THE MOVIE ANARCHIST

All of my movie reviews are published on Twitter and preserved on this blog.   Most of them are 140 characters or less, some are longer, some  have a link to a lengthier review.  All have a link to the IMDb.  Since you probably missed most of them they’re posted on this page.  Admittedly I have made changes to some of them, and haven’t included all of them,  but that doesn’t really matter (since you missed most of them anyway).  Check back often for additional content.  Creating this page is more work than I expected so I will update it when I can.  The more recent tweets will be at the top of the page.

The link to the IMDb is particularly important because I make no attempt to fully describe any film in less than 140 characters.  Just click its name and you’ll be directed to its page.   You should read My Rating System, and Ratings in a Nutshell so you can understand what I try to convey with my ratings, and you might also get some insight into the nature of my insanity.

The anarchist part of my handle has nothing to do with the movies.  It’s about me.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (2013)  I haven’t seen Her or Them and didn’t know about them when I saw this one. Him was a yawn.  Poorly developed.  I didn’t care for anyone or anything. A subject that should have had me in tears had me looking at the clock.  The only thing I liked about it was that they kept walking the Ray’s Pizza that I have walked past hundreds of times to and from my subway stop.  Great pizza and Caesar salad.  5/9

The Guest (2014)  I cared about no one or anything; the acting and the ending sucked; most of the characters were morons; simply awful. 2/9

Hombre (1967)  A classic western with Paul Newman. To my surprise, it’s based on a novel by Elmore Leonard. 8/9

Sword of Vengeance (2015)  This is about an eleventh century John Wick who executes his vengeance about as well as did Keanu Reeves.  5/9

The Drop (2014)  Take Tom Hardy, the enigmatic bar keep who minds his business, add a guy who beats a puppy and you have a recipe for a good movie. 7/9

The Barber (2014)  If you have Netflix this is worth a look.  Little is as it appears until the end; the ultimate retribution is perfect.  6/9

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)    Sublime. Possibly Wes Anderson’s best yet. Brilliantly acted and directed, as always, with spectacular production design. 9/10

Dead in Tombstone (2013)  “Freakin’ awful” says just about all you need to know about it.  3/9

Coffee Town (2013)  It’s unlikely you’ve seen it, but it’s worth a look. Mostly smart-funny with less than 10% stupid. I recommend it. 6/9

American Sniper (2014)  It didn’t live up to the hype. Nicely done with characters to care about.  6/9

Fury (2014)  Undoubtedly one of the best WWII movies ever made. You feel like you’re in it as it happens with an ending that can’t be beat.  8/9

The Homesman (2014)  This is a really odd movie and maybe I just don’t get it.  A waste of time.  4/9

Interstellar (2014)   169 minutes that flew by too soon.  A brilliant story; magnificent cinematography, characters I cared about; a near-perfect ending. 8/9

Left Behind (2014)    Netflix needs a section for “Bad Nicolas Cage Movies” and should put this one on the top (or bottom). 2/9

John Wick (2014)   Virtually pure revenge made better by The Continental, its employees and guests.  Not quite as good as Man on Fire (2004),  but damn good. 8/9

Unfinished Business (2015)   One of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. The last 15 minutes saved it from an even lower rating. 4/9

These Final Hours (2013)   An Australian flick I saw on Netflix. Very low-budget with a lot to be desired but it did the trick. I cared. 7/9

Sympathy for Delicious (2011)  As I watched this film, about a young man who is paralyzed in an accident and later discovers he can heal people with the touch of his hands, I imagined that a film such as this, with its all-star cast, could only be made if it were produced, written or directed by someone with friends or family in the industry.  As the end credits rolled by I looked it up on the IMDb and confirmed my suspicions –  it’s the directorial debut of Mark Ruffalo, one of its stars and a superb actor.  Considering the unusual story, I kept watching hoping for a point or purpose and was happy I didn’t hold my breath waiting.  The narrative proceeds from strange to stranger to WTF, and although there is an ironic message in the closing sequence, there is no point to it nor any characters for whom to feel anything.  My rating is based on the fact that it doesn’t hurt to watch it, and that’s being generous.   No disrespect is intended with regard to the dedication.   5/9

The Girl Next Door (2004)  Just another romantic comedy but one with a hook like no other.  It has unexpected plot twists, a pretty terrific ending, and an outstanding sound track.  This one’s not to be missed.  7/9

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)   Very well done with a detailed back-story, characters you’ll care about, and dizzying action sequences.  7/9

Dog Soldiers (2012)   Kevin McKidd leads a band of British troops in a battle against werewolves. This one deserves cult status. 6/9

A Lonely Place to Die (2011)  A kidnap/thriller with a twist. It’s well paced with no breaks in the tension. Great story, great ending!  7/9

Man on a Ledge (2012)   I enjoyed this so much I watched it two times, back to back, last night. An enjoyable (cont) http://tl.gd/i5qmcg  8/9

