The Giver

The Giver (2014) – This is an expository, generic, shallow, predictable, uncompelling, dumbed-down, credulity-breaking, zero-tension film that has little to offer except perhaps as Baby’s First Dystopian Sci-Fi. 4

Dr. Phibes Rises Again

Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972) – It’s got a talky, muddled, weak script with supernatural elements that don’t make a lot of sense, and the result is a campier and less interesting film than its predecessor; it certainly is odd to see Terry-Thomas here in a different role. 5

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) – This is an engaging film with just a tiny bit of real suspense; the murders are creative, although getting the ten plagues right shouldn’t be too much to ask; it’s also got a decent sense of humor, although things can get bit goofy at times. 6

Revengers Tragedy

Revengers Tragedy (2002) – Here’s an over-the-top, blackly comic Jacobean revenge-em-up done decently well (if rather campily); it’s got good performances by the leads and an interesting synth score by Chumbawamba, but the anachronism and androgynous punk style place it squarely in the shadow of Taymor’s Titus; I leave the film with two questions: what’s the deal with the video game spellcasting wipe noises, and where’s the apostrophe? 6  

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) – The star power and the leads’ chemistry drive the film, which has a good sense of humor (although the script repeatedly veers into Hollywood cutesiness and Ross’s character, the third wheel, gets short shrift) and great cinematography (although Hill’s a bit too enamored with the scenery, which leads to some pacing and tension issues); then, of course, there’s the bad and badly dated anachronistic music choices; nevertheless, it’s worth watching, both because of its own merits and because of its status as the granddaddy of the buddy action movie. 7

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) – It’s patently obvious from the start where thin and far-fetched movies of this sort are going to end up, and this one gets there in a respectably amusing manner, mostly on the power of charm and chemistry; in case you ever wondered, this is where David Bowie’s "Magic Dance" patter in Labyrinth comes from. 6

Braveheart

Braveheart (1995) – It may be historically inaccurate to a mind-boggling degree and it may be stocked with Hollywood clichés, but this is a well-crafted, dramatically strong, compelling film with good character development, a great score, and well-done battle scenes. 7

Rollerball

Rollerball (1975) – That Jewison brings to the table a coherent and decently involving sport is pretty impressive in its own right (although could anybody else on the team score just one goal?), and while visually it’s astoundingly dated and Caan doesn’t always seem like he knows what to do with his character, this is an engaging, immersive film with ever-relevant commentary. 7

X-Men: Days of Future Past

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) – It’s got an impressive, huge cast, even if most of it doesn’t have much to do, and there are some fantastic sequences featuring the creative use of powers (Quicksilver is a particular highlight), but the plot can feel by the numbers—it spends a lot of time retreading the usual X-Men themes—and the time travel makes it easy to tell what doesn’t really count. 6