Category: The Twenty-First Century
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Gold [2017] ★★½
I can’t imagine anyone other than Matthew McConaughey in the role of Kenny Wells, a Nevada prospector who teamed up with a mining engineer in the 1980’s to dig for Gold in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia. McConaughey is fully committed to his role, transforming himself once again, both physically and mentally. I’d call the…
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The Last Face [2016] ★
How can a movie have a powerful message and still suck so bad? Director Sean Penn’s attempt at telling a love story amidst a political conflict in Africa is a slow, stupefyingly dull mess from start to finish. What’s even worse is all the talented people who wasted their time on this. Javier Bardem and…
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Fist Fight [2017] ★★½
I did not expect to laugh as much I did. Director Richie Keen usually specializes in made-for-TV comedy (“It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”), which means this is his first feature film. Though it has that “TV” feel, I have to admit: “Fist Fight” is likable and funny, even as it covers familiar territory. It earns…
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Listen (Ismaii) [2017] ★★★
After a series of disappointing Lebanese movies (even “Nuts” was a crushing disappointment), it’s refreshing to encounter a local movie that I can genuinely recommend. Filmmaker Philippe Aractingi (“Bosta”, “Under The Bombs”, “Heritages”), who has been making feature films for over a decade, said that he wanted to tackle something completely different this time, and…
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Fifty Shades Darker [2017] ★
I can think of 3 ways to torture your Valentine date this year: buy them a crappy giant teddy bear from Malik’s bookshop, force them to read/watch any Nicholas Sparks story, or just take them to see “Fifty Shades Darker”, the sequel to the equally terrible “Fifty Shades of Grey“, released a couple of years ago.…
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John Wick: Chapter 2 [2017] ★★★
Rule number one: Check your brain at the door. Rule number two: Don’t ask questions. That’s the best way to enjoy this tense, ass-kicking sequel to the 2014 surprise hit “John Wick”. Like its predecessor, this one relies on non-stop gun fights to satisfy fans of B-action movies. You know who you are. I admit:…
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Rings [2017] ★½
It’s the curse of the horror sequels and reboots. You get one or two decent films and the studio decides to fuck it all up by releasing one pointless sequel after the other (I’m looking at you, “Saw” and “Final Destination”). I’m a huge fan of the original Japanese film “Ringu”, and I welcomed its…
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Arsenal [2017] ★
The first real bad movie of 2017 stars non other than the legendary Nicolas Cage and…wait for it… John Cusack! Though they’re both reduced to supporting roles, you still can’t help but feel sorry for them for starring in almost anything these days, just for the sake of a quick buck. “Arsenal” is a travesty,…
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The Lego Batman Movie [2017] ★★★
To say that Lego Batman was the funniest character in 2014’s “The Lego Movie” would be an understatement (at least for me). Naturally, they had to give him his own “Lego” movie, and it’s everything I hoped it would be: fast-paced, action-packed and a lot fun to watch. But all this wouldn’t mean a damn…
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The Autopsy Of Jane Doe [2016] ★★★
Up until the crazy climax, this horror movie starring Emile Hirsch and Brian Cox allows Norvegian director Andre Ovredal to earn his stripes as a master of terror. He does a fine job at creeping the hell out of us, telling the story of a father and son who work as a team of coroners…
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![The Best Movies of the Year [2016]](https://tlkabtmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/best-movies-2016151.jpg?w=1024)
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Split [2017] ★★★
Maybe you’ve read articles about “Split” being director M. Night Shyamalan’s return in form. Maybe you’ll think so too if you’ve seen “The Happening”, “The Last Airbender” or the preposterous “After-Earth” starring Will Smith and his son Jaden. Here’s the deal: “Split” is Shyamalan’s best film since 2002’s “Signs”, and we owe it all to…
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Monster Trucks [2016] ★★
First the good news: this is better than any “Transformers” sequels, for the simple fact that the characters in it actually have words to say. But that’s not saying much is it? Shot in 2014 and originally scheduled for a 2015 release, Paramount pictures later on decided to move its release date to 2016, then…
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Jackie [2016] ★★½
I didn’t fall in love with “Jackie”, despite an incredible performance from its leading lady: Natalie Portman. It goes without saying that she’s a great actress, and in the case of “Jackie”, her mesmerizing performance as Jacqueline Kennedy is probably the best, and perhaps the main reason to watch this less than perfect film. A lot…
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Manchester By The Sea [2016] ★★★½
Casey Affleck gives a tour de force performance in “Manchester By The Sea”, an emotionally charged drama that ranks among the best movies of 2016. Writer-director Kenneth Lonnergan paints a picture of an emotionally wounded man that is both harrowing and heartbreaking. Affleck plays Lee Chandler, a man who finds his life thrown into turmoil…
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Resident Evil: The Final Chapter [2017] ★½
Nobody expected a masterpiece, but director Paul W.S Anderson’s failure to end this series on a high note ranks as a major disappointment. There’s literally nothing new here, only one merciless action scene after the other as Alice (Milla Jovovich) tries to put an end to the Umbrella Corporation once and for all. Will she? Obviously.…
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Fences [2016] ★★★½
People will talk about Denzel Washington’s performance in “Fences” for years to come, but that’s not the only reason why the movie works so well. This is a first-rate film in every aspect; wonderfully acted, beautifully shot and directed with a keen eye for detail. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has…
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The Birth Of A Nation [2016] ★★½
It takes courage to drop a movie about slavery so soon after “12 Years A Slave”. And the fact that it’s called “The Birth of a Nation” and yet bears little resemblance to D.W Griffith 1915 epic of the same name might mislead audiences into expecting an Oscar worthy movie. It isn’t. And the sooner you…
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![Live By Night [2016] ★★★](https://tlkabtmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/lbnben-2.jpg?w=1000)
Live By Night [2016] ★★★
It’s no surprise that a movie set during the roaring 20’s would win me over almost instantly. I’m a sucker for old gangster films of the 30’s and 40’s in which Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson and the great James Cagney headlined most of them. In paying tribute to this era, Ben Affleck has managed…
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Sing [2016] ★★½
From the trailer and the poster you’d expect an animated picture filled with music and colorful characters. And “Sing” is exactly that, with music ranging from Frank Sinatra to modern, popular songs that kids and their parents will most certainly recognize. While the finished product is likable and enjoyable, it’s also hectic at times and doesn’t…
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