At the Movies...

Now updated (July 1) to more than *450* (count ’em!) movie ratings.

The Good Movies, the Bad Movies and the Ugly Movies

Here’s a list of movies viewed over the years, with numeric ratings and summaries. Many of these films were on someone’s “recommended” list. We suffered through some stinkers to provide a good resource, if you want to see something but don’t know if it’s a waste of time. Note that the James Bond franchise is reviewed in its own blog, (with a different scoring system).

The ratings give a somewhat objective assessment of each movie.

The Columns

The columns include, Title and Year, S (Score, numeric, from 0-10), Genres, W (Watchable, numeric, from 0-2), R (Rewatchable, 0-2), Q (Quality, 0-2), P (Pioneering, 0-2), M (Memorable, 0-2), C (Compelling, 0-2), Notes and % (the final percentage rating out of a total of 22 points).

  • Title and Year: listed in alphabetical order, except series. Series are marked with a solid• or hollow◦ bullet and listed in chronological order. Note that not all movies in a particular series are necessarily rated in this table.
  • Score (S): is the base score, an assessment based on superficial impressions, tempered by looking at what other reviewers and the public are saying
  • Genres: So many of these, such as: Action, adventure, animated, bawdy, biography, black comedy, caper, cinema verite, classic, comedy, crime, disturbing, documentary, drama, epic, erotic, family/children’s, fantasy, farce, fetish, fiction, fight, gore, grindhouse (exploitation/schlock), historical, horror, martial arts, medieval, melodrama, moody, mystery, mystical, neo-noir, noir, prehistoric, prison, propaganda, quirky, religious, revenge, romance, satire, sci-fi/fantasy, shock/gross-out, slapstick, slasher, speculative, sports, surrealist, suspense, technical, thriller, titillation, tragedy, twist, violence, war, Western. Animation is generally fantasy unless otherwise noted. Exploitation/grindhouse, are pretty much the same, usually combine gore/violence, titillation, farce, fighting, black comedy, horror, mystical, quirky, schlock and satire.
  • Watchable (W): indicates if you can at least sit through it and be entertained
  • Rewatchable (R): does it stand up to repeated viewings? Perfect example here is The Sixth Sense. Watchable, but once you know the twist, there’s little point in watching again. Also, with some of the movies, it’s the journey, others, the destination. The “journey” ones are bound to accrue a higher rewatchable score.
  • Quality (Q): timelessness/classic. Includes acting, direction, sound, music and “look and feel.”
  • Pioneering (P): innovative: does the film introduce something new, or something old in a new way, or have new technical achievements?
  • Memorable (M): just that — if it can be remembered without reviewing clips and summaries. In these ratings, we’re speaking of “memorable” only in a good way. For example, there’s a scene in Lone Wolf McQuade of Chuck “Lone Wolf” Norris stomping the gas pedal to free his pickup from hopeless entombment, an impossible feat, but unforgettable for its stupidity.
  • Compelling (C): if, for example, it makes you stay up late to watch to the end
  • Notes: optional comments
  • %: 100 * (S + W + R + Q + P + M + C)/22), the final rating, in percent

So, let’s look at the data, then discuss the results afterwards.

(Hover your cursor over any title for a listing of the column headers.)

