[7.00/10] Citadel (2012)

Citadel (2012)

Brief review: After five shorts, UK director Ciaran Foy finally brings us his first feature film, about a recently widowed agoraphobic young father, who tries to protect his baby daughter from a gang of cranky, evil kids. "Citadel" is hardly a crowd-pleaser, lacks cohesion, and has more than a few pacing issues, but these weaknesses are nothing, compared to the strengths it possesses. Being suffering from agoraphobia himself, the director puts a personal touch here, making both the bizarrely engaging story and characters easier to relate to. There's something inexplicably frightening about "Citadel", as it has that nagging sense of dread and unease, that makes you uncomfortable, but in a good way. The scares ain't cheap or in-your-face, and there's plenty of nail-biting suspense and sinister imagery. In typical British fashion, "Citadel" is quite bleak in feel and look, even depressingly moody at times, but that only adds to the grim nature of the story. Foy easily maintains the eerie atmosphere throughout, with the final act being the absolute highlight of the movie, not only because it takes place in one of the creepiest settings ever put on film, namely a dark and grim tower block, that will surely give you the chills, but also because the level of intensity is sky high. Aneurin Barnard does an amazing job with a difficult role, carrying the entire movie on his shoulders, and the supporting cast complements him perfectly.

Overall summary: It's slightly muddled, and its inconsistent pacing may put some viewers off, but Foy's unique and very personal little chiller, "Citadel", more than makes up for these faults with originality, spot-on performances, plenty of effective scares, and spooky visuals.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[8.75/10] Skyfall (2012)

Skyfall (2012)

Brief review: Brought to life by one of the most gifted directors in film history, Sam Mendes, "Skyfall" is everything a modern spy thriller should be, and then some. It starts out very promisingly, with a (thankfully) long, super-thrilling, high-octane opening sequence, filled with very impressive stunts that are both difficult to perform, and hard to execute. The end result is an electrifying action spectacle, you’d hardly forget, followed by tone of he coolest-looking opening credits. The film not only begins with a bang, but continues to excite until the very end. The well-balanced and smartly-written script skillfully alternates dynamic action sequences with equally as absorbing dialogue-driven scenes, providing the viewer with a well-thought-out plot that is complex, but at the same easy to follow. Even though it would be a lie if we call "007: Skyfall" 'action-packed', the action it provides is nothing short of startling. Sam Mendes yet again demonstrates great versatility, interesting directing choices, and classy camera work, plus, the subtle, yet highly polished cinematography adds sophistication to the already tasteful visuals. Daniel Craig is arguably the best Bond so far, and he proves that with yet another strong, charismatic performance, baring a whole new vulnerable side of his character. Javier Bardem is perfectly cast as the quietly intimidating villain, Raoul Silva, and the supporting performances are all equally as memorable.

Overall summary: Clever, thrilling, endlessly compelling, and brilliantly put together, Mendes’ "Skyfall" may be a notch below Martin Campbell’s astounding "Casino Royale", but it still ranks as one of the best, most accomplished, and ultimately entertaining Bond films to date.

Click on THIS LINK, and check out the extended version of my "Skyfall" review, written exclusively for White Cat Magazine. Comments are very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[3.00/10] Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines (2012)

Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines (2012)

Brief review: 5? Seriously? Let's all hope it's the last, because this franchise really got milked to death. Yes, the original was great gory fun and turned into some sort of modern horror classic, and the first sequel was a passable entertainment as well, but the next three installments, including this one, were just plain awful and rather unnecessary. "Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines" is every bit as terrible as 2009's entry, "Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead", and not at all worth-seeing, unless you are a die-hard gore freak. Pretty much everything about this stupid sequel is wrong, from the wildly unimaginative script, shallow dialogues and stereotypical characters, to the hideous direction, laughably bad make-up effects and below par execution. Moreover, it would be a complete waste of time to mention anything about the storyline, simply because such is lacking. To be able to create a decent plot for a horror movie, you need some fresh ideas, tiny bit of imagination and some inspiration, but obviously director Declan O'Brien didn't think of that, as he delivered arguably the most dull, generic and lazy sequel in the series. No need to mention that such important factors as scares and suspense are completely non-existent, but at least the kill scenes aren't that terrible. Yes, the gore looks quite fake, but there's loads of it, and the deaths are fairly well-executed, and gross enough to please most blood-lusty horror buffs out there.

