Kite

Kite

ARMS

1998

Anime, Crime Drama

DVD
F+

This was originally two episodes released to VHS and then edited to one film, which is how it was released in the U.S., but I could make it through only fifteen minutes of the unpleasant content.  Yasuomi Umetsu wrote and directed.

The Kitchen

The Kitchen

Warner Bros.

August 9, 2019

Crime Drama, Historical Drama

DVD
D

I'm sure the women triumph over the misogyny in the end, but I didn't want to wade through the misogyny to get there.  Andrea Berloff wrote and directed.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Warner Bros. etc.

July 2, 2008

Children's, Historical Drama, Mystery

DVD
C-

The acting is a little bad, but I've certainly seen worse in kids' movies.  This is based on the popular book series by Valerie Tripp, and directed by the unlikely Patricia Rozema.

Kisses

Kisses

Focus Features

21 November 2008

Drama

DVD
D+

Child abuse in modern Ireland.  Lance Daly wrote and directed.

Kiss Me Kate

Kiss Me Kate

MGM

November 26, 1953

Musical

DVD
C

Bumped up because of the scene-stealing first Ann Miller number.  This is based very loosely on Taming of the Shrew.  George Sidney directed, three years after Annie Get Your Gun.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

20th Century Fox

20 September 2017

Action
DVD
D+

No, I haven't seen any of the other movies in the series.  Matthew Vaughn directed and co-wrote.

Kings (2017)

Kings (2017)

The Orchard

September 13, 2017

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

Sort of about the Rodney King riots, but not about the King family per se.  Deniz Gamze Ergüven wrote and directed.

Kings (2007)

Kings (2007)

High Point

21 September 2007

Drama

DVD
D+

Depressing.  Tom Collins (no relation to the drink I assume) directed and co-wrote.

Kingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of Heaven

20th Century Fox

May 2, 2005

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

The music is good enough that I bumped the grade up but I wish the music was in a movie I actually wanted to watch.  Ridley Scott directed.

King Solomon's Mines (1950)

King Solomon's Mines (1950)

MGM

November 24, 1950

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

Is it an anti-hunting protest?  Is it an examination of racism and sexism?  Is it an adventure tale?  Shrug.  I watched a quarter hour and it was better than I expected, but still a C-.  This is based on the novel by H. Rider Haggard and co-directed by Compton Bennett and Andrew Marton.

King Kong (2005)

King  Kong (2005)

Universal

December 14, 2005

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Like in other versions of the story I've seen, the acting is pretty bad, although it seems like the 1933 and 1976 editions wasted less time on set-up.  (Carl hadn't even explained anything to Ann when I tuned out after fifteen minutes.)  Peter Jackson directed and co-wrote.

A King in New York

A King in New York

Attica Film Company

12 September 1957

Comedy
DVD
C

I found the satiric jabs more interesting than funny, although I can imagine this was a bit shocking in its day, with the stuff about atomic power, rock & roll, and Hollywood movies.  (Including a trailer for a trans movie called Man or Woman?, which might owe something to Glen or Glenda?, but I can't be sure.)  I just watched the first quarter hour, but I didn't feel the need to follow the king on his further misadventures in New York.  Chaplin wrote, directed, and stars.

The King and I

The King and I

20th Century Fox

June 29, 1956

Musical, Historical Drama

DVD

C-

This is a little dull and even the costumes and sets didn't dazzle me in the first quarter hour.  It's of course based on the stage musical, which in turn is based on Margaret Landon's novel Anna and the King of Siam.  Walter Lang directed.

Kin

Kin

Lionsgate

August 31, 2018

Sci-Fi, Crime Drama

DVD
D+

An interracial family and unusual weapons.  Jonathan and Josh Baker co-directed.

Kimi no Na Wa AKA Your Name

Kimi no Na Wa AKA Your Name

Toho

26 August 2016

Anime, Fantasy, Romance

DVD
B-

Confusing but intriguing story of body-switching, with lovely scenic design and a few good supporting characters.  One of those movies I wish was better than it was.  Director Makoto Shinkai based the screenplay on his book, and he did the superior Children Who Chase Lost Voices five years earlier.