At the Movies… Summary Reviews 
Title and Year S Genres W R Q P M C Notes  %
12 Angry Men (1957) 8 Drama 2 1 1 1 1 2
73
13 Assassins (2010) 3 Adventure, Shock, Martial Arts 1 0 0 0 0 0
18
16 Blocks (2006) 7 Crime, Thriller 2 1 1 0 1 1
59
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 9 Sci-Fi 2 1 2 2 2 1 you know, there’s sweet bugger-all happening, but it’s still interesting 86
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) 7 Sci-Fi, Adventure 1 1 1 1 1 2
64
A Bug’s Life (1998) 7 Animation, Adventure 2 1 1 1 1 2
68
A Place in the Sun (1951) 7 Romance, Melodrama, Crime 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
A Taxi Driver (2017) 8 Drama, Suspense, History 2 1 1 0 2 2
73
Aces ‘N’ Eights (2008) 2 Western 0 0 0 0 0 0 made for TV 9
Adventures of Robin Hood, The (1938) 9 Adventure, Medieval 2 2 2 1 1 2 timeless classic 86
Adventurers, The (1970) 3 Adventure 1 0 0 0 0 0
18
Akira (1988) 6 Animation, Sci-Fi 1 0 1 1 0 0 novel and innovative for the time, somewhat tedious and silly now 41
Alien (1979) • 10 Horror, Sci-Fi 2 2 2 2 2 2
100
Aliens (1986) • 9 Action, Horror, Sci-Fi 2 2 2 1 2 2
91
All About Eve (1950) 5 Drama 1 0 1 0 0 0
32
All-Star Superman (2011) 8 Animation, Fantasy 2 2 1 0 1 2
73
Almost Famous (2000) 8 Comedy, Drama, Musical 2 1 1 1 1 1
68
American Beauty (1999) 9 Black Comedy, Drama 2 1 2 1 1 2 as one critic described it, suburban satire 82
American Graffiti (1973) 7 Teen Drama, Comedy 1 1 2 1 1 1
64
An Education (2009) 6 Drama 1 0 1 0 1 1 more narrative than movie 45
Annie Hall (1977) 7 Comedy, Drama 1 0 1 0 1 1
50
Ant-Man (2015) ◦ 7 Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy 2 1 0 0 0 2
55
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) ◦ 7 Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy 2 1 0 0 0 2
55
Antz (1998) 7 Animation, Comedy, Adventure 2 1 0 0 0 1
50
As Good as It Gets (1997) 7 Drama, Comedy, Romance 2 1 1 0 1 1
59
Assassin X (2016) 4 Action, Twist, Martial Arts 2 0 0 0 0 0 low-budget, a.k.a. “The Chemist” a.k.a. “The Target “ 27
Asteroid City (2023) 8 Comedy, Surrealist, Farce, Sci-Fi 2 1 2 1 1 1 if you want an example of a polarizing movie… 73
Atomic Blonde (2017) 6 Action 1 0 1 0 0 1 gives you the atomic blahs 41
Au Pair Girls (1972) 5 Bawdy 1 1 0 0 0 0
32
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) • 6 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 0 0 0 0 1
41
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) • 8 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 1 0 0 0 2
59
Avengers: Endgame (2019) • 7 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 1 0 0 0 1 too pat a story 50
Baby Driver (2017) 5 Action, Crime 1 0 0 0 0 0 overrated, annoying, borrows from better movies like “The Transporter” (2002) 27
Bananas (1971) 3 Political Satire 1 0 0 0 0 0 self-indulgent, not Allen’s best, “a few pretty funny parts” 18
Barton Fink (1991) 9 Drama, Surrealist, Crime 2 2 2 1 2 2 has Hollywood ever been this self-aware? 91
Batman, The (2022) 7 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 1 1 1 0 0 1 overrated – at some point, retelling Batman’s origin has to get tedious 50
Batman Begins (2005) • 7 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 1 2 0 0 1 overrated – at some point, retelling Batman’s origin has to get tedious 59
Dark Knight, The (2008) • 8 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 1 2 0 0 1 overrated 64
Dark Knight Rises, The (2012) • 6 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 1 2 0 0 1
55
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018) 6 Animation, Action 1 1 1 0 0 1 somewhat lazy writing 45
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016) 8 Animation, Action, Fantasy 2 1 1 1 2 2 plenty of fun nostalgia 77
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012) ◦ 9 Animation, Action 2 2 1 1 1 2 groundbreaking story; adaptation of Frank Miller’s 1986 comic 82
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013) ◦ 9 Animation, Action 2 2 1 1 1 2 sets higher standard for animation 82
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) 3 Animation, Titillation, Shock 1 0 0 0 0 0 pointless failure 18
Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) 5 Animation, Action, Revenge 1 1 1 0 0 1
41
Batoru rowaiaru (2000) 5 Thriller, Melodrama, Black Comedy 1 1 0 0 0 1 “Battle Royale,” Japanese 36
Battlefield Earth (2000) 5 Sci-Fi, Farce 2 0 0 0 1 0 not quite as bad as they say 36
Baytown Outlaws, The (2012) 6 Action, Comedy, Grindhouse 2 1 0 0 0 1 violent but fairly entertaining; not as bad as reviewers say 45
Beekeeper, The (2024) 7 Action 2 1 1 0 0 1 stereotypical revenge movie with some sly bits peppered in 55
Being There (1979) 9 Fantasy, Comedy, Satire 2 1 2 1 2 2 excellent 86
Ben-Hur (1959) 8 Epic, Religious, Drama 2 1 2 1 2 1
77
Best Years of Our Lives, The (1946) 7 Melodrama, War Propaganda 1 0 1 0 1 1
50
Big Bad Mama (1974) • 6 Titillation, Action, Crime, Farce 2 1 0 0 1 1
50
Big Bad Mama II (1987) • 6 Titillation, Action, Crime, Revenge 2 1 0 0 1 1
50
Big Lebowski, The (1998) 7 Farce, Comedy, Crime 2 2 2 1 1 1 original, absurdist stoner movie 73
Big Short, The (2015) 7 Biography 2 1 1 0 0 1 whitewash of the criminal malfeasance that led to 2008 economic meltdown 55
Billy Elliot (2000) 7 Drama 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Billy Jack (1971) 4 Action, Drama 1 0 0 0 0 0 preachy slog 23
Bitconned (2024) 8 Crime, Documentary 2 1 1 1 1 2 sleazy con artists exploiting the “crypto” con 73
Black Adam (2022) 6 Action, Fantasy 1 1 1 0 1 1
50
Black Dynamite (2009) 5 Farce, Martial Arts, Action 1 1 0 0 0 0
32
Blackberry (2023) 7 Biography, Drama 2 1 1 0 1 1
59
Blade Runner (1982) 10 Sci-Fi 2 1 2 2 2 2 amazing achievement, best seen on the big screen 95
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) 8 Sci-Fi 2 1 1 1 1 1 interesting in its exploration of sentiment, romance, affection 68
Bourne Legacy, The (2012) 9 Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller 2 2 1 1 1 2 underrated, perhaps it hits too close to home for some 82
Bowfinger (1999) 7 Comedy 2 0 1 1 0 1 clever idea that falls flat on the execution; seems like it could have been much funnier 55
Breakdown (1997) 7 Thriller 2 1 0 0 1 1 borrows from “Duel” (1971), poor ending, but Kurt Russell always improves a movie 55
Bride of Frankenstein, The (1935) 9 Camp, Horror 2 1 2 1 1 2 great fun 82
Bring Me the Head of the Machine Gun Woman (2012) 5 Action, Farce, Exploitation 1 0 0 0 0 1 Chilean 32
Bronco Billy (1980) 8 Western, Satire 2 1 1 1 1 1 “entertaining and unusual” 68
Bucktown (1975) 4 Action, Farce 1 0 0 0 0 0
23
Bullet to Beijing (1995) 5 Spy, Adventure 1 0 0 0 0 1 made for TV 32
Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (1969) 8 Western, Crime, Drama, Comedy 2 1 1 2 2 2 classic buddy movie 82
Butterfield 8 (1960) 5 Melodrama, Schlock 1 0 0 0 1 0 silly, strictly a vehicle to ogle Liz 32
Cabin in the Woods, The (2011) 8 Thriller, Twist, Sci-Fi 2 1 2 1 2 2 original 82
Call (2020) 7 Thriller 2 1 1 1 1 1 South Korean 64
Capricorn One (1978) 8 Drama, Thriller 2 1 1 1 0 1 underrated conspiracy film created panic among the sycophantic lying “critics” 64
Carpetbaggers, The (1964) 7 Melodrama 2 0 1 1 1 2 silly fluff that doesn’t have the impact it had in the day 64
Cell (2016) 4 Suspense, Thriller 1 0 0 0 0 0 a sorry mess 23
Cell 211 (2009) 6 Prison, Action, Suspense 2 1 1 0 0 1
50
Cellular (2004) 6 Action, Crime 2 0 1 0 0 1 early Chris Evans effort when they were making him into a star 45
Charley Varrick (1973) 8 Adventure, Caper, Twist 2 1 1 0 1 2
68
Chicago (2002) 8 Crime, Drama, Musical 2 1 2 1 1 2 better than expected, sly wit & social commentary; songs could’ve been more inspired 77
Child’s Play (1988) ◦ 8 Thriller 2 2 1 1 2 1 good series, worth watching in full despite the Child’s Play 3 dud 77
Child’s Play 2 (1990) ◦ 6 Horror 2 1 1 0 0 1
50
Child’s Play 3 (1991) ◦ 4 Horror 1 0 0 0 0 0 disappointing: very poor movie, but at least it has Chucky 23
Bride of Chucky (1998) ◦ 8 Horror, Comedy 2 2 2 1 2 1
82
Seed of Chucky (2004) ◦ 7 Horror, Comedy 2 2 1 0 1 1 underrated 64
Curse of Chucky (2013) ◦ 7 Horror 2 2 1 0 1 1
64
Cult of Chucky (2017) ◦ 5 Horror 2 1 0 0 0 0
36
Child’s Play (2019) 7 Horror 1 0 0 0 0 1 unnecessary remake 41
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) 7 Adventure,Family, Fantasy 2 1 2 1 1 0 classic that’s too long for children – and adults 64
Circle, The (2017) 4 Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller 1 0 0 0 0 0 disappointing 23
Citizen Kane (1941) 3 Drama, Propaganda 1 0 1 0 0 0 overrated nonsense 23
City Lights (1931) 9 Comedy, Drama, Romance 2 1 2 1 2 2 great silent film, though writer/director/actor Chaplin often overdoes the pathos 86
