Films Seen in 2015, Ranked
As usual, this list includes all the films I saw for the first time in this given year as well as those films I rewatched and rated differently than before (on the imdb scale).
I gave 93 of these 119 a 6 or higher. I count movies I give a 6 or higher as generally favorable movie experiences. It looks like I saw only 5 F's this year, just like last year.
Grade Scale
8.3-10 = A
6.9-8.2 = B
5.7-6.8 = C
3.5-5.6 = D
1.0-3.4 = F
Some Stats that show I saw slightly better movies this year compared to last year. (Go me!)
My avg. rating on 10.0 scale: 7.00 (up .12 from last year)
My avg. imdb rating (I always round down to the nearest whole number, i.e. a 6.0 and 6.9 both get a 6): 6.60 (up .14 from last year)
Avg. rating according to imdb users: 7.38 (up .12 from last year)
Avg. length of film: 107.92 (down 3.92 min. from last year)
Avg. year of release: 1997.70 (down .03 from last year/the same).
I gave 93 of these 119 a 6 or higher. I count movies I give a 6 or higher as generally favorable movie experiences. It looks like I saw only 5 F's this year, just like last year.
Grade Scale
8.3-10 = A
6.9-8.2 = B
5.7-6.8 = C
3.5-5.6 = D
1.0-3.4 = F
Some Stats that show I saw slightly better movies this year compared to last year. (Go me!)
My avg. rating on 10.0 scale: 7.00 (up .12 from last year)
My avg. imdb rating (I always round down to the nearest whole number, i.e. a 6.0 and 6.9 both get a 6): 6.60 (up .14 from last year)
Avg. rating according to imdb users: 7.38 (up .12 from last year)
Avg. length of film: 107.92 (down 3.92 min. from last year)
Avg. year of release: 1997.70 (down .03 from last year/the same).
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119 titles
- DirectorDanny DeVitoStarsDanny DeVitoRhea PerlmanMara WilsonA girl gifted with a keen intellect and psychic powers uses both to get even with her callous family and free her kindly schoolteacher from the tyrannical grip of a sadistic headmistress.9.8
Sometimes the best movies have the best stories. This is a perfect children's movie that's for adults, too. The themes, acting, and scenes are as strong as can be. See this again, folks, it is magic! - DirectorXavier DolanStarsAnne DorvalAntoine Olivier PilonSuzanne ClémentA widowed single mother, raising her violent son alone, finds new hope when a mysterious neighbor inserts herself into their household.9.5
My first Dolan, who promises to be a powerhouse filmmaker. The script, visuals, acting, and music are ridiculously good. The unusual aspect ratio is effective. So much heart. - DirectorHal AshbyStarsRuth GordonBud CortVivian PicklesYoung, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.9.4
I had heard this was a terrific film but I was not prepared to be as blown away as I was. Laugh-out-loud hilarious and it'll make you cry. Both characters are role-model worthy. - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.9.3
I love the script and way the simple story unfolds. Nothing wasted, nothing over-done. Looks amazing, too, in its version of 70s style - less dark but very raw. - DirectorJean-Pierre DardenneLuc DardenneStarsMarion CotillardFabrizio RongioneCatherine SaléeLiège, Belgium. Sandra is a factory worker who discovers that her workmates have opted for a EUR1,000 bonus in exchange for her dismissal. She has only a weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses in order to keep her job.9.3
The Belgian directors do it again, this time perfectly encapsulating the economics of the 21st century working class. I mean, this made me cry. So smart and honest. The form, while repetitious by design, increases the viewer's appreciation for the dramatic situation at hand. - DirectorHenry SelickStarsPaul TerryJoanna LumleyPete PostlethwaiteAn orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.9.2
I guess I love Dahl as interpreted in 1996 cinema. The stop-motion and live action combo gels great, the color palette staying consistent. I love the characters and voice acting. Nonstop brilliance. - DirectorKevin SmithStarsBen AffleckJoey Lauren AdamsEthan SupleeHolden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.9.1
Love hurts. Love is ridiculous. Kevin Smith's writing here hits as deep as a J.D. Salinger story. Great acting. Great ending / handling of the tropes of rom-com. - DirectorJean VigoStarsDita ParloJean DastéGilles MargaritisNewly married couple Juliette and a ship captain Jean struggle through marriage as they travel on the L'atalante along with the captain's first mate Le père Jules and a cabin boy.9.1
Yeah, I can see how this movie influenced the French New Wave directors. What's so great is the economy of storytelling (script and visual) and the presence of so many life-affirming scenes. It's a fun movie for a lover of film history. Also very romantic, if also occasionally unpleasant. - DirectorGillian RobespierreStarsJenny SlateJake LacyGaby HoffmannA twenty-something comedienne's unplanned pregnancy forces her to confront the realities of independent womanhood for the first time.9.1
A work of genius. Emotional. It functions as an expert fusion of a) contemporary stand-up comedy / comedy podcasting personality, b) smart/realistic movie romance (think Jim and Pam from the Office before they get to be together), c) small-budget cinema outside the norm/genre of indie dramedy. I was totally on board with Slate's Donna. - DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.9.1
I'm so glad I rewatched this sucker. It didn't take long for me to be taken with it again, like I was when I first saw it. This viewing was filled with nostalgia mostly related to the love of self-defining music. The movie gets away with some lazy/commonplace storytelling because its subject matter is entrancing. Dazzling. - DirectorLiam LynchStarsSarah SilvermanDaniel Steven GonzalezCuete YeskaPrepare for an evening of riotously shocking material as sharp-witted stand-up superstar Sarah Silverman steps up for her first HBO solo special.9.0
Comedy is great when it is intimate. Almost every bit is great, here. I would love to see another Sarah special if it's anything like this one. - DirectorMichael LehmannStarsWinona RyderChristian SlaterShannen DohertyAt Westerburg High where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather, it's going to take a Veronica and mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count.9.0
