9.0+ Club
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'Arrival' (9.4) - Amazon Prime
An unbelievable fresh take on the age-old storyline of aliens descending to earth. Instead of an invasion, this story takes unpredictable turns as Amy Adams's character attempts to communicate with a new species. A fascinating sci-fi film mixed with mind-expanding imagry. Would definitely recommend it to a friend.
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'Dune' (9.3) - HBO Max
An interstellar journey of dense and epic proportions. The combination of perfect tempo, cast, scenery, and special effects allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in the movie.
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'Malcolm & Marie' (9.2) - Netflix
I’ll say it now, Zendaya and John David Washington are going to be two of the best actors of our lifetime. They flex their acting skills in this movie but it all starts with the script. Sam Levinson lands the script and the actors nail the little things that make a dialogue true and real.
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'Fury' (9.2)- Prime Video or Apple TV
A grizzled tank commander makes tough decisions as he and his crew fight their way across Germany in April, 1945.
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'Tiger' (9.1) - HBO Max
A documentary fully examining the life and accomplishments of Tiger Woods…Need I say more.
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'First Man' (9.1) - Amazon Prime
Hoping to reach the moon by the end of the decade, NASA plans a series of extremely dangerous, unprecedented missions in the early 1960s. Engineer Neil Armstrong joins the space program, spending years in training and risking his life during test flights. On July 16, 1969, the nation and world watched in wonder as Armstrong and fellow astronauts embark on the historic Apollo 11 spaceflight.
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'All Quiet on the Western Front' (9.1) - Netflix
In spectacular fashion, this movie illustrates the grim and grimy reality of World War I. Utilizing expansive shots of solider’s charging the battlefield, and intimate moments in the trench, the film creates an unmatched dynamic experience. As an audience, this is a movie that begs your full attention and earns it with every sequence. This is by far one of my favorite movies of 2022 and a film that should be at the top of your list.
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'Prisoners' (9.0) - Hulu / Prime Video
When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts.
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'14 Peaks' (9.0) - Netflix
Fearless Nepali mountaineer Nimsdai Purja embarks on a seemingly impossible quest to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in seven months.
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'The Alpinist' (9.0) - Netflix
Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old Canadian makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history.
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'Tenet' (9.0) - HBO Max
Christopher Nolan simultaneously delivers a mind-bending plot and cinematic spectacle. Some of the most insane action sequences in any movie I’ve seen. I wrote a non-spoiler longer review on the link in my bio. Would recommend it to a friend. Also, I recommend you watch it with subtitles.
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'Nocturnal Animals' (9.0) - Netflix
A successful Los Angeles art-gallery owner's idyllic life is marred by the constant traveling of her handsome second husband. While he is away, she is shaken by the arrival of a manuscript written by her first husband, who she has not seen in years. The manuscript tells the story of a teacher who finds a trip with his family turning into a nightmare. As Susan reads the book, it forces her to examine her past and confront some dark truths.
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'The Gentlemen' (9.0) - Amazon Prime
An incredible ensemble of actors with a killer plot. Guy Ritchie, director of Sherlock Holmes and Snatch, delivered a masterpiece of classy gangsters. Don’t want to give too much away on this one so all I will say is would recommend it to a friend.
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'Top Gun: Maverick' (9.0) - For rent on Amazon Prime
Wow! It took me by surprise just how much this movie blew my mind. Heading into my 1st watch, I was indifferent to the outcome. But since then all I’ve wanted to do was watch this for the first time again. With Tom Cruise involved, it’s nearly impossible to produce a bad movie it seems. Incorporating first-person method footage of the high-octane dog fights creates one of the most invigorating movies of 2022. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is among my highest high recommends.
8.5-8.9 Club
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'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (8.9)
The newest movie from Marvel Studio and Sony picks up right where ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ left off. After Peter Parker's identity is revealed, he seeks out Doctor Strange for help. But when the spell goes horribly wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-man.
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'Don't Worry Darling' (8.8) - HBO Max
Drama, drama, and more drama are all this movie was known for before its release—rumors of onset bickering, inner cast relationships, and that full Cannes Film Festival spot gate. Everything seemed to be stacked against the success of this film. But as fate would have it, the final product superseded the drama around its production, leading to anything but a monotonous experience for audiences.
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'Don't Look Up' (8.8) - Netflix
‘Don’t Look Up’ is about two low-level astronomers, played by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo Dicaprio, who discover a fast-approaching comet that will destroy mankind. So they embark on a media tour to warn everyone except there's one problem, everyone from the president to citizens is too stupid to listen.
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'End of Watch' (8.8) - Hulu & Prime Video
Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena play two cops that are assigned to one of the most violent areas of Los Angeles. The style of this movie is different than most movies you're used to seeing. Filmed as a first-person style movie, it takes the audience directly into the perspective of the main characters. Doing so allows the audience to become intimately involved in the plot and immerse themselves in the most electrifying scenes.
