Movies Graded

Director: Michael Dougherty Stars: Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown Runtime: 131 minutes Synopsis:   The crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. Performances: 3/5 Screenplay: 2/5 Special Effects: 4/5 Costumes/Makeup: 3/5 Editing: 2/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  3/5 Entertainment Factor: 2/5 Verdict: The trailers promised us a poetic epic. We got none of that. The sequel to 2014's "Godzilla" and newest entry in the now established MonsterVerse was in a lot of people's most anticipated movies of the year list despite the universe's mixed reception up to this point. The main criticism people, including me, had about the first "Godzilla" as well as "Kong" was the fact that the human characters, which the films throw their main foc...

Director: Ernst Lubitsch Stars: Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack Runtime: 99 minutes Synopsis:   During the Nazi occupation of Poland, an acting troupe becomes embroiled in a Polish soldier's efforts to track down a German spy. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 4/5 Editing: 5/5 Cinematography: 5/5 Score/Soundtrack:  4/5 Verdict: Released in 1942 only a few month after the attack on Pearl Harbor that led the United States to take part in World War 2, "To Be or Not to Be" follows an acting troupe that gets involved in the tracking of a German spy in occupied Poland. Directed by the legendary Ernst Lubitsch (who funnily enough comes from a German family and was born in Berlin), the film's main attribute is the fact that it  juggles between genres and can be enjoyed by almost anyone. It's a satire, drama, romance, war and spy movie all at once, and never feels overwhelming tonally, mainly because the focus is thrown on the comedy more t...

Director: Ciro Guerra Stars: Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet, Antonio Bolivar Runtime: 125 minutes Synopsis:   The story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of forty years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant. Performances: 5/5 Screenplay: 5/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 4/5 Cinematography: 5/5 Verdict: "Embrace of the Serpent" is much more than a movie, it's a spiritual journey. Entirely shot in black and white, the first Colombian film to be nominated for an Academy Award is breathtaking to look at and truly immerses you into its Amazonian setting, which feels incredibly real. Told through two different timelines that feature the same Amazonian shaman Karamakate, the film sees the healer guide two westerners in search for a sacred plant hidden deep in the jungle. "Embrace of the Serpent" is masterfully shot, acted...

Director: Olivia Wilde Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams Runtime: 102 minutes Synopsis:   On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 3/5 Costumes/Makeup: 3/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  3/5 Verdict: One of the best-reviewed films of 2019 on Rotten Tomatoes, "Booksmart" is also the directorial debut of actress Olivia Wilde. And while she does a more than decent job helming this project, I can't really say that I was wowed by it, and that is for many reasons. About Amy and Molly, two best friends on the verge of graduating high school and dedicated to experiencing their very first party, the film's biggest liability was quite honestly its script, written by the same peop...

Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot Stars: Brigitte Bardot, Paul Meurisse, Charles Vanel Runtime: 127 minutes Synopsis:   A liberated small-town girl and the family's black sheep moves to Paris with her sister, only to find herself standing trial for the shocking murder of her young lover. Was his killing premeditated or was this a crime of passion? Performances:  5/5 Screenplay: 4/5 Editing: 4/5 Cinematography: 5/5 Score/Soundtrack:  5/5 Verdict: Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot and starring French icon Brigitte Bardot, "La Vérité" sees protagonist Dominique Marceau stand trial for the murder of her lover Gilbert. When you watch "La Vérité", you're actually treated to two movies for the price of one. Half of the film acts as a riveting courtroom drama in which the fragile human condition is evaluated, making it much more profound and in a way philosophical than the average movie in that genre. The other half, told through flashbacks...

Director: Lars Klevberg Stars: Kathryn Prescott, Tyler Young, Samantha Logan Runtime: 88 minutes Synopsis:   High school loner Bird Fitcher has no idea what dark secrets are tied to the mysterious Polaroid vintage camera she stumbles upon, but it doesn't take long to discover that those who have their picture taken meet a tragic end. Performances: 2/5 Screenplay: 1/5 Special Effects: 2/5 Editing: 2/5 Cinematography: 2/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Entertainment Factor: 1/5 Verdict: Seriously though, why are movies like these still being made? Directed by Lars Klevberg, "Polaroid" is the story of a teenager who stumbles upon a vintage camera that kills anyone who has their picture taken with it. If the story seems dumb and not in the least scary to you, you're absolutely correct. Similarly to "Slender Man" or "Rings", it's yet another shallow film that only relies on a couple of loud, cheap jump scares to call itself a ...