Irresistibly black. Everything in the story works. Great acting and camerawork and creative design that stays with you. - DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsJennifer TillyGina GershonJoe PantolianoTough ex-con Corky and her lover Violet concoct a scheme to steal millions of stashed mob money and pin the blame on Violet's crooked boyfriend Caesar.8.8
What starts off as somewhat unassuming (and also flat out strange) quickly becomes heart-racingly tense. Like Nolan's Memento, which also features Joe Pantoliano, this is a top shelf crime thriller. It's hard to imagine the writer/directors went on to make the Matrix; I might need to see that again. - DirectorKar-Wai WongStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungSiu Ping-LamTwo neighbors form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs.8.8
In the Mood for Love is my first Kar-wai Wong and it's pretty much what it's cracked up to be. Beautiful and formally satisfying. I am not totally a fan of how important cultural manners plays into the story, but I can get past this. - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardJack OakieDictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.8.7
Chaplin firing on so many cylinders. The globe sequence is one of the best in all of cinema. The last 30 minutes of this movie didn't really work for me because I did not like a new character being introduced so late and I did not really like the character or acting. Otherwise, quite an impressive epic. There's still a lot more Chaplin for me to see. - DirectorJoe PytkaStarsMichael JordanWayne KnightTheresa RandleIn a desperate attempt to win a basketball match and earn their freedom, the Looney Tunes seek the aid of retired basketball champion, Michael Jordan.8.7
It holds up, only better! Nothing like this film gets made today. - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsMichael B. JordanMelonie DiazOctavia SpencerThe story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.8.7
This movie shines a light on race relations in this country. It also tells a young man's story via a combination of conventional storytelling and inspired slice of life. ...I was so taken that I tweeted halfway through the movie, "Halfway thru #FruitvaleStation and damn, is this good and upsetting. Powerful cinema. #BlackLivesMatter" - DirectorDavid Gordon GreenStarsNicolas CageTye SheridanGary PoulterAn ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin.8.6
A great vehicle for Nick Cage and the boy from Mud. This is cinema that gets in there and gets dirty. David Gordon Green is quite talented, as I have written before. One of Cage's best roles. - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.8.6
I wanted to rewatch this and thought maybe it would get a rare 10/10 from me. Alas, this film has a couple big weaknesses. One is also one of its big strengths - takes that are too long. Although this has the effect of burning the film into the viewer's brain, I would rather there be 3-times as many cuts in many instances. Two, this movie is fraught with structural problems. LOL. Everyone loves the nonlinear narrative. But I gotta say, even though the first 30 minutes is the most quotable section, the cinema of it is not that great. The movie is best when Uma Thurman or Bruce Willis are on screen. I wish those stories were given a full movie to flourish. In summation, this movie has great lines and great shots but it's frustrating. - DirectorJohn G. BlystoneBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonNatalie TalmadgeJoe KeatonA man returns to his Appalachian homestead. On the trip, he falls for a young woman. The only problem is her family has vowed to kill every member of his family.8.5
Buster Keaton is a sight to behold. Although silent, this movie has a story (a take on the Hatfields and McCoys) that is captivating and full of humor. The movie gets better and better with each scene. - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.8.5
The simplicity of the story mixes with the bigness and nightmare captured by the camera to make a great movie about stupid war. I dug the narration, which was a risky but pretty necessary choice. I do think the movie could be better with more action or hope, so long as the general poetry remains in tact. - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBruce CampbellEmbeth DavidtzMarcus GilbertWhen Ash Williams is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D., he must retrieve the Necronomicon and battle an army of the dead in order to return home.8.4
I saw this first, before going back to see Evil Dead and then Evil Dead II. This is the best one. Funny, gruesome and no lulls in the drama. Ash is a spectacular character. The sets are fun, too. - DirectorAdam RifkinStarsGiuseppe AndrewsVietnam RonJoey MurciaDirector Adam Rifkin's wildly surreal, outrageously funny and strangely touching documentary about a truly Outsider Artist, Guiseppe Andrews, who has made 30 movies starring the seriously-impaired residents of his trailer park.8.4
This movie appears to capture the spirit of Giuseppe's movies while also showing clips of the movies. I'm glad it kills two birds with one stone, because his films are hard to find and see (I should try). Giuseppe's anarchistic spirit is the best part of this doc, but I also think it's a great doc for doc reasons. - DirectorAbbas KiarostamiBanafsheh ModaressiStarsRin TakanashiTadashi OkunoRyô KaseIn Tokyo, a young sex worker develops an unexpected connection with a widower over a period of two days.8.4
You gotta see a Kiarostami film to know what his cinema concerns. I think this a good one, as approachable as Certified Copy and as thought-provoking as Close-Up - the other two I've seen so far. - DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneClaire TrevorAndy DevineA group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo and learn something about each other in the process.8.3
