Isle Of Dogs (2018)

Wes Anderson films are always a treat because you know you’ll be getting something unique, yet on brand. This tale of boy’s best friend was playful, sincere, and entertaining. I loved the Japanese cultural influences.

Rating: B

Riding In Cars With Boys (2001)

A true drama. Not terribly exciting or uplifting, but still a good story. Drew has never looked so bad.

Rating: C

My Best Friend’s Girl (2008)

It's what you expect and nothing more. It made me laugh really hard twice. You could do worse, and probably have if you are watching this.

Rating: C-

Tomb Raider (2018)

A bit of fun at best. A convoluted mess at worst. Unrealistic and pointless puzzles at every turn that eventually lead up to one impossible narrow escape after another. Come on Hollywood. These things need to be based in at least a modicum of reality for us to care.

Rating: D-

The Rookie (2002)

Predictable Disney tearjerker that doesn't suck.

Rating: C

The Purge: Anarchy (2014)

Don’t watch with your mom. This is some violent stuff. On par with the first Purge.

Rating: C

The Commuter (2018)

Preposterous and ultimately pointless. Bottom of the barrel script. 

Rating: D

Special (2006)

They did a good job of using a small budget to their advantage. It actually adds to the film. A bit depressing despite attempts at an uplifting message at the end.

Rating: C

The Purge (2013)

Decided to watch the four films in this series since I started watching the USA television show. As suspected, the TV show pulls directly from the films. Interesting premise, although they never really addressed a fundamental flaw in the purge system, which is what happens after purge day when the people who tried to kill you, or vice versa, didn’t succeed. Is there supposed to be no lingering resentment or grudge just because The Purge is over? Unrealistic.

Rating: C

Game Night (2018)

I enjoyed all the pop culture references throughout the film. It definitely borrows a lot from other movies, especially The Game. Still, it was funny and entertaining.

Rating: C+

Ratcatcher (1999)

I know nobody has seen this little Scottish movie, and nobody probably will, but thought I'd let everyone know that is was interesting, but slow. Despite being in English, you'll still need to read the subtitles, as the accent is very thick and rural.

Rating: C-

Marwencol (2010)

Documentary about trauma, brain damage, recovery, dolls, therapy, and women’s shoes. Not the usual fare. Mildly interesting.

Rating: C-

Coco (2017)

A unique story with vivid animation and songs. I like that they sprinkled Spanish words into the dialogue. Held the attention of the adults and kids I watched with.

Rating: C

Havoc (2005)

This angle was already covered in a slightly better film called Black and White. Havoc felt like an amateurish rip off of it. There were glimmers of quality here and there, but in the end, it was the wrong movie for Anne Hathaway to show her gritty side by getting naked. Her perfect breasts could have gone to much better use in a different film.

Rating: D

Girlfight (2000)

Loved this at Sundance when it first premiered. Such a fantastic film.  Do yourself a favor and go rent it now. This is Michelle Rodriguez's debut acting role, and it's amazing.

Rating: A

Red Sparrow (2018)

That was a long movie to sit through for a mostly unsatisfying end. If anything, it drives home the fact that if Trump went to Russia, it’s a lock that he was compromised and is owned by Russian Intelligence--aka, Putin.

Rating: D+

Charlie Bartlett (2007)

This has the feel of a semi-autobiographical first time effort. I don't know if that's the case, it's just the impression I got. There's a "Running With Scissors" vibe to it, only this film was actually good. It flirts with being juvenile at times, but keeps it reigned in enough to maintain focus. You'll enjoy Robert Downey Jr. as always.

Rating: B-

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

It’s almost as if they built that pyramid specifically to be destroyed quite easily. Obviously, this latest installment starts out quite ridiculous and never comes back to Earth.

The special effects are quite amazing though. The Flash sequence was pretty cool. For me, I need a more grounded story-line based somewhat in reality. When every law of nature is thrown out the window and the screen is a blender of superpowers swirled together, I lose interest. It’s a shame everything went off the deep end after the first two X-Men.

Rating: C-

The Outlaws (2017)

A gritty Korean organized crime drama with violent turf wars, no-nonsense cops, and a lot of knife play, since they apparently don’t have guns over there. Fun despite its flaws.

Rating: C+

Basic (2003)

Plot was pure shit. I mean it. After the second or third twist, I lost interest and just waited for them to explain the convoluted story at the end. Even then I didn't really understand it, or care if I understood it. Several real poor performances, especially from Connie Nielsen. Miss this one.

Rating: F