Movies Graded

Director: Lorene Scafaria Stars: Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez. Julia Stiles Runtime: 110 minutes Synopsis:   Inspired by the viral New York Magazine article, Hustlers follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 3/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  4/5 Verdict: Lorene Scafaria's latest effort in the director's chair was quite the surprise. I wouldn't call "Hustlers" a masterpiece or anything close to it, but for a film that was on nobody's radar earlier this year, it delivered in a pretty effective way. The story, which is based on true events, follows a group of strip club dancers who team up together to con their clients at the start of the decade. Told through an interview with Constance Wu's character, my biggest takeaways from  it were Wu's versatile performance and Scafaria...

Director: Ari Aster Stars: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren Runtime:  147   minutes Synopsis:   A couple travels to Sweden to visit a rural hometown's fabled mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult. Performances: 5/5 Screenplay: 5/5 Special Effects: 3/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 4/5 Cinematography: 5/5 Score/Soundtrack:  4/5 Verdict: I am lost for words. I don't know where to even begin with that review. What I do know for sure though is that Ari Aster has now definitely proved himself to be a master at what he does. Following "Hereditary" with something like "Midsommar" is nothing short of a monumental achievement, especially considering the short time gap between the two releases. The film itself was my most anticipated of the year, but to my utter dismay, I had to skip its theatrical release as it w...

Director: Nisha Ganatra Stars: Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow Runtime:  102 minutes Synopsis:   A late night talk show host suspects that she may soon lose her long-running show. Performances: 3/5 Screenplay: 2/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Verdict: In "Late Night", Emma Thompson plays Katherine Newbury, a cold and apathetic talk show host in decline who hires a new writer, played by Mindy Kaling, in a final attempt to save her career. The film has a lot to say about diversity and representation in Hollywood, but unfortunately falls flat due to its predictable and extremely safe delivery. Written by Kaling herself, it follows a structure that never felt fresh in any way and in which the relationship between the two-dimensional characters and the growth they experience never feels organic in the slightest. The punchline of the jokes, much like the narrative, were pretty obvious and cliché. In the director's ...

Creator: Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, Merritt Wever Synopsis:   The true story of Marie, a teenager who was charged with lying about having been raped, and the two female detectives who followed a twisting path to arrive at the truth. Verdict: There is no doubt in my mind that "Unbelievable" tells an important story that needs to be seen by everybody. The Netflix miniseries, centered around the character of Marie, a young woman accused of lying about being sexually assaulted, as well as two detectives conducting an investigation to discover the truth behind it, tackles real life issues such as the broken justice system supposed to protect victims of rape or the psychological weight these assaults have on women. And while I do consider the show a must elevated by exceptional performances by Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, and Merritt Wever, and certainly don't regret dedicating my time to watching it, ...

Director: Xavier Dolan Stars: Kit Harington, Natalie Portman, Jacob Tremblay Runtime:  123 minutes Synopsis:   A decade after the death of an American TV star, a young actor reminisces the written correspondence he shared with him, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 3/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Verdict: I have been fascinated by Xavier Dolan's directorial career ever since his critically acclaimed debut "I Killed My Mother", a semi-autobiographical movie which he wrote, directed, and starred in between the ages of 16 and 19 (!) Since then, he has a made a number of equally interesting films such as "Mommy" (which all of you should watch) or "It's Only the End of the World". "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan", however, was absolutely panned by critics, receiving an abysmal score of 28 on Metacritic (for comparison, "V...

Director: Scott Aukerman Stars: Zach Galifianakis, Rekha Shankar, Olivia Mekdara Runtime: 82 minutes Synopsis:   Zach Galifianakis and his oddball crew take a road trip to complete a series of high-profile celebrity interviews. Verdict: Just... Why? Why was this movie green-lit? Who thought that it would be a good idea to turn a beloved YouTube series of interview sketches into a film? I don't know how many times I've watched these sketches conducted by Zach Galifianakis online. I do find the awkward interactions between the host and his well-known guests to be hilarious, and they're also by far the best part of the movie as well. In fact, Galifianakis interviewing the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Keanu Reeves, Brie Larson, David Letterman, Paul Rudd, Awkwafina, Tessa Thompson, Peter Dinklage and a bunch of other celebrities was the only funny aspect of a movie that rather focuses strongly on telling a fictional behind the scenes story in which the crew...

Director: James Gray Stars: Brad Pitt, Liv Tyler, Ruth Negga Runtime: 122 minutes Synopsis:   Astronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe. Performances: 5/5 Screenplay: 3/5 Special Effects: 5/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  4/5 Verdict: These are fascinating times we live in. Times in which space exploration is being done through movies more than anything else (with films such as "Interstellar", "Gravity", "The Martian" or "High Life"). And James Gray's "Ad Astra" may be the one that presented that exploration in the most realistic of ways. The film's narrative shares a lot of similarities with "Apocalypse Now". In it, Brad Pitt proved for the second time this year that he's undoubtedly one o...

