Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

I really enjoyed the unique animation style mixed with origami. The story was rich with Japanese culture. Well-made and enjoyable to watch.

Rating: B

Babylon A.D. (2008)

The Transporter meets Children of Men, only without the tight editing and script. Someone bit off more than they could chew here. Direction was scattershot, dialogue was woeful, acting was sub par, and the screenplay needed a few more revisions. Too much movie trying to be squeezed into a 90 minute package.

Rating: D

Cooties (2014)

I loved the opening credit montage. Perfect PSA for why meat is disgusting. The movie itself hovers just above a B rated zombie flick. There are occasional funny lines that help make the 90 minutes somewhat palatable.

Rating: C-

Silverado (1985)

It took me over 30 years to finally see this classic Western. Impressive cast. They checked all the boxes and the good guys won.

Rating: B-

In The Heart Of The Sea (2015)

It’s impossible for me to root for the guys hunting whales, so no tears were shed when they met their fate. Mostly ho hum until it became a survival story, even if it did become grim rather quickly. Moral of the story—always stay on the island.

Rating: C-

Finding Neverland (2004)

An enjoyable family film. Depp and Winslett are great.

Rating: C+

Twenty Feet From Stardom (2013)

As a music lover, I enjoyed finding out more about the background singers from many songs that I love.

Rating: C

The Good Girl (2002)

Quirky, dark comedy about the life of a drug store clerk in a dull town who is unhappy with everything around her. When an odd new clerk enters her life, things begin to spin out of control. Solid indie cast makes it worth checking out.

Rating: C+

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

This felt like a movie conceived for the already converted Harry Potter fanatics. I am anything but that. To me it was another superhero movie, but with magic. If your mind is still soft and undeveloped, you may be entertained by the smoke and mirrors. I found very little of substance beneath the surface outside of a few cute ideas.

Rating: D

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)

Kevin James can be funny given the right material. Sadly, he's forced to deliver nuggets of coal from this dried up shaft.

Rating: D-

Citizenfour (2014)

It’s not that the shooting style, editing, or cinematography are anything special in this documentary about Edward Snowden, it’s the content. I wish more people would take the time to see this.

Rating: B-

Get Out (2017)

I’d heard Get Out was messed up, but the fun was in discovering just what kind of messed up we were dealing with. The closest thing I can compare it to is the film Red State. That’s a compliment. Go see it.

Rating: B

Spectre (2015)

That entire opening sequence in Mexico City was stupid. All the ingredients of a cheesy 80s action movie were there. Is that what James Bond is aiming for these days?

This was Sam Mendes cashing in a big paycheck so he could make other films worth seeing. The whole thing was rather boring. The plot was one cliché after another. Leftover leftovers.

Rating: D-

White Noise (2005)

The film is based on completely ridiculous pseudo-science, and therefore the rest of the movie falters around it. There were two pretty good scream-out-loud scenes. That's about it.

Rating: D

Blue Ruin (2013)

A peculiar revenge flick without a happy ending. Would have rated it higher otherwise.

Rating: C

Beware Of Mr. Baker (2012)

Documentary about Ginger Baker, legendary drummer for Cream and many other bands. He’s lived an abnormal life that was showcased with mixed results in the film. An alternate title could have been Selfish Prick.

Rating: C

Suicide Squad (2016)

This third installment feels like a series of flashy music videos loosely held together by something resembling a plot. Despite watching the extended version, it felt like major storylines were missing. As if they’d taken 13 TV episodes and edited them into a 2-hour movie.

Some fun moments and likable characters make it bearable, but there was far too much magic and craziness for my liking. I prefer my superhero movies to be more subtle. 

Rating: C-

Taking Woodstock (2009)

I don't know that I would have bothered seeing this if it wasn't for Ang Lee. Not the director you first think of for this kind of movie. What you get are some really interesting characters, nice performances, authentic set pieces, and a quirky story based on actual events.

