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Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (1972)

Directed by: Shun’ya Ito

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Fumio Wantanabe, Yukie Kagawa, FUdeko Tanaka

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Graphic Violence and Nudity)

Running Time: 1 h 30 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Direction, Story, Action, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Sleazy/ Exploitative (?)

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (1972)

February 18, 2020

The second entry in the Female Prisoner Scorpion series. After being locked in solitary confinement for a year, Matsu the Scorpion escapes with a van full of prisoners and flees across a surreal landscape. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Mystery, Exploitation, Thriller Tags Meiko Kaji, Fumio Wantanabe, Yukie Kagawa, FUdeko Tanaka, Shun'ya Ito, 1972, NR, 4 Stars
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Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)

Directed by: Shun’ya Ito

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Yayoi Watanabe, Natsuyagi Isao

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Graphic Violence and Nudity)

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Story, Fun, Influence

WEAKNESSES: Sleazy/ Exploitative (?)

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)

February 17, 2020

After being betrayed by detective she had fallen in love with, a young woman is sent to a prison full of violent prisoners and guards. 

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Foreign Film, Exploitation, Thriller Tags Shun’ya Ito, Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Yayoi Watanabe, Natsuyagi Isao, 4 Stars
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November (2017)

Directed by: Rainer Sarnet

Starring: Rea Lest, Jorgen Liik, Jette Loona Hermanis, Jaan Tooming, Arvo Kukumagi

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Nudity)

Running Time: 1 h 55 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, World Building, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

November (2017)

February 12, 2020

A poor village in Estonia tries to survive the winter by using magic, and a young girl among the villagers attempts to woo a young man. 

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In Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Foreign Film, Horror, Romance, Thriller Tags Rainer Sarnet, 2017, Rea Lest, Jorgen Liik, Jette Loona Hermanis, Jaan Tooming, Arvo Kukumagi, NR
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Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989)

Directed by: Pedro Almodovar

Starring: Victoria Abril, Antonio Banderas, Loles Leon

Rated: NC-17 for a Scene of Strong Adult Sensuality and Nudity

Running Time: 1 h 41 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Characters, Humor, Mis-En-Scene

WEAKNESSES: Almodovar-lite

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989)

February 10, 2020

A former mental patient takes a former porn star prisoner in an attempt to convince her to marry him.

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In Comedy, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Romance, Thriller Tags Pedro Almodóvar, Victoria Abril, Antonio Banderas, Loles Leon, NC-17, 4 Stars, 1989
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Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)

Directed by: Cathy Yan

Starring: Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Ewan McGregor, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong

Rated: R for Strong Violence and Language Throughout, and Some Sexual and Drug Material 

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Margot Robbie, Some Themes, Some Style, Second Half

WEAKNESSES: Entire First Half, Some Style

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)

February 7, 2020

After breaking up with the Joker, Harley Quinn tries to find out how she fits in the world, while teaming up with a group of superheroes to stop a crime lord. 

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In Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Thriller, Superhero Tags Cathy Yan, Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Ewan McGregor, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, 2020
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Event Horizon (1997)

Directed By: Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Richard T. Jones, Jack Noseworthy, Jason Isaacs

Rated: R Rated

Run Time: 1 h 36m

TMM Score: 4

Strengths: High Concept, Atmosphere, Horror Sequences

Weakness: Some Acting, Slight

Event Horizon (1997)

February 6, 2020

Years after its disastrous disappearance, the Event Horizon, a ship designed to travel faster than light has reappeared near Neptune. It’s up to one crew to find out what happened to it, where it went, and what came back with it.

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In Horror, Mystery, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Paul W.S. Anderson, Event Horizon, 1997, R Rated, 4 Stars, Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Richard T. Jones, Jack Noseworthy, Jason Isaacs
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U Turn (1997)

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Starring: Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler

Rated: R for Strong Violence, Sexuality and Language

Running Time: 2 h 5 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Some Acting, Directing, Editing

U Turn (1997)

February 5, 2020

A man heading to Vegas to pay off his gambling debt is waylaid in a strange Arizona town where everything goes wrong.

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In Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler, Oliver Stone, R, 2.5 Stars
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A Good Woman is Hard to Find (2019)

Directed by: Abner Pastoll

Starring: Sarah Bolger, Edward Hogg, Andrew Simpson

Rated: NR (Suggested R for Some Strong Bloody Violence and Gory Images)

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Themes

WEAKNESSES: Mild Pacing Issues, Coincidental Moments

A Good Woman is Hard to Find (2019)

February 3, 2020

An impoverished, recently widowed mother of two gets sucked into the world of crime that dwells right outside her door, and must fight to protect her children. 

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Exploitation, Horror, Thriller Tags Abner Pastoll, Sarah Bolger, Edward Hogg, Andrew Simpson, 4 Stars
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Gretel & Hansel (2020)

Directed by: Oz Perkins

Starring: Sophia Lillis, Alice Krige, Jessica De Gouw, Samuel Leakey

Rated: PG-13 for Disturbing Images/Thematic Content, and Brief Drug Material

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Mise-En-Scene, Twist on Familiar Story

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Some Acting

Gretel & Hansel (2020)

February 3, 2020

A darker retelling of the tale of Hansel and Gretel, focused more on the sister’s perspective. 

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In Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Oz Perkins, Sophia Lillis, Alice Krige, Jessica De Gouw, Samuel Leakey, PG-13
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The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Leslie Banks, Edna Best, Peter Lorre

Rated: NR

Run Time: 1h 15m

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Clever Plot, Brevity

Weakness: Slight

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

January 31, 2020

When an American Family, vacationing abroad, gets mixed up in an assassination plot, the couple must choose between stopping an international coup or saving their kidnapped daughter.

