Jan 7

Jan 7 Chris Rock's TOP FIVE

What propels the movie way beyond what might have been just another exploitation of over-privileged middle-aged angst is the movie’s tight focus on the relationship between Rock’s character and a sharp and attractive newspaper interview played by Rosario Dawson.

Jan 6

Jan 6 Angelina Jolie's UNBROKEN

Dennis D. McDonald

Adult, Another Time & Place, Drama, War

What propels the story along are the twin realities that (a) this story is true and (b) Japanese prison camp conditions really were this horrific. Jolie’s almost documentary approach lets these things speak for themselves. You can’t help but be moved by the results. I certainly was.

Dec 29

Dec 29 Steven Soderbergh's SIDE EFFECTS

Dennis D. McDonald

Adult, Drama, Intelligent, Mystery, Thriller

This tasty little thriller really packs a punch with frequent and unexpected twists and turns along the way. Jude Law and Rooney Mara star in an expertly crafted cat and mouse game that pits … well, explaining the story too much would spoil things.

Nov 20

Nov 20 Kevin Costner's OPEN RANGE

Dennis D. McDonald

Action, Adult, Hats, Western

This is a magnificent movie. It looks great, the acting is terrific, and it presents us with a classic confrontation between good and evil that culminates in a spectacular small—town all-guns-blazing gunfight.

Oct 22

Oct 22 Steven Spielberg's BRIDGE OF SPIES

Dennis D. McDonald

Adult, Another Time & Place, Cold War, Drama, History, Spielberg

What Spielberg seems to be saying is that we must not let the very real fears and dangers of the time make us forget who we are and the freedoms we hold dear.

Sep 12

Sep 12 Isabel Coixet's LEARNING TO DRIVE

Dennis D. McDonald

Adult, Comedy, Spouse Approved

Every now and then it is nice to see an adult film about relationships and interesting characters. Learning to Drive scratches that itch.

Aug 26

Aug 26 Kim Farrant's STRANGERLAND

Dennis D. McDonald

Adult, Emotional, Thriller

Not since Nicolas Roeg’s Walkabout has landscape played such an important role in a film.

Jul 1

Jul 1 Michael Roskam’s THE DROP

Dennis D. McDonald

Adult, Crime, Drama

But it’s the characters on display here that are the real focus. Who are these people and what are they really up to? Watching the actions of the police is especially interesting. They’re the outsiders here. Everyone goes to great lengths to keep the cops at arm’s length so they can pursue their own deals.

Jun 10

Jun 10 George Miller's “MAD MAX: FURY ROAD”

Dennis D. McDonald

Action, Adult, Fantasy, One of a Kind, Post-apocalyptic, War

Speaking of stunts, it is interesting to compare what’s on display here with a Buster Keaton movie like The General which was released on February 5, 1927. That movie involved an extended locomotive chase along with amazing stunt work that still make one’s jaw drop. I wonder what Keaton would think about this movie?

May 25

May 25 Hitoshi Matsumoto's "R100"

Dennis D. McDonald

Adult, Comedy, Japanese, Surreal, Weird

Feb 14

Feb 14 Eric Khoo's TATSUMI

Dennis D. McDonald

Animated, Biography, Drama, Japanese, Anime, Adult

Tatsumi is an adult animated film about the life and short stories of Yoshihiro Tatsumi who is often credited with starting a movement in Japan to publish adult-themed manga comics.