The Hangover Part II (2011)  I finally gave this a shot and was disappointed. A repeat of part 1 but just not funny. More crude and slapstick.  3/9

Prometheus (2012)  Wondrous SFX just aren’t enough w/out a coherent narrative. It lacked a single consistent thread from start to finish.  6/9

2 Days in the Valley (1996)  More than a funny quirky movie. A dozen characters are developed enough to care about them in only 100 min.  7/9

Out of Sight (1998)  An all-star cast and the dry humor of Elmore Leonard make a “don’t miss” movie. Clooney and J-Lo really click.  7/9

The Change-Up (2011)  I forgot to rate it.  It was well done but overly profane in an otherwise enjoyable film.  6/9

The Change-Up (2011)   An excellent rendition of a same-old same-old. Bateman and Reynolds are superb and make it work. Character development is important, but the thumb up the ass was not needed. When you have a good thing going, don’t over-do it.

Contraband (2012)   An action/thriller with the elements of a good movie but there are so many “to good to be true” moments it’s absurd. There’s just so much disbelief I’m willing to suspend.  5/9

Guarding Tess (1994)  A wonderful story. Shirley McClain is a former 1st Lady & Nick Cage is the head of her SS detail.  My kinda movie.  7/9

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)  Outstanding! I was concerned about Kristen Stewart killing it but fortunately she had very few lines.  8/9

The Darkest Hour (2011)   Earth is losing a battle w/electric eating jellyfish from outer space. An action/horror film w/o any of either.  3/9

The Avengers (2012)  Great actors and lots of action. What more could you ask for? – A coherent narrative. Even w/o it, go and see it.  7/9

Dark Shadows (2012)   Johnny Depp is fabulous in this, The film had many great moments, but the story changed directions too many times. 7/9

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)   A spy/thriller w/Gary Oldman. It’s terribly confusing but kept my attention. I wish I understood it.  5/9

Rabbit Hole (2010)   A wonderful and touching film about coping with the loss of a 4 yr. old son. A credible story intelligently written.  8/9

People I Know (2002)   I was uncomfortable watching Al Pacino act so badly in this film that just rambles w/o direction. So bad it’s sad. 4/9

Attack the Block (2011)  Inner-city Brits defend their turf against aliens. Well-paced clever and comical. Not your typical Sci-Fi flick.  7/9

Haywire (2011)  An action/spy movie with a female lead who could kick Jason Bourne’s ass.  Gina Carano is outstanding.  Great cast too.  7/9

Life (1999)  Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence in this great movie that touches a very serious subject with comedy.  Funny, emotional, sad. 7/9

Retreat (2011)   A little known psychological thriller that’s tense and unpredictable to the last shot. Nicely done with a logical progression of changes in the storyline and a credible twist. Great job by 1st time director, Carl Tibbetts.  I could mention some flaws but the many negative reviewers have done that for me (a bunch of “Monday-morning Quarterbacks.”).  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  7/9

I just watched Knight and Day for the Idontknowhowmanyeth time.  I smile every time.  7/9  #Idontknowhowmanyeth

Red Eye (2005)  Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams in a horrible contrived thriller. I didn’t care who lived or died and I mostly laughed. 3/9

Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)   A metaphor for my life. Inspirational for anyone. A wonderful story.  9/10

Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)  Outstanding. Great story, perfectly paced. Didn’t lose me for a minute. This film deserves more recognition.  7/9

Se7en (1995)  Less than 20 years old and already a classic.  David Fincher might have more than one of those to his credit.  9/10

Sucker Punch (2011)  Visually stunning (not just the girls) but not a great movie. A mediocre story interlaced w/video games.  4/9

The White Ribbon (2009)  This film is both a mystery and a metaphor for the destructive power of human nature.   http://wp.me/P1gLv9-ab   1/9

The Three Musketeers (2011)   Superb production and costume design, accomplished actors, but an idiotic narrative from start to finish.  4/9

The Guard (2011)  An outstanding dark comedy made in Ireland w/Brendan Gleeson & Don Cheadle. This will get better every time you see it. 7/9

The Ides of March (2011)  Great acting; Nothing new. All the elements of a better film that fell short of making me care for the characters. 6/9

Melancholia (2011)  This film is masterfully crafted w/superb acting, extraordinary character development and a perfect ironic ending.  9/10

Melancholia  is 1000 x > The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life (2011)  Just watched it again then re-watched the beginning.  I understand it better and dislike it even more. Hubris. 1/9999  (.01%)

50/50 (2011)  A nicely crafted, lighthearted film about a young man with cancer, and Seth Rogen didn’t kill it. Well written and acted.  7/9

I made a few tweaks to my review of Stand by Me (1986).  Please read it.  http://wp.me/P1gLv9-79  The rating change was made months ago.

In Time (2011)  A  decent film that could have been better. See how in my review. http://wp.me/P1gLv9-9I  I’ll warn you before the spoiler.

