Halloween

THE GIST: On Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers murders his older sister with a kitchen knife. Institutionalized, he manages to escape 15 years later, the day before Halloween. He then heads back to Haddonfield, Illinois, to take care of unfinished business.

The first Halloween movie has been part of the horror canon for decades and has achieved cult status. It started a series of sequels and remakes that now totals 11 titles (and counting), making it one of the oldest franchises in the history of cinema, with countless more copycats and inspirations.

Frankly, I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Sure, the movie has its dose of scares, but many feel cheap and the overall quality of the film is low in my opinion.

There are many times when I thought "Well, he/she could have just done so and so," or "Why would s/he do that?!?" and so on. Usually, that's the mark of a poor movie, especially if it's a horror.

Jamie Lee Curtis was very young in this movie, and her acting shows it, but even a pro like Donald Pleasance had little to work with.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you're a fan of horror movies, this is probably a must-see, just for the sake of knowing what it's all about. If your standards are in line with mine though, you might come away... unimpressed.

Grade: 6

Hand in Hand

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Pain and Glory (Dolor y Gloria)

THE GIST: A once lauded film director is plagued by writer's block, depression, and debilitating back and head torments. Meanwhile, his masterpiece is being readied for re-release by the studio, which forces him to revisit his past dreams and hopes, and also to reacquaint himself with his old leading man and his first muse.

The latest offering from Pedro Almodóvar, arguably the most famous Spanish auteur, Pain and Glory is a self-referential work that intrigues, inspires, and enrapts the viewer.

Almodóvar reunites once again with his muses, Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz, and their work is both elegiac and moving.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't let subtitles stop you from enjoying foreign films that can sometimes be far superior to the popcorn fare churned out by Hollywood. Pain and Glory is a movie worth of your unmitigated attention.

Grade: 8

21 Bridges

THE GIST: During a manhunt for a couple of cop killers, an NYPD detective begins to uncover clues that would point to a massive cover-up of a city-wide conspiracy involving many police officers and organized crime. Suddenly, the hunter might turn into the hunted.

21 Bridges is a pretty cool movie. Just when you think you're reaching the end of a storyline, a sudden new development reshuffles the cards on you and raises the stakes.

Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, and J.K. Simmons are all perfectly cast in very intense in roles.

THE BOTTOM LINE: It might look like any other police procedural and some of its themes might be borrowed from previous movies, but I enjoyed the movie. It'll certainly keep you engaged.

Grade: 7

The Good Liar

THE GIST: A con man picks his new target to swindle: a widow with a considerable fortune. Things get complicated when he starts to actually have feelings for her. Will that get in the way?

The Good Liar has a very simple premise, is reasonably well written, has a good amount of twists, and features two of the best living actors: Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren.

And yet, the end result is underwhelming, but it's hard to tell precisely why. It's not that the story isn't interesting, and the casting is excellent even for supporting roles (like Russell Tovey and Jim Carter).

Perhaps it's simply that, in spite of the many twists in the plot, it's not that hard to see where it's all going, which is surely not useful when dealing with a caper.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I would recommend this movie only to fans of either McKellen or Mirren, because they're as good as ever. There surely are worse ways to spend a couple hours than in the company of these two fine actors.

Grade: 6

The Lone Bench

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Dark Waters

THE GIST: A corporate defense attorney risks his livelihood and career when he files an environmental lawsuit against a large chemical company that ordinarily employs his own firm. The research uncovers a lengthy and damning history of wanton pollution and poisoning of people, animals, and the environment.

Dark Waters is based on true facts and it is all the more astounding and worthy of your time for it.

Mark Ruffalo, who produced the movie as well as starred in it, said that he felt an obligation to bring this kind of knowledge to the masses because of the continuous abuse of the environment and the population on the part of big conglomerates. I applaud his efforts and dedication.

THE BOTTOM LINE: When the movie ends, a series of facts roll on the screen that will leave anyone speechless. It's incredible that large chemical companies display so little care for all living creatures and the environment, all in the pursuit of profit. A must-watch.

Grade: 8

Bombshell

THE GIST: At the height of their careers, a few women decide they have had enough of the culture of sexual abuse and exploitation fostered by powerful Fox News head Roger Ailes.

Bombshell certainly lives up to its name, dramatizing a true story that riveted viewers across America just a few years back and whose reverberations can still be felt today in the aftermath of the #MeToo movement.

Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman are marvelous. Also great are Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Allison Janney, and Malcolm McDowell.

It's almost too bad that disgusting-human-being-Ailes didn't live long enough to see this portrayal of him, although I doubt he'd have felt like he did anything wrong.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Please, do absolutely watch this movie. It has great writing and stellar acting, and the story is worth knowing in the hopes of it not being repeated.

Grade: 8

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

THE GIST: A jaded magazine writer known for being tough on his subjects, and therefore finding fewer and fewer willing to talk to him, is assigned to profile Mr. Rogers, widely considered the nicest man in America. His interview for the piece ends up challenging many of his assumptions and his cynical worldview.

Not having grown up in America, I had no idea who Mr. Rogers even was, other than some random information; given that Tom Hanks was lauded for his performance, I decide to watch A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

The movie is based on a true story and Hanks is indeed exceptional (as always), but so is Matthew Rhys, who I didn't really know before. Chris Cooper, in a smaller role, is also brilliant.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you watched and loved Mr. Rogers as a kid, you'll certainly enjoy this movie. One thing is certain, he must have been a really special kind of man.

Grade: 7

Peaking Through the Gate

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