Movies Graded

Creator: Mike Flanagan   Stars: Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Kristin Lehman Synopsis:  An isolated island community experiences miraculous events - and frightening omens - after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest. Verdict:  Priests, angels, and bad make-up populate Mike Flanagan’s newest demonic Netflix limited series. Set on an isolated island where the population barely reaches 150 locals, it follows the events that unfold when a new, mysterious priest shows up to replace the community's old monsignor. His takeover coincides with a surge in miraculous happenings which result in an almost hysteric increase of faith within the residents. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that what cannot be explained right now shouldn’t immediately be labeled as God’s work. Miracles shouldn’t be treated as proof of the existence of a higher power, but merely as a reminder that no matter how much science progresses, humanity’s knowledge will always remain limited...

Director: James Wan Stars: Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young Runtime:  111  minutes Synopsis:  Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities. Verdict:  Back in 2004, a young filmmaker with a funky hairdo was given a budget of a little over one million dollars to make his feature-length debut. With that money, James Wan not only turned a profit of 100 times that amount but also changed the face of horror by directing the first chapter in one of the most iconic franchises of all time, “Saw”. He went on to become one of Hollywood’s hottest filmmakers and one I deeply admire due to the dedication and passion he pours into every one of his projects, no matter the genre in which they fall under. This is still very much the case with “Malignant”, the first original horror film he directs since 2013’s “The Conjuring”. Starring Annabelle Wallis as a dom...

Director: Satoshi Kon Stars: Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shinpachi Tsuji Runtime:  81  minutes Synopsis: A pop singer gives up her career to become an actress, but she slowly goes insane when she starts being stalked by an obsessed fan and what seems to be a ghost of her past. Verdict:  On the internet, anyone can become anything. We’re entirely in control of what aspects of ourselves we want to show the rest of the world and which ones we want to keep hidden. It’s a scary place where reality and fiction are one and the same, and where any user can easily lose track of what’s genuine and what’s not. This, to me, shapes Satoshi Kon’s directorial debut’s unsettling atmosphere. “Perfect Blue” follows Mima, a pop star turned actress whose career change turns out to be much harsher than initially anticipated. In order to complete her transition, she is asked to perform a vastly explicit scene in a TV show that will forever alter the public image she had built for herself in h...

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 ...

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...

Director: Joe Wright Stars: Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie Runtime: 100   minutes Synopsis:  An agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors, only to witness a disturbing act of violence. Verdict:  I’ve never been a big admirer of Joe Wright’s work. I tend to find his films to be stale, bland, and rather dull. For that reason, and the fact that its production encountered countless obstacles that led to it being fished out by Netflix, my expectations for his latest thriller starring Amy Adams and a bunch of other A-listers that include Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore, or Bryan Tyree Henry were not exceptionally high. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, “The Woman in the Window” tells the story of an agoraphobic child psychiatrist who witnesses the murder of her neighbor while spying on her and her family from her apartment. The story feels very familiar, and chances are that if you’ve seen any movie with a similar plot, th...

Director: Paul Schrader Stars: Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric Kyles Runtime:   113  minutes Synopsis:  A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns, and a tormented past. Verdict:  Will God ever forgive us? I’m no religious person myself, though I believe that this question is one that everyone should ask themselves for moral reasons at the very least, just as they did when they were younger and wondered if their actions would get them in trouble with their parents or guardians. It’s enough to take a rapid look around us to conclude that we, as a civilization, have not been kind to our gifted Earth, a home that is quickly deteriorating to make room for a shortsighted world consumed by greed. We have turned our planet into a ticking bomb that will detonate in the not-so-distant future, leaving our entire existent in the hands of the unknown. Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed” will go ...

