[7.00/10] A Conspiracy of Faith (2016)

A Conspiracy of Faith (2016)

Quick Review: Nordics always pull off mysteries finely, and this Danish kidnapping thriller is no exception -- exploring tough themes of religious fanaticism, real-life satanism and kid abduction on a deeper level, and in a realistic manner, "A Conspiracy of Faith" is every bit as disturbing as it is riveting to watch, owing that to its scarily plausible enigmatic story, well acted genuine characters and bleak visuals with gloomy tone that create a really unsettling mood.

[6.00/10] Criminal (2016)

Criminal (2016)

Quick Review: The cool title "Two Minds" would have been a lot more appropriate, based on the sci-fi-ish plot, which is entertaining enough to hold your attention for the most part despite the uneven pacing, and yet, even with this 'scientific' approach, "Criminal" still appears conventional, and seems familiar. Kevin Costner is on fire, and he saves this otherwise technically well-crafted crime thriller from failure, but the rest of the cast, are too underused to finely support his strong performance.

[7.50/10] 47 Meters Down (2016)

47 Meters Down (2016)

Quick Review: The shabby start is barely promising, but once the story sinks under the surface, "47 Meters Down" goes so tense, your fears will quickly start to emerge, as the blend of sharks, gore, and claustrophobia, brings some deep-sea-thrills so big, they'll leave you gasping for air, but also struggle along with the victims. Kudos to Roberts, who executes the hard-to-film underwater scenes very capably, and effortlessly, and makes them look scarily real, yet soaked in dark, turbid atmosphere.

[5.50/10] Skiptrace (2016)

Skiptrace (2016)

Quick Review: Part crime comedy, part road trip razzle, "Skiptrace" has the potential to be great fun but due to its tired plot and clumsy direction, it ends up being a partially amusing affair that never takes advantage of the lively chemistry of its stars. Shot in lots of fascinating Asian locations, the movie has some visual elements to flaunt, though the dime CGIs, and sloppy editing often ruin the look of it, and whilst some of the stunts are impressive, the action choreography is disappointing, overall. 

[6.50/10] Green Room (2016)

Green Room (2016)

Quick Review: The amazing use of light and color make the movie looks twice as expensive as it really is, the script is clever, and the acting is all around superb in this brutal thriller that brings violence to an extreme level and though well-made for what it is, "Green Room" is also overrated and far from being the small-budget masterpiece most people claim, as it spends too much time on the build up, somehow neglecting the pay-off, while limiting itself in a setting that's not particularly versatile.

[4.75/10] Before I Wake (2016)

Before I Wake (2016)

Quick Review: Jacob Tremblay is equally adorable, and creepy in his convincing performance as the little Jacob, whose nightmares come true and whilst the premise sounds very intriguing on paper, it's not fleshed out nearly as aptly, because of the sub-par execution, apparent lack of decent budget, rather tacky special effects, and Flanagan's incoherent direction. "Before I Wake" becomes stupider, and cheesier as the story unfolds, providing lame scares, and never explaining a thing.

[7.25/10] Sing Street (2016)

Sing Street (2016)

Quick Review: As much a heartfelt and deeply profound coming-of-age drama, as it is a lively and cheerful story about true passion for music, and drive for success, the feel-good "Sing Street" not only captures the eye with its spot-on mid-80s exterior, but also the ear with its finely-sang musical numbers, and the heart with the warm performances, believable romance, and emotional back-story. The 'drive it like you stole it' moment is an absolute winner, and the film's most memorable scene.

[5.25/10] The Finest Hours (2016)

The Finest Hours (2016)

Quick Review: Much like almost all Disney-produced movies, this one is very hard to fault visually, offering a polished cinematography, and spot- on CGI work, but what "The Finest Hours" excels in appearance-wise, it fails to live up to with its storytelling, being seriously let down by a weak writing that does not allow any of its gifted cast members ot shine. Plus, being an ambitious survival drama, the film lacks the big thrills this kind of disaster flick should has in order to entertain its audience.

