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Movie Reviews

From a biblical perspective

Where the Big Screen meets the Good Book

(Catholic) visionary Maria Valtorta quoted Jesus as saying, "I am wherever there is life or a manifestation of life. Wherever a wise man meditates, a sculptor sculpts, a poet writes, ... I am there together with Him from Whom I come. ... I am there with the Most High Creator" (333).

John W. Whitehead, on "GOD AND FILM" writes, "In this chaotic age, people are increasingly seeking something outside themselves to give order and meaning to their lives. While painting once tackled these questions, modern film now addresses this search, which inevitably includes the subject of God. Of all the artistic forms throughout the ages, film may be the most suitable forum for the discussion of religion and God" (267).

If Jesus is in all works of art, and especially in film, then movies should yield that influence through comparison with the Bible. Such I have tried to do in these my reviews, updated weekly, by including an Ideology section in each of them. I don't have a particular point to make other than finding a biblical comparison most apropos to the material.

I follow standard content ratings for a Christian in line with (I Cor. 10:27-28) "If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." The visual feast is a movie and the invite is per age group and/or caution. If you're disposed to see it and are old enough or receiving guidance, be my guest and just ignore the objectionable parts. Don't get all worked up over what's best ignored.

Movie genres

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
The 5th Wave	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Standard YA fare mixed with sci-fi, heartland America, budding romance, and the occasional twist. See it if you thrive on the YA genre, but it's not so action or sci-fi oriented.
The Accountant	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Rain Man it is not, but it yields sympathetic characters in an unusual thriller. A winner this one. Boosts awareness of autism.
Alexander	2004	R	☆☆☆	There have got to be better films on Alexander the Great; this one sets the bar pretty low. Seems genuinely historical, just not compelling to watch.
Allied	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A heart-rending romance in danger of being trampled by the rigors of war. Good balance of drama and action. A nail biter.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Perry White is black, Lois Lane's a hack, and Superman's got her back. Batman's a hacker into Lex Luthor. Wonder Woman has a light touch, and the President's finger is heavy on the button. Welcome to the 21st century.
Beverly Hills Cop	1984	R	☆☆☆	Eddie Murphy at his best, which hasn't aged all that well. Still some good solid laughs, crude language, physical humor.
Criminal	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Doesn't focus any on one of its several genres but does adequately in each. If you can't make up your mind what kind of movie to see, this one can stand in for several. All-purpose movie.
The Emerald Forest	1985	R	☆☆☆☆	The noble savage meets a white boy who's amenable to their culture. Frantic dad follows in pursuit. Lots of message in there somewhere.
In the Heart of the Sea	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A sea tale that pits business decisions against known science with an unknown monster thrown in for good measure. Contains some lessons on marriage, too. Not an epic classic but doesn't pretend to be. Exotic times and locales.
Independence Day: Resurgence	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆	Fireworks galore, alien villains were sore, but we evened the score. Likely to spawn more sequels but the characters will have aged themselves off the cast by then.
Inferno	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆	Tom Hanks in a strange symbol thriller with a minimal plot, a tricky madman, and a cute female doctor. It delivers about what you'd expect. For fans mostly.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆★	Blistering action and a cool hero with woman troubles to boot. The sex is all talk. Read the book.
Jason Bourne	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	You get what you expect in a Jason Bourne flick: tortured main character in a world of hurt, lots of frenzied action, and a world on the brink. Delivers!
The Legend of Tarzan	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆	Civilized Tarzan revisits the jungle, struts his stuff, rekindles romance, impresses his fans. Nothing more, nothing less.
London Has Fallen	2016	R	☆☆☆★	A simply plotted action sequel using familiar faces to portray established roles. More of the same with a dab of polish. Tries to work around political correctness.
The Magnificent Seven	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Lives up to its reputation. Does well for a remake. Solid action western with a little bit of inventiveness to make it fresh. For those who like westerns.
Mechanic: Resurrection	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Lots of action with a little bit of romance. Fast paced. Repeats a successful formula. Nothing more, nothing less.
The Mission	1986	PG	☆☆☆☆	A good film to while away the time with. Its troubles are far away and long ago though reflexive of our own times as well. Missions oriented.
The Nice Guys	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A great movie with a screwball plot involving two mismatched private eyes on a quest for resolution to their mixed up cases. Fast paced with multiple surprises.
Now You See Me 2	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Abracadabra in spades. Not a very deep plot or any extensive character development. Still it's a fun show with tricks at every turn. Some of them are explained.
Point Break	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆★	An extreme sport action thriller with a bare bones plot that doesn't get in the way--in fact it barely makes sense. See it for what it is.
Risen	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	The resurrection of Christ and its immediate aftermath as seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier tasked with sweeping it under the rug. Touching and faith building.
Scarface	1932	PG	☆☆☆☆	Early B&W gangster film. Nonstop violent action with its share of drama and a modicum of romance. For gangster movie aficionados.
Star Trek Beyond	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	For Star Trek fans and newcomers alike. A rousing sci-fi adventure exploring the human community in a distant space setting. Will not disappoint.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
The 5th Wave	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Standard YA fare mixed with sci-fi, heartland America, budding romance, and the occasional twist. See it if you thrive on the YA genre, but it's not so action or sci-fi oriented.
Alexander	2004	R	☆☆☆	There have got to be better films on Alexander the Great; this one sets the bar pretty low. Seems genuinely historical, just not compelling to watch.
Back to the Future	1985	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	Classic sci-fi with comedic undertones and lots of adventure. Appealing to a broad audience. Amenable to repeat viewings.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Perry White is black, Lois Lane's a hack, and Superman's got her back. Batman's a hacker into Lex Luthor. Wonder Woman has a light touch, and the President's finger is heavy on the button. Welcome to the 21st century.
The Emerald Forest	1985	R	☆☆☆☆	The noble savage meets a white boy who's amenable to their culture. Frantic dad follows in pursuit. Lots of message in there somewhere.
Greystoke: The Tarzan Legend, Lord of the Apes	1984	PG	☆☆☆☆	A Tarzan drama set in two worlds but not so much in the trees. More for reflection than nail biting. Classic interpretation.
In the Heart of the Sea	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A sea tale that pits business decisions against known science with an unknown monster thrown in for good measure. Contains some lessons on marriage, too. Not an epic classic but doesn't pretend to be. Exotic times and locales.