Cleopatra Jones (1973) 3 Action, Farce, Fetish 1 0 0 0 0 1
23
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) 9 Sci-Fi 2 1 2 2 1 2
86
Cloud Atlas (2012) 6 Sci-Fi 1 1 2 1 0 0 ambitious but over-reaches 50
Coffy (1973) 6 Action, Crime, Revenge, Titillation 2 1 1 0 1 2
59
Commuter, The (2018) 6 Action, Thriller, Crime 2 1 0 0 0 1
45
Crank (2006) • 8 Action, Farce 2 2 1 2 2 2 Cranky is gleeful hardcore lunacy at its best 86
Crank: High Voltage (2009) • 8 Action, Farce 2 2 1 2 2 2 “nothing succeeds like excess” “played to the heights of idiocy” 86
Crash (1996) 6 Drama, Fetish 1 0 1 1 0 0 clinical, Matt Brunson appropriately called it "exploitation chic" 41
Crash (2005) 6 Drama, Crime 1 0 1 0 0 1 wasn’t as bad as I though it’d be, but very forgettable 41
Crime Story (1993) 7 Action, Crime 1 1 1 0 0 1
50
DC League of Super-Pets (2022) 5 Animation, Adventure, Comedy 1 0 1 0 0 0
32
Dances with Wolves (1990) 9 Western 2 1 2 1 1 2
82
Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) 8 Adventure, Romance, Fantasy 2 1 1 1 2 2 some clever tricks and twists, particularly in final act, surprise and delight 77
Dead Man (1995) 7 Surrealist, Western 2 1 1 1 0 2 definitely different 64
Dead Man’s Shoes (2004) 4 Drama, Revenge 1 0 0 0 0 0 unlikable characters, seems low budget, amateurish 23
Deep, The (1977) 4 Adventure, Thriller 1 0 1 0 0 0 routine, uninspired 27
Despicable Me (2010) 7 Animation, Family, Comedy 2 1 1 0 1 1 yes, a little bit trite 59
Destination Moon (1950) 6 Sci-Fi 1 1 2 1 1 1 of historical interest 59
Dinosaur Island (1994) 5 Adventure, Fantasy, Titillation 1 0 1 0 0 1
36
Dirty Harry (1971) ◦ 8 Action, Thriller, Police 2 1 1 2 2 2 “Every dirty job that comes along.” 82
Magnum Force (1973) ◦ 6 Action, Thriller, Police 2 1 0 0 0 1 very typically seventies movie 45
The Enforcer (1976) ◦ 7 Action, Thriller, Police 2 1 0 0 0 1
50
Sudden Impact (1983) ◦ 7 Action, Thriller, Police 2 1 1 1 1 2 “Go ahead. Make my day.” 68
The Dead Pool (1988) ◦ 5 Action, Thriller, Police 2 0 0 0 0 0 somewhat modernized Harry, lacking that special something 32
District B13 (2004) • 7 Action, Martial Arts 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
District 13: Ultimatum (2009) • 6 Action, Martial Arts 2 0 1 0 0 1
45
Doctor Strangelove (1964) 9 Satire, Suspense, Propaganda 2 2 2 2 2 2 suddenly relevant again? 95
Doctor Zhivago (1965) 5 Romance, Melodrama, War, Epic 1 0 1 0 0 0 unimaginative and lacks curiosity; dull, unlikable lead 32
Dollman (1991) 4 Farce, Sci-Fi 1 0 0 1 1 1 got to give credit for the attempt 36
Don’t Breathe (2016) 7 Suspense, Thriller, Crime, Shock 2 1 1 1 2 2 and don’t swallow 73
Don’t Look Now (1973) 4 Thriller 0 0 1 0 0 1 too “artsy” yawner 27
Double, The (2013) 8 Satire, Surrealist 2 1 1 1 1 2
73
Down by Law (1986) 6 Prison, Drama, Comedy 1 0 1 1 1 0 peculiar, quirky arthouse film, often descends to dullness 45
Drive (1997) 7 Action, Martial Arts, Sci-Fi, Comedy 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Drive (2011) 7 Action 2 0 1 0 0 1 remake or ripoff of “The Driver” (1978) 50
Driver, The (1978) 7 Crime, Drama 2 0 1 0 0 1
50
Duck Soup (1933) 4 Comedy, Slapstick 1 1 0 0 0 0 What a piece of crap! Mirror routine only good part. Laughing at us, not with us. 27
Dumbo (1941) 7 Animation, Family 1 0 1 1 1 1 typical Disney fare, somewhat maudlin and overrated 55
Dune: Part I (2021) • 5 Sci-Fi 1 0 2 1 0 0 don’t know what all the fuss is about; watered down tedium 41
Dune: Part II (2024) • 5 Sci-Fi 1 0 2 1 0 0 if you want a sandworm story, “Tremors” is better 41
E.T. - The Extraterrestrial (1982) 10 Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Family 2 1 2 2 1 2 undeniable classic 91
Easy Rider (1969) 7 Drama, Crime 1 1 0 2 1 0 plotless stoner road movie, of its era, not so compelling these days 55
Edge of Tomorrow (2014) 9 Action, Sci-Fi 2 2 2 1 2 2 epic and fresh Science Fiction 91
Entourage (2015) 5 Comedy, Melodrama 1 0 1 0 0 0 unimaginative extension of the watchable series doesn’t play well on the big screen 32
Eraserhead (1977) 8 Shock, Disturbing, Surrealist, Horror 1 1 2 2 2 2 a challenging picture 82
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) 10 Sci-Fi, Romance 2 1 2 2 1 2 this picture is a triumph 91
Event Horizon (1997) 5 Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller 1 0 1 0 0 0 stylish but pointless bore 32
Every Which Way But Loose (1978) 8 Slapstick, Action, Fight 2 1 1 1 2 2 underrated, not meant to be Shakespeare 77
Evil Dead (2013) 5 Horror 1 1 1 0 0 1
41
Evil Dead, The (1981) ◦ 7 Horror, Farce 2 1 1 1 1 1 cult classic 64
Evil Dead 2 (1987) ◦ 7 Horror, Farce 2 1 1 1 1 1
64
Army of Darkness (1992) ◦ 7 Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Comedy 2 1 1 1 1 1 offbeat 64
Exorcist, The (1973) 8 Shock, Horror 2 1 1 2 2 2
82
Extraction (2020) • 8 Action 2 1 1 1 1 2 pleasant surprise that should be old hat, but somehow Hemsworth & director make it fresh 73
Extraction II (2023) • 4 Action 1 0 0 0 0 1 Why did they restructure and bugger this up so bad after the previous one? 27
F9 (2021) 2 Action, Farce 0 0 1 0 0 0 an embarrassment, easily among the worst movies of all time 14
Fantasia (1940) 5 Animation, Fantasy, Propaganda 1 0 1 1 1 0 watchable only for some segments 41
Fargo (1996) 9 Crime, Drama 2 1 1 2 2 2
86
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) 7 Action, Adventure, Comedy 2 1 1 0 0 1 cartoonish; goes overboard on the quips and rivalry 55
Faster (2010) 6 Action 1 1 0 0 0 1
41
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1966) 7 Comedy, Exploitation, Farce 2 1 1 0 1 1
59
Ferrari (2023) 7 Biography, Drama 1 1 1 1 0 1 fake biopic lacking in heart, soul, inertia, so everything a race car shouldn’t be 55
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) 6 Musical 1 0 1 0 0 0
36
Fight Club (1999) 9 Suspense, Drama, Satire 2 2 2 1 2 2
91
Fist of Legend (1994) 7 Action, Martial Arts 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Fitzwilly (1967) 4 Caper, Comedy 1 0 1 0 0 0
27
Florida Project, The (2017) 8 Drama 2 1 1 2 1 2
77
Forbidden Planet (1956) 9 Sci-Fi 2 2 2 2 2 2 wonderful, classic Sci-Fi adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest “ 95
Ford v Ferrari (2019) 9 Biography 2 1 1 0 1 1
68
Formula 51 (2001) 4 Action, Comedy 1 0 0 0 0 0 a.k.a.: “The 51st State” 23
Founder, The (2016) 7 Biography 2 1 1 0 1 1
59
Foxcatcher (2015) 8 Biography, Drama, Suspense 2 1 1 1 2 2 great performance by Steve Carell 77
Foxy Brown (1974) 7 Action, Exploitation, Farce, Fetish 2 2 0 0 1 1
59
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) 7 Action, Crime, Horror 2 1 1 1 1 2 interesting genre-mixer most notable for Salma Hayek’s dance 68
From Paris With Love (2010) 7 Action, Crime, Thriller 2 1 1 0 0 2
59
Gambit (1966) 8 Twist, Caper 2 2 1 1 1 2
77
Gambit (2012) 5 Twist, Caper, Comedy 2 0 0 0 0 1 remake; even after reading a plot summary I barely remember it 36
Gaslight (1944) 6 Suspense, Drama 1 1 1 1 1 1 dated, but a saucy Angela Lansbury perks things up a bit 55
Gattaca (1997) 8 Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, Romance 2 2 1 1 2 2 remarkable and memorable movie that goes somewhat unappreciated 82
Get Out (2017) 9 Horror, Satire, Twist 2 1 2 1 2 2
86
Get the Gringo (2012) 8 Action, Crime, Prison 2 1 2 1 0 2
73
Getaway, The (1972) 7 Action, Adventure, Crime, Romance 2 1 1 1 0 1
59
Getaway, The (1994) 8 Action, Adventure, Crime, Romance 2 2 1 0 2 2 underrated remake of the 1972 McQueen/MacGraw film, far surpassing the original 77
Girl on the Third Floor (2019) 7 Horror, Suspense 2 1 2 0 1 1 especially good if you’re a Phil Brooks (“CM Punk”) fan, weak ending 64
Girl Vs. Monster (2012) 3 Family, Adventure, Fantasy 1 0 0 0 0 0
18
Gladiator (2000) 7 Action, Adventure 2 1 2 1 1 1 good but doesn’t quite deliver epic status 68
Godfather, The (1972) • 10 Crime, Drama, Epic 2 2 2 2 2 2 classic crime picture 100
Godfather, The Part II (1974) • 10 Crime, Drama, Epic 2 2 2 2 2 2
100
Gods Must Be Crazy, The (1980) 7 Slapstick, Family, Comedy 2 1 2 1 1 1 pleasant surprise 68
Godzilla Minus One (2023) 8 Sci-Fi 2 1 1 1 0 1 yet another Godzilla movie, a good watch but hardly the masterpiece some claim 64
Goin’ South (1978) 6 Comedy, Western 1 0 1 0 1 1 didn’t mind Nicholson’s mugging for the camera, but no real substance here 45
Gone Girl (2014) 8 Drama, Crime, Mystery, Thriller 2 1 1 1 1 1
68
Gone with the Wind (1939) 10 Epic, Melodrama, Historical 2 2 2 1 2 1 one of the all-time greats 91
Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, The (1967) 9 Western, War, Adventure, Epic 2 2 2 2 2 1 can get slow at times, but a classic 91
