Sexy Beast (2000)

Ben Kingsley is truly frightening in this movie. I was on edge for most of it. He was able to use brute force with only his voice, but then backed it up with some violence as well. A pure antagonist. Cinematography, directing, and editing were superb. Everything was very crisp and at just the right angle. This is a nice indie, but be prepared for some detailed violence as well as some very descriptive language.

Rating: B+

Freaks Of Nature (2015)

A fun mishmash of zombies, vampires, humans, and aliens. Smarter than I thought it was going to be. And funny too. A good balance between cartoonish violence and character development. Surprisingly good.

Rating: C+

Ip Man (2008)

I didn’t realize this Chinese martial arts movie was based on a real man. To be fair, most of the story is complete fiction. In many regards it acts as a Chinese propaganda film. The Japanese aren’t exactly painted in a positive way. Despite its faults, the fight scenes are quite competent and make Ip Man bearable to watch.

Rating: C

Creed (2015)

I generally don’t care for boxing movies, or boxing in general, but this is a nominated film, so I made an exception. Let’s be honest. Boxing is boring as hell. Movies make it way more exciting than what it really is—two dudes hugging it out. Thank goodness MMA became a thing.

Stallone does an admirable job in his role. Best actor? Not by a long shot. Leonardo in The Revenant is the clear-cut winner. Decent movie.

Rating: C

The 5th Wave (2016)

A hodgepodge of stolen pieces from other teen angst ridden post-apocalyptic movies. Too much time spent on unimportant smoldering romances and not enough time filling in enormous plot holes.

Rating: D+

Amy (2015)

The story of Amy Winehouse. It’s a fairly straightforward telling. A lot of tragedy, much of which could have been avoided with better parenting and management. Glad I got to see her live before she passed.

Rating: C

Spirit Of The Marathon (2007)

Somehow I expected more. I've run a number of marathons and I was excited at the prospect of a film that sought to capture the mystique surrounding this magical distance. Spirit of the Marathon fell short. I thought they could have done a much better job choosing the runners they followed. A couple were interesting, but most came off quite boring. Not a total failure, but definitely a false start.

Rating: D+

The Dressmaker (2015)

The first ¾ of this film is a quirky Australian treat, especially when the topic is dressmaking. Unfortunately things go off the rails in the final act, becoming increasingly bizarre and less entertaining. I was ambivalent about Kate Winlett’s casting until the love story started up between her and Hemsley. Then it got plain creepy. In the movie, I believe they are half brother and sister. But that wasn’t even the creepy part—she looked old enough to be his mother. He looked like People Magazine’s sexiest man of the year. Their “romance” didn’t make sense and became distracting. I could have forgiven all that if they hadn’t blown the ending so badly. What was on track to being something special instead ends up with a…

Rating: C

The Hunted (2003)

Went in with low expectations. Turned out to be pretty good. Plenty violent, average plot, and some good suspense. 

Rating: C

Steve Jobs (2015)

Not the Steve Jobs film I thought I’d be seeing. It was almost a theatrical play, mainly taking place at product launches, revolving around a few key players. Sorkin dialogue is rampant, as one would expect. Jeff Daniels reprising his The Newsroom role drove the point home. Acting is sharp. Nominations likely deserved. Screenplay is noteworthy too. That’s about as far as I’m willing to go.

Rating: C+

K-PAX (2001)

I hate movies where things are left mysterious and vague. I want to know how the story ends, not play guessing games with what the writer/director were thinking.

I thought Kevin Spacey did an admirable job as an alien, and I liked Jeff Bridges as well. The story was interesting, and the plot was well developed. I only wished they would have acknowledged the fact that he either was or wasn't an alien.

Rating: C

Spotlight (2015)

A lot of heavy hitters show up in this Oscar-bait docu-drama. They do a solid job of turning investigative journalism into a compelling story. It’s mind boggling how anyone could stand in the way of this story getting told without everyone around them pointing a finger and saying—hey, stop supporting pedophilia asshole! Important film.

Rating: B

Meet The Mormons (2014)

An international perspective of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Some interesting stories from everyday people around the world. Enjoyed it.

