[6.00/10] Dough (2016)

Dough (2016)

Quick Review: Mixing Jews, weed, and bakeries is a certain recipe for success in terms of lightweight fun, and true entertainment, and this UK comedy delivers the goods, mostly thanks to the engaging relationship between the two male leads and the humorous screenplay, which makes the film enjoyable to watch, but then again, "Dough" has a grimmer side, involving drug dealing as well, and it not always finds the perfect balance between serious and funny, in spite of the heart it possesses.

[5.00/10] K-Shop (2016)

K-Shop (2016)

Quick Review: On one hand, this dark, twisted, and sometimes deeply unsettling UK slasher has a lot more to say than most genre flicks these days, and it grows smoothly from an oddly-toned drama, all about family business and morals, to an insanely gory slasher with a clever killer, mad at the shallowness and arrogance of all the people he's surrounded with, but that being said, "K-Shop" shows British society in a horrible light, the murderer's motives are absurd, and the whole thing is racist.

[7.75/10] The Wailing (2016)

The Wailing (2016)

Quick Review: A smooth blend of oddball Asian mythology, and some classic genre elements, mashed into one gripping whole, and wrapped in a morbid, often chilling atmosphere, "The Wailing" might not be the most terrifying film ever made or the most easy to get one, but its long build- up, slowly unveiling the grim mystery around the cleverly-structured story, is every bit as unforgettable as the macabre climax, all accompanied by Na's subtle direction, which takes us into really dark territory.

[6.00/10] War Dogs (2016)

War Dogs (2016)

Quick Review: Stylistically sharp, if also very sleazy, Todd Phillip's latest cinematic shapeshifter is narratively all-over-the-place, but still zestful in flair and execution, and frankly said, it gets increasingly fun watching two old high-school friends get into the arms business so daringly, as their eye-opening story grows better with each scene, primarily in the second half. The untypical locations make it interesting, but it's the lead tandem that turns "War Dogs" into a kind of satisfactory experience.

[6.75/10] Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Quick Review: Coens' odd, cranky, offbeat style may not be everyone's 'cup of tea', as it's hard to soak in, hence, comes across as pretentious at times, but those with more open mind will certainly enjoy their latest love latter to cinema ,"Hail, Caesar!" -- a random, unusual, and amusing comedy that may works better as a whole, than the sum of its parts, but each bit in it is still captivating in its own way. The terrific ensemble cast, and moody, yet sleek retro imagery, add up to the joy of it all.

[5.25/10] Ben-Hur [3D] (2016)

Ben-Hur [3D] (2016)

Quick Review: Based on the first- class production design, and decent CGIs, it's fair to say Bekmambetov's rendition is a technically well-crafted remake with a strong lead, but does the story of Judas Ben-Hur need to be retold once again? No, not really, especially when it's got very little to add or to entertain with, at least until the chariot race towards the final act which is thoroughly spectacular, and shot with panache! The rest is just a sluggishly-paced, ho-hum bore that barely leaves an impact.

[5.75/10] The Whole Truth (2016)

The Whole Truth (2016)

Quick Review: Set almost entirely in a courtroom with some flashbacks thrown in here and there to tie it up, "The Whole Truth" feels more like a TV episode in the vein of "Law and Order" rather than a proper feature, but not necessarily in a bad way, as its visual simplicity contrasts with the complexity of the seemingly straight murder case, and yet the confusing narrative often takes away from the intrigue, and neither the strong cast, nor the couple of solid twists help it overcome the flat writing.

[4.50/10] Get a Job (2016)

Get a Job (2016)

Quick Review: Not only it appears ridiculously cheap, and badly-made from a purely technical point of view, but this largely unfunny comedy fails miserably in its desperate attempt at social satire, lacking as much wit as it does laughs, basically showcasing how a bunch of reckless and cocky, yet ambitious young people fighting their way into the world of business, but in in a very superficial manner. Not to mention the waste of talent, with both Kendrick and Teller being hammered by the script.

