Movies Graded

Director: Simon Stone Stars: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James Runtime: 112  minutes Synopsis:  An archaeologist embarks on the historically important excavation of Sutton Hoo in 1938. Verdict:  Everything about this movie screamed boring British period piece, one of my least favorite subgenres in the world of Cinema. Directed by Simon Stone and starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, and Lily James, “The Dig” tells the true story of an archeological excavation that took place in 1939. Despite using a visual template that has been used far too many times within the subgenre and a script that wasn’t entirely free of cheesy dialogue, my love of archeology was enough to make the first half of the film at the very least intriguing. I wasn’t blown away by it, but I also wasn’t nearly as bored as I was expecting to be. But then the second half of the movie came along and with it a change in focus that worked against the flow of the narrative. The focus shifted from hist...

Director: Jacques Demy Stars: Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, George Chakiris Runtime: 125  minutes Synopsis:  Two sisters leave their small seaside town of Rochefort in search of romance. Hired as carnival singers, one falls for an American musician, while the other must search for her ideal partner. Verdict:  Following a vibrant stop at Cherbourg where I was introduced to Jacques Demy’s work, I immediately booked myself a ticket to Rochefort, the little French town in which the events of his following film take place. Starring once again the wonderful Catherine Deneuve alongside her real-life sister Françoise Dorléac (who tragically passed away only a few months after the film’s release), many similarities can be drawn to Demy’s “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”, most notably in the film’s presentation. “The Young Girls of Cherbourg” is also filled to the brim with colors and music, all of which contributed to turning the setting into a reflection of the film’s ambianc...

Creator: Marti Noxon Stars: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina Synopsis:  A reporter confronts the psychological demons from her past when she returns to her hometown to cover a violent murder. Verdict: In the little obscure town of Wind Gap, the violent murder of a young girl drives a reporter back to the place in which she grew up. But what was waiting for her there was a much bigger challenge than what she had anticipated as she quickly becomes haunted by past traumas related to both events that occurred during her childhood and a reignited difficult relationship with her mother. Based on a novel written by Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) and helmed by Jean-Marc Vallée (Big Little Lies), this HBO limited series does fall into cliché territory in its world-building. Other than the fact that it takes place in a familiar setting, the majority of characters also do come off as parodies of themselves at times. But what separates "Sharp Objects" from other projects that fall ...

Director: Jacques Demy Stars: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon Runtime: 91  minutes Synopsis:  A young woman separated from her lover by war faces a life-altering decision. Verdict:  With "La La Land" being one of my favorite movies of all time, it only made sense for me to check out the French classic that inspired it. And while the similarities between the two films are more than apparent, it was a relief to see that they both stand out on their own two feet. In fact, Jacques Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" filled me with the same wonder I felt when I watch Damien Chazelle's masterpiece for the first time and it wasn't until the very end that the parallels became clear to me. For approximately an hour and a half, I was transported into a world of music and striking bright colors. A world that for a second made me forget about the one we currently live in and which, more than ever, is devoid of everything that made Demy's univers...

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Stars: Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Keanu Reeves Runtime: 117 minutes Synopsis:  An aspiring model, Jesse, is new to Los Angeles. However, her beauty and youth, which generate intense fascination and jealousy within the fashion industry, may prove themselves sinister. Verdict:  The film's tagline, borrowed from a line uttered by Alessandro Nivola's character, couldn't be any clearer: "Beauty isn't everything. It's the only thing". And believe me when I say that if this was truly the case, then Nicolas Winding Refn's "The Neon Demon" would now be considered a cinematic masterpiece. Starring Elle Fanning as an aspiring model whose first steps in the fashion industry lead her down a sinister path, the movie's biggest asset is most definitely its very rich style. I'd even go as far as to say that it's one of the most visually stimulating projects of the current century, achieved using stunning neon imagery...

Director: Francis Ford Coppola Stars: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall Runtime:   202  minutes Synopsis:   The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate. Verdict: Two years after the release of the phenomenon that was Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather", the world was treated with a delicious sequel (and prequel) that, much like its predecessor, was greeted with universal acclaim from fans and critics alike, snatching the Best Picture award once again along the way. Ever since, moviegoers have been debating which of the two chapters was the best while agreeing that both deserve the praise they collected. For a long time, I argued that the second part was my favorite, but my most recent rewatch proved that opinions can change over time as I found the first to be more rewarding overall. Michael Corleone has now fully veered to the dark side, takin...