Independence Day: Resurgence	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆	Fireworks galore, alien villains were sore, but we evened the score. Likely to spawn more sequels but the characters will have aged themselves off the cast by then.
Inferno	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆	Tom Hanks in a strange symbol thriller with a minimal plot, a tricky madman, and a cute female doctor. It delivers about what you'd expect. For fans mostly.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆★	Blistering action and a cool hero with woman troubles to boot. The sex is all talk. Read the book.
Labyrinth	1986	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A fun frolicking fantasy that compels us to root for the baby-sitter whose evening went awry, although if anyone deserved it, she did. Be careful what you wish for.
The Legend of Tarzan	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆	Civilized Tarzan revisits the jungle, struts his stuff, rekindles romance, impresses his fans. Nothing more, nothing less.
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A riot of best intentions gone wrong. Funny from beginning to end. Cast conspires to crack you up. A Hawaiian winner.
The Princess Bride	1987	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A family friendly fairy tale. Not boring. Cut very well & moves right along. A sure bet for a general audience.
The Revenant	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A rugged frontier drama par excellence. Short on dialogue, long on snowy landscapes. The bear attack is not for the squeamish.Well made.
Risen	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	The resurrection of Christ and its immediate aftermath as seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier tasked with sweeping it under the rug. Touching and faith building.
Star Trek Beyond	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	For Star Trek fans and newcomers alike. A rousing sci-fi adventure exploring the human community in a distant space setting. Will not disappoint.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Alexander	2004	R	☆☆☆	There have got to be better films on Alexander the Great; this one sets the bar pretty low. Seems genuinely historical, just not compelling to watch.
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself	2003	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical realism in spades. Not the whole story of a Mexican revolution, but more factual than many westerns. Some wry humor at a clash of cultures.
Anthropoid	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A pseudo-documentary WW II thriller w/ an assassination plot to darken anybody's mood. Brave men and women deservedly honored. Pretty humorless.
The Big Short	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	An entertaining tutorial on the 2008 housing bubble collapse. Uses familiar faces and creative gimmicks to keep the audience interested. A worthy effort with difficult material.
The Edge of Love	2008	R	☆☆☆☆	Life of a renowned poet writing propaganda films during the London Blitz. He amuses himself with women, but not every soldier is amused. Historical touch points with fictional character development.
Hacksaw Ridge	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Moral dilemmas in wartime portrayed while respecting various points of view. Heavy fighting. Real life hero. A good one for war buffs.
In the Heart of the Sea	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A sea tale that pits business decisions against known science with an unknown monster thrown in for good measure. Contains some lessons on marriage, too. Not an epic classic but doesn't pretend to be. Exotic times and locales.
Queen Christina	1933	NR	☆☆☆☆	An historical drama bastardized into a romantic comedy. It works okay if you're not a stickler for historical accuracy. Well acted and well put together.
Sully	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆★	A good job bringing news to the big screen. Tom Hanks nailed his pilot's role. The story is milked for drama, with some CGI flight footage spicing it up.
The Young Messiah	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical drama recounts one of the missing years of the childhood of Jesus. Part fancy, part factual. The kid does okay and Mary works for everyone. The setting is rough and dangerous, the outcome predetermined by the Bible.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Babette's Feast	1987	G	☆☆☆☆☆	A deeply moving film about loving a simple life but being flexible enough to enjoy a treat. Showcases a religious community with scriptural ties and an acceptance of God's wondrous ways.
Back to the Future	1985	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	Classic sci-fi with comedic undertones and lots of adventure. Appealing to a broad audience. Amenable to repeat viewings.
Bad Moms	2016	R	☆☆☆	A chick flick that's funny by any standard. An overloaded super mom turns bad. Promotes motherhood in the end.
Beverly Hills Cop	1984	R	☆☆☆	Eddie Murphy at his best, which hasn't aged all that well. Still some good solid laughs, crude language, physical humor.
The Big Chill	1983	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A mature film heavy on dialogue involving a 15 year reunion of 1960s revolutionary has-beens. Some interesting twists. Nostalgic for the appropriate generation.
Café Society	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Typical seamy Woody Allen plot that blends a New York gangster with a Hollywood scoundrel and a Jewish family trying to maintain. Good Woody Allen fare if it runs with your tastes.
Central Intelligence	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A good comic duo, reasonably well done action scenes, and a thinking man's zany plot. It has all that's needed to take one's mind off the troubles of the world, or does it?
Crimes & Misdemeanors	1989	PG-13	☆☆☆★	A Woody Allen film set in New York City, exploring the angst of living in a moral universe, or not. Runs two parallel plots that eventually intersect. Little different in tone from his other films.
Demolition	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A recent widower finding himself outwardly unmoved by his loss finds it necessary to wreck things before he can rebuild. Finds mostly sympathy but some hostility too.
Going in Style	1979	PG	☆☆☆☆	Three old friends embark on a surprise venture in their declining years. Not the usual fare.
Hail, Caesar!	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	Another Coen brothers great. A little unconventional, but aren't they all? Just go with the flow, and you'll be fine. A visual treat.
Hannah and Her Sisters	1986	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Standard Woody Allen fare, set in New York with lots of kinky sex. Fine if you like this kind of stuff.
The Hateful Eight	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A non-formulaic western that builds the suspense before the inevitable deadly action. More bad guys than good although it's hard to find anybody alive at the end. Bloody as all get out.
I'm No Angel	1933	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	Classic Mae West at her best. For the guys it's a treat for the eyes. Timeless entertainment.
Keanu	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	An amusing film that plays better than its trailer would indicate. An adorable kitten moves the plot along. Humor comes from many directions.
The Lobster	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	A strange world that draws you in as you sympathize with characters relying on their ordinary wits to cope with a world gone mad without any sane reference point remaining.
Love Me Tonight	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	An adult fairy tale that integrates music with Parisian and country high life. Easy on the eyes & easy on the ears. An all round winner.
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A riot of best intentions gone wrong. Funny from beginning to end. Cast conspires to crack you up. A Hawaiian winner.
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A neighborhood-gone-mad movie that's funny. Lots of flesh, plenty of pot, scarce on adult intervention. One to tickle your funny bone.