Director: David Yarovesky Stars: Elizabeth Banks, Jackson A. Dunn, David Denman Runtime: 90 minutes Synopsis:   What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister? Performances: 3/5 Screenplay: 2/5 Special Effects: 3/5 Costumes/Makeup: 4/5 Editing: 2/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  3/5 Entertainment Factor: 3/5 Verdict: "What if Superman was evil?" From producer James Gunn and director David Yarovesky, "Brightburn" attempts to answer that question by telling the story of Brandon, a super-powered child that was found by a couple when his spaceship crashed on their farm. Sadly, the only answer I got from the movie was for the question "What if Man of Steel was laughably bad?". Written by two other members of the Gunn family, Brian and Mark, the film is filled with wasted potential from a story I'm sure a lot of people, i...

Director: Guy Ritchie Stars: Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud, Will Smith Runtime: 128 minutes Synopsis:   A kindhearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true. Performances: 3/5 Screenplay: 2/5 Special Effects: 4/5 Costumes/Makeup: 2/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  4/5 Entertainment Factor: 3/5 Verdict: Well that was a light and pleasant surprise... for the most part! I'm not gonna lie, I was very skeptical walking into the theater to watch yet another live-action remake of a beloved animated Disney classic that never really sold me with its trailers and general buzz, Walking out of it, however, was an entire different story, and that is despite quite a bit of flaws. Because, no. "Aladdin" is far from being perfect. In fact, my issues with it would've tanked any other movie. I mean, how can you enjoy a film where the setting and charact...

Director: Ron Clements, John Musker Stars: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin Runtime: 90 minutes Synopsis:   A kindhearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true. Animation:  4/5 Performances: 5/5 Screenplay: 4/5 Editing: 5/5 Score/Soundtrack:  5/5 Verdict: With Guy Ritchie's "Aladdin" coming out this week, I couldn't think of a better time to revisit the original 1992 animated version, one that many grew up with and hold dearly in their hearts for all the right reasons. You already know the story. Young kindhearted thief falls for the princess of Agrabah, finds a Genie and uses the 3 wishes he grants him to conquer her heart and defeat Jafar, the evil Grand Vizier who would do anything to become the new Sultan. "Aladdin" is great because it still holds up pretty well. Yes, nostalgia probably played a big part in my enjoyment of it, b...

Director: Gail Mancuso Stars: Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Kathryn Prescott Runtime: 108 minutes Synopsis:   A dog finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he meets. Performances: 2/5 Screenplay: 1/5 Editing: 2/5 Cinematography: 2/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Entertainment Factor: 3/5 Verdict: Alright, this epidemic of Dog movies needs to be put down. "A Dog's Journey" is the sequel to 2016's controversial "A Dog's Purpose" and is centered around...well... a dog's journey through different bodies and his understanding of the meaning of his existence. Sounds familiar? I wouldn't be surprised. It's the exact same premise as its predecessor. The only adjustment being that the dog this time spends the majority of his time with the same owner at different stages of her life. This change did add to the bond between pet and owner, but never to the point where it made the movie an emotional or heartwa...

Director: Noor Gharzeddine Stars: Tess Elliot, Marwa Khalil, Nadim Deaibes Runtime: 85 minutes Synopsis:   A millennial American girl befriends a Lebanese housewife and disrupts her ordered life; one night they become accidental partners-in-crime. Verdict: Talk about a pleasant surprise! From Lebanese-American director Noor Gharzeddine comes the story of the friendship between Nadine, a Lebanese housewife confronted with marital problems, and Kirsten, an American writer trying to experience life in the foreign land of Lebanon. Written by Samuel Cyrenius Anderson, "Are You Glad I'm Here" is a powerful watch that has something to say. And it does it in an efficient way that never felt neither forced nor cheesy. Using the culturally conflicting ideologies of its two leads, the themes it explores are ones that truly shine some light on many flaws in Lebanon's way of handling a destructive and unhealthy marriage, and how these can affect all the peopl...

Director: Kunihiko Yuyama, Michael Haigney Stars: Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart Runtime: 75 minutes Synopsis:   Scientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous. Verdict: Since "Detective Pikachu" was postponed to early June here and I won't get a chance to watch it until then, I thought it'd be fun to revisit a movie that defined my childhood, and probably the first one to actually make me cry. Released in 1998, I watched the first "Pokémon" movie about 6 or 7 years later, when I was about 9 years old and obsessed with the franchise. I used to collect the cards, play the games, watch the show, learn all the names (hey it rhymes!)... Ash, Misty, Brock, along with all the original 151 Pokémons had a special place in my heart and still do to this day (I still play Pokémon Red on Game Boy Advance from time to time). "Mewtwo Strikes Back" feels more like a long episo...