Director: Francis Ford Coppola Stars:  Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan Runtime:   175   minutes Synopsis:  The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. Verdict:  With a remastered version of the third chapter on the horizon, I found the timing to be ideal to revisit one of the most iconic trilogies of all time. That is, of course, Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather trilogy", considered by many to feature one of the best movies and one of the best sequels ever made. Based on the Mario Puzo best-selling novel of the same name, the 1972 Oscar-winning epic paved the way for a generation of crime films to come. I could spend hours talking about its gorgeous cinematography, exceptional pacing, and timeless score, but many people more qualified than me have already done it in a way I could never replicate. And focusing on the technical aspect of "The Godfather" would be undermining what truly ke...

Director: Agnès Varda Stars: Thérèse Liotard, Valérie Mairesse Runtime: 120  minutes Synopsis:  The lives of Pomme, an aspiring singer, and Suzanne, a struggling mother, as they search for their own identity in 1970s France. Verdict:  The one who sings is Pomme, a free-spirited and adventurous young woman who lives her life one step at a time. At the age of 17, she meets Suzanne, a married housewife and mother of two who is struggling to deal with an unwanted pregnancy that will financially ruin her family. Pomme takes it upon herself to help her out, initiating one of the most heartwarming friendships ever to be featured on the silver screen. The connection they share is authentic, honest, and immortal, unlike the bond that connects them to their significant others. It's a connection rooted in profound feminism, a recurrent theme found in Varda's projects, and one that allowed them to discover their true selves and embrace the freedom that came with being a woman or figh...

Director: Regina King Stars: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr. Runtime: 114  minutes Synopsis:  One Night in Miami is a fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered discussing their roles in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s. Verdict:  Regina King's directorial debut had all the ingredients to become a modern classic. About a fictional encounter (though the movie states otherwise?) that united four of the biggest names in African-American culture, it seizes that opportunity to allow the audience to get a glimpse at their ideologies in regards to numerous subjects. Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown all meet up at a hotel room in Miami, in which topics that include politics, faith, and their societal roles are all brought up. In addition to its concept, one aspect that drove the film forward was the chemistry shared between the four leads. Ki...

Director:  Emerald Fennell Stars: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie Runtime: 113 minutes Synopsis:  A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path. Verdict:  "Promising Young Woman" has been gathering quite a bit of praise ever since it debuted in theaters a few weeks ago. I'll be honest, I knew nothing about it back then and decided to avoid watching any trailers or reading any synopsis since the poster alone had me sold. I wanted to go in completely blind, and somehow managed to do so despite having to wait for its VOD release as lockdown is still very much in effect where I reside. The film's opening scene was promising indeed. It was a stylish, energetic, and colorful way to introduce us to our protagonist, played by a fantastic Carey Mulligan. Cassandra is a young woman whose turbulent past has led her to a life mostly dedicated to taking action against despicable men who like to take advant...

Director: David Lynch Stars: Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft Runtime: 124  minutes Synopsis:  A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of kindness, intelligence, and sophistication. Verdict:  If you're familiar with David Lynch's body of work, you're probably aware that his second feature film, "The Elephant Man", is a bit of an outlier. The true story of John Merrick is told in a much more conventional and familiar way than the rest of his filmography and barely features any of his trademark surreal imagery. Shot entirely in black and white, it recounts the encounter between a surgeon, extraordinarily played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, with a heavily disfigured man, brought to the screen by an unrecognizable yet remarkable as always Sir John Hurt. And while many moviegoers will watch it as a way to educate themselves about the ...

Director: Hong Sang-soo Stars: Kim Min-hee, Song Seon-mi, Lee Eun-mi Runtime: 77 minutes Synopsis:  While her husband is on a business trip, Gamhee meets three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul. They make friendly conversation but there are different currents flowing independently of each other, both above and below the surface. Verdict: More often than not, I find myself craving a short, light, dialogue-driven flick intended to bring some inner-peace into my life. Starring the talented Kim Min-hee as a housewife going around Seoul to have productive conversations with some friends of hers and reevaluate some life decisions she made in the process, "The Woman Who Ran" fits that description perfectly. The Korean movie is an incredibly peaceful 77-minute long trip that focuses on various back and forth to appeal to its audience. It may not be as inviting as  say the similarly tailored Before trilogy, however the chemistry shared between the group of friends as well a...