The Nice Guys	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A great movie with a screwball plot involving two mismatched private eyes on a quest for resolution to their mixed up cases. Fast paced with multiple surprises.
Now You See Me 2	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Abracadabra in spades. Not a very deep plot or any extensive character development. Still it's a fun show with tricks at every turn. Some of them are explained.
The Princess Bride	1987	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A family friendly fairy tale. Not boring. Cut very well & moves right along. A sure bet for a general audience.
Red-Headed Woman	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	Jean Harlow shows off her wares in this delightful comedy produced before the limitations of the Production Code. A winner.
Something Wild	1986	R	☆☆☆☆☆	One of the better movies. It keeps you going yet doesn't hesitate to throw you a curve. Not to be missed.
There's Something About Mary	1998	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A faultlessly executed low-brow comedy featuring a prize blonde and a deserving though klutzy guy. Will make you laugh yourself silly. Humor at every turn.
Trouble in Paradise	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	A great oldie that everyone should see at least once in his life. Exudes an old time racy charm. Crooks have fun.
War Dogs	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A summer movie that's worth the viewing. An interesting story that's not over-Hollywoodized. Well balanced. Hot female lead.
Zoolander 2	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	A sequel that can stand alone. Fashion centered in a bizarre world that seems to make sense to the characters and pulls us right along. Memorable in an offbeat way.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
The Accountant	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Rain Man it is not, but it yields sympathetic characters in an unusual thriller. A winner this one. Boosts awareness of autism.
Beverly Hills Cop	1984	R	☆☆☆	Eddie Murphy at his best, which hasn't aged all that well. Still some good solid laughs, crude language, physical humor.
Blue Velvet	1986	R	☆☆☆☆	Small logging town, young love, mysterious lady, dark characters, unrelenting buildup. Works best on a captive audience that won't bail on the grisly scenes.
Central Intelligence	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A good comic duo, reasonably well done action scenes, and a thinking man's zany plot. It has all that's needed to take one's mind off the troubles of the world, or does it?
Criminal	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Doesn't focus any on one of its several genres but does adequately in each. If you can't make up your mind what kind of movie to see, this one can stand in for several. All-purpose movie.
Drugstore Cowboy	1989	Rating	☆☆☆★	A Film Noir in shades of green depicts a druggie's debauchery prior to his reformation. For special tastes.
Green Room	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	It delivers thrills and scares and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Superfluous material is not to be found, just the raw story. A wake-me-up road story.
The Hateful Eight	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A non-formulaic western that builds the suspense before the inevitable deadly action. More bad guys than good although it's hard to find anybody alive at the end. Bloody as all get out.
Inferno	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆	Tom Hanks in a strange symbol thriller with a minimal plot, a tricky madman, and a cute female doctor. It delivers about what you'd expect. For fans mostly.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆★	Blistering action and a cool hero with woman troubles to boot. The sex is all talk. Read the book.
Little Caesar	1931	Not Rated	☆☆☆	A historically interesting film that would appeal to crime film buffs. Good lead bad guy. Influential on future crime genre films.
London Has Fallen	2016	R	☆☆☆★	A simply plotted action sequel using familiar faces to portray established roles. More of the same with a dab of polish. Tries to work around political correctness.
Mechanic: Resurrection	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Lots of action with a little bit of romance. Fast paced. Repeats a successful formula. Nothing more, nothing less.
Mississippi Burning	1988	R	☆☆☆☆	Based on real historical events in the South during racial unrest, it will probably evoke bad memories from everyone in the audience who lived through it and some who hadn't. Works well as a Film Noir.
Point Break	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆★	An extreme sport action thriller with a bare bones plot that doesn't get in the way--in fact it barely makes sense. See it for what it is.
Scarface	1932	PG	☆☆☆☆	Early B&W gangster film. Nonstop violent action with its share of drama and a modicum of romance. For gangster movie aficionados.
So Close to Paradise	1989	Not Rated	☆☆☆★	Chinese underground film will seem regressive to a western audience, along the lines of a B film, although they made the best of what they had to work with. Human interest. English subtitles.
Something Wild	1986	R	☆☆☆☆☆	One of the better movies. It keeps you going yet doesn't hesitate to throw you a curve. Not to be missed.
Trouble in Paradise	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	A great oldie that everyone should see at least once in his life. Exudes an old time racy charm. Crooks have fun.
The Untouchables	1987	R	☆☆☆☆	If you're not too insistent on historical accuracy and your expectations aren't established by the TV series, then it's a movie to enjoy. Gangland violence amidst corruption versus the guardians of the public weal. I'll drink to that.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Risen	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	The resurrection of Christ and its immediate aftermath as seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier tasked with sweeping it under the rug. Touching and faith building.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
10 Cloverfield Lane	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	A winner in the Sci-Fi field and not a bad drama either. Plenty of scares. Tightly focused on three characters but they deliver. Not exactly a sequel but in the same ballpark as the earlier Cloverfield.
45 Years	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	A plodder that touches a modern angst. Pretty predictable but worthwhile nonetheless. British reserve throughout.
The Accountant	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Rain Man it is not, but it yields sympathetic characters in an unusual thriller. A winner this one. Boosts awareness of autism.
Afterschool	2008	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	A pseudo documentary with experimental framing and a slow moving plot. Not standard fare but high on the creep factor. Good anti-drug message. It has its moments.
Alexander	2004	R	☆☆☆	There have got to be better films on Alexander the Great; this one sets the bar pretty low. Seems genuinely historical, just not compelling to watch.
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul	1974	(PG)	☆☆☆☆	The last hurrah for the New German Cinema. Food for thought watching a developing unlikely relationship. Interesting but not offensive. Different.
Allied	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A heart-rending romance in danger of being trampled by the rigors of war. Good balance of drama and action. A nail biter.
Amour	2012	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	An octogenarian couple being retired from teaching music attend for the last time a concert by one of their students. Fitting farewells.
And the Ship Sails On	1983	PG	☆☆☆☆	A treat for the film lover who's into opera. A talented director's experimental offering. Slow moving.
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself	2003	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical realism in spades. Not the whole story of a Mexican revolution, but more factual than many westerns. Some wry humor at a clash of cultures.
Arrival	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	If the Army can crack the code, maybe they'll find the aliens have come to serve man, but who knows? It affects the linguist personally. Best seen during your waking hours.