[6.50/10] Money Monster (2016)

Money Monster (2016)

Quick Review: Financial topics are not always the most interesting ones for mass audiences, but in this case the subject matter is not that heavy or overpowering, being mixed finely with TV journalism and turned into a hostage thriller that is taut enough to hold your attention. Even though Foster's barely consistent direction has its ups and downs, the smartly-written script and all around spot-on performances from the stellar cast, make "Money Monster" worth your time big time in the end.

[7.00/10] A Hologram for the King (2016)

A Hologram for the King (2016)

Quick Review: Tom Tykwer's visual aesthetics are undeniable, and he's taking us on a journey through the sandy, yet exotically luxurious Saudi Arabia -- the arresting backdrop his latest film is set against. "AHftK" is more than just looks, it's as much an absorbing, subtly amusing, but also wise work/life story filled with cultural clashes, as it's a touching character study, mixed with some truly genuine romance, capably led by the always outstanding Tom Hanks.

[6.00/10] Maggie's Plan (2016)

Maggie's Plan (2016)

Quick Review: Part oddball rom- com, part complex love triangle with some unexpected turns, but funny in its own, quirky way, "Maggie's Plan" benefits from the amazing chemistry and genuinely terrific performances from Gerwig, Hawke and Moore, with the latter often overshadowing the rest, but at the same time, being so very chatty, it's not always easy to handle. Miller's direction is on-point, if hardly anything special, but it's the fantastically-written script that make this film such a real gem.

[4.75/10] Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

Quick Review: As odd as its title, but not as original, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" has the confidence of being a different (and funny) comedy, and set in Afghanistan, it surely stands out, but not really in a good way, as something about it just doesn't feel right, namely the tone, and the fact that its abrupt switch of moods, from silly and cynical, to overly serious is an evident of an identity crisis, and even the Tina Fey fails to deal with all the chaos on screen.

[7.00/10] A Bigger Splash (2016)

A Bigger Splash (2016)

Quick Review: With smart title that implies a dark twist towards the end, the hot, sexy, seductive, and deeply provocative "A Bigger Splash" is an understated, yet mature love square story with refined summery feel that benefits from the sheer beauty of its natural surroundings, and the pretty Italian beach scenery, carried out by the versatile, and all around superb performances from an amazing cast, whose characters' interactions make it all the more mesmerizing in a very sensual, and subtle way. 

[6.00/10] Hello, My Name Is Doris (2016)

Hello, My Name Is Doris (2016)

Quick Review: Apparently created with micro budget, yet funky-looking nonetheless, the equally funny and sad "Hello, My Name Is Doris" is an inappropriate one-sided love story, injected with a huge dose of quirk to cure itself form banality that entirely relies on Field's ability to carry the film on her shoulders and she surely does it, as her cuckoo performance is so good, you can't take your eyes off her, even when the cute Doris is embarrassing to watch.

[5.25/10] London Has Fallen (2016)

London Has Fallen (2016)

Quick Review: Gerard Butler is a sheer 'force of nature' here, and he along with the rest of the fine cast, make this cheesy sequel watchable, with the help of some exciting, albeit chaotic action sequences and tense car chases, but much like its messy predecessor, "London Has Fallen" is an overblown, exaggerated, terribly racist, and implausible action thriller with substandard special effects and sloppy direction, which has a certain entertainment value about itself, but in a ludicrous sort of way.

[6.50/10] Miracles from Heaven (2016)

Miracles from Heaven (2016)

Quick Review: Yes it preaches and yes, it's manipulative, as every other tear-jerking drama dealing with child sickness is, plus, the narrative is not exactly smooth, as it alternates from dragged out to rushed, but on the other hand "MfH" a heart-wrenching, rather devastating journey of hope, faith, pain, and desperation that will touch you deeply, and make you a believer, with the help of J.Garner's emotional lead performance and the brightly uplifting visuals.

[4.50/10] The Brothers Grimsby (2016)

The Brothers Grimsby (2016)

Quick Review: With quite a few big budget flicks behind his back, Louis Leterrier has developed some skills in executing first-rate action scenes, and "Grimsby" is no exception, as it delivers in this area, but is he just as good as directing the comedy in it? No, not even close -- offensive, random, and literally dumb as sh*it, this film is more embarrassing rather than funny to watch, and not even Baron Cohen's over-the-top humor works as it once used to.

