2012 Movies I've Seen But Still Haven't Reviewed

The Four (2012) - "It has its moments of entertainment, but overall "The Four" neither impresses with its storyline and characters, nor particularly with its visuals and fight choreography." (4.25/10)

Branded (2012) - "Conceptually creative, yet terribly executed, badly-scripted, and all over the place, "Branded" is a missed opportunity, and one of 2012's biggest cinematic flops." (4.50/10)

Chained (2012) - "It's thoroughly disturbing, and certainly not everyone's cup of tea, which makes it kind of different, but "Chained" is also difficult to watch, moody, and at times truly boring." (4.50/10)

Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) - "The original is a classic, the second one was quite good as well, and even 3 was okay. Well... the forth movie is simply pointless, uncreative and not at all scary." (4.50/10)

The Collection (2012) - "Slightly better than its predecessor, yet still unsatisfying, "The Collection" has that flashy music video feel about it, that ruins its supposed to be eerie atmosphere." (4.50/10)

The Dinosaur Project (2012) - "It wins pints for being the first-ever dinosaur found footage movie, but "The Dinosaur Project" also suffers from sub-par execution and lack of thrills." (4.50/10)

Barricade (2012) - "This well-crafted little horror movie is fairly watchable most of the time, but half-way through it suddenly turns into a big mess with a following climax that is just plain bad." (4.75/10)

Anna Karenina (2012) - "Despite its director's inventive approach and exquisite cinematography and costume design, "Anna Karenina" has an underdeveloped and mostly uninteresting story." (5.00/10)

Silent Night (2012) - "Although it has a couple of entertaining and rather gory death scenes, "Silent Night" is a so-so Christmas slasher, that sadly has absolutely nothing new or original to offer." (5.00/10)

When the Lights Went Out (2012) - "This British haunted house flick has an ominous tone and a few scares here and there, but the messy script can't really escape from its own mediocrity." (5.25/10)

247°F (2012) - "Finally something refreshing! Believe it or not, "247°F" comes from Georgia, and it delivers everything it promises - originality, tensity, entertainment, and loads of cool gore." (6.25/10)

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) - "This artsy, yet down-to-earth indie flick has a big heart, no doubt about that, but it's also extremely hard to watch, and not particularly entertaining." (6.25/10)

Hotel Transylvania (2012) - "Sure, it doesn't have the most polished graphics ever, but it's the colorful characters and humorous story that make "Hotel Transylvania" worth-watching." (6.25/10)

In Their Skin (2012) - "In the same vain as "Funny Games", this home invasion flick is full of nastiness, and has a truly chilling atmosphere, thanks to its well-chosen, remote setting." (6.25/10)

Premium Rush (2012) - "This fast-paced thriller is pure adrenaline rush  from start to finish, offering enough originality, sympathetic characters, action, and edgy camera work to win you over." (7.50/10)

Flight (2012) - "From the flawed, yet likable main character and Danzel Washington's superb performance to the taught direction and absorbing storyline, everything about "Flight" is spot-on." (8.00/10)

[7.00/10] The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

QuickRating: Sure, it's slightly moody and not particularly visually appealing, but thanks to its sincere script, truly excellent performances from the three young actors Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, and the interesting dynamics between their genuine characters, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" can be easily considered the best high school movie to com out from America in the past five, if not ten years. Yes, it's that good.

[6.50/10] The Words (2012)

The Words (2012)

QuickRating: Although completely miscast, Bradley Cooper still does his best and gives one of the better performances of his career, Zoe Saldana is way underused, but Jeremy Irons is spot-on as usual. The melancholic mood of the film suits the peculiar nature of the story, and while hardly plausible, the plot is very engaging, dramatically intense, and definitely not cliched. "The  Words" also teaches an important lesson about dignity, and that makes it worth-watching.

