Movies Graded

Director: Suzi Yoonessi Stars: Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Gilman, Vanessa Marano Runtime:  72 minutes Synopsis: Before joining the Mystery Inc. gang, Daphne and Velma must work together to catch the responsible behind some spooky stuff going on at their high school.    Performances: 3/10 Screenplay: 1/10 Special Effects: 3/10 Costumes/Makeup: 4/10 Editing: 4/10 Cinematography: 3/10 Score/Soundtrack:  5/10 Verdict:  Exactly what you'd expect from a movie about Daphne and Velma taking place in a technologically advanced high school and produced by Ashley Tisdale. Final Grade:  2/10

Director: Eric Barbier Stars: Pierre Niney, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Didier Bourdon Runtime: 131 minutes Synopsis: The life of famous French writer Romain Gary with a focus on his relationship with his mother. Performances: 7/10 Screenplay: 6/10 Special Effects: N.A. Costumes/Makeup: 7/10 Editing: 4/10 Cinematography: 5/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10  Verdict:  While there is no denying that the life led by the author is fascinating, the way it was translated to film left me a bit disappointed. Other than the fact that the movie was unnecessarily long, director Eric Barbier also to chose to have a lot of shaky scenes and narration, which had a negative impact on film's quality. The editing was also not great, as a lot of the scenes felt disconnected thus affecting the flow of the story. However, the performances, especially by Charlotte Gainsbourg as Gary's mother Nina, were solid, and so was the score. Final Grade:  6/10 To see how "La ...

Director: Ron Howard Stars: Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke Runtime: 135 minutes Synopsis:  The early years of famous intergalactic smuggler Han Solo. Performances: 6/10 Screenplay: 3/10 Special Effects: 8/10 Costumes/Makeup: 8/10 Editing: 6/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Score/Soundtrack:  6/10  Verdict:  "Solo" is not the worst Star Wars film out there, but is the most forgettable. It suffers from weak humor, a safe and blend storyline, and a lack of chemistry between the protagonists. I also never once felt that the characters I was watching were the same ones the world fell in love with years ago. This entry in the Star Wars universe, unfortunately, should've stayed in a galaxy far far away. Final Grade:  5/10

Director: Cory Finley Stars: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin Runtime: 92 minutes Synopsis:  Two friends resort to the unthinkable in order to get rid of their problems. Performances: 9/10 Screenplay: 8/10 Editing: 8/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Score/Soundtrack:  8/10  Verdict:  God I love "Thoroughbreds". I love the acting, the chemistry, the score, the cinematography, the dialogue, the personalities... I love the simplicity of the narrative which, when matched with the complexity of the characters, makes for a very entertaining, charming, nuanced, and subtly funny watch. The film, which was originally written as a play, follows the unusual friendship between Amanda and Lily, played respectively by Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy. The former is emotionless, cold, and very honest while the latter is shyer, more sensitive, and holds a deep hatred towards her stepfather. Throughout the very well-paced narrative, we slowly explore how the t...

Director: Francis Lawrence Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts Runtime: 140 minutes Synopsis: Follows Dominika, a ballet dancer whose career was ended by a broken leg, leading her to become a Russian spy in order to provide for her ill mother. Performances: 5/10 Screenplay: 4/10 Special Effects: N.A. Costumes/Makeup: 8/10 Editing: 5/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  6/10  Verdict:  "Red Sparrow" attempts to be a smart spy thriller but ultimately ends up being way too long and convoluted for my liking.   Final Grade:  5/10

Director:  Billy Wilder Stars: Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton Runtime: 116 minutes Synopsis: A barrister whose health is failing him decides to take as a client a man accused of murder.  Performances: 10/10 Screenplay: 10/10 Special Effects: N.A. Costumes/Makeup: 8/10 Editing: 9/10 Cinematography: 9/10 Score/Soundtrack:  7/10  Verdict:  Full of twists and turns, "Witness for the Prosecution" is up there with "12 Angry Men" as one of the most thrilling courtroom dramas ever made. I sincerely loved every second of it, and can't recommend it enough.  Final Grade:  10/10

Director: Alexandros Avranas Stars: Jim Carrey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marton Csokas Runtime: 92 minutes Synopsis: When similarities are found between a book and an unsolved murder, Tadek, a Polish detective convinced that the author played in role in the crime, decides to reopen the case.  Performances: 4/10 Screenplay: 3/10 Special Effects: N.A. Costumes/Makeup: 6/10 Editing: 4/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack:  3/10  Verdict:  "Dark Crimes" may be only 92 minutes long, but feels much, much longer. Monotone acting, cringe-worthy dialogue, and unnecessarily long scenes made me lose interest in the plot very early on. In the right hands, it could've been worth the watch, but as it stands, I wouldn't recommend spending your time on it. Final Grade:  3/10