Director: Michael Engler Stars: Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode, Tuppence Middleton Runtime: 122 minutes Synopsis:   The continuing story of the Crawley family, wealthy owners of a large estate in the English countryside in the early 20th century. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 3/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 2/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  3/5 Verdict: I used to watch "Downton Abbey" religiously back when it was still a show. The news of it getting the big screen treatment for one last reunion left me in a state of both fear and excitement. Excitement because, well, I was eager to revisit the Crawley family and their loyal servants, and fear because I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from it. The film follows our main characters as they prepare for a visit of the King and Queen themselves. And quite honestly, it was a delight to watch. I can say with confidence that fans of the show will enjoy revisiting Downton and its characte...

Director: Steven Knight Stars: Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson Runtime: 85 minutes Synopsis:   Ivan Locke, a dedicated family man and successful construction manager, receives a phone call on the eve of the biggest challenge of his career that sets in motion a series of events that threaten his carefully cultivated existence. Performances: 5/5 Screenplay: 4/5 Editing: 4/5 Cinematography: 2/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Verdict: I'm a sucker for dialogue-driven movies, and "Locke" is exactly that. Directed by Steven Knight, it takes place entirely in a car in which Tom Hardy's character, Ivan Locke, is having multiple conversations with different people in both his personal and professional life on the phone while driving to London. Tom Hardy had the very difficult task of flawlessly delivering his lines and carrying the entire movie on his shoulders since the entirety it focuses on his character, and he does it pretty effectively. A bad pe...

Director: Gurinder Chadha Stars: Viveik Kalra, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra Runtime: 118 minutes Synopsis:   In England in 1987, a teenager from an Asian family learns to live his life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of American rock star  Bruce Springsteen . Performances: 3/5 Screenplay: 2/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  4/5 Verdict: "Blinded by the Light" was fine. It didn't reinvent the wheel and it wasn't groundbreaking in any way, it was just fine. Directed by Gurinder Chadha (who also gave us "Bend It Like Beckham"), the film follows Javed as his dreams of becoming a writer are halted by his family's traditional morals. I won't deny that the film's messages and themes are important to tackle and talk about, and the inclusion of Bruce Springsteen's music definitely added to the impact of art in a journey of self-discovery, but I sadly found all of these mes...

Director: Nzingha Stewart Stars: Ava Michelle, Sabrina Carpenter, Angela Kinsey Runtime:  101 minutes Synopsis:   Jodi, the tallest girl in her high school, has always felt uncomfortable in her own skin. But after years of slouching, being made fun of, and avoiding attention at all costs, Jodi finally decides to find the confidence to stand tall. Performances: 2/5 Screenplay: 1/5 Editing: 2/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Verdict: I don't know what evil entity made me watch this new Netflix original. When I saw the trailer for "Tall Girl", I found the premise so ridiculous that I just had to give it a watch. And boy do I regret it. The film follows Jodi, a high school outcast whose constantly being made fun of and bullied because she's... 6'1 (or 185 cm long). Now not only have I never seen or heard of a woman being harassed for being a little above the average height, but the film treats her struggle as the punchline of mor...

Director: Gavin Hood Stars: Keira Knightley, Matt Smith, Ralph Fiennes Runtime: 112 minutes Synopsis:   The true story of a British whistleblower who leaked information to the press about an illegal NSA spy operation designed to push the UN Security Council into sanctioning the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 4/5 Editing: 4/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  3/5 Verdict: When Gavin Hood's name is uttered, most people immediately associate it with the atrocious "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" that he directed a decade ago. However, the director found a new interest in political thrillers as of recently, and I have to admit that I'm loving the new direction he's taking. Back in 2015, Hood released "Eye in the Sky", a thriller I loved much more than I thought I would and one of my personal favorite films of that year. 4 years later, his new project, "Official Secrets", shares undeniable similarities...

Director: Tom Harper Stars: Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters, Sophie Okonedo Runtime:  101 minutes Synopsis:   A troubled young Glaswegian woman dreams of becoming a Nashville country star. Performances: 5/5 Screenplay: 3/5 Editing: 4/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  5/5 Verdict: What a damn good surprise "Wild Rose" was! The movie, directed by Tom Harper, follows a young single mother of two's road to becoming a country singer in Nashville, with the only obstacle to her dream being herself and her reckless decisions. While the film's biggest issues were its predictability in its narrative and lack of originality in its technical aspects, it more than compensates in its performances and original soundtrack. Jessie Buckley in the lead was a revelation and a standout, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was rewarded with a nomination come Oscar season. Julie Walters as her mother and Sophie Okonedo as her employer also deliver great pe...

Director: Sidney Lumet Stars: Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman Runtime: 128 minutes Synopsis:   In December 1935, when his train is stopped by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before. Performances: 5/5 Screenplay: 5/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  4/5 Verdict: With films such as "12 Angry Men", "Dog Day Afternoon", or "Network", Sydney Lumet has earned his place in the prestigious small circle of directors that have shaped the Hollywood of today. "Murder on the Orient Express" may not be one his better crafted works, but that doesn't stop it from being, in my humble opinion, the best adaptation of any Agatha Christie book (an author I happen to be an immense fan of) and one of the best whodunits of all time. The mystery takes place in a train halted by a terrible snow storm and in which one o...