Stagecoach shows you a bygone era of the adventure film that today works best seen as a road movie. You'll like it as much as you learn to love the company on board. - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantIngrid BergmanClaude RainsThe daughter of a convicted German spy is asked by American agents to gather information on a ring of German scientists in South America. How far will she have to go to ingratiate herself with them?8.3
I had a solid new viewing of this early midperiod Hitchcock film that is admired for its storytelling more than for its thrills. It's both a 1940's espionage film and a generally effective love triangle romance. That is a tough trick to pull off. Best of all, Hitchcock gives the viewer divine compositions to admire. - DirectorRoger AvaryStarsJames Van Der BeekIan SomerhalderShannyn SossamonThe incredibly spoiled and overprivileged students of Camden College are a backdrop for an unusual love triangle between a drug dealer, a virgin and a bisexual classmate.8.3
The experimental editing at the start of the movie is ultimately regrettable, even if its purpose eventually makes sense. Once the movie settles down, the viewer is treated to a fun batch of flawed characters. I imagine Bret Easton Ellis's source material is the reason why this movie feels fresh. - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry, Ron and Hermione race against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.8.2
I wrote a facebook post about my having watched the Harry Potter films seriously for the first time over a period of months dating back to late 2014. I can't really remember what I said about each movie except that I do remember writing that I liked this movie the best, because it felt the least mainstream and most worthy of world cinema admiration. It has great long stretches showing the characters struggling in a not-so "Harry Potter" way. It's often slow but not boring. I won't write, here, about the other 7 films. I felt differently about each one and would only want to seriously rewatch those I gave a pretty good grade to, like this one. Many of the films are dull entertainments. - DirectorHal HartleyStarsAdrienne ShellyMartin DonovanRebecca NelsonAfter being thrown out of her house, Maria encounters a married woman who complains of not having children. Maria ends up in an abandoned house, where she meets Matthew. When a baby is kidnapped Maria sets out to find the woman.8.2
This is my favorite of the 3 Hal Hartley movies I have seen, but only by a narrow margin. I like his style. Off the wall characters and events that exist in Hartley's alternate universe, in which the hero is the resourceful screw-up loner. Half the fun is the unusual dialogue. Trust's quirky romance is delightful. - DirectorMichael PowellEmeric PressburgerStarsDeborah KerrDavid FarrarFlora RobsonA group of nuns struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude, and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad.8.2
Glorious Technicolor. Tense. A movie of 2 halves that does its thing confidently. Increasingly strange. I probably should watch this one again - it's that sort of film. - DirectorNorman JewisonStarsCherNicolas CageOlympia DukakisLoretta Castorini, a bookkeeper from Brooklyn, New York, finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls for the brother of the man she has agreed to marry.8.1
It was a pleasure to see Italian New York depicted in this film. Very competent rom-com that feels influenced by Woody Allen. The movie ends on very high notes with excellent depictions of older adults. I think of this movie as a fun family feast. - DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEthan HawkeJuliet RylanceJames RansoneA controversial true-crime writer finds a box of Super 8 home movies in his new home, revealing that the murder case he is currently researching could be the work of an unknown serial killer whose legacy dates back to the 1960s.8.1
Creepy and I don't use that word lightly. Hawke nails it. I was also happy with the look of the film, something that I don't normally like in contemporary scary movies. - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineDaryl HannahAfter awakening from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.8.1
I rewatched the Kill Bills and this time I liked the first one quite a bit more. I dug the mixed media. I dug all the samurai stuff. Tarantino presents several amazing scenes. - DirectorShannon HartmanStarsJim JefferiesCovers topics from gun control to family values.8.1
They did something right to make me feel like I was in the big audience, not merely watching on TV a performer perform for an audience. Maybe I just like Jim's voice and jokes. Biting humor. - DirectorJacques DemyStarsCatherine DeneuveNino CastelnuovoAnne VernonA young woman separated from her lover by war faces a life-altering decision.8.0
This movie is beautiful to look at. The script is all sung, like an opera, but the music is based in jazz and the American pop song. It's a melodrama more than anything, but the characters are all great. The story is sad and sweet at the same time. - DirectorLance BangsStarsTodd BarryRobert BuscemiBlaine CapatchRecorded during shows in which Mr. Barry prepared no routine, relying entirely on humorous conversations with concert-goers.8.0
A docu-style stand-up show featuring Todd's banter with mostly interesting audience members while on a West Coast tour. The crowd work produces lots of smiles and chuckles. - DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsDonald PleasenceJamie Lee CurtisTony MoranFifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.8.0
I quite enjoyed my viewing this time around, bumping this movie up slightly from a high 7 to a low 8. Michael is terrifying. The style is very basic but works more effectively in the second half of the movie. The camerawork when Laurie is found in the closet is incredible. - DirectorStephen DaldryStarsMeryl StreepNicole KidmanJulianne MooreThe story of how the novel "Mrs. Dalloway" affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives.8.0
This movie tells three stories in a clever way. Some of the action is poorly motivated. Some of it devastating. I think the strength of the movie is its commitment to showing the material in a gloomy light. And of course, the film has strong performances. - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsJoaquin PhoenixJosh BrolinOwen WilsonIn 1970, drug-fueled Los Angeles private investigator Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.7.9
