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Last Action Hero (1993)

Directed By: John McTiernan

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance, Austin O'Brien

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2h 10m

TMM Score: 5

Strengths: Arnold, Nostalgia, Meta

Weakness: Length, Kid Acting

Last Action Hero (1993)

September 20, 2019

When a movie obsessed kid gets magically transported into his favorite action series of films, he finds out the difference between a movie world hero and a real life one.


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In Action, Adventure, Buddy Movies, Children's Movies, Comedy, Coming of Age, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance, Austin O'Brien, Last Action Hero, 1993, John McTiernan, PG-13, 5 Stars
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Broadcast News (1987)

Directed by: James L Brooks

Starring: William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, Joan Cusack, Christian Clemenson, Jack Nicholson

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 13 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Writing, Directing, Acting, Satire

WEAKNESSES: Some Cheesy Moments

Broadcast News (1987)

September 16, 2019

A behind the scenes look at the lives of two male television reporters and one female producer, all of whom are incredibly driven. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Romance Tags James L Brooks, William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, Joan Cusack, Christian Clemenson, Jack Nicholson, 1987, 4 Stars, R
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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Directed by: John Hughes

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 h 43 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Humor, Inventive Writing, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

September 13, 2019

A popular high school student skips school and his principal tries to catch him in the act.

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In Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama Tags Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, John Hughes, 1986, PG-13, 3.5 Stars
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Nashville (1975)

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall, Robert DoQui, Ned Beatty, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Harris, Jeff Goldblum

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 40 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Satire

WEAKNESSES: -

Nashville (1975)

September 13, 2019

An ensemble film that satires American culture and politics in the 1970s. 

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In Anthology, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Epic, Musical, Romance Tags Robert Altman, Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall, Robert DoQui, Ned Beatty, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Harris, Jeff Goldblum, R, 5 Stars
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Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Directed By: Amy Heckerling

Starring: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 30m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Characters

Weakness: It Has Aged

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

September 12, 2019

The students of Ridgemont High explore their burgeoning adulthood and all the relationships, responsibility, and awkwardness that adolescence brings.

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In Comedy, Coming of Age Tags Michael McDonald, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982, 3 Stars, Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Amy Heckerling
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Superbad (2007)

Directed by: Greg Mottola

Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Emma Stone, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen

Rated: R for Pervasive Crude and Sexual Content, Strong Language, Drinking, Some Drug Use and a Brief Violent Image - All Involving Teens

Running Time: 2h

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Nostalgic, Hilarious Characters, Trend Setter

WEAKNESSES: Convenient Story Beats

Superbad (2007)

September 11, 2019

The final year of high school better be the best one for three friends.

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In Comedy, Coming of Age Tags Karl Nagurski, Superbad, Comedy, 4.5 Stars, Rated R, Greg Mottola, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Emma Stone, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen
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Easy A (2010)

Directed By: Will Gluck

Starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 1h 32m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Humor

Weakness: Harsh Treatment of Specific Group

Easy A (2010)

September 11, 2019

When responsible and uncool high school student Olive helps a gay friend stay in the closet, by pretending she had sex with him, her popularity booms and she finds out just how alluring the rumor mill’s power of popularity really is.

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In Comedy, Coming of Age Tags Michael McDonald, Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, PG-13, Will Gluck, 3 Stars, 2010, Easy A
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The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto

Rated: R for Sexual Content, Language and Some Drinking- All Involving Teens

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Acting, Humor

WEAKNESSES: A Few Cheesy Moments

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

September 10, 2019

Life gets more complicated for a high school student after her best friend starts dating her brother. 

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In Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Romance Tags Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto, Kelly Fremon Craig, 4 Stars, 2016
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Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)

Directed by: Jaromil Jires

Starring: Jaroslava Schallerova, Helena Anyzovz, Petr Kopriva

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Nudity, Thematic Elements, and Two Scenes of Animal Cruelty)

Running Time: 1 h 17 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Strength of Themes, Production Design, Cinematography, Mis-En-Scene

WEAKNESSES: Sexualizes a Thirteen Year Old Girl, Two Scenes of Animal Cruelty

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)

September 9, 2019

A young girl whom lives in a surreal and fantastical world, finds herself being quested after, influenced, and tricked by vampires, bishops, men and women alike as she approaches womanhood. 

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In Adventure, Coming of Age, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Drama, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Jaroslava Schallerova, Helena Anyzovz, Petr Kopriva, Jaromil Jires, 1970, NR, 4 Stars
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Kick Ass (2010)

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 57m

TMM Score: 3 Stars (I liked it)

Strengths: High Concept, Nicolas Cage, Fun

Weakness: Acting

Kick Ass (2010)

September 6, 2019

Dave, a comic book nerd high school outcast, is tired of the petty crimes surrounding him and decides to fight back. Inspired by his love of comic heroes, he becomes Kick Ass the crime fighter. If only he had powers.