Director: Andy Muschietti Stars: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader Runtime: 169 minutes Synopsis:   Twenty-seven years after their first encounter with the terrifying Pennywise, the Losers Club have grown up and moved away, until a devastating phone call brings them back. Performances: 3/5 Screenplay: 2/5 Special Effects: 3/5 Costumes/Makeup: 4/5 Editing: 1/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Entertainment Factor: 2/5 Verdict: 2 years after the resounding general success of "It", a film I have rather mixed feelings about as I feel that its issues were masked by impressive production values and terrific performances, comes the sequel, set 27 years later, and in which the Losers Clubs reunite to fight back a returning Pennywise in their hometown of Derry. And for some inexplicable reason, it's nearly 3 hours long. The film to me was yet another unbearable modern horror flick with slightly better production value. I mean, all ...

Director: Jim Jarmusch Stars: Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tom Waits Runtime: 104 minutes Synopsis:   The peaceful town of Centerville finds itself battling a zombie horde as the dead start rising from their graves. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 3/5 Costumes/Makeup: 3/5 Editing: 4/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  3/5 Entertainment Factor: 4/5 Verdict: Unlike many of Jim Jarmusch's movies, "The Dead Don't Die" has been met with mixed reactions. Some people enjoyed it, but a lot of moviegoers were disappointed by the end product as its 38% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests. And I completely understand why. I wouldn't really call the movie a zombie comedy similar to say "Zombieland" or "Shaun of the Dead", but rather a Jim Jarnusch comedy with zombies in it, and this is probably why a lot of people were thrown off by it. I personally had a blast with the movie, but wouldn't really call it a groundbreaki...

Director: Casey Affleck Stars: Anna Pniowsky, Casey Affleck, Tom Bower Runtime: 119 minutes Synopsis:   Parent and child journey through the outskirts of society a decade after a pandemic has wiped out half the world's population. As a father struggles to protect his child, their bond, and the character of humanity, is tested. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 4/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  3/5 Verdict: When the film started with a 15-minute long scene in which Casey Affleck's character tells a nighttime story to his daughter, I thought to myself "Boy are these 2 hours going to feel long". But to my surprise and enjoyment, I was wrong. I watched this movie not knowing anything about it apart from the fact that it was Casey Affleck's return to the director's chair, 9 years after his debut. The best way to describe its plot is by comparing it to last year's "Leave No Trace" and ...

Director: Kim Farrant   Stars: Yvonne Strahovski, Luke Evans, Noomi Rapace Runtime: 98 minutes Synopsis:   A woman grieving over the death of her daughter loses grip of reality when she begins to think her girl may still be alive. Performances: 3/5 Screenplay: 1/5 Editing: 2/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Verdict: (+) Noomi Rapace, Luke Evans, and Yvonne Strahovski actually try to flesh out their characters despite being given barely anything to work with. (+) The premise could've led to a more rewarding watch had it been handed to a more talented technical team. (+) The cinematography is not great, but it's not bad either. (-) There's absolutely no attention to details in a movie in which the audience is invited to focus on them. (-) The editing is awful. (-) One of the main twists in the movie, revealed nearly an hour in, is shown in the trailer. (-) The build-up to these twists is atrocious, and the reveals are ...

Director: Andy Muschietti Stars: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Martell. Finn Wolfhard Runtime: 135 minutes Synopsis:   In the summer of 1989, a group of bullied kids band together to destroy a shape-shifting monster, which disguises itself as a clown and preys on the children of Derry, their small Maine town. Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 2/5 Special Effects: 4/5 Costumes/Makeup: 4/5 Editing: 3/5 Cinematography: 3/5 Score/Soundtrack:  2/5 Entertainment Factor: 3/5 Verdict: (+) The kid performances were mostly great and I truly bought them as children. Finn Wolfhard and Sophia Lillis are easily the standouts. The chemistry between them was also top-notch. (+) Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise is a joy to watch. Will definitely be remembered as one of horror's greatest on-screen villains with Freddy or Jason. (+) The 1989 setting is flawlessly recreated. I loved it. (+) The CGI and practical effects were mostly pretty convincing. And so was the makeup...

Director: Peter Strickland Stars: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Leo Bill, Hayley Squires Runtime: 118 minutes Synopsis:   In Fabric is a haunting ghost story set against the backdrop of a busy winter sales period in a department store and follows the life of a cursed dress as it passes from person to person, with devastating consequences... Performances: 4/5 Screenplay: 4/5 Costumes/Makeup: 5/5 Editing: 5/5 Cinematography: 4/5 Score/Soundtrack:  5/5 Verdict: "In Fabric" is weird. Like really, really weird. And like most of A24's movies, I loved it. The film is centered around a killer dress' haunting of the people who wear it (I told you, it's weird), and is directed by Peter Strickland, a filmmaker I'm not very familiar with. What immediately strikes the eye in the film is its very retro style. The editing and cinematography techniques do a magnificent job at giving a B-movie vibe, which fits extremely well the peculiar premise of a movi...