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Gemini Man (2019)

Directed by: Ang Lee

Starring: Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong

Rated: PG-13 for Violence and Action Throughout, and Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 1 h 57 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Nothing

WEAKNESSES: Boring, Frame Rate, Acting, Dialogue

Gemini Man (2019)

January 13, 2020

An aging hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself.

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In Action, Adventure, Sci Fi, Romance, Thriller Tags Ang Lee, Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong, 1 Star
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Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

Directed by: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Ben Winshaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman

Rated: R for Aberrant Behavior Involving Nudity, Violence, Sexuality, and Disturbing Images

Running Time: 2 h 27 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Acting, Production Design, Story, Concept

WEAKNESSES: Length, Ending

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

January 10, 2020

A perfumer with an incredible sense of smell has a deadly obsession with his pursuit of trying capture the scent of women. 

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In Crime, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tom Tykwer, 2006, Ben Winshaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman, R, 3 Stars
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Brimstone (2016)

Directed by: Martin Koolhoven

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Emilia Jones, Kit Harrington

Rated: R for Brutal Bloody Violence, Strong Sexual Content Including Disturbing Behavior, Graphic Nudity, and Language

Running Time: 2 h 28 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story and Structure, Cinematography, Some Themes

WEAKNESSES: Acting, Pacing, Heavy Handed Themes

Brimstone (2016)

January 8, 2020

A young mute woman is tracked by a mysterious preacher.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Epic, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Western Tags Martin Koolhoven, Dakota Fanning, Emilia Jones, Kit Harrington, R
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The Art of Self Defense (2019)

Directed by: Riley Stearns

Starring: Jessie Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, Imogen Poots, Steve Terada, Phillip Andre Botello

Rated: R for Violence, Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity and Language

Running Time: 1 h 44 m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Black Humor, Story, Acting

WEAKNESSES: -

The Art of Self Defense (2019)

January 7, 2020

After being brutally mugged, Casey Davies enrolls in a Karate course taught by an eccentric sensei.

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In Action, Comedy, Coming of Age, Crime, Martial Arts, Mystery, Thriller Tags Jessie Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, Imogen Poots, Steve Terada, Phillip Andre Botello, 2019, Riley Stearns, 4.5 Stars
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The Forest of Love (2019)

Directed by: Sion Sono

Starring: Kippei Shina, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Kyoko Hinami

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 31 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Style, Story, Pacing

WEAKNESSES: Not for Everyone, Respect for Victims

The Forest of Love (2019)

January 6, 2020

Japanese cult director Sion Sono’s take on the Kitakysushu serial murder incident. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Coming of Age, Foreign Film, Horror, Thriller Tags Sion Sono, Kippei Shina, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Kyoko Hinami, R, 3.5 Stars
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Che: Part One (2008)

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Demian Bichir, Julia Ormond, Oscar Isaac, Edgar Ramirez

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Violence and Language)

Running Time: 2 h 14 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Directing, Acting, Perspective

WEAKNESSES: Depiction of a Controversial Figure

Che: Part One (2008)

January 2, 2020

Ernesto Che Guevara and a band of Fidel Castro-led Cubans mobilize to topple the regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista. 

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In Action, Biographical, Crime, Coming of Age, Drama, Epic, Historical, Foreign Film, Political, War, Thriller Tags Steven Soderbergh, Benicio Del Toro, Demian Bichir, Julia Ormond, Oscar Isaac, Edgar Ramirez, 2008
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Light of My Life (2019)

Directed by: Casey Affleck

Starring: Casey Affleck, Anna Pniowsky, Elisabeth Moss, Tom Bower

Rated: R for Some Violence

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing, Predictable

Light of My Life (2019)

January 1, 2020

After a plague wipes out most of the female population, a father must fight to keep his immune eleven-year-old daughter safe from the men who might wish her harm. 

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In Adventure, Art House, Coming of Age, Drama, Fantasy, Thriller Tags Casey Affleck, Anna Pniowsky, Elisabeth Moss, Tom Bower, 4 Stars, 2019
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Uncut Gems (2019)

Directed by: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Starring: Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, The Weekend, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian

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

Running Time: 2 h 15 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Cinematography, Pacing, Soundtrack, Editing

WEAKNESSES: -

Uncut Gems (2019)

December 31, 2019

Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler and compulsive gambling addict, makes a series of high stakes bets in an attempt to score a huge win, while simultaneously avoiding his bookies, and balancing his wife, kids and his mistress.

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In Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Epic, Noir, Thriller Tags Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, The Weekend, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian, 2019, 5 Stars
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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)

Directed by: Nasiga Oshima

Starring: David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h 3 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Themes, Characters, Acting, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: Pacing

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)

December 25, 2019

A British officer tries to bridge a cultural divide in a Japanese POW camp. 

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In Drama, Foreign Film, Thriller, War Tags David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, Nasiga Oshima, 1983, 4 Stars
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The Ninth Configuration (1980)

Directed by: William Peter Blatty

Starring: Stacy Keach, Scott Wilson, Jason Miller, Ed Flanders, Tom Atkins

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 58 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Themes

WEAKNESSES: A Few Weird Tonal Shifts, Unsatisfying Ending

The Ninth Configuration (1980)

December 23, 2019

An isolated institution in the Pacific Northwest tries a controversial experimental treatment on its primarily Vietnam veteran population.

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In Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags William Peter Blatty, Stacy Keach, Scott Wilson, Jason Miller, Ed Flanders, Tom Atkins, 3.5 Stars, R, 1980
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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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Black Christmas (1974)

Directed by: Bob Clark

Starring: Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Lynne Griffin

Rated: Suggested R for Strong Violence and Language

Running Time: 1h 38m

TMM Score: 3.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Directing, Mystery, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Too Many Plot Holes

Black Christmas (1974)

December 10, 2019

A sorority is harassed by a strange and sinister caller….

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In Horror, Slasher, Thriller Tags Karl Nagurski, Black Christmas, Bob Clark, Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Lynne Griffin, Rated R, Horror, Thriller, Slasher, 3.5 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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District 9 (2009)

Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason Cope

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 52m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Creative Concept, Acting, Themes

Weakness: -

District 9 (2009)

December 5, 2019

When Middle Manager Wikus is given the task of clearing out the slum, District 9, which is populated by Extra Terrestrial Refugees, he is exposed to an alien substance which starts changing his body and sets off a corporate arms race.

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In Action, Horror, Monster Film, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason Cope, Neill Blomkamp, R Rated, 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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Total Recall (1990)

Directed By: Paul Verhoeven

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Dean Norris

Rated: R

Run Time: 1h 53m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Arnold, Fun, Action, Mystery

Weakness: A Little Slight in Aim

Total Recall (1990)

December 4, 2019

In the future, when Quaid decides to take a memory vacation from his mundane life, he accidentally triggers a real life action/espionage adventure which ranges across two planets. Or so it seems to.

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In Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci Fi, Spy Film, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Total Recall, 1990, Paul Verhoeven, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Dean Norris, R Rated, 4 Stars
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