Grand Piano (2013) 7 Drama, Suspense 2 1 1 1 1 1 wacky stuff that somehow manages to sustain an entertaining story 64
Grapes of Wrath, The (1940) 9 Drama, Propaganda 2 1 1 1 2 2 one of the few “classics” that is so; unfortunate puffery for socialist federal govt. though 82
Great Escape, The (1963) 8 Adventure, Suspense, Drama, War 2 1 2 1 1 2
77
Great Train Robbery, The (1978) 7 Drama, Caper, Historical 2 1 1 1 1 2 slow-paced but never boring 68
Grey, The (2011) 5 Drama, Action, Adventure 1 0 1 0 0 1
36
Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) • 8 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 2 2 1 1 2
82
Guardians of the Galaxy V. 2 (2017) • 7 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 1 2 1 0 1
64
Guardians of the Galaxy V. 3 (2023) • 7 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 1 2 0 1 1
64
Halloween Pussy Trap Kill! Kill! (2017) 4 Horror, Farce, Titillation 1 1 0 0 0 1 satire or knock-off of “Saw” (2004) & “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” (1966) 32
Hanna (2011) 4 Action, Adventure 1 0 1 0 0 1 another entry from the woke Eurotrash school of tedium 32
Harold and Maude (1971) 7 Black Comedy, Disturbing, Fetish 2 0 1 1 1 1
59
Harry Brown (2009) 7 Thriller, Crime, Revenge 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Hateful Eight, The (2015) 9 Crime, Suspense, Western 2 1 2 1 2 2 well-crafted 86
Hell Night (1981) 6 Horror, Suspense 1 1 0 0 1 1
45
High-Rise (2015) 4 Sci-Fi, Drama 1 0 1 0 1 0 disappointingly failed concept 32
High Sierra (1941) 8 Crime, Drama, Film Noir 2 1 1 1 1 2
73
His Girl Friday (1940) 2 Propaganda 0 0 0 0 0 0 cheap, absurd and wildly overrated 9
Hit Man (2024) 8 Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance 2 1 1 1 1 2 good lead performance 73
Hobbit, The: An Unexpected Journey (2012) 7 Fantasy, Adventure 1 1 2 1 0 1 tedious, soured me on seeing any sequels 59
Hobo with a Shotgun (2011) 6 Grindhouse, Farce 1 1 1 0 0 1 low-budget, teased as a fake trailer in “Grindhouse” (2007) 45
Hot Fuzz (2007) 7 Comedy, Action, Farce, Police 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Hot Spot, The (1990) 8 Thriller, Crime, Romance 2 1 1 0 1 2
68
House of Dark Shadows (1970) 5 Suspense, Drama, Horror 1 0 0 0 0 0
27
How Green Was My Valley (1941) 8 Drama 2 1 1 1 2 2 another pleasant surprise, considering the era 77
Hud (1963) 10 Western, Drama, Epic 2 2 2 1 2 2 classic masterwork 95
I Came By (2022) 6 Thriller 2 0 1 0 1 1
50
Imitation of Life (1959) 6 Melodrama 1 0 1 1 0 1
45
In Bruges(2008) 7 Drama, Comedy, Crime 2 1 0 1 1 2
64
In the Mood for Love (2000) 6 Drama, Romance 0 0 1 0 0 0 Chinese film not to my taste but popular with those who like the genre 32
In the Name of the Father (1993) 7 Biography, Drama 2 1 1 0 1 1
59
Inception (2010) 9 Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller 2 2 2 2 1 2 fantastic movie, stunning and original 91
Incredibles, The (2004) • 8 Animation, Action, Comedy 2 2 1 2 1 2
82
Incredibles 2 (2018) • 7 Animation, Action, Comedy 2 1 1 2 1 2
73
Injustice (2021) 2 Animation, Action 1 0 0 0 0 0 dopey, trite, misguided and poorly executed 14
Irishman, The (2019) 6 Drama, Crime, Biography 1 0 1 0 1 1 overrated, another fake bio. – different story from that in the movie, “Hoffa” (1992) 45
Iron Girl: Ultimate Weapon (2015) 5 Action, Martial Arts, Titillation 2 1 0 0 0 1
41
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) 5 Drama, Family, Fantasy 1 1 1 0 0 0 overrated – too simplistic and unrealistic – seems derivative of “A Christmas Carol” 36
JFK (1991) 9 History, Drama 2 2 2 1 2 2 doesn’t solve anything, but amazingly evocative 91
Jacob’s Ladder (1990) 5 Disturbing, Mystery, Thriller, Horror 1 0 1 1 0 1
41
Jaws (1975) 10 Suspense, Horror, Adventure 2 1 2 2 2 2 modern classic 95
Jerry Maguire (1996) 6 Comedy, Romance 1 0 1 1 1 1 inexplicably overrated scatterbrained melodrama 50
John Carter (2012) 8 Adventure, Fantasy, Action 2 1 2 1 1 1 underrated; historically important & influential concept invented by E. R. Burroughs in 1912 73
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) 4 Action 1 0 0 1 0 0 intolerable, an insult to movie fans 27
Joker (2019) 6 Crime, Drama, Fantasy 1 1 1 0 0 1 thought I was watching some other old DeNiro movies 45
Jones Plantation (2023) 8 Drama 2 2 1 2 1 2 independent film; allegory about enslavement, particularly of the mind 82
Jupiter Ascending (2015) 5 Adventure, Sci-Fi 1 0 1 0 1 1 “Cinderella… in space” 41
Justice League vs the Fatal Five (2019) 7 Adventure, Animation, Fantasy 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part One (2024) 8 Adventure, Animation, Fantasy 2 1 1 0 0 1
59
Justice League: The New Frontier (2008) 8 Adventure, Animation, Fantasy 2 1 1 0 0 1
59
Justice Society: World War II (2021) 6 Animation, Action, War, Propaganda 1 0 0 0 0 1
36
Kentucky Fried Movie, The (1977) 5 Comedy, Farce, Titillation 2 1 0 0 0 0 gratuitous nudity helps this dated skit comedy 36
Killers, The (1946) 7 Crime, Drama 2 1 1 1 2 1
68
King’s Speech, The (2010) 8 History, Drama 2 0 2 0 1 1 predictable but watchable with good performances 64
L.A. Story (1991) 8 Fantasy, Comedy, Romance 2 2 2 2 1 1 ingenious, highly original 82
Lady from Shanghai, The (1947) 7 Crime, Drama, Film Noir 2 1 1 1 1 1 has its moments; not bad for a Welles film 64
Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend (2022) 5 Biography, Drama 2 0 1 0 0 1 lacks depth 41
Last Action Hero (1993) 7 Action, Fantasy, Comedy, Satire 2 1 1 1 1 1 underrated but could use a few tweaks 64
Last Tango in Paris (1972) 7 Titillation, Drama, Moody Romance 2 1 1 1 1 1 controversial, obviously not for everyone 64
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 8 Biography, History, Epic 2 1 2 1 0 1 yes, yes, magnificent, blah, blah, but I learned nothing of Lawrence or history from this 68
Leap of Faith (1992) 5 Comedy, Drama 1 0 1 0 1 1 shouldn’t have been made without a thorough rewrite to give it some bite 41
Legend of Drunken Master, The (1994) 8 Martial Arts, Comedy 2 2 1 0 0 1
64
Legion of Super-Heroes (2023) 6 Animation, Action, Adventure 2 1 1 0 0 1
50
Lego Movie, The (2014) 8 Adventure, Animation, Family 2 1 1 1 1 1 not treading any new ground here except for the Lego aspect, but fun 68
Life of Emile Zola, The (1937) 7 Drama, Biography 1 0 1 0 0 1 yeah, not an accurate bio, so what’s the point except false glorification? 45
Living with Chucky (2023) 7 Documentary 2 1 1 0 1 1 about Chucky the killer doll from the “Child’s Play” series 59
Lolita (1962) 7 Comedy, Drama, Romance 1 0 1 1 1 1 comedy of morals better than you’d expect for its day, but doesn’t always ring true 55
Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) 6 Martial Arts, Farce, Western 1 1 0 0 0 1 41
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001) ◦ 10 Fantasy, Adventure, Epic 2 1 2 2 2 2 modern classic 95
Lord of the Rings: Two Towers, The (2002) ◦ 10 Fantasy, Adventure, Epic 2 1 2 2 2 2
95
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, The (2003) ◦ 10 Fantasy, Adventure, Epic 2 1 2 2 2 2
95
Lost in Space (1998) 5 Adventure, Sci-Fi 1 0 1 0 0 0
32
Love and Monsters (2020) 7 Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi 2 1 1 1 0 2
64
MacGruber (2010) 3 Action, Comedy, Farce 1 0 0 0 0 0 No. Predictable, misguided, falls flat. 18
Machete (2010) • 7 Grindhouse, Farce, Titillation 2 1 1 0 1 2 just a fun bloodbath 64
Machete Kills (2013) • 7 Grindhouse, Farce, Titillation 2 1 1 0 1 2 waiting for, “Machete Kills Again... In Space.” What’s the ^*@#$ hold-up? 64
Machine, The (2023) 5 Action, Comedy 1 0 1 0 1 1 self-aggrandizing nonsense using a pattern that’s been done scores of times before 41
Man from Nowhere, The (2010) 7 Action, Crime 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Man on the Moon (1999) 9 Biography 2 1 1 0 2 2 award-worthy performance by Jim Carrey 77
Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The (1962) 8 Western 2 1 1 1 1 2
73
Man Who Would Be King, The (1975) 9 Adventure 2 2 2 1 1 2
86
Mandy (2018) 4 Grindhouse, Revenge, Surrealist 1 0 0 1 0 1
32
Many Saints of Newark, The (2021) 7 Crime, Drama 1 0 1 0 0 1 a bit pointless, some bad execution, but not that bad, but I’m a sucker for period pieces 45
Marksman, The (2021) 6 Action, Adventure 1 1 1 0 0 1 road trip movie reminiscent of “No Country for Old Men,” but a little bit tired 45
Marnie (1964) 6 Melodrama, Psychological Thriller 2 1 0 1 1 1 good performances, but needs something extra, and a bigger budget 55
Mary Poppins (1964) 7 Classic, Family, Musical, Fantasy 1 1 1 1 1 1 needs a bit of editing 59
Matrix, The (1999) • 10 Adventure, Sci-Fi, Martial Arts 2 2 2 2 2 2 modern escapist classic 100
Matrix Reloaded, The (2003) • 9 Adventure, Sci-Fi, Martial Arts 2 2 2 1 2 2