[6.00/10] The Sessions (2012)

The Sessions (2012)

QuickRating: The movie deals with its 'taboo' sexual subject matter in a very gentle and delicate way, the otherwise subtly dramatic script is full of amusing bits, the untypical sex scenes seem as natural and candid as possible, and both John Hawkes and Helen Hun deliver charismatic and pretty memorable performances, but "The Sessions" is largely let down by its unpolished visuals, bland cinematography, and Ben Lewin's odd, off-putting, and by-the-numbers direction.

[6.75/10] Killer Joe (2012)

Killer Joe (2012)

QuickRating: "Killer Joe"'s bizarre, brutal nature certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, but on the other hand, there's something truly mesmerizing about this twisted, uncompromising, and shockingly violent thriller, brought by "Exorcist" director William Friedkin, that will keep you glued to the screen the entire time. Matthew McConaughey portrays his vile and unpredictable character phenomenally well, and the rest of the cast also give very solid performances.

[6.50/10] Tower Block (2012)

Tower Block (2012)

QuickRating: Even though the execution could have been better and the direction stronger, "Tower Block" still wins points for originality, thanks to its clever premise, and fairly inventive script, plus, having a similar setting to "The Raid" and "Dredd", this British thriller is also grim, gritty, and even somewhat claustrophobic. The truly credible performances add to the story, and make the overall experience a whole lot more gripping and effective, if hardly that memorable.

[5.50/10] Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

QuickRating: To say McDonagh's promisingly titled action comedy, "Seven Psychopaths", is overrated would be an understatement. Sure, it has a somewhat original premise, reasonably smart script, solid dose of humor, and precisely-chosen cast, but in the end somewhat none of these elements fit together, and the end result is an underwhelming mess of a movie, that pretends to be more clever, funny, witty, and refreshing than it actually is.

[6.75/10] Lawless (2012)

Lawless (2012)

QuickRating: It's slightly uneven, and at times even monotonous, because it lacks the dynamic and energy that could have made it even better than it already is, but "Lawless" successfully makes up for these flaws with its gripping story and brilliant cast, all of whom deliver powerful performances, plus, set in the early 1930's this beautifully-shot vintage drama has an incredibly authentic feel to it, thanks to the outstanding cinematography, and top-notch production design.

[6.00/10] Savages (2012)

Savages (2012)

QuickRating: While far from being one of Oliver Stone's most finest achievements due to its incoherent, at time even chaotic plot structure, and Stone's tendency to overdirect certain scenes in order to add some extra roughness to his film, but in the end "Savages" is a rather successful effort than not, thanks to the brilliantly-chosen cast, director's edgy shooting style, vibrant cinematography, and last but not least, the absolutely electric sexual chemistry between the three lead, in-love characters.

[4.00/10] Alex Cross (2012)

Alex Cross (2012)

QuickRating: It has a strong, and downright insane villain that kind of saves it from being a complete and utter disaster, but despite that "Alex Cross" i still ultimately forgettable, and feels incredibly generic and  too dated for today's standards, plot-wise and execution-wise. On the top of that, its main hero played by the otherwise charming Tyler Perry is bland and clumsy character you may find hard to root for, and unfortunately, that brings the movie down even further.

[7.25/10] The Sapphires (2012)

The Sapphires (2012)

QuickRating: It's no "Dreamgirls", but "The Sapphires" is an engaging and uplifting based-on-a-true-story Aussie musical, mashed-up with a touch of romance, drama and even action bits, that has a cutting-edge wittiness, strong characterization, and even stronger performances, and stylish retro vibe about it, that makes it as visually appealing, as it's entertaining. Not to mention the singing is beyond impressive, and the musical numbers are a joy to watch, and, of course, listen.

[7.00/10] Mental (2012)

Mental (2012)

QuickRating: With its peculiar story, colorful characters, sharp script, vivid cinematography and vibrant visuals, this unique Aussie dramedy, "Mental", lives up to its title, and proves to be mental, indeed, but in the best possible sense of the world. Every single one of the youngsters involved do an absolutely brilliant job in their difficult roles, but it's Toni Collette that makes it as special as it is, and takes the delightful quirkiness of the film to a whole new level.