Away From Her	2006	PG-13	☆☆☆	A wintry tale to warm the heart. A loving husband has to cope with losing his wife to Alzheimer's. Human interest.
Babette's Feast	1987	G	☆☆☆☆☆	A deeply moving film about loving a simple life but being flexible enough to enjoy a treat. Showcases a religious community with scriptural ties and an acceptance of God's wondrous ways.
The Big Chill	1983	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A mature film heavy on dialogue involving a 15 year reunion of 1960s revolutionary has-beens. Some interesting twists. Nostalgic for the appropriate generation.
The Big Short	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	An entertaining tutorial on the 2008 housing bubble collapse. Uses familiar faces and creative gimmicks to keep the audience interested. A worthy effort with difficult material.
Café Society	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Typical seamy Woody Allen plot that blends a New York gangster with a Hollywood scoundrel and a Jewish family trying to maintain. Good Woody Allen fare if it runs with your tastes.
Crimes & Misdemeanors	1989	PG-13	☆☆☆★	A Woody Allen film set in New York City, exploring the angst of living in a moral universe, or not. Runs two parallel plots that eventually intersect. Little different in tone from his other films.
Criminal	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Doesn't focus any on one of its several genres but does adequately in each. If you can't make up your mind what kind of movie to see, this one can stand in for several. All-purpose movie.
Demolition	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A recent widower finding himself outwardly unmoved by his loss finds it necessary to wreck things before he can rebuild. Finds mostly sympathy but some hostility too.
Derailed	2005	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A nail-biter of a suspense to keep you rooting for the family caught up in repercussions of a man's all too understandable foolishness. Enough to make one shiver at chance encounters with strangers. Well acted and well constructed.
Despair	1978	NR	☆☆☆☆	A dark psychological tale set at Christmas time in Germany between the wars. Reflects every man's angst. Not long on solutions.
Drugstore Cowboy	1989	Rating	☆☆☆★	A Film Noir in shades of green depicts a druggie's debauchery prior to his reformation. For special tastes.
The Edge of Love	2008	R	☆☆☆☆	Life of a renowned poet writing propaganda films during the London Blitz. He amuses himself with women, but not every soldier is amused. Historical touch points with fictional character development.
The Emerald Forest	1985	R	☆☆☆☆	The noble savage meets a white boy who's amenable to their culture. Frantic dad follows in pursuit. Lots of message in there somewhere.
Eye in the Sky	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	Not recommended as a pilot recruitment film. Hard to second guess the decision makers. If you only like feel-good films, skip this one. Not long.
Going in Style	1979	PG	☆☆☆☆	Three old friends embark on a surprise venture in their declining years. Not the usual fare.
Greystoke: The Tarzan Legend, Lord of the Apes	1984	PG	☆☆☆☆	A Tarzan drama set in two worlds but not so much in the trees. More for reflection than nail biting. Classic interpretation.
Hacksaw Ridge	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Moral dilemmas in wartime portrayed while respecting various points of view. Heavy fighting. Real life hero. A good one for war buffs.
Hail, Caesar!	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	Another Coen brothers great. A little unconventional, but aren't they all? Just go with the flow, and you'll be fine. A visual treat.
Hannah and Her Sisters	1986	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Standard Woody Allen fare, set in New York with lots of kinky sex. Fine if you like this kind of stuff.
The Hateful Eight	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A non-formulaic western that builds the suspense before the inevitable deadly action. More bad guys than good although it's hard to find anybody alive at the end. Bloody as all get out.
A Hologram for the King	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A Tom Hanks movie to forget. Well made but without any excitement. A good movie to discourage one from going into sales; there are so many dull days. At least perseverance gets rewarded.
Hope Floats	1998	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Chick flick with little ambition. Quaint. A good movie to put you to sleep at night.
I Belonged to You	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆★	A humdinger of a Chinese film. Multiple romances occur around him as a radio talk show host tries to recover himself from a breakup, while tending his ailing mom. Sweet.
Ikiru	1952	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	The drama of aging & nursing regrets was never clearer. Sympathetic main character hits a bit close to home. Tastefully executed.
In the Heart of the Sea	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A sea tale that pits business decisions against known science with an unknown monster thrown in for good measure. Contains some lessons on marriage, too. Not an epic classic but doesn't pretend to be. Exotic times and locales.
Inferno	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆	Tom Hanks in a strange symbol thriller with a minimal plot, a tricky madman, and a cute female doctor. It delivers about what you'd expect. For fans mostly.
Jean de Florette	1986	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A life-in-the-country gem that plays out like a Greek tragedy. No humor at all. Kind of grim. Human foibles displayed having been given a chance to flourish. Can be seen with or without the sequel.
King Lear	1971	NR	☆☆☆☆	Shakespeare in Russian and black & white. If you're not familiar with the story, read the subtitles; they're Ur-Shakespeare. Worth the viewing.
Late Spring	1949	(PG)	☆☆☆☆☆	An expertly made classic in which a quiet drama plays out on the faces of consummate actors when it's time for a mature daughter to leave the nest for matrimonial prospects.
The Legend of Tarzan	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆	Civilized Tarzan revisits the jungle, struts his stuff, rekindles romance, impresses his fans. Nothing more, nothing less.
Little Caesar	1931	Not Rated	☆☆☆	A historically interesting film that would appeal to crime film buffs. Good lead bad guy. Influential on future crime genre films.
The Lobster	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	A strange world that draws you in as you sympathize with characters relying on their ordinary wits to cope with a world gone mad without any sane reference point remaining.
Love in the Time of Cholera	2007	R	☆☆☆	A good historical drama that evokes another time, an interesting love story that lasts over time, and a movie that couldn't equal the book for lack of time. Knock yourself out.
Me Before You	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A touching drama that one probably won't lose any sleep over, but it's worth the viewing. Tenderly handles a controversial subject of self-determined end of life. Lots of cuteness along the way.
The Mission	1986	PG	☆☆☆☆	A good film to while away the time with. Its troubles are far away and long ago though reflexive of our own times as well. Missions oriented.
Mississippi Burning	1988	R	☆☆☆☆	Based on real historical events in the South during racial unrest, it will probably evoke bad memories from everyone in the audience who lived through it and some who hadn't. Works well as a Film Noir.
Morocco	1930	Code	☆☆☆☆	Showcases some great acting talent in an old black and white film that should stay archival. Good for a change of pace. Eclipsed by modern extravaganzas.
The Nice Guys	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A great movie with a screwball plot involving two mismatched private eyes on a quest for resolution to their mixed up cases. Fast paced with multiple surprises.
On Golden Pond	1981	PG	☆☆☆☆	A play that was not improved on celluloid. Great acting, though, if a little hammy. Beautiful pond setting. The fish were biting. What more could you want?