"Sprawling" feels like a lazy way to describe something like this movie. Maybe it's best to conceive of it as if the movie is a drug bender, mostly downers but with some psychedelics mixed in. I enjoyed the unusual experience. It's best appreciated on a scene by scene basis. I was watching some of the Big Lebowski (not a great film) on mute with closed captions a few days ago and that experience kind of reminded me of watching Inherent Vice. - DirectorRodney AscherStarsBill BlakemoreGeoffrey CocksJuli KearnsAn exploration of various interpretations of Stanley Kubrick's horror film, The Shining (1980).7.7
While watching this movie, it's hard not to be impressed by the theorizing. That's what this movie is about - the theorizing. The theories themselves? Well, maybe a couple of them are plausible. I'd gladly watch 10 more movies like this one about other enigmatic filmmakers. No on-screen appearances of the interviewees / narrators. Just movie essays. - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsGene HackmanJohn CazaleAllen GarfieldA paranoid, secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that the couple he is spying on will be murdered.7.7
This is a calculated slow burner that's steeped in that oft-lauded 70's grittiness and pessimism. I liked the simple story and the effective techniques employed to tell it. But it's not a movie that's easy for me to enjoy. I think I prefer exercises like this that are more abstract than they are zeroed in on details. I have Antonioni in mind. - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBruce CampbellSarah BerryDan HicksAsh Williams, the lone survivor of an earlier onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits, holes up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack.7.6
I liked this as a sequel to Evil Dead. It's a lot funnier; I mean, it has probably 10 minutes of wild laughter moments that must place it as amongst the best movies ever in such a category. But the movie almost grinds to a halt somewhere around the 50-minute mark. All the supporting characters and actors kind of suck, too. The story is weak. But the great practical gore and many moments of laughter make this movie well worth watching. - DirectorMorten TyldumStarsBenedict CumberbatchKeira KnightleyMatthew GoodeDuring World War II, the English mathematical genius Alan Turing tries to crack the German Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians while attempting to come to terms with his troubled private life.7.6
I enjoyed seeing this. It's a great throwback WWII drama, British biopic, and meditation on computation. Nothing terribly memorable but it's solid educational entertainment. - DirectorNoah BaumbachStarsJosh HamiltonEric StoltzSamuel GouldA bunch of guys hang around their college for months after graduation, continuing a life much like the one before graduation.7.6
The cinema kids at Denison get to see this during their final days before graduation day because it's one of their professor's traditions. Now that I have seen it, I can appreciate that ritual. Criterion is right to highlight the one-liners. What a great cast of characters, too, as long as you let them be their whiny selves. Who cares if the story is meandering and indulgent? - DirectorJon FavreauStarsJon FavreauRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonA head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.7.6
It feels like a passion project but it also works great as a smaller film by a Hollywood director. Think comfort food with good imagery and a taste for Cuban. - DirectorJohn LandisStarsDavid NaughtonJenny AgutterJoe BelcherTwo American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.7.5
The main characters have a good attitude about life, if a bit careless. Not hard to enjoy what ensues. - DirectorRandal KleiserStarsJohn TravoltaOlivia Newton-JohnStockard ChanningGood girl Sandy Olsson and greaser Danny Zuko fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?7.5
The Grease movie has the perfect mixture of rock-n-roll 50's and Ramones' 70's. Danny is so cool. Very fun movie. Some of the songs are great, yes, but many of the musical numbers aren't my cup of tea. I imagine this would have been great to see in the theater when it came out. - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineMichael MadsenThe Bride continues her quest of vengeance against her former boss and lover Bill, the reclusive bouncer Budd, and the treacherous, one-eyed Elle.7.5
The plotting in this one is a hair tedious. I like the "Bill" character but I also think he is too soft. Vol. 2 of Kill Bill relies on the viewer being a fan of the Kill Bill story and I'm not sure I am. I guess the B-movie quality weighs it down. - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsJames SpaderAndie MacDowellPeter GallagherA sexually repressed woman's husband is having an affair with her sister. The arrival of a visitor with a rather unusual fetish changes everything.7.4
If it hadn't been a first film, I can see how this movie could be a full point better. Lots of great ideas but the script and directing is not quite up to the task. That's overstating it, though. I dig it for being transgressive and curious. - DirectorPeter WeirStarsRobin WilliamsRobert Sean LeonardEthan HawkeMaverick teacher John Keating returns in 1959 to the prestigious New England boys' boarding school where he was once a star student, using poetry to embolden his pupils to new heights of self-expression.7.4
I saw this again and liked it more than I had previously. Yes, it's too sentimental and didactic. But it's also romantic in a good way. The carpe diem scene is amazing. Williams' overall performance is fantastic. The story is heartbreaking. - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.7.4
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsMatthew BroderickReese WitherspoonLoren NelsonA high school teacher meets his match in an over-achieving student politician.7.4
