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Rocketman (2019)

Directed by: Dexter Fletcher

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard

Rated: R for Language Throughout, Some Drug Use and Sexual Content

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Music, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Ending

Rocketman (2019)

July 9, 2019

A musical that looks at the breakthrough years of Elton John. 

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In Biographical, Art House, Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Musical, Romance Tags Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard Rating:, Dexter Fletcher, 2019, R
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Moonlight (2016)

Directed by: Barry Jenkins

Starring: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes, Alex Hibbert, Janelle Monae, Ashton Sanders

Rated: R for Some Sexuality, Drug Use, Brief Violence, and Language Throughout

Running Time: 1 h 51 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Cinematography, Acting, Themes and Message

WEAKNESSES: -

Moonlight (2016)

July 5, 2019

A closeted gay black man in a rough neighborhood in Miami struggles to define who he is and what that means over the course of his life. 

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In Art House, Coming of Age, Drama, Romance Tags Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes, Alex Hibbert, Janelle Monae, Ashton Sanders, 2016, Barry Jenkins, 5 Stars
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Midsommar (2019)

Directed by: Ari Aster

Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter, Anders Back, Ellora Torchia

Rated: R for Disturbing Ritualistic Violence and Grisly Images, Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Drug Use and Language

Running Time: 2 h 27 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, World Building, Themes, Cinematography, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing

Midsommar (2019)

July 4, 2019

A couple whose relationship is on the fritz travels to Sweden for a midsummer festival which, they soon learn, finds its roots in pagan ritual.

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In Adventure, Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Thriller Tags Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter, Anders Back, Ellora Torchia, Ari Aster, 2019, 4 Stars
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If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Directed By: Barry Jenkins

Starring: Kiki Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Tayonna Parris, Coleman Domingo, Diego Luna, Dave Franco

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 59m

TMM Score: 5

Strengths: Story, Acting, Cinematography

Weakness: None

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

July 3, 2019

In 1970’s Harlem, Tish and Fonny, a young couple, bind their souls to each other with love, though the world seems hell-bent on breaking that bond.

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In Art House, Coming of Age, Drama, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Kiki Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Tayonna Parris, Coleman Domingo, Diego Luna, Dave Franco, Barry Jenkins, 2018, If Beale Street Could Talk, R Rated, 5 Stars
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Annie Hall (1977)

Directed by: Woody Allen

Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Shelley Duvall, Christopher Walken

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Influence

WEAKNESSES: Some Outdated Sexual Ideas, Some Gags Go On A Little Too Long

Annie Hall (1977)

July 1, 2019

A neurotic New York comedian falls in love with a ditzy girl.

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In Art House, Comedy, Drama, Romance Tags Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Shelley Duvall, Christopher Walken, 1977, PG, 4.5 Stars
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Her Smell (2018)

Directed by: Alex Ross Perry

Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Angel Christian Roman, Cara Delevinge, Dan Stevens, Ashley Benson, Amber Heard, Virginia Madsen

Rated: R for Language Throughout and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 14 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Elisabeth Moss, Directing, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length, Cheesy Ending

Her Smell (2018)

July 1, 2019

A punk rocker falls victim to her self-destructive lifestyle and must fight for her sobriety.

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In Art House, Drama, Musical Tags Elisabeth Moss, Angel Christian Roman, Cara Delevinge, Dan Stevens, Ashley Benson, Amber Heard, Virginia Madsen, Alex Ross Perry, R, 3 Stars
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Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

Directed By: Werner Herzog

Starring: Klaus Kinski, Ruy Guerra, Helena Rojo

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 35m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production

Weakness: None

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

June 27, 2019

A group of Spanish conquistadors follow rumors of a golden city down river. Soon it becomes apparent that they do not follow the river to their fortunes but rather, to their demise.

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In Art House, Cinema World Tour, Drama, Epic, Foreign Film Tags Michael McDonald, Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, Ruy Guerra, Helena Rojo, NR, 5 Stars
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Paris, Texas (1984)

Directed By:Wim Wenders

Starring: Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 25m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Creation of Emotional Space

Weakness: Length, Pacing

Paris, Texas (1984)

June 26, 2019

Travis Henderson has been a driftor for years but now he has returned and wants to try and reconnect with his family, including his son who is being raised by his brother.

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In Art House, Drama Tags Michael McDonald, Paris Texas, 1984, Wim Wenders, Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell, R Rated, 5 Stars
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Wings of Desire (1987)

Directed By: Wim Wenders

Starring: Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Peter Falk

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 8m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Dialogue, Direction

Weakness: Maybe a Bit Slow

Wings of Desire (1987)

June 25, 2019

An angel, eternal spirit of observation, grows envious of humanity’s finite existence and corporal nature.

