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Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)

Directed by: Shun’ya Ito

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Yayoi Watanabe, Natsuyagi Isao

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Graphic Violence and Nudity)

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Story, Fun, Influence

WEAKNESSES: Sleazy/ Exploitative (?)

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)

February 17, 2020

After being betrayed by detective she had fallen in love with, a young woman is sent to a prison full of violent prisoners and guards. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Foreign Film, Exploitation, Thriller Tags Shun’ya Ito, Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Yayoi Watanabe, Natsuyagi Isao, 4 Stars
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The Fall (2006)

Directed By: Tarsem Singh

Starring: Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, Justine Waddell

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 57m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design and Costuming, Emotional Connection

Weakness: Brief CGI Moments

The Fall (2006)

February 13, 2020

In a hospital, an injured stuntman weaves an epic tale for a young girl with a broken arm in order to convince her to help him obtain the Morphine he needs to numb his inner anguish.

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In Adventure, Art House, Coming of Age, Epic, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, The Fall, 2006, Tarsem Singh, Tarsem, Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, Justine Waddell, R Rated, 5 Stars
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Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)

Directed by: Cathy Yan

Starring: Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Ewan McGregor, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong

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

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Margot Robbie, Some Themes, Some Style, Second Half

WEAKNESSES: Entire First Half, Some Style

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)

February 7, 2020

After breaking up with the Joker, Harley Quinn tries to find out how she fits in the world, while teaming up with a group of superheroes to stop a crime lord. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Thriller, Superhero Tags Cathy Yan, Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Ewan McGregor, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, 2020
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U Turn (1997)

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Starring: Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Sexuality and Language

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Directing, Editing

U Turn (1997)

February 5, 2020

A man heading to Vegas to pay off his gambling debt is waylaid in a strange Arizona town where everything goes wrong.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler, Oliver Stone, R, 2.5 Stars
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Gretel & Hansel (2020)

Directed by: Oz Perkins

Starring: Sophia Lillis, Alice Krige, Jessica De Gouw, Samuel Leakey

Rated: PG-13 for Disturbing Images/Thematic Content, and Brief Drug Material

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Mise-En-Scene, Twist on Familiar Story

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Some Acting

Gretel & Hansel (2020)

February 3, 2020

A darker retelling of the tale of Hansel and Gretel, focused more on the sister’s perspective. 

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In Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Oz Perkins, Sophia Lillis, Alice Krige, Jessica De Gouw, Samuel Leakey, PG-13
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The Birds (1963)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Veronica Cartwright, Suzanne Pleshette

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Characters, Story, Sound Mixing, Effects

WEAKNESSES: Slightly Schlocky, Some Character Choices

The Birds (1963)

January 31, 2020

A wealthy woman from San Francisco takes a trip to a Northern Californian town where she and the residents are inexplicably attacked by flocks of birds. 

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In Adventure, Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Veronica Cartwright, Suzanne Pleshette, Alfred Hitchcock, PG-13
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Foreign Correspondent (1940)

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall

Rated: NR

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Execution of Some Sequences.

Weakness: Seems Slight, Dated Sentimentality, Weak Love Story

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

January 31, 2020

John Jones is tasked with drumming up the news of what is going on in Europe during the lead up to WW2. As he probes for information he witnesses an assassination, falls in love with the daughter of a peace broker, and even avoids assassination himself. Whatever it takes to get the scoop.

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In Adventure, Drama, Political, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Michael McDonald, Alfred Hitchcock, Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall, NR, 3 Stars, 1940, Foreign Correspondent
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Ride with the Devil (1999)

Directed by: Ang Lee

Starring: Tobey McGuire, Jewel Kilcher, Skeet Ulrich, Jeffrey Wright, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tom Wilkinson, Margo Martindale, Jim Caviezel, Mark Ruffalo

Rated: R for Graphic War Violence

Running Time: 2 h 28 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production Design, Cinematography, Action

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing, Some Acting

Ride with the Devil (1999)

January 24, 2020

During the American Civil War, two friends join a band of Confederate guerrilla fighters known as the Bushwackers. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Historical, Romance Tags Ang Lee, Tobey McGuire, Jewel Kilcher, Skeet Ulrich, Jeffrey Wright, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tom Wilkinson, Margo Martindale, Jim Caviezel, Mark Ruffalo, R, 2.5 Stars
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Let the Corpses Tan (2017)

Directed by: Helene Cattet, Bruno Forzani

Starring: Elina Lowensohn, Stephane Ferrara, Bernie Bonvoisin, Michelangelo Marchese, Marc Barbe, Pierre Nisse

Rated: Unrated (Suggested R for Graphic Nudity and Strong Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 32 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Cinematography, Pacing, Editing, Ennio Morricone, Sound Design

WEAKNESSES: Style Over Substance, Sometimes Difficult to Tell What’s Going On, Also Editing

Let the Corpses Tan (2017)

January 22, 2020

Thieves with a trunkful of gold bullion hide out at an old mission where they encounter a bohemian artist and his muse. As cops arrive at the mission, bullets begin to fly. 

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In Action, Art House, Adventure, Crime, Thriller, Western, Foreign Film Tags Helene Cattet, Bruno Forzani, Elina Lowensohn, Stephane Ferrara, Bernie Bonvoisin, Michelangelo Marchese, Marc Barbe, Pierre Nisse, 4 Stars
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Split Second (1992)

Directed by: Tony Maylam

Starring: Rutger Hauer, Kim Cattrall, Alastair Duncan, Pete Postlethewait, Michael J Pollard, Alun Armstrong

Rated: R for Gore and Language

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun Concept, Fun World, Fun Story

WEAKNESSES: Overacting, Dialogue, Plot Holes, General Execution

Split Second (1992)

January 20, 2020

In 2008 dystopian London, global warming has caused flooding, and Detective Harley Stone must wade his way through the streets to find a vicious serial killer whom might not be human.  

