Marriage Story (Netflix, 2019) - 2/5

This is a well-crafted film that would have been better named Divorce Story. It’s slow and sad, focusing on realism in the portrayal of the characters than it does on having an interesting or meaningful story. It often seems to actively avoid portraying anything meaningful, and instead portrays nihilistic existentialism as the inescapable norm. It’s solidly produced in all other respects.

Closest comparison: It’s like While We’re Young (2014) with more futile shouting.

Setting: Modern Drama
Plot: Family Drama
Tone: Nihilistic Drama

The Princess Bride - 5/5

There are plenty of nit pick reasons why this film shouldn’t get a 5, but they all pale in the face of the unparalleled amount of heart this movie exudes at every turn. It repeatedly proves itself with likable characters and quotable dialogue, keeping both the high fantasy adventure and the heartfelt romance in top form. Any low quality special effects inexplicably add to the overall quality of the movie, in part because of the story is cased in narration but also because it maintains a delicate balance between believable danger for the characters and lighthearted fun for the audience. It is easily one of the all time great movies ever made.

Closest comparison: It’s like Monty Python’s and the Holy Grail (1975) by way of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Romance
Tone: Comedy