Sugar & Spice (2001)

I wasn't expecting much, but I'm afraid I got even less than that. All the acting seemed forced and the generally weak lines missed much more than they hit. They couldn't decide whether this should be a cheerleader movie or a heist flick. They failed at both.

Rating: D-

Harsh Times (2005)

It's like going on a long car trip with a bunch of losers. You feel trapped, but there's nowhere to escape to. You keep waiting for something good to happen, but it never does. It's just a long, pointless, frustrating ride. Do yourself a favor and don't get in the car.

Rating: F

The House Bunny (2008)

I knew I was in trouble when the Happy Madison logo came up. I didn't realize Adam Sandler had his Zohan dipped into this production. Fortunately, Anna Faris can spin crap into comedy gold. If not for her, this movie would have been a 24 carat F. 

Rating: D

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

They did a good job matching the tone and slow pace of the original. This update was a bit more coherent. Joi kind of made me want to date a robot. The movie itself was ok.

Rating: C

The Sum Of All Fears (2002)

The first half of the movie is all build up. A lot of political spy talk that nobody, except the writers, really care about. When the action finally does come, it is anti-climatic. The characters meant nothing to me. Most were one dimensional.

Rating: D-

Mr. Jealousy (1997)

Terrific soundtrack. Decent romantic comedy. 

Rating: C

Tell No One (Ne le dis à Personne) (2006)

French mystery/suspense film with some great direction, twists, and editing. The score is good too. You may be confused through most of the film, but trust me, things will come together by the end. The film had a very different feel to it, which I liked.

Rating: B-

The Filth and the Fury (2000)

Didn't feel I knew enough about this band, Johnny Rotten, the orgins of UK punk, Sid Vicious and Nancy. Well, I do now. The format was choppy and unclear at times, much like the band.

Rating: C

Dunkirk (2017)

A fine war film touching on heroism, survival, and patriotism. Enjoyed.

Rating: B

Open Water (2003)

I wouldn't call this film good, since I spent most of the time being tense and uncomfortable. It's an original idea shot in a new way, but that doesn't make you feel any less depressed at the end.

Rating: C

Free State Of Jones (2016)

A dramatized piece of US history that I felt was handled well as a feature film. McConaughey went full swamp rat for his role. A lot of compelling themes throughout.

Rating: B

Run, Fatboy, Run (2007)

What a disappointment. Great cast, ok story, terrible script. 90% of the jokes fell flat. The humor is dull, recycled, and literally tries to hit you over the head with the punchline. A better writer and a few tweaks to the story could have saved it. David Schwimmer as a director probably didn't help much either.

Rating: D-

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Hugh Grant played a great dirty bastard of a boss. I read the book while in Europe and loved it. The movie wasn't as good, but did a decent job.

Rating: C

Big Fan (2009)

More of a drama than a dark comedy. It's a study of obsession and apathy. The film holds your attention but doesn't really entertain. 

Rating: C-

War Of The Worlds (2005)

Fantastic special effects. I would have liked more about the aliens, rather than a one-sided view from our perspective. There wasn't much in the plot explaining why everything was going on, how their machines worked, etc etc. It just seemed very one dimensional.

Rating: C

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

The excessive swearing, especially the Lord’s name in vain, was both unnecessary and distracting from the story. A story of sad, broken people inflicting cruelties upon one another. Charlie’s mom from Always Sunny In Philadelphia fit right in. Very dark and ultimately rather unfulfilling. I guess that’s the Academy’s sweet spot.

Rating: C

Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

I hadn’t seen this since I was a kid, but had the opportunity tonight to watch it for a second time at Robert Redford’s screening room. If you are from Utah, it’s fun to see the many recognizable areas where the movie was shot. Not my favorite of his films, but still good.

Rating: C

The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

Third in the Cloverfield franchise and the dumbest of the bunch. Reminded me of Event Horizon, where nothing makes sense--just a mishmash of confusing sequences that somewhat resemble a story. Doesn’t work as a standalone film or as a necessary installment in the series.

Rating: D-

Run Ronnie Run (2002)

Being a huge fan of Mr Show with David Cross and Bob Odenkirk, I had to check out this collaboration film/sketch project, even though I heard they weren't happy with the outcome. As I expected, it was hit and miss. Really funny in some parts, and really off mark in others. This movie had an unbelievable amount of cameos by every comedian in town. If you are a fan of theirs, it's worth checking out.

Rating: C

Molly’s Game (2017)

For characters that are speaking Aaron Sorkin fast, you may be surprised by the 140 minute run-time. It’s a long movie that is  slick and fun when focused on poker and how Molly’s rise to power came to be. There are flashbacks and flash-forwards that keep the story from growing stagnant. Things fizzled out a little towards the end.

Rating: C+

Lakeview Terrace (2008)

A very uncomfortable movie to watch. Samuel L plays a bully cop who has serious issues with interracial marriages. Labute enjoys turning stereotypes on their heels, and he does so with reckless abandon throughout the film. Not his best work though. 

Rating: C

Happenstance (Le Battement D'ailes du Papillon) (2000)

Twisting plots with various characters who eventually come together. I enjoyed it.

Rating: C+

All The King’s Men (2006)

Sean Penn returns as the mighty orator, delivering Oscar inspired speeches from stone steps. Nobody can deny he's a fantastic actor, as is the rest of the all-star cast. But isn't anyone else growing tired of seeing Penn in grandiose dramatic roles? The movie is dark, slow moving, and a bit dry.

Rating: C-

The Shape Of Water (2017)

Benicio Del Toro continues to make fascinating films. This reminded me of a cross between E.T. and a reverse Splash. Maybe a bit of Cocoon thrown in. Anyway, I liked it. An authentic and literal fish out of water love story.

Rating: B

What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

The Office meets Interview With A Vampire. Mildly entertaining. More gory than I thought it would be.

Rating: C