Movies Graded

Director: Charles Laughton Stars:  Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish Runtime: 92 minutes Synopsis: A preacher is determined to find the $10,000 a former cellmate once stole and hid.  Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 8/10 Special Effects: N.A. Costumes/Makeup: 7/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 10/10 Score/Soundtrack:  9/10  Verdict:  Charles Laughton's only film was quite an impressive one. It's thrilling from start to finish, and features one of the greatest villains in cinema history, played by the excellent and menacing Robert Mitchum. While the story told is enough reason to watch this classic, it will also satisfy people looking for an aesthetically pleasing film. Stanley Cortez's cinematography is an absolute joy to watch, as every single scene felt meticulously studied and shot. My only issues with the movie are the editing which sometimes seemed a bit sudden, but that's certainly due to the year of release of...

Director: Billy Wilder Stars: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim Runtime: 110 minutes Synopsis: A struggling writer develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star. Performances: 10/10 Screenplay: 8/10 Special Effects: N.A. Costumes/Makeup: 8/10 Editing: 9/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10  Verdict:  "Sunset Boulevard" earned Oscar nominations in the four acting categories, and boy are they deserved. The performances alone in this movie, especially Gloria Swanson's, are worth your time. But that's not all. The film is also filled with pop culture references and memorable cameos that perfectly reflect its time. The story, even though it contained a couple of conveniences that bothered me, was gripping from start to finish, and made me laugh as much as it left me disturbed by the events unfolding. It shouldn't come as a surprise at this point, but "Sunset Boulevard" is yet another classic dire...

Director: Billy Wilder Stars: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson Runtime: 107 minutes Synopsis: When Walter, an insurance representative, falls in love with Phyllis, one of his clients' wife, they come up with a plan together to get rid of him via an insurance scam.  Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 9/10 Special Effects: N.A. Costumes/Makeup: 7/10 Editing: 9/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  7/10  Verdict:  A classic if there ever was one. The picture not only benefits from a fascinating and disturbing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat for its entire runtime, but also from incredible performances by the whole cast, and especially Barbara Stanwyck as the ruthless Phyllis. Final Grade:  9/10