Director: Masaki Kobayashi Stars: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Ishihama, Shima Iwashita Runtime:   133  minutes Synopsis:  When a ronin requesting seppuku at a feudal lord's palace is told of the brutal suicide of another ronin who previously visited, he reveals how their pasts are intertwined - and in doing so challenges the clan's integrity. Verdict:  Considered a landmark in the Japanese jidaigeki genre legitimized by names such as Kihachi Okamoto or, more notoriously, Akira Kurosawa, Masaki Kobayashi’s “Harakiri” is a compelling 2-hour long watch that, instead of glorifying the Samurai code as many others do, questions its ethics and morals. Set during a time when desperate rōnins used to knock on the doors of palaces to request committing seppuku (or hara-kiri), a traditional suicide ritual, in their courtyards with the hopes that their masters would take pity on them and send them away with a few coins, the film tells the story of Hanshirō Tsugumo, the latest rogue s...

Director: Lee Chang-dong Stars: Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jun Jong-seo Runtime:   148  minutes Synopsis:  Jong-su bumps into a girl who used to live in the same neighborhood, who asks him to look after her cat while she's on a trip to Africa. When back, she introduces Ben, a mysterious guy she met there, who confesses his secret hobby. Verdict:  From the fiery mind of renowned filmmaker Lee Chang-dong comes “Burning”, my personal favorite movie of 2018 and one that is best known for being the first South Korean submission to make the Oscars’ shortlist for Best International picture, paving the way for a “Parasite” raffle the following year. Clocking at two and a half hours and running at a snail’s pace, the film will test the patience of many of its audience, rewarding only those brave enough to look past its gorgeous-looking surface. The plot jumps between genre as it follows an awkward Jong-su rekindle with Hae-mi, a free-spirited young woman and childhood friend of ...

Director: Rose Glass Stars: Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Lily Knight Runtime: 84  minutes Synopsis: Follows a pious nurse who becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her drying patient. Verdict:  I’ve probably played the trailer for Rose Glass’ “Saint Maud” a dozen times on the day of its release. That was about two years ago, and the film was then due to be released a few months later. But unforeseen events that I’m sure you’re all aware of resulted in the closure of cinemas around the world, delaying the release of a number of movies including this one. At the time, I found the situation to be darkly humorous as the scale and timing of the disaster that hit our planet nearly felt like an attempt from God Himself to censor the A24 release. None of that is funny today, but I am thankful that I managed to finally catch what is perhaps one of the best psychological horror films to come out recently. Carried by an extraordinary performance by Morfydd Clark, the stor...

Director: Jean-Pierre Melville Stars: Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon Runtime: 101  minutes Synopsis:  After professional hitman Jef Costello is seen by witnesses his efforts to provide himself an alibi drive him further into a corner. Verdict:  An obvious influence to Nicolas Winding Refn's "Drive", this French neo-noir crime film doesn't waste any time in establishing the stakes at hand. It may not have the tightest of scripts, but these leaks are easily overturned by the gloomy atmosphere it builds around the mysterious but riveting protagonist, brilliantly portrayed by Alain Delon. Story-wise, it never pretends to be more complex than it needs to be, making the watch a relatively pleasant one. FINAL GRADE: 8 /10

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: 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: Wong Kar-Wai Stars: Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Runtime: 102 minutes Synopsis:  Two melancholy Hong Kong policemen fall in love: one with a mysterious female underworld figure, the other with a beautiful and ethereal server at a late-night restaurant he frequents. Performances:  9/10 Screenplay:  7/10 Editing:  8/10 Cinematography:  9/10 Score/Soundtrack:  7/10 Enjoyment Factor:  6/10 Verdict: With a sequel being greenlit just a few days ago and a personal willingness to get more into Wong Kar-Wai's work, I found the timing to be ideal to seek out one of the most notable entries in his rich filmography: "Chungking Express". Set in Hong Kong, we follow two policemen linked only by the themes of lost love and loneliness. The first half of the film is dedicated to Cop 223 (Takeshi Kaneshiro) as he contemplates if, like nearly everything else, relationships come with an expiration date, while the second half switches to Cop 663's ...

Director: Orson Welles Stars: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore Runtime:   119  minutes Synopsis:  Following the death of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, reporters scramble to uncover the meaning of his final utterance; 'Rosebud'. Verdict: Rosebud. That mysterious word, uttered by publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane on his deathbed, will serve as the catalyst of a hunt for the truth. Convinced that it was the key to understanding who Kane truly was behind the many headlines attributed to his character, a reporter tasked with finding its meaning visits the entourage of the recently deceased magnate in the hopes of solving that mystery. Whether "Citizen Kane" is the greatest film of all time as many consider it to be is up for debate. After all, art is subjective. But what's undeniable about it is the fact that it's one of the most influential films of all time. From both a technical and a storytelling perspective, the film introduced many ...