Killing Them Softly

Killing Them Softly

The Weinstein Company etc.

November 30, 2012

Crime Comedy?

DVD
D-

I don't want to spend time with these characters, and this is a case where the "humor" makes things worse.  This is based on the novel Cogan's Trade by George V. Higgins, which director Andrew Dominik adapted.

Killing Me Softly

Killing Me Softly

MGM

June 21, 2002

Drama

DVD
D

I've seen porn movies with more character development and plot, much more.  This is based on the novel by Nicci French and directed by Kaige Chen.

Killing Gunther

Killing Gunther

Lionsgate

September 22, 2017

Action, Mockumentary

DVD
D+

Not funny but at least they try.  Taran Killam wrote, directed, and stars.

Killers (2010)

Killers (2010)

Lionsgate

June 4, 2010

Action, Romcom

DVD
D+

I could actually see this working, with much better writing, since the two leads have decent chemistry, and O'Hara and Selleck would've done with well with stronger material.  Robert Luketic directed.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Trans World Entertainment

May 27, 1988

Horror, Sci-Fi, Comedy
DVD
D+

Not so bad it's good but at least there's a title song.  The Chiodo Brothers co-wrote, with Stephen as the director.

Killer Elite

Killer Elite

Film Victoria et al. (including Disney in Australia!)

September 23, 2011

Action, Historical Drama

DVD
D-

Less violent than Kill Bill but definitely more boring.  This is based on the book The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and directed by Gary McKendry.

Kill Bill, Volume 1

Kill Bill, Volume 1

Miramax

October 10, 2003

Action

DVD
D-

Well, you knew I wouldn't go for this, but I will note that the '70sishness both drew me in and repelled me by how it's used.  Tarantino wrote and directed.

The Kids from 62-F

The Kids from 62-F

Studio Unknown

October 16, 2018

Sci-Fi, Children's

DVD
D+

I should probably cut this some slack as a kids' movie, but the acting is really bad, especially the one adult I saw, so I can't do a pity C-.  Imani Shakur wrote and directed.

The Kids Are All Right

The Kids Are All Right

Focus Features

July 30, 2010

Dramedy
DVD
C-

The concept is interesting but the execution doesn't quite work.  Lisa Cholodenko directed and co-wrote.

The Kid Who Would Be King

The Kid Who Would Be King

Fox etc.

25 January 2019

Fantasy, Children's

DVD
D+

Uninvolving.  The appropriately named Joe Cornish wrote and directed.

A Kid Like Jake

A Kid Like Jake

IFC Films

June 1, 2018

Drama

DVD
C+

This is well-meaning and interesting, but I found it a bit emotionally distancing, both the way it's shot and the fact that we never really get to know the title character.  Silas Howard directed.

Kicking & Screaming

Kicking & Screaming

Universal

May 13, 2005

Sports Comedy
DVD
D+

Will Ferrell + sports comedy = D+.  Jesse Dylan, son of Bob, directed.

Key Largo

Key Largo

Warner Bros.

July 31, 1948

Drama

DVD
C-

I watched this whole movie about a decade ago, but I don't remember much about it.  Anyway, the first quarter hour didn't tempt me to continue this time, although I will say Bacall was the best part.  John Huston directed.

Kelly's Heroes

Kelly's Heroes

MGM

June 23, 1970

War Comedy

DVD

D+

Booking a hotel during WW II.  Brian G. Hutton directed a decade before The First Deadly Sin.

Keeping Up with the Steins

Keeping Up with the Steins

Miramax

June 2, 2006

Comedy
DVD
C-

Garry Marshall's son Scott directed this sitcom-with-swearing that didn't grab me but didn't bore me either.

Keeping the Faith

Keeping the Faith

Buena Vista, i.e. Disney

April 14, 2000

Comedy
DVD
C-

Kind of cliched.  Star Norton directed.