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'The Nice Guys' (8.8) - Hulu and Amazon Prime
An unlikely duo team up to solve the disappearance of a young woman named Amelia (Margaret Qualley). Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe are an equally unexpected duo that turn a solving a crime into a comedy. Their chemistry along with a winding plot make this an easy to watch movie for any night.
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'Top Gun' (8.8) - Paramount+ / Amazon Prime for Rent
Even though the original ‘Top Gun’ was released in 1986, it still carries a strong legacy through the eras. Most of us were probably subjected to the first watch by our parents and consequently became Tom Cruise groupies.
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'Rush' (8.8) - Netflix
Fans of racing and Chris Hemsworth will want to drive straight into this movie. It tells the true story of the legendary rivalry between James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl). You'll feel like you're in the driver's seat as the movie pulls you into every race.
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'A Quiet Place' (8.8) - Paramount + & Amazon Prime
A family is forced to live a life of silence in a post-apocalyptic world riddled with monsters who have ultra-sensitive hearing. Written and directed by John Krasinski, this is a hair-raising reinvention of the age-old alien theme.
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'I, Tonya' (8.7) - Hulu & Amazon Prime
Tony Harding quickly dominates the skating world as soon as she stepped on the ice, but when her ex-husband decides to intervene her future is thrown into doubt. Margot Robbie puts on an Oscar nomination-worthy performance as she gives it her all with every spin on and off the ice.
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'The Tender Bar' (8.7) - Amazon Prime (free)
Let me introduce you to perhaps the best Ben Affleck role ever. The movie is called ‘The Tender Bar’ and is available on Amazon Prime (for free). It’s directed by none other than George Clooney. Since his biological father is absent, J.R looks for another figure in his life. And he falls under the unconventional tutelage of his uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck). Charlie is a self-educated bartender who teaches J.R how to be a man and introduces him to the regulars at his bar.
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'Furious 7' (8.6) HBO Max & Amazon Prime
I took some heat for rating this so high, but as a lifelong Paul Walker, this movie just means more.
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'Snyder Cut: Justice League' (8.6/10)
The infamous Zack Snyder cut of the Justice League is out today on HBO Max for free. This movie was previously botched by Joss Whedon who stepped in after Snyder had to step down after a family tragedy. This cut has been a myth/legend for a while now due to the rumor mill from a small number of people who have seen it. Supposedly it’s epic.
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'A Quiet Place II' (8.6) - Paramount + & Amazon Prime
It's always hard to have faith in a sequel. There are so many great movies that have been ruined by their sequels. However, a Quite Place Part II is an outlier. It's an exceptional continuation of the story line and world that was developed in the first movie. The movie's underlying theme revolves around the horrors of their reality shaping the growth of the characters.
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'The Menu' (8.6) - HBO Max
A culinary thriller with a character retrospective baked into every dish. This movie will keep you guessing with every meal. It’s not for everyone but if you buy in from the beginning, I think you’ll enjoy what it’s trying to serve up to the audience. Uniquely positioning food as a plot driver makes this movie stand out from other thrillers, and don’t worry about jump scares. This movie is more of a slow-burning thriller with it’s meaning revealed through every dish.
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'American Made' (8.6) - Amazon Prime
My one and only movie scene ever that was filmed at 3 am. This is the crazy true story of how Barry Seal went from being a TWA pilot to one of the biggest drug runners for Pablo Escobar. All thanks to the CIA. Would highly recommend it to a friend!
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'Layer Cake' (8.5)
Daniel Craig's performance in this movie caught the attention of the James Bond producers. Eventually leading to him taking over the role. As his character plots to step away from the criminal life, he is hurled into a complex series of double-crosses from all angles.
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'The Place Beyond the Pines'
A captivating crime drama led by Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper. Both are trying to provide for their families, which leads to decisions with consequences.
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'Tik Tick Boom' (8.5) - Netflix
I never expected to like this movie as much as I did. It will go down as one of Andrew Garfield’s best performances. “On the cusp of his 30th birthday, a promising young theater composer navigates love, friendship, and the pressures of life as an artist in New York City.” - IMDB
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'Burnt' (8.5)
This movie contains both drama in the kitchen and outside. In one of Bradley Coopers sneakiest best performances, the kitchen burns hot with his quest for redemtion. Think a Star is Born mixed with ratatouille. There’s a few side plots that they could’ve left out but nonetheless I would recommend this for any movie night.
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'Windfall' (8.7) - Netflix
A man breaks into a wealthy tech CEO’s empty vacation home, but things go awry when the arrogant mogul and his wife arrive for a last-minute vacation. Unlike, traditional films, the cast consists of only four people: Jason Segel, Lily Collins, Jesse Plemons, and Omar Leyva. While this is unusual, it truly serves the story best. The movie takes full advantage of its picturesque backdrop to draw you into the film and make it feel cozy. From my point of view, this is an underrated movie and one that needs to be on everyone’s list. It’s an enjoyable slow-burning story with enough excitement to keep you locked in the entire time.
