The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

2002/PG-13/223 Min.

OVERALL 9.1

STORY/SCREENPLAY 9.1 

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5
EDITING 9.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.5
SOUND 9.5 
MUSIC 9.5

VIOLENCE 7.0
LANGUAGE 0.0 
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.5

MORALS 8.0 
POWER 9.0 

CREATIVITY 8.5

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #3

ABEL AWARDS

Mini-review:

More action, but never less drama, carries the second in the trilogy to a new epic height that fills in the gap and sets up for the epic ending to the trilogy.

Director: 
Peter Jackson

Starring: 
Elijah Wood
Ian McKellen
Sean Astin
Viggo Mortensen
Liv Tyler
Cate Blanchett
Orlando Bloom
John Rhys-Davies
Andy Serkis
Billy Boyd
Dominic Monaghan

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

2001/PG-13/208 Min.

OVERALL 9.1

STORY/SCREENPLAY 9.1 

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5
EDITING 9.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.5
SOUND 9.5 
MUSIC 9.5

VIOLENCE 7.0
LANGUAGE 0.0 
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.5

MORALS 8.0 
POWER 8.5 

CREATIVITY 8.5

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #2

ABEL AWARDS

Mini-review:

The first in perhaps the greatest film trilogy of all time, this film carries depth and emotion throughout its epic and long but never boring plot, and it sticks quite close to its source material.

Director: 
Peter Jackson

Starring: 
Elijah Wood
Ian McKellen
Sean Astin
Viggo Mortensen
Liv Tyler
Cate Blanchett
Orlando Bloom
John Rhys-Davies
Andy Serkis
Billy Boyd
Dominic Monaghan
Ian Holm

Batman Begins (2005)

2005/PG-13/140 Min.

OVERALL 8.9

STORY/SCREENPLAY 8.9 

ACTING 9.5
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5 
EDITING 9.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.0
SOUND 9.5 
MUSIC 9.5

VIOLENCE 6.5
LANGUAGE 1.0
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.5

MORALS 7.5
POWER 8.0
CREATIVITY 8.5

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #7

ABEL AWARDS 

Mini-review:

A great film with fantastic performances and a Batman that is more relate-able, and depth that was really lacking in the 4 films that came throughout the 90s. Batman Begins is an excellent film that captures the fear and emotional depth of Batman.

Director: 
Christopher Nolan

Starring: 
Christian Bale 
Liam Neeson
Michael Caine
Katie Holmes
Gary Oldman
Morgan Freeman 
Cillian Murphy
Tom Wilkinson
Ken Wantanabe

Lincoln (2012)

2012/PG-13/150 Min.

OVERALL 8.4

STORY/SCREENPLAY 8.4 

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5 
EDITING 9.0
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 8.5
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.2
SOUND 9.0 
MUSIC 9.0

VIOLENCE 5.0
LANGUAGE 2.0
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.5

MORALS 7.5
POWER 8.5
CREATIVITY 8.0

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #20

ABEL AWARDS 4 wins / 9 Nominations

Mini-review:

An excellent portrayal of Lincoln, with incredible performances and beautiful cinematography and all around execution. Another great film by Steven Spielberg, showing us the man who is Abraham Lincoln, and not just his good side, but his many shortfalls and also his wisdom. This is a film that gives you a lot to think about.

Director: 
Steven Spielberg (Winner - Best Director)

Starring: 
Daniel Day-Lewis (Winner  - Best Lead Actor)
Tommy Lee Jones (Nominee - Best Supporting Actor)
Jared Harris
Sally Field (Nominee - Best Supporting Actress)
James Spader 
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
David Strathairn
Adam Driver
Lee Pace

Les Miserables (2012)

2012/PG-13/157 Min.