The Timeslip (2011)  A short feature in limited release. My review: http://wp.me/P1gLv9-9q For screening info check chance-encounters.org

Puncture (2011)  It was 2 stories playing at the same time that could have been told in 30 min. It’s worth a look because of Chris Evans.5/9

Cowboys & Aliens (2011)  All the elements of a great movie but poorly executed. It falls short when developing emotional connections. 6/9

Take Shelter (2011)  Is it a coming apocalypse or just the visions of an unstable man? The truth is it doesn’t matter. A++ for M. Shannon. 7/9

Columbiana (2011)  We know why the Jason-Bourne-like Saldana is on a quest for revenge, but nothing in the film gives you reason to care, 4/9

Dirty Girl (2010)  The school slut and the awkward fat kid take a x-country road trip. It has just enough heart to make it worth a look. 6/9

The Hunters (2011)  A nicely directed, rather intense, horror/thriller. Read this very short review: http://wp.me/P1gLv9-96 

Contagion (2011)  Amazing cast. Gripping and suspenseful from the start; then it wanes into the dispassionate protocols of the CDC. 6/9

Star Wars I (1999)  Getting pd $400M was more important to Lucas than making a coherent film that developed feelings for its characters. 2/9

Our Idiot Brother (2011)  Great cast, great writing, great acting. Paul Rudd is excellent. So dumb it’s wonderful. Just watch and enjoy. 7/9

Safe House (2012)  Great action from start to finish. You wait for a story to unfold when you realize it already did. Quixotic ending. 7/9

Greenberg (2010)  Greenberg is Larry David w/o the cringe factor. He’s just some asshole prick you want to kick in the balls. Not funny. 4/9

For Love of the Game (1999)  A pitcher flashes back to a broken romance while pitching the last game of his career. A+ for Kelly Preston. 7/9

Brazil (1985)  Unlike Citizen Kane (1941), another critically acclaimed film that sucks big-time, Kane was a cinematic masterpiece.  3/9

Unstoppable (2010)  One of the most intense non-stop action flicks ever, but its genius is the way it makes you feel for the characters. 8/9

City Island (2009)  A film that’s fun to watch over and over. Never a let-down or a wasted moment. Great cast, great characters. 7/9

Love and a .45 (1994)  Bellows and Zellweger are good. Great start and finish w/nothing but idiocy in between. Possibilities squandered. 5/9

Straw Dogs (2011)  Very well done and, as I recall, it’s pretty true to the original. It’s very intense and filled with graphic violence. 7/9

Apollo 18 (2011)  The outer space version of Paranormal Activity, but more intelligent. A decent story filmed in an interesting manner. 6/9

Trucker (2008)  An absolute Must See. An excellent story masterfully written. Michelle Monaghan delivers an Oscar caliber performance. 8/9

Larry Crowne (2011)  A rom-com lacking development of any of its characters, none of whom resemble real people. The end gets a tiny smile. 5/9

Bridesmaids (2011)  Awful from the start and got worse. Repeating a bad joke 6 times doesn’t make it funny. Dreadful to the last minute.  3/9

Margin Call (2011)  An inside look at a firm selling bogus securities to save itself… With empathy for some who did it. Remarkable. 7/9

Melancholia (2011)  This film is masterfully crafted w/superb acting, extraordinary character development and a perfect ironic ending.  9/10

Main Street (2010)  Great actors and a smidge of drama. Despite a weak story, it’s interesting and pleasant characters make it an OK film. 5/9

J. Edgar (2011)  Monumentally disappointing. Excruciatingly boring. A supreme waste great talent. I have nothing good to say about it. 2/9

Bang Bang You’re Dead (2002)  Manipulative and formulaic yet a powerful, emotional, intense look at a pernicious and horrifying subject. 8/9

Moneyball (2011)  The opposite of its subject. It hooked me with a great start; was tedious in the middle; had a great come-back finish. 7/9

Case 39 (2009)  A not so bad horror/thriller. Nothing new but well-paced. It will keep your attention and have you guessing ’til the end. 6/9

Bad Teacher (2011)  Very disappointing. Well cast but poorly written. It could have been great in the hands of a better screen writer. 4/9

The Rite (2011)  A damn good movie (pun intended). I couldn’t get it all in with only 140 characters so read this: http://wp.me/P1gLv9-8t 7/9

Fast Five (2011)  It’s amazing how much fun an implausible movie abounding with fast cars, likable stars, and non-stop action can be. 7/9

Father of Invention (2010)  Kevin Spacey is great but couldn’t carry this one. A nice father-daughter story that’s slow and tiresome. 4/9

Pavement (2002)  An OK crime thriller seen by only a handful. If you really love watching movies, even the not-so great ones, try this. 6/9

TiMER (2009)  A rare romantic comedy. It’s imaginative, intelligent and delightful. The end might even surprise you. A gem of a film.  7/9