Overall summary: A couple of cool, yet repulsively gory death scenes aside, "Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines" is yet another unnecessary entry in the already drained franchise, with no plot, zero scares, cheap make-up effects, awful execution, and dumb, poorly-acted characters.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.50/10] Excision (2012)

Excision (2012)

Brief review: Brought by first-time feature direction Richard Bates Jr., and  based on his own 2008 short movie of the same name, "Excision" is a coming-of-age horror drama, with some fine touches of dark humor, in the same vein as Lucky McKee's horror gem "May", and driven by its central character Pauline - a teen girl with morbid, yet vivid imagination, and twisted sexual desires. "Excision" is one of those horror movies, that avoids obvious scares, but still manages to be shocking and disturbing, thanks to the well-thought-out script that take us on a mental journey to one sick girl's mind. It also delivers on the gore and gross out horror, but in a very artsy sort of way. Considering the tiny budget it was made on, "Excision" looks quite aesthetically pleasing to the eye, however, Richard Bates Jr.'s direction is nothing-to-write-home-about really, which on the other hand isn't much of an issue, because "Excision" is all about the characters. "Nip/Tuck"'s own, the stunning AnnaLynne McCord, is barely recognizable as the freaky misfit, Pauline. She demonstrates a surprising amount of acting talent, and fully dominates the screen with her oddly captivating performance. Traci Lords is engagingly over-the-top as the controlling mother two, and the supporting cast does a solid job as well. The ending is gut-wrenchingly genius, if a bit predictable, and the true 'cherry on top' of Bates Jr.'s weird, yet unsettling piece of work.

Overall summary: It certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, but those seeking for something different, odd, bizarre, unusual and, well, sick, will remain deeply satisfied with Richard Bates Jr.'s nasty little horror movie, "Excision", as it delivers all of that in spades, and then some.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.00/10] The Lost Coast Tapes (2012)

The Lost Coast Tapes (2012)

Brief review: The 'found footage' horror sub-genre had its ups and downs over the years, with a few truly memorable entries, and countless dreadful ones. Corey Grant's Bigfoot-inspired POV flick, "The Lost Coast Tapes", falls somewhere in between. Clearly and heavily influenced by 2010's Norwegian mock-doc sensation "Trollhunter", "The Lost Coast Tapes" starts out in a very familiar fashion, and there's nothing special about it at first, but the seemingly gimmicky plot becomes more and more absorbing as the movie progresses. There's definitely something about "The Lost Coast Tapes" that keeps you drawn into the story from start to finish, and that is investing the unknown and unexplained, along with the characters, which turns out something even more unexpected. There are no big scares, but last 20 minutes of the movie are incredibly intense, and even though the twist ending leaves many questions unanswered, more perspicacious viewers will figure it out. Set in North California,"The Lost Coast Tapes" offers some stunning scenery - immense woods and lofty trees that look glorious in the daytime, and yet spine-chillingly eerie during the night. The POV shooting style requires the movie to be shot with handy-cams, but thankfully the camera work is neat and not overly shaky. Also, the characters here are likable, smart, and well-acted by the actors involved, so the audience can very easily relate to them. 

