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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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Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

Directed by: Russ Meyer

Starring: Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, John Lazar, Michael Blodgett, David Gurian

Rated: NC-17

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Characters, Themes, Story, Soundtrack, Editing, Overall Insanity

WEAKNESSES: Monologue at the End

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

December 5, 2019

Three girls in a band travel to Hollywood to make it big, but instead only find drugs, promiscuity, and a procession of insane characters. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller Tags Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, John Lazar, Michael Blodgett, David Gurian, 1970, Russ Meyer, NC-17, 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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The Bear (1988)

Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Starring: Jack Wallace, Tcheky Karyo, Youk the Bear, Bart the Bear

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Cinematography, Story, Simplicity

WEAKNESSES: -

The Bear (1988)

November 29, 2019

An orphaned bear cub teams up with an adult male and the pair try to dodge human hunters. 

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic Tags Jack Wallace, Tcheky Karyo, Youk the Bear, Bart the Bear, 1988, PG, 5 Stars
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The Age of Innocence (1993)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Miriam Margolyes, Richard E Grant, Geraldine Chaplin

Rated: PG for Thematic Elements and Some Mild Language

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Production Design, Themes, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

The Age of Innocence (1993)

November 28, 2019

A young lawyer in high society 1870s New York falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman’s cousin. 

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In Drama, Romance Tags Martin Scorsese, Daniel Day-Lewis Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Miriam Margolyes, Richard E Grant, Geraldine Chaplin, PG, 4.5 Stars
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Kundun (1997)

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 14m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Production Design, Direction

Weaknesses: NA

Kundun (1997)

November 28, 2019

The story of the Dalai Lama’s discovery, search for enlightenment, and eventual exile from Tibet.

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In Biographical, Art House, Drama, Epic, Historical Tags Michael McDonald, Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin, Martin Scorsese, 1997, Kundun, R Rated, 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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Shutter Island (2010)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson

Rated: R for Disturbing Violent Content, Language and Some Nudity

Running Time: 2h 19m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Visceral, Unrestrained, Demands and Rewards Multiple Views

WEAKNESSES: -

Shutter Island (2010)

November 27, 2019

Two detectives search for a missing psych ward patient on Shutter Island, but there’s more to this island than meets the eye…

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In Drama, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Shutter Island, Martin Scorsese, Drama, Thriller, Rated R, 5 stars, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson
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Raging Bull (1980)

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 9m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Acting, Cinematography

Weakness: A Little Slow, Requires Some Prior Knowledge

Raging Bull (1980)

November 27, 2019

Jake LaMotta rises through the ranks of the middleweight boxing world but is less adept at navigating through life with his own family and community.

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In Art House, Biographical, Drama, Sports Tags Michael McDonald, Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese, R Rated, 4 Stars, Raging Bull, 1980
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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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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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Pain & Glory (2019)

Directed By: Pedro Almodovar

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Penelope Cruz

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 53m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Performances, Color, Subtlety

Weakness: Perhaps Length, perhaps...

Pain & Glory (2019)

November 21, 2019

An aging filmmaker, who has taken a years long hiatus from directing, re-examines his life as he reconnects with the people and memories that are dredged up from his past when his old breakout film is given a 30 year remastering and special screening.

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In Art House, Drama, Foreign Film Tags Michael McDonald, Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Penelope Cruz, R Rated, Pedro Almodóvar, Pain & Glory, 2019, 5 Stars
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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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