Quick Review: Set in various cool cities, this crafty follow-up is visually diverse, and pretty attractive to look at, but its appearance only adds to the overall entertainment value, as similar to its predecessor, "Now You See Me 2" has quite a few tricks up its sleeve to hypnotize the audience with, being a proper caper with fun plot that is hard to foresee, and an all-star cast that is hard not to like. The finely-shot 'hide the card' scene half-way through is a pure highlight, and so is the final show.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
[5.50/10] The Mermaid (2016)
The Mermaid (2016)
Quick Review: Has Stephen Chow lost his touch? Judging by his latest film, maybe -- although it possesses its maker's signature quirkiness and cartoonish special effects, and has a clear environmental message, the latter hardly gets across in the best way possible, the comedy does not always deliver, the fantasy elements barely reach the desired effect, and the final act is way too unpleasantly violent, therefore, ironically enough, "The Mermaid" ends up being a bit fishy, yet far from rotten.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
[7.25/10] Eye in the Sky (2016)
Eye in the Sky (2016)
Quick Review: With its taut pacing, high level of credibility, strong acting from every single cast member, and Hood's capability of not only building up but also sustaining the suspense pretty much from start to finish, "Eye in the Sky" is a thorough nail-biter of military thriller with political tinge that confronts moral ethic against call of duty in such an intense, yet moving way, it will hold you one the edge of your seat, and make you question, whether any of the crucial decisions made are right or wrong.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
[4.25/10] The Forest (2016)
The Forest (2016)
Quick Review: It's fair to say that Natalie Dormer handles her double role adequately, taking into account the weakly-written and rather lousy script she's forced to work with, and the acting from the supporting cast is decent, but putting the truly eerie setting aside, which name alone is enough to give you the chills, "The Forest" is as scary as a walk in the park during daytime, as its so-called scares are as lame as they can get. Same goes for the so-cheesy ghost images here and there.
Monday, June 27, 2016
[6.00/10] Midnight Special (2016)
Midnight Special (2016)
Quick Review: Jeff Nichols sets a mysterious tone from the get-go with his moody direction, and maintains a certain sense of unease and quiet tensity throughout, playing with your mind by not giving too much away, and this is exactly what keeps you intrigued, along with the support of a solid cast that seem very involved in this project. That said, "Midnight Special" is not necessarily 'special' after all, as it feels like an overlong "Twilight Zone" episode, but less fun and more darkly serious.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
[5.00/10] Independence Day: Resurgence [3D] (2016)
Independence Day: Resurgence [3D] (2016)
Quick Review: Much like the 'guilty pleasure' original, this sequel wants to be 'all about the spectacle', and make us all care less about its trivial 'saving the world from deadly alien invasion' plot, but while the first one achieved that in a 'mindless fun' way this CGI-driven sequel fails to, being inept, flawed, overstuffed with hollow characters, and full of cheesy lines and overdone action scenes. It does one thing right, which is to thrill with its 'wow' special effects.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
[8.00/10] Finding Dory [3D] (2016)
Finding Dory [3D] (2016)
Quick Review: While certainly not one of Pixar's primest achievements "Finding Dory" finds its creators at their dor(k)iest, most carefree spirits yet, in the best sense known - sweet and touching from the very start, but also energetic, funny, and paced to perfection, this remarkably animated sequel to "Finding Nemo" is striking to look at in awesome 3D, especially during the awe-inspiring underwater Reef scenes, but it's got one bigger strength than its visuals, and that is the lively, adorable Dory.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
[4.50/10] The 5th Wave (2016)
The 5th Wave (2016)
Quick Review: When you intent to make a 'big' movie with not that big of a budget, it would end up looking exactly how "The 5th Wave" does -- sluggish, and featuring questionable CGI work that fails to impress even during the most watchable scene in the movie - the flashback of the first three waves. The rest is an uneven, painfully familiar plot-line that lacks both focus and thrills, based on an uninspired material that compels its otherwise talented stars to struggle big time working with it.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
[8.75/10] The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Quick Review: Helmed once again by Wan, who continues to show his ability to spread dread with skill and style, by utilizing camera techniques and optical tricks that emphasize the feel and the atmosphere of the film, "The Conjuring 2" is a very effective and outstandingly-acted sequel that easily handles various supernatural elements, generating tension, bone- chilling jolts, and proper scares, and displaying imagery so horrifying and diabolically sinister, they'll make you bawl. Beware of the Nun!
