[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[4.50/10] Warcraft [3D] (2016)

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.

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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1. Mad Max: Fury Road [3D] 
(9.75/10)

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..."

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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."

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6. Ant-Man [3D] (8.25/10)

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..."

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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."

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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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George Beremov's TOP 20 Best-Reviewed Movies of 2015 PART 1 [20 - 11]

[click on the title to read the quick review]

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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..."

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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..."

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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..."

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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..."

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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..."

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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..."

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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."

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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."

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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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[4.75/10] Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows [3D] (2016)

TMNT: Out of the Shadows [3D] (2016)

Quick Review: So loud and hectic, it's draining to watch, and so visually elaborate, it almost hurts the eyes, which combined makes it very busy and hard to handle most of the time, "TMNT 2" is a pointless sequel that, unlike its predecessor, doesn't even fall into the 'mindless fun' category, due to its paper-thin, often silly plot, barely impressive action sequences, heavy on CGIs, and characters that are either shallow, idiotic, irritting, or, well, largely underused.

Quick Reviews: 2015 Movies [PART 05]

The Green Inferno (2015) - Eli Roth's latest does posses a certain shock value, and it is so gruesomely graphic, it leaves nothing to imagination, but on the other hand, this cannibal splatter is everything but frightening, as it offers nothing but extreme gore. (5.50/10)

The Lobster (2015) - Its peculiar originality in terms of both concept and execution can't be denied, and the intentionally stiff, at times even bland acting is somewhat refreshing, but on the other hand, this real weirdo of a film is too moody, and pretentious. (5.75/10)

Steve Jobs (2015) - Certainly a good movie, if hardly an enjoyable one, "Steve Jobs" is busy, talky, and nerdy, but it doesn't possess the depth it's supposed to, and it somewhat tiresome most of the time, except for the final act, which is very emotional. (6.00/10)

Goosebumps (2015) - It is one of those 'horror' movies that could scare only a kid, and yet, with its enjoyable story, charming characters, brisk pacing, and delightfully cartoonish creature effects, "Goosebumps" is a fun ride that never fails to entertain. (6.50/10)

Victoria (2015) - The shot-in-a-single-take technique is remarkable, and give the movie a genuine feel of gritty realism, plus, the fact that it shifts from a moody romance to an insanely intense heist thriller turns it into a roller-coaster ride riddled with twists. (7.00/10)

Spectre (2015) - While certainly not the strongest Bond film from the Craig era, "Spectre" is still one with lot of thought put into it, as despite its uneven pacing, it remains an engrossing spy thriller with great action scenes, done in classic, if edgy style. (7.00/10)

Concussion (2015) - A bit too by-the-numbers, therefore predictable, yet compelling nonetheless, this is a superbly-acted and beautifully-filmed based-on-a-real-story drama that is on one hand genuinely inspirational, but on the other somehow disturbing. (7.25/10)

The Big Short (2015) - It i not easy to follow, the intentionally sloppy zoom-ins and outs are distracting, and some of the economical terms are very hard to get, but this is nevertheless a cleverly put together financial drama, as well as a true eye-opener. (7.25/10)

The Little Prince (2015) - Much like its source material, it's a bit odd and peculiar, but also adorable, and truly heartwarming, plus, the stop motion animation is every bit as stunning as the CGI one, and they both breathe life into the characters extraordinarily. (7.25/10)

The Walk (2015) - 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, "The Walk" is a rarely exciting feature. (7.75/10)

[8.50/10] The Nice Guys (2016)

The Nice Guys (2016)

Quick Review: The vintage feel of the film, established through the hip late-'70s-L.A. location, stylishly retro production design, and toned-down, yet saturated color palette definitely enhances it visually, but what makes "The Nice Guys" really special is the unpredictability, and originality of its ingeniously "nuanced" script that is simultaneously hysterical, witty, and raunchy, as well as its superbly-cast and comically-gifted three stars that complement each other greatly, and have lots of fun doing it.

[6.25/10] Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016)

CTHD: Sword of Destiny (2016)

Quick Review: The subplots barely enrich the main story, which repeats the original one, and the entire tone of this long-delayed sequel diverges vastly from Ang Lee's masterpiece, lacking its elegance and finesse and yet "CTHD 2" remains watchable, as it manages to arrest the eye with its astonishing, if overly-stylized visuals and to excite with the expertly-filmed and inventively-choreographed fight scenes, and wire-work. The top cast saves it from mediocrity.