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Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

Directed By: Frank Lloyd

Starring: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone

Rated: NR

Run Time: 2h 12m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Production Design, Acting, Story

Weakness: None

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

August 14, 2019

A ship’s crew, under the fierce cruelty of their captain, leads a mutiny which became famous and changed British attitudes toward nautical law.

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In Adventure, Drama, Epic Tags Michael McDonald, Mutiny on the Bounty, 1935, Frank Lloyd, Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, NR, 5 Stars
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Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington

Rated: R for Intense Prolonged Realistically Graphic Sequences of War Violence Including Grisly Bloody Images

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Story, Themes, Acting, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing in First Half

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

August 12, 2019

The true story of Desmond Doss, a soldier who helped to save wounded at the Battle of Okinawa without ever firing a shot at the enemy. 

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In Action, Adventure, Biographical, Christian Film, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Mel Gibson, Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, 4 Stars, 2016
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Directed by: Mike Newell

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robert Pattinson, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Tom Felton, Clemence Poesy, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Fantasy Violence and Frightening Images

Running Time: 2 h 37 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Special Effects, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Directing, Some Acting, Pacing in First Half

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

July 31, 2019

The fourth entry in the Harry Potter series pits him up against his greatest challenge yet: The Triwizard Tournament.

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In Action, Adventure, Coming of Age, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Thriller Tags Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robert Pattinson, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Tom Felton, Clemence Poesy, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Mike Newell, 3.5 Stars, 2005, PG-13
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The Last Emperor (1987)

Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci

Starring: John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 3 h 39 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Characters, Locations and Production Design, Story, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Length, Pacing

The Last Emperor (1987)

July 29, 2019

The story of Pu Yi the last emperor of China.

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In Adventure, Biographical, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic Tags 1987, PG-13, 4.5 Stars, Bernardo Bertolucci, John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole
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Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino

Rated: R for Language Throughout, Some Strong Graphic Violence, Drug Use, and Sexual References

Running Time: 2 h 41 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Characters, Acting, Story, Homage, Cameos, Soundtrack, Humor

WEAKNESSES: Absolutely Nothing

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

July 27, 2019

An aging TV star and his stunt double try to achieve fame and fortune in the last years of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

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In Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Austin Butler, Sydney Sweeney, Margaret Qualley, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Luke Perry, Damian Lewis, Emile Hirsch, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Scoot McNairy, Lena Dunham, Maya Hawke, Rafal Zawierucha, Mike Moh, Lorenza Izzo, Damon Herriman, Harley Quinn Smith, Quentin Tarantino
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Kill Bill Vol 2 (2004)

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Dreyfus, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shin'ichi Chiba, Michael Madsen

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 51m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Editing, Choreography, Characters, Dialogue, Soundtrack

Weakness: None

Kill Bill Vol 2 (2004)

July 25, 2019

The Bride was murdered by Bill on her wedding day, or so he thought. Now, the former assassin has woken from her coma and is out for revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who ruined her life and then, finally, she is going to kill Bill.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Western Tags Michael McDonald, Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Dreyfus, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shin'ichi Chiba, Michael Madsen, Kill Bill, 2003, 2004, Rated R, Quentin Tarantino, 5 Stars
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Kill Bill Vol 1 (2003)

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Dreyfus, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shin'ichi Chiba, Michael Madsen

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 51m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Editing, Choreography, Action Sequences, Dialogue, Soundtrack

Weakness: None

Kill Bill vol 1 (2003)

July 25, 2019

The Bride was murdered by Bill on her wedding day, or so he thought. Now, the former assassin has woken from her coma and is out for revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who ruined her life and then, finally, she is going to kill Bill.

Read More
In Action, Crime, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Western Tags Michael McDonald, Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Dreyfus, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shin'ichi Chiba, Michael Madsen, Kill Bill, 2003, 2004, Rated R, Quentin Tarantino, 5 Stars
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Pulp Fiction (1994)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Christopher Walken, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros

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

Running Time: 2 h 34 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Stories, Characters, Influence

WEAKNESSES: -

Pulp Fiction (1994)

July 25, 2019

A series of violent and redemptive stories that intertwine the lives of LA mobsters, drug dealers, bandits and a boxer.

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In Action, Adventure, Anthology, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Christopher Walken, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, 1994, 5 Stars
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Django Unchained (2012)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Don Johnson, Quentin Tarantino, Jonah Hill, Bruce Dern

Rated: R for Strong Graphic Violence Throughout, A Vicious Fight, Language and Some Nudity

Running Time: 2 h 45 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography, Tone, Story Structure

WEAKNESSES: -

Django Unchained (2012)

July 22, 2019

With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Don Johnson, Quentin Tarantino, Jonah Hill, Bruce Dern, 2012
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John Carter (2012)

Directed by: Andrew Stanton

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, Bryan Cranston

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Violence and Action

Running Time: 2 h 12 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun, Worldbuilding, Pacing, Most CGI

WEAKNESSES: Some CGI, Acting, Writing, Rushed Third Act, Tone

John Carter (2012)

July 15, 2019

A civil war vet is transported to Mars where he discovers factions on the edge of war.