91
Matrix Revolutions, The (2003) • 7 Adventure, Sci-Fi, Martial Arts 2 1 1 1 1 1 wearing out its welcome at this point 64
Maximum Overdrive (1986) 5 Sci-Fi, Farce 1 1 1 0 1 1 Whaaa? Not quite as bad as they say, similar in concept to “Tremors” or “Friday the 13th” 45
McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) 6 revisionist Western 1 0 1 1 1 1
50
Mean Girls (2004) 8 Teen Comedy 2 2 1 1 1 2 pleasant surprise 77
Medium Cool (1970) 7 Drama 1 1 1 1 0 1 cinéma vérité-style combining fictional and non-fictional content, a bit aimless 55
Meet John Doe (1941) 4 Comedy, Drama, Romance 1 0 0 0 0 1 unbelievable, cloying, mawkish schmaltz from Frank Capra 27
M3gan (2023) 6 Sci-Fi, Thriller 2 1 1 0 1 2 mash-up of “Terminator,” “Child’s Play” & “Westworld,” but still compelling 59
Melvin and Howard (1980) 8 Comedy, Drama 2 1 1 0 0 1
59
Memento (2000) 8 Mystery, Thriller 2 1 2 2 0 2
77
Memory (2021) 3 Action, Farce 1 0 0 0 0 1 yet another Liam Neeson tough-guy flick, by now scraping the bottom of the barrel 23
Metropolis (1927) 10 Sci-Fi 2 1 2 2 2 2 iconic, epic work of art 95
Minority Report (2002) 5 Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery 1 1 1 1 0 1 somewhat boring and aimless 45
Mission: Impossible (1996) ◦ 5 Action, Adventure 1 1 2 0 0 1 the real Jim Phelps was no sell-out. 45
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) ◦ 8 Action, Adventure 2 1 1 1 0 2 improbable but not half bad 68
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) ◦ 7 Action, Adventure 2 1 2 0 0 1 stunt-driven (great stunts); story and character interaction mishandled, preposterous 59
Modern Times (1936) 10 Comedy, Slapstick, Satire 2 2 2 2 1 2 classic Chaplin comedy masterpiece 95
Moneyball (2011) 8 Sports, Drama 2 1 1 1 1 2
73
Mortal Engines (2018) 7 Sci-Fi, Adventure 1 1 2 2 1 1 started off so well, but story fizzled 68
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) 5 Drama, Propaganda 1 0 1 1 1 1 vastly overrated, unrealistic… oh, right, it’s Frank Capra again 45
Mulholland Drive (2001) 9 Mystery, Suspense 2 2 2 1 2 2 surreal and dreamy, sometimes bizarre, and an artistic vision from David Lynch 91
My Fair Lady (1964) 8 Comedy, Musical 2 1 2 1 1 1 elaborate production; surprisingly, not half-bad, though needs a lot of tightening 73
My Left Foot (1989) 9 Biography 2 1 1 1 2 2 monumental, award-winning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis 82
My Son Hunter (2022) 6 Biography, Satire 1 0 1 1 0 1 disappointing whitewash 45
Nashville (1975) 5 Musical, Drama 1 0 1 1 0 0 vastly overrated 36
Natural, The (1984) 7 Sports, Drama 2 0 0 0 0 1
45
Network (1976) 8 Drama, Satire 2 1 1 1 1 1 timeless message but somewhat dated presentation 68
Nightmare Alley (2021) 7 Drama, Thriller, Crime 2 0 1 2 1 1 limited by its dated source material 64
No Holds Barred (1989) 2 Sports, Action 1 0 0 0 0 0
14
No Way Out (1987) 6 Thriller 1 1 0 0 0 0 remake of “The Big Clock” (1948) 36
Nobody (2021) 8 Action, Suspense 2 1 1 0 0 2 fun, but derivative of “John Wick” (2014) and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005) 64
North by Northwest (1959) 9 Adventure, Mystery, Suspense 2 2 2 1 2 2 probably Hitchcock’s best 91
North Sea Hijack (1980) 6 Adventure 2 0 0 0 1 1 Roger Moore picture, also titled “ffolkes” 45
Northman, The (2022) 4 Adventure, Action 1 0 1 0 0 0
27
Notorious (1946) 5 Drama, Propaganda, Suspense 1 0 1 0 0 1 implausible, shameless, overrated nonsense 36
Now, Voyager (1942) 8 Romance, Melodrama 2 1 1 0 0 2
64
Nude Nuns with Big Guns (2010) 4 Action, Exploitation, Farce, Fetish 2 0 0 0 0 1
32
Once Upon a Time in America (1984) 5 Crime, Drama 1 1 1 1 0 1
45
Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (2014) 7 Action, Martial Arts 1 1 0 0 0 0
41
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019) 9 Drama, Fantasy 2 2 1 1 2 2
86
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) 9 Drama, Black Comedy 2 1 1 1 2 2 biting critique 82
Ordinary People (1980) 7 Drama, Propaganda 2 0 1 1 1 1 good performances from Sutherland and Moore; ending quite moving; some scripting flaws 59
Paper Moon (1973) 8 Comedy, Caper 2 1 1 1 1 2 award-winning performance by Tatum O’Neal 73
Papillon (1973) 8 Biography, Adventure, Prison Drama 2 1 1 2 2 2
82
Paprika (1991) 6 Erotic, Drama 2 2 1 0 1 1
59
Parasite (2019) 10 Comedy, Disturbing, Twist 2 1 2 2 2 2
95
Parents (1989) 8 Suspense, Comedy, Satire 2 1 1 2 1 2 real movie-making: evocative, good acting, transports you 77
Patton (1970) 9 War, Biography, History, Drama 2 1 2 1 2 2
86
Pelican Brief, The (1993) 5 Mystery, Thriller 1 0 0 0 0 1
32
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) 5 Drama, Romance 1 0 1 0 0 0 bewildering fantasy nonsense; terrible acting; only authentic character is the young sister 32
Planet of the Apes (1968) 9 Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 1 2 2 1 2 Way better than expected. “Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!” 86
Point Blank (1967) 8 Action, Crime 2 2 1 1 1 1 somewhat dreamy or surreal which slows it down but great ‘60s feel 73
Project X (1968) 4 Sci-Fi 1 0 0 0 0 0
23
Project X (2012) 2 Teen Comedy 1 0 0 0 0 0
14
Psycho (1960) 9 Suspense, Drama, Thriller 2 1 1 1 2 2 Hitchcock didn’t really have a great ending that this deserved 82
Pulp Fiction (1994) 9 Drama, Thriller, Crime, Shock 2 2 1 2 2 2
91
Pumping Iron (1977) 7 Biography, Bodybuilding 2 1 1 1 1 2
68
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) 9 Action, Adventure 2 2 2 1 2 2
91
Rain Man (1988) 9 Drama 2 1 1 1 2 2 surprise casting sure worked in this film, deservedly a big hit 82
Raising Arizona (1987) 7 Comedy, Crime 2 1 1 1 1 2
68
Ratatouille (2007) 9 Animation, Family, Comedy 2 1 1 1 1 2
77
Rear Window (1954) 7 Mystery, Suspense 1 1 1 0 1 1 decent, but overrated, could be a TV movie of the week 55
Rebecca (1940) 7 Mystery, Suspense 1 0 1 0 1 1 amusing, if you can tolerate the goofiness, and Olivier, who must be an acquired taste 50
Recoil (2011) 6 Violence, Action, Revenge 2 2 0 0 0 1
50
Red Dawn (1984) 6 Adventure 2 1 0 0 1 1
50
Redemption (2013) 7 Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller 2 1 1 0 0 1 a.k.a.: “Hummingbird” 55
Reefer Madness (1936) 2 Propaganda 1 0 0 0 0 0 so bad it’s good, then back to bad again 14
Return to the Batcave (2003) 7 Comedy, Nostalgia, Biography 2 1 1 0 1 2 full name: “Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt” 64
Rififi (1955) 8 Crime, Caper 2 1 1 2 1 2 pretty good for an old pic; the blueprint for a torrent of heist movies that follow 77
Rock, The (1996) 7 Action, Adventure 2 1 1 0 2 1
64
Rocky Horror Picture Show, The (1975) 7 Fantasy, Comedy, Musical, Farce 2 0 0 1 2 1 quirky old stoner pic, notable for Tim Curry’s great performance and singing 59
Romancing the Stone (1984) 6 Fantasy, Adventure, Romance 1 0 1 0 0 1
41
Route Irish (2010) 5 Action, Drama, War 1 0 0 0 0 0
27
Run All Night (2015) 4 Action, Crime, Drama 1 0 1 0 0 1 probably better to run in the other direction; nothing you haven’t seen before 32
Running Scared (2006) 5 Action, Crime, Drama 2 0 1 0 0 2 my goodness, no shame, it seems “Run All Night” copied the formula from this one 45
Savage Streets (1984) 7 Action, Revenge, Farce 2 1 0 0 1 1 enjoyably trashy Linda Blair movie 55
Scarecrow (1973) 7 Drama 1 1 1 1 1 1 70s buddy picture 59
Scorched Earth (2018) 4 Sci-Fi, Action 1 0 0 0 0 0 insipid 23
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) 6 Teen Comedy, Action, Fantasy 1 1 1 1 0 1
50
Scream (2022) 6 Horror, Suspense 1 0 1 0 0 1 ho-hum, nothing new here 41
Searchers, The (1956) 6 Western, Drama, Epic 1 0 2 1 1 0 unusually boring for such a beautifully filmed picture 50
Seconds (1966) 8 Sci-Fi, Thriller 2 1 1 1 1 1 intriguing, could be more compelling 68
Seven Samurai (1954) 7 Martial Arts, Drama, Epic 2 1 1 1 1 1 somewhat too long 64
Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989) 6 Drama 1 1 1 1 1 1
55
Shakes the Clown (1991) 3 Comedy, Crime 1 0 0 0 0 0
18
Shakespeare in Love (1999) 8 Romance, Comedy 2 0 2 1 0 1 better than expected; nicely novel approach and lush costuming but leads don’t inspire 64
Shazam! (2019) 7 Action, Fantasy, Comedy 2 0 0 0 0 1 predictable but mostly fun 45
Sheba, Baby (1975) 5 Action 1 1 0 0 0 1 Pam Grier movie that disappoints after her other films 36
Shining, The (1980) 7 Horror 1 1 1 0 1 1
55
Shocker (1989) 3 Horror, Satire 1 0 0 0 0 0 lame 18
Shoplifters (2018) 8 Drama 2 1 1 1 1 2
73
Shoplifters of the World (2021) 4 Teen Drama 0 0 1 0 0 0 infomercial for “The Smiths” musical group 23
Shoot ’Em Up (2007) 7 Action 1 1 1 1 1 1
59
Sicario (2015) 4 Police, Thriller, Propaganda 1 0 1 0 0 0 overrated – leads nowhere – false glorification of law enforcement 27