Keanu

Keanu

Warner Bros.

April 29, 2016

Action, Comedy

DVD
D+

I could see how this could potentially be a good movie, or maybe I just think the kitten is cute.  Peter Atencio directed.

Katyń

Katyń 

ITI Cinema

21 September 2007

Historical Drama

DVD
D

Poland in WW II.  Andrzej Wajda directed and co-wrote.

Kate & Leopold

Kate & Leopold

Miramax

December 25, 2001

Sci-Fi, Romcom

DVD
D+

Another romcom where I dislike Meg Ryan, only this one has time travel.  James Mangold directed and co-wrote.

The Karate Kid Part II

The Karate Kid Part II

Columbia

June 20, 1986

Sports Drama

DVD
C-

I sort of liked the first one but I couldn't really get into this one.  John G. Avildsen directed.

Karas: The Revelation

Karas: The Revelation

Tatsunoko VCR

22 October 2007

Anime, Action, Sci-Fi?

DVD
D-

I like the character design here and there, but this is all far too violent for me.  Kei'ichi Sato directed.

Kapringen AKA A Hijacking

Kapringen AKA A Hijacking

Studio Unknown

September 20, 2012

Drama

DVD
D+

I thought the hijacking was going to be more metaphorical, with a business deal.  Either way, I wasn't that interested.  Tobias Lindholm wrote and directed.

Kansas City Confidential

Kansas City Confidential

United Artists

November 11, 1952

Crime Drama

DVD
D+

The best part was the explanatory crawl at the beginning.  Phil Karlson directed and co-wrote with, among others, John Payne, who also stars, so I'll credit Payne, too.

Kansas City Bomber

Kansas City Bomber

MGM

August 2, 1972

Sports Drama

DVD
D+

Raquel as a roller derby queen.  Jerrold Freedman directed.

Kalifornia

Kalifornia

Gramercy Pictures etc.

September 3, 1993

Drama?

DVD
D+

This felt almost campy, but not enough.  Dominic Sena directed.

Kai Doh Maru

Kai Doh Maru

Madman Entertainment

19 December 2001

Anime, Historical Drama

DVD

D-

Violent and a bit dull.  Kanji Wakabayashi directed.

Kagemusha AKA Shadow Warrior

Kagemusha AKA Shadow Warrior

Toho

23 April 1980

Historical Drama

DVD
D

Slow-moving and a bit dull, although I was slightly amused by how static the shots were, especially in the first scene.  Akira Kurosawa directed and co-wrote.

Ka-Boom

Ka-Boom 

Wild Bunch

May 15, 2010

Comedy?

DVD
D

I'm all for more bi rep, but the characters are so unpleasant here, and the humor is a little gross.  Gregg Araki wrote and directed.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Yash Raj Films

14 December 2001

Drama

DVD
D+

Sentimental melodrama, directed and co-written by Karan Johar.

Justice League Dark

Justice League Dark

Warner Home Video

February 7, 2017

Animation, Action, Fantasy

DVD
D+

Bumped up a notch for the cheesy British accents in one scene.  Jay Oliva directed.

Just Mercy

Just Mercy

Warner Bros.

January 10, 2020

Historical Drama, Crime Drama

DVD
B+

It seems odd to say this about a movie about the death penalty and racism, but I found this beautiful, in the sense that it moved me, and not just to tears.  The supporting performances are all solid, especially Larson as support for Jordan's character, Bryan Stevenson, but even the actor playing the young white guard with a conscience.  Director Destin Daniel Cretton helped adapt the Stevenson memoir, a couple years after he adapted Glass Castle, which is much worse.

Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven

DreamWorks

September 16, 2005

Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
C-

A workaholic doctor becomes a nagging ghost roommate.  This is based on Marc Levy's novel with the (better) title If Only It Were True.  Mark Waters directed.

Just Friends

Just Friends

New Line

November 23, 2005

Comedy
DVD
D

A man is unappealing as a youth and ten years later.  Roger Kumble directed.