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In Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Wings of Desire, 1987, Wim Wenders, Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Peter Falk, PG-13, 5 Stars
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Beach Bum (2019)

Directed By: Harmony Korine

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg, Stefania LaVie Owen, Martin Lawrence, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill, Jimmy Buffett

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 35m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Characters

Weakness: Story

Beach Bum (2019)

June 18, 2019

An aging stoner poet struggles to write a book and navigate the storms caused when his slacker philosophy meets ordinary and not so ordinary folk.

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In Art House, Comedy Tags Michael McDonald, Beach Bum, 2019, R Rated, 3 Stars, Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg, Stefania LaVie Owen, Martin Lawrence, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill, Jimmy Buffet, Harmony Korine, Jimmy Buffett
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High Life (2018)

Directed by: Claire Denis

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth

Rated: R for Disturbing Sexual and Violent Content Including Sexual Assault, Graphic Nudity, and For Language

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Story Structure, Acting, Cinematography, Unique Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Some Production Design

High Life (2018)

June 17, 2019

A father and daughter struggle to survive in deep space.

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In Adventure, Art House, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, 2018, Claire Denis, 4 Stars
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Tideland (2005)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Jodelle Ferland, Brendan Fletcher, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly

Rated: R Rated

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Concept

Weakness: Gross, Meandering

Tideland (2005)

June 13, 2019

Jeliza-Rose’s parents are a couple of dead beat drug addicts. The only thing keeping her from going insane is a vivid imagination and the imaginary friends she invents as she lives on an old abandoned country estate.

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In Art House, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Tideland, 2005, Terry Gilliam, Jodelle Ferland, Brendan Fletcher, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly, R Rated, 3 Stars
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Knife in the Water (1962)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Thematic Material)

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Knife in the Water (1962)

June 13, 2019

A couple picks up a hitchhiker on their way to a sailing trip and decides to bring him along. 

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Foreign Film, Romance, Thriller, Noir Tags Roman Polanski, Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz, NR, 4.5 Stars, 1962
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12 Monkeys (1999)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 9m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Story, Directorial Vision

Weakness: Some Acting

12 Monkeys (1995)

June 12, 2019

A man, possibly insane, is experiencing schizophrenic visions or possibly time travel. It’s hard for him to tell or know which version of reality is true as he attempts to track down the perpetrators of a world wide terrorist strike.

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In Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Terry Gilliam, 12 Monkeys, 1999, R Rated, 4 Stars
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Repulsion (1965)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Violence, and Disturbing/Sexual Content)

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Production Design, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

Repulsion (1965)

June 11, 2019

A sex-repulsed young woman slowly sinks into madness.

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In Art House, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags 1965, Roman Polanski, Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux, NR, 5 Stars
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The New World (2005)

Directed By: Terrence Malick

Starring: Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, David Thewlis, Ben Mendelsohn

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 15m

TMM Score: 5

Strengths: Acting, Production Design, Cinematography

Weakness: None

The New World (2005)

June 6, 2019

When the British arrive in Virginia, they expect to find a new land teeming with gold and people who are outclassed in weaponry, religion, and culture. What they find instead is a young woman who discovers that not all new worlds are physical places.

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In Art House, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Romance Tags Michael McDonald, Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, David Thewlis, Ben Mendelsohn, PG-13, 5 Stars, Terrence Malick, 2005, The New World
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Scanners (1981)

Directed By: David Cronenberg

Starring: Stephen Lack, Jeniffer O’Neill, Patrick McGoohan, Michael Ironside

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 43m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Special Effects, Surreal Atmosphere

Weakness: Confusing Plot Thread

Scanners (1981)

June 5, 2019

A man discovers he possesses psychic powers and soon finds he might be the only one who can stop a rogue psychic who keeps killing people with his powers.

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In Art House, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Sci Fi, Mystery, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, David Cronenberg, Stephen Lack, Jenniffer O’Neill, Patrick McGoohan, Michael Ironside, R Rated, 5 Stars, Scanners, 1981
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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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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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The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Adam Driver, Jonathon Pryce, Joana Ribeiro, Stellan Skarsgard, Olga Kurylenko

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 12m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Production Design, Grand Concept

Weakness: Length

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

May 2, 2019

Toby, a disillusioned director, recalls his younger days wherein he made a short film as a student, starring a peasant cobbler as Don Quixote. As he flees his current project he and the cobbler are reunited only to discover the cobbler believes he really is Don Quixote still, and Toby begins to slip into insanity himself.

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In Adventure, Art House, Buddy Movies, Comedy, Epic, Drama, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Terry Gilliam, Adam Driver, Jonathon Pryce, Joana Ribeiro, Stellan Skarsgard, Olga Kurylenko, R Rated, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018), 5 Stars
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