Silence of the Lambs, The (1991) 7 Crime, Thriller, Quirky 2 1 2 1 1 2
73
Silent Running (1972) 8 Sci-Fi 2 2 2 1 1 2 excellent, melancholy, perhaps a bit much propaganda, but required for the story 82
Sin City (2005) 9 Neo-Noir 2 1 2 2 1 2 intensity – not for everyone – stunning adaptation of the Miller comic 86
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) 4 Musical 1 1 2 1 1 1 vastly overrated, only watchable for the fantastic dance numbers 50
Sixth Sense, The (1999) 8 Suspense, Drama, Twist 2 0 1 2 2 2
77
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) 7 Drama, Romance, Crime 1 0 0 1 1 1
50
Smash Palace (1981) 7 Drama 2 1 1 0 0 2
59
Smokey and the Bandit (1977) 5 Action, Comedy, Farce 1 0 0 1 1 1
41
Something Wild (1986) 8 Comedy, Drama, Twist, Caper 2 1 1 1 2 2 almost magical ride, perhaps Liotta’s best role 77
Song of the South (1946) 6 Fantasy, Musical, Family 1 1 1 1 1 1
55
Sorcerer (1977) 8 Adventure, Drama, Suspense 2 1 2 1 2 2
82
Sound of Music, The (1965) 6 Classic, Family, Musical, War 1 1 1 0 1 0
45
Southern Comfort (1981) 7 Action, Thriller 2 1 1 1 1 1
64
Spartacus (1960) 8 Adventure, Drama, Historical, Epic 2 1 2 1 1 2
77
Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) ◦ 7 Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure 1 1 1 0 0 1 overrated disappointment 50
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) ◦ 7 Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure 1 1 1 0 0 1 overrated disappointment 50
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) 5 Animation, Action 1 0 1 2 0 0 justifiably proud of their animation, but their ability to compose a compelling story is ass 41
SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015) 8 Animation, Comedy, Adventure 2 1 2 1 1 2
77
Stalker (1979) 2 Drama, Surrealist 0 0 1 0 0 0 cinematic equivalent of chronic constipation; to critics who praise it: seek help 14
Stand by Me (1986) 8 Adventure, Drama 2 1 1 2 1 2 well-acted 77
Strictly Business (1991) 3 Comedy, Romance 1 0 0 0 0 0
18
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) • 7 Sci-Fi, Adventure 2 1 1 2 1 1
68
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) • 8 Sci-Fi, Adventure 2 1 2 1 2 2
82
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) • 6 Sci-Fi, Adventure 2 1 1 1 0 1
55
Stick (1985) 3 Crime, Drama 0 0 0 0 0 0
14
Straight Outta Compton (2015) 7 Biography, Drama, Musical 2 1 1 0 0 1 unfortunately whitewashed and sanitized but still watchable 55
Stranger, The (1991) 6 Drama 2 0 1 1 1 1 Indian movie that doesn’t seem to understand its own message 55
Stranger, The (1995) 5 Action 1 0 0 0 0 1
32
Strangers on a Train (1951) 7 Crime, Suspense, Drama 2 1 1 0 1 2 more than a little fanciful – and swishy! – and carousels don’t work like that 64
Striking Distance (1993) 6 Action, Crime, Mystery 1 0 0 0 0 1
36
Suicide Squad, The (2021) 6 Action, Fantasy 2 1 1 0 0 1 copying the Marvel formula 50
Sunset Blvd. (1950) 9 Drama, Suspense, Crime 2 1 2 1 2 2 old classic and a pleasant surprise 86
Superbad (2007) 6 Teen Comedy 1 0 1 0 0 0
36
Superman (1948) 7 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 1 1 1 1 1 15-part serial film adaptation of the old Superman radio program 64
Superman (1978) • 10 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 2 2 2 1 1
91
Superman II (1980) • 9 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 1 2 2 1 1
82
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) • 10 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 2 2 2 1 1
91
Superman III (1983) • 5 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 1 0 0 0 0 1 lost the plot 32
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) • 2 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 0 0 0 0 0 0 hopeless 9
Surrogates (2009) 7 Sci-Fi, Thriller 2 1 1 0 0 1
55
Swiss Family Robinson (1960) 8 Adventure, Family 2 1 2 1 2 2 hard to fault this one 82
Taken (2008) ◦ 9 Action, Suspense 2 2 1 1 2 2 Neeson shines. Sure, it’s simple & fanciful, but sometimes that makes the finest result. 86
Taken 2 (2012) ◦ 8 Action, Suspense, Farce 2 2 1 0 1 2 Still fun. You have to understand they’re playing it for laughs now 73
Taken 3 (2014) ◦ 7 Action, Suspense, Farce 2 1 1 0 0 2 see above; would still like to see #4, where they take Granny 59
Taxi Driver (1976) 8 Drama, Violence 2 2 1 1 1 2
77
Team America: World Police (2004) 8 Comedy, Satire, Puppets 2 1 1 1 1 2
73
Tears of the Sun (2003) 3 Action, War, Melodrama 0 0 0 0 0 0 ridiculous 14
Teen Titans Go! See Space Jam (2021) 4 Animation, Action, Comedy 1 0 1 0 0 0 cash grab to squeeze a few more bucks out of the old Space Jam movie 27
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018) 8 Animation, Action 2 1 1 1 1 1 TTG! is one of the freshest, most intelligent cartoons today 68
Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans (2019) 7 Animation, Action 2 1 1 1 1 1
64
Terminator, The (1984) ◦ 10 Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense 2 2 1 2 2 2
95
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) ◦ 10 Action, Sci-Fi 2 2 2 1 2 2
95
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) ◦ 7 Action, Sci-Fi 2 1 2 1 1 1 bit of a downer though 68
Terminator Salvation (2009) ◦ 2 Action, Sci-Fi 0 0 0 0 0 0 pointless 9
Terminator Genisys (2015) ◦ 2 Action, Sci-Fi 0 0 0 0 0 0 pointless 9
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) ◦ 2 Action, Sci-Fi 0 0 0 0 0 0 one of the biggest flops of all time 9
They Live (1988) 9 Action, Sci-Fi 2 2 0 1 2 2
82
Thief (1981) 7 Crime, Caper, Drama 1 0 1 0 0 1 slow but tolerable time-passer 45
Thing, The (1982) 9 Action, Horror, Sci-Fi 2 2 1 2 2 2
91
Third Man, The (1949) 5 Drama 1 0 0 0 0 1 overrated, billed as a thriller but hardly so; Harry’s speech to Holly somewhat interesting 32
Third Person (2013) 5 Drama, Romance 1 0 0 0 0 0
27
This Island Earth (1955) 4 Sci-Fi 1 0 1 0 0 0 you can skip this one without much fear 27
Thor (2011) • 6 Action, Fantasy 1 0 0 0 0 1
36
Thor: The Dark World (2013) • 7 Action, Adventure, Fantasy 2 1 0 0 0 1
50
Thor: Ragnarok (2017) • 9 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 2 2 1 1 2 2 terrific – this is the way to do Science Fiction 86
To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) 7 Crime, Drama 2 1 1 1 1 1 with the always quirky Willem Dafoe; exhilarating car chase 64
Tokyo Story (1953) 7 Drama 1 1 1 1 0 1 slow, melancholy little drama film 55
Tom Jones (1963) 5 Comedy 1 0 1 0 0 0 dated, preposterously overrated, unfunny, falls flat; hunting scene well-done though 32
Total Recall (1990) 10 Sci-Fi, Action 2 2 2 2 2 2 classic that never lets up nor lets you down 100
Total Recall (2012) 2 Sci-Fi, Action 1 0 0 0 0 0 Why, oh why? Pointless drivel & time waster 14
Toy Story (1995) 10 Family, Fantasy, Adventure 2 2 2 2 1 2
95
Train to Busan (2016) 8 Horror, Thriller 2 0 2 1 1 2 Chinese zombies on a train movie 73
True Romance (1993) 8 Crime, Romance, Action 2 1 1 0 1 2
68
UHF (1989) 2 Comedy, Satire 0 0 0 0 0 0 lousy movie – we do get Michael Richards before an extreme makeover 9
Ultimate Avengers (2006) 5 Animation, Action 1 1 0 0 0 1
36
Unforgiven (1992) 10 revisionist Western 2 1 2 2 2 2
95
Unknown (2011) 7 Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller 2 1 1 0 1 2 yet another Neeson hero film, but his earnestness sells the story 64
Upgrade (2018) 8 Sci-Fi, Action, Crime 2 1 1 1 1 2 pleasant surprise 73
Used Cars (1980) 7 Comedy 1 1 1 1 1 1 okay, but would have been better with more emphasis on car dealer scams 59
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) 5 Sci-Fi 1 1 1 0 0 1 pretty but pretty confusing 41
Vertigo (1958) 8 Mystery, Thriller, Romance 1 1 2 2 1 1 overrated, hard to care about story or characters 73
Village of the Damned (1995) 4 Horror 1 0 0 0 0 0
23
Way of the Gun, The (2000) 7 Crime, Drama 2 1 1 1 1 1
64
Werewolf by Night (2022) 8 Action, Fantasy 2 1 2 2 1 2 short (1 hr.) but clever, fun monster movie 82
What We Do in the Shadows (2014) 8 Comedy, Spoof 2 1 1 2 1 2
77
White Line Fever (1975) 4 Cornball Action, Melodrama 1 0 0 0 0 1 not very nuanced 27
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) 5 Melodrama, Twist 1 0 0 0 1 1 overwrought 36
Widows (2018) 5 Crime, Caper 1 1 1 0 0 1
41
Wild Bunch, The (1969) 6 Western 1 0 1 1 0 0 vastly overrated 41
Wild Card (2015) 4 Action, Crime, Melodrama 1 0 0 0 0 1 remake of Burt Reynolds’ “Heat” (1987) and just as bad 27
Winter Kills (1979) 8 Comedy, Satire, Twist, Mystery 2 1 1 1 0 2 clever, but was confusing to audiences 68
Wizard of Oz, The (1939) 10 Fantasy, Musical 2 2 2 2 2 2 outstanding classic 100
Wrongfully Accused (1998) 2 Farce 0 0 0 0 0 0 lousy movie 9