Everything is Illuminated (2005)  An eccentric young man’s kooky yet touching ancestral search from its WTF start to its tearful finish. 8/9

I Am Number Four (2011)  A pretty good high school sci-fi action thriller. Not great but worth watching. Ignore the critics on this one. 6/9

Stage Beauty (2004)  A good story, great characters, extremely well written with some great acting. Probably Crudup’s best performance. 7/9

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)  I’m anti-animation but this is the unmistakable style of Wes Anderson and the sublime acting of George Clooney. 8/9

The Narrows (2008)  Unpredictable, suspenseful, and heart-warming. A terrific story with some great acting, especially from D’Onofrio. 7/9

The Killer Elite (1975)  Sam Peckinpah directed James Caan and Robert Duvall in this slow-moving, incomprehensible spy “thriller.” 3/9

A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004)  A delightful and well acted story overflowing with feeling for its characters. 7/9  (RT 42/79, MC 48/84)

Stand by Me (1986)  I watched it a few more times and changed my rating to a 5/9. It’s OK, but not deserving of a spot in the top 250.

Solaris (2002)  Slow moving yet intense. It will have different meaning for everyone, or none at all. Inexplicably I’m drawn to it. 7/9

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)  A Nazi war-crimes trial. Superb directing/acting. A must see for everyone. Spencer Tracy was extraordinary. 8/9

The Green Hornet (2011)  Inane, moronic, asinine. Written and starring Seth Rogen who should be embarrassed to go outside after this.  -2/9

Spiral (2007)  Extremely slow-moving and predictable. Not at all another American Psycho. Decent ending if you don’t fall asleep first.  5/9

Gigli (2003)  IMDb bottom 100? Bullshit! Not Ben’s best acting, but an enjoyable Rom-com with a good story. Oh, and J Lo is captivating. 6/9

Thor (2011)  A Great mesh of Thor’s world with ours, a la Star Trek IV. Lots of action, humor, people to care about and the right ending.  7/9

The Conspirator (2010)  It seems that our Constitution was trampled for “the greater good” long before the fucking Patriot Act. Watch it.  7/9

Trust (2010)  A damn good thriller about a cyber pedophile. I’d make every teenager in the world watch it. They’d probably laugh at me.  7/9

Formula 51 (2001)  Samuel L. Jackson plays a rather unorthodox drug dealer in the spoof/comedy.  Loads of fun and a great ending.  7/9

Disgrace (2008)  A powerful film about the impact of black on white violence in post-apartheid South Africa. Review: http://wp.me/P1gLv9-7A

Greenberg (2010)  Pretentious to say the least. Kinda like a longer slower version of Curb Your Enthusiasm without the laughs. 4/9

The Deep End (2001)  Tilda Swinton can act. She builds a character that is real and empathetic, despite a series of implausible choices . 6/9

Lost in Translation (2003)  I hated this the first time I saw it but it’s grown on me. A great film about loneliness and friendship. 8/9

Arthur (2011)  It seemed like Russell Brand was the perfect choice for the part. Even with the help of Helen Mirren this film is a dog. 3/9

MASH (1970)  I saw this 40 yrs ago and again last night. It’s as meaningful today as ever. You kids under age 55 MUST see it. A classic. 8/9

Michael Clayton (2007)  Teeming with sublime acting. Clooney, Swinton, Wilkinson, Pollack are masterful. Read more http://wp.me/P1gLv9-7s 10/10

Days of Heaven (1978)  WAFWOMT. Painfully boring. It’s like watching grass grow, or should I say wheat. This is how NOT to tell a story. 2/9

Camille (2008)  Pointless with no coherent premise; mediocre acting…and that’s the good of it. One of the worst films I’ve ever seen. 2/9

Network (1976)  A cynical view of television 35 years ago, and so much more. It’s amazing how things keep getting worse. A true classic. 8/9

In defense of my rating of Stand by Me (1986).   http://t.co/ahg66UB

Season of the Witch (2011)  Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman as crusaders who later battle witches and demons. It’s worse than it sounds. 3/9

Stand by Me (1986)  I finally watched it. For a film that’s character driven, it utterly fails to develop feelings for them. Poorly done. 3/9

I watched Sucker Punch (2010) again. I feel like I was sucker punched. Pointless and poorly executed. Downgraded to 3/9.

