Liam Neeson, Laura Dern, Tom Bateman, Action, Revenge, Emmy Rossum, Rated R, 3 stars, Cold Pursuit, Hans Peter Molland, Stellan Skarsgard
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Godzilla (1998)

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Starring: Matthew Broderick,Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Monster Action/Violence

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Dumb Fun

WEAKNESSES: Pointless Scenes and Characters, Length, Dated CGI, Writing, Directing

Godzilla (1998)

May 20, 2019

Godzilla attacks New York and an earthworm scientist tries to stop him. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner, Roland Emmerich, PG-13, 1998
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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Animation, Production Design, Visual Storytelling, Final Scenes

WEAKNESSES: Uneven Pacing, Uninteresting Villain

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

May 20, 2019

After a dragon hunter threatens Berk, Hiccup and Toothless search for a place where dragons and humans might live together in peace.

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrington, Dean DeBlois, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington

Rated: PG for Adventure Action and Some Mild Rude Humor

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Worldbuilding, Story, Consequences, Characters, Emotional Connection, Music

WEAKNESSES: Supporting Character’s Subplot

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

May 20, 2019

After Hiccup and Toothless discover a mysterious new Dragon Rider, they find themselves at the center of a battle.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wigg, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harrington, PG, 2014, 4 Stars
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How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Directed by: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant

Rated: PG for Sequences of Intense Action and Some Scary Images, and Brief Mild Language

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Music, Cinematography, Production Design, World Building, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

May 20, 2019

A young Viking who lives in a village that is perpetually attacked by dragons takes a new approach to handling the beasts.

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Animated, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Epic, Mystery, Romance, War Tags Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, T.J. Miller, David Tennant, 5 Stars, 2010
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John Wick Chapter 3- Parabellum (2019)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacasocos, Asia Kate Dillion, Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick, Jerome Flynn, Jason Mantzoukas

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Violence, and Some Language

Running Time: 2 h 10 m

TMM Score:4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Cinematography, Worldbuilding, Story, Themes, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Wick is Invincible, Some Acting

John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum (2019)

May 17, 2019

Super-Assassin John Wick flees as the members of the International Assassin’s Guild seek retribution for the death of one of their leaders.  

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller, War Tags Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacasocos, Asia Kate Dillion, Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick, Jerome Flynn, Jason Mantzoukas, Chad Stahelski, R, 4.5 Stars, 2019
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John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarico, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo

Rated: R for Strong Violence Throughout, Some Language and Brief Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 2 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Pacing, Story, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, John Wick is Invincible (?)

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

May 17, 2019

The further adventures of hit man John Wick. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarico, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Chad Stahelski, R, 4.5 Stars
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John Wick (2014)

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Adrianne Palicki, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Dean Winters

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence Throughout, Language and Brief Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 41 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Action, Worldbuilding

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting

John Wick (2014)

May 17, 2019

An ex-hit-man comes out of retirement to track down the mobsters that killed his dog and stole his car.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Adrianne Palicki, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Dean Winters, Keanu Reeves
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Master of the House (1925)

Directed By: Carl Theodor Dreyer

Starring: Johannes Meyer, Astrid Holm, Karin Nellemose, Mathilde Nielsen

Rated: G

Run Time: 1h 51m

TMM Score: 4

Strengths: Progressive Message

Weakness: Very Basic Story

Master of the House (1925)

May 16, 2019

Viktor loves his wife Ida but as work has gotten hard, so has he. In fact Ida is working herself to the bone to maintain the home and please him but this has not gone unnoticed by her mother or Viktor’s childhood nanny, Mads. Can they save the marriage of their beloved children?

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In Comedy, Drama, Romance, Silent, Art House Tags Michael McDonald, Master of the House, 1925, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Johannes Meyer, Astrid Holm, Karin Nellemose, Mathilde Nielsen, G Rated, 4 Stars
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City Lights (1931)

Directed By: Charles Chaplin

Starring: Charles Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill

Rated: G

Run Time: 1h 27m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Chaplin’s Charm, Heart, and Gags

Weakness: Some Gags Too Drawn Out

City Lights (1931)

May 15, 2019

The Tramp befriends a blind girl selling flowers who mistakes him for a wealthy man. After befriending a Millionaire on a bender, the Tramp realizes the friendship allows him the money to take care of her if, that is, he can maintain that difficult friendship.

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In Silent, Comedy Tags Michael McDonald, City Lights, 1931, Charles Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, G Rated, 3 Stars
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