Movies Graded

Director: James Cameron Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver Runtime:  178  minutes (Extended Collector's Edition) Synopsis:  A paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home. Verdict:  I remember once casually looking at a list of the most loathed movies ever made and was surprised to find out that James Cameron’s “Avatar” ranked pretty high in it. The reason - or rather 2.8 billion reasons - is clear as day, though I have a very difficult time getting behind it. Movies should not be defined by their box office success as it is in no way an indicator of their quality, and pretending otherwise only encourages Hollywood to keep pumping out the same calculated content to moviegoers, killing any ounce of creativity left in the industry. I’ve never jumped on the “Avatar” hate train, never complained about the fact that multiple sequels for it are...

Director: Denis Villeneuve Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya Runtime:  155  minutes Synopsis:   Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy. Verdict:  A few months ago, I took it upon myself to read Frank Herbert’s timeless masterpiece “Dune”. Written in 1965, the novel played a monumental part in redefining the modern science-fiction genre, paving the way for space operas such as Star Wars or Star Trek to reach new heights in the blockbuster business. It’s an important but also impressive piece of media that tells a captivating tale set in a meticulously crafted universe filled with various planets, a rich history, multiple characters, and a technology foreign to us. It benefits from a lore so dense that it was labeled for a while as being unadaptable for the big screen, a theory that was proven in 1984 when...

Director: James Gunn Stars: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena Runtime:  132  minutes Synopsis:  Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Verdict:  There are days when you just feel the need to turn off your brain and enjoy something mindlessly fun. I’ve been in that frame of mind for a week or so now, purposely avoiding any film that requires any sort of neuron overload or long-term reflection. James Gunn’s reimagining of the Suicide Squad checked all the requirements to exactly adhere to what I was looking for, and, for that reason, I had been eagerly waiting all week long to check it out in theaters. And it definitely gets the job done pretty neatly. It manages to subvert all expectations engrained by the countless recent superhero films by adopting a style of its own, giving i...

Director: Cate Shortland Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour Runtime: 133   minutes Synopsis:  A film about Natasha Romanoff in her quests between the films Civil War and Infinity War. Verdict:  Introduced during the early stages of the MCU's inception, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow quickly grew to become a fan favorite and, for a long time, remained the only female member of The Avengers. Girls all over the world looked up to her as she stood her ground in this exclusive boys’ club, so much so that they had rightfully been campaigning for a solo movie for their heroine for years. Their wish was finally granted 10 years after her big-screen debut in "Iron Man 2" in what unfortunately feels more like an entry in the MCU made more out of obligation than anything else. It was very clear from the get-go that “Black Widow” would be more filler than substance, and that its non-existent personality would turn it into a tedious, forgettable watch. This ...

Director: Wong Kar-Wai Stars: Tony Leung, Ziyi Zhang, Faye Wong Runtime: 129   minutes Synopsis:   Several women enter a science fiction author's life over the course of a few years, after the author has lost the woman he considers his one true love. Verdict:  Revered filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai is one of the most respected and beloved figures within the film community. The unconventional, almost rebellious techniques he has used to tell stories revolving around the themes of relationships, memories, and loneliness continue to inspire many directors to this day, earning him a spot on the Mount Rushmore of auteurs whose features are englobed by a distinct personality. It’s difficult not to admire what Wong Kar-Wai has offered to the medium of cinema even if, like me, his movies don’t resonate with you as much as you’d like them to. “2046” is the third and final chapter in Wong Kar-Wai’s unofficial Love Trilogy, preceded by “Days of Being Wild” and “In the Mood for Love”, and se...

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: 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: Zack Snyder Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera Runtime: 148   minutes Synopsis:  Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries takes the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted. Verdict:  The thing that differentiates zombie flicks from other movies that fall in the vast monster subgenre is the fact that, for them to properly work, the focus needs to be turned towards everything surrounding the threat. Undead corpses roaming around are by essence boring to watch, which is why an effort must be made to develop the human characters tasked in confronting them as well as the general tone of the movie. The genre begs for creative input from the people working on them as its traditional horror atmosphere has been recycled into taking a more dramatic or even comedic turn over the years (“Train to Busan” or “Shaun of the Dead” respectively). In old Zack Snyder fashion, “Army ...