The American (2010)  No one other than Clooney who could have pulled this off. He makes a slow-moving character study riveting. 8/9

2 Days in the Valley (1996)  One of those films where the lives of strangers converge. I loved it. This one’s fun, not depressing. 7/9

Machete (2010)  Great to see Danny Trejo in a starring role. This is so well done you have to see it. Robert Rodriguez is uber-talented. 7/9

The Kids Are All Right (2010)  It’s growing on me. Not Oscar material, but a really good story, well acted, and an excellent ending. 7/9

Stone (2010)  A psychological thriller worth seeing just for the performance of Edward Norton.  Jovovich is good; De Niro’s OK. 6/9

Nobody’s Fool (1994)  Call it delightful, charming, enjoyable, whatever. Paul Newman was a truly great actor. De Niro was never as good. 8/9

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010)  Very well done. Remember, this is rated PG.  4 kids of all ages. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it. 7/9

Super 8 (2011)  As I watched, its rating climbed like a rocket, then ran out of gas and dropped like a rock. Great movie, shit ending. 7/9

Chumscrubber (2005)  A cynical satire of suburban life portrayed in a remarkably unique manner. Exceptional cast. I loved most of it. 7/9

Secretariat (2010)  This might be the best review I’ve written and I hardly say anything about my opinion of the movie. http://t.co/LCGcnE0

Good Will Hunting (1997) Watch it, even if you’ve already seen it. Listen to every word….. Review continued here: http://wp.me/P1gLv9-5I

Wicker Park (2004) An incomprehensible, labyrinthine, never-ending series of extraordinarily frustrating scenes, Review:  http://wp.me/P1gLv9-5o

Lawn Dogs (1997) The art of story telling. A wonderful story line, masterful character development and a surprise ending. DON’T MISS IT. 8/9

Wicker Park (2004) I just cooled off after yelling at my TV for 15 minutes. Watch this one to see how NOT to make a movie. To be cont’d. 2/9

Black Death (2010) Bloody, violent, atypical for the bubonic plague. A good twist on the story, skilfully crafted, BUT an iffy ending. 6/9

True Grit (2010) Sorry Duke, this is far better than the 1969 version. The cast, the acting, the “grit.” Hailee Steinfeld is stunning. 9/10

Another Year (2010) Refreshing tale of a happy couple whose lives intertwine with others not so happy. Characters you’ll truly feel for. 7/9

Kill the Irishman (2011) Don’t miss this bio-pic about the Irish mob in Cleveland. It’s gets lost near the end, but recovers nicely. 7/9

Starter for 10 (2006) I love rom-coms and this is one that I think everyone will enjoy. But….what’s the meaning of the title? Anyone? 7/9

10 Items or Less (2006) Paz Vega and Morgan Freeman are great together. Loads of fun, but probably more enjoyable for movie lovers. 7/9

Get Him to the Greek (2010) This is much better than I said it was when I first tweeted about it. Read the review: http://t.co/V4VUVhF

Faster (2010) Review: http://t.co/0rDOsn0 This one is much better than you may have been lead to believe.

Rubber (2010) The star is a serial killer tire. Read the review and find out more. http://t.co/4AEUyHg

Passion Play (2010) Review: http://t.co/G8tFCxq Generally speaking its pretty bad, but it wouldn’t kill you to see it.

Vanishing on 7th St (2010) Skip this “horror” flick. Isolated moments of tension don’t offset its utter lack of character development. 3/9

Anger Management (2003) I saw this on TV last night. When you take a shitty story and add Adam Sandler (a shitty actor), you get shit. 2/9

Crossing Over (2009) One of those films about a lot of people with one thing in common. This one has the most emotional impact. 7/9

The Good Girl (2002) Not the typical rom-com. Even better… it’s not the typical Jennifer Aniston. A chance to see her act. Well done. 7/9

Thumbsucker (2005) It ain’t easy growing up, nor is it easy having already grown up. Please read on… http://wp.me/P1gLv9-3m

Somewhere (2010) Somewhere amongst this montage of randomly edited, meaningless, and incomplete scenes is the… http://wp.me/P1gLv9-30

The Big Bad Swim (2006) The lives of the people in an adult swim class intertwine throughout the movie. It keeps you smiling. RENT IT. 7/9

Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas (2006) A good start, that’s ultimately rather pointless. BUT “Thirteen” is very pleasing on the eyes. 5/9

Blue Valentine (2010) A portrayal of the collapse of a marriage that requires a little more that 140 characters. http://wp.me/P1gLv9-20  8/9

Due Date (2010) It’s not Planes, Trains & Automobiles, but it has its moments. I’d recommend it for the last 20 minutes. Rule No. 3  6/9

Casino Jack (2010) If it wasn’t true, it’d be funny… but it is. Sadly, for every Abramoff in jail, 1000 aren’t. The beat goes on. 6/9

The New World (2005) Very slow and too long, but it still has more good than bad in it. http://wp.me/P1gLv9-1N 6/9

I just watched Triage (2009) again. A powerful and emotional story about the horrors of war and PTSD. One of Colin Farrell’s very best. 7/9

Made in Dagenham (2010) The dramatization of a true story in an enjoyable film. 7/9 http://wp.me/P1gLv9-1s

Source Code (2011) Review: http://wp.me/P1gLv9-1j

Hanna (2011) Outstanding! This girl could whip Jason Bourne. Good story great cast; the intensity was palpable. Ended on a perfect note. 8/9