Rating: C

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Like all the other Star Wars films, it was packed with coincidence, improbability, and lasers. Cheap thrills over content. The new droid was cute. The girl-power box was checked. Light speed was attained. One Storm Trooper was redeemed. The rest got massacred. Sabers were crossed. Not exactly sure why everybody’s having a wet dream over this.

Rating: C

Rambo III (1988)

After a lackluster sequel, the third manages to tell a much more compelling story with credible characters that don't smack of a Jr. High stage production. Rambo has been chilling with some Buddhist monks in Thailand, doing a little stick fighting on the side, when Col. Trautman sucks him back into another war.

Once again, the Russians are the bad guys while Rambo fights with the people of Afghanistan. Despite more high-tech battle scenes, they still managed to keep the carnage creative. My personal favorite: The guy Rambo hung by the neck into a cave and then exploded into bits with a grenade.

Thankfully, there was no token "love interests" to get in the way this time... come to think of it, I don't recall any women in this film with lines at all. After that dreadful Thai actress in the second film, it's just as well. Almost as good as the first.

Rating: C+

The Big Short (2015)

The Big Short could very easily have been a documentary about the worldwide financial meltdown of 2007-2008, but instead they decided to go full Hollywood with it, making a compelling motion picture with heavy-hitting actors. If only we could learn from our mistakes, but I doubt it. 

Rating: B

Meet Bill (2007)

Watched with lowered expectations on my way back from Malaysia. It managed to keep me awake and entertained, so that's saying something. Enjoyed most of the cast and story. A bit cliché in parts.

Rating C

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

I’m a sucker for these music origin stories—Eight Mile, Hustle & Flow, etc. This film painted an entertaining historical picture of West Coast rap. The first half was fun and tightly written. The second half was lazier, and could have used some editing.

Rating: C

The Hot Chick (2002)

Funny despite being incredibly dumb.

Rating: C

Uncanny (2015)

The similarities to Ex Machina are palpable. Here we have a male robot instead of a female one. There were some interesting moments, but overall I enjoyed Ex Machina much more.

Rating: C

Baby Driver (2017)

The quirky style and musical interplay make this film instantly likable. You aren’t exactly sure where it’s going, but the ride is very fast. Just when you think you’ve seen every car chase sequence in existence, Baby Driver pulls out a few new tricks. A strong first half make up for an average second.

Rating: B

Hostage (2005)

I rather enjoyed this. Darker than I expected. The plot took some interesting turns.

Rating: B-

We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks (2013)

No matter your opinion on Asange and Wikileaks, this documentary is worth seeing. The meat of the story was up front, so the film begins to slow to a crawl in the second half.

Rating: C

Cecil B. DeMented (2000)

Another twisted film by John Waters. As far as anti-Hollywood movies go, it was pretty good.

Rating: C

Youth In Revolt (2009)

Michael Cera's dry delivery is hilarious. He gets away with saying the most vulgar stuff, simply because he sounds so innocent when saying it. This is not a mainstream comedy at all.

Rating: B-

Easy Money III: Life Deluxe (Snabba Cash - Livet Deluxe) (2013)

If you haven’t seen the first two, don’t bother watching this one. There are a lot of characters and layers that were developed in the previous two films which the third brings back for the big conclusion. This is the tightest script of the three, however there are still a lot of moving parts. You’ll need to focus to keep up.

Rating: C+

Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016)

An absolute New Zealand delight! Watching this will make you want to grab your dog and head off into the wilderness with your crazy uncle to live off the land. Very funny with a great soundtrack.

Rating: A

Exiled (Fong Juk) (2006)

I allowed my interest in Macao to sucker me into renting this Chinese gangster film. Unfortunately the slow moving and somewhat confusing plot never delivered the goods. It's merely one exploding bag of artificial blood after another.

Rating: D

Rhymes For Young Ghouls (2013)

A rather depressing tale that takes place in 1970s Canada on an Indian reservation. Unpleasant things happen with some dream sequences in between.

Rating: D+

Duplex (2003)

Your typical Danny DeVito dark comedy, wherein someone is trying to kill off an old lady. The script and characters are lacking. Very forgettable.