8.0-8.4 Club
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'Chef' (8.4) - Amazon Prime
I love movies about cooking because they romanticize something I'm horrific at myself. 'Chef' is reminiscent of 'Burnt' minus the drugs, but with a life-altering Twitter battle. Written and directed by Jon Favreau, it's an enjoyable story about how getting back to basics can help you fall in love with something again. Movies like 'Chef' are a reminder that it doesn't take CGI, beautiful landscapes, and action scenes to make a movie great. Sometimes all you need is a combination of a great script and acting in order to cook a beautiful movie.
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‘Shang-Chi’ (8.4) - Disney+
“Shang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.” - IMDB
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'The Harder They Fall' (8.4) - Netflix
Drawing on the styles of spaghetti westerns and Tarantino's 'Django' this movie also pays homage to African American culture within the old west context. Its advertised biggest star is not the main character, as it leans heavily on the entirety of its talented cast. I thought this was an Idris Elba (Rufus Buck) movie, but Jonathan Majors (Nat Love) steals the screen.
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'The Last Duel' (8.4) - HBO Max
In typical Ridley Scott fashion, the timeline, style, and characters exceeded expectations and conventionality. Fair warning, this one is not for the light-hearted. It’s gritty and provocative. Jodie Comer put on an Oscar-worthy performance in this movie.
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'The Batman' (8.4) - HBO Max
Director Matt Reeves re-envisions this storied character into a darker variation. Displaying a dark and grimy Gotham backed by a score that expresses its own subliminal emotions. As Batman chases the Riddler’s cryptic clues into Gotham’s underbelly, he must race to unmask his enemy and end the corruption haunting the metropolis.
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'Life' (8.3) - Prime Video $3.99
You get a bundle deal of Sci-fi and thriller with this movie! The big-name cast tackles the first-ever alien life found on Mars while being stuck on a space station in orbit around earth. It's painful at some points as you're left to watch the characters make decisions that could save or cost them their lives. Would recommend it to a friend. Side note, maybe don't watch it right before going to bed.
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'M3GAN' - Peacock / For Rent on Amazon & Apple
At its core, this is a satirical horror movie and the whole thing is a rollercoaster. In some moments you’re laughing then in others you’re freaked out by the creepy doll. It creates a really fun and unique experience, which makes it stand apart from other contemporary movies. Fundamentally, what makes this movie work is that it’s balanced in humor and scary.
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'The Imitation Game' (8.3) - Netflix / Amazon Prime $3.99
‘The Imitation Game’ is a World War II movie that goes beyond the front lines. Benedict Cumberbatch brings to life the story of Alan Turing, who cracked the infamous secret German enigma code. Simultaneously he must face his own battle in his personal life.
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'Deja Vu' (8.3) - Amazon Prime $3.99
After a ferry bombing in New Orleans, A.T.F agent Dough Carling (Denzel Washington) joins an unusual investigation unit opening his eyes to new experimental technology. Soon he becomes beset with one of the victims. This is an action-packed crime thriller that will keep you on your toes throughout the journey.
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'Free Guy' (8.2) - HBO Max & Disney +
This is definitely up there with my favorite Ryan Reynolds movies so far. The movie was thoroughly entertaining, while also retaining an exciting plot. It's filled with grade A Ryan Reynolds humor mixed with some video game action, which is better than it sounds. There were plenty of cameos to keep you playing "I spy a random actor" throughout the movie.
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'Beckett' (8.2) - Netflix
I think John David Washington has the potential to define a generation of movies over the next 20+ years. That's if he continues to choose projects that fit his skill set. 'Beckett' is one of those movies. He is able to use his abilities as a former athlete to pull off the action scenes. While also being able to tap into his emotions to play the love scenes. There are so slow sections of the movie but they were necessary to bring context to the situation.
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'The Wizard of Lies' (8.2) - HBO Max
As an egregious scandal unfolded in the crypto world revolving around FTX, we’re all reminded of the pain these scams take on the average person/investor. A movie that may provide insight into the collapse of such scams is ‘The Wizard of Lies’. This 2017 movie plunges into the center of Bernie Madoff’s world as the house of cards collapses around him and takes down innocent bystanders in the process. Its message of caution regarding “too good to be true” scenarios is always relevant.
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'Lord of War' (8.2) - HBO Max / Amazon Prime for Rent
Based on the notorious Viktor Bout’s real-life international illegal arms trade; this movie became even more relevant in 2022 as he was released from U.S. custody in exchange for Britney Griner. The movie waste no time diving in with a premise stating “There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That’s one firearm for every 12 people on the planet. The only question is: how do we arm the other 11?” That powerful and unnerving premise ushered in one of Nicolas Cage’s most notable onscreen roles. On a macro level, ‘Lord of War’ is a distinctive action movie, and on a deeper level contains a nuanced yet subtle message.
