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Joe (2013)

Directed by: David Gordon Green

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Gary Poulter

Rated: R for Violence, Disturbing Material, Language and Some Strong Sexual Content

Running Time: 2h

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Subtle Nic Cage, Performances, Atmosphere, Story

WEAKNESSES: Some Directing/Writing Choices, Unnecessary Animal Violence

Joe (2013)

August 20, 2019

Joe is a hard working ex-con man who forms an unlikely bond with Gary, a 15 year old with an abusive father, and eventually Joe’s past catches up with him.

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In Crime, Drama Tags Karl Nagurski, Nicolas Cage, David Gordon Green, Tye Sheridan, Gary Poulter, Rated R, Joe, 4 stars
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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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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. 

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In Art House, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Harvey Keitel, Frankie Thorn, Zoe Lund, Abel Ferrara, NC-17, 4 Stars, 1992
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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.

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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
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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.  

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Martial Arts, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, War Tags Feng Hsu, Chun Shih, Ying Bai, King Hu, 1971
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Hook (1991)

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 22m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design

Weakness: Tinker Bell, Length

Hook (1991)

August 16, 2019

Peter Banning is a your classic workaholic father. When he travels to England with his family to visit the woman who adopted him so many years ago his children are kidnapped by a magical pirate and Peter must face his past and destiny as the real Peter Pan the story-books were based upon.

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Hook, 1991, Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, PG, 4 Stars
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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.

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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
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Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

Directed By: Frank Lloyd

Starring: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone

Rated: NR

Run Time: 2h 12m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Production Design, Acting, Story

Weakness: None

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

August 14, 2019

A ship’s crew, under the fierce cruelty of their captain, leads a mutiny which became famous and changed British attitudes toward nautical law.

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic Tags Michael McDonald, Mutiny on the Bounty, 1935, Frank Lloyd, Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, NR, 5 Stars
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Urban Cowboy(1980)

Directed by: James Bridges

Starring: John Travolta, Debra Winger, Scott Glen, Madolyn Smith

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2h 15m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

STRENGTHS: Music, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Hasn’t Aged Well, Bloated Runtime, Stupid Characters, Silly Plot

Urban Cowboy (1980)

August 13, 2019

A city boy sets out to the country to be the best mechanical bull rider in Texas.

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In Drama, Romance Tags Karl Nagurski, Urban Cowboy, Rated PG, PG, John Travolta, Debra Winger, Scott Glen, Madolyn Smith, 2 Stars, Drama, Romance, Cowboy
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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. 

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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
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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. 

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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
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Cold Case Hammarskjold (2019)

Directed by: Mads Brugger

Starring: Mads Brugger, Goran Bjorkdahl

Rated: R

Running Time: 2h 8m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Mystery, Subversion, Insane Real Twists

WEAKNESSES: Tests Patience

Cold Case Hammarskjold (2019)

August 9, 2019

A murder mystery or national conspiracy surrounding the death of Dag Hammarskjold in 1961.

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In Documentary Tags Karl Nagurski, Cold Case Hammarskjold, SAIMR, Documentary, 5 Stars, Rated R, Mystery, Mads Brugger, Goran Bjorkdahl
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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.

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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
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Sword of Trust (2019)

Directed By: Lynn Shelton

Starring: Marc Maron, Jon Bass, Michaela Watkins, Jillian Bell, Toby Huss, Dan Bakkedahl

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 28m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Creative Premis, Funny yet Heartfelt, Not Overly Preachy

Weakness: Improv Too Long In Spots, Lacks Fun

Sword of Trust (2019)

August 8, 2019

When Cynthia receives a civil war sword that “proves” the south won the war, she and her partner Mary enlist the help of two pawnshop owners to sell it to an easily duped millionaire.

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In Comedy Tags Michael McDonald, Marc Maron, Jon Bass, Michaela Watkins, Jillian Bell, Toby Huss, Dan Bakkedahl, Sword of Trust, Lynn Shelton, 2019, R Rated, 3 Stars
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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. 

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In Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Michael Curtiz, Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett, 1945, 4 Stars
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The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

Directed by: Orson Welles

Starring: Tim Holt, Agnes Moorehead, Anne Baxter, Joseph Cotton, Dolores Costello

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Story

WEAKNESSES: Last Five Minutes

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

August 7, 2019

A spoiled young child of a wealthy family comes between his widowed mother and the man she always loved.

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In Drama, Romance, Mystery Tags Orson Welles, Tim Holt, Agnes Moorehead, Anne Baxter, Joseph Cotton, Dolores Costello, 1942, NR, 5 Stars
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Meeting Gorbachev (2018)

Directed By: Werner Herzog

Starring: Mikhail Gorbachev, Werner Herzog, Yuri Andropov, James Baker, Leonid Brezhnev

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Human Insight

Weakness: The Drone Footage

Meeting Gorbachev (2018)

August 7, 2019

A personal conversational interview between German director Werner Herzog and Russian politician Mikhail Gorbachev serves as the point of entry into the politician’s personal recollections of his career, the Soviet Union, Russia, and the political climate of the world. 

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In Documentary, Political, Biographical Tags Michael McDonald, Werner Herzog, 2018, Meeting Gorbachev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Yuri Andropov, James Baker, Leonid Brezhnev, 5 Stars, NR
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Saint Frances (2019)

Directed by: Alex Thompson

Starring: Kelly O’Sullivan, Ramona Edith Williams, Charin Alvarez, Lily Mojekwu

Rated: R

Running Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Acting, Writing, Subject Matter

WEAKNESSES: Some Heavy Handedness

Saint Frances (2019)

August 7, 2019

A 30 something woman finds acceptance in a new setting.

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In Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama Tags Karl Nagurski, Saint Frances, Traverse City Film Festival, 4.5 Stars, Rated R, 2019, Kelly O'Sullivan, Romona Edith, Charin Alvarez, Lily Mjoekwu, Alex Thompson
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After Parkland (2018)

Directed By: Jake Lefferman, Emily Taguchi

Starring: David Hogg, Manuel Oliver, Samuel Zeif, Andrew Pollack, Dillon McCooty

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 32m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Emotionally Moving

Weakness: Heavy

After Parkland (2018)

August 6, 2019

Following a deadly mass shooting at Stoneman-Douglas High School, the family, friends, and country of those who were killed grapple with its meaning, effects, and loss in their lives.

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Tags Michael McDonald
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