Payne would go on to hone his craft but the material here is grade A. No, it's not the most biting American satire or black comedy (see that same year's American Beauty or contemporary works by Solondz and the Coen Brothers), but Broderick's character is fun to watch be tragically pathetic. I also like its high-school-ness and the mini portraits of teaching. - DirectorBrian HensonStarsMichael CaineDave GoelzSteve WhitmireThe Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale.7.4
This is a pretty great Christmas movie. I'm happy I saw it again (I bet I saw it when I was a child). The Muppets are cool and Kermit is the best! The puppetry makes for compelling action. I like Cain's Scrooge. The parable of the story is full of good if cliche wisdom. Aesthetically, I think the lighting (rather dark) is perfect for the story and something that would not be present in today's Muppet productions, sadly. - DirectorBen StillerStarsJim CarreyMatthew BroderickLeslie MannA designer makes a grievious mistake when he rejects the friendship of a borderline cable guy.7.3
If you are wondering, this one holds up. Definitely a Stiller film more than a Carrey film. Full of comedy but also some touching moments and fun commentary on television. Broderick and Carrey are good comedic foils. - DirectorBeth McCarthy-MillerStarsWanda SykesEmmy(R)-winning actress/comic Wanda Sykes returns to HBO for her second full-length stand-up special. Taped at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., this riotous performance features Wanda's hilarious takes on a variety of topics.7.3
Wanda brings it. Her voice, physicality, and high-quality writing make her a great comedian. This TV Special is best right up top but not hard to enjoy till the very end. - DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacAs a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.7.2
I hear that Lucas characterizes The Force Awakens as a retro film designed for the fans. That makes sense to me because it clearly feels a lot Episodes IV - VI. I don't think you have to be a big Star Wars fan to like it, though. I have not seen Episode VI since I was a kid, but compared to Episode IV and V, I liked VII The Force Awakens the best. Lots of action and not a lot of annoying "hero's journey" talk. To me, the world of Star Wars succeeds on the strength of its look and characters. I dig both of those qualities a lot in The Force Awakens. Shout-out to my favorite new character, Maz, who is almost as cool as Yoda. - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYôji MatsudaYuriko IshidaYûko TanakaOn a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.7.2
Disney creeps in but the spirit of Japanese folklore dominates the general feeling of this Animation Epic. The stuff about nature is compelling if not 100% captivating. There's no doubt that the best part of the movie is the animation. - DirectorWoody AllenStarsMia FarrowDianne WiestMike StarrA nostalgic look at radio's golden age focusing on one ordinary family and the various performers in the medium.7.2
To be honest, I'm having trouble remembering this movie. Ha. It's Woody Allen and I have seen a lot from him. Clearly, the movie is nostalgic and concerned with conveying appreciation for that nostalgia more than wrapping the viewer up in a normal conflict. I liked it. - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.7.1
There are those who praised this movie and there are those who saw its weaknesses. I'm in the latter category. Here, aerobic jazz and existential theatre are more important than the traditional language of cinema. I would have been more taken if I had liked the characters more. Keaton is over-praised and Stone is distracting most of the time she's on screen. - DirectorMike NewellStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry Potter finds himself competing in a hazardous tournament between rival schools of magic, but he is distracted by recurring nightmares.7.1
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsMax RecordsCatherine O'HaraForest WhitakerYearning for escape and adventure, a young boy runs away from home and sails to an island filled with creatures that take him in as their king.7.1
This was not as good as I remembered, but I had that suspicion before seeing it again. Although it's an original depiction of childhood loneliness, the world of the Wild Things feels mildly claustrophobic. Fun and scary, but also dizzying. Jonze immerses the viewer in his films, and in this one, that immersion is uncomfortable at times. Karen O's music does not work for me, at all. - DirectorDenny TedescoStarsBrian WilsonDick ClarkCherA celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew", a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys and Bing Crosby.7.1
This documentary reaches its foremost goal, which is to appreciate the studio musicians who played on and made great several classic songs from the 60s. The amount of great music included is its best quality. - DirectorAri FolmanStarsRobin WrightHarvey KeitelJon HammAn aging, out-of-work actress accepts one last job, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn't consider.7.0
This is visionary film-making that deserves a wider audience. It's currently streaming free with Amazon Prime Video. The fascinating sci-fi and complex philosophy are pleasures, but the story is slightly marred by a middle section (maybe 30-40 minutes) that kind of loses its grip. Do you know how sometimes a movie all of the sudden becomes really hard to follow and, consequently, you struggle to maintain attention? This movie has a stretch like that in the middle. Stick with it though and you'll enjoy the satisfying conclusion. - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.7.0
By the early 80s the era of the Adventure Blockbuster is in full swing and Spielberg found a new George Lucas character for Harrison Ford to play and his name is Indy. The best part of this movie is the score by John Williams. I like Indy fine. And there's no denying how fun some of these scenes are. Several cheesy parts. - DirectorOliver StoneStarsCharlie SheenTom BerengerWillem DafoeChris Taylor, a neophyte recruit in Vietnam, finds himself caught in a battle of wills between two sergeants, one good and the other evil. A shrewd examination of the brutality of war and the duality of man in conflict.7.0