Cool It (2010) A reasonable and intelligent alternative to Al Gore’s exaggerations. 7/9

The Way Back (2010) Escapees trek 4000 miles from Siberia to freedom in India. It has its moments, but it’s long and too much walking. 5/9

Snatch (2000)  One of the best and most cleverly written films of all time. My capacity to re-watch it is limitless. 9/10

Rise: Blood Hunter (2007) It’s really a thriller/revenge, not horror/vampire, flick that grabs you and holds on. Lucy Liu is excellent. 7/9

Ip Man (2008) Kung-fu at its finest. Loosely inspired by the life of Bruce Lee’s mentor. Great choreography, characters to care about. 8/9

Hereafter (2010) The worst film directed by Eastwood?? It’s disjointed, lacks effective character development, and is painfully boring. 4/9

SherryBaby (2006) Maggie G is superb as a mother trying to stay straight & get her kid back while on parole. I could feel her struggle. 7/9

Win Win (2010) Paul Giamatti is always good. This role fits him well. With characters to feel for, it’s a good story with lots of heart. 7/9

Skyline (2010) A sci-fi thriller that starts out OK but goes no where. It steals a gimmick from Face/Off (1997) that’s just stupid. 4/9

Bottle Shock (2008) Like a good wine, a perfect balance of comedy, drama, truth, and a happy ending. Rickman & Farina are aces. 7/9

Rabbit Hole (2010) An amazing film about ALL who are affected by a tragedy and the different ways they deal with it. 8/9.

Secretary (2002) Different strokes for different folks. A dysfunctional and highly recommended love story. 7/9

All Good Things (2010) A thriller w/out a thrill. When it finally ended I couldn’t have cared less about the characters or the outcome. 4/9

Jennifer’s Body (2009) Sadly, unlike Doubt (2008), this film is not about the title. Mediocre teen horror saved by a decent ending. 5/9

Jonah Hex (2010) I watched it again and I still like it. It’s better than The Punisher (2004) so it’s more than just a good cast. 6/9

My Blue Heaven (1990) Classic comedy with Steve Martin at his best. Perfectly paced writing by Nora Ephron. There’s never a dull moment. 7/9

Life as We Know It (2010) Hey Ebert – Awww, it’s predictable. It’s a fucking rom-com…Aren’t they all? On RT critics 29%, users 63%.. Me: 6/9

Death Race 2000 (1975) If the intent of the movie is to be bad, then I guess it’s great. I’m just not in to bad movie cult classics. 2/9

Morning Glory (2010) Rachel McAdams comes to the rescue of network morning show. A light comedy that’s worth watching, but barely. 6/9

Mean Machine (2001) The British version of The Longest Yard with Vinnie Jones “and” Jason Statham. It wouldn’t kill you to watch it. 5/9

Revolver (2005) Ok acting and a plot that raises question after question to keep you watching until the idiotic end. It’s a real WTF? 4/9

Hero (1992) The good one, not the one with Jet Li. Dustin Hoffman’s terrific in this feel-good film about the unlikeliest hero. 7/9

Just watched Unstoppable (2010) again. Make sure you pee before you start the DVD. It’s unstoppable. I was super-glued to my seat. 8/9

Fair Game (2010) Inspired by true, or maybe false, events. I don’t care. As a movie it was very well done. I felt for the characters. 7/9

Being There (1979) Peter Sellers’ best film. He takes an incredible premise and makes it credible.  He went “viral” w/o a computer. 8/9

Love and Other Drugs (2010) Many will say it’s contrived, but It does a great job developing feelings for the characters. My Rule #1.  7/9

The Next 3 Days (2010) Too slow and hard to believe, but still worth seeing. A good ending makes up for a lot. Mildly recommended. 6/9

Two films written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson you shouldn’t miss. Leaves of Grass (2009) 8/9 and The Grey Zone (2001) 7/9

I re-watched The Ghost Writer (2010) It’s a well crafted but boring “thriller.”  The “twist” is not a WTF?, it’s a WGAF? Anticlimactic. 5/9

In Bruges (2008)  Great cast, great script, great acting. Watch it twice to take it all in. The very definition of a black comedy. 8/9

Ink (2009)  This one you should see. A wonderful and imaginative story that’s not flawless, but there’s just something special about it. 7/9

Two Lovers (2008)  Joaquin Phoenix evokes empathy in this emotional tug-of-war. The ending is well conceived; last impressions do count. 7/9

Buried (2010)  Great acting. Phenomenal directing. Heart pounding intensity from start to finish with an absolutely perfect ending. 8/9

The King’s Speech (2010)  A film about the bond between two very different men. Fabulous acting w/emotional impact. Listen to the words. 8/9

After.Life (2009)  A half-assed horror/thriller with a dumb-ass ending. If you want to see Christina Ricci naked, a lot, don’t miss it. 4/9

