Rushmore (1998)

 

A nice thing about Wes Anderson films is that they seem to take place in a time all of their own, so watching this decades later, it doesn’t feel dated. The subject is misplaced love and attention. Typical quirky Anderson characters engage against a backdrop of indie and classic tunes. 

I very much enjoy the theatrical stage productions often contained in his films. Later he will direct entire films in this manner. 

Rating: B-

One Hour Photo (2002)

 

I only like Robin Williams in serious roles. This stylish thriller centers around a CREEPY guy who takes his job’s customer service responsibility way too far. 

Rating: C+

Nobody 2 (2025)

 

Not as fun as Nobody 1. 

Rating: C

Gladiator II (2024)

 

Son of Maximus hits the gladiator circuit, making a name for himself while undermining the elites. It’s more of the same, and as good a reason as any to go to the theater over the holidays. 

Rating: C+

Nobody (2021)

Moral of the story. Best to avoid picking fights with nobodys just in case they turn out to be somebodys. Ultra violent beat em up/shoot em up mayhem. May teeter on being unrealistic at times, but still bloody fun. 

Rating: C+

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Even at four hours long, it still feels like massive amounts of backstory and plot development went missing. The film jumps from one scene to the next, glossing over plot holes and reason. It seems every devoted fanboy and girl has shut their collective brains off in fealty to Marvel, which continues to reward their devotion with one nonsensical film after the another. 

Rating: D+

Basic (2003)

Plot was pure shit. I mean it. After the second or third twist, I lost interest and just waited for them to explain the convoluted story at the end. Even then I didn't really understand it, or care if I understood it. Several real poor performances, especially from Connie Nielsen. Miss this one.

Rating: F

Wonder Woman (2017)

Mildly entertaining. The best bits were during the planning phase in London when character nuances had a chance to surface. But I had a running list of complaints.

Did it not dawn on them that if Ares never returned, they would all die off in a generation’s time, you know, since there were no men around to get them pregnant? 

Their home island made use of too much CGI. Might as well have been a cartoon. 

Training with real weapons would have surely led to accidental beheadings and dismemberment. Where were all the disfigured chicks who failed warrior academy? 

When WW dives into the ocean to save the pilot, she misses certain death on the rocks by a few feet. Does she have sonar? That’s not a dive I see them practicing. 

I don’t care how important your mission is. If you wash up on the shore of an island full of sexy Amazon ladies, your new mission is to enjoy every second of the rest of your life. 

One bad guy kills himself with cyanide to avoid giving up secrets whilst the others are knocked out, readily available for questioning. Do they bother? No.

Crossing No Man’s Land she deflects a few bullets with her wrist guards, but then hides behind her shield as the gatling gun starts. Um, how did her legs not get blown to bits? 

Why does WW’s sword never have any blood on it?

In the end, it turns out she’s basically invincible, which renders all previous action sequences meaningless. Everything leads up to two “gods” duking it out in a pointless fight. 

WW is victorious after she decides love can conquer all. Heavy stuff. 

Rating: D

The Hunted (2003)

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

Rating: C

Stratton (2017)

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

Rating: C-

The Great Raid (2005)

A slow moving war movie that doesn't pick up until the actual raid in the title. The characters fall flat, the storytelling is mostly one-sided, and the tone is very depressing. Skip it.

Rated: D

3 Days To Kill (2014)

Some Luc Besson flourishes helped make things interesting, but McG direction couldn’t elevate the material to a higher level.

Rating: C