Movies Graded

Director: Leigh Whannell Stars: Elisabeth Moss, Storm Reid, Aldis Hodge Runtime:  124 minutes Synopsis:  When Cecilia's abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 4/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Score/Soundtrack:  6/10 Verdict: Following the disaster that was the remake of "The Mummy", I was skeptical as to whether I was ready for yet another adaptation of another member of the Universal Monsters gallery. The Invisible Man is a landmark of the horror genre, and I honestly can't see his story being adapted in the 21st century. Even though I didn't love "Upgrade", I was still relieved to see Leigh Whannell taking charge of this project because if there's one thing he proved in that movie, it's the fact that he knows how...

Director: Bong Joon Ho Stars: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton Runtime:  126 minutes Synopsis:  In a future where a failed climate-change experiment has killed all life except for the lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, a new class system emerges. Performances: 8/10 Screenplay: 6/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  7/10 Verdict: "Snowpiercer" is the film that put Bong Joon Ho on the map for many people. Whether it's for his altercations with Harvey Weinstein or the simple yet very effective premise, the movie had a modest box office run when it opened but has been gaining in popularity ever since. Starring the likes of Chris Evans, Jamie Bell or Tilda Swinton, "Snowpiercer" is definitely Bong's most "American" film. The dialogue, with Song Kang-ho's lines as an exception, is nearly all in English, and the structure very much feels video-game like, a...

Director: Bong Joon Ho Stars: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Seo-hyun Ahn Runtime:  120 minutes Synopsis:  A young girl risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend - a fascinating beast named Okja. Performances: 8/10 Screenplay: 8/10 Editing: 9/10 Cinematography:   8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  9/10 Verdict: Fresh off his historic wins at this year's Academy Awards ceremony for "Parasite", I felt an urge to revisit every film directed by Bong Joon Ho and share my thoughts on each one of them. Since "Okja" is a Netflix production and is available on the platform, it was only natural for me to start with what is widely known to be the film that will turn convert any person who watches it into a vegan. The story of Mija's quest to rescuing her childhood pet, who with time became her best and only friend, from certain death is an emotional one on so many level, and most certainly says a lot about...

Director: Dee Rees Stars: Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, Rosie Perez Runtime:  115 minutes Synopsis:  A veteran D.C. journalist loses the thread of her own narrative when a guilt-propelled errand for her father thrusts her from byline to unwitting subject in the very story she's trying to break. Adapted from Joan Didion's namesake novel. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 3/10 Editing: 4/10 Cinematography: 5/10 Score/Soundtrack:  4/10 Verdict: (+) Anne Hathaway's performance, while not being one that carried the film, was certainly its best element. (+) It's on Netflix, so you can stop it at any moment without regretting paying for a ticket to watch it. (-) I watched this movie thinking that it was based on real events, which at least would've justified my viewing as being an educational one. But then I figured out that it was based on a fictional novel and now I can't really think of any reason why I'd recommend it to anyone. (-) The...

Director: Richard Stanley Stars: Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur Runtime:  111 minutes Synopsis:   A secluded farm is struck by a strange meteorite which has apocalyptic consequences for the family living there and possibly the world. Performances: 5/10 Screenplay: 4/10 Editing: 7/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  6/10 Verdict: "Color Out of Space" is an adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft short story by the same name in which a strange meteorite hits an isolated farm and brings with it all kinds of trouble (no, it's not Superman's origin story). Starring Nicolas Cage, it had the potential of being the "Mandy" of last year, an exception to Cage's evergoing fall from grace. With similar vibes to films such as "The Void" or "Annihilation", it definitely was still a step up from the actor's other work but never really reaches its full potential. I'll still admit that Richard Sta...

Director: Jeff Wadlow Stars: Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Charlotte McKinney Runtime:  109 minutes Synopsis:  A horror adaptation of the popular '70s TV show about a magical island resort. Performances: 4/10 Screenplay: 1/10 Editing: 2/10 Cinematography: 4/10 Score/Soundtrack:  3/10 Enjoyment Factor: 5/10 Verdict: You know that the movie's bad. You don't need yet another review affirming what was already clear from the trailers. But I watched it because shitty, disposable horror flicks are my jam. There's something about them that makes them enjoyable even though they rely on the same tropes over and over again. So the question I'm going to answer here is a little different: Was the movie any fun at all? The answer is kind of. From the very beginning you just know that you're in for a ride that makes no sense and that will be filled with logical inconsistencies, silly plot twists and shallow acting. If you're looking for that like I was,...

