The Big Blue (Le Grand Bleu) (1988)

A film that depicts the intensity of championship deep sea free diving and one mans love of the water. An odd movie that can drag at times in this director's cut, but still held my attention throughout.

Rating: C

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Something different. Could easily be written off as an actor’s film with limited appeal designed to garner award nominations. Which is all true. But for those who do take the time to see this, I think most will generally walk away entertained. It’s bizarre, and a tad bit claustrophobic. I think I appreciated the middle section more than the beginning and end. A film that will be appreciated more for its parts than the total sum.

Rating: C

We Were Soldiers (2002)

Just as graphic, if not more so, than Saving Private Ryan. Very effective film. Nice to see them attempting to show both sides of the war for a change.

Rating: B-

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015)

Outside of the South Park episode and the movie The Master, I didn’t know a whole lot about Scientology. Watching this documentary was an eye opener to say the least. Fascinating and shocking come to mind. Really curious to see where the story of Scientology ends.

Rating: C+

The Jacket (2005)

To me, this was an updated version of Somewhere In Time, that slow, boring, chick flick which nearly put me in a coma. Both involve finding one's true love in another time after lying down. Only, with The Jacket, it involves restraints and some serious drugs.

Rating: C

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)

The gorgeous visuals and striking cinematic compositions are back. This graphic novel-film mash up really does it for me. The original Sin City is one of my favorite films of all time, so any sequel has impossible shoes to fill. With that said, A Dame To Kill For is very entertaining. Many of my favorite characters from the first are back, plus a few new ones. I didn’t find the plot quite as gripping as the original, but it does the job. Definitely worth seeing.

Rating: B-

Afghan Star (2009)

A culturally important and interesting subject that suffers in this documentary due to poor production and editing. If anything it leaves you feeling a bit sad for how depressing Afghanistan looks in this film.

Rating: C-

Cartel Land (2015)

Not your average documentary by any means. The filmmaker was given unprescidented access to two vigilante groups, one on each side of the border. The more interesting one follows Grupo de Autodefensa, a grassroots movement to rid Mexican towns of the Knights Templar cartel. It’s gripping stuff. Raw emotions and violence are on display. Not for the squeamish, but I recommend seeing it anyway.

Rating: B

Pacific Rim (2013)

What’s the point in defeating your enemy if you end up destroying what you are trying to protect in the process? These giant robots appear to do more damage than the monsters they are trying to stop. The notion that this would ever be the world’s defensive solution is ludicrous. Thus, this film is yet another steaming pile of Hollywood crap.

Rating: D-

Horrible Bosses 2 (2014)

Another unnecessary sequel. Some mildly amusing parts, but not enough to warrant getting the cast back together.

Rating: D+

Holes (2003)

Much better than I thought it would be. Could have been way cornier.

Rating: C

Turbo Kid (2015)

A post-apocalyptic movie that takes place in 1997, filmed in a 1980s style? Yes please. Violence and gore are over-the-top. The cheese dial is turned way up, but everyone’s playing it straight. The whacked out robotic girlfriend was a nice touch. If you are in the mood for something different. This definitely qualifies.

Rating: C+

The Brothers Grimsby (2016)

Painfully unfunny. The entire film is a crime against humanity.

Rating: F

Gone Girl (2014)

A throwback to some of David Fincher’s earlier films where things aren’t what they seem, and the twists keep coming. I enjoyed the ride. Puzzle pieces were revealed at the right pace. The shifting timeline worked. I can’t say I’m happy with the ending, but it makes sense in the context of the film.

Rating: B

Appaloosa (2008)

Terrific opening scene and story set up. I was truly excited to see how everything would unfold. Loved the idea of lawmen for hire coming into town ad setting up Marshall law. Then Rene Zellicker stepped off the train and everything went down the shitter.

Not only did she massacre the character she was playing, but she brought down every scene she was in. They literally could have hired any actress off the street to play that roll and the results would have been better. How Rene continues to get work while holding the title of worst actress in Hollywood is beyond me.

Rating: C

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

A by-the-numbers Hollywood spy thriller with one impossible scenario after another. Looks slick on the surface, but not much going on under the hood.

Rating: C-

Saint Ralph (2004)

A Canadian indie about going after the impossible dream - in this case, a 14 year old boy winning the Boston Marathon. Campbell Scott is great here as the mentoring priest. The movie is lighthearted at times, but nothing to write home about.

Rating: C

Kill The Messenger (2014)

Heavy drama based on the story of the CIAs involvement with the drug trade and Nicaraguan Contras. Renner does a fine job as usual. It’s a satisfactory project, but nothing that will get your heart pumping.

Rating: C

Accepted (2006)

Good for some laughs, but like the "students" who attend this university, you'll need to check your brain at the door.

Rating: C

Terminator Genisys (2015)

Tons of time traveling and quantum physics nonsense wrapped up in a cliché. This franchise died a long time ago, yet Hollywood keeps going back in time to resurrect it.