A Few Notes

Out of a sense of magnanimity, and in the spirit of the director who says he stands up and applauds at the end of every movie he sees, because he knows how hard it is to actually create a movie, it looks like everyone gets at least two points.

Evaluating this by the tier system which groups movies of essentially the same merit together, the tiers shook out as follows:

Top tier: 90%+

Second tier: 75 - 89%

Third tier (still generally worth watching): 45 - 74%

Fourth tier (worst): 0 - 44%

Dishonorable mention (some go beyond just bad, or are such a betrayal that they have to be really condemned): Batman: The Killing Joke, Citizen Kane, Duck Soup, F9, His Girl Friday, No Time to Die (reviewed in the James Bond blog), Stalker, Stick, Superman IV, all Terminators from 2009 on, except Terminator Genisys, and UHF.

Naturally, these are my opinions, though other opinions were usually considered as well, so there is considerable objectivity. If you find my evaluations correspond to your tastes, then you can probably trust my other ratings for movies you haven’t seen. This is the format all reviewers should have, summarizing all their reviews and notes in a table so they can be referenced and tested against your own assessments.

Watch your genres. If you don’t like particular genres, you may not like even highly-rated movies of that type. Crank, Eraserhead and Sin City, for example, are going to alienate whole swaths, but are good movies.

Notable failures include Citizen Kane and His Girl Friday. Those two flops are ridiculously, relentlessly praised by critics, but there’s a story behind that. There’s a post devoted to Citizen Kane, see below for more on His Girl Friday.

The Grey

This probably isn’t worth bothering with. It’s exploitative, since they’ve found Liam Neeson strikes a chord with his everyman + superman portrayals, so now they’re trying to shoehorn that into every possible movie variation to exploit the audience draw. Some people might rate it well, but it is only worthwhile to kill time.

Total Recall

Just a note about this terrific movie. If you’re a fan, you should read the short story, “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale,” by Philip K. Dick, to see how it was just the germ of the idea for Total Recall, which is almost completely different!