Director: Michel Gondry Stars: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson Runtime:  108 minutes Synopsis:  When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories. Performances: 10/10 Screenplay: 9/10 Editing: 10/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10 Verdict: The film starts like every other regular romance tale. A shy Joel, played by Jim Carrey, meets the eccentric Clementine, portrayed by Kate Winslet, on a deserted beach on Valentine's day. They bond quickly and their relationship takes an intimate turn almost instantly. The chemistry between the two leads was undeniable, as if they've known each other for years. It's only about 20 minutes in that we're told that this story was not going to be the fairy-tale we were promised.  We see Joel sobbing in his car, as the credits start appearing indicating that what we witnessed was nothing but a prologue. In the alternate...

Director: Ladj Ly Stars: Damien Bonnard, Alexis Manenti, Djebril Zonga Runtime:  104 minutes Synopsis:  A cop from the provinces moves to Paris to join the Anti-Crime Brigade of Montfermeil, discovering an underworld where the tensions between the different groups mark the rhythm. Performances: 8/10 Screenplay: 7/10 Editing: 7/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Verdict: Most depictions of Paris in modern Cinema paint it as this dreamlike, romantic city where only good memories are made. Ladj Ly throws all that out the window and introduces us instead to a much grittier neighborhood in the French capital. The film begins with a rookie officer joining his new ruthless team to hit the streets of Montfermeil, where he starts discovering a world of violence, poverty, and racial segregation. The first half of the movie heavily reminded me of "Training Day", and I was here for it. I loved the relationship between the main three officers, I loved the depiction of a wo...

Director: Hayao Miyazaki Stars: Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi Runtime:  86 minutes Synopsis:   When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby. Animation: 10/10 Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 9/10 Editing: 10/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10 Verdict: Miyazaki followed "Castle in the Sky" with not only one of his best work, but one of the best animated films ever made. The movie is so good that the fictional character of Totoro became Studio Ghibli's official mascot and part of its logo, and hence its identity. The film follows a father and his two daughters' move to a new house full of surprises in rural Japan, where they'll find themselves closer to the hospital treating the ill mother of the family. This is a situation Miyazaki himself experienced as a child with his brothers, and the memories of that time served as the inspiration of a s...

Director: Sophia Takal Stars: Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue Runtime:  92 minutes Synopsis:  A group of female students are stalked by a stranger during their Christmas break. That is until the young sorority pledges discover that the killer is part of an underground college conspiracy. Performances: 4/10 Screenplay: 1/10 Editing: 5/10 Cinematography: 4/10 Score/Soundtrack:  2/10 Verdict:  Grade A acting, masterfully directed scares, fully fleshed characters, a subtle socio-political message, an intriguing atmosphere, interesting dialogue, funny jokes to brighten the mood, and a worthy villain that will haunt your nights for weeks. The newest remake nobody asked for has everything except the points I just mentioned. Yet another ridiculous, disposable horror flick that fails at delivering on nearly every level. FINAL GRADE:  2/10

Director: Gaspar Noé Stars: Aomi Muyock, Karl Glusman, Klara Kristin Runtime:  135 minutes Synopsis:  Murphy is an American living in Paris who enters a highly sexually and emotionally charged relationship with the unstable Electra. Unaware of the effect it will have on their relationship, they invite their pretty neighbor into their bed. Performances: 8/10 Screenplay: 7/10 Editing: 9/10 Cinematography: 9/10 Score/Soundtrack:  9/10 Verdict: Gaspar Noé may be one of the most controversial directors working today. But whether you love him or hate him, one thing that defines his movies is the fact that no matter how you feel about them, they'll stick with you forever. And "Love" definitely is no exception to that rule. Right off the bat, I have to confess that I am an admirer of Noé's work. His unfiltered look at life is one that I find fascinating on so many levels, and the way he presents them is to me nothing short of extraordinary. The the...