Director: David Fincher Stars: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow Runtime:   127  minutes Synopsis:  Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives. Verdict: Hailed as one of David Fincher's finest works, "Se7en" is a vastly captivating crime thriller that works thanks to the gritty atmosphere it builds, gory scenery it presents, and riveting antagonist whose methodical murders made him a force to be reckoned with. His fascination with the seven deadly sins drives the movie, giving it a more psychological feel than other similar neo-noir thrillers that came out over the years. They say that a hero is only as good as his villain, and Fincher was wise enough to understand that the saying also applies to films. "Se7en" peaks in its final act, but will most certainly keep the audience on the edge of their seats for its entire runtime. However, calling it a perfect film would be an exaggeration as it...

Director: Akira Kurosawa Stars:  Toshirô Mifune, Yutaka Sada, Tatsuya Nakadai Runtime:   143  minutes Synopsis:  An executive of a shoe company becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped and held for ransom. Verdict: Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Gondo, the executive of a shoe company at odds with his partners and played by the legendary  Toshirô Mifune , is faced with an unimaginable conundrum: pay the ridiculously large ransom demanded by a kidnapper to save his driver's son and become penniless in the process, or call the plan a bluff and hope that no harm comes to the mistakingly taken child who bears no direct relation to him. This may come off as an unpopular opinion, but "High and Low" may be the best Kurosawa film I have seen so far. It feels inspired by Hitchcock's work at times, and the inspiration to Park Chan-Wook's films at others. But make no mistake, Kurosawa's identity is very much present in a movie th...

Director: Aneesh Chaganty Stars: Sarah Paulson, Kiera Allen, Onalee Ames Runtime:   90  minutes Synopsis:   A homeschooled teenager begins to suspect her mother is keeping a dark secret from her. Verdict:  Two years ago, director Aneesh Chaganty's directorial debut "Searching" made headlines for its innovative approach to filmmaking. Entirely presented through the protagonist's computer screen, the thriller's uniqueness was reason enough to justify its acclaim and propel Chaganty's name to the top of many people's "directors to keep an eye on" lists, mine included. His follow-up project came two years later and stars Kiera Allen as Chloe, a teenager whose premature birth left her with many diseases including paralysis and whose relationship with her mother, played by Sarah Paulson, is tested when she discovers that she has been giving her mysterious pills. While "Searching" stood out thanks to its unprecedented storytelling methods, ...

Director: Michael Haneke Stars:  Christian Friedel ,  Ernst Jacobi ,  Leonie Benesch Runtime:  144 minutes Synopsis:  Strange events happen in a small village in the north of Germany during the years before World War I, which seem to be ritual punishment. Who is responsible? Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 7/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 10/10 Verdict: Michael Haneke is a masterful director and "The White Ribbon" may be his most impressive feature to date on a technical level. The Oscar-nominated cinematography is nothing short of absolutely gorgeous and will fool anyone into thinking that the film is a classic dating from the 1950s rather than one released a decade ago. The world created within it is impressive and captures the essence of a small German village during the 1910s splendidly. Even the acting is near-perfect, with each performance standing out on its own without ever taking the spotlight from the rest of the cast. However, it's the scale of the p...

Director: Alfred Hitchcock Stars: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles Runtime:   109  minutes Synopsis:  A Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. Verdict: Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" is not only the director's best-known work, but it's also a landmark in the history of the Horror genre and Cinema as a whole. Just like Kubrick's "A Space Odyssey", it's a film that wasn't received with the most positive feedback at the time of its release and grew in popularity and admiration with time. Being impossible to properly talk about it without touching on some spoiler-heavy moments, I suggest clicking away if you still haven't seen this masterpiece and come back when you do because yes, it's as good as you heard it was. It's so good in fact that I don't know how to begin praising it, so I'll proce...