[7.00/10] Eddie the Eagle (2016)

Eddie the Eagle (2016)

Quick Review: Although based on an actual story, it's a bit too reckless and silly at its core, with the whole 'an ambitious loser wants to become an Olympian' thing, but frankly, that only adds to its charms, and makes its big cinematic heart even purer -- sweet, amusing, good-natured, and superbly-cast, "Eddie the Eagle" will make you love with ski jumping, and appreciate the efforts of becoming a true athlete from scratch, while also please your eyes with its fancy retro visuals and warm colors.

[5.75/10] Suicide Squad [3D] (2016)

Suicide Squad [3D] (2016)

Quick Review: Stylishly somber in tone, yet rather vanilla in execution, DC's latest is overcrowded with anti- heroes, all outshined by the madcap Quinn that kicks off with a bang, but then loses its edge, and gets lost in its own chaos of loud action. "SS" is not badly-directed, it is just a poorly edited and structured mess of a film, and though the reshoots add some spirit to it, they ruin the cohesion of the already disjointed plotline, not to mention the entire CGI-laden 'Witch' thing seems out of place.

[4.75/10] Mechanic: Resurrection (2016)

Mechanic: Resurrection (2016)

Quick Review: Thе varied settings are refreshing to the eye, the hand- to-hand fights are great, and luckily, after a questionable opening scene, followed by a dull romance with little chemistry, "Mechanic 2" gets its act together, just when it is about to fall instead of 'resurrect', and somewhat becomes a bit more watchable, with the Sydney part being the best, but in the end, the cliched kill-to-rescue plot, and unconvincing execution let this rushed sequel down.

[6.75/10] Ghostbusters [3D] (2016)

Ghostbusters [3D] (2016)

Quick Review: It's no "Spy", and it doesn't work as well now, as it did in the '80s, but the let's call it 'female version' of "Ghostbusters" feels not only nostalgic and fresh at once, but also provides just enough originality to stand on its own as a waggish, at times silly, yet enjoyable reboot with some cartoon-like creatures in neon colors, cool 3D effects, and a stellar cast that are all basically a comedic match made in heaven. Jillian's 'new babies' scene towards the end is an eye-popping visual blast.

[6.25/10] Me Before You (2016)

Me Before You (2016)

Quick Review: The inevitable love story between the two protagonists is neither that powerful, nor credible enough, and the director's attempts to deal with such a sensible subject in a more positive and uplifting way do not always succeed, as the film struggles to balance out the comedy and the drama, yet you cannot help but enjoy "Me Before You" a lot for Clarke and Claflin's nice chemistry, the richly saturated cinematography, and the sugar-coated script, full of heartwarming moments.

[7.50/10] Jason Bourne (2016)

Jason Bourne (2016)

Quick Review: Slightly less clever than the first three, albeit less shaky in terms of shooting style, the latest installment is a dream-come-true for every action junkie -- moving along at a restless, almost frantic pace to match its insanely suspenseful plot, filled with enough curveballs to keep you involved, and featuring stirringly high-octane chases, and stunts, set in an impressive variety of locations, "Jason Bourne" has a huge arsenal of assets with the biggest one being not Damon but Vikander.

[5.50/10] Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)

Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)

Quick Review: Sure, it's got swag, it's got attitude, and it points out lots of seriously important social issues in America nowadays, plus, it's very obvious that the great all-black cast are enjoying themselves, starring in this sequel, however, the more you watch it, the more you think of it as a mediocre TV show, as it feels and looks like one, and the never ending dialogues between the far too many characters get a bit tiring in the end, despite their substance.

[8.25/10] Star Trek Beyond [3D] (2016)

Star Trek Beyond [3D] (2016)

Quick Review: A notch above "Into Darkness", if one below the original, "Beyond" is, indeed, a beyond epic, spectacle-driven, but still fairly smart and superbly-directed thrill ride of a sequel, having solid plot with a twist, involving the grisly villain, high-end production values, astounding CGIs, flashy battle scenes, and a bunch of old and new finely-acted characters, played by a diverse cast, with Jaylah surely deserving a special mention, stealing the entire show.