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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

[6.00/10] Coherence (2014)

Coherence (2014)

Quick Review: Done in the same vein as 2009's "Triangle", this is a messed-up little indie mystery film, about parallel realities, full of clever ideas and rare originality, and even though it is often difficult-to-follow, "Coherence" is pretty mind-bending in general. What the film is lacking, though, is an adequate execution to match its intelligence, but that's due to the lack of budget shown through the dull, bland cinematography, and an unknown cast with questionable talent, and acting skills.

Monday, September 29, 2014

[5.00/10] Proxy (2014)

Proxy (2014)

Quick Review: "Proxy" could be considered as two separate movies, as there are two pretty distinctive stories in it, and whilst the first part is oddly engaging and disturbing in a quiet, yet very mesmerizing way, as soon as one of the secondary characters suddenly takes the lead in the second half, the flick quickly turns into a surreal mess, that tries to showcase us the true dark side of parenthood, but in the end it's just a nonsensical bore, devoid of scares, logic and with no impact.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

[6.00/10] The Monuments Men (2014)

The Monuments Men (2014)

Quick Review: It’s definitely not the most entertaining movie you’ll ever see, nor is the most smoothly-paced one, but at least the authentically-crafted “The Monuments Men” feels different and unique, especially for a film set during war time, due to its uncommon art-inspired story, and elegant execution. Every single one from the A-list ensemble cast does a fantastic job, with Cate Blanchett as the French curator rightly deserving a special mention here.

[3.50/10] Nymph (2014)

Nymph (2014)

Quick Review: This Serbian sort of horror has some splendid locations, and its enthusiastic director gives his all to make it feel like a decent Hollywood production, but sadly, the movie's countless faults never allow that to happen. In fact, his "Nymph" ends up being arguably the worst mermaid feature ever made, as it's pretty lame in terms of both story and execution -- terrible script, poor acting, sub-par direction, bad CGIs, and an under-use of the creature lead to a total disaster.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

[5.00/10] Heaven is for Real (2014)

Heaven is for Real (2014)

Quick Review: Okay, we get it – its No. 1 aim is to make us feel hopeful, uplifted, and inspired by its positive, religiously surreal message about the existence of God and Heaven, and although it has its interesting moments and sequences of subtle beauty, what makes this film less than convincing and credible is its laziness and monotony, plus, Greg Kinnear miscasting doesn’t help the movie either, nor does the mediocre script. In the end, with “Heaven is for Real” boredom is 4 sure.

Friday, September 26, 2014

[7.25/10] The Maze Runner (2014)

The Maze Runner (2014)

Quick Review: The conclusion isn't exactly revealing, and the film itself takes its time to warm up, but once it does, "The Maze Runner" gives half of this summer's blockbusters a big run for their money, as it is a well put together dystopian sci-fi horror, build upon a maze of dark mystery. Director Wes Ball shows great taste through his polished direction, and the stylishly formidable atmosphere he successfully generates, and the capable young cast are so cogent, you can smell their fear.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

[6.50/10] Draft Day (2014)

Draft Day (2014)

Quick Review: Given the specific nature of its subject matter, "Draft Day" is made mostly for American public, which limits its popularity, but if you give it a chance, you might end up pleasantly surprised by this gripping 'behind the scenes' sports drama, that gives us a candid look at NFL's so-called 'internal affairs', in particular the managers, and how they play tricks on each other. Kevin Costner is a fascinating lead you can't take your eye off, and Jennifer Garner delivers as well.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

[5.75/10] Willow Creek (2014)

Willow Creek (2014)

Quick Review: After 2012's "The Lost Coast Tapes", we now have yet another indie Bigfoot-related 'found footage' flick, and although this one ain't as inventive in its approach, it's much more credible plot-wise, if also very unambiguous. Surely, the night scenes in the forest will give you shivers, and the last ten minutes of the film are quite intense, but apart from that "Willow Creek" is hardly a proper horror film, as 90% of it is a talky walk-in-the-woods set up with not much suspense in it.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

[4.25/10] The Pact II (2014)

The Pact II (2014)

Quick Review: "It's not over yet", says its tagline, which sounds very promising, considering how ghastly the original was. Sadly though, after you see it, you'd wish it was over, as "The Pact 2" is plain and simple, a poorly-conceived sequel that fails at both, to provide frightful thrills to its audience and also to dig further and deeper into the great story the first film set up. The new team behind it gives us a lazy horror film with very poor ideas and sub-par acting, that would not scare a child.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

[7.00/10] Rio 2 (2014)

Rio 2 (2014)

Quick Review: Let's face it, it is difficult to make an animated sequel in general, let alone when you've set the bar high with the original, but director Saldanha accomplishes that easily, giving us a solid entry, that shines bright with its vivid animation and truly stunningly-choreographed musical numbers, and amuses with its humorous animal characters we can't help, but like. The plot is less inventive, but just as adventurous as the one in the great first film, and that's satisfying enough.