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'The Tomorrow War' (8.2) - Amazon Prime
If you like action, time travel, and aliens then ‘The Tomorrow War’ is the movie for you. At face value, it seems like another $200 million sci-fi action movie lacking any kind of substantial script or plot. However, it surprises me with an attempt to create a unique plot with actual significance. It’s truly an epic movie, despite the weight that it puts on CGI, as it uses time travel and war to develop the character arcs.
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'All the Old Knives' (8.2) - Amazon Prime
It revolves around two CIA operatives, and former lovers played by Pine and Thandiwe Newton. They reunite at Carmel-by-the-Sea to re-examine a mission in Vienna after 8 years where a fellow agent may have been comprised. At its core, it’s a love story disguised as a spy one with an equal balance of both. Utilizing the hunt for a suspected traitor allows the movie to steadily build tension, which becomes palpable as it progresses. It also allows the movie to move between a spy and a love theme.
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'Two for the Money' (8.1)
Alright alright alright sports bettors, this is the movie for you. Matthew McConaughey puts on a performance of ambition with a 'Dazed and Confused' type of relaxation. Rounded out with a dynamic cast of Al Pacino and Rene Russo makes for an entertaining movie. It'll make you wanna call your bookie and hammer the Hawks money line.
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'American Underdog' (8.1)
The Webster dictionary defines an underdog as “a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight.” In that light, Kurt Warner’s story is the very essence of an underdog. A lifelong dedication to football led to him sacrificing daily for his dream of playing in the NFL. Bagging groceries for years and making $100 per touchdown in arena football, led to him achieving something many said would never happen. Fans of football may be familiar with his story, but now so can film fans.
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'The Courier' (8.1) - Amazon Prime
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Greville Wynne in this true story of a British businessman who is recruited into an international conflict against his will. Partnering with a Soviet office, the two hope to prevent a nuclear crisis by providing intelligence to end the Cuban Missile Crisis. This is an entertaining movie that proves there is often much more happening behind the scenes during the events that shape our world.
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'The Greatest Beer Run Ever' (8.1) - Apple TV+
The title of this movie may sound like your Saturday night, but it’s actually a new movie from Apple TV+ starring Zac Efron. Based on the true story of Chickie Donohue, who decides to leave New York for Vietnam to bring beer to his childhood buddies in the army. The movie utilizes this adventure buddy theme to carry the overall plot while contrasting the overarching goal of Efron’s character with more controversial themes. Despite the detours, the movie largely sticks with the goal of basically delivering beer across Vietnam. It’s a beer-run adventure with a multitude of mini-quests that add both comedy and brief moments of action to the plot.
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'Green Zone' (8.0)
Follow Matt Damon as he searches for weapons of mass destruction, only to come up empty every time. Instead, he stumbles on a cover-up that creates an even more interesting story. It feels somewhat like the Bourne movies but based in Iraq. This is an under-appreciated war movie that needs to find its way onto your list.
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'Hustle' (8.0) - Netflix
Often, movies and sports are viewed as opposites on a supposed scale of topics. But, much like an eclipse, sometimes the two meet in a beautiful cinematic collaboration. An example of such an occurrence is the new Netflix movie ‘Hustle’. Starring Adam Sandler and what feels like half the NBA, it’s an ode to the magic of basketball. Encompassing the best parts of the game and movies creates a joyful experience for all audiences.
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'Dog' (8.0) - For rent on Apple TV
This movie confronts a very real problem head-on, PTSD and adjusting to normal life after war. Tatum plays Jackson Briggs. Briggs is given an ultimatum mission, he must race to take fellow ranger Lulu (a Belgian Shepard) down the Pacific Coast to attend her dad's funeral on time. Only Lulu is struggling to cope with life after the war as well. The majority of the movie takes place within this race-against-time road trip, as such most of the dialogue revolves around Tatum speaking to a dog.
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'Thirteen Lives' (8.0) - Amazon Prime
In 2018, a soccer team in Thailand decided to explore the local caves on their way home from practice. This short outing soon became a multi-week saga as heavy rains trapped 12 boys and their coach deep within the cave’s caverns. If you remember the news at the time, Elon Musk’s involvement and scandal, or The Rescue on Disney+ then you’re aware of the daring efforts undertaken by the Royal Thai Navy Seals and a couple of Cave divers from the UK to rescue the boys. Now you can add Amazon Prime’s newest movie Thirteen Lives to that list. Thirteen Lives is a scripted account of the events that unfolded. It provides a more personal approach to the story both in the human element and in the actual rescue. The cave diving scenes put the entire endeavor into a new perspective.
