She Rides Shotgun (2025)

 

A breakout performance by Ana Sophia Heger as a little girl caught up in a very adult mess. The tone is tense and sad. Stories like this don’t have “happy” endings. 

Rating: C+

Babes (2024)

 

A pretty raw having-a-baby film, but funny. Not for the squeamish. 

Rating: C+

The Trial Of The Chicago 7 (2020)

It’s all just history repeating itself. The fight continues. Sorkin Sorkins. 

Rating: C+

The Founder (2016)

Just a pure entrepreneurial delight to behold; that is until the mid-point of the film, when Ray Croc turns out to be an alcoholic, lecherous, asshole. Still, it’s an interesting bit of American history.

Rating: C+

The Good Girl (2002)

Quirky, dark comedy about the life of a drug store clerk in a dull town who is unhappy with everything around her. When an odd new clerk enters her life, things begin to spin out of control. Solid indie cast makes it worth checking out.

Rating: C+

Gran Torino (2008)

Strangely funny and gripping at the same time. An interesting take on race relations and the generation gap. Eastwood still has it. Not the ending I was hoping for, but then again, I wasn't watching The Punisher 2.

Rating: B-

Bubble Boy (2001)

A lot of fun. Really funny and one of those road movies that you somehow get sucked into, even if the premise is bad, like Joe Dirt. 

Rating: C+

Shutter Island (2010)

The film is finely crafted by Martin. Acting is excellent. Story? Eh. I was certainly on edge and intrigued. I liked the ending. But overall, I wouldn't say it's a very satisfying film.

Rating: C

Zodiac (2007)

Half of Hollywood shows up in this docu-thriller by David Fincher. I
wasn't familiar with the history behind these killings, so I didn't know what was coming. Well written screenplay based on the material
available. It's not a movie you'll run out to see again, but it's certainly worth seeing once.

Rating: C+

Sympathy For Delicious (2010)

Great concept, poor script. There were a 100 ways they could have gone with the idea of a modern day healer, and they chose to have him be a skid row DJ? Unlikeable characters in a script that made little sense.

Rating: D

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Started out strong with some funny scenes and smart writing. Things weakened in the second half. A lot of contrived plot lines and cliché sequences. This is a general audience pleaser and fun overall, but it’s better if you switch half your brain off. Ladies will be giving this an A+ for Ryan Gosling alone.

Rating: C+

Hesher (2010)

Totally F-ed up. Gordon-Levitt is a freaking genius and one of the greatest actors of our time. It’s a miracle considering his Third Rock From The Sun upbringing.

Hesher is a true indie film. Someone’s vision come to life on camera. No test audience or producer meddling. That doesn’t necessarily translate into movie magic, but it does produce something real and interesting to watch.

Hesher is a fantastic character. I could see him in his own graphic novel. Better yet, I’d love to see Hesher parachuted into multiple sequels, like a twisted superhero arriving to save the day, while simultaneously destroying it.

Devin Brochu, playing the kid, did a terrific job too. The movie is a trip, and it didn’t take me where I thought I was going, but that’s ok. Loved hearing the old school Metallica—back when they were relevant.

Rating: B

Paul (2010)

The previews for this didn’t win me over, however the film itself was much better than I was led to believe. I only wish I’d avoided the previews so they couldn’t ruin several perfectly good jokes. I liked that this was an action, road-trip buddy comedy. The writing was witty for the most part and the supporting characters did a good job. Seth Rogan’s voice was put to better use here than in Monsters Vs. Aliens.

Rating: C+