[6.25/10] Hateship Loveship (2014)


Quick Review: It’s very peculiar, slow-moving, and definitely not for everyone, but “Hateship Loveship” will draw you in with its odd, and yet beautifully believable love story, and mesmerize you with Kristen Wiig’s silently brilliant performance as the lonely Johanna, who manages to carry almost the entire movie on her fragile shoulders, complemented by another great role – the one by Guy Pierce. Visuals-wise, it is a simple-looking film, but a gently-executed, and very well-shot one.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

[4.00/10] Leprechaun: Origins (2014)

Leprechaun: Origins (2014)

Quick Review: There are some tense moments in it, that basically save it from being a complete and utter 'train wreck', plus, the Irish locations are sort of refreshing, and even ominous during night scenes, but “Leprechaun: Origins” is hands down an unnecessary prequel with no memorable scares at all that tries rather desperately, but, ultimately, fails miserably to breathe life into this already mediocre and long time dead horror franchise.

Monday, September 15, 2014

[5.00/10] Think Like a Man Too (2014)

Think Like a Man Too (2014)

Quick Review: While the original was a fun and above average chick flick, that even male audience can easily enjoy, this mediocre sequel is ruined by its sort of “Hangover”-ish approach and the obnoxiousness of Hart's character, who overpowers all the others... in a very bad way. And not even the glossy backdrop of Las Vegas, and attractive cast are able to make "Think Like a Man Too" tad more appealing, or at least passably enjoyable, and amusing.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

[6.00/10] Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

Quick Review: Kenneth Branagh surprised us big time with "Thor", delivering a pretty fun flick, and he tries to achieve the same with this by-the-numbers reboot, and even if he does a less impressive job here, "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" still remains a fairly intriguing thriller that entertains with its charismatic, well- picked cast, tense chases and even tenser action sequences, despite its script's many fairly familiar elements and lack of 'curveballs'.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

[7.00/10] Honeymoon (2014)

Honeymoon (2014)

Quick Review: It drags at some points, it's limited in characters, and not all viewers will be satisfied with the ending, but still, "Honeymoon" ends up being something so much more than your typical 'cabin in the woods' movie -- as unsettling as it's scary, this micro-budget, yet highly atmospheric creeper will challenge your mind with its unpredictability, and play with your nerves the whole way through. Both leads are great, and all that affection-turned-tension between them is jolting.

[5.25/10] A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

Quick Review: MacFarlane and Theron’s on-screen chemistry is as strong as it’s sweet, the so-so script provides some goofy laughs along the way, and it’s nice to see Liam Neeson playing the bad guy for a change, but “A Million ways to Die in the West” is a self-deluded western comedy, thinking it’s bright, witty and hysterically hilarious, that it’s in fact only occasionally amusing, and not half as entertaining or well-executed as it could have been.

Friday, September 12, 2014

[8.25/10] How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Quick Review: The graphics, while still stylish and utterly fantastic, are not as impressive this time around, but that aside, “How to Train Your Dragon 2” is pretty much everything a successful sequel should be – it’s consistently engrossing, energetic, unpredictable, and full of pleasant surprises, plus, it effectively further develops the adorable relationship between Hiccup and his cool dragon buddy, while it also introduces some new gripping characters.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

[4.75/10] 7500 (2014)

7500 (2014)

Quick Review: The fact it is being set on an airplane, makes “7500” inevitably claustrophobic and kinda panic-y, and its experienced director T. Shimizu successfully manages to create an obscure and mysterious atmosphere that gives it a chilling feel and sense of dread, but sadly this half-baked effort goes sharply downhill towards the end, leaving far too many questions unanswered and leading to a twist that's neither shocking, nor clever. Not to mention its one-note characters.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

[6.00/10] Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [3D] (2014)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [3D] (2014)

Quick Review: Liebesman's "Ninja Turtles" movie is by no means great and it doesn't feel as nostalgic as it should, but it’s definitely not boring – briskly-paced from start to finish, if also very rushed, highly energized by its frantic, video game-like fight scenes, visually enhanced due to its often superb 3D special effects, and filled with goofy humor, “TMNT" is an enjoyable no-brainer, worth-seeing for the fun, and the eye-candy looks of Megan Fox as O'Neil.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

[2.50/10] Septic Man (2014)

Septic Man (2014)

Quick Review: Nasty, disgusting, and every bit as ugly-looking as its otherwise apt title implies, but worst of all painfully pointless, stupid, and boring as hell, “Septic Man” does absolutely nothing right, other than grossing you out with its repulsive images to the point of throwing up, so you better watch this one on an empty stomach, or even better – make sure you never check out this daft, poorly-made and amateurishly- directed stinky piece of crap, that dares to call itself horror.