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In Crime, Foreign Film, Mystery, Political, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, Leslie Banks, Edna Best, Peter Lorre, NR, The Man Who Knew To Much, 1934, Alfred Hitchcock, 3 Stars
1 Comment
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The Birds (1963)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Veronica Cartwright, Suzanne Pleshette

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Characters, Story, Sound Mixing, Effects

WEAKNESSES: Slightly Schlocky, Some Character Choices

The Birds (1963)

January 31, 2020

A wealthy woman from San Francisco takes a trip to a Northern Californian town where she and the residents are inexplicably attacked by flocks of birds. 

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In Adventure, Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Veronica Cartwright, Suzanne Pleshette, Alfred Hitchcock, PG-13
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Foreign Correspondent (1940)

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall

Rated: NR

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 3 Stars

Strengths: Cinematography, Execution of Some Sequences.

Weakness: Seems Slight, Dated Sentimentality, Weak Love Story

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

January 31, 2020

John Jones is tasked with drumming up the news of what is going on in Europe during the lead up to WW2. As he probes for information he witnesses an assassination, falls in love with the daughter of a peace broker, and even avoids assassination himself. Whatever it takes to get the scoop.

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In Adventure, Drama, Political, Romance, Thriller, War Tags Michael McDonald, Alfred Hitchcock, Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall, NR, 3 Stars, 1940, Foreign Correspondent
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Rear Window (1954)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 h 52 m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

STRENGTHS: Style, Intense, Fun

WEAKNESSES: Some Dated Material

Rear Window (1954)

January 30, 2020

A wheelchair-bound photographer and his girlfriend believe they might’ve stumbled upon a murder.

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In Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller Tags Alfred Hitchcock, James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter
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The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: James Stewart, Doris Day, Brenda de Banzie , Bernard Miles

Rated: PG

Run Time: 2h

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Sense of Impending Tragedy, Tension

Weakness: Child Acting, Annoying Song

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

January 29, 2020

When American family, travelling abroad, the McKenna’s, meet a friendly but mysterious Frenchman, they are caught up in an international assassination plot with more than just the life of the Prime Minister at stake.

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Political, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, James Stewart, Doris Day, Brenda de Banzie, Bernard Miles, Alfred Hitchcock, 1956, The Man Who Knew To Much, Rated PG, 4 Stars
1 Comment
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Vertigo (1958)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Tom Helmore, Barbara Bel Geddes

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 h 8 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Characters, Cinematography, Acting, Emotional Impact, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: -

Vertigo (1958)

January 29, 2020

At the request of a friend, a former detective investigates an acquaintance’s wife, whom has been acting mysterious. As he does, he finds himself falling in love with the woman. 

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In Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Alfred Hitchcock, James Stewart, Kim Novak, Tom Helmore, Barbara Bel Geddes, PG, 5 Stars, 1958
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Rope (1948)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger

Rated: Approved

Running Time: 1 h 20 m

TMM Score: 4.5 Stars

STRENGTHS: Humor, Technical Aspects, Writing, Suspense

WEAKNESSES: Obvious Cuts

Rope (1948)

January 28, 2020

Two men try to prove they’ve committed a perfect crime by hosting a dinner party after strangling their former classmate.

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In Crime, Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Thriller Tags James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Approved
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The Gentlemen (2019)

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant, Jeremy Strong, Colin Ferrell, Henry Goulding, Eddie Marsan

Rated: R for Violence, Language Throughout, Sexual References and Drug Content

Running Time: 1 h 53 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Some Writing, Some Acting

WEAKNESSES: Thinks It’s More Clever Than It Is, Pacing, Some Acting

The Gentlemen (2019)

January 27, 2020

A drug lord tries to sell his empire to a billionaire, but things get complicated. 

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller Tags Guy Ritchie, Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Grant, Jeremy Strong, Colin Ferrell, Henry Goulding, Eddie Marsan, R, 2.5 Stars
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Psycho (1960)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Soundtrack, Editing, Cinematography, Subversion of Expectations

WEAKNESSES: Psychiatrist Monologue

Psycho (1960)

January 27, 2020

A secretary steals forty thousand dollars and absconds from Phoenix, but things take a turn for the worse after she checks into a motel run by a peculiar young man and his domineering mother.

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In Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller Tags Alfred Hitchcock, Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, R, 5 Stars
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Let the Corpses Tan (2017)

Directed by: Helene Cattet, Bruno Forzani

Starring: Elina Lowensohn, Stephane Ferrara, Bernie Bonvoisin, Michelangelo Marchese, Marc Barbe, Pierre Nisse

Rated: Unrated (Suggested R for Graphic Nudity and Strong Violence)

Running Time: 1 h 32 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Style, Cinematography, Pacing, Editing, Ennio Morricone, Sound Design

WEAKNESSES: Style Over Substance, Sometimes Difficult to Tell What’s Going On, Also Editing

Let the Corpses Tan (2017)

January 22, 2020

Thieves with a trunkful of gold bullion hide out at an old mission where they encounter a bohemian artist and his muse. As cops arrive at the mission, bullets begin to fly. 

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In Action, Art House, Adventure, Crime, Thriller, Western, Foreign Film Tags Helene Cattet, Bruno Forzani, Elina Lowensohn, Stephane Ferrara, Bernie Bonvoisin, Michelangelo Marchese, Marc Barbe, Pierre Nisse, 4 Stars
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1917 (2019)

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch

Rated: R for Violence, Some Disturbing Images, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 59 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Direction, Cinematography, Production Design, Experience, Characters, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: Thin Story

1917 (2019)

January 13, 2020

Two British soldiers must deliver a message deep in enemy territory that will halt an attack and possibly save the lives of 1,600 of their fellow soldiers. 

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In Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, War, Thriller Tags George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Mendes, R, 5 Stars
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