Stratton (2017)

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

Rating: C-

An Education (2009)

Smartly written, although a bit dry at times. I think I would have liked the story a little more if David hadn't been so randomly odd. Still, the characters were well developed and relatively consistent throughout the film. It's not a terribly exciting story, but not bad for a Sunday afternoon.

Rating: C

My Week With Marilyn (2011)

This is the type of film I tend to put off seeing because I think it will be dull or overly dramatic, but I enjoyed it. Terrific performance by Michelle Williams as Marilyn.

Rating: C+

Need For Speed (2014)

Cliché on top of cliché on top of cliché. Characters that are impossible to root for since at any moment they might thoughtlessly massacre a crowd of pedestrian children. The ramshackle plot existed solely to sell Ford Mustangs. For a movie that takes place in the real world, the entire series of events was completely science fiction with a dash of fairy dust. I’m willing to suspend belief a little for the sake of fast cars and slick sound effects, but nobody said anything about undergoing a brain-lectomy.

Rating: D-

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Felt like the kind of vampire movie the team behind Ghost Rider might make. In case you’re a moron, that’s a bad thing. I’ve had a better time watching an episode of True Blood.

Rating: D

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

As with most superhero origin stories, the backstory and buildup was far superior to the big battle in the second act. That’s when the wheels come off, things get unrealistic, and plot holes open up continuously. It’s a clichéd mess by the end. I was impressed with the way they made Chris Evans look scrawny at the beginning of the film though.

Rating: C-

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (2009)

I'm not usually a fan of plotless films, but this one was intriguing. It's the smart dialogue that pulls you in, plus some surprisingly well acted scenes that don't exactly jive with the rest of the movie, but are good nonetheless. (The bathroom attendant scene, for example) Reminds me a little of Neil LaBute's early work.

Rating: C+