Rating: D+

What Maisie Knew (2012)

Some pretty rotten divorced parents essentially turn over the care of their daughter to her much younger and hotter stepparents. I have to admit. I thought I was going to hate this movie at the beginning. A lot of fighting and yelling. Unpleasant.

But as it progressed, I could see they needed to lay the groundwork for these dysfunctional characters. Fortunately, things lightened up pretty quickly. The young actress playing Masie does a wonderful job. Glad the film ended on a high note.

Rating: B-

Taken 3 (2014)

Pretty dumb and way more unnecessary than the second one. Completely contrived. Liam can’t need the money that bad. I swear he’s cranking out 2-3 identical films like this a year.

Rating: D

28 Up (1984)

Perhaps the best in the series? At 28 years of age, many of these children have established themselves and polished away their immature corners. I didn't think it was possible, but I even came to like the chain smoking rich girl who's dog killed rabbits. Looking forward to the next installment.

Rating: C+

Burnt (2015)

I love anything having to do with cooking. Top Chef addict. It was a given that I’d enjoy this movie. It’s no three star Michelin film though.

Rating: C+

Eagle vs Shark (2007)

A quirky New Zealand film with great music, odd characters, and uncomfortable scenes. I enjoyed it in the sense that I enjoy watching atypical films. Far from a classic though.

Rating: C

Interstellar (2014)

A thought provoking science fiction film that dares to go beyond what science tells us we are capable of presuming. Some incredible twists were thrown in at the end which may have been a bit much. Solidly crafted up to that point though.

Rating: C+

The Heat (2013)

I can’t get enough of Melissa McCarthy. I’d watch her in anything. She’s the female version of Chris Farley. Sandra Bullock. Meh. The script is vulgarity laden, crude, and offensive, but in all the right ways. I laughed a ton. Reminded me of The Other Guys (or any other mismatched buddy cop movie), only with ladies. Despite a slight fizzling at the end, the sheer number of laughs brings this movie into the B range.

Rating: B

Sicario (2015)

The audience is kept in the dark for much of the film, just like our main character. Cinematography and authentic location shoots were high points. However, none of the characters are all that likeable. We are along for the ride on an intense operation, but I never felt fully invested. Not so much a movie as a very well staged reenactment of a covert op.

Rating: C

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)

This is a film that didn’t deserve a sequel.

“So why did you watch it then?”

Great question. I’m dumb.

Overall quite weak except for a few chuckles here and there—like an episode of SNL.

Rating: D-

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

All the sci-fi wizardry and CGI fantasy you could hope for; times two. Maybe I’ve come down with Orc Fatigue or Hobbit Hangover, but having seen all this before in previous films, I wasn't especially bowled over by this latest installment.

Cartoony creatures fight by the thousands while the camera zooms in on random characters we are supposed to care deeply about. The thing is, I don’t really care. Not especially. It’s all over-the-top fluff that doesn’t succeed in triggering a real emotional response.

Rating: C-

White Oleander (2002)

An ofttimes depressing film about the tragic aftermath a mother's crime has on the life of her daughter. Excellent performances all around (except Rene Zellicker of course), especially by the daughter who ages and assumes several looks throughout the movie. A lot of strong female performances, if you're into that.

Rating: C+

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

Charming old timers return to remind us that getting old doesn’t have to mean giving up. Quaint, but not as original as the first film.

Rating: C

The Blind Side (2009)

Not so bad overall. Sandra Bullock didn't ruin the film. The schmaltz wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There were a few legitimately funny moments.
Rating: C

Everly (2014)

Amateurish, pointless violence.

Rating: D

Proof (2005)

An engaging drama about mathematics, losing your mind, and uncomfortable romance. I liked it.

Rating: C+

Southpaw (2015)

As a viewer, I feel like I’m supposed to like and root for Jake Gyllenhaal’s character. However, he’s such an asshole, I can’t help but feel he’s getting what he deserves.

And then there’s the matter of no police investigation after his wife is murdered. The cops asked him a few questions and called it a day.

The movie is kind of a downer. I found his relationship with his daughter, especially in the aftermath of the shooting, to be annoying. Even his comeback training was depressing.

He supposedly went undefeated and defended the belt multiple times, and he’s only now learning defense? Didn’t make sense.  Later he struggles through a charity exhibition fight against a nobody. He was an undefeated world title holder for crying out loud.

Some kid named Hoppy who had 2 minutes of screen time gets killed off screen and we are supposed to get emotional about it? No. The film is sloppily put together with unlikable charters doing things that don’t make sense. The whole project was mishandled by Fuqua.

Rating: D-

Timeline (2003)

Somewhat entertaining. Not Paul Walker's finest role. Very wooden.

Rating: C

John Wick (2014)

A peek into the world of hit men with a script that is essentially a revenge flick. A lot of blood and violence. Reality is mostly suspended throughout the film, but the fast pace will distract you from focusing on it too much.

Rating: C