A Single Man (2009) Well acted but so slow it’s difficult to watch it to the end. An ending that’s more idiotic than ironic. 5/9

Solitary Man (2009)  A man so afraid to grow old he won’t let his daughter call him “dad” in public. His sybaritic behavior is a cover. 5/9

The Infidel (2010)  A Muslim learns he’s adopted – and Jewish. Very funny, likable characters. Stumbles at the end but still recommended. 6/9

Prince of Persia TSOT (2010)  Better than expected with Jake G as the Jason Bourne of ancient Persia. A+ for Alfred Molina. Enjoyable. 6/9

Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003)  What a blast. Just plain fun and smiles from start to finish. For what it is, it’s superb. 7/9

Flesh and Bone (1993)  An OK thriller but too slow and not really very thrilling. Try it when you’ve got some extra time. 5/9

Never Let Me Go (2010)  Upon being told their “role,” the characters’ lack of reaction asks for a suspension of disbelief beyond reason. 6/9

Proof (2005) A good story, remarkably well acted, characters to care about. The elements of a great movie but lacks an emotional punch. 7/9

Conviction (2010) A true and well acted story of a woman’s relentless quest to prove her brother’s innocence. She goes above and beyond. 7/9

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)  In a love story the setting is irrelevant as long as you believe the love. Great acting makes it happen. 8/9

Catfish (2010)  A young man’s sojourn to track down and verify some Facebook “friends” is documented. It’s well done and worth seeing. 6/9

Four Lions (2010)  A well-written, very funny, thought-provoking film about a group of inept British jihadists. Morons can be dangerous. 8/9

Dancer in the Dark (2000)  A mother who sacrifices all for her son is filmed as a musical. Music, both real and imagined, helps her cope. 7/9

The Romantics (2010)  I fell asleep after 10 minutes but I knew the ending after 5. Predictability is not always bad, but the movie was. 4/9

Get Low (2009) Duval, Spacek & Murray give it moments of excellence, but it’s a long and interesting wait for an unsatisfying ending. 5/9

The Vicious Kind (2009)  An unusual view of a dysfunctional family. It’s cathartic (for them) or a waste of time (for you). You decide. 7/9

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)  I’m a sucker for romance. Blunt & Damon make you feel it from start to finish. Just enjoy it for what it is. 8/9

Winter’s Bone (2010)  The journey of a tenacious young woman to save her family. Slow moving, yet riveting. Watch it more than once. 9/10

The Young Victoria (2009)  Drama, romance, opulence and Emily Blunt. A wonderful production that’s well acted. Needed a bit more drama. 7/9

Let It Ride (1989)  Richard Dreyfuss is brilliant in this grossly underrated film. I can hardly think of one that’s more fun to watch. 8/9

Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)  An emotional story about the meaning of true friendship. Some of the best acting you’ll ever see. 9/10

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)  One of my favorites until I watched it recently. The flow of the story is inconsistent and erratic. 5/9

Meet John Doe (1941)  A decent story that sputters and dies at the end (Stanwyck’s over acting didn’t help). Not Capra at his best. 5/9

The A-Team (2010)  I love it when a movie comes together. Good story, action-packed, enjoyable characters. It delivers on its promise. 7/9

The Big Country (1958)  Pay attention: True heroism is NOT touting one’s achievements. Great story, great acting, great cast. 9/10

Requiem for a Dream (2000)  A portrait of the downward spiral of addiction, driven home by creative editing, brilliant acting and satire. 8/9

Life as We Know It (2010) If it’s possible for a romantic comedy to be too predictable, this one is. Average at best. 5/9

For Colored Girls (2010)  A good start. It made great emotional connections then too much poetry. Either re-do the play or make a film. 6/9

Just watched Nobody’s Fool (1994) for the 50th time. Paul Newman is amazing. Love the ending. The most important part of any film. 8/9

The Big Lebowski (1998)  Drinking a White Russian now and then is a good thing.  This film is a classic.  Don’t miss it.  8/9

Ink (2009)  This is one you should see. A wonderful and imaginative story that’s not flawless, but there’s just something special about it. 7/9

A Boy and His Dog (1975)  A fair at best post-apocalyptic dark comedy.  It could be said that it condones rape. 4/9

The Fountain (2006)  A magnificent work of abstract art. As a film it’s absurd, pretentious, ostentatious, grandiloquent, inane… 3/9

Life or Something Like It (2002)  A rom-com that strives for deeper meaning than it can deliver, but it’s quite enjoyable, nevertheless. 7/9

The Mechanic (2011)  Ben Foster was great in 3:10 to Yuma. He’s very good in this too, but the film shoots itself with the ending. 5/9

The Bone Collector (1999)  The ending comes out of left field, but it’s a respectable crime thriller with good acting. It’s worth seeing. 6/9

Jacob’s Ladder (1990)  A clever creepy thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Endings are important. Last impressions count. 7/9