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In Action, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Fantasy, Superhero Tags Michael McDonald, Matthew Vaughn, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, R Rated, 3 Stars, Kick Ass, 2010
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A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Directed by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Starring: David Niven, Kim Hunter, Robert Coote, Kathleen Byron, Richard Attenborough, Marius Goring, Roger Livesey

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept, Production Design, Special Effects, Humor, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

September 6, 2019

After a British pilot miraculously survives jumping from his plane without a parachute, all the powers of heaven convene for a court case to see if he should be allowed to live. 

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In Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Romance Tags Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, David Niven, Kim Hunter, Robert Coote, Kathleen Byron, Richard Attenborough, Marius Goring, Roger Livesey, 4 Stars, 1946
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Men in Black: International (2019)

Directed by: F. Gary Gray

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kumail Nanjiani

Rated: PG-13 for Sci-Fi Action, Some Language and Suggestive Material

Running Time: 1 h 54 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Tessa Thompson

WEAKNESSES: Story Structure, Directing, Pacing

Men in Black: International (2019)

September 3, 2019

  The Men in Black search for a mole amongst their ranks.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir, Sci Fi Tags Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kumail Nanjiani, F. Gary Gray, PG-13, 1.5 Stars, 2019
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Three Colors: White (1994)

Directed by: Krysztof Kieslowski

Starring: Zbigniew Zamachowski, Julie Delpy, Janusz Gajos

Rated: R for Some Sexuality and Language

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Cinematography, Acting, Directing, Humor

WEAKNESSES: -

Three Colors: White (1994)

August 30, 2019

After his wife divorces him, a Polish immigrant plots to get even with her. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Romance, Crime, Foreign Film Tags Krysztof Kieslowski, Zbigniew Zamachowski, Julie Delpy, Janusz Gajos, R, 4.5 Stars, 1994
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The Saragossa Manuscript (1965)

Directed by: Wojciech Has

Starring: Zbigniew Cybulski, Iga Cembrzynska, Elzbieta Czyzewksa

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

Running Time: 3 h 2 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Unexpected Humor, Production Design, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

The Saragossa Manuscript (1965)

August 28, 2019

A soldier in a war finds a book that recounts a tale of a soldier traveling through Spain and meeting a variety of characters, many of who have stories of their own to tell. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Wojciech Has, Zbigniew Cybulski, Iga Cembrzynska, Elzbieta Czyzewksa, 1965, NR, 4 Stars
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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Matthiew Amalric, Adrein Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Billy Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Lea Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson

Rated: R for Language, Some Sexual Content and Violence

Running Time: 1 h 39 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Mis-En-Scene, Writing, Production Design, Characters, Story, Fun

WEAKNESSES: -

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

August 26, 2019

The adventures of the legendary concierge Gustave H at the famous Grand Budapest Hotel between the first and second World Wars. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller Tags Wes Anderson, Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Matthiew Amalric, Adrein Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Billy Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Lea Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, R, 5 Stars
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Adaptation (2002)

Directed By: Spike Jonze

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton, Brian Cox

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 55m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Story, Acting

Weakness: None

Adaptation (2002)

August 23, 2019

A writer struggles to complete a screenplay which is based on a book which was based on an article which was based on an incident which had transcendental effect on the author.

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In Drama, Buddy Movies, Comedy Tags Michael McDonald, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton, Brian Cox, R Rated, 5 Stars, Adaptation, 2002
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Army of One (2016)

Directed By: Larry Charles

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Russell Brand, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Paul Scheer, Will Sasso, Rainn Wilson

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 32m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Nic Cage

Weakness: Uninspired Directing, Pacing

Army of One (2016)

August 22, 2019

When Gary Faulkner is told by God to go get Osama Bin Laden he struggles with his Holy Quest/Life balance.

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In Biographical, Comedy, Fantasy Tags Michael McDonald, Nicolas Cage, Russell Brand, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Paul Scheer, Will Sasso, Rainn Wilson, Larry Charles, Army of One, 2016, R, 3 Stars
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Face/Off (1997)

Directed by: John Woo

Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Alessandro Nivola, Joan Allen

Rated: R for Intense Sequences of Strong Violence, and For Strong Language

Running Time: 2 h 18 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects and Stunts, Ridiculous Performances, Bizarre Story

WEAKNESSES: Logic, Hokey 90s Moments

Face/Off (1997)

August 21, 2019

An FBI agent undergoes a facial transplant surgery to work his way into a terrorist sect, but the plan goes awry when the terrorist whose face he stole impersonates the FBI agent. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags John Woo, 1997, 3.5 Stars, John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Alessandro Nivola, Joan Allen
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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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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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