Queen Christina	1933	NR	☆☆☆☆	An historical drama bastardized into a romantic comedy. It works okay if you're not a stickler for historical accuracy. Well acted and well put together.
The Revenant	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A rugged frontier drama par excellence. Short on dialogue, long on snowy landscapes. The bear attack is not for the squeamish.Well made.
Risen	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	The resurrection of Christ and its immediate aftermath as seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier tasked with sweeping it under the rug. Touching and faith building.
A Room With a View	1985	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	A touching romance with a modicum of comedy, set in Edwardian London & Italy. Cohesively plotted but relies on fate and/or coincidence to tie it together. Explores minor philosophical issues.
Scarface	1932	PG	☆☆☆☆	Early B&W gangster film. Nonstop violent action with its share of drama and a modicum of romance. For gangster movie aficionados.
So Close to Paradise	1989	Not Rated	☆☆☆★	Chinese underground film will seem regressive to a western audience, along the lines of a B film, although they made the best of what they had to work with. Human interest. English subtitles.
Sombre	1998	R	☆☆☆☆	A vacation in the pits with a serial killer. Starts and ends somber. The dark side shown of a sociopath. Not for the faint of heart. A good one to skip unless you like to sample artsy films.
Sully	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆★	A good job bringing news to the big screen. Tom Hanks nailed his pilot's role. The story is milked for drama, with some CGI flight footage spicing it up.
The Trip to Bountiful	1985	PG	☆☆☆★	A play turned into a movie with a lot of sentimentality. Doesn't live up to the celluloid milieu but as a play it's first rate.
Umberto D.	1952	PG	☆☆☆☆	The last of Italian Neo-Realism films, it follows a couple throwaway people and a lovable little dog. A somber mood pervades.
The Untouchables	1987	R	☆☆☆☆	If you're not too insistent on historical accuracy and your expectations aren't established by the TV series, then it's a movie to enjoy. Gangland violence amidst corruption versus the guardians of the public weal. I'll drink to that.
War Dogs	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A summer movie that's worth the viewing. An interesting story that's not over-Hollywoodized. Well balanced. Hot female lead.
Wild Strawberries	1957	NR	☆☆☆	A real slog to get through. Suitable for those with dark tastes in mysteries.
Wings of Desire	1987	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	Artsy fare fit for dreamers. Assumes angels are for real; they're just not visible. Light on dialogue, heavy on monologue. Try it for something different.
The Young Messiah	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical drama recounts one of the missing years of the childhood of Jesus. Part fancy, part factual. The kid does okay and Mary works for everyone. The setting is rough and dangerous, the outcome predetermined by the Bible.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Perry White is black, Lois Lane's a hack, and Superman's got her back. Batman's a hacker into Lex Luthor. Wonder Woman has a light touch, and the President's finger is heavy on the button. Welcome to the 21st century.
Labyrinth	1986	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A fun frolicking fantasy that compels us to root for the baby-sitter whose evening went awry, although if anyone deserved it, she did. Be careful what you wish for.
The Princess Bride	1987	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A family friendly fairy tale. Not boring. Cut very well & moves right along. A sure bet for a general audience.
Wings of Desire	1987	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	Artsy fare fit for dreamers. Assumes angels are for real; they're just not visible. Light on dialogue, heavy on monologue. Try it for something different.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Anthropoid	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A pseudo-documentary WW II thriller w/ an assassination plot to darken anybody's mood. Brave men and women deservedly honored. Pretty humorless.
Drugstore Cowboy	1989	Rating	☆☆☆★	A Film Noir in shades of green depicts a druggie's debauchery prior to his reformation. For special tastes.
Mississippi Burning	1988	R	☆☆☆☆	Based on real historical events in the South during racial unrest, it will probably evoke bad memories from everyone in the audience who lived through it and some who hadn't. Works well as a Film Noir.
The Nice Guys	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A great movie with a screwball plot involving two mismatched private eyes on a quest for resolution to their mixed up cases. Fast paced with multiple surprises.
Scarface	1932	PG	☆☆☆☆	Early B&W gangster film. Nonstop violent action with its share of drama and a modicum of romance. For gangster movie aficionados.
Sombre	1998	R	☆☆☆☆	A vacation in the pits with a serial killer. Starts and ends somber. The dark side shown of a sociopath. Not for the faint of heart. A good one to skip unless you like to sample artsy films.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Alexander	2004	R	☆☆☆	There have got to be better films on Alexander the Great; this one sets the bar pretty low. Seems genuinely historical, just not compelling to watch.
And the Ship Sails On	1983	PG	☆☆☆☆	A treat for the film lover who's into opera. A talented director's experimental offering. Slow moving.
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself	2003	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical realism in spades. Not the whole story of a Mexican revolution, but more factual than many westerns. Some wry humor at a clash of cultures.
Anthropoid	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A pseudo-documentary WW II thriller w/ an assassination plot to darken anybody's mood. Brave men and women deservedly honored. Pretty humorless.
Hacksaw Ridge	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Moral dilemmas in wartime portrayed while respecting various points of view. Heavy fighting. Real life hero. A good one for war buffs.
In the Heart of the Sea	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A sea tale that pits business decisions against known science with an unknown monster thrown in for good measure. Contains some lessons on marriage, too. Not an epic classic but doesn't pretend to be. Exotic times and locales.
The Mission	1986	PG	☆☆☆☆	A good film to while away the time with. Its troubles are far away and long ago though reflexive of our own times as well. Missions oriented.
Queen Christina	1933	NR	☆☆☆☆	An historical drama bastardized into a romantic comedy. It works okay if you're not a stickler for historical accuracy. Well acted and well put together.
Risen	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	The resurrection of Christ and its immediate aftermath as seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier tasked with sweeping it under the rug. Touching and faith building.
The Young Messiah	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical drama recounts one of the missing years of the childhood of Jesus. Part fancy, part factual. The kid does okay and Mary works for everyone. The setting is rough and dangerous, the outcome predetermined by the Bible.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
10 Cloverfield Lane	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	A winner in the Sci-Fi field and not a bad drama either. Plenty of scares. Tightly focused on three characters but they deliver. Not exactly a sequel but in the same ballpark as the earlier Cloverfield.
Don't Breathe	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	Better than a Hitchcock rerun. Scares you when you least expect it. Crazy mean dog and crazier vet. Tightly plotted.
Green Room	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	It delivers thrills and scares and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Superfluous material is not to be found, just the raw story. A wake-me-up road story.
Sombre	1998	R	☆☆☆☆	A vacation in the pits with a serial killer. Starts and ends somber. The dark side shown of a sociopath. Not for the faint of heart. A good one to skip unless you like to sample artsy films.