Overall summary: It's no "Trollhunter", but Corey Grant's "Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes" is still a refreshing entry into the 'found footage' horror sub-genre, that intrigues with its concept, excites with its intensity, and engages the eye with its gorgeous, yet terrifying setting.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[3.75/10] Smiley (2012)

Smiley (2012)

Brief review: From 23-year-old director, Michael J. Gallagher, "Smiley" is yet another poor attempt at slasher - a bold take on a modern urban legend, that doesn't really work. Even from the daft premise and the ridiculous opening sequence, you could tell that "Smiley" is going to be one silly slasher film filled with hackneyed cliches, and it turns out exactly that. Simply imagine Wes Craven's hit "Scream" meets Bernard Rose's "Candyman" with a contemporary twist, and little to no imagination put into the story, and you get "Smiley". The movie shamelessly rips-off the above mention horror classics, which makes it and its director even more pathetic. The young director obviously "did it for the lulz" (as the most popular line in the movie says), because pretty much everything about this movie is ludicrous to the point of being laughable. Worst of all, the suspense and thrills in "Smiley" are nonexistent. The only 'scary stuff' this flick provides its thrill-seeking audience with, is predictable behind-your-back killer attacks, and quick deaths with too little blood. Smiley itself is creepy-looking enough, but his dullness won't let him turn into a horror legend. The technical aspects of the film are also below par. It has a cheap TV feel to it, due to Gallagher's lifeless direction and low production values. On a positive note, Caitlin Gerard delivers a genuine lead performance, despite the awful script she has to work with.

Overall summary: Unaware of its utter stupidity, "Smiley" confidently attempts to introduces us a new slasher icon (wannabe), but actually ends up being yet another generic teen horror with silly premise, copycat ideas, no thrills, and a killer that is very soon to be forgotten.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[5.00/10] Grave Encounters 2 (2012)

Grave Encounters 2 (2012)

Brief review: After 2011's "Grave Encounters", The Vicious Brothers join forces with first-time director John Poliquin to deliver a sequel, that complements the original. Or does it? Sadly, Poliquin fails to take things to another level due to his and his writer's lack of creativity, as "Grave Encounters 2" rests entirely on the concept, plot and setting of first film, and therefore feels contrived and, ironically, uninspired. Furthermore, both the filmmakers and the obsessed protagonist try hard to constantly convince us, that the first film is actually a real footage, but that never seems to work. Since the action takes place in the exact same location as the original, it often feels like you're watching the same movie, but on the other hand, the eerily abandoned psychiatric hospital continues to be one of the most terrifying places ever put on film. The movie is filled with jump scares and sudden shocks, and though cheap, those are fairly effective. It also offers loads of ghastly (and ghostly) images that might give you nightmares, and even dares to rip-off the creature from "[REC]" to a certain extent. The director demonstrates different variety of camera techniques, such as shaky handy-cam, black-and-white hidden cameras, static security cameras, etc, and that versatility prevents the viewer from getting bored by the very limited POV shooting style. The acting is pretty forgettable, with Richard Harmon taking most of the screen time.

Overall summary: The setting is still creepy, and the scares work for the most part, but "Grave Encounters 2" feels too familiar and repetitive, and relies too much on the success of its predecessor, plus, it's further let down by its messy, boring and often nonsensical third act.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com 

[8.50/10] Dredd [3D] (2012)

 Dredd [3D]

Brief review: Based on the British comic strip "2000 AD", Pete Travis' latest feature, "Dredd" is also a much needed remake of the lame 1995 film, "Judge Dredd", starring Sylvester Stallone. Although conceptually similar to this year's martial arts phenomenon "The Raid: Redemption", "Dredd" differs significantly in terms feel, look, and overall effectiveness. The storyline is pretty straightforward, yet well-conceived, and the script itself is reasonably smart, filled with wit and satirical humor. Director Pete Travis manages to capture the tone and mood of the source material quite perfectly, delivering one of the most visually good-looking films of 2012 - the camera work is skillful, the futuristic Mega-City One is darkly glorious, the use of the murky tower-block setting is remarkable, and the CGIs are top-notch. The 3D works as well, adding lots of depth to the already stunning imagery. The 'Slo-Mo effect' scenes, shot in super slow motion, are true state-of-the-art, and the action scenes are so loud, brutal, well-staged, and eye-poppingly entertaining, they will blow up your mind. "Dredd 3D" is also brutally violent, but the violence itself is awesomely-stylized, featuring lots of torn flesh and blood splatter. Dredd, acted brilliantly by Karl Urban, is sarcastic, tough and uncompromising, Olivia Thirlby's sweet look contrasts with her character's fearlessness, and Lena Headey is mesmerizing as the harsh drug lord Ma-Ma.

