War Machine (2026)

 

Robots from outer space wreak havoc on the world’s population, but the film revolves around a group of Ranger cadets facing off against a couple. Not a strong or novel premise, and the script doesn’t bring much else to the table beyond severed limbs and charred bodies. 

Rating: D

Playing By Heart (1998)

 

Separate relationship stories eventually weave together in a celebration of love. Some work better than others. Angelina Jolie shines. I miss Sean Connery. Weird seeing Jon Stewart acting. 

Rating: C+

The Substance (2024)

 

Perhaps there were some life lessons to be learned from this movie, but the closing sequence will have erased them from your mind. There’s a decent story in the first half, which descends into a gonzo freak-fest in the second. Demi Moore put her whole self into this character. It’s something to behold, although you may wish you hadn’t. 

Rating: D+

In Good Company (2004)

Loved it. Paul Weitz hits it out of the park again after About A Boy. Great casting. Credible actors. Witty dialogue. Good drama. Laugh out loud comedy. Emotion. The soundtrack is phenomenal.

Rating: B+

The Rookie (2002)

Predictable Disney tearjerker that doesn't suck.

Rating: C

G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009)

Looks and sounds amazing on screen, but it's hard to ignore the terrible script and delivery.

Rating: D+

American Dreamz (2006)

Some decent laughs at the expense of reality TV and current events.

Rating: C

Vantage Point (2008)

Like watching an extended episode of Boomtown, but with a bigger budget. Expect to be entertained and not much more.

Rating: C

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

I had fun watching this, despite the over-the-top premise. I'm a sucker for end-of-the-world disaster flicks.

Rating: C+

Legion (2009)

For an action film, there was way too much drama and chit chat in the middle, when things slowed down to a crawl. There were literally 4-5 perfect moments to use the restroom, had I needed to pee.

Since the story wasn't anything spectacular, and the cinematography basically consisted of the same boring set, the action needed to be amped up significantly in order for this to be entertaining. Poorly executed.

Rating: D+

Breaking Away (1979)

Fun to see Dennis Quaid, Jackie Earle Haley, and others at the beginning of their careers. The film does a nice job of displaying a piece of Americana, as well as a difficult period in an adolescent’s life. Better than most movies I’ve seen from that time period.

Rating: C+

The Alamo (2004)

For some reason I felt like I was watching a high school play for much of the movie. Most of the characters seemed shallow and loosely sketched from the history books. The battle scenes were pretty cool, but that wasn't enough to hold the movie together.

Rating: D+

Footloose (2011)

Annoyed from the get go with the scene of the “high school” students at their dance party, where everyone looks in their 20’s. I laughed when the cookie cutter kids got smashed to bits by the semi at the start. Good riddance. It’s a shame this film wasn’t about a killer truck driver who plows through teenage dance floors. Would have been a lot more entertaining.

No surprise Andie McDowell shows up as the crybaby mom. She has sobbed her way through one terrible movie after another. It was 5 minutes in and I wasn’t sure I could handle the rest. Things picked up when Quiet Riot came on, but of course the cool kid got a ticket for it. Later, one lap around the track with the film’s hottie and her friend is having a nervous breakdown. We get it. The town’s got a big stick up its butt.

This movie should have never been remade. Outlawed dancing is ridiculous and caring that much about not being able to is just stupid. This should have been called Step Up 9, or whatever number they are on. Maybe High School Musical 12. Either these “average” students have been watching waaaay too much So You Think You Can Dance, or else it’s normal for every kid in town to have Broadway level dance moves in their back pocket despite a ban on public dancing. Dumb all around.

Rating: F

Smart People (2008)

The title is also the target audience, as the humor is oftentimes subtle, dry and high brow. Sorry fans of Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Very funny performances put in by this ensemble cast. Sure, I was slightly distracted by Sarah J Parker's massive mole, as usual, but not enough to disrupt my movie experience.

Rating: B-

Traffic (2000)

This was an interesting portrayal of drug culture in today's world. The film had a real gritty, realistic mood to it, and the various characters slowly blend together into a complete story. The best thing about the picture was the solid cast of actors.

Rating: B

Far From Heaven (2002)

Really liked the retro feel of this movie. The acting was great too, especially from Julianne Moore. A little depressing for my taste though.

Rating: C+