Train Dreams (2025)

 

A man’s tale of loneliness, brief joy, and then lots more loneliness. Not exactly a good time. Beautifully shot though. 

Rating: C-

The Running Man (2025)

 

The reboot was a very big departure from the original, which isn’t a bad thing. The updated gameshow and premise were quite promising. A lot of originality in the first half of the film. Typically, it wasn’t sustainable. The script took a dive in the second half, culminating in a cringeworthy ending. Wasted potential. 

Rating: C-

Spartan (2004)

 

David Mamet dropped the ball on this one. The timing was off. Things didn't flow. Great plot, but poor execution. 

Rating: C-

Welcome To Collinwood (2002)

 

Produced by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney with an amazing cast. Smart little heist movie with subtle humor. Well acted of course, especially by Sam Rockwell.

Rating: C+

Magnolia (1999)

 

Paul Thomas Anderson was a superstar back then. Seems like half of Hollywood stars in this film. The fast pacing and shifting storylines keep the audience engaged from beginning to end. 

However, watching it now, I’m reminded how sad and tragic everyone is. It’s a pretty depressing 3 hours. Heavy stuff. Tom Cruise’s Academy Award nomination was well deserved. It was a standout performance in a sea of great performances.  

Rating: B

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes (2024)

 

It’s an ok addition to the franchise, but didn’t have the same level of storytelling that some of the earlier ones did. One way to kill a Tuesday night. 

Rating: C

Rudderless (2014)

I love indie musical films where bands are formed under unconventional circumstances and songs are written from loss and pain.

Rudderless, the movie, can be rather mopey at times, but Rudderless, the band, helps bring the characters and audience out of the murk. A nice offering from William H. Macy.

Rating: B-

Room (2015)

A look into the mind of a young boy who’s life revolves around his mother and a single room. Quite fascinating. Nice performances.

Rating: B

Blood Father (2016)

Reminiscent of past Gibson films, with a splash of Taken. Gritty and violent. Not sure why they never bothered to ditch her cell phone.

Rating: C

Benny and Joon (1993)

Not as satisfying as I remember it being after a second viewing. I think I’m more cynical now than I used to be.

Rating: C

The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

Too much narrative and hokiness for kids, and too slow and dull for adults. I dozed off several times.

Rating: D+

The Sessions (2012)

Gutsy performances for the two leads, especially Helen Hunt. Not a film for everyone.

Rating: C

Sahara (2005)

A solid action comedy for the summer. They did a great job with the cast, and there's more to the plot than you might expect. Yes, there's some unrealistic sequences, but it's an action comedy, not a drama. Watch it for an entertaining evening.

Rating: C+

Panic (2000)

This was a Sundance film I couldn't get into see, so I was happy to catch it on DVD. I liked it, although I didn't think it was great.

Rating: C

State And Main (2000)

Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and William H. Macy? Yes please. The movie as a whole was ok, with a periodic shining moments throughout. A simple movie about a film crew taking over a small Vermont town.

Rating: C+

Thank You For Smoking (2005)

Great satire film about smoking, politics, and the media, among other things. Very enjoyable to watch, with plenty of irreverent dark humor to keep you laughing. Aaron Eckhart is wonderful as the speed talking lobbyist representing Big Tobacco without so much as a whiff of guilt. Huge names show up all over the place, likely working for scale, which is often the sign of a quality film. Breathe it in.

Rating: B

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

A solid legal drama/thriller. Not sure if they are going to continue making films based on the book series, but if they do, they’ve established some solid characters to build from. Fun seeing Macy with his “Shameless” hair and Cranston with a bit more than he sports on “Breaking Bad”.

Rating: C+

A Civil Action (1998)

I enjoyed most of this movie, but felt unsatisfied with the ending. What can I say. I like Hollywood endings. Since this was a true story, there wasn't much tinkering to be done. Acting was solid and development was good.

Rating: C