Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

One implausible action sequence after the next, held together with unfailing luck and an army of guardian angels. At any given moment I barely knew what was happening on screen, and after the movie ended, I could only tell you it had something to do with nuclear bombs and espionage. How this got a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is the real Mission Impossible. I suspect Tom Cruise and Scientology were involved.

Rating: D

Eagle Eye (2008)

Classic case of poor character development, resulting in the audience not being emotionally invested when they are thrown into all sorts of peril. Reality was pretty much ignored in favor of continuous action. Action that defied all plausibility.

Rating: D+

Gone Baby Gone (2007)

A well crafted film for Ben's first directorial effort. Part thought-provoking, part thriller. I don't see myself running out to see it again, but it's a decent rental.

Rating: C

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Phillip Seymor Hoffman excels as the bad guy, transforming himself into a sinister mastermind of evil. I had no doubt he would pull off another fantastic performance. He's one of the best actors around. Cruise keeps it together on screen as well. The plot is pretty good, and the action is great.

Rating: C+

The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

A good, not great, sequel by Greengrass. I definitely prefer Doug Liman, the director of the original. Some fantastic action sequences, but the story got away from him. The flow was off and the occasional jerky action sequences couldn't save it.

Rating: C+

Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

Gritty true life story about a born again biker who lets the calling to help the Sudanese children consume his life. It’s a pretty amazing tale and they did a good job of bringing it to the screen. Gerard Butler is on his A game as usual. He plays a very flawed character attempting to make amends for his past sins. It certainly shines a light upon a terrible problem that is much easier to ignore. Definitely worth a rental.

Rating: C+

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)

The focus here was on action and comedy, not trying to be all sexy with Brad and Angelina. It was violent enough to keep me entertained, and quite funny. It's no masterpiece, but it's good fun.

Rating: C+

Somewhere (2010)

Like all Sofia Coppola films, this one was somewhat depressing and lonely. It certainly takes the glamor out of being a young Hollywood star. It succeeds in showing the aimlessness and isolation that can occur from living that lifestyle. It’s the exact opposite of the E! Network.

Rating: C-

Due Date (2010)

Nothing will ever top Todd Phillips best road trip movie: "Go". Due Date is a more straightforward comedy than that. One only has to turn a camera on Galifianakis to make an audience laugh. Mix in a little dead pan Downey Jr., and you have yourself a decent film before the script has even been written. Plenty of laughs despite the simple plot.

Rating: C+

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

I'm still not sure I fully understood the plot, but in the end it didn't matter, as the banter between Robert & Val made up for it. Also, Robert's narration was a nice touch, as were the random bits thrown in that had little to do with the film. For his directorial debut, I thought Shane Black did a great job. I'd love to see more of him behind the camera.

Rating: B-

Source Code (2011)

Entertaining despite the plethora of plot holes. I’m pretty sure the ending is impossible, scientifically or otherwise. I like my sci-fi with a bit more plausibility.

Rating: C