Movies Graded

Director:  Anno Hideaki Stars: Ogata Megumi, Hayashibara Megumi, Miyamura Yûko  Runtime:  87  minutes Synopsis: Concurrent theatrical ending of the TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995). Verdict:  When the end credits of the final episode of “Neon Genesis Evangelion” started rolling, I was left speechless in front of my screen. Calling the last 5 to 6 episodes of the anime mind-boggling would be doing them a disservice as I instantly understood that they exceeded anything I could’ve hoped for in a show about a young pilot recruited to keep the Earth safe from mysterious creatures called Angels. Divided into 26 chapters, Anno Hideaki’s creation takes its sweet time to properly develop the stakes of the narrative and deconstruct its protagonists. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Misato, and every character taking part in the story is interesting in their own way, making their journey one I deeply cared about and connected with. Enhanced by the show’s stunning cinematog...

Director: Prano Bailey-Bond Stars: Niamh Algar, Michael Smiley, Nicholas Burns Runtime: 84   minutes Synopsis:  After viewing a strangely familiar video nasty, Enid, a film censor, sets out to solve the past mystery of her sister's disappearance, embarking on a quest that dissolves the line between fiction and reality. Verdict:  With an unusual style and a unique premise, Prano Bailey-Bond’s directorial debut will most likely leave a mark on anyone brave enough to give it a watch even if, like me, they come out of it with mixed emotions. Taking place during the British video nasty era of the 1980s, the film follows a video censor whose viewing of a mysterious cassette sends her down a sinister path to find her long-lost sister. Elevated by its retro personality reminiscent of the works of Dario Argento or David Cronenberg, the film is an interesting exploration of the effects of losing touch with reality on an individual’s mental health. Without expanding on it as much as...

Director: Alfonso Cuarón Stars: Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna Runtime: 106   minutes Synopsis:  In Mexico, two teenage boys and an attractive older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life, friendship, sex, and each other. Verdict:  Calling Alfonso Cuarón’s filmography rich could be perceived as a massive understatement. With entries such as “Gravity”, “Roma”, “Children of Men”, or “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, he has established himself as one of the most prolific directors of his generation, as proven by the two Oscars he has collected so far. But it’s with “Y Tu Mamá También”, released in 2001, that the filmmaker’s career truly took off. A road trip adventure shared between two young teenagers and an older woman, the film’s deep understanding of human identity, intimacy, and liberty instantly turned it into a modern classic and a personal favorite of mine for many reasons. The first being Luisa Cortés, a 28-year-old ...

Director: Enrico Casarosa Stars: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman Runtime: 95   minutes Synopsis:  On the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human. Verdict:  To Pixar’s latest project, I have two words to say: Mamma Mia! First-time director Enrico Casarosa managed to exceed all my expectations by delivering the feel-good movie of the summer in “Luca”, a half-autobiographical coming-of-age story that takes place in a small Italian village during the 1960s. It follows two young sea monsters, voiced by Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer, in their constant search for adventure away from the depths of the sea. Exposure to air transforms them into human children allowing them to blend in with the city’s residents, all of which have been hunting their kind down for years now as they perceive them as threats. With its gorgeous landscapes, relaxing music, odes to Italian culture, and subtl...

Director: Jon M. Chu Stars: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace Runtime: 143   minutes Synopsis:  A film version of the Broadway musical in which Usnavi, a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life. Verdict:  Rejoice, everybody, for the season of Lin-Manuel Miranda is finally upon us! Following the success of “Hamilton” last year, he struck Hollywood gold by signing deals left and right that will see him write, produce, and even direct a bunch of upcoming projects. Directly adapted from the stage musical that made him the theater icon that he is today, “In the Heights” takes place under the heat of a Hispanic neighborhood in New York City and follows its community in their search for a better life. Directed by Jon M. Chu (“Step Up 3D”, “Crazy Rich Asians”), the film relies on an ensemble cast to bring an unmatched energy to its atmosphere. Anthony Ramos and Melissa Barrera are both standouts, but it’...

Director: Yasujirô Ozu Stars: Chishû Ryû, Chieko Higashiyama, Sô Yamamura Runtime: 136   minutes Synopsis: An old couple visit their children and grandchildren in the city, but receive little attention. Verdict:  Considered by many to be one of the greatest movies ever made, Yasujirô Ozu’s “Tokyo Story” shines in its innovative technical prowesses and minimalist approach to filmmaking, utilized here to tell a sincere story about family values without running a risk of stepping into melodramatic territory. Set in a post-World War II Japan consumed by a growing westernization and a rush to the city by the new working class, the film focuses on an elderly couple’s visit to Tokyo where they are welcomed by their grown children. Children who now see them as a nuisance, an undesired distraction from their current livelihoods, and a symbol of the Japan of yore. In short, “Tokyo Story” is built around the devastating concept of families breaking up as years go by and the decline in ad...