Overall summary: Grim, gritty, gory, spectacularly violent and visually-striking, "Dredd 3D" not only surpasses vastly the original in every single aspect, but also ranks as one of the best remakes ever made, thanks to its finely-written script and absolutely outstanding execution. 

[5.50/10] Resident Evil: Retribution [3D] (2012)

Resident Evil: Retribution [3D] (2012)

Brief review: The fifth entry in the "Resident Evil" series starts off with a spectacular opening sequence, shot in both a reverse order and slow motion, but soon after that, it turns into the same old same fare we've seen, well, four times before. The paper-thin plot is basically an excuse for killing zombies, but the problem is there are not enough zombies in the movie, and that takes away from the fun. Paul W.S. Anderson, who also directed the 'original' movie and last year's "Aftelife" is well-known for his ability to shoot eye-candy action, featuring shattering glass, huge explosions, highly-stylized fighting and tons of slow-mo, and here, he does it with flair and style yet again. During the action scenes, he uses lots of cool tricks and flashy camera work, and successfully manages to provide the audience with a spectacle, that will please any action fan out there. However, the lack of actual plot constrains him to unnecessarily overextend most of the scenes in the movie, and that combined with the lack of proper cohesiveness, and neat pacing, make "Resident Evil: Retribution" feel a bit confusing, at times surprisingly dull, and generally all over the place. The use of 3D is unimpressive, yet far from terrible, and luckily, the CGIs and creature effects are spot-on. The gorgeous Milla Jovovich proves herself yet again as one helluva badass female action star, but sadly she doesn't really have much to work with.

Overall summary: Worse than "Aftelife", yet better than "Extinction", "Retribution" is a so-so installment in the "Resident Evil" franchise, that won't win any new fans, but will still be appreciated by those seeking for mindless entertainment, cool zombie kills, and frantic action.

[7.00/10] The Bourne Legacy (2012)

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Brief review: After the three critically-acclaimed and hugely successful Bourne movies, released in 2002, 2004, and 2007, this year "Michael Clayton" director and Bourne series writer Tony Gilroy brings us another installment in the franchise, that somewhat manages to succeed, despite the lack of its title protagonist - Jason Bourne - which is an achievement in itself. The opening twenty minutes or so are a bit messy and hard-to-follow, but after a disappointing start, luckily, "The Bourne Legacy" turns into a gripping, and edge-of-your-seat intense action thriller, that proves the franchise is not dead, and still has more to offer. The well-delivered cat-n-mouse plot becomes more and more involvingly intricate with each next scene, and while less action-driven than the three previous films, "The Bourne Legacy" is almost as compelling, thanks to its tight pacing, brisk editing, and Gilroy's competent direction. The action 'explodes' a bit late, in the final act, but it's definitely worth the wait - the stunts are impressive, the chases are tense and adrenaline-fueled, and the whole set-up is fantastic. Rising star Jeremy Renner is a worthy substitute for Matt Damon, and even more charismatic and engaging than him. Rachel Weisz is absolutely brilliant as the emotional and intelligent scientist, Dr. Marta Shearing, and both share a genuinely strong on-screen chemistry, which is without a doubt the ultimate driving force of this sequel.

Overall summary: Although generally weaker than its three equally as accomplished predecessors, "The Bourne Legacy" is still a taut, finely-crafted, and constantly gripping entry into the solid franchise, featuring amazing performances by Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz.

