May 2014 Movie Ratings

May was a month unlike any other. My family and I are in the process of remodeling a new home. I moved my TV to the new house at the beginning of the month anticipating that we'd be moving in shortly. Unfortunately, the process has been prolonged by a variety of factors. As a result, it was a very barren month for movie watching.

The lone film that I saw in May was the theatrical release of Godzilla. It wasn't great, simply seeing a film in IMAX 3-D helped satisfy my movie craving.

Godzilla (2014) Score: 27.5 - 6.5, Grade C+

April 2014 Movie Ratings

April started off terribly with stinkers like The Silver Chalice, I'm Not There and Anchorman 2. Thankfully, it rebounded thanks to a repeat viewing of True Grit as well a couple strong 2013 films.

The Silver Chalice (1954) Score: 14.5 - 3.5, Grade F
I'm Not There (2007) Score: 23.5 - 5.5, Grade C-
Rock Star (2001) Score: 27.0 - 6.5, Grade C+
Anchorman 2 (2013) Score: 19.5 - 4.5, Grade F
August, Osage County (2013) Score: 31.5 - 7.5, Grade B+
Dead Pool (1988) Score: 24.0 - 6, Grade C-
The Princess Diaries (2001) Score: 25.0 - 6, Grade C
From Russia with Love (1963) Score: 28.5 - 7, Grade B-
Out of the Furnace (2013) Score: 31.0 - 7.5, Grade B+
True Grit (2010) Score: 34.5 - 8.5, Grade A (Repeat Viewing)
Home Front (2013) Score: 21.5 - 5, Grade D
Grudge Match (2013) Score: 26.0 - 6.5, Grade C
Philomena (2013) Score: 30.0 - 7.5, Grade B+
Thor: The Dark World (2013) Score: 28.5 - 7, Grade B-
Saving Mr. Banks (2013) Score: 31.0 - 7.5, Grade B+
8 Mile (2002) Score: 27.0 - 6.5, Grade C+
Billy Liar (1963) Score: 27.0 - 6.5, Grade C+
A Time to Kill (1996) Score: 28.5 - 7.0, Grade B- (Repeat Viewing)
First Knight (1995) Score 26.0 - 6.5, Grade C+

March 2014 Ratings

The great thing about March is that most of the heavy hitters from awards season start to hit the Blu Ray market. This month's selection of films is highlighted by Academy Award nominees (and winner) 12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyer's Club and American Hustle.

Bronson (2008) Score: 29.0 - 7, Grade B
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Score 29.0 - 7, Grade B
Dallas Buyers Club (2013) Score 32.0 - 8, Grade A-
How I Live Now (2013) Score 30.5 - 7.5, Grade B+
Catching Fire (2013) Score 31.5 - 7.5, Grade B+
A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) Score 28.5 - 7, Grade B- (Repeat viewing)
For A Few Dollars More (1965) Score 29.5 - 7, Grade B
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) Score 29 - 7, Grade B
Inside Llewn Davis (2013) Score 31.5 - 7.5, Grade B+
12 Years a Slave (2013) Score 32.5 - 8, Grade A-
The Counselor (2013) Score 20.5 - 5, Grade D
American Hustle (2013) Score 32.5 - 8, Grade A-
Sixteen Candles (1984) Score 29 - 7, Grade B (Repeat viewing)
Red Riding Hood (2011) Score 19.5 - 4.5, Grade F
The Outlaw, Josey Wales (1976) Score 31 - 7.5, Grade B+
28 Days (2000) Score 20 - 5, Grade D- (Repeat viewing)

 

February 2014 Movie Ratings

A short month, combined with a busy schedule, limited my February viewing a bit. I didn't make it to the theater to see any of the Oscar contenders as I have in previous years. I did, however, watch a handful of quality indie films. 2013 was a very strong year for indies. Enough Said, Short Term 12 and All is Lost highlighted this month's group.

The low point of the month was clearly Michael Bay's latest stinker, Pain & Gain. This "action comedy" was boring and devoid of laughs.

Escape Plan (2013) Score: 26.5 - 6.5, Grade C+
The Flowers of War (2011) Score: 29 - 7, Grade B
Friends with Kids (2012) Score: 28.5 - 7, Grade B-
Ender's Game (2013) Score: 29.5 - 7, Grade B
All is Lost (2013) Score: 30.5 -7.5, Grade B+
Pain and Gain (2013) Score: 17.5 - 4, Grade F
All is Bright (2013) Score: 28.5 - 7, Grade B-
Short Term 12 (2013) Score 29.5 - 7, Grade B
Collateral (2004) Score: 31.5 - 7.5, Grade B+ (Repeat Viewing)
Enough Said (2013) Score 32 - 8, Grade A-
In a World...(2013) Score 28 - 7, Grade B-
Rush (2013) Score 31 - 7.5, Grade B+
10 Things I Hate About You - 26.5 - 6.5, Grade C (Repeat Viewing)

January 2014 Film Ratings

Below is a list of the films that I watched during the month of January. They are in order of the date watched. Each film is scored based on our scoring model and assigned a grade accordingly. Dates represent the film's US theatrical release.

The month was highlighted by a theatrical viewing of Martin Scorsese's, The Wolf of Wall Street.

Tower Heist (2011) Score: 27 - 6.5, Grade: C+
White House Down (2013) Score: 18.5 - 4.5, Grade: F
The Frozen Ground (2013) Score: 26.5 - 6.5, Grade: C
The Wolverine (2013) Score: 27.5 - 6.5, Grade: C+
The Amazing Adventure (1936) Score: 25.5 - 6, Grade: C
Don Jon (2013) Score: 29 - 7, Grade: B
300 (2007) Score: 25.5 - 6, Grade: C (Re-Watch)
16 Blocks (2006) Score: 27 - 6.5, Grade: C+ (Re-Watch)
Thanks For Sharing (2013) Score: 25 - 6, Grade: C
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Score: 34.5 - 8.5, Grade: A (In Theater)
The Act of Killing (2013) Score: 28.5 - 7, Grade: B-
The Spectacular Now (2013) Score: 28.5 - 7, Grade: B-
Fruitvale Station (2013) Score: 30 - 7.5, Grade: B+
The Lone Ranger (2013) Score: 24 - 6, Grade: C-
Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) Score: 31.5 - 7.5, Grade: B+
Captain Phillips (2013) Score: 32 - 8, Grade: A-
The Family (2013) Score: 28 - 7, Grade: B-
What Maisie Knew (2013) Score: 30.5 - 7.5, Grade: B+
Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013) Score: 31.5 - 7.5, Grade: B+