Breakin’ All The Rules (2004)

 

Jamie Foxx is fine in this little romantic comedy about the rules for breaking up. 

Rating: C

Never Been Kissed (1999)

 

A big theme of this movie is older folks perving out on underage high school kids, and everyone is cool with it. Feels a bit more cringe 25 years later, but still quite funny in parts. 

Rating: C+

Being John Malkovich (1999)

 

Written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. Weirdness was guaranteed. I wish I could have been in the meeting when this was first pitched to Malkovich. What a bizarre and intriguing role to play. Loved the restaurant scene where he’s playing 100 different versions of himself. Truly a unique vision. 

Rating: B

Spirited (2022)

 

A creative twist on the Dickens classic. Would have preferred a non-musical version, as I’m not a showtunes guy. 

Rating: C

Gifted (2017)

A feel good film about trying to do what's best for a gifted little girl. There’s no perfect answer except to maybe find the right balance, which is ultimately where things land. A talented young actress. 

Rating: B-

Zootopia (2016)

Creative, cute, and clever. Seems geared more toward adults, but kids may like all the furry animals, even if they have no idea what’s going on.

Rating: C+

Instant Family (2018)

The highs and many lows of foster parent life. Not overly sentimental, but also not afraid to tug at your heartstrings. It’s a feel good ending, but isn’t that what you really want?

Rating: C+

Drag Me To Hell (2009)

Not exactly breaking new ground, but at least it's a decent renovation. I'll admit to screaming like a girl a few times and partially obstructing my eyes with my hands. Not sure why they even bothered with the "twist" at the end when it was so blatantly obvious.

Rating: C

The Shape Of Water (2017)

Benicio Del Toro continues to make fascinating films. This reminded me of a cross between E.T. and a reverse Splash. Maybe a bit of Cocoon thrown in. Anyway, I liked it. An authentic and literal fish out of water love story.

Rating: B

Snowpiercer (2013)

An ultra-violent actioner that takes place in a self-contained super-train in a post-apocalyptic world where people are segregated by class, both figuratively and literally? Sign me up!

The train turned out to be cooler than I thought. Themed cars such as a marine aquarium, steam saunas, hair salon, greenhouse, and nightclub. Unfortunately, the end of the train and the end of the movie both turned out to be a disappointment. Great ideas for movies rarely have great endings. Snowpiercer was not an exception.

Rating: C

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)

Funny scenes throughout, but the plot was a little out there. An ok escape.

Rating: C

The Help (2011)

Watching movies like The Help makes me want to run out and watch Django Unchained again. I love seeing ignorant douchebags get their comeuppance, especially if it takes the form of buckshot to the face.

In The Help, retribution for white injustice comes in a milder form, through a tell-all book from the perspective of the housekeepers. It’s a heartwarming story that gets a bit dramatic at the end, but that can’t be helped when it’s a Hollywood picture.

Rating: C+

Bad Santa (2003)

Not the dark comedy I was hoping for. Short of a couple good laughs, there wasn't anything else redeeming in the movie.

Rating: D