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'Triple Frontier' (8.0) - Netflix
Five friends and former special forces will have their loyalties tested when they reunite to steal $250 million from a South American drug lord. Featuring a group of A-list actors, this is one of my favorite heist movies that I try to rewatch every few months.
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'John Q.' (8.0) - Netflix / Amazon prime
What would you do for your dying child? It’s a question that Denzel Washington faces in this movie. His solution? Take a hospital emergency room hostage when his insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant. Call me a naive Gen Z’er but I had never of this movie before it found its way onto Netflix recently. Denzel’s performance is top-notch. He hits his drive in every fairway, just giving every scene his all. This movie found itself within Denzel’s hot streak as it’s a year after ‘Training Day’ and two years after ‘Remember the Titans’. It’s clear he brought the same intention to this as he did those others.
7.0 - 7.9 Club
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'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story' (7.9)
Benoit Blanc is back for more mystery in Rian Johnson’s second installment in the ‘Knives Out’ franchise. Miles Bron, the eccentric tech billionaire, invites his friends for a weekend getaway on his private island. But when someone winds up dead, it’s up to Detective Benoit Blanc to bring the killer to justice.
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'Bad Education' (7.9) - HBO Max
One of the least talked about movies from 2019 is 'Bad Education’. This movie takes an otherwise boring premise, a true story of embezzlement within a public school, and turns it into one of Hugh Jackman's notable performances. It shouldn't be a surprise that Hugh is capable of carrying this role, but it seems out of the box for his usual choices. We've grown accustomed to either seeing claws come out of his knuckles or singing and dancing with Zac Efron. Until this movie landed him a performance somewhere in-between those two movies. One element that aids Hugh's performance is the plot style.
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'The King's Man' (7.9) - HBO Max
Have you ever wondered how the King’s Men spy agency was formed? Well, wonder no longer. In this origin story, the Kings’ Men must battle a foe who may secretly be pulling the strings behind World War I. The third installment in this franchise delivers yet another entertaining spy film.
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'Black Widow' (7.9) - Disney +
'Black Widow' has all the elements that make a classic Marvel movie. There are death-defying and city-destroying action scenes mixed in with playful banter. Not to mention, we finally have a peek into the past of Natasha Romanoff. Her childhood, family, and what happened to her before she soared to become an Avenger are all featured in this movie. I would recommend it to a friend.
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'I Care a Lot' (7.8) - Netflix
The premise of this movie, while dark, is an attempt to innovate the con-woman story arc. Rosamund Pike took her ‘Gone Girl’ persona and ran with it per usual. Ultimately though the plot whiffed. It took an interesting premise and stalled on takeoff. It feels lazy for movies to always make the villain Russian Gangsters. It’s a decent watch but won’t blow your socks off.
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'Respect' - Streaming on Amazon Prime
The story of Aretha Franklin is portrayed excellently in this movie. By focusing mainly on her childhood and life leading up to fame, the story builds momentum. This allows the audience to understand the circumstances that molded Aretha into the person she would become. Some of the most interesting scenes take place during the studio sessions. The movie highlights how many different people were integral in the development of one song. As each musician adds their part to the song, it grows into a symphony. Jennifer Hudson was selected to play the role by Aretha herself, and it's easy to see why. Not only does she do an outstanding job of playing Aretha throughout the various points in her life, but she also has the vocal capacity to back it up.
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'Operation Finale' (7.7) - Amazon Prime $3.99
The insane true story of a covert Mossad mission to infiltrate Argentina and capture Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi officer who masterminded the transportation logistics that brought millions of innocent Jews to concentration camps. This movie felt a little like Argo in the sense that it's a real story and is crazy because it is a real story. Would recommend it to a friend.
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'Old' (7.7) - Amazon Prime for rent
M. Night Shyamalan hits the big screen again with his newest thriller 'Old'. The first 90% of the movie is a grade-A thriller. It does a superb job of locking the audience into the situation that the characters have found themselves entangled in. However, the last 10% of the movie takes this from an 8.0+ down to a 7.7. I'm not sure if the studio forced an ending on M. Night or if he did it by choice. Either way, it drops the ball big time to the point that the ending is completely mismatched with the whole movie.
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'Without Remorse' (7.7) - Amazon Prime
Without Remorse is a solid action movie to wash away the Sunday scaries. It's a pure action flick with some plot-moving scenes that serve the larger combat scenes. Would recommend it to a friend if you're looking to turn your brain off and enjoy some cool action scenes.
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'The Adam Project' (7.7) - Netflix
Following an accidental crash-landing in 2022, Adam Reed, a time-traveling fighter pilot, teams up with his 12-year-old self for a mission to save the future. Ryan Reynolds employs his usual out-of-the-box humor and his 12-year-old self, played by Walker Scobell, follows suit. This is a light-hearted entertaining watch with enough sci-fi elements to stimulate your mind but not overwhelm you.