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Epic, Sci Fi, Thriller, Western Tags Andrew Stanton, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, Bryan Cranston, PG-13, 2.5 Stars
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McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonois, Hugh Millais, Shelley Duvall, Corey Fischer

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Acting, Pacing, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: -

McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)

July 8, 2019

A gambler and a prostitute form a partnership and make a fortune in a remote Old West mining town, until a large corporation makes an offer to buy them out.

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In Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Romance, Western Tags Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonois, Hugh Millais, Shelley Duvall, Corey Fischer, Robert Altman, 1971, R, 5 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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A Bug’s Life (1998)

Directed by: John Lasseter

Starring: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind, Denis Leary, John Ratzenberger

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 h 35 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Humor, Originality, Story, World Building, Characters

WEAKNESSES: -

A Bug's Life (1998)

June 19, 2019

A misfit ant travels to the bug city to find warrior bugs, but mistakenly hires a failing circus crew instead. 

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In Action, Adventure, Animated, Children's Movies, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy, War Tags John Lasseter, 1998, 4.5 Stars, Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind, Denis Leary, John Ratzenberger, G
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Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Directed by: Rob Marshall

Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Wantanabe, Koji YakushoSuzuka Ohgo, Samantha Futerman, Li Gong, Tsai Chin, Kaori Momoi

Rated: PG-13 for Mature Subject Matter and Some Sexual Content

Running Time: 2 h 25 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Production and Costume Design, Pacing, Story, Cinematography, Music

WEAKNESSES: Themes, Mischaracterization of Characters, It’s in English (?)

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

June 10, 2019

In 1920-50s Japan, a young girl is sold into slavery at a geisha house and must work hard to find her place in the world. 

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In Drama, Epic, Romance Tags Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Wantanabe, Koji YakushoSuzuka Ohgo, Samantha Futerman, Li Gong, Tsai Chin, Kaori Momoi, Rob Marshall, 3.5 Stars, 2005, PG-13
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Your Highness (2011)

Directed by: David Gordon Green

Starring: Danny McBride, James Franco, Rasmus Hardiker, Natalie Portman, Toby Jones, Justin Theroux, Zooey Deschanel, Charles Dance, Damian Lewis

Rated: R for Strong Crude and Sexual Content, Pervasive Language, Nudity, Violence and Some Drug Use

Running Time: 1 h 42 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Humor, Some Writing, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Some Humor, Some Writing, Narrow Target Audience

Your Highness (2011)

June 7, 2019

After Prince Fabious’s Bride is kidnapped, he goes on a quest to rescue her, accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Epic, Fantasy, Romance Tags Danny McBride, James Franco, Rasmus Hardiker, Natalie Portman, Toby Jones, Justin Theroux, Zooey Deschanel, Charles Dance, Damian Lewis, David Gordon Green, R, 3 Stars, 2011
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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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Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Directed by: Michael Dougherty

Starring: Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Bradley Whitford, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Sally Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Rated: PG-13 for Sequences of Monster Action Violence and Destruction, and For Some Language

Running Time: 2 h 11 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Kaiju Stuff, Special Effects, Fun

WEAKNESSES: People Stuff, Story, Plot Holes Galore, Harebrained Schemes and Ideas, Dialogue

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

June 4, 2019

Godzilla faces off against a wave of monsters as humans from Monarch try to figure out a way to communicate with the beasts. 

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Epic, Monster Film, Thriller, War Tags Michael Dougherty, Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Bradley Whitford, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Sally Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
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The Matrix (1999)

Directed By: The Wachowskis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 16m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

Strengths: Effects, Story, Action Sequences

Weakness: Unimpressive Acting

The Matrix (1999)

June 4, 2019

Thomas Anderson is a hacker, obsessed with something called The Matrix, which even he doesn’t know what it is. When another hacker named Trinity introduces him to a cyber-terrorist terrorist named Morpheus, he finds out that nothing about the world he thought he knew is true.

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In Action, Epic, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi, Martial Arts Tags Michael McDonald, Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano, The Wachowskis, 1999, The Matrix, 5 Stars, R Rated
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Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crystal

Rated: PG for Frightening Images, And Brief Mild Language

Running Time: 1h 59m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Animation, Themes, Characters, Lots of Fun

WEAKNESSES: Ending

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

May 29, 2019

A woman must break a curse with the help of demigod, Howl.

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In Anime, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Foreign Film Tags Karl Nagurski, Hayao Miyazaki, Billy Crystal, Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, 4.5 Stars, Anime, Animation, PG
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Under the Silver Lake (2018)

Directed by: David Robert Mitchell

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez

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

Running Time: 2 h 19 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: A Few Chintzy Sets and Effects

Under the Silver Lake (2018)

May 27, 2019

A directionless  young man living in LA meets a girl whom then mysteriously vanishes overnight, prompting him to embark on a quest to find her. As he quests, he finds himself wrapped up in a bizarre conspiracy. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags 2018, 4.5 Stars, David Robert Mitchell, Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Callie Hernandez
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