Director: Agnès Varda Stars: Corinne Marchand, Antoine Bourseiller, Dominique Davray Runtime: 90  minutes Synopsis:  Cleo, a singer and a hypochondriac, becomes increasingly worried that she might have cancer while awaiting test results from her doctor. Verdict:  It's in its raw simplicity that "Cléo de 5 à 7" managed to capture my heart. My first viewing of it happened to also be my introduction to Agnès Varda's filmography, and I instantly fell in love with the prolific French filmmaker. Divided into several short chapters, the movie follows the titular character in real-time as she awaits medical tests that will determine if she has cancer or not. A superstitious singer who clearly knows how to enjoy life, Cléo jumps from location to location to kill the time, bumping into a number of characters with whom she has pleasant conversations. And "pleasant" is a keyword here because, despite her actions coming from a place of worry, the film is a surprisingly t...

Director:  Kornél Mundruczó Stars:  V anessa Kirby ,  Shia LaBeouf ,  Ellen Burstyn Runtime: 126 minutes Synopsis:  When a young mother's home birth ends in unfathomable tragedy, she begins a year-long odyssey of mourning that fractures relationships with loved ones in this deeply personal story of a woman learning to live alongside her loss. Verdict:  Kornél Mundruczó's "Pieces of a Woman" opens with an emotionally heavy bang. The first 30 minutes of the film are a proper rollercoaster to get through, topped with a masterfully executed 23-minute long uninterrupted birth scene. The intensity is high as we follow a couple who opt to have their child in the comfort of their own house, only to be met by unexpected difficulties that will define the rest of their lives. My worry with movies that start off on such a high note is simple: they rarely succeed in maintaining the bar they set for themselves early on. As a result, and even if what they offer next ...

Director: Amy Seimetz Stars: Kate Lyn Sheil, Jane Adams, Kentucker Audley Runtime: 86 minutes Synopsis:  Amy thinks she's dying tomorrow...and it's contagious. Verdict:  What makes us human? Many philosophers dedicated their entire lives to attempt to answer that complex yet fundamentally important question. "I think, therefore I am" famously argued René Descartes in his Discourse on the Method, today considered a pillar in modern philosophy, but it's his compatriot Albert Camus that is quoted in Amy Seimetz's "She Dies Tomorrow" as saying "Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is". But what is he? In this confusing existential crisis of a film, a fictional version of the promising director suddenly becomes convinced that she will meet her demise the next day. These thoughts seem to be contagious, as anyone who comes in contact with her starts developing similar apocalyptic thoughts. Taken literally, the film doesn't make a...

Director: Michael Angelo Covino Stars: Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Gayle Rankin Runtime: 98 minutes Synopsis:  A look at the friendship between two guys that spans over many years. Verdict: It was while randomly scrolling through a list of movies that flew under the radar in 2020 that I came across Michael Angelo Covino's "The Climb". The premise seemed simple enough to make it a very light and accessible watch, which I was frankly in the mood for as the year was coming to a close. Starring two real-life friends, the film serves as a hilarious dissection of male friendships. A collection of impressively shot long takes is used to capture the two best buddies at different moments in their lives, discussing the latest developments in every aspect of it, which leads them to go through many ups and downs due to one's constant betrayal of the other's trust. It's a perfect balance of comedy and drama, amplified by the natural chemistry shared by Mike and Kyl...

Director: Agnès Varda Stars: Philippe Noiret, Silvia Monfort, Marcel Jouet Runtime: 80   minutes Synopsis:   Follow the story of a couple who goes to a small French fishing village to try to solve the problems of their deteriorating marriage. Verdict: Agnès Varda is so much more than a filmmaker. She's a pioneer of Cinema, one whose influence still resounds to this lovely day. Her recent passing came as a shock to many lovers of the art, but the legacy she left behind guaranteed her a place in the realm of immortals. "La Pointe Courte" not only celebrates her directorial debut, but is also cited as being the first stone of the movement that is the French New Wave, later enriched by the works of Truffaut, Godard, or Trivette. Its historical significance is reason enough to convince any cinephile to watch it even if I wouldn't necessarily suggest it as an introduction to Varda's work. Despite effectively capturing a sense of community in the small village in which t...

Director: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman Stars: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld Runtime:   117  minutes Synopsis: T een Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe, and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities. Verdict:  I very rarely watch films more than once or twice, and yet I've seen "Into the Spider-Verse" a grand total of five times already. That's a stupid number of times considering the fact it only came out a couple of years ago and doesn't really offer much new on rewatches, but I just can't help it. Simply put, it's one of the greatest animated movies of all time, and possibly my favorite one that falls under the superhero umbrella, live-action included. But what is it about it that keeps inviting me to view it over and over again? It's definitely not the plot, because let's face it, it does follow a standard formula we've grown accu...