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'The Take' (7.6) - Netflix
An interesting premise behind this movie with two great actors (Idris Elba and Richard Madden). Madden doesn’t exactly come across as a slick thief but his costar has no problem pulling off a CIA role. Edris not only overpowers Madden but also all of the bad guys in the movie. I’d definitely check this movie out, if not for the story then for the action.
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'Army of the Dead' (7.6) - Netflix
Scott Ward, played by Dave Batista, is hired to venture into the zombie quarantine zone to pull off an insane heist. Directed by Zack Snyder, Army of the Dead is a cheesy but entertaining zombie movie. Instead of going down the path of 'World War Z' or the 'Walking Dead', this movie focuses solely on Las Vegas. There are some storylines that would've been interesting to focus more on but it's already a touch long at 2 hours and 28 minutes run time. Nevertheless, it’s an entertaining watch if you’re looking to turn your brain off.
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'The Contractor' - Amazon Prime to rent
So there's a new Chris Pine movie that's not being talked about that much, it's called 'The Contractor'. One reason may be that it's still in theaters but is available to rent on Amazon Prime. Pine plays James Harper, an elite Special Forces Sergeant. After being discharged and cut off from all benefits, he's desperate to provide for his family. He turns to a private military outfit and soon unravels a deep conspiracy. Intriguing premise right? Well, it doesn't quite flush out.
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‘The Card Counter’ (7.3) - HBO Max
Written and directed by Paul Schrader, who is most famous for writing the Robert DeNiro classic 'Taxi Driver'. The movie follows Oscar Isaac's character, William Tell, as he is released from jail and sets out on the road playing blackjack and poker from casino to casino. But there's more to this story than meets the eye as he is forced to confront his past, the true origins of Tell's bizarre behavior are revealed to the audience. It's a true slow-burning movie and might not be up everyone’s alley. I had some issues with the pace of the movie and how it tied off some of the character arcs but that comes with the territory on films like this. Yet I still think this movie is worth checking out. It feels like an indie movie without being constrained by its budget. Every scene is used to draw you further into the hypnotic plot and unorthodox characters.
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'Fatherhood' (7.2) - Netflix
Initially, I naively thought that this was going to be a quintessential Kevin Hart movie. Instead of being a light-hearted movie about Hart being a single parent, it took on one of the toughest subjects. Hart’s character, Matt Logelin, must simultaneously figure out how to be a grieving husband and a single father. It’s a lot more serious than movies I typically recommended, however, I would still recommend it to a friend.
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'Munich - The Edge of War’ (7.1) - Netflix
This is right up the alley for any WW2 or political enthusiast. It's called 'Munich - Edge of War' and follows a British diplomat as he travels to Munich in the run-up to World War II, where a former classmate of his from OXfrod is also en route, but is working for the German Government. There's a really unique build-up in this movie that feels like a fire being constantly stoked. It has a constant feeling that everything could fall apart at any moment and unleash chaos.
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'The Old Guard' (7.2) - Netflix
A covert team of immortal mercenaries, led by Charlize Theron, is suddenly exposed. They must fight to keep their identities a secret just as an unexpected new member is discovered. Think of this as immortality meets John Wick. It’s a really interesting premise for an action movie and attempts to build on the untold history of the characters. However, it can be confusing at first trying to figure out that said history. Nevertheless, it sets itself up for a sequel and cameras started rolling for the second movie on July 13th, 2022. So you better watch it soon!
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'Suicide Squad 2' (7.1) - HBO Max
This sequel is definitely an improvement compared to the first movie, but even that isn't saying much. No matter how hard I try, I cannot bring myself to become enamored with this movie. Some of its best aspects (i.e Harley Quinn) are constantly self-sabotaged by the style of the movie. I think it tries entirely too hard to create a unique lane and ends up just becoming exceptionally average. Despite its flaws, the movie is still entertaining and has plenty of humor to keep it lively. I just expected a little more after a catastrophic first movie. Also, it happens to be on the least user-friendly streaming platform ever released on the internet. HBO Max either hates their customers or hired the same IT team as the DMV.
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'Eternals' (7.0) - Disney+
Eternals fulfilled its promise of being a star-studded superhero movie. Chloe Zhao directed a cast that's brimming with talent and superseded their scenes with exceptional use of ascetically pleasing graphics. But it also tests the limits of superhero cinema by straddling the fence between being a strong solo movie, and building into the larger Marvel phase 4 plan. With this many characters, it's hard to set a backstory for each without having the audience get stuck in the weeds. The first half felt clunky, as the movie is laying the back story for this group of exceptional people. But the reward for the audience is supposed to be the ending result of such a build-up. However, the resolution felt rushed and seemed like it cared more about the larger Marvel elements than it did the stories of the individual characters. However, I thought it was interesting how the movie warped historical figures to line up with the Eternals.
