Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

It was nice to pull away from the main Star Wars narrative for a mostly stand-alone film that didn’t require a college level course to keep track of all the characters and space lingo. Sure, much of the acting and dialogue were wooden, as you’d expect in a Lucasfilm production, but the theater experience was still entertaining.

Rating: C

Blood Father (2016)

Reminiscent of past Gibson films, with a splash of Taken. Gritty and violent. Not sure why they never bothered to ditch her cell phone.

Rating: C

Elysium (2013)

Really enjoyed the first half. A lot of creative ideas in this dystopian vision of the future. All special effects and manufactured environments were on point. Excellent camera and sound work. The second half relied more on Hollywood clichés, following a familiar path to a semi-sweet ending.

Rating: C+

Open Range (2003)

Costner put a lot of work into all aspects of the film, and it shows. Acting was excellent. Story was simple, in an "Unforgiven" kind of way, but still gripping. Fantastic shootout. Solid movie.

Rating: B

The Terminal (2004)

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg are a solid combination. You may have to suspend belief with some of the plot points, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the film.

Rating: C+

Casa De Mi Padre (2012)

Simply not funny. I get that they were poking fun at Mexican, low-budget melodramas, and that it was purposely shot to look “bad”. That doesn’t make it funny. Felt more like a weak Saturday Night Live skit stretched into a feature length film, but in Spanish.

Rating: D-