[6.25/10] Wish You Were Here (2012)

Wish You Were Here (2012)

QuickRating: Although hardly memorable or particularly original, this Aussie mystery thriller has an authentic sense of realism, that makes the whole story a lot more believable, plus, its intriguing plot full of twists and turns will keep you wondering throughout the entire running time, as well as entertain you, thanks to the truly wonderful performances by Australian stars Felicity Price and Joel Edgerton.

[6.00/10] The Campaign (2012)

The Campaign (2012)

QuickRating: It has a pretty weak start, it's silly, crude, clumsy and raunchy to the point of being vulgar, and both Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis' characters are total douches, but "The Campaign" is actually s funny, at times so funny, it's absolutely hysterical, plus, it has an emotional side nobody's actually expecting, which side turns it from an over-the-top political comedy to a feel-good story that will melt your hearts as well as make you laugh out loud. Real hard.

[6.00/10] For a Good Time, Call (2012)

For a Good Time, Call (2012)

QuickRating: Sure, the constant indoor environment hardly works in the movie's favor, and makes it look  a bit too cheap, and honestly said, Jamie Travis' direction is nothing to write home about, but that doesn't change the fact that "For a Good Time, Call" is sexy, seductive and shamelessly lascivious and dirty comedy, filled with many hilarious moments, as lots of joyous ones, that is further elevated by Graynor's sweet, lively performance.

[4.50/10] Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

QuickRating: The oddball romance between the two protagonists has its charm, and the whole idea of finding someone to share the last ours of the world is intriguing enough in itself, but its the complete lack of genuine chemistry between the two leads, monotonous, at times moody narrative, and unappealing settings that bring the film down, and make the overall experience rather dull, and the movie instantly forgettable and deeply unsatisfying.

[8.25/10] Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Brief review: Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow succeeds yet again with another bold and daring project for the manhunt of enemy No. 1, Osama bin Laden, based on actual events. Bigelow lets us witness the near decade operation, revealing interesting details and hidden facts, making the experience not only gripping, but informative as well. The films also benefits from Kathryn Bigelow's incredible ability to keep things as realistic, and plausible as possible. There's nothing exaggerated, or Hollywood-ish about this movie, even when the action kicks in. The whole thing is stripped down to the bone, but that only helps to Bigelow for maintaining the intensity level, even when the film is slow and talky. The last 30 minutes are so thrilling, you may find yourself on the edge of your seat, but unfortunately the climax, namely the killing of Osama is nothing special really, hence, it may leave you slightly unsatisfied. Featuring lots of hand-held, camera work, intentionally simplistic cinematography, and washed-out colors, "Zero Dark Thirty" has a slightly documentary-ish feel about it that works to its advantage, plus, there's a certain grittiness to Kathryn Bigelow's shooting style, that adds further realism to the story. The film wouldn't be as great without Jessica Chastain's award-worthy performance as the workaholic CIA officer, Maya, whose angelesque femininity contrasts beautifully with her self-confidence and often intense personality, and the rest of the cast all do a brilliant job as well.

Overall summary: It drags a bit in the first half, and the slaying of bin Laden could have been  way more dramatic, but nonetheless "Zero Dark Thirty" is a smartly-scripted, superbly-made, and truly engrossing piece of cinema, jam-packed with sheer, nearly obsessive intensity.

[7.50/10] American Mary (2012)

American Mary (2012)

Brief review: The Canadian twin sisters, Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska, take indie horror cinema to another level with their latest blood-soaked gem, "American Mary" - an unexpectedly brilliant feminist horror story of revenge, that also explores human's twisted mentality and the perverse desires of people obsessed with the idea of being unique, by turning themselves into monsters, literally. Soska sister's original script cleverly mixes visceral and psychological horror with unsettling sense of realism, outrageous gore and dark humor, and that well-balanced combination of elements leads to an impressive end result. Due to its sick, demented nature, "American Mary" may be a bit too bizarre and revolting for mass tastes, but those willing to see something different, will appreciate the film's bleak uniqueness. Soskas' latest isn't scary, and it's not meant to be, because the story is already shocking and grim enough, so the film doesn't need any additional gimmicks to give you the chills. Sure, being a surgeon horror, there's lots of blood, guts and cut-off body parts, but none of it is over-the-top or too in-your-face. "American Mary" does not look like a low-budget indie film. Soskas' stylish direction complements the film's gloomy tone, which is captured through the use of low lighting and gritty cinematography. It wouldn't be as effective, without Katharine Isabelle's disturbing, yet captivating portrayal of Mary - a gifted surgeon, who's also a sick-minded freak you don't wanna mess with at all.