[6.50/10] Lights Out (2016)

Lights Out (2016)

Quick Review: Brief and simple yet highly effective, Sandberg's first full- length film manages to deliver in 81 minutes what most horror flicks can't in twice that running time. Soaked in ominous atmosphere, filled with old- school 'boo' scares that never fail to send shivery chills down your spine, enhanced by a solid back story, and led by a bad-ass performance from Palmer, "Lights Out" will surely make you fear of the dark, the minute you glimpse at the ghastly Diana. Sadly, the ending is a let down.

[6.75/10] The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Quick Review: Aside from the fact it reminds us why we adore pets so much, Illumination's feature has very little depth about it, but who needs that, when you have a flat-out ugly Egyptian cat with British accent, and a fluffy white bunny with 'black' voice full of swag to laugh at, along with a bunch of loveable animals to cheer up your mood, vibrant and superbly-animated visuals, exploding in color, and pace full of life and energy, that never gives you a break.

[5.00/10] Ice Age: Collision Course [3D] (2016)

Ice Age: Collision Course [3D] (2016)

Quick Review: The graphics, while hardly striking, are solidly-executed, with both 'the cavern' and 'Geotopia' set-pieces being the most distinctive visual highlights, thanks to the great attention to detail, and use of color, and a few of the characters manage to evoke a laugh, or two, particularly Granny and the twins, but everyone else is either irritating, dry or boring, the premise is contrived, hence, the plot feels fabricated. Funnily, Scrat's scenes are the weakest.

[6.75/10] Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Quick Review: Since it has not plot this late-80s-inspired sports comedy relies mostly on its characters to win your attention over, and it definitely succeeds at its protagonist-oriented approach, with Blake Jenner being more than likable as the lead, while it also exudes fun and joy from start to finish. Visually, it benefits from its authentic vintage vibe, and fancy art direction, which combined make the film nostalgic yet refreshing and add to its free-spirited nature.

[4.75/10] Allegiant (2016)

Allegiant (2016)

Quick Review: Counting too much on hit-and-miss action scenes, and CGIs that are actually more cheesy rather then impressive, to hold your attention instead of doing that with a compelling plot, which in fact makes little sense at this point, and hardly offers any thrills, "Allegiant" is hands down the most convoluted and least satisfying entry in the overall decent franchise, and frankly said not even Woodley manages to lead as finely as she did previously, due to a poor script that neglects her.

[6.50/10] Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

Quick Review: Though pure satire, built on irony and sarcasm referring to celebrity obsession, it can't help but dealing with the typical cliches for the music industry, whilst strictly following a by-the-numbers story of 'rise and fall', "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping" somehow manages to remain fairly  funny the whole way through, thanks to energy it exudes, and a sharp script full of as much wit as silliness. The mock-doc style and nerdy cast add edginess.

[5.50/10] The Purge: Election Year (2016)

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

Quick Review: Shot with way more style, and notably more polished in terms of production values then the previous ones, "The Purge: Election Year" succeeds in making a social commentary in a provoking and also sort of smart way, but compared to the slightly superior "Anarchy", this one is less intense, less violent, and less thrilling, therefore less effective as a whole, even if it still provides a few very shaking moments and solid shocks here, and there.

[6.25/10] Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

Quick Review: It would be a crime not to make a movie out of a source material with such a cool horror take on a classic, and although far from satisfying, the result is 'exceedingly tolerable' to say the least, plus, the production values have the slick feel and subtlety of a true period piece, and all of the cast deliver, but "Pride + Prejudice + Zombies" needs more of the latter as the otherwise visually effective zombies are overshadowed by the trite romantic bits.

[3.50/10] The Perfect Match (2016)

The Perfect Match (2016)

Quick Review: If a director thinks that hiring a young, charismatic, and attractive cast that are not good at acting in the first place, is enough to make a proper rom-com, than they need to find another job, and this is exactly the case with B. Woodruff's latest - every bit as corny as its title "The Perfect Match" is so laughably predictable and utterly contrived, it's almost painful to watch, and neither the chemistry, nor the romance, nor the candied story are even close to decent, let alone perfect.