Rating: D+

The X-Files: I Want To Believe (2008)

Unnecessary. I'm not sure who was clamoring to have another X-Files movie, but I'm sure they regret it now.

Rating: D-

Blackfish (2013)

Another important documentary that will sadly go unseen by the masses. I think if people were even nominally aware of what goes on behind the scenes for them to get splashed by Shamoo, they would stop buying tickets for places like Sea World.

Rating: C

Welcome To Me (2014)

At its best when going completely off the rails with the talk show within the movie. Interesting concept that had some decent laughs as well. I love when Joan Cusack plays deadpan. She’s great. 

Rating: C

Zoolander (2001)

I love Ben Stiller, but this was a big disappointment. Some parts were really funny, but movies based on skits rarely have the ability to flesh out an entire film.

Rating: C-

The Saratov Approach (2013)

This isn’t the most exciting of kidnapping capers. So much of the film is comprised of flashbacks, soul searching, nervous conversation, and prayer. Still, I thought they did a decent job of portraying an actual kidnapping, as opposed to an over-stylized Hollywood version, where The Rock busts down the door, shoots the bad guys, and carries the boys home on his back.

Rating: C

Dive! Living Off America’s Waste (2010)

Documentary about America’s food waste and the alternative lifestyle of dumpster diving. Some interesting insights that might make you reconsider those expiration dates.

Rating: C

Fools Rush In (1997)

Watching this for a second time reminds me how very 90's it was. Vegas and the clothing have both come a long way since then. Still a fun take on what happens when two cultures collide after falling in love.

Rating: C+

The Spectacular Now (2013)

Teen relationship movie. The main character was interesting, but the movie was just average.

Rating: C

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Films like this make me hate other people. I hate people who act on their hatred. It's a great film that tells an important true story, and hopefully does more than simply entertain. Excellent performances.

Rating: B

Garbage Warrior (2007)

If you are into off-the-grid living, environmentalism, and architecture, this documentary will appeal to you.

Rating: C

Cheap Thrills (2013)

Nothing here of any redeeming value. Move on.

Rating: D-

The Count Of Monte Cristo (2002)

Despite a confusing story, the twists and turns eventually come together into a satisfying plot. Great supporting roles from Luis Guzman and Richard Harris.

Rating: C+

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Started out weak, however once Wick arrived in Rome, things started to flow. Bodies began piling up. The viewer must overlook, of course, the extreme number of head shots inflicted at the hands of John. He of course is never on the receiving end of any. Also, how does one man get hit by a car so many times and simply shake it off? It’s not high cinema, but it’s fun.

Rating: C+

Mud (2012)

The two young leads are going places. Authentic performances in a film that had more to say than I anticipated. 

Rating: C+

Joy (2015)

Big fan of David O. Russell here. He makes the most of what he has to work with here, and much of it works. It’s a character driven movie that gives you more of an appreciation for those inventing and bringing products to market. Nothing blows you away, but it’s a solid film.

Rating: C+

Be Cool (2005)

I guess I was entertained. The movie rolled by in front of me and I watched. I didn't laugh, because nothing was really funny. I wasn't scared, because nothing was scary. I wasn't excited, because nothing was overly violent or dramatic. It was simply a story and I watched. I have no idea what this movie was trying to be, if anything at all.

Rating: D

In The High Country (2013)

Some cool scenery and editing work. Beautiful countryside. Not much beyond that.

Rating: C

Paper Heart (2009)

A quirky, original romantic comedy mockumentary. I think that covers all the bases. The movie itself is fairly entertaining, but it's the special features that actually tie everything together. Some of the funniest and most revealing moments are from the cutting room floor.

Rating: C

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

A decent remake of the classic Western.

Rating: C+

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

I really enjoyed this one. I've got to hand it to Nicholson for taking challenging and age appropriate roles since 1997 when he did As Good As It Gets. About Schmidt was another great performance. I would rate these as three of his best films to date. Diane Keeton was wonderful too.

Well written and acted. 1-2 scenes were absolutely perfect. Nancy Meyers, the writer/director, has single handedly kept Diane Keeton in business, what with Baby Boom, Father of the Bride I & II, and now this.

Rating: B