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Synonyms (2019)

Directed by: Navid Lapid

Starring: Tom Mercier, Quentin Dolmaire, Louise Chevillotte

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Strong Graphic Nudity and Sexual Content, and for Language)

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Story, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing Issues

Synonyms (2019)

December 20, 2019

A young Israeli man flees to Paris to begin a new life. 

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In Coming of Age, Drama, Crime Tags Navid Lapid, Tom Mercier, Quentin Dolmaire, Louise Chevillotte, NR, 4.5 Stars
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Doctor Sleep (2019)

Directed by: Mike Flanagan

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Emily Alyn Lind, Alex Essoe, Jacob Tremblay, Danny Lloyd

Rated: R for Disturbing Violent Content, Some Bloody Images, Language, Nudity and Drug Use

Running Time: 2 h 32 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Melding of Kubrick and King’s Worlds, Story, Acting, Ingenuity

WEAKNESSES: Pacing (Particularly in First Act), Length

Doctor Sleep (2019)

December 20, 2019

Years after the events of “The Shining”, Dan Torrance fights to protect a girl who possesses the same psychic ability as him. 

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In Adventure, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Emily Alyn Lind, Alex Essoe, Jacob Tremblay, Danny Lloyd, Mike Flanagan, 2019, 4 Stars, R
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The Report (2019)

Directed by: Scott Z. Burns

Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm, Corey Stoll, Maura Tierney, Michael C Hall, Tim Blake Nelson

Rated: R for Some Scenes of Inhumane Treatment and Torture, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

The Report (2019)

December 11, 2019

A senate staffer is tasked to lead an investigation into the CIA’s ‘Enhanced Interrogation Techniques.” 

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In Crime, Drama, Historical, Biographical, Mystery, Political, Thriller Tags Scott Z. Burns, Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm, Corey Stoll, Maura Tierney, Michael C Hall, Tim Blake Nelson, R
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Knives Out (2019)

Directed by: Rian Johnson

Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfeild, Christopher Plummer, Frank Oz, Riki Lindhome

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Elements Including Brief Violence, Some Strong Language, Sexual References, and Drug Material

Running Time: 2 h 10 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Subversion of Expectations, Writing, Directing, Acting, Humor, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Pacing in First Act

Knives Out (2019)

December 10, 2019

A gentleman sleuth investigates the death of a patriarch of an rich and eccentric family.

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In Drama, Crime, Mystery, Comedy Tags Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfeild, Christopher Plummer, Frank Oz, Riki Lindhome, 2019, Rian Johnson, PG-13, 4.5 Stars
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Chappie (2015)

Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Yo-Landi Visser

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Emotional Connection, Worldbuilding, Unique Characters

Weakness: Some Fortunate Coincidences

Chappie (2015)

December 10, 2019

When the engineer behind the world’s first robotic police force goes against orders to crack the code for Artificial Intelligence he is forced to enlist a group of gangsters to help him ‘raise’ his new creation into adulthood.

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In Action, Coming of Age, Crime, Drama, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Chappie, 2019, Neill Blomkamp, 4 Stars, R Rated, Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Yo-Landi Visser
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The Honeymoon Killers (1970)

Directed by: Leonard Kastle

Starring: Shirley Stoler, Tony Lo Bianco, Dortha Duckworth, Doris Roberts

Rated: R

Running Time:1 h 47 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Direction, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing in First Act

The Honeymoon Killers (1970)

December 9, 2019

The true story of con artists turned serial killers, Martha Beck and Ray Fernandez.

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller Tags Shirley Stoler, Tony Lo Bianco, Dortha Duckworth, Doris Roberts, Leonard Kastle, 1970, R, 4 Stars
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Ready or Not (2019)

Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

Starring: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien

Rated: R for Violence, Bloody Images, Language Throughout, and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Good Balance of Horror and Humor

WEAKNESSES: Treads On Familiar Ground

Ready or Not (2019)

December 6, 2019

A bride’s wedding night takes a horrific turn after her in-laws force her to participate in a game.

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In Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Thriller, Slasher, Horror Tags Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, 2019, R
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Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Directed by: Adrian Grunberg

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Yvette Monreal, Adriana Barraza, Sergio Peris-Mencheta

Rated: R for Strong Graphic Violence, Grisly Images, Drug Use and Language

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 1.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Last Twenty Minutes Are Pretty Funny

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Story, Tone, Themes, Pacing

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

December 6, 2019

Rambo takes on Mexican drug cartels.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller Tags Sylvester Stallone, Yvette Monreal, Adriana Barraza, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adrian Grunberg, 2019, 1.5 Stars
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Valley of the Dolls (1967)

Directed by: Mark Robson

Starring: Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Sharon Tate, Paul Burke

Rated: PG-13 for Thematic Elements Involving Substance Abuse, Some Sexual Content, Partial Nudity and Language

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Camp, Some Music, Historical Context

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Valley of the Dolls (1967)

December 4, 2019

The rise and fall of three young women in show business. 

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In Drama, Crime, Romance, Thriller Tags Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Sharon Tate, Paul Burke, Mark Robson
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The Irishman (2019)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jesse Plemons

Rated: R for Pervasive Language and Strong Violence

Running Time: 3 h 29 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Production Design, Scope, World Building

WEAKNESSES: -

The Irishman (2019)

December 2, 2019

A mob hitman recounts his possible involvement with the killing of Jimmy Hoffa.

