Captain America: The First Avengerβ β β β βBetter than I remembered, Captain America stands out from the MCU both because it's a war film and because the formula hadn't solidified yet.
Doctor Strangeβ β β β βSurrealism is the best part. Creative use of Escher gravity, portals, astral projection, time manipulation, incredibly detailed alterations to reality, and effects that make it all look incredible.
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madnessβ β β ββNot as bad as I expected, but the alternate realities weren't as fun as the reality-bending in the first movie. And there was way too much reliance on the Idiot Ball.
Dungeons and Dragons (2000 Movie)β ββββSo bad that the group of friends I was with started heckling the movie, and the rest of the audience joined in.
Edward Scissorhandsβ β β β βThe film still holds up: the fairy tale music, the contrast between 'normal' suburbia and Edward's home, and the tension between appearances and heart.
From Hell (Movie)β β β ββA fairly decent Jack the Ripper film (if there is such a thing), but tossed out the main themes of the graphic novel.
Ghostbustersβ β β β β The jokes are still funny, the story still works, and even the effects hold up pretty well.
The House and the Spirits (Movie)β ββββThis should have been a great movie. Epic story, all-star cast...but it was intensely boring.
The IllusionistFor the first hour I couldn't get past lead characters being colossally stupid, but the ending totally made up for it.
Rotten Tomatoesβ ββββLet's see...worst movie I've ever seen in a theater. Top three candidates
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Movie)It's a fun mash-up of movie, comic book and video game sensibilities, though it does suffer from cramming six books into a single movie.
Star Wars: Attack of the Clonesβ β β ββI think itβs the weakest of the prequels and of the six that George Lucas was actually involved in.
Star Wars: The Last Jediβ β β β βThe performances are way better than most of the prequel trilogy, and the story is the first theatrical Star Wars to break new ground in ages.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menaceβ β β β βBetter than I remember. Itβs well constructed, and there are incredible subtleties and thematic elements hidden among the flashy (and cheesy) A-plot.
Stardust (Movie)β β β β β Light-hearted fantasy adventure built around a love story, Stardust takes itself *just* a touch more seriously than The Princess Bride. Enjoyable on its own, and stays true to the heart of the book.
Thor: The Mighty Avengerβ β β ββAmazing designs, intriguing concepts, but a plodding plot that tries to be a character piece but is required to be an action film.
Transformers (Movie)β β β ββBetter constructed than I expected, with impressive effects, plausible story logic, but a lot of the humor is forced and it feels like they missedthe big picture in trying to get the details right.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallenβ ββββIn some ways it wasn't as awful as I'd heard, and in some ways it was worse. I'm glad I waited for the second-run showing and only spent $1.75.