The First Purge (2018)

I’m a sucker for a good origin story, and this was pretty good. The style and story was in line with the rest of the films, but I liked the gangs vs militias plot-line a little more. Quite violent. Could have done without the extra cheesy final minute of the movie though.

Rating: C+

Igby Goes Down (2002)

Kieren Culkin leads a quality cast in a very moody film that can be a little shocking at times.

Rating: C+

Gummo (1997)

I should have let this one stay buried in obscurity. It's terrible. If your idea of a good time is shaky camera work, dead cats, unattractive eyebrowless girls, dead cats, extreme white trash, zero plot, and did I mention dead cats? ...then you will love this movie.

Rating: F

Searching… (2018)

Creatively edited in a way I’ve never seen before. The film takes place entirely “online”, often from a viewpoint of inside a computer screen. It’s a compelling missing person film with red herrings and twists along the way. But really it’s the unique techie style that sucks you in, especially if you are hip with the world of social media. Enjoyed.

Rating: C+

Waydowntown (2000)

Just because it's at Sundance doesn't make it good. The plot actually sounded interesting, but the execution was terrible. Let this one go.

Rating: D-

Phantom Thread (2017)

This didn’t feel like a Paul Thomas Anderson film to me. Sure, the film hinges on the dramatic performances of its actors. Almost to a fault in this case. There isn’t much of a plot in the traditional sense. More like very specific characters interacting with one another. It oft feels depressing, and a little dark. It’s mood heavy. Not a film you would ever crave to see again, but you won’t regret seeing it either.

Rating: C

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

A lot of wealthy cultural fun. A look inside a world that most of us will never experience, which for me is what watching movies is all about. Very character rich too.

Rating: C+

Miracle At St. Anna (2008)

Strange movie. Nothing like you expect going in. I'm not certain Spike Lee or the editor were working from the same script. There was a really good film buried somewhere in there, but nobody on the crew seemed able to bring it to light.

The little Italian kid was fantastic (shame he has never acted since), but major actors were introduced and then left on the wayside. If they were cameos, they weren't treated as such. I was moved by many sequences, but disappointed at the incoherent storytelling. Some of the race issues felt very ham-fisted. Also, the Shawshank Redemption ending felt hollow. It didn't illicit the dramatic punch they were shooting for. This film was too big for Spike Lee's talent.

Rating: C-

Willard (2003)

Crispin Glover is one of the most bizarre actors out there, so when I saw he was in the title role of this film, I had to check it out. He plays it real over-the-top, which sometimes works. The rats were pretty amazing. Most of the creepiness comes from just watching so many rats squirm around. I was actually nervous about going into my basement today.

Rating: C

Upgrade (2018)

Not your usual revenge flick. Upgrade takes place in the future where tech and bodies are becoming one. It’s well crafted and fun to see the director’s vision of what life will be like. It’s also quite grisly and violent.

Rating: B-

Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noel) (2005)

Based on real events, meaning liberties were taken to put together an entertaining film, which is fine with me. I enjoyed. We are given 3 different perspectives, the Brits, Scots, and Germans, which eventually blend into one. Fantastic message of peace that doesn't hit you over the head.

Rating: B-

Down To Earth (2001)

This was a pretty good remake, although the original was better. It's hard watching Chris in a PG-13 movie, cause you know he's holding back the whole time. I prefer Rated R Chris.

Some funny supporting cast members and several laugh out loud scenes, but overall it was simple entertainment.

Rating: C

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Prehistoric fun for those able to let go of reality and enjoy the CGI dinosaurs.

Rating: C

Fired Up! (2009)

Simultaneously pokes fun at a lot of the cheer-leading movies while being one itself. Periodic funny scenes prevent this from becoming a real stinker. If you need to kill an hour and a half, there are worse ways to do it.

Rating: C-

The Shallows (2016)

A movie about poor choices and the consequences that come when a killer shark is handing out life lessons. Nothing makes a lot of sense. Why would a shark attack a surfer when it has a massive whale carcass to feast on? Why didn’t the girl make a break for the buoy while the shark was mauling the fat Mexican thief? Oh well.

Rating: C-

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Turns out you can’t just put all the superhero movies in a blender and produce a delicious smoothie. Very messy.

Rating: C-