OVERALL 8.6

STORY/SCREENPLAY 8.7 

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5 
EDITING 8.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.5
SOUND 9.0 
MUSIC 9.5

VIOLENCE 4.5
LANGUAGE 1.0
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 2.5

MORALS 8.0
POWER 8.5
CREATIVITY 8.0

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #10

ABEL AWARDS 4 wins / 7 Nominations

Mini-review:

A beautiful and emotional journey that is unparalleled in cinema these days, Les Miserables is not just a movie, or simply a musical, it is a portrayal of life and love and the consequences of the decisions we make. It shines with the fact that we are not defined by our circumstances, but defined by our choices to have faith and hope, and to love. We are the wretched miserable ones, and this film does an incredible job of drawing you in and portraying the deep emotions of life.

Director: 
Tom Hooper (Honorable Mention - Best Director)

Starring: 
Hugh Jackman (Nominee - Best Lead Actor)
Russell Crowe (Honorable Mention - Best Supporting Actor)
Amanda Seyfried
Eddie Redmayne (Winner - Best Supporting Actor)
Anne Hathaway (Winner - Best Supporting Actress)
Sacha Baron Cohen
Helena Bonham Carter (Honorable Mention - Best Supporting Actress)
Samantha Barks (Honorable Mention - Best Supporting Actress)
Daniel Huttlestone

12 Years a Slave (2013)

2013/R/134 Min.

OVERALL 8.2

STORY/SCREENPLAY 8.5

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5
EDITING 9.0
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 8.5 
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.0 
SOUND 9.0 

MUSIC 9.0

VIOLENCE 8.5 
LANGUAGE 1.5 

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 6.0 

MORALS 7.5 
POWER 8.5 

CREATIVITY 7.5

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #32

ABEL AWARDS 5 wins / 7 nominations

Mini-review:

12 Years a Slave is a hard and honest depiction at the life of a free man who is sold into slavery, and it comes as an emotional and hopeful journey. A masterful work of filmmaking and a great story.

Director: 
Steve McQueen (Nominee - Best Director)

Starring:

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Nominee - Best Lead Actor)
Michael Fassbender (Winner - Best Supporting Actor)
Lupita Nyong'o (Winner - Best Supporting Actress)
Benedict Cumberbatch
Brad Pitt
Paul Giamatti

Gravity (2013)

2013/PG-13/114 Min.

OVERALL 8.2

STORY/SCREENPLAY 8.0

ACTING 8.5
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5
EDITING 9.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.5 
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.3 
SOUND 9.5 

MUSIC 8.5

VIOLENCE 6.0 
LANGUAGE 2.0 

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.0 

MORALS 7.0 
POWER 8.0 

CREATIVITY 9.0

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #38

ABEL AWARDS 6 wins / 7 nominations

Mini-review:

Beautiful, breathtaking, and surprisingly heartfelt, Gravity is a masterful piece of filmmaking with sleek direction and awe-inspiring visual effects and cinematography.

Director: 
Alfonso Cuaron (Winner - Best Director)

Starring:

Sandra Bullock (Winner - Best Lead Actress)
George Clooney

The Tree of Life (2011)

2011/PG-13/139 Min.

OVERALL 8.4

STORY/SCREENPLAY 8.2 

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.0 
EDITING 8.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 8.5
SOUND 8.5 
MUSIC 8.5

VIOLENCE 3.0
LANGUAGE 0.5
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 1.0

MORALS 8.0
POWER 8.5
CREATIVITY 9.0

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #18

ABEL AWARDS BEST FILM - 8 wins / 4 Nominations

Mini-review:

An emotional and spiritual journey that doesn't shy away from the difficult questions about life and love. It is a slow film, so it's not for the average moviegoer. It's more than just entertainment, it's life-challenging and purpose-driven art.

Director: 
Terrence Malick (Nominee - Best Director)

Starring: 
Jessica Chastain (Nominee - Best Lead Actress)
Brad Pitt (Winner - Best Supporting Actor)
Hunter McCracken
Laramie Eppler
Tye Sheridan
Sean Penn

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

2012/PG-13/164 Min.