Hard to believe I hadn't seen a single Oliver Stone film until I saw this one. It was an interesting film to see after having seen Apocalypse Now a month earlier. I like Charlie Sheen's character but there is nothing about his story or Stone's depiction of war that can change the fact that Platoon feels like a product of its time - dirty, worn out, not very creative. Though enjoyably pessimistic and anti-war, the film uses conventional story-telling. Its power comes from the jungle footage but I don't like the coloration. "Heavy-handed" puts it too strongly, but I can see how someone might judge Platoon that way. - DirectorJ.C. ChandorStarsOscar IsaacJessica ChastainDavid OyelowoIn New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city's history.6.9
This movie follows in the tradition of 70s mafia films like the Godfather (the look) but it also has things in common with a film like 2014's The Drop (the tone). The violence is mostly the threat of violence. Sometimes films are all style and no substance. I think this film has both, but the substance is not that interesting or entertaining. It kind of felt like good cable television. I believe that's why it did not get many award nominations. Isaac does a great job. - DirectorJohn DahlStarsMatt DamonEdward NortonGretchen MolA young, reformed gambler must return to playing high stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks, while balancing his relationship with his girlfriend and his commitments to law school.6.8
I like poker and Matt Damon movies so I had to see this one. It's a good choice for guys looking to stream an easy to like movie on Netflix. The run-of-the-mill aesthetics keep this film from being great, but Rounders does not aim to be anything other than what it achieves. - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBruce CampbellEllen SandweissRichard DeManincorFive friends travel to a cabin in the woods, where they unknowingly release flesh-possessing demons.6.8
This was the director's first feature. Although it belongs in a trilogy, I also see this movie as akin to other low-budget early horror films like Friday the 13th and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There are some scares. Good practical gore. Sometimes boring. - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old book marked as "the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.6.8
- DirectorSamuel FullerStarsPeter BreckConstance TowersGene EvansBent on winning a Pulitzer Prize, a journalist commits himself to a mental institution to solve a strange and unclear murder.6.8
Fuller's commentary on investigative journalism, psych wards, and obsession. I appreciated its narrative development, but I can't say I found this movie all that shocking! More important than entertaining. - DirectorDoug LimanStarsFranka PotenteMatt DamonChris CooperA man is picked up by a fishing boat, bullet-riddled and suffering from amnesia, before racing to elude assassins and attempting to regain his memory.6.7
For those nights you want to put on something entertaining and not too dumb, you can do worse than choose this one. I had seen the next two Bourne movies in the theater and came away from them with mixed feelings. What I liked about Identity was the inclusion of the female companion as well as the relatively normal camerawork (not too hyper). - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJonah HillMargot RobbieBased on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.6.7
The Wolf of Wall Street is a chore to get through but that's where the pause button comes in handy! Leo and Jonah crush it and there is plenty to really like about this movie if you don't mind immoral behavior. The problem is one of excess. There's too much story packed in. There's too many scenes of debauchery. I came away wishing Marty has wanted to make a movie closer to 2 hours long. How might the plot have developed if given better limits/restraints? On the other hand, when I finished the movie, I kind of wanted to watch nothing but movies like this movie for the rest of my life, only, I knew that I would be miserable doing do. The Wolf of Wall Street shows a kind of fun life that produces unwanted side effects. - DirectorWalter MurchStarsFairuza BalkNicol WilliamsonJean MarshDorothy, saved from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, is somehow called back to Oz when a vain witch and the Nome King destroy everything that makes the magical land beautiful.6.7
Just read the synopsis. It was cool to see Piper Laurie after seeing her in Twin Peaks. The creative department did a good job making the world an industrial hellish environment. - DirectorDavid MichôdStarsGuy PearceRobert PattinsonScoot McNairy10 years after a global economic collapse, a hardened loner pursues the men who stole his only possession, his car. Along the way, he captures one of the thieves' brother, and the duo form an uneasy bond during the dangerous journey.6.7
A skeletal story set in the wasteland. This is a kind of road movie for sure; be prepared to wait for things to happen. Compelling performances, especially from Pattinson. The movie tested my patience but I went along with it and ended up enjoying the destination. - DirectorRob EpsteinJeffrey FriedmanStarsAnjelica HustonBilly CrystalTom HanksThe history of the Academy Awards.6.7
Not a bad way to get excited for Oscar night. - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsSissy SpacekPiper LaurieAmy IrvingCarrie White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom.6.6
This movie bears little resemblance to what most people my age think of when it comes to movies. I honestly don't know why many people seem to think this movie holds up very well. Aside from the extremely effective last 30 minutes of the film, the narrative stutters throughout the movie. Maybe the spell of it's horror gets some viewers and not others. If it gets you, you are a goner. For me, I managed to appreciate some of the creative choices and the effective ending. - DirectorAndrew HaighStarsTom CullenChris NewJonathan RaceAfter a drunken house party with his straight mates, Russell heads out to a gay club. Just before closing time he picks up Glen but what's expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something else, something special.6.6
