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Johnny Mnemonic
Never more than average but at least now has the nostalgic glow of a 90s SF film with its ludicrous VR and dolphin hackery. →
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Guardians of the Galaxy 2
I didn’t love it. →
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Turtles in Time
Forgettable conclusion to the trilogy without any of the Jim Henson charm. Nice to see Elias Koteas at least. →
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The Fits
Gripping and unsettling piece I can’t recommend enough. Superb performances from all-child cast and a score like nails on a blackboard. →
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Ponyo
One of Ghibli’s simpler stories, but what it lacks in depth it makes up in amazing underwater visuals and an incredible score. →
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Fear
Enjoyably taut and twisty blackmail drama with an on-edge Ingrid Bergman perpetually about to crack. →
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Venus
Poignant and bittersweet and just on the tolerable side of icky. Like Lost in Translation without the overbearing smugness. →
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
Aimed at a younger audience than the first, with less violence and grit. Still, not complaining about David Warner & Vanilla Ice. →
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How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
I’m a big fan of this musical, though almost everyone in it is a terrible human being. →
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Crimes of Passion
A filthy, lurid, neon-soaked gem from Ken Russell. Kathleen Turner is amazing, and Anthony Perkins is at his sweatiest. →
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Cut Bank
An unexpectedly decent Fargo-esque flick starring one of the backup Hemsworths. Some robust casting and a surprising story. →
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Phantom of the Paradise
Bonkers ‘70s rock opera adaptation of Faust and The Phantom of the Opera. Dreadfully amazing in all the best ways. →
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Lonely Are the Brave
This ‘last of the cowboys’ story somehow manages to be cheerful and morose at the same time. Maybe a bit of a classic. →
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Forgotten how solid this is; funny, great effects work, decent casting, and a dopey 90s soundtrack. →
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Our Kind of Traitor
Practically the dictionary definition of a 6/10 film. Determinedly unexceptional in every way. →
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Barton Fink
There’s a narrative complexity and visual beauty to this that comes through on repeated viewings. I’ve grown to love the film. →
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Only Yesterday
A sweet, gentle, unassuming character drama. Maybe lesser known than Ghibli’s other work but really worth checking out. →
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Princess Mononoke
Thought-provokingly weird and exhilaratingly violent. →
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Hardcore Henry
If you can tolerate the insufferable Sharlto Copley then there’s a lot of dumb fun to be found here. Inventive and funny. →
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The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Not brilliant, but not bad either. Predictable action beats but the cast all seemed to be having fun. →