Movies Graded

Director: Abbas Kiarostami Stars: Homayoun Ershadi, Abdolrahman Bagheri, Afshin Khorshid Bakhtiari Runtime: 95  minutes Synopsis:  An Iranian man drives his truck in search of someone who will quietly bury him under a cherry tree after he commits suicide. Verdict:  Oddly enough, my viewing of “Taste of Cherry” reminded me of my first time watching “Requiem for a Dream”. If you’ve seen Abbas Kiarostami’s 1997 drama about a man’s search for someone to assist his planned suicide, you’ll probably find the comparison peculiar. Darren Aronofsky’s highly energetic film centered around drug use may be the technical polar opposite of the minimalistic Iranian modern classic, but they both seize the opportunity to denounce the subject serving as the foundation of the narrative. I understand that they do it in vastly different ways, but this is just a thought that hit me as I was taking in the many conversations held between Mr. Badii and his guests in his old jeep. Right off the bat...

Director: Ishiro Honda Stars: Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, Akira Takarada Runtime: 96   minutes Synopsis:  American nuclear weapons testing results in the creation of a seemingly unstoppable, dinosaur-like beast. Verdict:  Around 200,000. That’s the number of lives lost in 1945 when the United States shocked the world by detonating two nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It’s an unparalleled massacre that left an entire nation mourning for their loved ones, a bloodbath that resulted in years of paranoia. Less than a decade later, “Godzilla” (or Gojira) was brought to the big screen. Revived and empowered by the radiation left by various nuclear tests in the Pacific Ocean, he’s a clear symbol of destruction, maybe even the embodiment of the United States itself. The seemingly indestructible giant lizard’s only goal is to demolish whatever stands in its way including a number of Japanese cities inhabited by fearing civilians. But what captured my attention in this ...

Director: Florian Zeller Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss Runtime:  97  minutes Synopsis:  A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind, and even the fabric of his reality. Verdict:  I cannot fathom how difficult life can become for a person suffering from dementia. The mere thought of not recognizing people you’ve known for years, constantly forgetting where you placed some of your belongings, or even not remembering how to do basic activities is genuinely terrifying to me. Florian Zeller’s directorial debut, an adaptation of the acclaimed play he wrote himself, dissects the relationship between a daughter, Anne, and her father, Anthony. The latter was diagnosed with the illness for quite a while now, and has a nasty habit of angering off caretakers with his quarrelsome attitude. Anne is left to pick up the pieces of his actions, f...

Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger Stars: Deborah Kerr, David Farrar, Flora Robson Runtime: 101   minutes Synopsis:  A group of nuns struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude, and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad. Verdict:  Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger are a pair of directors who deserve a place on the Mount Rushmore of filmmakers and that is a hill I’m willing to die on. Their work is as captivating as Hitchcock’s classics, as varied and influential as Kubrick’s projects, and yet they rarely pop up in a conversation that features these gigantic names. “The Red Shoes” is probably their most recognizable film, but “Black Narcissus” is a close second in terms of popularity. About a group of nuns’ attempt of establishing a convent in a secluded village located at the base of the Himalayas during the British Raj, the movie merges themes of isolation, cultural clash...

Director: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack Stars: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot Runtime: 100  minutes Synopsis:   A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal ape who takes a shine to their female blonde star. He is then captured and brought back to New York City for public exhibition. Verdict:  When a group of white American men set foot on a remote island in the middle of nowhere to make it the main location of their newest film, they are greeted by its local tribe and the giant ape they worship. Kong is unlike anything they’ve ever seen, he’s a colossal beast that is more intimidating than dangerous, an impressive animal whose most striking characteristic is his capability of loving a human being. But in true American fashion, the crew in question only sees him as a potential investment, an attraction that will draw hundreds of thousands of people. To them, he’s just a giant green bill. If it’s not already ...

Director: Satyajit Ray Stars: Kanu Bannerjee, Karuna Bannerjee, Subir Bannerjee Runtime: 125   minutes Synopsis:  Impoverished priest Harihar Ray, dreaming of a better life for himself and his family, leaves his rural Bengal village in search of work. Verdict:  Oddly enough, “Pather Panchali” not only marks my introduction to the legendary Satyajit Ray’s work but also serves as the first step in my hopefully long journey discovering Indian Cinema. I was stunned to realize that I had never seen a movie from the rich South Asian land before and hope to right that wrong in the future, especially after experiencing Ray’s directorial debut and first chapter in the Apu trilogy. What struck me most about the classic is how sincere and human it is. The dynamic, struggles, wholesome moments, and crushed dreams experienced by the poverty struck family at the center of it felt as honest as it possibly could, a miracle considering the many issues that occurred behind the scenes which...