Music /
Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
And the Ship Sails On	1983	PG	☆☆☆☆	A treat for the film lover who's into opera. A talented director's experimental offering. Slow moving.
Babette's Feast	1987	G	☆☆☆☆☆	A deeply moving film about loving a simple life but being flexible enough to enjoy a treat. Showcases a religious community with scriptural ties and an acceptance of God's wondrous ways.
Hail, Caesar!	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	Another Coen brothers great. A little unconventional, but aren't they all? Just go with the flow, and you'll be fine. A visual treat.
I'm No Angel	1933	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	Classic Mae West at her best. For the guys it's a treat for the eyes. Timeless entertainment.
Labyrinth	1986	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A fun frolicking fantasy that compels us to root for the baby-sitter whose evening went awry, although if anyone deserved it, she did. Be careful what you wish for.
Love Me Tonight	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	An adult fairy tale that integrates music with Parisian and country high life. Easy on the eyes & easy on the ears. An all round winner.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
10 Cloverfield Lane	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	A winner in the Sci-Fi field and not a bad drama either. Plenty of scares. Tightly focused on three characters but they deliver. Not exactly a sequel but in the same ballpark as the earlier Cloverfield.
Afterschool	2008	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	A pseudo documentary with experimental framing and a slow moving plot. Not standard fare but high on the creep factor. Good anti-drug message. It has its moments.
Arrival	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	If the Army can crack the code, maybe they'll find the aliens have come to serve man, but who knows? It affects the linguist personally. Best seen during your waking hours.
Blue Velvet	1986	R	☆☆☆☆	Small logging town, young love, mysterious lady, dark characters, unrelenting buildup. Works best on a captive audience that won't bail on the grisly scenes.
Criminal	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Doesn't focus any on one of its several genres but does adequately in each. If you can't make up your mind what kind of movie to see, this one can stand in for several. All-purpose movie.
The Girl On the Train	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A mystery that slowly resolves itself although it jumps around in time a lot. Characters you come to care about. Touts motherhood.
Hail, Caesar!	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	Another Coen brothers great. A little unconventional, but aren't they all? Just go with the flow, and you'll be fine. A visual treat.
The Hateful Eight	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A non-formulaic western that builds the suspense before the inevitable deadly action. More bad guys than good although it's hard to find anybody alive at the end. Bloody as all get out.
Inferno	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆	Tom Hanks in a strange symbol thriller with a minimal plot, a tricky madman, and a cute female doctor. It delivers about what you'd expect. For fans mostly.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆★	Blistering action and a cool hero with woman troubles to boot. The sex is all talk. Read the book.
Mississippi Burning	1988	R	☆☆☆☆	Based on real historical events in the South during racial unrest, it will probably evoke bad memories from everyone in the audience who lived through it and some who hadn't. Works well as a Film Noir.
The Nice Guys	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A great movie with a screwball plot involving two mismatched private eyes on a quest for resolution to their mixed up cases. Fast paced with multiple surprises.
Risen	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	The resurrection of Christ and its immediate aftermath as seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier tasked with sweeping it under the rug. Touching and faith building.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
45 Years	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	A plodder that touches a modern angst. Pretty predictable but worthwhile nonetheless. British reserve throughout.
Alexander	2004	R	☆☆☆	There have got to be better films on Alexander the Great; this one sets the bar pretty low. Seems genuinely historical, just not compelling to watch.
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul	1974	(PG)	☆☆☆☆	The last hurrah for the New German Cinema. Food for thought watching a developing unlikely relationship. Interesting but not offensive. Different.
Allied	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A heart-rending romance in danger of being trampled by the rigors of war. Good balance of drama and action. A nail biter.
Amour	2012	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	An octogenarian couple being retired from teaching music attend for the last time a concert by one of their students. Fitting farewells.
Blue Velvet	1986	R	☆☆☆☆	Small logging town, young love, mysterious lady, dark characters, unrelenting buildup. Works best on a captive audience that won't bail on the grisly scenes.
Café Society	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Typical seamy Woody Allen plot that blends a New York gangster with a Hollywood scoundrel and a Jewish family trying to maintain. Good Woody Allen fare if it runs with your tastes.
The Edge of Love	2008	R	☆☆☆☆	Life of a renowned poet writing propaganda films during the London Blitz. He amuses himself with women, but not every soldier is amused. Historical touch points with fictional character development.
Hacksaw Ridge	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Moral dilemmas in wartime portrayed while respecting various points of view. Heavy fighting. Real life hero. A good one for war buffs.
Hope Floats	1998	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Chick flick with little ambition. Quaint. A good movie to put you to sleep at night.
I Belonged to You	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆★	A humdinger of a Chinese film. Multiple romances occur around him as a radio talk show host tries to recover himself from a breakup, while tending his ailing mom. Sweet.
I'm No Angel	1933	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	Classic Mae West at her best. For the guys it's a treat for the eyes. Timeless entertainment.
The Legend of Tarzan	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆	Civilized Tarzan revisits the jungle, struts his stuff, rekindles romance, impresses his fans. Nothing more, nothing less.
Little Caesar	1931	Not Rated	☆☆☆	A historically interesting film that would appeal to crime film buffs. Good lead bad guy. Influential on future crime genre films.
The Lobster	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	A strange world that draws you in as you sympathize with characters relying on their ordinary wits to cope with a world gone mad without any sane reference point remaining.
Love in the Time of Cholera	2007	R	☆☆☆	A good historical drama that evokes another time, an interesting love story that lasts over time, and a movie that couldn't equal the book for lack of time. Knock yourself out.
