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The Circle (2017)

Directed by: Peter Callow

Starring: Eva-Marie Kung, Ross Noble, Colin Burnicle, Griffin Stevens, Sesselia Olafs, Edward Baker-Duly

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Violence Including Disturbing Images and for Language)

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Concept, World Building

WEAKNESSES: Effects, Acting, Unlikeable Characters

The Circle (2017)

October 7, 2020

A group of archaeology students travel to a remote Scottish island where they stumble upon a mysterious site, and soon, unusual phenomenon begin. 

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In Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Eva-Marie Kung, Ross Noble, Colin Burnicle, Griffin Stevens, Sesselia Olafs, Edward Baker-Duly, Peter Callow, 2017, 2 Stars
1 Comment
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Session 9 (2001)

Directed by: Brad Anderson

Starring: David Caruso, Peter Mullan, Stephen Gevedon, Josh Lucas, Brendan Sexton III

Rated: R for Language and Brief Strong Violence

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: A Bit Slight

Session 9 (2001)

October 6, 2020

An asbestos cleaning crew working in an abandoned mental hospital with a dark past starts to experience unusual phenomenon.  

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In Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Brad Anderson, 2001, 3 Stars, David Caruso, Peter Mullan, Stephen Gevedon, Josh Lucas, Brendan Sexton III
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Hagazussa (2017)

Directed by: Lukas Feigelfeld

Starring: Aleksandra Cwen, Celina Peter, Claudia Martini, Tanja Petrovsky

Rated: NR (Suggest R for Disturbing Violent Content)

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Cinematography, Story, Sound Design

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Small Target Audience

Hagazussa (2017)

October 5, 2020

A woman living in isolation faces judgement and persecution from a group of nearby villagers, who believe the woman to be a witch. 

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In Art House, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Historical, Mystery, Thriller Tags Aleksandra Cwen, Celina Peter, Claudia Martini, Tanja Petrovsky, Lukas Feigelfeld, 2017, 4.5 Stars
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The Blood Spattered Bride (1972)

Directed by: Vincente Aranda

Starring: Simon Andreu, Maribel Martin, Alexandra Bastedo

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 22 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Dream Sequence, Atmosphere, Production Design, Weird Twist

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing, Thin Story and Characters

The Blood Spattered Bride (1972)

October 4, 2020

Newlywed Susan is haunted by visions of a centuries-old woman who murdered her husband on her wedding night.

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In Drama, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Slasher, Thriller Tags 1972, 3 Stars, Vincente Aranda, Simon Andreu, Maribel Martin, Alexandra Bastedo, R
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Starry Eyes (2014)

Directed by: Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer

Starring: Alex Essoe, Amanda Fuller, Noah Segan

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Disturbing Graphic Violence and Gory Images, Language and Nudity)

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Third Act, Some Acting, Writing, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Some Subpar Moments

Starry Eyes (2014)

October 3, 2020

A Faustian tale about a young actress struggling to make it in LA. 

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In Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer, Alex Essoe, Amanda Fuller, Noah Segan, 2014, NR, 4 Stars
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Audition (1999)

Directed by: Takashi Miike

Starring: Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina Tetsu Sawaki, Jun Kunimura

Rated: R for Violence/Torture and Sexuality

Running Time: 1 h 55 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Practical Effects, Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Perspective of Dream Sequences

Audition (1999)

October 2, 2020

A widower takes an opportunity to screen girls at an audition arranged for him by a friend to find a new wife, only the girl whom the widower chooses to date is not at all who she seems. 

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Foreign Film, Horror Tags 1999, 4 Stars, Takashi Miike, Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina Tetsu Sawaki, Jun Kunimura, R
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Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (1922)

Directed by: Benjamin Christensen

Starring: Astrid Holm, Clara Pontoppidan, Benjamin Christensen

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Thematic Elements and Partial Nudity)

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Influence, Inventiveness, Structure, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Small Target Audience

Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (1922)

October 1, 2020

A silent era documentary concerning medieval beliefs about witchcraft. 

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In Anthology, Drama, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Foreign Film, Silent, Thriller Tags Astrid Holm, Clara Pontoppidan, Benjamin Christensen, 1922, NR, 5 Stars
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Pink Flamingos (1972)

Directed by: John Waters

Starring: Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Edith Massey, Cookie Mueller, Paul Swift

Rated: NC-17 for a Wide Range of Perversions in Explicit Detail

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s an Experience

WEAKNESSES: It’s a Lot to Take In

Pink Flamingos (1972)

April 27, 2020

A married couple makes tries to prove they are filthier than Divine, who claims to be the filthiest person alive.

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In Comedy, Exploitation Tags John Waters, Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Edith Massey, Cookie Mueller, Paul Swift
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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Extended Edition) (2014)

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, John Callen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry

Rated: R for Some Violence

Running Time: 2 h 44 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Some Action

WEAKNESSES: Thin Story, Battle Fatigue, Abundance of CGI, Pacing 

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Extended Edition) (2014)

April 15, 2020

The concluding chapter in The Hobbit Trilogy.

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In Action, Adventure, Epic, Fantasy, War Tags Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, John Callen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Peter Jackson, R, 3 Stars
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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition) (2013)

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, John Callen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry

Rated: PG-13 for Extended Sequences of Intense Fantasy Action Violence, and Frightening Images

Running Time: 3 h 7 m

TMM Score: 3.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Action, Cinematography, Score, Smaug

WEAKNESSES: Tauriel and Legolas, Convoluted Side Plots, Overlong, Too Much CGI

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition) (2013)

April 14, 2020

Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves of Erebor continue their journey.