[5.00/10] Bait (2012)

Bait (2012)

Brief review: Back in 2010, Aussie director Andrew Traucki blew us out of the water with his magnificently-crafted and realistically terrifying film "The Reef" - arguably the best shark flick since "Jaws". In 2012 another Aussie director bring us another film involving sharks, but he ultimately fails to leave the impression Traucki did. Even though his "Bait" sounds pretty intriguing on paper, it's the sub-par execution and undeveloped script that let it down. After an unimpressive and rather cliched opening sequence featuring, of course, a bloody shark attack, "Bait" changes its direction and suddenly becomes a heist movie, than quickly turns into a disaster film, and then gets back to its 'shark flick' roots. No, it doesn't suffer from an identity crisis - it's all intentional, and it's all for a reason. However, despite its clever first 15 minutes, the movie never manages to live up to its potential, and gets trapped just like its dull, underwritten characters, sub-parly played by a cast of known and unknown Australian actors. In terms of scariness, "Bait" barely 'bites'. The gore is there, but the suspense is nonexistent, the shocks are very few and far between, and though there are a couple of well-executed, nasty shark attacks, the rest of them are just plain lame. While the practical effects are spot-on, the CGI effects are beyond cheesy, but the director compensates with an atmospheric setting, that is wet, claustrophobic, and isolated.

Overall summary: Some super-lame CGI work aside, Rendall's "Bait" is a reasonably watchable, yet not necessarily thrilling shark flick with loads of cool gore, but lacking in fearful intensity, likable characters or any sort of outstanding originality, in spite of its imaginative premise.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.50/10] The Possession (2012)

The Possession (2012)

Brief review: While Bornedal’s latest film is not even half as compelling and terrifying as "The Exorcist", compared to some of the more recent movies of this sub-genre, "The Possession" is not that weak at all. Script-wise, it barely stands out form all the other exorcism flicks, as it has far too many familiar elements and tired plot formulas, but manages to make up for that in other areas. The fact that the film is based on a true story makes it fairly disturbing, especially if you take it seriously. However, some gruesomely creepy images and a couple of suspenseful moments aside, The Possession" barely has the 'scare factor'. Even though it’s set in present day, interestingly enough, it has that specific, 70’s-inspired, ominous feel about it. From the washed-out color palette to the bleak, intentionally simplistic cinematography, eerie sound effects and oddly scratchy music score, everything about "The Possession" screams 'old school'. Ole Bornedal’s direction is quite simple in style, yet sophisticated execution-wise, and while the use of CGI is a bit too obvious at times, overall the special effects are convincingly-executed, way above average, and everything but cheesy. Jeffrey Dean Morgan gives one of his best performances, but the true star of the film remains the promising young actress Natasha Calis as Em, who alternates between innocence and evilness so effortlessly, it’s fascinating.

Overall summary: Well-crafted, solidly-acted, visually-atmospheric and often sinister, if far from frightening, there’s nothing particularly wrong with Ole Bornedal’s exorcism flick, "The Possession", but there’s nothing that special, groundbreaking, or very original about it either.

Read (and please comment on) the extended version of my "The Possession" review, written solely for White Cat Magazine HERE.

[6.00/10] The Expendables 2 (2012)

The Expendables 2 (2012)

Brief review: In 2010 Stallone's "The Expendables" ended up being a bit of a misfire, despite it contained the most popular action stars of the last 30 years. Two years later, director Simon West brings them all back together for a second time, and the end result is much more satisfying. Thanks to West's capability and skills, this time around the execution is slicker, the pacing is neater, and  the direction is way more solid than Stallone's, which isn't a big surprise. That being said, while definitely an improvement over its mediocre predecessor, "The Expendables 2" still struggles to impress with its plot, which feels dated and very uninspired. As expected, this sequel focuses a lot more on the action, than it does on the story, and in this area, the movie delivers everything it promises - great stunts, stirring, over-the-top action scenes, lots of explosions, loud gunfire, and tense chases. The spectacular opening sequence and the 'airport' scene near the end are definitely the biggest highlights of the movie - action-wise and otherwise. Set in Albania, but actually shot in Bulgaria, "Expendables 2" offers some interesting, untypical locations that feel refreshing, despite their gloomy, 'step back in time' feel. The ensemble cast of past and present action legends all do a decent job - Sylvester Stallone is at the center of attention, Jason Statham and Chuck Norris the show as usual, while Jet Li is wildly underused.