Director: Zack Snyder Stars: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill Runtime: 242   minutes Synopsis:  Zack Snyder's definitive director's cut of Justice League. Determined to ensure Superman's ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne aligns forces with Diana Prince with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions. Verdict:  In what feels like an eternity ago, comic book fans around the globe were excited to finally get to see the beloved Justice League in action. Zack Snyder, who had been up until this point the creative brain behind the DCEU, was hired to direct his third entry in the franchise after “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman”, but had to retreat well into production after tragedy struck his family. Following a battle with depression, his daughter Autumn took her own life in March of 2017 at the age of 20, forcing the director to take a step back to mourn his loss alongside his family....

Director: Zack Snyder Stars: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams Runtime: 183  minutes (Extended Cut) Synopsis:   Fearing that the actions of Superman are left unchecked, Batman takes on the Man of Steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs. Verdict:  When Batman’s logo appeared behind Superman’s iconic symbol at SDCC 2013 announcing that the follow up of “Man of Steel” would feature a confrontation between two of the most iconic superhero of all time, the room went wild. At the time, no one was expecting Snyder’s civil war to become one of the most divisive comic book movies of all time. 5 long years after its release, fans are still passionately debating whether “Dawn of Justice” is a work of genius or a complete flop. Personally, I can understand both sides of the argument but overall will admit that despite its many flaws, the movie was a pretty satisfying watch that did meet my expectations. Aided by an inspired casting choice, Batman’s...

Director: Jacques Demy Stars: Anouk Aimée, Marc Michel, Jacques Harden Runtime: 90   minutes Synopsis:  A bored young man meets with his former girlfriend, now a cabaret dancer and single mother, and soon finds himself falling back in love with her. Verdict:  My life has significantly improved ever since I discovered Jacques Demy’s enchanting work. From Cherbourg to Rochefort, he invited me into a world where music reigns supreme, a world where reality and dream are one and the same. His directorial debut “Lola” may not be a musical, but Michel Legrand’s symphonic score makes it seem like one. His timeless composition that combines original symphonies and existing ones added color to the black and white classic, a well-needed attribute for a film that relies on a lyrically romantic atmosphere to drive its plot forward. The plot itself is a rather simple one. It follows the single-mother and dancer Lola’s (Anouk Aimée) interactions with a couple of men who are not hiding ...

Director: Eric Rohmer Stars: Jean-Claude Brialy, Aurora Cornu, Béatrice Romand Runtime: 105  minutes Synopsis:  On lakeside summer holiday, a conflicted older man is dared to have a flirt with two beautiful teenage stepsisters despite his betrothal to a diplomat's daughter and the fact that the girls have boyfriends. Verdict:  Oh to be on vacation in a small European village during the 1970s! Set in a gorgeous setting that will make you daydream of clear lakes and green mountains, “Claire’s Knee” is a brilliant little gem of a movie that relies entirely on the dynamic of its characters to function. We follow an engaged-to-be-married Jérôme’s encounter with Aurora, a writer and old friend of his, who proceeds to dare him to get into flirtatious discussions with two teenage step-sisters so she can get the inspiration she needs to finish her latest novel. What follows are somewhat uncomfortable but certainly engaging conversations about love, desire, and happiness presented ...

Directors: Lenny Abrahamson, Hettie Macdonald Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal Synopsis:  Follows Marianne and Connell, from different backgrounds but the same small town in Ireland, as they weave in and out of each other's romantic lives. Verdict:  Marianne is a school outcast constantly ridiculed by her peers due to her feisty attitude and lonesome nature. Connell, on the other hand, sits at the cool table where he gets to boast about his athletic achievements. The two don’t have much in common, but they secretly have feelings for one another. Feelings that ultimately blossomed into a relationship kept hidden from the public as Connell doesn’t want his social status at school to be in jeopardy. This brief summary constitutes the first brick in what is going to become a typical “will they, won’t they” relationship spanning over the course of years. The 12-episode long limited series sees the couple evolve together, sharing joyful and tearful moments that will only streng...