[4.00/10] Mr. Right (2016)
Mr. Right (2016)
Quick Review: Hearing its title, you all would expect a proper chick flick. Well, "Mr. Right" is not even close to one, as it features more action than all three "Expendables" movies put together. Sort of. And whilst all the fight sequences are finely-shot, and fun to watch, they feel inappropriate and making this movie seem like an awkward rom-com/action hybrid that suffers from big identity crisis. Not to mention the chemistry between the talented leads is downright odd, and does not feel right at all.
Friday, June 17, 2016
[6.00/10] Love & Friendship (2016)
Love & Friendship (2016)
Quick Review: Having a made-for- TV feel, it lacks the rich visuals and lush production design most period films are known for, but what it falls short on in terms of looks, "Love & Friendship" does make up for acting writing, and story-wise, thanks to its witty script, filled with sophisticated humor, and delightfully manipulative protagonist, played by the beautiful Kate Beckinsale, who is at her best. That said, those unfamiliar with Whit Stillman's previous work may find it way too talky, which it is.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
[3.50/10] Cabin Fever (2016)
Cabin Fever (2016)
Quick Review: To remade a horror film that's not especially good in the first place is not a very smart move indeed, and for this reason, if there was a competition for most pointless remakes, Travis Z's rendition would definitely win it -- although it is well- made from a technical point of view, and it sort of succeeds in delivering all the outrageous gore it's expected to, "Cabin Fever" is totally useless, and full of shallow, rather annoying characters. Pray all to God there will not be a remake sequel.
Quick Review: To remade a horror film that's not especially good in the first place is not a very smart move indeed, and for this reason, if there was a competition for most pointless remakes, Travis Z's rendition would definitely win it -- although it is well- made from a technical point of view, and it sort of succeeds in delivering all the outrageous gore it's expected to, "Cabin Fever" is totally useless, and full of shallow, rather annoying characters. Pray all to God there will not be a remake sequel.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
[6.50/10] How to Be Single (2016)
How to Be Single (2016)
Quick Review: An often irrational, if still pretty amusing comedy that is not really convinced in itself whether it wants to be a proper rom-com, or a relatively feminist one, done in the style of "Sex and the City", but much less elegant and witty, "How to Be Single" may feel a bit too random in terms of story and direction, but this is exactly where its charms lies in. It raises a vital question in its title, and answers it hilariously, with the help of a solid cast that apparently enjoy each minute starring in it.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
[4.25/10] Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
Quick Review: Chloë G Moretz is a fine addition to the hit-and-miss cast that never mash together very well, and because of her "Sorority Rising" is watchable when she's on screen, demonstrating her good comic skills, but the rest is pretty much all of the same, as this unnecessary sequel is an even further step down from the mediocre first film, offering nothing but free-of-wit jokes, cynical humor, and low production values, which is never a winning recipe.
Monday, June 13, 2016
[7.50/10] Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
Quick Review: The very gifted Jen Yuh returns to direct the third entry into the beloved animated franchise, and she does it with flair yet again -- from the fantastically designed and brought to life characters, and vivid graphics, crafted with skill and really remarkable attention to detail, to the coherent narrative, energetic pace, and superbly-choreographed action scenes, everything about "Kung Fu Panda 3" is absolutely spot-on, and that makes it a fun, lively, and truly entertaining kids feature.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
[4.50/10] Warcraft [3D] (2016)
Quick Review: Much like "Avatar", back in 2009, this one brings CGIs to a whole new level, as, while often overstated, those are impossible to fault. Story-wise, though, "Warcraft" is an epic misfire, and will most likely confuse all unfamiliar with the video game, since it is muddled, difficult to follow, and with far too many fantasy elements in it, but also underwhelm the fan base, as it's far from stirring, sloppily-directed, utterly flawed, and displaying battle scenes that are too chaotic to be satisfying.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
George Beremov's TOP 20 Best-Reviewed Movies of 2015 PART 2 [10 - 1]
[click on the title to read the quick review]
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Quote:
"...featuring exceptional stunts, astoundingly thrilling chases, staggering post-apocalyptic imagery and jaw-dropping action sequences that will fulfill you cinematic appetite for true top-notch entertainment..."
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2. Inside Out [3D] (9.50/10)
Quote:
"With a plot as witty, inventive, and original as it can get, one that perfectly matches its richly imaginative 3D visuals, "Inside Out" is probably the most complex Pixar feature to date..."