Overall summary: Entertaining, satisfyingly action-packed and well put together, if ultimately shallow, "The Expendables 2" is a rare sequel that easily surpasses the original, but will hardly turn into an action classic, despite the all-stars veteran cast of actors it proudly flaunts.

Blogfest: Genre Favorites!

Genre Favorites Blogfest!

One blogfest, four favorites!

List your favorite genre of:

Movie

Music

Books

And a guilty pleasure genre from any of the three categories!

*****

My favorite movie genre: Horror

I've always had a soft spot for horror... ever since I was a kid. I've seen hundreds if not thousands of horror flicks, and I enjoy everything from zombies, vampires, werewolves, demons, ghosts and monsters to occult, supernatural, slashers, psychological, serial killers and even torture porn. I guess these facts are good enough to consider myself a pure horror movie buff.

*****


My favorite music genre: Progressive House

Well, I like all sorts of music, but house music and progressive house in particular, will always have a special place in my heart. I just love the beat, the rhythm, and the fact that it brings me joy, gives me a huge adrenaline rush, and makes my heart pounding along with the beat.

*****

My favorite book genre: Fantasy

I confess, I'm not the biggest reader in the world. Not that I don't enjoy reading books, I just don't have the time, considering I have a full-time job and tons of movies to watch and review. Anyway, Fantasy books are so my cup of tea, because they take me into a different world, and make my imagination run wild.

*****

My guilty pleasure (movie) genre: Chick Flicks

Being a movie freak, I had to go with a film-related guilty pleasure of mine. Shocker! Now to the point... I secretly enjoy some chick flicks. Most of these are cheesy, cliched, formulaic, corny, and overly sentimental, but there are some really good ones, that can be enjoyed by girls and guys alike, and they're fun to watch, especially with your girlfriend.

[5.75/10] Men in Black III (2012)

Men in Black III (2012)

QuickRating: With its super-slick production design, rich and vibrant cinematography, cartoonishly-cool special effects and quirkily designed aliens, "Men in Black III" is visually and technically marvellous, plus it features some truly entertaining action scenes and an unexpectedly touching final act, but Sonnenfeld's mildly successful debut effort barely impresses script-wise, and there's an obvious lack of on-screen chemistry between Will Smith and Josh Brolin as a partners.

[6.25/10] The Lorax (2012)

Dr. Seuss'
The Lorax (2012)

QuickRating: The graphics are definitely imaginative, the polished CGI animation is exuberant, vivid and colorful, most of the characters are absolutely adorable, and the film brings a great moral message for little kids, but despite all these positive aspects, while Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" is cute, enjoyable and easy to watch, it isn't particularly special, original or very memorable, especially plot-wise, and will hardly stand the test of time.

[5.00/10] What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

What to Expect When
You're Expecting (2012)

QuickRating: Don't expect a lot from "What to Expect". While the attractively charismatic ensemble cast, especially the female part of it, do the best they could with the given material, and there are some moderately amusing moments and a couple of touching ones, the multi-layered, yet messy plot never really comes together the way it should, turning the film into a joyless affair with pregnancy-related humor, that is mostly lame and inappropriate.

[4.75/10] Lovely Molly (2012)

Lovely Molly (2012)

QuickRating: In spite of newcomer Gretchen Lodge's disturbingly convincing performance, a couple of decent scares and suspenseful moments, and all the interesting craziness happening around, the ironically titled "Lovely Molly" is far from being the fright-fest it promises to be, and the lack of budget is so obvious, that even director Eduardo Sánchez's pushy efforts can't make it look particularly good, but only depressingly moody and thoroughly bizarre in tone, feel and look.