Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

A faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.

This Tarantino movie shows all the panache, high production quality, good set pieces, cinematic allusions and top performances and cameos, for which the director is generally celebrated, - so there's lots to be found here to please the senses - but it's essentially without a plot and therefore outstays its welcome; it's very superficial and mainly a buddy movie with outstanding DiCaprio and Pitt chemistry combined with a heavy streak of nostalgia for a bygone Hollywood era - and the Manson family (plus Sharon Tate) angle is cynically pitched in as a stilted plot device.

The Runaways (2010)

A coming-of-age biographical film about the 1970s teenage all-girl rock band The Runaways.

The movie has a good cast and some accurate period detail and emphasizes the conflicts within the band, but is slow-paced and hardly captures the thrill and excitement of an up-and-coming rock'n'roll band.

Maltin***: "Although the genre is well worn, this telling seems genuine and fresh; Fanning and Shannon are exceptionally good...Impressive feature debut for Sigismondi..."

Night Moves (2013)

Three radical environmentalists look to execute the protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam.

Demure character study with an excellent cast that manages to subtly create some suspense, although it avoids the usual action elements that the plot would offer.

Maltin**: ""In her minimalist way, director-cowriter Reichardt (WENDY AND LUCY) builds considerable suspense, then allows the vibrancy - and credibility - of her carefully conceived story to dissipate. After a solid first half the film sputters to an unsatisfying conclusion. The actors are certainly not at fault.

War of the Worlds (2005)

As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival.

An effective and very imaginative variation than an adaptation of the classic sci-fi novel, some scenes even reach Hieronymous Bosch intensity.
On second view: I still find it exciting.

On renewed viewing: must admit: a gulity pleasure of mine...

Maltin**1/2: "Update of H. G. Wells' novel never names Mars as the source of the invaders, but wastes no time getting started, throwing action and special effects sequences at the viewer almost nonstop...but it ends with a whimper, not a bang, muting the entire experience."

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)

A young girl catalyzes the rescue and rehabilitation of Sonador, a race horse with a broken leg.

Feel-good family movie, all tastefully done, but just not adding anything new to the often-told story.

Maltin**1/2: "Routine account...Pleasant enough family film, although it's corny and awfully predictable."