Meet John Doe

Another disappointment from Frank Capra. Once again, Hays era restrictions were at least partly to blame in ruining this picture. If they had any guts, the only way to redeem this film was for Cooper’s character to suicide.

Crapra, I don’t for a minute buy the crap you’re peddling.

Now, if the story is actually an insidious reversal, actually mocking and satirizing the mercurial, frenzied, selfish, pandering “little guy,” it purports to champion, then it’s a near-masterpiece. If he’s satirizing the fickle, hypocritical general public, the picture suddenly makes sense. Imagine, “every day like Christmas.” That’s infantile, and a tall order when every day is already occupied by April Fools.

An online comment sums it up wonderfully.

An excellent premise, but the message ultimately falls short. Instead of making a poignant commentary on corruption or faith in the goodness of people or the ability of people to improve their own conditions through conscious action, it ends up falling into no-man’s land, as neither comedy or tragedy, falling into the message that no man should try to make a difference, the masses are just sheep and incapable of seeing through smear, and that individual action is ultimately meaningless. John ultimately decides to avoid suicide, but does not propagate his message beyond just a handful of devoted followers. He abandons his purpose in the name of his desire for Ann’s love -- her affection based solely on sympathy and illusion -- and in compliance with the will of his destroyers. While the movie pretends to have a happy ending, every character is ultimately “evil”. I can think of no alternate ending that could have been a greater surrender, a greater message of uselessness and despair.
Eternals (2021)

Not rated because this crap was not tolerable. Can there be anything more annoying than a passel of B-actors skittering around flailing their arms in a show of their “godly super powers,” and faking gravitas?

Not to mention the dismay and profound disgust at “Time” being appropriated. What a shallow misuse of that tune.

Exploiting the emotion engendered by good songs is a cheap and easy scam for lazy writers. They certainly didn’t earn the right to use it here. And what of Waters and Gilmore et al? Are the boys hurting for cash? Do they even control their own material?

Metropolis

There’s some controversy on whether the dystopian system described in Metropolis is viewed as some sort of ideal by the sponsors of the movie. However, the film is still a great achievement regardless.

His Girl Friday

Praise for this and Citizen Kane remind me of South Park, when Butters wrote The Poop That Took a Pee, and the attendant hoopla, except praise for The Poop is much, much more justified. Without going into detail, HGF is insidious, low-budget, ugly and crappy.

The Northman

Here, they’re making a movie, because it’s what they do, not because they have anything of any import to tell. Verdict: just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. A waste of time, but you can appreciate the effort in the construction of the sets.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

Very clever writers on this one. Entertaining, funny, nostalgic, with a hint of slyness. Left me hoping for another one in this vein.

Singin’ in the Rain

A peculiar picture, in that it would get around 100% on this site, were it just the song and dance numbers. Otherwise, fuggedaboutit.

Annie Hall

Annie Hall is okay, but as a critic said, Woody Allen isn’t as clever as he thinks, and one of the things that reviewer must have meant is that Allen follows the same pattern with all his movies, in that they’re all like an amalgam of skits and comedy routines, with a very superficial, gossamer, coherence, not strong enough to be called a “plot.”

All About Eve

This is another one of those inexplicably praised duds that is so prevalent from that era (1930s-50s). (And, surprise-no surprise, the writer was the brother of the writer for Citizen Kane.) The pretentious and fey dweebs are out in force for this one, with lots of 10/10s. In the real world, it is not a very good movie.

Ordinary People

Called out as propaganda, re: its sneaky promotion of psychiatry, which is a pseudo-science. Sure it may help some people, but almost anything might sometimes help people, as we know from “placebos.”

Notorious

This one gives rise to some thoughts:

  • They praise all this trash to give the impression Hollywood is producing all this great art and is worth watching!
  • They especially praise some of the worst, obvious, crap, (Citizen Kane, Notorious, His Girl Friday...), because it’s their most pernicious propaganda!
  • They also, often, give short shrift to the best movies, (Gone with the Wind, Wizard of Oz, Hud...), because they aren’t politically correct or are not propaganda that serves the current purpose.
  • A lot of these movies are just to keep the studios working, churning out whatever, since that’s what they do, and they have to keep the business running.
  • If people weren’t so gullible, they wouldn’t get away with it, and we wouldn’t have to put up with so many bad movies.
Stalker

Meet the director, a creepy, vain, dork ass’s hole with a camera who unwittingly vents about the miseries of oppression via creation of an inept version of Eraserhead, eventually killing himself and half his cast and crew by exposure to toxic waste in his filming locales. Typical Bolshie-Russian trap of posing questions he can’t answer and thinking/pretending he’s answered them. There are a couple of (unintentionally) amusing scenes, one where principle characters careen unscathed through a hail of bullets in a rickety railway car. The other where an angry/upset woman convulses on the floor in a tantrum.

Mouthing twaddle as momentous philosophy doesn’t make it so. The dialogue’s speculative blathering is posed as questions, but it’s vapid, because no answers are offered. Oh, yes, this thing is objectively bad; those who like it seem to be liars or clowns, and they reveal themselves in their speech, with such quotes as, “I can see how people might say it’s boring...”

Remember our rule: if most anyone can reproduce it, it ain’t art. And, this, anyone could make, or remake, given the same location and a directive to linger excruciatingly on meaningless, mostly static scenes. First movie I’ve reviewed that I considered giving less than “2” to! Don’t waste one second of your time.

There is one thing, that shouldn’t be a spoiler since no one should watch this utter bollocks, but, *Spoiler Alert* (speculating here, hoping to salvage something from this disaster), it looks like “The Stalker” and his clients are actually in “The Room,” or do go in “The Room that grants unconscious wishes,” and The Stalker’s unwitting wish is that his daughter (whom he looks at lovingly? at the start of the movie) get psychokinetic powers to allow her to break the few meager items in the family’s possession. Perhaps the guy with the mini-nuke’s actual dream was that he did not blow up “The Room,” and he got his wish, too.

Star Wars (the first trilogy)

As a series of children’s movies, this franchise rapidly became just too much of a cynical cash grab, pushing the unnecessary sequels and “merch” like Ewok toys and the like. The story, while not too bad, leaves something to be desired, but Lucas has the ultimate cop-out/excuse, where he can always go, “Hey, it’s just modeled after the old sci-fi serials.” Brilliant ploy, really.

Other than the first trilogy, I’ve only seen one other Star Wars movie, The Phantom Menace (1999), and it was pretty bad. I remember liking the underwater sequence though. I was dragged down there, reluctantly, by a Star Wars fanatic. So I look over and what is this? Golden slumbers filled his eyes. Snoozing like a baby through this “great movie” he was so anxious to see again. WTH?

It’s not just the ratings that are often skewed. You can’t seem to trust anything to do with movies, for example the legends of Tom Cruise. They’re claiming he did 10,000 jumps, seven takes of jumping off a cliff on a motorbike for a spectacular stunt. How is that possible, particularly for a 60-year-old? It isn’t. We’re speaking of the “Making Of...” featurette for the last Mission Impossible (2023).

Has anyone sat down to analyze the time it takes to do all this? And every tick of the clock burns up the green. What about the debris of seven or more motorcycles at the bottom of the cliff? Then they say there’s no speedo on the stunt bikes, which is needlessly unsafe, when they could put an indicator light, or use a radar gun and billboard like those info boards on the roads. Hello, relay the speed to him through a earpiece. Such BS. If the first take is good, which they indicated it was in the featurette, no need to take chances and re-do, just for vanity’s sake. Just stupid.

Does he have no direction at all, just does whatever he wants? When these movies are a huge financial endeavor, and you don’t risk your star, your meal ticket. The banks and insurers certainly don’t tolerate that kind of nonsense.

Another Gripe

And it’s an embarrassment how many movies or types of movies don’t get considered for awards, particularly comedies, horror and action films, that should be. Malin Akerman gave a fantastic performance in The Heartbreak Kid (2007), and her antics like the “deviated septum” thing made the movie. In fact it’s hard to imagine how she managed to pull that off and keep her composure.

A Note about Film Budgets and Profits

Of course they’re lying about those. People were wondering how Hollywood loses money on billion-dollar hits. Well, they investigated, to find they actually make money (of course, or how would they stay in business to make yet another big-budget film?) but Hollywood has creative accounting to make it look like they’ve lost money.


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