Slice of life to a fault, but sometimes the story developed some momentum. There is definitely a virus running through contemporary cinema that's affecting storytelling ability to the point where writers and directors are becoming delusional about what passes as narrative momentum. I don't pretend to know how to make a movie work, but too many films nowadays are terrific failures. More to come... - DirectorJennifer KentStarsEssie DavisNoah WisemanDaniel HenshallA single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children's book titled "Mister Babadook" manifests in their home.6.6
The Babadook is scary, the plot is good, the lead actress does a truly spectacular job, but right off the bat I knew I was not going to get into the movie very much. I did not like the accent. Sorry, something about it. But what really held the movie back was all the artifice. It smacked too much of movie-ness. Does this complaint make sense? I will rewrite this gripe when I can figure out a better way to explain myself. - DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsSteve GuttenbergMickey RourkeKevin BaconA group of college-age buddies struggle with their imminent passage into adulthood in 1959 Baltimore.6.5
This movie had come up a few times on various comedy podcast I'd heard so I figured I should give it a shot. It's a guys movie and I'm a guy. What I got was an insular, mildly entertaining depiction of a group of young men who are my age and who don't want to or know how to settle down. What I'm supposed to like is all the conversation and uninhibited screwing around. Indeed, that's what the movie has to offer. I enjoyed it fine but don't know if I will see any of Levinson's other Baltimore films. I did appreciate seeing all the cool actors. Rourke stole the show, for me. - DirectorJason ReitmanStarsKate WinsletJosh BrolinGattlin GriffithDepressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited.6.5
I went in knowing how this movie had rubbed many people the wrong way. But I liked it as much as I could by relishing in the romantic moments. A story like this, one that exists outside of normal genre, poses problems of consistency, but I was happy the movie stayed afloat. - DirectorAlex Ross PerryStarsJason SchwartzmanElisabeth MossJonathan PryceWhen a self-obsessed novelist (Jason Schwartzman) has problems with his novel and his girlfriend (Elisabeth Moss), he seeks refuge in his mentor's cottage where the peace and quiet allow him to focus on his favorite subject - himself.6.5
I listened to the director be interviewed on the Bret Easton Ellis podcast and so I figured I would give this a watch. The 16mm grainy look kinda obscure the fact that this movie is dry and all surface. But that's OK. I enjoyed watching Schwartzman, Moss, and Pryce carry on. The themes regarding the disgruntled novelist provided some humor. Definitely not for everybody. - DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittEdward NortonMeat LoafAn insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.6.5
I dropped this from a 7. This time around I still liked the two leads but I believe there is far too much preaching of postmodernism in this movie. It gets exhausting. And Fincher, he has a penchant for too much artifice. - DirectorRob MarshallStarsAnna KendrickMeryl StreepChris PineA witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.6.5
I am not a lover of musicals so I consider this movie a moderate success.
The second act drops off a lot. - DirectorRupert WyattStarsMark WahlbergJessica LangeJohn GoodmanLiterature professor and gambler Jim Bennett's debt causes him to borrow money from his mother and a loan shark. Further complicating his situation, is his relationship with one of his students. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance?6.4
There's a slow, formally confusing start to this movie. Why is this guy mixed up the way he is? But pretty soon the viewer learns to just accept the facts of this dude's situation. The movie is more about nihilism and existentialism than it is about gambling. I picked the movie because I wanted something fun. What I got was something thought-provoking. - DirectorPaul BrickmanStarsTom CruiseRebecca De MornayJoe PantolianoA Chicago teenager is looking for fun at home while his parents are away, but the situation quickly gets out of hand.6.4
Risky Business is an unusual mix of 80s sex-comedy, coming-of-age, and crime. "Uneven" is one word I'd use to describe it. Another would be "tantalizing." Why should I care about this guy? Because he's a nice kid who gets mixed up in something by accident? The tone shifts a lot during the movie and the events in this film are far-fetched and eventually spin out of control. There's a lot to like and a lot to dislike. It made me feel both hot and cold. - DirectorRichard LesterStarsJohn LennonPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonOver two "typical" days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.6.3
This was my first foray into the the Fab Four movies. It did not totally hold my attention but I enjoyed some of it. What's the point? To have fun watching the Beatles goof around. It's no "Don't Look Back," and I'm not sure why the film community likes it as much as it does. - DirectorNorman TaurogStarsElvis PresleyJoan BlackmanAngela LansburyAfter arriving back in Hawaii from the Army, Chad Gates (Elvis Presley) defies his parents' wishes for him to work at the family business and instead goes to work as a tour guide at his girlfriend's agency.6.3
This was my first dive into the Elvis movies but I was already planning on seeing at least a few more. I chose this one to see first because it had some songs, promised to be goofy, and is set in Hawaii. Elvis and his girlfriend are pretty enjoyable throughout, but some of the charades are extremely dated. I give the story a D+. I also found myself alternating between liking the technicolor Hawaii and feeling nauseated by the painted look. - DirectorMichael RitchieStarsChevy ChaseJoe Don BakerDana Wheeler-NicholsonWhile working undercover wisecracking newspaper reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher is offered a large sum by a millionaire with a terminal disease to kill him. Intrigued, Fletch decides to unearth the full story behind the offer.6.3