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3. Avengers: Age of Ultron [3D] (8.75/10)
Quote:
"...Whedon lets his imagination run wild creating a restlessly lively, and often mind-blowing spectacle of frantically epic action, relieved by some just as intriguing moments of purely human emotion..."
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4. The Revenant (8.50/10)
Quote: "Worth-seeing for the truly breathtaking scenery alone, Innaritu's survival revenge thriller may be a bit hard to sit through at times, but it's also thrilling, and masterfully-shot..."
________________________________
5. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (8.50/10)
Quote:
"...nearly on-par with its killer predecessor, and proves that action movies can be smart and thrilling at the same time without the help of 3D effects or tired gimmicks."
________________________________
Quote:
"...it takes full advantage of its otherwise cool concept, and goes full throttle with it, in a goofy fashion, showing a spunky attitude, and spot-on sense of humor, while wowing with its crisp visuals."
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7. Tale of Tales (8.25/10)
Quote: "Delightfully twisted in nature, obscure in tone, and even grimmer than any Grimm story ever told, "Tale of Tales" is far from being your typical 'happily ever after' fairy tale..."
________________________________
8. Kingsman: The Secret Service (8.00/10)
Quote:
"...a highly-stylized, cartoonishly violent, and fantastically cheeky spy action comedy you'll have a bloody great time with, especially watching Colin Firth kicking tons of butts with style..."
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9. The Martian [3D] (8.00/10)
Quote: "..."The Martian" is hands down one of 2015's best movies, all thanks to Ridley Scott's capable direction, and Matt Damon's stellar
'one man show' performance."
'one man show' performance."
________________________________
10. Sicario (8.00/10)
Quote: "...a focused, electrifying, and intelligently-scripted movie that relies on so much more than just the action, as it has a few clever tricks up its sleeve, and a talented cast that carries it out."
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Tuesday, June 7, 2016
George Beremov's TOP 20 Best-Reviewed Movies of 2015 PART 1 [20 - 11]
[click on the title to read the quick review]
________________________________
11. Spy (8.00/10)
Quote: "Constantly hilarious, smartly-plotted, variable in settings, dynamic in execution, held with style and great flair, and boasting one of the quirkiest and original fight and kill scenes this year..."
________________________________
12. Liza, The Fox-Fairy (7.75/10)
Quote: "Quirky, colorful, and truly one of a kind, this Hungarian black comedy with retro vibe, and an exotic Asian flavor often feels like Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Wes Anderson's cinematic lovechild..."
________________________________
13. Brooklyn (7.75/10)
Quote:
"Accurately depicting the life of Irish immigrants in the US in the '50s, "Brooklyn" is a touching personal story with huge heart, and authentic looks, further elevated by the sensual acting by Ronan..."
________________________________
14. The Walk (7.75/10)
Quote: "Offering visual thrills big enough to give you a huge adrenaline rush, and make your heart pound, an aspiring, if not inspiring true story that will hold your attention, and superb performance by Levitt..."
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15. Jurassic World [3D] (7.50/10)
Quote:
"...as soon as things go out of control and the dino mayhem kicks in, this solid sequel instantly 'sharpens its teeth', providing enough big thrills, intense attack and chase sequences, and arresting visuals..."
________________________________
16. Straight Outta Compton (7.50/10)
Quote: "Full of attitude and rage, if a bit rough in the beginning, this controversial biopic depicts the struggles of street life, and those of success, in a brutally frank manner, never losing its dramatic impact..."
________________________________
17. Shaun the Sheep (7.50/10)
Quote: "...yet
another winner from Aardman, boasting an inventive, rich in detail, and
superbly-executed stop-motion animation, energetic and delightfully
un-cheesy characters, and a nearly epic story..."
________________________________
18. Room (7.50/10)
Quote: "...uncomfortable to watch in its quietly dark and disturbing first half, set in a single filthy room, "Room" becomes very rewarding later on, in a way you have to experience to understand."
________________________________
19. Bridge of Spies (7.50/10)
Quote: "...a neatly-paced, deeply engaging spy thriller, led by Tom Hanks' great performance, that owes its nice look to the slick cinematography, and outstanding production design."
________________________________
20. 99 Homes (7.50/10)
Quote: "Gripping from beginning to the end, and with high level of intensity, but above all brilliantly-acted by its two capable leads, this is a contemporary rags-to-riches drama many viewers can relate to..."
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