[6.00/10] Demolition (2016)

Demolition (2016)

Quick Review: The utterly talented and versatile Gyllenhaal is able to pull of any performance he's given, and this one, where he's portraying a self-destructive, yet amusing and likable protagonist is no exception -- he carries the movie with charisma, and makes a story that is downright weird much more captivating than it has to be. That said, the aptly titled "Demolition" has some tonal issues, being very moody, and struggling to find its identity, slightly demolishing itself at the end of it all.

[4.75/10] Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)

Quick Review: The two girls easily outshine the two guys, being twice as funny, the exotic Hawaiian setting is very easy-breezy to the eyes, and some of the filthy jokes bring laughs for all the wrong reasons, but in the end, the very rushed, and scurrilous "Mike and Dave Need.. blah, blah" is every bit as moronic as its overlong title suggests, and so completely out of control, and so all-over-the-place direction-wise, it feels like it's been made with no effort at all.

[6.25/10] Hardcore Henry (2016)

Hardcore Henry (2016)

Quick Review: It's really difficult to connect with a character whose face you can't see, and whose voice you can't hear, plus, watching this you can't help but feel like you're playing the PC video game "Counter Strike", but with real life visuals, and yet the shot-from-a-first-person-perspective "Hardcore Henry" is still a technically inventive, highly stylized, and hyper violent mayhem of an action flick on steroids that may have no meaning or purpose, but it is a hardcore fun to experience for certain.

[6.50/10] Central Intelligence (2016)

Central Intelligence (2016)

Quick Review: Intelligent is the last thing "Central Intelligence" could be described as, some of the jokes are pretty crude, and the action is plain in terms of execution, hence barely that exciting, however, it's fair to say that the insanely successful comic duo "The Rock" and Hart make this amusingly ludicrous action comedy genuinely laugh-out-loud funny for the most part, sharing an incredible chemistry, delivering great physical humor, and injecting more soul than this film even deserves.

[4.50/10] Mother's Day (2016)

Mother's Day (2016)

Quick Review: Flimsy, sugary, and rather insipid, "Mother's Day" is yet another lazy effort by director Garry Marshall who relies way more on the thematic gimmicks and the charisma and charm of the multiple-star cast, rather then the strong writing, which the script of this film definitely lacks, with the end result being an entirely forgettable 'humdrum' dramedy that fails to evoke any genuine emotion, or respectively laughter. The actors are doing good, but the thing is they all got little to work with.

[5.00/10] My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Quick Review: Every bit as good- natured and care-free as the overly sweet and fairly funny predecessor from fourteen years ago, and saved from being a 'big fat Greek' disaster by the endearing cast, who interact nicely and in a credible manner, yet overly self-referential, too contrived, and full of stereotypical characters, this sequel is truly painless to watch, and amusing from time to time, but it never really succeeds in generating big laughs along the way.

[6.25/10] The Ones Below (2016)

The Ones Below (2016)

Quick Review: In Farr's debut film, not everything works as effectively as it should, the suspense is rather on the lower side, and the climax is foreseeable, but "The Ones Below" still brings some decent chills along the way, due to its disturbing nature, eerier tone, and strangely behaving characters. Execution-wise, the film is extremely simple in its approach, but this type of 'less is more' style somewhat fits it. The cast is the best part here, with the lovely Laura Birn stealing the entire show.

[3.75/10] The Darkness (2016)

The Darkness (2016)

Quick Review:  Ancient evil spirits, strange noises, paranormal hunters, imaginary friends and handprints on the fogged-up bathroom mirror - yes "The Darkness" consists of all these 'same old' horror cliches we've seen countless times before, and better, without bringing anything different to the table and not containing a single proper scare, at least to hint there's some hidden potential in it. Besides, its dull tone is everything but eerie, and it is frustrating to watch such a gifted cast being wasted.