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman Stars: Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella Runtime:   93  minutes Synopsis:  A criminal mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw. Verdict:  One of the many lessons we’ve learned over the past couple of years is that reforms in the now tainted law enforcement sector need to happen as soon as possible. Chris Rock’s reimagining of the “Saw” franchise, titled “Spiral”, doubles down on that topic and sees a Jigsaw copycat kidnap corrupt members of the police force to put them through brutal traps aimed at setting their records straight. The movie was set to be released in May of 2020, only a few days before the Black Lives Matter protests erupted following George Floyd’s horrific murder at the hands of disgraced policemen, but was ultimately postponed due to the closure of cinemas caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Had it kept its original release date, I have a suspicion...

Director: John Krasinski Stars: Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Cillian Murphy Runtime: 97   minutes Synopsis:  Following the events at home, the Abbott family now faces the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats lurking beyond the sand path. Verdict:  I don’t usually enjoy ranting about something that doesn’t have to do with the movie I’m talking about in my posts but, this time, I unfortunately feel obliged to. “A Quiet Place 2” marked only the third time I watched a film in theaters during this rocky calendar year. Even though I didn’t fall in love with its predecessor, I won’t deny the fact that its reliance on an atmosphere built around sound – or rather the lack of it – categorized it as a flick that was enhanced by the theatrical experience. So imagine my frustration when I found out that only a couple of rows in front of me sat a pack of insufferable pre-teens who ma...

Director: Larry Clark Stars: Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, Chloë Sevigny Runtime:   91  minutes Synopsis: A day in the life of teens as they travel around New York City skating, drinking, smoking, and deflowering virgins. Verdict:  Similar to films such as “The Basketball Diaries” or “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, Larry Clark’s “Kids” is the sort of coming-of-age story that will shake parents to their core. Produced by Gus Van Sant and written by a 19-year-old Harmony Korine, it follows the mishaps of a group of teenagers as they are constantly making bad and dangerous decisions – some that are even difficult to watch unfold – leading them to a life of anarchy and chaos. It’s a quite disturbing experience for sure, one that will stick with its audience for a while due to its graphic nature and general raunchy atmosphere. The latter part is what impressed me most about its technical achievements as it accurately paralleled the vulgarity of its main characters, which incl...

Director: Michael Chaves Stars: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O'Connor Runtime: 112   minutes Synopsis: The Warrens investigate a murder that may be linked to a demonic possession. Verdict:  The third installment in the Conjuring franchise drops the haunted house outline of its predecessors to make room for a supernatural investigation based on a real case that shocked Connecticut during the early 1980s. In it, the Warrens work together to prove that the murder of a local landlord was not an intentional crime, but rather the result of a demon’s possession of the defendant’s body and mind. While it may sound like an intriguing concept on paper, “The Devil Made Me Do It” unfortunately fails to deliver on its promise due to a crying lack of tension and an insensitive approach to the true story. Directed by Michael Chaves, the film clearly marks a departure from James Wan’s vision that had horror lovers on the edge of their seats thanks to its non-stop creative frights and ...

Director: Randal Kleiser Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing Runtime: 110   minutes Synopsis:  Good girl Sandy Olsson and greaser Danny Zuko fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? Verdict:  Released in 1978, the movie adaptation of “Grease” - which was, at the time, one of the most recognizable features in the musical productions business - defined an entire generation. The story of Danny and Sandy, played respectively by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, touched many due to their unconventional romantic relationship used to challenge gender norms or societal peer pressure in a typical 1950s American high school, although inhabited by actors who look well over 30. Fast forward to 2021, and the topic of gender fluidity has evolved to a point where it’s easy to see how outdated or even harmful the points presented in “Grease” are, especially w...

Creator: Brad Ingelsby Stars: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart Synopsis: A detective in a small Pennslyvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart. Verdict:  Marianne Sheehan, or Mare for short, fits the description of a character we’ve seen countless times before. She’s a hardboiled detective with a troubled past living in the small Pennsylvanian town of Easttow where a series of unusual events set her on a journey filled with twists and turns. It’s a premise we’ve seen unfold in past shows such as “True Detective” or “Sharp Objects”, but leave it to Kate Winslet to completely turn that cliché on its head! Now I’m a sucker of investigative crime dramas, and “Mare of Easttown” seemed like a limited series that was right up my alley. I knew that I was going to at least find some sort of entertainment in it, especially with such big names attached to it. What I wasn’t expecting, however, was to develop a strong attachment to the...