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In Adventure, Action, Fantasy Tags Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, John Callen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, 2013, 3.5 Stars
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Andrei Rublev (1966)

Directed By: Andrei Tarkovsky

Starring: Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Ivan Lapikov, Nikolay Grinko

Rated: R

Run Time: 3h 25m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Thematic Coherence, Acting

Weakness: Length Maybe?

Andrei Rublev (1966)

April 13, 2020

The life of the great Icon Writer, Andrei Rublev, is the backdrop for this exploration of Russia, its people, history, faith, atrocities, and glory, as only a true seeker of enlightenment can.

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In Art House, Biographical, Christian Film, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film, Historical, Political Tags Michael McDonald, Andrei Rublev, 1966, Andrei Tarkovsky, Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Ivan Lapikov, Nikolay Grinko, R Rated, 5 Stars
1 Comment
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Extended Cut) (2012)

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Lee Pace

Rated: PG-13 for Extended Sequences of Intense Fantasy Violence, Frightening Images, and Fleeting Nudity

Running Time: 3 h 2 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Some Action, Overall Story

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing, Unnecessary Subplots

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Extended Cut) (2012)

April 13, 2020

Bilbo Baggins is recruited for an adventure that will send him galivanting across Middle Earth.

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Epic, War Tags Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Lee Pace, Peter Jackson, 2012, PG-13, 3 Stars
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Zero Theorem (2013)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Christoph Waltz, Lucas Hedges, Mélanie Thierry, David Thewlis, Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 47m

TMM Score: 2 Stars

Strengths: Briefly Humorous

Weakness: Plot, Coherence, Resolution, Meandering

Zero Theorem (2013)

April 10, 2020

Qohen is a singularly minded omni-phobic computer operator who believes that the meaning of his life is just a phone call away if only he can keep Management’s constant demands for the Zero Theorem Proof off his back.

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In Drama, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Zero Theorem, 2013, 2 Stars, R Rated, Christoph Waltz, Lucas Hedges, Mélanie Thierry, David Thewlis, Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, Terry Gilliam
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The Sacrifice (1986)

Directed By: Andrei Tarkovsky

Starring: Erland Josephson, Susan Fleetwood, Allan Edwall

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h 29m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Understated Tone, Long Takes, Thematic Integrity, Cinematography

Weakness: Maybe Pacing

The Sacrifice (1986)

March 31, 2020

When WWIII threatens to annihilate his family and who knows how much of the rest of humanity, a retired aesthetics journalist and lecturer contemplates what he may be able to do to avoid cataclysm.

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In Art House, Drama, Foreign Film Tags Michael McDonald, The Sacrifice, 1986, Andrei Tarkovsky, Erland Josephson, Susan Fleetwood, Allan Edwall, 5 Stars, PG
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Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

Directed by: Ken Annakin

Starring: John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur, Janet Munro, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, Sessue Hayakawa

Rated: G

Running Time: 2 h 6 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Fun, Production Design, Some Themes

WEAKNESSES: Kevin Corcoran, Length, Practicality, Some Dated Ideas and Themes

Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

March 23, 2020

A Swiss family is shipwrecked on a tropical island where they struggle to survive.

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In Adventure, Action Tags John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur, Janet Munro, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, Sessue Hayakawa, Ken Annakin, G, 4 Stars
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Creed (2015)

Directed by: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad

Rated: PG-13 for Violence, Language and Some Sensuality

Running Time: 2 h 13 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Schmaltzy Moments, Originality

Creed (2015)

March 20, 2020

Rocky Balboa serves as a mentor and trainer for Adonis Creed, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

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In Coming of Age, Drama, Romance, Sports Tags Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Ryan Coogler, PG-13, 3.5 Stars
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The Mirror (1975)

Directed By: Andrei Tarkovsky

Starring: Margarita Terekhova, Filipp Yankovskiy, Ignat Daniltsev

Rated: G

Run Time: 1h 47m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, High Concept, Lyrical Quality

Weakness: Confusing

The Mirror (1975)

March 19, 2020

An aging poet remembers his life and the events which shaped Russia during it.

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In Art House, Foreign Film, Drama, Coming of Age, Historical Tags Michael McDonald, Margarita Terekhova, Filipp Yankovskiy, Ignat Daniltsev, Andrei Tarkovsky, The Mirror, 1975, G, Rated G, 5 Stars
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A River Runs Through It (1992)

Directed by: Robert Redford

Starring: Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Rated: PG for Momentary Nudity, and Some Language in a Family Drama

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

A River Runs Through It (1992)

March 18, 2020

The two sons of a minister in Montana come of age, while also learning the secrets of fly-fishing.

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In Adventure, Drama, Coming of Age, Romance Tags Robert Redford, Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
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The Childhood of a Leader (2015)

Directed by: Brady Corbet

Starring: Berenice Bejo, Liam Cunningham, Tom Sweet, Yolande Moreau, Tobert Pattinson, Stacy Martin

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

Running Time: 1 h 55 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Themes, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

The Childhood of a Leader (2015)

March 16, 2020

A young troubled boy, destined to be a leader in post-World War I Europe, comes of age.

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In Coming of Age, Drama, Thriller Tags Brady Corbet, Berenice Bejo, Liam Cunningham, Tom Sweet, Yolande Moreau, Tobert Pattinson, Stacy Martin, 5 Stars, 2015
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Titus (1999)

Directed by: Julie Taymor

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Osheen Jones, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Matthew Rhys

Rated: R for Strong Violent and Sexual Images

Running Time: 2 h 42 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Matthew Rhys

Titus (1999)

March 13, 2020

Titus returns from war victorious, only to offend enemies that will cause him greater turmoil. 

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In Adventure, Action, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, War, Thriller Tags Julie Taymor, Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Osheen Jones, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Matthew Rhys
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