Director: Dan Siegelstein Stars: Dano Colón, Tanner Kalina, Adam Mengesha Runtime: 96 minutes Synopsis:   Three artist friends - a cartoonist re-assessing his life after a near-death experience, a guitarist overwhelmed by his girlfriend's personal baggage, and a bassist emerging from a long-term relationship - reconcile their artistic ambitions with their own personal demons. Verdict: A passion project of writer/director Dan Siegelstein, "People with Issues" is a romantic comedy inspired by the works of Woody Allen and Richard Linklater, but that strongly reminded me of Kevin Smith's early projects, specifically "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy", at times even feeling like the younger sibling of those two movies. Despite the limitations set by its small budget, Dan Siegelstein shines in bringing heart, charm, and delight through his very dialogue-centric script that was given life through the chemistry between the charismatic main perfor...

Director: J.Q. Lee Stars: Hae-jin Yoo, Jin-Woong Cho, Seo-jin Lee Runtime: 117 minutes Synopsis:   Four friends meet for the first time in a long time play a game that reveals each other's secrets. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 6/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  4/10 Verdict: When a group of friends reunites over dinner and decide to play a game in which they must reveal every single text, email, or call they receive during their gathering, secrets start to emerge and their relationships are tested when they discover that each one of them leads a very different life than they initially thought, thus the very appropriate title of "Intimate Strangers". While I certainly loved the film's very relevant premise, I can't shake off the feeling that its execution could've been presented in a more effective way. By trying to take a comedic approach, the film loses quite a bit of emotional impact despite some pretty g...

Director: Jonathan Levine Stars: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, June Diane Raphael Runtime: 125 minutes Synopsis:   When Fred Flarsky reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field, he charms her. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly. Performances: 6/10 Screenplay: 4/10 Costumes/Makeup: 6/10 Editing: 4/10 Cinematography: 5/10 Score/Soundtrack:  5/10 Entertainment Factor: 4/10 Verdict: I really didn't know what to expect from "Long Shot". I mean, none of the trailers really grabbed my attention and I wasn't even planning on watching it, but the generally positive reviews and praise it received convinced me otherwise. And while I certainly wouldn't qualify it as bad, I do, however, have to say that I was incredibly bored during most of its seemingly interminable 2-hour runtime. To be quite honest, the first 20 minutes or so...

Director: Michelangelo Antonioni Stars: Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti Runtime: 117 minutes Synopsis:   In an industrial area, Giuliana, an unstable woman, attempts to cope with life by starting an affair with a co-worker at the plant her husband manages. Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 8/10 Costumes/Makeup: 8/10 Editing: 8/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Verdict: Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and starring Monica Vitti in the last contribution between the two, "Red Desert" also acts as the very first color film of the legendary Italian filmmaker. In it, Vitti plays Giuliana, a troubled woman who develops a relationship with her husband's co-worker Corrado, played by the great Richard Harris. Technically, the movie has all the ingredients of a destined classic. From incredibly layered acting to three-dimensional characters and dialogue, the film reminded me at times of a mix between Coppola's "Lost in Translation" and ...

Director: Todd Douglas Miller Runtime: 93 minutes Synopsis:   A look at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilots Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Verdict: Directed by Stanley Kubrick... Wait no... That can't be right... Let me start over. Directed by Todd Douglas Miller, "Apollo 11" is a documentary that recounts the events of man's most ambitious journey to date that eventually led to Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon 50 years ago using never seen before footage. Footage that truly makes the audience feel as if they were in both the control room where everything was monitored and on the actual spaceship at the same time. I honestly cannot think of a better way to celebrate what is perhaps man's greatest achievement yet. "Apollo 11" is not only a fascinating, beautiful, and educational documentary that will keep anyone who watches it glued to their screen for its entire runtime,...

Director: Joe Cornish Stars: Louis Ashborne Serkis, Denise Gough, Dean Chaumoo Runtime: 120 minutes Synopsis:   A band of kids embark on an epic quest to thwart a medieval menace. Performances: 3/10 Screenplay: 2/10 Special Effects: 4/10 Costumes/Makeup: 4/10 Editing: 4/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Score/Soundtrack:  5/10 Entertainment Factor: 3/10 Verdict: Alright, I think it's time to pull the plug on movies based on King Arthur's legend. Directed by Joe Cornish, "The Kid Who Would Be King" stars Louis Serkis (Son of Andy Serkis) as Alex, a child destined to save the world from a medieval menace after successfully pulling Excalibur from a stone found at a construction site. Before I delve into my issues with this adaptation, I'll quickly list what I liked about it. The film begins with an animated segment explaining the origins of the legend of King Arthur that I found to be done in a quite nice and effective way. And that's pret...