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'Ticket to Paradise' (7.2)
In this heart-warming movie, featuring the return of a dynamic duo, we’re taken to an idyllic location where two formerly married people must reconcile their difference for their daughter’s wedding. This movie has weak chicken on the bone, but it’s an easy rom-com watch that will cure any boring night.
6.0-6.9 Club
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'Godzilla vs. Kong' (6.9) - HBO Max
Though the source material is very recycled and often cheesy, I was surprised by how entertaining this movie was to watch. Let’s be honest, this movie doesn’t serve any higher purpose. If you’re looking for a turn-your-brain-off movie, consider this your ticket.
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'Red Notice' (6.9) - Netflix
Gal Gadot, The Rock, and Ryan Reynolds team up to see how badly they can squander the $250 million given to them by Netflix. Just kidding, this movie isn’t that but it’s just that it could’ve been a lot better. Heavy use of CGI, cheesy dialogue, and overall polish that felt superficial served to bring this movie down. It’s not something I’ve rewatched since reviewing
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'Queen Pins' (6.8) - Hulu / Paramount+
My expectations could not have been lower going into this movie. Even though the cast was stacked, it looked like a front-runner for the stupidest movie of the year. However, I was surprised by how funny and entertaining a movie about coupon thieves could be. I fully expected Vince Vaughn to have to carry the comedy for the entire cast. But Paul Walter Hauser really put the team on his back. He impressed me as a quirky coupon inspector, which I never knew was an occupation. On top of that Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptist are very believable as naive thieves, while also carrying their own comedic weight in the movie. It's nothing to call the Academy Awards about but if you need to turn your brain off for an hour and 50 minutes then this is your movie.
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'Jungle Cruise' (6.8) - Disney+
Quite possibly the most Disney movie Disney Studios has ever produced. The intention of its style is to feel like a classic romantic adventure novel. Yet it lacks the same attraction for adults as it might for kids. While all of us might be happy to rewatch the movies of childhood, such as 'The Incredibles' or 'Cars', the same will not be said for this movie. However, it sets out to accomplish its mission of being an adventure movie aimed at kids. It does so in a way that its target audience will be entertained and leave the theater happy. I would recommend it if you have nothing to watch. Again though I wouldn't rush out to your local theater. Check out the trailer above!
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'The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard' (6.7/10) - HBO Max
Another Ryan Reynolds action-comedy. This sequel may not exactly live up to the first, however, it's still a solid action-comedy movie to enjoy with some popcorn. At times it felt like it was stretching for its humor, whereas the first just seemed to flow. That being said it's still an entertaining movie that will keep you engaged during the action scenes and interested in between. Also, there's an actor included that I was not expecting to see... I would recommend it to a friend.
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'The Circle' (6.6)
Felt like watching a movie long version of Black Mirror. It’s starring Emma Watson and Tom Hanks, along with a solid line of other actors. You can easily see how a system like the one portrayed in this movie could evolve in the future. Interesting watch if you're looking for something new and/or different.
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‘Reminiscence’ (6.5) - HBO Max
I had high hopes for this movie, however, I was somewhat disappointed. The movie was built around a pretty cool idea, but it was poorly executed. The first 75% felt like misplaced puzzle pieces. It relied heavily on Hugh Jackman's narrating for everything to make sense. Instead of exploring the future dystopian world that the filmmakers created, everything was left for the narrator to explain. Maybe the goal was to cut some of the fat off the movie to squeeze the runtime in below 2 hours. Also, Hugh usually makes acting look like it's easy. Yet, he seemed to struggle during certain scenes. Yes, he can pull out the Wolverine intensity like it's stored in his muscles. But when it came to some of the heavier scenes he seemed to stall. If the first 75% had been more engaging I think it would've been a better movie. It was still entertaining so I’d recommend it but save it for a rainy day. Check out the trailer above!
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‘West Side Story’ (6.5) - HBO Max
‘West Side Story’ or as I call it, the most unnecessary remake of the decade, was a tough watch in my book. Stephen Spielberg brings his big-screen talents to a classic from the 1950/'60s. Simultaneously adapting a musical and a film is a heavy undertaking; even for the most skilled directors. All of this is spending talent on well-known pre-existing material instead of charting a new path. Spielberg could’ve worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda or Winnie Holzman, and established a new paradigm of musical features that carry the same message. But this has become all too common in the industry over recent years.