It felt uneven at times. A few scenes were simply wedged in because they needed to go somewhere; but overall it was entertaining.

Rating: C

A Most Violent Year (2014)

It felt like the entire movie was building up to something big, which never arrived. A more interesting movie would have allowed for his wife to bring in her mobster family to set things right. Conflict in their marriage would have escalated as she took over wearing the big boy britches. Oh well.

Rating: C

I Am David (2003)

A story about a 12 year old boy who escapes from a work camp in Eastern Europe during WWII and makes his way to Denmark. A good supporting cast and big enough budget to make things look authentic.

Rating: C

The Revenant (2015)

I can’t emphasize enough how amazing and brutal that grizzly attack scene was. No idea how they filmed it. Just incredible. The whole movie is one fantastic survival-revenge story. The camerawork and shot angles are superb. Definitely a contender for Best Cinematography.

Rating: B+

Flyboys (2006)

It's worth seeing just for the great dog-fighting action sequences. The script is so-so, but the special effects are outstanding.

Rating: C

Desert Runners (2013)

Documentary following a group of ultramarthoners attempting to complete the 4 Desert Grand Slam—250 km races in four of the world’s most extreme deserts. As an ultramarathoner myself, I found it very entertaining, especially how they are able to cope with massive amounts of physical pain and discomfort to accomplish their goals.

Rating: C+

Get Over It (2001)

Not bad. Something to pass the time.

Rating: C-

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

I had no intention of seeing this since the entire concept seemed stupid. Superman is invincible. Batman is some dude in a suit. Pretty obvious how this would play out. However, I wanted to see Suicide Squad and discovered it was the third in a series, so I watched Man Of Steel and now this one.

The opening of BvS addressed one of my chief complaints about Man Of Steel and superhero movies in general—they always seem to destroy more stuff and kill more innocent people than if they’d just let the bad guy do his thing. So I liked that this was Bruce’s motivation for wanting to take out Superman.

My expectations for this film were very low. I gave Man Of Steel a ‘C’ and I predicted this would be worse. It wasn’t. BvS had more flair. The plot was more interesting. Sure, it came down to a big fight between the two costumed men at the end, but I guess that’s a requirement of the genre.

I watched the 3 hour extended version, which still felt like a lot had been edited out. I wasn’t bored and felt entertained most of the time. No small feat.

Rating: C+

Se7en (1995)

That Trent Reznor music during the opening credits really sets a disturbing mood. Brad Pitt is really great in this. At the end you can really see his mind at war with itself.

Rating: B+

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

The reviews were very positive for this sequel. Undeservedly so in my opinion. By-the-book storytelling. More flying dragons. A lot of fighting with only like one person dying, thus taking away any real suspense. Very little in the way of humor for adults. I chuckled once or twice.

Rating: D

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Very entertaining, with plenty of humor that adults will appreciate when viewing with their kids. Jack Black is hilarious in this. I really enjoyed the action sequences too.

Rating: B-

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Filmed in the style of a theatrical play—a very dark and violent play. Definitely a character piece, filled with heady dialogue and facial expression. Most of the movie is a slow build-up to the bloody conclusion. As far as Tarantino films go, and I’ve seen them all, this won’t be one of my favorites. Closer to the bottom actually. Still liked it though.

Rating: C+

Wicker Park (2004)

I didn't expect this to be so well done. Somehow the director manages tie together a twisting and turning plot full of non-sequential flashbacks into a satisfying film.

Rating: B-

Antarctica: A Year on Ice (2013)

Documentary about the mostly human life on the continent of Antarctica throughout the year. In a way, it’s like seeing what a Mars colony might be like, as there isn't access in or out for 6 months of the year. I found it pretty interesting.

Rating: C+

Bad Company (2002)

There were some funny parts, but the plot itself was a little trite. 

Rating: C-

Finding Dory (2016)

Starts off weak but gains momentum in the journey. Some cute moments. Decent family film.