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In Action, Adventure, Mystery, Noir, Sci Fi Tags Tony Maylam, Rutger Hauer, Kim Cattrall, Alastair Duncan, Pete Postlethewait, Michael J Pollard, Alun Armstrong
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1900 (1976)

Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Gerard Depardieu, Dominique Sandra, Donald Sutherland

Rated: NR (Suggested NC-17 for Explicit Sexual Content, and Violence Including Animal Cruelty)

Running Time: 5 h 17 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Acting, Some Amazing Sequences, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Animal Cruelty, Length, Themes, Also Directing

1900 (1976)

January 17, 2020

An epic tale of class struggle in Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends- one wealthy, one poor. 

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In Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Historical, Political, War Tags Bernardo Bertolucci, 1976, 2 Stars, Robert DeNiro, Gerard Depardieu, Dominique Sandra, Donald Sutherland
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The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)

Directed by: Takashi Miike

Starring: Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Shinji Takeda, Naomi Nishida, Tesuro Tanba, Tamaki Miyazaki

Rated: R for Violent Images and Some Sexual Content

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Absurdity, Themes, Story, Fun, Innovation

WEAKNESSES: Also Absurdity

The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)

January 15, 2020

A dark comedy concerning a family that opens an inn in a remote mountain region, only to have the arriving customers die in mysterious ways. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Musical, Mystery Tags Takashi Miike, Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Shinji Takeda, Naomi Nishida, Tesuro Tanba, Tamaki Miyazakii
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1917 (2019)

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch

Rated: R for Violence, Some Disturbing Images, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Cinematography, Production Design, Experience, Characters, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: Thin Story

1917 (2019)

January 13, 2020

Two British soldiers must deliver a message deep in enemy territory that will halt an attack and possibly save the lives of 1,600 of their fellow soldiers. 

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, War, Thriller Tags George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Mendes, R, 5 Stars
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Gemini Man (2019)

Directed by: Ang Lee

Starring: Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong

Rated: PG-13 for Violence and Action Throughout, and Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 1 h 57 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Nothing

WEAKNESSES: Boring, Frame Rate, Acting, Dialogue

Gemini Man (2019)

January 13, 2020

An aging hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself.

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In Action, Adventure, Sci Fi, Romance, Thriller Tags Ang Lee, Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong, 1 Star
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Brimstone (2016)

Directed by: Martin Koolhoven

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Emilia Jones, Kit Harrington

Rated: R for Brutal Bloody Violence, Strong Sexual Content Including Disturbing Behavior, Graphic Nudity, and Language

Running Time: 2 h 28 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story and Structure, Cinematography, Some Themes

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Pacing, Heavy Handed Themes

Brimstone (2016)

January 8, 2020

A young mute woman is tracked by a mysterious preacher.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Martin Koolhoven, Dakota Fanning, Emilia Jones, Kit Harrington, R
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Che: Part Two (2008)

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Rodrigo Santoro, Demian Bichir, Matt Damon (Cameo)

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Violence and Language)

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Che: Part Two (2008)

January 3, 2020

In 1967, Che leads a small army against the Bolivian government.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Historical, Epic Tags Steven Soderbergh, 2008, Benicio Del Toro, Rodrigo Santoro, Demian Bichir, Matt Damon
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Light of My Life (2019)

Directed by: Casey Affleck

Starring: Casey Affleck, Anna Pniowsky, Elisabeth Moss, Tom Bower

Rated: R for Some Violence

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing, Predictable

Light of My Life (2019)

January 1, 2020

After a plague wipes out most of the female population, a father must fight to keep his immune eleven-year-old daughter safe from the men who might wish her harm. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Thriller Tags Casey Affleck, Anna Pniowsky, Elisabeth Moss, Tom Bower, 4 Stars, 2019
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Uncut Gems (2019)

Directed by: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Starring: Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, The Weekend, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Language, Violence, Some Sexual Content and Brief Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Pacing, Soundtrack, Editing

WEAKNESSES: -

Uncut Gems (2019)

December 31, 2019

Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler and compulsive gambling addict, makes a series of high stakes bets in an attempt to score a huge win, while simultaneously avoiding his bookies, and balancing his wife, kids and his mistress.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Noir, Thriller Tags Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, The Weekend, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian, 2019, 5 Stars
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Star Wars: Episode IX - Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Ian McDiarmid

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 21m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Humor, Broad Story Strokes

Weakness: CGI, Scene Execution, Predictability

Star Wars: Episode IX - Rise of Skywalker (2019)

December 20, 2019

With Emperor Palpatine’s presence now looming, Kylo Ren is hunting him down in a power mad frenzy, Rey is drawn to attempting to save Ren, and the entire resistance must band together to defeat an ancient foe, one last time.

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi Tags Michael McDonald, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Ian McDiarmid, J.J. Abrams, Star Wars, Episode IX, Rise of Skywalker, 2019, 3 Stars, PG-13
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Directed By: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Ben Mendelsohn,

Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 13m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Broad Story Strokes, Climax

Weakness: Muddled Plot, Main Characters

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

December 20, 2019

Jyn Erso has been living and surviving aimlessly since The Empire killed her mother and captured her father to help build the Death Star. When the rebellion asks her to join an effort to steal plans for the doomsday weapon

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In Action, Adventure, Buddy Movies, Fantasy, Sci Fi, War Tags Michael McDonald, Rogue One, A Star Wars Story, 2016, Gareth Edwards, Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen, PG-13, 3 Stars
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