Green Street Hooligans (2005)  Elijah Wood as a kid from the US who gets drawn in to the British world of street violence. Well done. 7/10

The King of Comedy (1982)  Good performances in a meaningless film. It served no purpose, had no heart, developed no emotions. 4/9

Triage (2009)  It’s about the horrors of war, friendship, and PTSD.  Colin Farrell is superb as a journalist who sees and feels it all.  7/9

Salt (2010)  It kept my attention and kept me guessing.  Lots of action with at twist and a very good finish.  7/9

One Last Thing (2005)  A kid’s dying wish is a date with a super-model. Enjoyable, but never delivers the full potential of the premise. 6/9

Small Time Crooks (2000)  Woody Allen’s films are hit or miss for most people. This one’s a hit. Not a home run, but easily extra bases. 7/9

Devil (2010)  An M. Night film that’s a story about a story,  like Lady in the Water.  Tense and moves at a good pace with good sub-plots. 7/9

The Reader (2008)  Rule #1: Make me care. An excellent film that develops deep feelings for its characters, including a Nazi war criminal. 7/9

A Serious Man (2009)  An utter waste of time.  Horrible.  The only funny thing about it is that so many people claim they liked it.  1/9

My First Mister (2001)  A heartwarming tale about the interaction between two very different characters and how it changes their lives. 7/9

The Fountain (2006)  Pretentious and utterly nonsensical. The drugs from Requiem hadn’t worn off when this film was made. That or hubris. 1/9

The Wrestler (2008)  A superb depiction of a lonely and broken man. Rourke’s performance is spot-on. You’ll care for all the characters. 8/9

A Foreign Affair (2003)  Two brothers go to Russia to find a wife for them to share. It’s odd, entertaining, and I love Emily Mortimer. 7/9

The American (2010)  A slow-paced yet intense and focused thriller. Clooney, a consummate actor, speaks volumes with facial expressions. 8/9

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)  The worst of a series that was already going down hill. An aimless piece of nonsense with a WTF? ending. 3/9

Raging Bull (1980) My brother convinced me to raise my rating from 5/9 to 7/9. See why. http://wp.me/P1gLv9-B

The Thin Red Line (1998)   Riveting and masterful directing and cinematography of battle scenes in a “WTF is the point of this?” film.  5/9

Badlands (1973)   A fascinating study of 2 very polite sociopaths…I think.  Worth viewing, but overrated. “Powerful?” “Visionary?”  NO. 6/9

3:10 to Yuma (2007) This actor stood out as one of the best psychopathic western bad-guys ever. http://imdb.to/gkREB9 He’s damn good shot too. 8/9

Tootsie (1982)  If you haven’t seen this in a while, pop it in the DVD player.  A classic comedy guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  8/9

Black Snake Moan (2006)  Bizarre and sometimes shocking, but stick with it.  Jackson and Ricci deliver characters you’ll care about.  7/9

Buried (2010)  Great acting, directing, cinematography. Heart pounding intensity from start to finish with an absolutely perfect ending.  7/9

Two Lovers (2008)   Joaquin Phoenix evokes empathy in this emotional tug-of-war. The ending is well conceived; last impressions matter. 7/9

Fort Apache the Bronx (1981)  Paul Newman makes this film about a police precinct in the South Bronx, 30 years ago, worth watching.  7/9

Death at a Funeral (2007) I typically love British humor (e.g. In the Loop). This sucked. The only LOL moment was the film’s last line. 3/9

The Babysitters (2007) A risky subject yet not exploitive. Waterston’s acting is impressive but the goal of the filmmakers is a mystery. 5/9

Love and Other Disasters (2006) A totally predictable Rom-Com with likable characters and an ending out of my favorite Travolta move. 7/9

The Answer Man (2009) A satirical Rom-Com that follows the formula with unique subject matter. Take off your “critic” hat and enjoy it.  7/9

The Replacement Killers (1998) Grossly underrated. Good story. Very good cast. Superbly directed by Antoine Fuqua.  A+ 4 Mira Sorvino.   7/9

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) A rom-com unlike any other. Well written and cleverly filmed. No masterpiece, just lots of fun.  7/9

Piranha (2010) A surprisingly good cast for a movie that’s all boobs, bikinis and blood. Well I guess that’s good enough for me.  6/9

Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986) The reviews and ratings say I’m in the minority, but I really enjoyed this – 20 yrs ago and again last night.  6/9

The Town (2010) A tight crime-thriller from title to credits. An exemplary job of making the characters real, and people to care about. 7/9

Things We Lost in the Fire (2007) An emotional story about the meaning of true friendship. Some of the best acting you’ll ever see. 8/9

Amexicano (2007) An unemployed New Yorker befriends an “undocumented” (Is that PC?) Mexican looking for work. Definitely worth watching. 6/9

Please leave a comment.   I’d love to know what you think.

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