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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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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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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 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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Piercing (2018)

Directed by: Nicolas Pesce

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska, Laia Costa

Rated: R for Aberrant Violent and Sexual Content, Nudity, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 21 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Creativity, Acting

WEAKNESSES: More Style than Substance, Minor Deux Ex Machina

Piercing (2018)

November 14, 2019

A man with a growing inclination towards violence decides to murder a prostitute to get it out of his system. 

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In Crime, Drama, Comedy, Horror, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska, Laia Costa, Nicolas Pesce, R, 3.5 Stars
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Parasite (2019)

Directed By: Bong Joon-ho

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Jo Yeo-jeong

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 12m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Humor, Characters, Plot, Cinematography

Weakness: NA

Parasite (2019)

November 13, 2019

A family of unemployed con-artists and thieves find the perfect mark in a trusting and unsuspecting wealthy woman and her family whose casual indifference create unexpected and violent problems.

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In Art House, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Political, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, 4 Stars, R Rated, Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee, Yeo-jeong Jo, Joon-ho Bong, Parasite, 2019
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The Pianist (2002)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay

Rated: R for Violence and Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 2 h 30 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During Second Act

The Pianist (2002)

November 11, 2019

A Polish Jewish pianist struggles to survive during the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto during World War II.

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In Drama, Crime, Thriller, War Tags Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Adrien Brody, 2002, Roman Polanski, 4 Stars
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The Wailing (2016)

Directed by: Na Hong-Jin

Starring: Kwak Do-Wan, Jun Kunimura, Chun Woo-Hee, Kim Hwan-Hee, Hwang Jung-Min

Rated: Suggested R for Strong Horror Violence, Disturbing Images, Language and Brief Sexuality

Running Time: 2h 36m

TMM Score: 5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Strong Craft, Excellent Story Telling, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: -

The Wailing (2016)

November 5, 2019

An ancient evil arrives in small South Korean village…

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In Horror, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, The Wailing, Na Hong-Jin, Kwak Do-Wan, Jun Kunimura, Chun Woo-Hee, Kim Hwan-Hee, Hwang Jung-Min, Rated R, 5 Stars, Horror, 2016
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Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Directed by: Tommy Lee Wallace

Starring: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 38 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Practical Effects, Some Ideas

WEAKNESSES: Not Remotely Scary, Acting, Dialogue, Predictability

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

October 31, 2019

A man investigates the latest Halloween craze, Silver Shamrock masks, thinking that there might be a kind of plot surrounding them. 

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In Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy, Tommy Lee Wallace, 1982, 2.5 Stars, R
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Halloween V: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Directed by: Dominique Othenin-Girard

Starring: Donald Pleasence, Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Wendy Foxworth

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 36 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Fun, Some Story Developments

WEAKNESSES: Huge Logic Problems

Halloween V: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

October 31, 2019

Michael Meyers returns to Haddonfield once again to try to kill his niece, Jamie. 

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In Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Donald Pleasence, Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Wendy Foxworth, Dominique Othenin-Girard, R, 3 Stars
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Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)

Directed by: Steve Miner

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Janet Leigh, LL Cool J, Nancy Stephens

Rated: R for Terror Violence/ Gore and Language

Running Time: 1 h 26 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun, Atmosphere, Some Kills

WEAKNESSES: It’s More of the Same, Farfetched Logic, Lack of Loomis

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)

October 31, 2019

Twenty years after Michael Myers terrorized Laurie Strode, he returns to do it again.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller Tags Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Janet Leigh, LL Cool J, Nancy Stephens, Steve Miner, 1998, 3 Stars, R
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Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Meyers (1988)

Directed by: Dwight H. Little

Starring: Donald Pleaseance, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, George P. Wilbur

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 28 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun Third Act

WEAKNESSES: Predictable, Stupid, Pacing

Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Meyers (1988)

October 31, 2019

Ten years after Michael Meyers stalked Laurie Strode, he wakes from a coma and returns home to Haddonfield to kill his niece. 

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In Action, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy Tags Donald Pleaseance, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, George P. Wilbur, Dwight H. Little, 1988, 2 Stars, R
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Halloween (1978)

Directed by: John Carpenter

Starring: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, P.J. Soles, Tony Moran

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Writing, Atmosphere, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: Small Details

Halloween (1978)

October 31, 2019

A psychotic mental patient who has been imprisoned for fifteen years after the brutal murder of his sister escapes confinement and returns to his hometown to kill again. 

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In Horror, Crime, Thriller Tags Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, P.J. Soles, Tony Moran, John Carpenter, 1978, R, 4.5 Stars
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Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

Directed by: Rick Rosenthal

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Busta Rhymes, Tyra Banks, Daisy McCrackin

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

Running Time: 1 h 34 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Nothing

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Concept, Atmosphere

Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

October 31, 2019

Michael Myers terrorizes a reality TV show that has set up in his old house. 

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In Action, Horror, Slasher, Thriller Tags Rick Rosenthal, Jamie Lee Curtis, Busta Rhymes, Tyra Banks, Daisy McCrackin, 1 Star, 2002
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