9 (2009)

A rag doll that awakens in a postapocalyptic future holds the key to humanity’s salvation. (IMDb)

The initial lack of story and character backgrounds is appropriate for the film’s shocking post-apocalyptic world (the “machine” is a compelling threat), as we’re dropped into the desolate setting as naive as our protagonist; the exposition to follow is mostly tasteful (save for the scientist’s heavy-handed yet still insufficient final explanation) and the characters that develop feel shallow but natural. Most significantly though, the animation and action set pieces are consistently fantastic.

7.5/10 (Really Good)

Back to the Future (1985)

A young man is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence. (IMDb)

Superbly written: Seemingly inconsequential early happenings gain new significance as Marty’s trip to the past calls them back to mind in delicious deja vu moments and hilarious ironic one-liners (“Better get used to these bars, kid”); the “80s kid in the 50s” aspect provides some great scenes (see the final guitar solo); and the time travel logistics are (mostly) well-constructed. It’s an entertaining and exciting film with great turns from Fox and the hilarious Lloyd (“… some serious shit”).

8.5/10 (Amazing)