Love Me Tonight	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	An adult fairy tale that integrates music with Parisian and country high life. Easy on the eyes & easy on the ears. An all round winner.
Me Before You	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A touching drama that one probably won't lose any sleep over, but it's worth the viewing. Tenderly handles a controversial subject of self-determined end of life. Lots of cuteness along the way.
Mechanic: Resurrection	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Lots of action with a little bit of romance. Fast paced. Repeats a successful formula. Nothing more, nothing less.
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A riot of best intentions gone wrong. Funny from beginning to end. Cast conspires to crack you up. A Hawaiian winner.
Morocco	1930	Code	☆☆☆☆	Showcases some great acting talent in an old black and white film that should stay archival. Good for a change of pace. Eclipsed by modern extravaganzas.
The Princess Bride	1987	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	A family friendly fairy tale. Not boring. Cut very well & moves right along. A sure bet for a general audience.
Queen Christina	1933	NR	☆☆☆☆	An historical drama bastardized into a romantic comedy. It works okay if you're not a stickler for historical accuracy. Well acted and well put together.
Red-Headed Woman	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	Jean Harlow shows off her wares in this delightful comedy produced before the limitations of the Production Code. A winner.
A Room With a View	1985	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	A touching romance with a modicum of comedy, set in Edwardian London & Italy. Cohesively plotted but relies on fate and/or coincidence to tie it together. Explores minor philosophical issues.
So Close to Paradise	1989	Not Rated	☆☆☆★	Chinese underground film will seem regressive to a western audience, along the lines of a B film, although they made the best of what they had to work with. Human interest. English subtitles.
Something Wild	1986	R	☆☆☆☆☆	One of the better movies. It keeps you going yet doesn't hesitate to throw you a curve. Not to be missed.
There's Something About Mary	1998	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A faultlessly executed low-brow comedy featuring a prize blonde and a deserving though klutzy guy. Will make you laugh yourself silly. Humor at every turn.
Trouble in Paradise	1932	NR	☆☆☆☆☆	A great oldie that everyone should see at least once in his life. Exudes an old time racy charm. Crooks have fun.
Wild Strawberries	1957	NR	☆☆☆	A real slog to get through. Suitable for those with dark tastes in mysteries.
Wings of Desire	1987	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	Artsy fare fit for dreamers. Assumes angels are for real; they're just not visible. Light on dialogue, heavy on monologue. Try it for something different.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
10 Cloverfield Lane	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	A winner in the Sci-Fi field and not a bad drama either. Plenty of scares. Tightly focused on three characters but they deliver. Not exactly a sequel but in the same ballpark as the earlier Cloverfield.
The 5th Wave	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Standard YA fare mixed with sci-fi, heartland America, budding romance, and the occasional twist. See it if you thrive on the YA genre, but it's not so action or sci-fi oriented.
Arrival	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	If the Army can crack the code, maybe they'll find the aliens have come to serve man, but who knows? It affects the linguist personally. Best seen during your waking hours.
Back to the Future	1985	PG	☆☆☆☆☆	Classic sci-fi with comedic undertones and lots of adventure. Appealing to a broad audience. Amenable to repeat viewings.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Perry White is black, Lois Lane's a hack, and Superman's got her back. Batman's a hacker into Lex Luthor. Wonder Woman has a light touch, and the President's finger is heavy on the button. Welcome to the 21st century.
Criminal	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Doesn't focus any on one of its several genres but does adequately in each. If you can't make up your mind what kind of movie to see, this one can stand in for several. All-purpose movie.
Independence Day: Resurgence	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆	Fireworks galore, alien villains were sore, but we evened the score. Likely to spawn more sequels but the characters will have aged themselves off the cast by then.
The Lobster	2015	R	☆☆☆☆	A strange world that draws you in as you sympathize with characters relying on their ordinary wits to cope with a world gone mad without any sane reference point remaining.
Star Trek Beyond	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	For Star Trek fans and newcomers alike. A rousing sci-fi adventure exploring the human community in a distant space setting. Will not disappoint.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Point Break	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆★	An extreme sport action thriller with a bare bones plot that doesn't get in the way--in fact it barely makes sense. See it for what it is.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
10 Cloverfield Lane	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	A winner in the Sci-Fi field and not a bad drama either. Plenty of scares. Tightly focused on three characters but they deliver. Not exactly a sequel but in the same ballpark as the earlier Cloverfield.
The 5th Wave	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Standard YA fare mixed with sci-fi, heartland America, budding romance, and the occasional twist. See it if you thrive on the YA genre, but it's not so action or sci-fi oriented.
The Accountant	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Rain Man it is not, but it yields sympathetic characters in an unusual thriller. A winner this one. Boosts awareness of autism.
Allied	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A heart-rending romance in danger of being trampled by the rigors of war. Good balance of drama and action. A nail biter.
Anthropoid	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A pseudo-documentary WW II thriller w/ an assassination plot to darken anybody's mood. Brave men and women deservedly honored. Pretty humorless.
Arrival	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	If the Army can crack the code, maybe they'll find the aliens have come to serve man, but who knows? It affects the linguist personally. Best seen during your waking hours.
Blue Velvet	1986	R	☆☆☆☆	Small logging town, young love, mysterious lady, dark characters, unrelenting buildup. Works best on a captive audience that won't bail on the grisly scenes.
Criminal	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Doesn't focus any on one of its several genres but does adequately in each. If you can't make up your mind what kind of movie to see, this one can stand in for several. All-purpose movie.
Derailed	2005	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A nail-biter of a suspense to keep you rooting for the family caught up in repercussions of a man's all too understandable foolishness. Enough to make one shiver at chance encounters with strangers. Well acted and well constructed.