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In Crime, Drama, Epic, Historical, Mystery, Political, Thriller Tags Martin Scorsese, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jesse Plemons, 2019, 5 Stars
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Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)

Directed by: Russ Meyer

Starring: Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams, Ray Barlow, Sue Bernard, Dennis Busch, Stuart Lancaster, Paul Trinka

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Violence and Suggestive Content)

Running Time: 1 h 23 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Story, Characters, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Exploitative Nature Won’t Appeal to Everyone

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)

December 2, 2019

After three Go-Go dancers kill a man and kidnap a young girl, they come across an old man living with his two sons in the desert, and they plan to rob him of his fortune. 

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In Exploitation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Thriller Tags Russ Meyer, Tura Satana, Haji, Lori Williams, Ray Barlow, Sue Bernard, Dennis Busch, Stuart Lancaster, Paul Trinka, 1965, 4 Stars
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Cape Fear (1991)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Juliette Lewis, Jessica Lange, Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum

Rated: R for Strong Violence, and for Language

Running Time: 2h 8m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Robert De Niro, Direction, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Silly Last Act

Cape Fear (1991)

November 27, 2019

After a man is released from prison, he seeks revenge on his lawyer who let him get convicted…

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In Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Cape Fear, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Juliette Lewis, Jessica Lange, Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Rated R, 4 Stars, Thriller, Drama
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Goodfellas (1990)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro

Rated: R for Strong Brutal Violence, Pervasive Strong Language, Drug Use, and Some Sexuality

Running Time: 2h 28m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Direction, Performances, Best of the Genre

WEAKNESSES: -

Goodfellas (1990)

November 26, 2019

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a gangster…

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In Action, Crime, Drama Tags Karl Nagurski, Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, R Rated, Drama, Thriller, Action
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Mean Streets (1973)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro, Amy Robinson, Richard Romanus

Rated: R for Strong Violence and Language Throughout

Running Time: 1h 52m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Performances, Story, Direction

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Outdated Material

Mean Streets (1973)

November 26, 2019

Johnny Boy gets in over his head with a loan shark…

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In Drama, Crime, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Mean Streets, Martin Scorsese, Crime, Thriller, Drama, Rated r, 4 stars, Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro, Amy Robinson, Richard Romanus
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The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971)

Directed by: Duccio Tessari

Starring: Helmut Berger, Giancarlo Sbragia, Evelyn Steart, Silvano Tranquilli, Wendy D’Olive

Rated: NR (Suggested R for A Scene of Sexuality, Some Violence and Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 1 h 39 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Perspective, Twist, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Some Pacing, Some Melodrama

The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971)

November 25, 2019

After a young girl is murdered in a park, a television anchor is arrested for her murder, but murders of a similar style soon follow. 

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In Drama, Crime, Foreign Film, Mystery, Thriller Tags Helmut Berger, Giancarlo Sbragia, Evelyn Steart, Silvano Tranquilli, Wendy D’Olive, Duccio Tessari, NR, 3.5 Stars
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The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favrea, Jean Dujardin, Shea Whigham, Cristin Milioti

Rated: R for Sequences of Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Drug Use and Language Throughout, and For Some Violence

Running Time: 3 h

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, General Insanity, Themes

WEAKNESSES:

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

November 25, 2019

The rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a criminal Wall Street stocker broker.

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Comedy, Thriller Tags Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favrea, Jean Dujardin, Shea Whigham, Cristin Milioti, Martin Scorsese, 2013
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Paycheck (2003)

Directed by: John Woo

Starring: Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Michael C. Hall

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Action Violence and Brief Language

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept, Some Action

WEAKNESSES: Direction, Lack of Sublety

Paycheck (2003)

November 22, 2019

A reverse engineer whom has had his memory wiped finds himself in a deadly chase. Using an envelope of clues, he tries to puzzle together who is after him and why. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Spy Film Tags Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Michael C. Hall, 2003, John Woo, 2.5 Stars
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The Professor and the Madman (2019)

Directed by: Farhad Safinia

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Eddie Marsan, Natalie Dormer, Steve Coogan, Ioan Gruffud

Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Violence and Thematic Elements)

Running Time: 2 h 4 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Melodrama, Length, Undeveloped Themes

The Professor and the Madman (2019)

November 22, 2019

A Professor at Oxford University starts to compile a dictionary and finds enormous help from a man who has been imprisoned at a madhouse for murder. 

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In Biographical, Crime, Drama, Historical Tags Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Eddie Marsan, Natalie Dormer, Steve Coogan, Ioan Gruffud, 2019, 2 Stars, Farhad Safinia
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The American Friend (1977)

Directed by: Wim Wenders

Starring: Bruno Ganz, Dennis Hopper

Rated: R for Violence and Language

Running Time: 2h 6m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Direction, Cinematography, Writing, Performances

WEAKNESSES: -

The American Friend (1977)

November 20, 2019

Jonathan, a man dying of cancer, wanting nothing more than to provide for his family is given a job to kill a man for a lot of money. But Jonathan is no gunman…

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In Drama, Crime, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, The American Friend, Wim Wenders, Bruno Ganz, Dennis Hopper, Rated R, 5 stars, Drama, Crime, Thriller
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Casino (1995)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles

Rated: R for Strong Brutal Violence, Pervasive Strong Language, Drug Use and Some Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 58 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Length

Casino (1995)

November 18, 2019

Adapted from the true story of Las Vegas mobsters Lefty Rosenthal and Tony Spilotro.

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In Crime, Drama, Epic, Biographical, Romance, Thriller Tags Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Martin Scorsese, 1995, 3.5 Stars, R
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