Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

THE GIST: Stella and her two friends stumble upon a mysterious drifter, who helps them out of a difficult situation. Being Halloween, the four decide to go explore a local rundown mansion thought to be haunted. In what looks like a hidden cell, they discover a notebook full of scary stories. Then, strange things start happening.

Let's not kid ourselves, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is not reinventing the horror/scary stories/haunted house genre here, but it doesn't look like that was its intention nor goal.

Zoe Margaret Colletti, in her first lead role, shows that she's got a pretty bright future ahead of her in the industry if she wants to.

THE BOTTOM LINE: With a title like that, you pretty much know what you're getting yourself into. The movie does have some pretty good scares and is reasonably well structured. I enjoyed it.

Grade: 6.5

The Kitchen

THE GIST: When their mobster husbands are caught and sent to jail while robbing a store, Kathy, Ruby, and Claire have to figure out how to make ends meet with the little financial support trickling in from the mafia. When they see that they are not the only ones with issues about how things are run, they decide to take matters into their own hands.

I was super excited to watch The Kitchen because it stars two actresses I really like, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss, and one I totally adore, Melissa McCarthy.

The three ladies are flanked by the always good Domhnall Gleeson and James Badge Dale, and there's even a terrific cameo by Margo Martindale.

Overall, I found the script to be pretty good, even though the end result is not spectacular by any means.

THE BOTTOM LINE: This is a crime-thriller that's certainly enjoyable, even though it can feel a bit trite and predictable. After all, the genre has been worked on for decades, so the female leads are certainly one of its main selling points, but I think it works.

Grade: 7

Shoe Shine

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Toy Story 4

THE GIST: As usually happens, Andy has grown up and has passed his toys over to his little sister Bonnie. The gang is almost all still there when Bonnie brings home a new toy she made, Forky, who needs help understanding his new life. During a road trip, Woody and Forky become separated from the other toys and must find their way back. This is when Woody stumbles upon a long-lost friend and has to make a big choice.

Toy Story 4 is the latest installment in what is likely the best animated series of all time. All four movies are great in their own unique ways, helping kids of all ages face their everyday struggles.

As is customary with any Pixar film, the animation work is outstanding, the score rousing, the voice-over work topnotch, and the screenplay rock solid.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you've never watched the Toy Story movies, then you're missing out. They're all among the best animation has to offer, and this 4th chapter follows in the grand tradition.

Grade: 8

Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures

THE GIST: The story of how Robert Mapplethorpe came to be one of the most influential and controversial artists of the 20th century.

Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures is a really extraordinary examination of a photographer who lived his life so outrageously, freely, and according to his own rules, it's hard to fathom.

He was revered and influential almost from the start of his career precisely because of his aesthetic and his ability to create art from the most ordinary objects, like flowers, or the most taboo, like the human body, including its sexuality.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I knew some of Mapplethorpe's work, but I was not aware of its breadth and scope. This is definitely an eye-opener. If you like art, especially photography, don't miss it.

Grade: 8

Agnelli

THE GIST: The story of an Italian legend as told by those who knew him.

Agnelli is a very well made documentary about the life of Gianni Agnelli, the man whose name has become synonymous with that of FIAT, his family's car factory, which to this day is one of the main engines of Italy's economy.

As recounted here, however, Agnelli's life went through many iterations, each influencing and shaping the person and his future.

He wasn't just a wealthy man, as his style and personal charms made him a jet setter of international fame; a man who could influence politicians, titans of industry, the fashion world, heads of state, and public opinion to his and Italy's advantage.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Obviously, the name Agnelli resonates with me tremendously, having lived for many years in the shadow cast by FIAT on Turin, the town I'm from, but I found this documentary to be very informative and interesting for anyone.

Grade: 7

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

THE GIST: Ordinary teen Miles Morales is bitten by a radioactive spider and develops powers similar to those of his hero Spider-Man, who is killed shortly after. Miles decides to take up Spidey's mantle and stop the evil Kingpin from spooling up a Collider that would mess with reality. He's aided in his efforts by other versions of Spider-Man coming from other universes, who crossed over when the Collider was tested.

I was blown away by the inventiveness and originality of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse; not just the story itself, but also the visual style in which it's told. Not surprisingly, it won the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar.

All the actors lending their voices to the different characters have no connection to any live-action versions made before or after, which also adds to its freshness.

And then of course there's the fact that for the first time Spider-Man is not a white guy, but instead... No, I don't want to spoil the fun. Go watch it.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Whether you like comic book stories or not, this is an animated movie you should watch. It's funny, deep, and makes you long for more of it.

Grade: 8

Spider-Man 3

THE GIST: Just when things seem to be going well for Peter Parker, an out-of-space Symbiote attaches itself to him, augmenting Spider-Man's powers but also his aggression. Meanwhile, new villains Sandman and Venom join the New Goblin to stir up trouble.

Spider-Man 3 is the final installment in Sony's first successful Spider-Man reboot effort. These three movies were directed by Sam Raimi and starred Tobey Maguire, and their first Spider-Man is credited with not only resurrecting a beloved comic book hero, but also in spearheading Hollywood's newly found addiction with comic book adaptations.

This chapter is very much in line with its predecessors, which is good, but it also dents its shine a bit, being the third in the series.

Maguire gives it his all, but by this point the guy was 32 years old, and so hardly looked like a guy in his late-teens/early twenties, still pining after his high-school crush.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Eye-popping visual effects and countless action scenes help in making the movie interesting. Still, it's mostly for Spidey's aficionados.

Grade: 6.5

Candy Store

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The Amazing Spider-Man 2

THE GIST: Spider-Man is still in love with Gwen Stacy and is still fighting off villains. This time he faces off against the Green Goblin, who wants Spidey's blood to heal himself from an incurable disease, and Electro, who can control electricity and seems to be no match for Spider-Man.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 represents the second and final outing as Spider-Man for the handsome Andrew Garfield. He did a good job the first time around and doesn't disappoint here either, but his exuberance is at times jarring.

I think it's because he was 31 years old when he made this, and he's supposedly playing a teenager. Now, he might look very youthful, but that's a bit of a stretch.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Overall the story is certainly engaging, with top-notch visual effects, but I didn't find the Electro character sufficiently developed, so it's not as good as its predecessor.

Grade: 6