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The Gold Rush (1925)

Directed by: Charlie Chaplin

Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Georgia Hale

Rated: NR (Suggested PG for Mild Comic Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Humor, Story, Acting, Cinematography, Production Design, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: -

The Gold Rush (1925)

May 15, 2019

A prospector goes to Alaska in search of gold, and ends up finding so much more.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Silent, Romance, Western Tags Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Georgia Hale, 1925
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Fighting with My Family (2019)

Directed by: Stephen Merchant

Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Merchant

Rated: PG-13 for Crude and Sexual Material, Language Throughout, Some Violence and Drug Content

Running Time: 1 h 48 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Follows Sports Movie Cliches

Fighting with My Family (2019)

May 13, 2019

The true story of Saraya-Jade Bevis AKA Paige, the WWE superstar.

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In Biographical, Comedy, Coming of Age, Sports Tags Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Merchant, PG-13, 2019, 3.5 Stars
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Blaze (2018)

Directed by: Ethan Hawke

Starring: Ben Dickey, Alia Shawkat, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Linklater, Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Charlie Sexton

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

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Unique Structure, Acting, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

Blaze (2018)

May 13, 2019

A look at the life of Texas songwriting legend Blaze Foley.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Biographical, Drama, Romance Tags Ben Dickey, Alia Shawkat, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Linklater, Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Charlie Sexton, Ethan Hawke, 2018, 4.5 Stars
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Starring: Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay

Rated: G

Running Time: 1h 35m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Dark Setting, Beautiful Animation, Good Message, Great Music

WEAKNESSES: Overly Silly Characters, Some Strange Writing Choices

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

May 9, 2019

The Disney adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel.

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In Adventure, Animated, Comedy, Drama, Romance, Mystery, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, 1996, Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay, G, 4.5 Stars
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Mulan (1998)

Directed by: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook

Starring: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Soon-Tek Oh, James Hong, Pat Morita, Miguel Ferrer

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Music, Animation Style, Song, Excitement, Themes

WEAKNESSES: -

Mulan (1998)

May 7, 2019

Based on a Chinese legend, about a young girl whom disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s place in the army, and in doing so becomes one of China’s greatest heroes. 

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In Action, Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Romance, War Tags Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Soon-Tek Oh, James Hong, Pat Morita, Miguel Ferrer, 1998, 4.5 Stars, G, Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
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Robin Hood (1973)

Directed by: Wolfgang Reitherman

Starring: Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, Andy Devine, Peter Ustinov, Roger Miller

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Fun Scenes, Likeable Characters

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Reuses Animation

Robin Hood (1973)

May 6, 2019

A retelling of the story of Robin Hood and his struggle against the Sherriff of Nottingham starring humanoid animals.

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In Adventure, Children's Movies, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance Tags Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, Andy Devine, Peter Ustinov, Roger Miller, Wolfgang Reitherman, 1973, G, 3 Stars
2 Comments
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Chocolat (2000)

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom

Starring: Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Judi Dench, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lena Olin, Peter Stormare, Hugh O’Conor

Rated: PG-13 for a Scene of Sensuality and Some Violence

Running Time: 2 h 1 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Tone, Writing, Acting, Themes, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Cinematography, Editing

Chocolat (2000)

May 3, 2019

A single mother opens a chocolate shop in a conservative village in France, challenging the morals of the town. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Crime, Fantasy, Romance Tags Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Judi Dench, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lena Olin, Peter Stormare, Hugh O’Conor, 4 Stars, 2000
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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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Jabberwocky (1977)

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbitt, John Le Mesurier

Rated: PG

Run Time: 1h 45m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Directorial Voice, Humor

Weakness: Meandering Story

Jabberwocky (1977)

May 1, 2019

Dennis is a young man during the Dark Ages and he is ready to set out on his own. Of course, he sets out to the nearest city only to find that they won’t let anyone in because there are no available jobs. To top it off, there is a monster running loose in the woods killing everyone it meets.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbitt, John Le Mesurier, Jabberwocky, 1977, PG, 3 Stars, Terry Gilliam
1 Comment
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Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillian, Tessa Thompson, Bradley Cooper

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Science-Fi Violence and Action, and Some Language

Running Time: 3 h 1 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Subversion of Expectations, Character Development, Humor, Special Effects

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing, Fan Service

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

April 26, 2019

The remaining Avengers fight to undo the events at the end of “Avengers: Infinity War”.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Superhero, War, Thriller Tags Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillian, Tessa Thompson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Tom Holland, Zoe Saldana, Evangeline Lilly, Rene Russo, Elisabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Tom Hiddleston, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, John Slattery, Tilda Swinton, Natalie Portman, Marisa Tomei, Jon Faverau, Taiki Waititi, Cobie Smolders, William Hurt, Winston Duke, Linda Cadellini, Frank Grillo, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford, Stan Lee, 3.5 Stars, 2019, PG-13
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Observe and Report (2009)

Directed by: Jody Hill

Starring: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liota, Michael Pena, Jesse Plemmons

Rated: R for Pervasive Language, Graphic Nudity, Drug Use, Sexual Content and Violence

Running Time: 1h 26m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

STRENGTHS: Pitch Black Humor, Seth Rogen

WEAKNESSES: Weak Story, One Joke Goes Too Far, Anna Faris, Too Silly

Observe and Report (2009)

April 23, 2019

A bi-polar mall cop decides to be a police officer to take down a streaking menace.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Noir Tags Karl Nagurski, Seth Rogen, Michael Pena, Ray Liota, Anna Faris, Jesse Plemons, 3 stars, R
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Fellini Satyricon (1969)

Directed by: Federico Fellini

Starring: Martin Potter, Hiram Keller, Max Born

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 9 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Production Design, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Emotional Connection, Pacing

Fellini Satyricon (1969)

April 22, 2019

A series of bizarre events surround a young man’s journey through the hedonistic landscape of first century Rome.