Rating: C

Hot Rod (2007)

Good for a few chuckles.  

Rating: C-

Big Game (2014)

I’m willing to accept a minimal amount of preposterous-ness, but Big Game went beyond the levels of acceptability. Case in point—the flying freezer scene. Do yourself a favor and see a much better version of this film called Hanna.

Rating: D+

Stratton (2017)

Production value was on par, but the plot wasn’t. Simon West isn’t even trying anymore.

Rating: C-

The Lobster (2015)

Weird, but intriguing. Unfortunately they overdid it on the weird side instead of exploring the material in a more satisfying way. It’s not a bad movie, but I definitely felt disappointed at the end.

Rating: D+

Guess Who (2005)

Bernie Mac was fun to watch when you could understand what he was saying.

Rating: C

Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

One of those Blockbuster action movies where everyone except the hero makes terrible decisions until he finally saves the day. Completely predictable in its lunacy. Filled with over-patriotic American characters who leave you with zero empathy after they die.

Meanwhile, we are supposed to believe that North Korea has their shit together enough to mount this organized of an attack abroad. Reminiscent of the Red Dawn remake, which also sucked.

Rating: D

Dead Snow (Død Snø) (2009)

I actually had high hopes for this Norwegian Nazi Zombie flick in snow. It screened at Sundance and had a great trailer. Unfortunately, it suffered from numerous shortcomings.

The cast was unlikable and unfunny. The action was B grade at best. The zombies were cartoony. The only scares came through cheap jump cuts and loud sound editing. A good zombie movie needs to have a somewhat believable premise and characters to root for. Certain zombie rules need to be followed. Dead Snow fails on all counts.

Rating: D-

Hell Or High Water (2016)

"Only assholes drink Mr. Pib."
"Drink up."

Rating: C

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Whew, what a fun ride! Amazing special f/x with plenty of cool fight and chase scenes. Good times.

Rating: C+

The Voices (2014)

This one missed the mark for me. I get the dark comedy horror theme they were going for, but it wasn’t scary or funny enough to be either.

Rating: D

Frat House (1998)

After seeing Todd Phillips' movie "Go", I was curious about this earlier documentary he made that takes you inside the Frat House hazing rituals. This bunch of ignoramuses who will surely end up being prison guards until they end up in prison themselves for beating their wives.

Sure, it was interesting to see the length these halfwits will go to get into a fraternity, but it's mostly sad. Sad that the US is populated by so many conforming, mean-spirited, sheep. We can only hope that all the alcohol they consume in their 4 years of college will turn them sterile.

Rating: C-

Bone Tomahawk (2015)

I’m hard pressed to think of a more gruesome scene than the one inside that cave. Unpleasant. Unexpected as well, seeing as the build up to the nastiness was quite slow. Definitely an odd western, if you can call it that.

Rating: C-

Saw III (2006)

Do two movies make a pattern? They did in this case. When the sequel failed to measure up to the original, I should have known the third installment would outright suck. It attempts to make up in gore what it lacks in plot and direction.

Rating: D-

Knights of Badassdom (2013)

B level production. Actual humor was few and far between. This movie sucketh.

Rating: D-

The Last Castle (2001)

Liked the movie, despite it's predictability. Solid acting all around. Even made me feel a little better about the military, so there's something.

Rating: C+

The Secret Life Of Pets (2016)

Had to quit after 20 minutes because it was far too stupid.

Rating: F

Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (2008)

As it turns out, lightning didn't strike twice. Let's face it, the original Ong-Bak set the bar very high. Don't get me wrong, the action sequences are amazing as usual. But like The Protector, it's the story that's lacking. Cool fight scenes are fun and all, but they need a compelling story to give them context if you want to deliver a quality film.

The film looks and sounds beautiful. As in previous Jaa films, most of what you see on screen is what you get. They don't screw around with CGI. So when you see that stampeding elephant scene and are asking yourself why it looks so real, it's because it is.

Rating: C+