Overall summary: More nasty than scary, cold, yet sleek in atmosphere and look, and definitely disturbing, "American Mary" is a superbly-crafted and highly original horror movie with feminist undertones, grim sense of humor and grotesque gore, that every genre fan should see.

[7.25/10] Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Brief review: Adapted from Matthew Quick's novel of the same name, "Silver Linings Playbook" is yet another winner from gifted director David O. Russel, who brought us the near flawless boxing drama "The Fighter" back in 2010. Although a bit overrated in general, we can't deny that Russel, who also wrote the script, has adapted the story in an excellent way, balancing the bipolar nature of it with ease and true sophistication, without sucking the delightful quirkiness out of it. Sure, it's intentionally moody, but the story which brings together two flawed, and mentally disturbed characters, with very similar struggles, has an edge that most rom-coms are lacking these days, successfully avoiding the cliches. The film's witty verbal fights, awkwardly amusing situations and 'full throttle' anxiousness contrast beautifully with the Russel's gentle direction, as well as the vulnerability of the two protagonists. Speaking of characters, those are definitely the driving force of "Silver Linings Playbook", as well as the cast that plays them. Bradley Cooper does a stellar job in a rather unusual and unexpected role for him. He embraces the lunacy of his sympathetic character to the fullest, and the end result is great. Most talked-about actress of 2012, Jennifer Lawrence, is every bit as good, if not better as the tough cookie, Tiffany, and they both share a genuine on-screen chemistry. Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver both give superb performances, without which this film would never be the same.

Overall summary: As honest and outspoken as its lead characters, if overlong, and slightly overrated, "Silver Linings Playbook" very cleverly balances comedic and dramatic elements, delivering laughter, sincere emotions, sharp dialogues and quirky romance to its viewers.

[3.25/10] Sadako 3D (2012)

Sadako 3D (2012)

Brief review: Do you remember Gore Verbinski's horror masterpiece "The Ring", and the equally as sinister original Japanese version it was based on, called "Ringu"? Well, Tsutomu Hanabusa's "Sadako 3D" is sort of a sequel to the latter, but sadly, an unnecessary and terrible one. Although it wears the title of "Ringu"'s central character, this film reveals absolutely nothing about the origin of Sadako - there's no back story, no proper explanation, nothing... just a dumb, heavily contrived plot that makes no sense at all, and tons of cheesy CGIs. It plays more like an "updated" version of "Ringu" rather than trying to be creative, and bring something new to the table. And no more TVs and VHSs, guys! Sadako is more contemporary now, and she comes out of LCD monitors, plasma screens and iPhones. Sure, over the last ten years, technology has developed tremendously, so this "update" is understandable, but the whole 'cursed video' story got lamer and way less effective. Having said that, the worst thing about "Sadako 3D" is not the flat storyline, or that the film is lacking in scares big time, but the fact that the creators dared to destroy arguable the creepiest character in history of horror, by taking away all of the skin-crawling creepiness out of Sadako, and presenting her as your average ghost seeking for revenge. Hanabusa's direction is amateurish at best, the cinematography is bland, and that combined with the lame, made-for-3D special effects gives the film a dull look.

Overall summary: Daft, contrived, sensationally un-scary, but above all completely unnecessary, "Sadako 3D" is J-horror at its worst, not only because of its ridiculously cheap execution, but mainly because it ruins one of the creepiest characters ever, and makes it look lame.