OVERALL 9.0

STORY/SCREENPLAY 9.1 

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5 
EDITING 9.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.5
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.3
SOUND 9.5 
MUSIC 9.0

VIOLENCE 7.0
LANGUAGE 1.5
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 1.0

MORALS 7.5
POWER 9.0
CREATIVITY 8.0

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #6

ABEL AWARDS BEST FILM - 4 wins / 4 Nominations

Mini-review:

An epic conclusion to the Batman trilogy, and while a little long and slow in the beginning, more than makes up for it in the end with its finale. The true character of Bruce Wayne is finally fleshed out, and we finally get to see the Batman that is truly a hero.

Director: 
Christopher Nolan (Nominee - Best Director)

Starring: 
Christian Bale (Honorable Mention - Best Lead Actor)
Gary Oldman (Honorable Mention - Best Supporting Actor)
Morgan Freeman
Michael Caine (Honorable Mention - Best Supporting Actor)
Tom Hardy
Anne Hathaway
Marion Cotillard
Joseph Gordon- Levitt

The Dark Knight (2008)

2008/PG-13/152 Min.

OVERALL 9.0

STORY/SCREENPLAY 9.2 

ACTING 9.5
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5 
EDITING 9.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.2
SOUND 9.5 
MUSIC 9.5

VIOLENCE 7.0
LANGUAGE 1.5
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.5

MORALS 7.5
POWER 8.5
CREATIVITY 9.0

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #5

ABEL AWARDS BEST FILM - 11 wins / 6 Nominations

Mini-review:

A fantastic film that amazes with its moral dilemmas, excellent performances, and intricate plot. The Dark Knight is an incredible film masterpiece. Plus, it's Batman.

Director: 
Christopher Nolan (Winner - Best Director)

Starring: 
Christian Bale (Honorable Mention - Best Lead Actor)
Heath Ledger (Winner - Best Supporting Actor)
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Gary Oldman (Honorable Mention - Best Supporting Actor)
Morgan Freeman (Nominee - Best Supporting Actor)
Michael Caine (Honorable Mention - Best Supporting Actor)
Aaron Eckhart

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

2013/PG/114 Min.

OVERALL 8.3

STORY/SCREENPLAY 8.2

ACTING 8.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.0
EDITING 9.0
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0 
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 8.7 
SOUND 8.5 

MUSIC 9.0

VIOLENCE 4.0 
LANGUAGE 1.0 

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.5 

MORALS 7.5 
POWER 8.0 

CREATIVITY 9.0

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #23

ABEL AWARDS BEST FILM - 3 wins / 5 nominations

Mini-review:

Inspirational, quirky, heartfelt and filled with some great awkward humor, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a wonderful, dazzling, and adventurous spectacle that touches the heart of life and gives ambition to live life to the fullest wherever you are.

Director: 
Ben Stiller

Starring: 
Ben Stiller
Kristen Wiig
Sean Penn
Adam Scott
Patton Oswalt

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

2003/PG-13/251 Min.

OVERALL 9.1

STORY/SCREENPLAY 9.3

ACTING 9.0
CINEMATOGRAPHY 9.5
EDITING 9.5
VISUAL/SPECIAL FX 9.0
ART/COSTUMES/MAKEUP 9.5
SOUND 9.5
MUSIC 9.5

VIOLENCE 7.0
LANGUAGE 0.0
SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY 0.5

MORALS 8.0
POWER 9.0 

CREATIVITY 8.5

MELCHIZEDEK’S RANKING  #1

ABEL AWARDS

Mini-review:

The epic conclusion to The Lord of the Rings is a visually beautiful film filled with so many characters, all of whom the story never forgets, and leaves you with an emotional ending to this epic journey, and sails away into the west.

Director: 
Peter Jackson

Starring: 
Elijah Wood
Ian McKellen
Sean Astin
Viggo Mortensen
Liv Tyler
Cate Blanchett
Orlando Bloom
John Rhys-Davies
Andy Serkis
Billy Boyd
Dominic Monaghan