Stars: Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell Synopsis:  Following the events of 'Avengers: Endgame,' Sam Wilson/Falcon and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities -- and their patience. Verdict: You just know it's a Marvel project when a little blood on a shield comes as a surprise to a lot of people for being "too gruesome compared to the rest of the universe". I'm just kidding (or am I?), but that was a little funny moment that pretty much summed up my whole experience with the show: it's yet another painfully average Marvel piece of media that knows how to generate hype on the short term but that won't be talked about anymore in a month's time (is anyone still talking about "WandaVision"?). That is not to say that I didn't enjoy a few aspects of it, because I did find its tone to be more appropriate than the other Disney+ show that preceded it. It was as if the creative minds beh...

Director: Adam Wingard Stars: Alex ander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall Runtime:   113   minutes Synopsis:  The epic next chapter in the cinematic Monsterverse pits two of the greatest icons in motion picture history against one another - the fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong - with humanity caught in the balance. Verdict:  And now, for the greatest gladiator match in the history of the world. God vs. King. Lizard vs. Ape. Atomic Reptilian vs. Colossal Monkey! One of the most anticipated cinematic spectacles is finally upon us after countless postponements and to it, I only have one word to utter: Refund! With cinemas being still closed where I live, I had to resort to the much smaller screen of my laptop to watch the showdown between the two titans which had been building up for years and the release of 2014’s “Godzilla”. Many will point out that the setting was not ideal to which I’ll agree considering the scale of the project, but I’ve never been ...

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: 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: 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: 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: 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...

Director: Andrei Tarkovsky Stars: Aleksandr Kaydanocskiy, Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Nikolay Grinko Runtime:   162  minutes Synopsis:  A guide leads two men through an area known as the Zone to find a room that grants wishes. Verdict:  After two semi-disappointing experiences with Tarkovsky's work, I was ready to give up trying to get into the Soviet director's filmography. I was ready to admit to myself that his films simply weren't my cup of tea and have my cinephile card revoked in the process. But I couldn't make such a decision without giving his most admired work a shot. So despite it being nearly 3 hours long, I popped in the movie that famously and unfortunately claimed his and a number of its crewmembers their lives with the hopes that it would change my mind about him. "Stalker" is perhaps one of the most aesthetically pleasing films I have ever seen, that I can assure you. Tarkovsky's craftmanship played a vital role in turning the setting into a char...

Director:  Christopher Nolan Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki Runtime:   150   minutes Synopsis:  Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time. Verdict: In a year that saw nearly every blockbuster be delayed due to the ongoing pandemic, Christopher Nolan decided not to give up his spot on the release calendar. "Tenet", his latest effort, opened as scheduled in theaters worldwide (or wherever it was allowed to drop) but, unfortunately for Nolan, ended up flopping as people were not too keen to risk their health in order to watch it. Now when it comes to the British director's work, I'm definitely the type of person who can find enjoyment in them while conceding that they're at times heavily flawed. Despite not loving "The Prestige", "Batman Begins...

Director: Glen Keane, John Kahrs Stars: Cathy Ang, Robert G. Chiu, Phillipa Soo Runtime:   95  minutes Synopsis:   In this animated musical, a girl builds a rocket ship and blasts off, hoping to meet a mythical moon goddess. Verdict: The latest Netflix animated feature was a disappointment. Directed by Glen Keane, a pioneer in Disney's animation studios, and starring an all Asian cast which includes names such as Sandra Oh, Ken Jeong, John Cho, or even Phillipa Soo, "Over the Moon" follows Fei Fei, a young teenager who, after being struck by a great tragedy, builds a rocket to get to the moon in the hope to meet Chang'e, a mythical goddess she believes will help her overcome her problems. The biggest issue I had with the movie is its try-hard approach to follow the same formula that made so many Disney films successful during its renaissance era. There are no princesses per se, but you do get the traditional cute sidekick pet, comic relief, catchy songs, or recurrent ...

Director: Brandon Cronenberg Stars: Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Jennifer Jason Leigh Runtime:  102 minutes Synopsis:  Possessor follows an agent who works for a secretive organization that uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people's bodies - ultimately driving them to commit assassinations for high-paying clients. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 6/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 5/10 Score/Soundtrack:  5/10 Special Effects: 7/10 Verdict: Directed by Brandon Cronenberg (son of David), "Possessor" is a sci-fi/thriller that follows an assassin working for an organization that operates by taking over the bodies of other people and pushes them to commit the crimes for them. While the concept itself is certainly intriguing and for the most part well-developed, there was definitely room for improvement in a movie that on many occasions threw its focus on shocking the audience with the use of practical effects aimed at recreating g...