The Work of Director Jonathan Glazer (2005)

Overall a pretty solid disc. The commercials are entertaining and the bands he works with are above average.

Rating: C

The Ring (2002)

More jumpy than terrifying, this was a well made 'scary' movie. It used similar techniques to The Sixth Sense and The Blair Witch Project, in that it relied more on the fear of what wasn't there rather than throwing lots of gore and monsters in your face. Did a nice job of tying things up at the end.

Rating: C+

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

French and Indian cultures collide in this delightful film about food, family, and love. Another gem from Lasse Hallström. Best film of the year candidate.

Rating: A-

The Experiment (2010)

Based on a book and the film Das Experiment, which must have been based on the Stanford Prison Experiment. This film gives an interesting spin on the source material. We are put in the shoes of the prisoners, not exactly sure what's going on and how far things will be allowed to go.

It's tough to watch at times and keeps your stomach in knots. Some real solid acting happening, especially from Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker. It's a shame this didn't get more exposure.

Rating: C+

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Oh the horror! And I'm not talking about the blood gushing from a freshly slit throat. No, it's the singing. Endless singing of Broadway style show tunes that were nearly the death of me.

I have to keep reminding myself that musicals can actually be good, like "Once" and "Across The Universe", that came out around the same time. It was maddening to be smacked over the head with such retched chortling from the Sweeney Todd cast. A bloody, ear piercing, mess.

Rating: F

The Man With The Iron Fists (2012)

On par with most other over-the-top martial arts films from Asia. Some interesting fight scenes and weaponry, but overall, nothing to cheer about.

Rating: C-

Volunteers (1985)

Thought I’d watch this since I was joining the Peace Corps and going to Thailand. I think I learned more about the Peace Corps watching The Hangover III  than I did from this movie. Funny at times, but mostly stupid.

Rating: D

The Joneses (2009)

An interesting concept in theory, but the writers really had to stretch to make a full length movie out of it. It's watchable, but not by much.

Rating: D+

Lone Survivor (2013)

Another Peter Berg military might action flick, based loosely, I imagine, on actual events. Mark Wahlberg leads a band of Seals into enemy territory where they proceed to get the crap beat out of them. It’s bloody and violent. Not exactly an effective propaganda piece for obtaining new recruits. As a movie though, it works. Gripping stuff.

Rating: C+

Clerks II (2006)

I was surprised to hear Kevin say this was his favorite movie he's made so far on the DVD intro. The original was far superior and, well, original. This sequel comes off as unnecessary and tired. I'm not saying I didn't laugh. How could I not with these characters. I'm just saying it wasn't all that and a bag of Mooby fries.

Rating: D+

The Muppets (2011)

I didn’t realize until 5 minutes in when Jason Segel broke out in song that this was a musical. From there it only took me 5 nanoseconds to hit the FF button. Show tunes make me physically ill. Redemption could have been had if the film was actually funny, but that would only be the case if your age or IQ are under 12.

Rating: F

The Raid 2 (2014)

I’ve seen so many bloody action movies now that I can’t say for a certainty that this is the bloodiest and most violent I’ve ever seen, but it’s certainly in the top 10. Here’s a rare case where both the original and sequel maintain a pretty high level of entertainment bang for your buck. By the end, you will feel like you've been through a fight or two yourself. It’s non-stop mayhem, with enough plot to give some meaning to it all.

Rating: B+

The Recruit (2003)

A decent CIA thriller. 

Rating: C

Cloverfield (2008)

If you had a hard time watching the shaky camera work in Blair Witch, stay clear of Cloverfield. The entire film is shot amateur style, with plenty of running, climbing, falling, and swinging to make even the toughest fighter pilot feel queasy.

The entire story and character development are pieced together with flashback clips and banter. Tension is created through the unknown. Bad things are happening, but the audience is only given small glimpses. The sudden ending may leave some movie goers feeling unsatisfied.

 I liked the filmmakers attempt to show how events might transpire if something like this happened. The "monster" could just as well have been another terrorist attack on New York. Panic, looting, and chaos inevitably follow. I almost feel this project may have worked better as a television show.

Rating: C

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

I should have heeded all the negative reviews I read and skipped this. Well, actually I did. I stopped watching 15 minutes in or so, which I never do. I simply didn’t care what happened, and it wasn’t funny enough to find out anyway.

Rating: F

Millions (2004)

A family friendly British import with a cute story, great acting, and a decent message from director Danny Boyle. 

Rating: B-

15 Minutes (2001)

DeNiro and Burns are both good in their roles, but the insane bad guys really steal the show. The plot twists and turns, always leaving you guessing. Just when you think things are winding up, BAM, a new turn.

Rating: C+

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

A film portraying the worst side of America. All seven deadly sins are proudly on display. A drug fueled rocket ship to Donald Trump’s summer home in Hell. A bit exhausting and sad to watch, yet entertaining as well. Best Picture nominee? Maybe.

Rating: B+

Sunshine (2007)

What on Earth, or should I say, the sun, inspired Danny Boyle to do a space flick? I'm not complaining, it just seemed an odd pairing. The result is a high tension space drama with a unique mission—reignite the sun.

I liked 75% of the film. The last great moment was when the ship computer reveals there are still 5 people on board, not 4. (You'll understand when you see it) But after we find out who it is, things go downhill fast. Suddenly plot holes appear everywhere, and a tight drama is replaced with cheap horror. This star faded.

Rating: C

Repo Men (2010)

I liked the concept, but the story didn't work. It's all surface material—no real depth. Ultimately I didn't buy the main point of the film; that society would allow a private company to hack people up willy-nilly like unionized serial killers working for the man. And if you can't get past that, then the rest of the movie feels a little pointless.

Rating: D+