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Ronen's Rating System:

***** A must watch
**** Worth seeing
*** If you must watch a movie and there is nothing else out there
** Don’t bother
* It’s so bad its almost good... not... These are films I walked out on, or just fell asleep
(K: stars) Rating by my children. As they are easy to please, would typically be higher than mine...

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Ronen Divon's Articles

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) ***

Is the fifth installment in the Mission: Impossible series special or otherwise groundbreaking? Absolutely not. Is it enjoyable and delivers what one can expect from this genre? Absolutely yes. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation is the fifth installment in the action-spy-thriller franchise. It was co-written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, with story credits going to McQuarrie and Drew Pearce. The film stars familiar faces including who else but Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, and Alec Baldwin.

The Martian (2015) ****

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, The Martian is a Sci-Fi film based on Andy Weir's 2011 novel of the same title. Adapted to the screen by Drew Goddard, The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut specializing in Botany, who finds himself stranded on Mars, mistakenly left for dead by his fellow teammates. The plot follows Watney’s fight for survival as well as NASA’s attempts at rescuing him.

Mr. Holmes (****) 2015

Based on Mitch Cullin's 2005 novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, Mr. Holmes is not your typical crime-mystery. The film, which was directed by Bill Condon and adapted to the screen by Jeffrey Hatcher, is more of a psychological exploration of a decaying mind. Through revelations of regrets and insights, the protagonist, an aging Sherlock Holmes, can finally find his redemption.

Trainwreck (2015) ***

While Trainwreck starts with some originality, placing its protagonist, a woman, as a manizer (that is the female equivalent of a womanizer,) a rule typically reserved for men, the film quickly derails into a trivial romantic comedy with a yawning plotline. I giggled, even laughed hard on occasion, but when it was all over, this film felt more like a shallow quickie than a one-night stand, let alone a long-term relationship.

Inside Out (2015) *****

Pixar continues to shine! Inside Out, the latest animated film by the studio, demonstrates yet again that storytelling supersedes special effects. Originally conceived by Pete Docter, Inside Out is all about relationships and emotions, especially during times of transition; be it geographical relocation or the change from childhood into puberty. Good storytelling is the ability to tell the tale of one individual in a manner that all watching can relate. That is where Pixar proves time and again their mastery. Fortunately Pixar’s animation skills do not fall far behind, making Inside Out a pure delight.

Spy (2015) ***

Spy by writer-director Paul Feig is an amusing parody that will make you laugh, and then laugh some more. Yet it will be all but forgotten the morning after; thus while a good comedy, Spy is not a memorable one. A fun fluffy flick for a pleasant afternoon at the movies; nothing more, nothing less.

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Featured Entries

Game Night (2018) ****

Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, to a screenplay by Mark Perez, Game Night is a comedy-action thriller, that delivers jokes while...

The Last Jedi (2017) ****

If I had to sum-up the experience of watching this film in one word, it would be: impressive. Although, not without hiccups. The Last Jedi counts as ...

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017) ***

A bio-drama, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women tells the story of psychologist William Moulton Marston, and the two women in his life. Martson, a...

American Made (2017) ****

Life is stranger than fiction; this paraphrase of a Mark Twain’s famous quote may come in mind, when watching American Made. It is a film based on true...

Far Western (2016, Japan, USA) ****

Who would have guessed that in Japan, especially post-WWII, American country music, including Bluegrass, will have not just fans, but actual talented ...

Blade Runner 2049 (2017) ****

Blade Runner 2049, or BR 2049 for short,  is a 2017 neo-noir sci-fi film, directed by Denis Villeneuve to a screenplay by Hampton Fancher and Michael ...

Maudie (2016) ****

An indie bio-drama, Maudie follows the life of Nova Scotia painter Maud Lewis. The film, a Canadian-Irish production, shot to a small budget of $5.6mm...

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) ****

The Guardians Vol. 2's storyline is as thin and infantile as a young twig, yet it serves one purpose – delivering perfect punchlines. And yes, the special...

Frantz (2016, France-Germany) ****

Franz tells the story of a German woman named Anna, beautifully portrayed by Paula Beer, who, in post-WWI Germany of 1919, while grieving Franz, her fianc...

Logan (2017) ***

Directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Frank and Michael Green, Logan is based on a story by Mangold. Logan introduces us to...

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Latest Comments

    Re: Logan (2017) ***

    I agree about the relationship with Logan and Charles - added a lot of depth, especially with the next...

    -- ed

    Re: Eye in the Sky (2015, UK) *****

    Great Review Ronen!

    -- Scott

    Re: Top Five (2014) ***

    wonderfully expressed review and very accurately describing the movie...

    -- Zoes mom

    Re: Begin Again (2014) ***

    such great performers - would have expected more of.... very disappointing to hear....

    -- mother of four

    Re: Waltz with Bashir (2008) *****

    Stunned. Speechless. This is a powerful movie. Its objectivity and lack of judgment IS its power, and...

    -- Monroe Movie Lover

    Re: Inception (2010) ***

    Special effects are more than ever present even in drama movies, its almost normal that an action thriller...

    -- Alvaro

    Re: The Real Dirt On Farmer John (2005) ***

    Interesting though i was expecting more of the film.

    -- rondnor

    Re: Midnight Run (1988) *****

    great movie indeed

    -- rondnor

    Re: The Bounty Hunter (2010) *

    wont bother then

    -- superair

    Re: Stardust (2007) *****

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie :-)watching Robert De Niro in a dress what could be better.Enjoy

    -- YRD

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