We’ve added quite a few movies to Stoski’s Ultimate Movies Rating Guide this month. I dunno about you, but quarantine has really brought out the film lover in me, in that I'm suddenly watching a few movies a week, instead of three per month. Maybe 2020 ain’t so bad.

Uncut Gems (2019)

Adam Sandler is in a dramatic role, and he pulls it off marvelously. What a time to be alive. He plays Howard Ratner; business owner, untrustworthy serial cheater, and problem gambler, who uses his clients property to fund his addiction in a desperate effort to pay off existing debts. A regular Ponzi scheme, this fella.

He’s also constantly calling dudes and making moves, bringing people into the fold and working hard to make his dreams come true by always being on the move and dealing with clients, associates, and assorted contacts. In short; Howard is a man about town. He’s an important dude with people to see and deals to make. Got a problem? He knows someone to sort it. He’s got contacts galore, such is life as a man about town.

He’s also in the quite fortuitous position of being an owner of an iPhone 5 with unlimited battery life. Like, seriously, we see Howard on the move all day, every day, making calls, texting, or otherwise using his smartphone. Yet it’s never dead, or even on the verge. This is all despite his inability to stay put for the hour it would take to charge the damn thing. That iPhone is the real man about town here. God damn.

3.5/5

Annabelle: Creation (2017)

A prequel to the dogshit jump-scare franchise of the same name, Creation is done surprisingly well. Rather than use every scene as an opportunity to make the audience shit their pants from a silly fright, the director opts to actually live up to the film's chosen genre - to create mood and atmosphere conducive to genuine discomfort and terror. This movie was a welcome relief from other "horror" films in recent years. These films used cheap jump-scare tactics to fool the audience into the notion that ‘horror’ means ‘jumping in your seat every 5 minutes and spilling your beverage everywhere’.

Director David Sandberg, as opposed to John Leonetti, who directed the first movie, had enough sense to do this movie right. Cut the unnecessary jump-scares, and use the material on hand to create a compelling movie with an interesting story, an interesting setting, and some genuinely spooky moments. It isn't the best horror movie out there, but at least you don't need to use air-quotes when calling it horror.

2.5/5

Happy Death Day (2017)

It's Groundhog Day for a new generation. The writing is great, the editing is quick, and the audience is given as much information as they need, without being bogged down in meaningless details. The main character's day starts over more than a dozen times, but the editing means you'll barely notice. There's a love interest that the MC suades. There's a resolution where the next day finally comes. It's freggin Groundhog day, man. The sense of wonder and discovery is there, and you feel it alongside the main character, as she tries to piece the puzzle together and get her life back. It even slightly falls apart in the third act, just like groundhog day! Both movies are absolutely fantastic though