A Christmas Story (1983)

A Christmas Story (1983)

[8] A boy growing up in 1940's middle-America tries to convince his parents to get him a Red Ryder B.B. gun for Christmas. It's hard to judge a movie that has become a holiday tradition. Growing up, I don't think a single…
Empire Records (1995)

Empire Records (1995)

[6] A bunch of teenagers rally to save their music store from being taken over by a corporate chain. Empire Records takes place almost entirely inside its namesake and features an ensemble of talented young actors, including Liv Tyler, Robin Tunney, and…
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

[8] You know how people often say such-and-such actor "lights up the screen?" Well, that phrase was made for Audrey Hepburn, because that's what she does in Blake Edwards' adaptation of Truman Capote's novella, Breakfast at Tiffany's. As Holly Golightly, she plays…
The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)

The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)

[5] Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson star in this tepid action/comedy that feels too inspired by buddy flicks like Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang for its own good. Reynolds plays a down-and-out bodyguard hired to protect an incarcerated hitman…
Logan Lucky (2017)

Logan Lucky (2017)

[6] Don't expect a joke-riddled laugh riot with Logan Lucky. The movie's more of a quirky ensemble character piece by way of a heist movie. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver star as West Virginia brothers who conspire with a jailed safe-breaker (played by…
The Graduate (1967)

The Graduate (1967)

[8] Dustin Hoffman plays Ben Braddock, an aimless college graduate who stumbles into an affair with the older Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) before falling in love with a girl his own age... Mrs. Robinson's daughter. The Graduate was groundbreaking for its provocative…
Too Many Husbands (1940)

Too Many Husbands (1940)

[5] Jean Arthur finds herself with two husbands after her first, presumed dead at sea, turns out to be very much alive. The genders are reversed, but the story is very similar to My Favorite Wife, a better film released the same…
Baby Mama (2008)

Baby Mama (2008)

[5] A prim and proper lady discovers she is infertile and hires a street-smart gal to be her 'Baby Mama.' As much as I like everyone in the cast -- from stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, to Steve Martin, Sigourney Weaver,…
17 Again (2009)

17 Again (2009)

[4] A dude (Matthew Perry) gets an opportunity to go back in time (where he's played by Zac Efron) to better appreciate his life. I'm not sure what it would take to overcome a scenario as stale as the one at play…
The Rookie (1990)

The Rookie (1990)

[3] A detective and a rookie cop team up to find a bad guy. I know. How original. Charlie Sheen gets my nomination for least charismatic performance in a motion picture here. The word "driftwood" comes to mind. The Rookie is hokey…