Director: Philippe Lacôte Stars: Bakary Koné, Steve Tientcheu, Jean Cyrille Digbeu Runtime:  93  minutes Synopsis:  A young man is sent to "La Maca", a prison of Ivory Coast in the middle of the forest ruled by its prisoners. With the red moon rising, he is designated by the Boss to be the new "Roman" and must tell a story to the other prisoners. Verdict:  Located in the depths of the African jungle lies an old, overcrowded, and clearly under-maintained edifice. “La Maca”, as they call it, is a prison unlike any you’ve encountered before. Not only does it violate every imaginable sanitary regulation on the planet, but it’s also run by a senior inmate labeled Dangoro who, as tradition states, must take his own life when he is struck by an illness. Barbe Noire, which is French for Blackbeard, knows that his reign as Dangoro has reached its end as he walks around with an oxygen bottle. But before he meets his demise, an opportunity to organize a night of storytelling p...

Director: Edward Yang Stars: Wu Nianzhen, Elaine Jin, Issei Ogata Runtime: 173   minutes Synopsis:  Each member of a middle-class Taipei family seeks to reconcile past and present relationships within their daily lives. Verdict:  *minor spoiler in the final paragraph* Oh Edward Yang, what have you done to me? I’m literally at a loss for words after finally committing to your masterpiece that is “Yi Yi”, a movie that I have quite frankly put off for many years now due to its intimidating runtime of 3 hours. For that, I must apologize, because every second of your gem was a delicious treat filled to the brim with human emotions. Emotions that hit my fragile soul like a speeding bus, leaving it shattered as the end credits started rolling following what may be simultaneously one of the most heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes in the history of Cinema. The beauty of “Yi Yi” comes from its simplicity to tell the most complex story anyone’s ever experienced: life itself. Thro...

Creator: Jac Schaeffer   Stars: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Kathryn Hahn Synopsis:  Blends the style of classic sitcoms with the MCU, in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision - two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives - begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems. Verdict:  Out of all the MCU projects that were announced recently (and boy are there many), the one that caught my eye the most was “WandaVision”. Not only was it going to be the first show to premiere on Disney+, but it revolved around my favorite character in the entire universe. Wanda was perhaps the only avenger to have a consistent and subtle arc, which is the reason why I was so drawn to her ever since her proper introduction in “Age of Ultron”. She didn’t lead an easy life, but her haunting past was never spoonfed to an audience who instead was treated with the result of those years of turmoil. But I was a fool to believe even for a second that Marvel would leave any stone unturned...

Director: Kevin Macdonald Stars: Jodie Foster,  Tahar Rahim,  Shailene Woodley Runtime: 129  minutes Synopsis:  Mohamedou Ould Salahi fights for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years. Verdict:  I hold a soft spot for well-made legal dramas, especially those that fall under the political umbrella. Like “Official Secrets” a few years ago, they have the power of keeping me on the edge of my seat for their entire runtime. Kevin Macdonald’s “The Mauritanian” tells the true story of Mohamedou Salahi’s long stay at Guantanamo Bay with no charges brought against him. Close to losing all hopes in a fair and just trial, he finds unlikely support from lawyer Nancy Hollander and her associate Terri, respectively played by the excellent Jodie Foster and Shailene Woodley. It’s an eye-opening tale that offers a sneak peek at the abhorrent treatment reserved for inmates of the Cuban prison. An affirmation that true justice i...

Director: Costa-Garvas Stars: Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant Runtime: 127  minutes Synopsis:  The public murder of a prominent politician and doctor amid a violent demonstration is covered up by military and government officials. A tenacious magistrate is determined not to let them get away with it. Verdict:  5 days. Following the horrifying explosion that took place at Beirut’s port on August 4th of last year, the president of the republic issued a statement promising that those responsible for the murder of hundreds of people and the destruction of half a city would be held accountable within that reasonable amount of time. Nearly 7 months later, not only is justice far from being served to citizens that are also facing all sorts of turmoil including the arrest of activists protesting for their most basic rights, but the government had the audacity of removing and replacing the investigative judge the second he dared to question the involvement of hig...

Director: Filippo Meneghetti Stars: Barbara Sukowa, Martine Chevallier, Léa Drucker Runtime: 99  minutes Synopsis:  Pensioners Nina and Madeleine have hidden their deep and passionate love for many decades, but their bond is put to the test when they are suddenly unable to move freely between each other's apartments. Verdict:  Nina and Madeleine are elderly neighbors who have loved each other for decades. They have kept their relationship a secret but their dream of buying a house in Rome is obstructed by the fact that Madeleine hasn’t come out to her children yet. They loved their late father, and she knows that such a revelation may come as a shock to them, to the point of jeopardizing the maternal bond they still share. The pressure of having to choose between the love of her life and her offspring eventually led to serious health problems and complications that will test the couple’s love once and for all.  “Two of Us” introduces a conflict that has been explored...