Wind River (2017)

Murder mystery on the rez featuring Jeremy Renner in top form. This isn’t new territory by any means, but don’t let that stop you from seeing their take. Maybe avoid if you have a teenage daughter.

Rating: B-

Arrival (2016)

Arrival reminded me of the Jodi Foster movie Contact. Both were full of drama, emotion, and a confusing plot. Ultimately nothing very exciting happened. Certainly one of the most over-hyped films of the year.

Rating: C-

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

A by-the-numbers Hollywood spy thriller with one impossible scenario after another. Looks slick on the surface, but not much going on under the hood.

Rating: C-

Kill The Messenger (2014)

Heavy drama based on the story of the CIAs involvement with the drug trade and Nicaraguan Contras. Renner does a fine job as usual. It’s a satisfactory project, but nothing that will get your heart pumping.

Rating: C

American Hustle (2013)

A-list actors putting on a clinic of how it’s done. David O’ Russell, one of my favorite directors, makes the 70’s shine like it hasn’t in a long time. Nonstop eye candy on screen. The story played second fiddle to everything else going on, and I was ok with that. Certainly some nomination-worthy material here, although it wouldn’t be my pick for Best Picture.

Rating: B+

S.W.A.T. (2003)

A fun action movie. Nice development, plotline, action, suspense, etc. Solid cast and direction. A good time.

Rating: C+

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

A bit slow and documentary-like, but engaging at the same time. A fascinating look at a piece of American history nonetheless. Is it wrong if I spent half the movie wishing for another season of Deadwood?

Rating: C+

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

I saw this at a Korean megaplex. Not a peep the entire film from the audience. If only it was like that in the States. Tons of action and booming sound. A good one to see on the big screen. I’ve long forgotten the intricate back story of the previous 3 films, but I had a general idea of how this latest edition fits in.

Renner has become the go-to action star of this decade. He certainly looked bulked up for the role. Story was rather clichéd, but the execution had a massive budget behind it, so it looked cooler than most.

Rating: C+

The Avengers (2012)

I made a fatal error before watching this latest super-budget superheroes movie. I became aware that it received rave reviews. With artificially raised expectations, I went in hoping for something on par with the first two X-Men films.

Sadly, it was ludicrous from the opening scene. Cheesy dialogue and glowing cubes of power. Run-of-the-mill Marvel schlock. ScarJo is appropriately hot in her skintight leather fighting suit, but her expertise as a trained killer is about as believable as Zeus’ brother teleporting through a wormhole to our planet in order to take it over.

The plot is trite and tired. Not even Stark’s snark can save it. What really bothers me about almost all superhero movies is that a clean headshot from a sniper would bring an abrupt end to all the crime fighting. I’m looking at you Captain America. Avengers is filled to the brim with unrealistic CGI fights and battles. It’s a repackaged Transformers movie. A few steps away from being a cartoon.

Rating: D

The Hurt Locker (2008)

Fast paced and well made, but I would have liked more of a story arc. The movie is a string of events that take place in the lives of a bomb engineering crew. Movies like this are more suspenseful when you identify with the characters. It took most of the film before I had a reasonable idea who anybody was. It didn't help that I expected much more from a Best Picture nominee. But then again, The Blindside and Avatar were nominated, so there you go.

Rating: C+

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Another action packed sequel with impossible stunts, kickass spy gear, and a convoluted plot that threatens world peace.

Rating: C

The Town (2010)

It's a dramatic heist film with above average acting. I'm surprised this is being considered for awards.

Rating: C+