You can tell this was made as a vehicle for Chevy's comic talents. I laughed steadily but struggled to care about each turn of events and the conflicts. This can't be one of Chevy's best movies. - DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.6.3
Ex Machina sounds better on paper. In fact, the movie utilizes a limited toolbox to fashion a film that could be manufactured just as well in a 10 page short story. The science and AI philosophy is interesting but not always dramatic. By the end, I felt that I had seen a merely competent rendering of a movie. - DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsLori CardilleTerry AlexanderJoseph PilatoAs the world is overrun by zombies, a group of scientists and military personnel sheltering in an underground bunker in Florida must decide on how they should deal with the undead horde.6.2
What's wrong with this movie? It starts off great and then enters into its main location, the military bunker, which shouldn't be any less interesting than being trapped in a mall, like in Dawn of the Dead. I think what I noticed over and over again was how tired and on edge everyone was. Do you have fun hanging around people who are stressed out all the time? Romero needed to find a way to inject this story with more vitality. What we get is a movie that's rewarding only to a point. - DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsMark WahlbergChristian BaleAmy AdamsBased on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.6.1
This film should have been called The Fighters, for it tells the stories of both brothers. It also should have found a better way of telling 2 decidedly different stories. Russell directs this picture confidently but it never fully blasts off. The trouble stems from there being too many narratives running through it, including an unlikely romance, depiction of crack addiction, and special interest meets sports documentary. I did not like the boxing scenes and the tempo relies too heavily on music. - DirectorKristina GoolsbyAshley YorkStarsStephanie AllynneZach GalifianakisSarah SilvermanThe personal Biography of Tig Notaro, a Stand-up comedian who was diagnosed with cancer.6.1
This documentary ropes you in only to the degree that you are continually impressed by its "Can you believe it?" developments. Feels so episodic that I think it would have been more enjoyable if I had to sit through regular commercial breaks. Still, Tig's story is a good one to know. - DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsJulianne MooreMia WasikowskaRobert PattinsonA tour into the heart of a Hollywood family chasing celebrity, one another and the relentless ghosts of their pasts.6.0
This is a satire on the underbelly of absorbed Hollywood types. Many stereotypes are represented, some that seem more fascinating than others. The story is caustic, clinical and chilling. It's also funny and occasionally intense. Each portrait works OK but the elements never coalesce in a highly enjoyable way. The film viewing experience is relatively unpleasant. - DirectorGus Van SantStarsRobin WilliamsMatt DamonBen AffleckWill Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T., has a gift for mathematics, but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life.5.9
Damon and Affleck's script is exuberant and also ostentatious. Van Sant does not find a way to smooth out the broad brush strokes. Overlong. At times irresistible but it would be nostaligia that'd get to you like this movie more than you otherwise should. - DirectorZach BraffStarsZach BraffPeter SarsgaardNatalie PortmanA quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.5.8
I wanted this movie to be as good as I thought it was when I saw it at the age of 15 but it's not - it's overindulgent. Awkward humor can be done more humorously or more awkwardly. This film is in the second camp. I didn't even like Portman's Sam as much I thought I did. The soundtrack is probably the best part. - DirectorMichael BayStarsScarlett JohanssonEwan McGregorDjimon HounsouA man living in a futuristic sterile colony begins to question his circumscribed existence when his friend is chosen to go to the Island, the last uncontaminated place on earth.5.8
The source material is strong and Bay does a nice job with the exposition. But once the movie became an on-the-run action adventure, my interest waned. - DirectorKevin PollakStarsAmy SchumerJames L. BrooksJudd ApatowOver fifty very famous American, Canadian, British and Australian funny people (filmmakers, writers, actors and comedians) share life and professional journeys and insights, in an effort to shed light on the thesis: Do you have to be miserable to be funny?5.8
I liked seeing so many great funny people, especially during the beginning of the movie. As the documentary wore on, I grew tired of its questions and limited exploration chops. Ultimately it's all not very interesting. Felt hurried and underdeveloped. - DirectorRobert RodriguezStarsHarvey KeitelGeorge ClooneyJuliette LewisTwo criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in a truck stop populated by vampires, with chaotic results.5.7
I suppose I liked the second half more, the horror film part. Actually, there's a lot of really cool stuff that happens in the second part of the movie. But the crime stuff in the beginning was some of the most boring Tarantino writing I've seen filmed. And whatever Rodriguez's talents as a B-movie auteur, I don't find him capable of full on film-making. - DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsScarlett JohanssonJeremy McWilliamsLynsey Taylor MackayA mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. However, events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.5.7
The director keeps the audience at too far a distance. The bold artistic choices wind up resulting in a product that feels like a merely clever longform exercise. I did not have trouble becoming acclimated to the chilly repetitive motions. I had trouble caring. - DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.5.7
There's a premise but there's no real story. Are the basic ideas of a punishing environment, unusual color scheme, full throttle driving, and unending pursuit enough to turn you on? It's as if the importance of character development and story dynamics never crossed Miller's mind.