Don't Breathe	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	Better than a Hitchcock rerun. Scares you when you least expect it. Crazy mean dog and crazier vet. Tightly plotted.
Eye in the Sky	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	Not recommended as a pilot recruitment film. Hard to second guess the decision makers. If you only like feel-good films, skip this one. Not long.
The Girl On the Train	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A mystery that slowly resolves itself although it jumps around in time a lot. Characters you come to care about. Touts motherhood.
Green Room	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	It delivers thrills and scares and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Superfluous material is not to be found, just the raw story. A wake-me-up road story.
The Hateful Eight	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A non-formulaic western that builds the suspense before the inevitable deadly action. More bad guys than good although it's hard to find anybody alive at the end. Bloody as all get out.
In the Heart of the Sea	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	A sea tale that pits business decisions against known science with an unknown monster thrown in for good measure. Contains some lessons on marriage, too. Not an epic classic but doesn't pretend to be. Exotic times and locales.
Inferno	2016	PG	☆☆☆☆	Tom Hanks in a strange symbol thriller with a minimal plot, a tricky madman, and a cute female doctor. It delivers about what you'd expect. For fans mostly.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆★	Blistering action and a cool hero with woman troubles to boot. The sex is all talk. Read the book.
Jason Bourne	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	You get what you expect in a Jason Bourne flick: tortured main character in a world of hurt, lots of frenzied action, and a world on the brink. Delivers!
London Has Fallen	2016	R	☆☆☆★	A simply plotted action sequel using familiar faces to portray established roles. More of the same with a dab of polish. Tries to work around political correctness.
Mississippi Burning	1988	R	☆☆☆☆	Based on real historical events in the South during racial unrest, it will probably evoke bad memories from everyone in the audience who lived through it and some who hadn't. Works well as a Film Noir.
The Nice Guys	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A great movie with a screwball plot involving two mismatched private eyes on a quest for resolution to their mixed up cases. Fast paced with multiple surprises.
Now You See Me 2	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Abracadabra in spades. Not a very deep plot or any extensive character development. Still it's a fun show with tricks at every turn. Some of them are explained.
Point Break	2015	PG-13	☆☆☆★	An extreme sport action thriller with a bare bones plot that doesn't get in the way--in fact it barely makes sense. See it for what it is.
The Revenant	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A rugged frontier drama par excellence. Short on dialogue, long on snowy landscapes. The bear attack is not for the squeamish.Well made.
Scarface	1932	PG	☆☆☆☆	Early B&W gangster film. Nonstop violent action with its share of drama and a modicum of romance. For gangster movie aficionados.
So Close to Paradise	1989	Not Rated	☆☆☆★	Chinese underground film will seem regressive to a western audience, along the lines of a B film, although they made the best of what they had to work with. Human interest. English subtitles.
Something Wild	1986	R	☆☆☆☆☆	One of the better movies. It keeps you going yet doesn't hesitate to throw you a curve. Not to be missed.
Star Trek Beyond	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆☆	For Star Trek fans and newcomers alike. A rousing sci-fi adventure exploring the human community in a distant space setting. Will not disappoint.
The Untouchables	1987	R	☆☆☆☆	If you're not too insistent on historical accuracy and your expectations aren't established by the TV series, then it's a movie to enjoy. Gangland violence amidst corruption versus the guardians of the public weal. I'll drink to that.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
Alexander	2004	R	☆☆☆	There have got to be better films on Alexander the Great; this one sets the bar pretty low. Seems genuinely historical, just not compelling to watch.
Allied	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A heart-rending romance in danger of being trampled by the rigors of war. Good balance of drama and action. A nail biter.
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself	2003	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical realism in spades. Not the whole story of a Mexican revolution, but more factual than many westerns. Some wry humor at a clash of cultures.
Anthropoid	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	A pseudo-documentary WW II thriller w/ an assassination plot to darken anybody's mood. Brave men and women deservedly honored. Pretty humorless.
The Edge of Love	2008	R	☆☆☆☆	Life of a renowned poet writing propaganda films during the London Blitz. He amuses himself with women, but not every soldier is amused. Historical touch points with fictional character development.
Eye in the Sky	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	Not recommended as a pilot recruitment film. Hard to second guess the decision makers. If you only like feel-good films, skip this one. Not long.
Hacksaw Ridge	2016	R	☆☆☆☆	Moral dilemmas in wartime portrayed while respecting various points of view. Heavy fighting. Real life hero. A good one for war buffs.
War Dogs	2016	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A summer movie that's worth the viewing. An interesting story that's not over-Hollywoodized. Well balanced. Hot female lead.


Title	Year	Rating	Stars	Description
And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself	2003	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Historical realism in spades. Not the whole story of a Mexican revolution, but more factual than many westerns. Some wry humor at a clash of cultures.
The Hateful Eight	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A non-formulaic western that builds the suspense before the inevitable deadly action. More bad guys than good although it's hard to find anybody alive at the end. Bloody as all get out.
The Magnificent Seven	2016	PG-13	☆☆☆☆	Lives up to its reputation. Does well for a remake. Solid action western with a little bit of inventiveness to make it fresh. For those who like westerns.
The Revenant	2015	R	☆☆☆☆☆	A rugged frontier drama par excellence. Short on dialogue, long on snowy landscapes. The bear attack is not for the squeamish. Well made.

Works Cited

Valtorta, Maria. The Gospel as Revealed to Me. Vol. 2. Translated from Italian by Nicandro Picozzi, M.A., D.D. Revised by Patrick McLaughlin, M.A. This 2nd English Edition has now replaced the First English Edition, The Poem of the Man-God. WEB.

Whitehead, John W. Grasping for the Wind: the search for meaning in the 20th century. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2001. Print.

My earlier reviews are posted on epinions.com under username: topreviewerman

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