Director:  Lisa Barros D'Sa ,  Glenn Leyburn Stars: Liam Neeson, Lesley Manville, David Wilmot Runtime:  92 minutes Synopsis:  An extraordinary look at the lives of a middle-aged couple in the midst of the wife's breast cancer diagnosis. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 5/10 Editing: 5/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Score/Soundtrack:  4/10 Verdict: The January-February annual Liam Neeson release is finally upon us, and contrary to previous years in which he offered us cheesy action flicks such as "Non-Stop" or "The Commuter", he changed things up a bit and this time delivered a romantic drama revolving around cancer. Now the film, in which Lesley Manville costars as his wife, isn't really about the disease itself but rather the way both of them dealt with such a big and destructive obstacle on their way. And while I can't really say that any element of it was bad, I was underwhelmed by how safe and unspecial both the narrative and ...

Director: Michael Fimognari Stars: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher Runtime:  101 minutes Synopsis:  Lara Jean and Peter have just taken their relationship from pretend to officially official when another recipient of one of her old love letters enters the picture. Performances: 4/10 Screenplay: 3/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  4/10 Verdict: A cringe-inducing, cliché high school drama at times reminiscent of an installment in the Twilight saga as it also features a love triangle between three incredibly annoying and unlikable characters. The only aspect that saves it is its above average presentation, highlighted by interesting frame composition and production design. The rest includes a cheesy script, some awful acting, obnoxious soundtrack choices, and more uninteresting drama than I can handle. If you enjoyed its predecessor, odds are that you'll enjoy this one more than I did. FINAL GRADE:  4/10

Director: Alfonso Cuarón Stars: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor Runtime:  109 minutes Synopsis:   In 2027, in a chaotic world in which women have become somehow infertile, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea. Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 9/10 Special Effects: 10/10 Costumes/Makeup: 10/10 Editing: 10/10 Cinematography: 10/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10 Verdict: The year is 2027. The place is London. The world as we know it is no more. The reason? Women have become infertile 18 years prior, and humanity is on the brink of collapse. But somewhere in all the chaos that ensues, a shred of hope surfaces and must be protected at all costs. With "Children of Men",  Cuarón have crafted what I believe is one of the best science fictions of all time. Not only because it deals with themes more relevant than ever today such as immigration or terrorism while telling a terribly ...

Director: Jeff Baena Stars: Alison Brie, Molly Shannon, Stella Chestnut Runtime:  104 minutes Synopsis:  A socially awkward woman with a fondness for arts and crafts, horses, and supernatural crime shows finds her increasingly lucid dreams trickling into her waking life. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 5/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Score/Soundtrack:  5/10 Verdict: I'm not entirely sure what to make of the newest Netflix original which premiered at Sundance last month. Written by Jeff Baena and Alison Brie, who also contributed as the film's director and lead actress respectively, "Horse Girl" came off as both unique and repetitive at the same time. I never felt a consistency in a narrative that confused me more than it intrigued me. And when I say confused, I don't mean the good kind of confusion that comes when watching movies such as "Primer" or "Enemy", but rather the empty one, the one that makes you go ...

Director: Alma Har'el Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges, Noah Jupe Runtime:  94 minutes Synopsis:   A young actor's stormy childhood and early adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father and deal with his mental health. Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 7/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Score/Soundtrack:  7/10 Verdict: Shia LaBeouf's life has been a rollercoaster filled with controversial moments. His talent is undeniable, but his reputation was stained with each outing of his, whether it was by attending a red carpet event with a bag on his head or the multiple arrests he's been subjected to. It wasn't until very recently that he was diagnosed with PTSD while in a rehabilitation center, and while there, he decided to write a screenplay centered around the cause of his trauma: his father. "Honey Boy" is the nickname his dad, a modest rodeo clown, gave him as a child in between auditions and acting gigs. But their ...

Director: Jan Komasa Stars: Bartosz Bielenia, Aleksandra Konieczna, Eliza Rycembel Runtime:  115 minutes Synopsis:   Daniel experiences a spiritual transformation in a detention center. Although his criminal record prevents him from applying to the seminary, he has no intention of giving up his dream and decides to minister a small-town parish. Performances: 8/10 Screenplay: 6/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  6/10 Verdict: When done properly, faith based movies can be very interesting even for people who don't really consider themselves religious. Take "Silence" or "First Reformed" for instance. They were acclaimed because they didn't have an agenda and wanted to deliver an honest look at the struggles of belief. "Corpus Christi" is not of the quality of the two mentioned films, but still belongs in that group of movies in my opinion even though it doesn't really tackle the theme of faith but ...