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In Art House, Anthology, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Romance, Thriller Tags Martin Potter, Hiram Keller, Max Born, Federico Fellini, R, 1969, Fellini Satyricon, 4 Stars
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Dick Tracy (1990)

Directed by: Warren Beatty

Starring: Warren Beatty, Charlie Korsmo, Glenne Headly, Al Pacino, Madonna, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Kathy Bates, Dick Van Dyke, James Caan

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 45 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Direction, Makeup and Production Design, Acting, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Not For Everyone

Dick Tracy (1990)

April 22, 2019

A comic strip detective finds his life increasingly complicated as he investigates the notorious Big Boy Caprice’s mob.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Warren Beatty, Charlie Korsmo, Glenne Headly, Al Pacino, Madonna, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Kathy Bates, Dick Van Dyke, James Caan, PG, 4 Stars, 1990
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro

Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Alexander, Seth MacFarlane, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor, Luke Goss, John Hurt

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Action and Violence, and Some Language

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Characters, Writing, Production Design, Expanded World

WEAKNESSES: Some Coincidental Moments

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

April 18, 2019

The continuing adventures of Hellboy and his paranormal friends.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Epic, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Superhero, Thriller Tags Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Alexander, Seth MacFarlane, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor, Luke Goss, John Hurt, Guillermo Del Toro, PG-13, 4 Stars, 2008
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Hellboy (2004)

Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro

Starring: Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Action Violence and Frightening Images

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Production Design, Worldbuilding, Writing, Action, Characters

WEAKNESSES: Climax, Some Dated Effects

Hellboy (2004)

April 18, 2019

A demon that was brought from another dimension by Nazis is raised by a secret US organization to protect the world from darkness. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Noir, Thriller, Superhero Tags Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden, Guillermo Del Toro, PG-13, 3.5 Stars
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Fargo (1996)

Directed By: Joel & Ethan Coen

Starring: William H. Macey, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Frances McDormand, John Caroll Lynch, Larry Brandenberg

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 38m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Themes, Cinematography, Unique Setting

Weakness: None

Fargo (1996)

April 17, 2019

When Jerry Lundegaard, tired of scrounging for scraps and grinding as a failed car/undercoat salesman, decides to stage a kidnap and ransom of his wife to gain access to his father-in-law’s money and the mild mannered mid-westerner ends ends up in league with a violently pragmatic criminal cohort.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir Tags Michael McDonald, Joel & Ethan Coen, Fargo, 1996, William H. Macey, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Frances McDormand, John Caroll Lynch, Larry Brandenberg, R Rated, 5 Stars, Mid-Western, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
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Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong

Rated: PG-13 for Suggestive Content and Language

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Exploration of Culture, Attacks Classism

WEAKNESSES: Formulaic, Glorifies Materialism

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

April 15, 2019

An Asian-American economics professor travels to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s family, and is surprised to find his family is extraordinarily wealthy and class oriented.

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In Comedy, Drama, Romance, Adventure Tags Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, PG-13, Jon M. Chu, 3 Stars
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About Time (2013)

Directed by: Richard Curtis

Starring: Domhnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Lindsay Duncan, Lydia Wilson

Rated: R for Language and Some Sexual Content

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Intent, Some Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Unacknowledged Implications and Consequences

About Time (2013)

April 11, 2019

A young man discovers he can time travel and decides to use his newfound power to help land him a girlfriend. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance Tags Domhnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Lindsay Duncan, Lydia Wilson, Richard Curtis, 3.5 Stars, R, 2013
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Holmes and Watson (2018)

Directed by: Etan Cohen

Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Rebecca Hall, Ralph Fiennes, Kelly MacDonald, Pam Ferris

Rated: PG-13 for Crude Sexual Material, Some Violence, Language and Drug References

Running Time: 1h 29m

TMM Score: 1 Star

STRENGTHS: End Credits

WEAKNESSES: Literally Everything

Holmes and Watson (2018)

April 9, 2019

The beloved literary characters of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson take on their silliest mission yet.

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In Comedy Tags Karl Nagurski, Comedy, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilley, Ralph Fiennes, Kelly Macdonald, Pam Ferris, Etan Cohen, 2018, 1 Star, PG-13
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Shazam! (2019)

Directed by: David F. Sandberg

Starring: Zachary Levi, Djimon Hounsou, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, Marta Milans, Adam Brody

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Action, Language, and Suggestive Material

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Acting, Humor, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Never Breaks From Superhero Formula, Length

Shazam! (2019)

April 8, 2019

A fourteen-year-old foster kid is granted new powers that allow him to turn into a superhero.

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In Action, Adventure, Buddy Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Superhero Tags Zachary Levi, Djimon Hounson, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, Marta Milans, Adam Brody, David F. Sandberg, PG-13, 3 Stars
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