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'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' (6.5) - Disney +
“Doctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl from his dreams who can travel across multiverses, to battle multiple threats, including other-universe versions of himself, which threaten to wipe out millions across the multiverse. They seek help from Wanda the Scarlet Witch, Wong, and others.” - IMDB
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'Thor: Love & Thunder' (6.4) - Disney+
Vibrant colors and disappointment are the only redeeming qualities of this movie. Throughout the movie, there are a vast array of beautiful colors beamed across the screen, which enamor the human eye in a delightful and pleasant way. Within this color scheme lies an interesting dichotomy. Bale’s character, Gorr, is in essence the absence of color, or rather a lack of love. His presence is tangible as white and black colors swarm the screen. However, don’t be mistaken, this is a comedy at heart. As Hemsworth admits, the story was sacrificed for the comedy. And it’s very obvious to anyone just half-heartedly paying attention, that the comedy is overwhelming.
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'The Gray Man' (6.3) - Netflix
The Russo Brothers take their talents to the small screen in Netflix’s latest bleak excessive-budgeted movie. When the CIA's most skilled and incognito operative, played by Ryan Gosling, accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head. Resulting in a global manhunt by international assassins. The action scenes are the only quality scenes produced in this movie. The dialogue and overall story lacked anything to grasp onto and immerse yourself within. It seems that all of the brain power on set went into the action scenes, and everything in between was left to corrode the overall experiece.
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'Those Who Wish Me Dead' (6.2) - HBO Max
I did not have high expectations for this movie but it turned out pretty well. Instead of being a run-of-the-mill action movie, it tries to create a more complex plot. However, there are some plot holes that I would’ve liked to see filled. Nonetheless, I would recommend it to a friend
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'Infinite' (6.1) - Free on Paramount+ & $4 on Prime Video
Haunted by memories of places he's never visited, a man joins forces with a group of reborn warriors to stop a madman from destroying the endless cycle of life and reincarnation. Nothing too special here, it’s a sci-fi movie with a heavy focus on action instead of a robust storyline. Keep this one in your back pocket for a day when you don’t want to use your brain too much.
The Dumpster Club (5.0-5.9)
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'The Matrix Resurrections' (5.9) - HBO Max
The much anticipated 4th installment in a legendary franchise managed to step on a rake. There are so many reasons to leave legendary IP in its place, all of which the studio ignored. This is a stain on the Matrix franchise and one that audiences should be wary of diving into. Personally, I’m easy to please when it comes to sci-fi/action movies and this is one I would never consider revisiting.
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'Day Shift' (5.9) - Netflix
Sometimes bad movies can still be entertaining. This is an unchallenging experience that is intended to provide a reprieve from your day, in lieu of making you think critically. If you’re looking for a story to sink your teeth into and walk away with your mind blown, look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for entertaining
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'The Guilty' (5.8) - Netflix
“A troubled police detective demoted to 911 operator duty scrambles to save a distressed caller during a harrowing day of revelations -- and reckonings.” - Wiki. From a birds-eye view, this is a unique addition to a rare movie style, which I can only remember seeing in ‘The Call’ with Halle Berry. Not many movies have a story that takes place in one location and utilizes faceless voices to progress through the story. Unfortunately though, while a respectful risk-taking venture, it results in a boring experience.
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'Stoaway' (5.5) - Netflix
So exceptionally average especially considering it had so much potential. I thought the premise was interesting but the follow-through lacked depth and imagination. The actors as well as the premise deserved better than what was delivered. I would save it for a rainy day or if you're desperate.
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'Uncharted' (5.5) - Netflix
An adaption of a popular video game featuring heavyweights like Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg. The movie revolves around Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) as he’s recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan that’s been lost for 500 years. It’s a surface-level adaptation that plays it safe the entire time. Resulting in a bland experience for audiences, but that being said it’s something fresh if you’re looking to mix things up.
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'The Ice Road' (5.3) - Netflix
This is Discovery Channel's ice road truckers merged with 'The 33'. It's a classic Liam Neeson movie with a few twists and turns along the way to keep the audience interested. The movie as a whole is entertaining and can easily be classified as a "turn your brain off" watch. It's nothing too spectacular but if you're bored and need a movie to watch this is always an option.
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'Greenland' (5.3) - HBO Max
Not too much depth to this one. It’s a classic apocalypse movie that has some similarities to the movie 2012. Would recommend to a friend if you’re looking for a Sunday turn-your-brain-off watch. Wiki Summary - “John Garrity, his estranged wife and their young son embark on a perilous journey to find sanctuary as a planet-killing comet hurtles toward Earth. Amid terrifying accounts of cities getting levelled, the Garrity's experience the best and worst in humanity. As the countdown to the global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe.”
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'Jurassic World Dominion' (5.2)
Wiki - “Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, dinosaurs now live and hunt alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history's most fearsome creatures”
The Blacklist Section (0.0-4.9)
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'Bliss' (4.4) - Amazon Prime
Horrible. Just horrible.
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'The Power of the Dog' (3.9)
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'Space Jam: A New Legacy' (3.5)
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'Underwater' (3.0)
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'Moonfall' (1.0)
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Open Trash Spot For Future Dumpster Fire Movies
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Open Trash Spot For Future Dumpster Fire Movies