Director: Marielle Heller Stars: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper Runtime:  109 minutes Synopsis:   Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Lloyd Vogel. Performances: 6/10 Screenplay: 3/10 Costumes/Makeup: 6/10 Editing: 5/10 Cinematography: 5/10 Score/Soundtrack:  6/10 Verdict: I didn't grow up watching Mr. Rogers' show. In fact, the first time I was ever exposed to the  "nicest man on television" was with the acclaimed documentary about him that came out a couple of years ago. For that reason, I'd say that I watched Marielle Heller's follow up to "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" with no sentimental attachment to the topic at hand whatsoever, and was able to look at it from a perfectly neutral point of view. Going in, all I knew about "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" was that Tom Hanks' Oscar-nominated performance as Fred Rogers was one of the best of the year....

Director: Cathy Yan Stars: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ewan McGregor Runtime:  109 minutes Synopsis:   After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord. Performances: 6/10 Screenplay: 5/10 Special Effects: 5/10 Costumes/Makeup: 7/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 5/10 Score/Soundtrack:  7/10 Entertainment Factor: 7/10 Verdict: "Suicide Squad" was a mess. Even hardcore DC fans have a difficult time defending what might be my least favorite comic book adaptation of the past decade. But it was a huge box office success, and one of its few silver linings for a lot of people was Margot Robbie's take on Harley Quinn. So naturally she got her own spin-off, and me not being a big admirer of her portrayal of the iconic character, I wasn't too sure what to expect from it. But I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. "Bird...

Director: Petra Costa Runtime:  121 minutes Synopsis:   Political documentary and personal memoir collide in this exploration into the complex truth behind the unraveling of two Brazilian presidencies. Verdict: "The Edge of Democracy" is a fascinating political documentary about the rise and fall of Brazilian presidents Lula and Dilma Rousseff and the effects they had on a country that very recently adopted a democratic system. Released on Netflix last summer, the documentary, directed by Petra Costa, earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination as well as critical acclaim with a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While on the surface it's a very interesting look at the behind the scenes of the scandals that divided an entire country over the last few years, its main aim is to present the injustices of democratic elections and their legitimacy in countries that, at their core, are still governed by oligarchies. It shows that as long as powerful and corrupt people...

Director: Feras Fayyad Runtime:  107 minutes Synopsis:   Amidst air strikes and bombings, a group of female doctors in Ghouta, Syria struggle with systemic sexism while trying to care for the injured using limited resources. Verdict: I did it. For the first time in my life, I managed to catch every Oscar-nominated documentary before the ceremony. And I think it's safe to say that I kept the most disappointing one for last. "The Cave" is the second documentary to be nominated for an Oscar this year that focuses on the ongoing Syrian Civil War, with "For Sama" being the other. And while it's no secret that I absolutely adored the latter for its intimate and personal approach to the tragedies happening on a daily basis there, I sadly cannot say the same about "The Cave", which throws its focus on a group of female doctors trying to do their job in a country torn by both war and sexism. The reason I couldn't get into it at all wa...

Director: Hayao Miyazaki Stars: Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui Runtime:  125 minutes Synopsis:   A young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle. Animation: 8/10 Performances: 8/10 Screenplay: 7/10 Editing: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  9/10 Verdict: The entire gallery of Studio Ghibli animes is slowly making its way onto Netflix, and I can't think of a better time to revisit the ones I already watched and discover the ones I still haven't. In an animated world dominated by western companies such as Pixar, I've wanted for a while to talk about the Eastern contribution to that world, which I personally think is superior than its American counterpart. The first movie on the list is also the first one animated by Ghibli. Directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, "Castle in the Sky" may not be the film I'd recommend people to check out first if th...

Director: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie Stars: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel Runtime:  135 minutes Synopsis:   A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win. Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 8/10 Costumes/Makeup: 9/10 Editing: 10/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10 Verdict: There are only a handful of directors out there whose unique styles define them. You can immediately recognize a Wes Anderson or Quentin Tarantino film for example without even looking up who's behind the camera. It's almost as if they've invented a genre just for them that doesn't really belong in any particular category but the one they created. "Uncut Gems" is definite pro...