Director: Shane Carruth Stars: Shane Carruth, David Sullivan, Casey Gooden Runtime: 77 minutes Synopsis:   Four friends/fledgling entrepreneurs, knowing that there's something bigger and more innovative than the different error-checking devices they've built, wrestle over their new invention. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 10/10 Editing: 9/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10 Verdict: Written, directed, produced, edited, scored, and starring (!) Shane Carruth, "Primer", made with a budget of only $7,000 (!), is most probably the best movie ever made that deals with time travel. I'm usually not a big fan of the use of time manipulation in film, as it's something that almost never ends without a few plotholes, paradoxes, and conveniently unanswered questions. "Primer", however, may be the very first and only film that absolutely nails the logic behind it. The mere complexity and care that went into writing it just...

Director: Joe Penna Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Maria Thelma  Smáradóttir Runtime: 98 minutes Synopsis:   A man stranded in the Arctic after an airplane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown. Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 7/10 Costumes/Makeup: 9/10 Editing: 8/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10 Verdict: Well I certainly wasn't expecting that from Joe Penna's directorial debut. The Brazilian filmmaker, known worldwide for his YouTube channel (MysteryGuitarMan), crafted perhaps one of the best and most authentic survival films to come out recently. Starring Mads Mikkelsen as a plane-crash survivor trying to hold on to his life in the Arctic, the Danish actor truly stepped up his game to deliver an emotional, heartfelt performance that carried a movie that relied mostly on his acting. Barely any lines are uttered, and every emotion felt was e...

Director: Joe Berlinger Stars: Lily Collins, Zac Efron, Angela Sarafyan Runtime: 110 minutes Synopsis:   A courtroom frenzy ensues and sweeps 1970s America when a young single mother reluctantly tips the attention of a widespread manhunt toward her longtime boyfriend, Ted Bundy. Performances: 6/10 Screenplay: 3/10 Costumes/Makeup: 6/10 Editing: 3/10 Cinematography: 4/10 Score/Soundtrack:  3/10 Verdict: Having thoroughly enjoyed Joe Berlinger's Netflix docuseries about Ted Bundy that came out a few months ago, I was eagerly waiting to see how his take on the famous serial killer would translate into film. And boy was it disappointing on more than one level. If you're looking to educate yourself about who many consider to be one of the most charismatic monsters to have ever set foot on this planet, you're not going to get your money's worth with this almost two-hour film that instead oddly throws its focus on his relationship with his girlfrie...

Director: Lin Oeding Stars: Brendon Thwaites, Jane Levy, Karan Soni Runtime: 92 minutes Synopsis:   An employee at a weapons factory discovers that an energy drink turns his co-workers into zombies Performances: 6/10 Screenplay: 4/10 Special Effects: 3/10 Costumes/Makeup: 4/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 4/10 Score/Soundtrack:  5/10 Entertainment Factor: 4/10 Verdict: When I first read this film's synopsis, I thought to myself that I would make for a perfect self-aware B-movie. And while it definitely does belong to that genre, I still thought that it didn't use that aspect to its full potential. About a weapons factory that developed an energy drink that turned all its employees into zombies, "Office Uprising" stars big names such as Brendon Thwaites (Robin in DC's "Titans"), Jane Levy (known for starring in films such as "Evil Dead" or "Don't Breathe"), Karan Soni (the beloved Dopinder from the D...

Director: Sacha Gervasi Stars: Peter Dinklage, Jamie Dornan, Frida Munting Runtime: 110 minutes Synopsis:   A look at the life of French actor  Hervé Villechaize , co-star of the hit '70s TV series "Fantasy Island", who took his own life in 1993 at the age of 50. Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 8/10 Costumes/Makeup: 8/10 Editing: 7/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Score/Soundtrack:  6/10 Verdict: Hervé Villechaize. That name may be unfamiliar to you unless you grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, a time which saw the French actor who suffered from a rare form of dwarfism star alongside Roger Moore's James Bond in "The Man with the Golden Gun" as well as being the face of the hit TV show "Fantasy Island". "My Dinner with Hervé" serves as a look at the eccentric actor's life told through flashbacks during an interview with the fictional Danny Tate, a recovering alcoholic dealing with problems of his own. And I loved it. Start...