Film · Culture · Perspective
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Vancouver, B.C. and beyond

The crate · Film library

Films worth another look.
Reviews and ratings.

Read 25 full reviews and browse ratings for 20 more films. Every score is my own; titles without an essay are clearly marked.

45 films

  1. Out of Time2003 · Carl Franklin · Read the review7/10
  2. Gang Related1997 · Jim Kouf · Read the review6/10
  3. Blow Out1981 · Brian De Palma · Read the review8/10
  4. The Ghost Writer2010 · Roman Polanski · Read the review6/10
  5. No Way Out1987 · Roger Donaldson · Read the review7/10
  6. Street Kings2008 · David Ayer · Read the review6/10
  7. Criminal Law1988 · Martin Campbell · Read the review7/10
  8. State of Grace1990 · Phil Joanou · Read the review8/10
  9. Killing Them Softly2012 · Andrew Dominik · Read the review7/10
  10. Brooklyn’s Finest2009 · Antoine Fuqua · Read the review6/10
  11. Thief1981 · Michael Mann · Read the review6/10
  12. Swingers1996 · Doug Liman · Read the review9/10
  13. To Live and Die in L.A.1985 · William Friedkin · Read the review8/10
  14. The RipRating only2026 · IMDb ↗8/10
  15. Source CodeRating only2011 · IMDb ↗7/10
  16. The GuardRating only2011 · IMDb ↗6/10
  17. ShatteredRating only2007 · IMDb ↗7/10
  18. TraitorRating only2008 · IMDb ↗8/10
  19. Kalifornia1993 · Dominic Sena · Read the review8/10
  20. The Way of the Gun2000 · Christopher McQuarrie · Read the review7/10
  21. The Mean Season1985 · Phillip Borsos · Read the review6/10
  22. Gone in 60 SecondsRating only2000 · IMDb ↗5/10
  23. The Lookout2007 · Scott Frank · Read the review8/10
  24. Seven Psychopaths2012 · Martin McDonagh · Read the review8/10
  25. Monster’s Ball2001 · Marc Forster · Read the review7/10
  26. Poolhall JunkiesRating only2002 · IMDb ↗7/10
  27. Payback: Straight Up2006 · Brian Helgeland · Read the review7/10
  28. The Next Three Days2010 · Paul Haggis · Read the review7/10
  29. Death Proof2007 · Quentin Tarantino · Read the review7/10
  30. The Guardian2006 · Andrew Davis · Read the review8/10
  31. CliffhangerRating only1993 · IMDb ↗6/10
  32. Two for the MoneyRating only2005 · IMDb ↗6/10
  33. The Pope of Greenwich VillageRating only1984 · IMDb ↗7/10
  34. At Close RangeRating only1986 · IMDb ↗7/10
  35. Leaving Las Vegas1995 · Mike Figgis · Read the review8/10
  36. Midnight Cowboy1969 · John Schlesinger · Read the review7/10
  37. Bad LieutenantRating only1992 · IMDb ↗6/10
  38. 72 HoursRating only2026 · IMDb ↗6/10
  39. Runaway TrainRating only1985 · IMDb ↗7/10
  40. Death WishRating only2018 · IMDb ↗8/10
  41. Arlington RoadRating only1999 · IMDb ↗7/10
  42. 16 BlocksRating only2006 · IMDb ↗8/10
  43. ArbitrageRating only2012 · IMDb ↗6/10
  44. Dark BlueRating only2002 · IMDb ↗7/10
  45. The Frozen GroundRating only2013 · IMDb ↗6/10

How I rate

What the numbers mean

Every rating is out of 10 and is my own reaction to the film, not an average or a consensus score.

9–10
A film I would press on anyone. It stays with me long after it ends.
7–8
Strongly worth your time, with reservations the review explains.
5–6
Mixed. Worth it for the right viewer or for a standout element.
1–4
It did not work for me, and the review says why.