[4.00/10] Dolittle [3D] (2020)

Dolittle [3D] (2020)

Quick Review: Too wacky for kids, but too juvenile for adults, "Dolittle" is a good-natured, if uninspired and charmless fantasy voyage with zero adventurous feel, which boasts with a fancy production design and high-end special effects, and yet, the CGI creatures, though well-crafted, lack the cuteness of 'talking animals' for some reason, as much as the goofy humor lacks wit, and as much as the unbothered Robert Downey Jr. lacks the desire to take part in this frantic, but oddly lifeless jumble.

[6.50/10] The Addams Family (2019)

The Addams Family (2019)

Quick Review: Though the 'pop of color' contradicts with its delightfully dark essence and takes away from the cute somberness of its tone, this animated version of the most likable creepy family has oddly fascinating graphics and quirky characters that are 'kooky & spooky' in kids-friendly kind of way, but what "The Addams Family" excels most in is its 'join the world you fit in the best' message, conveyed by the film's best asset -- the charmingly dim Wednesday, who outshines even Morticia.

[6.75/10] The Bravest (2019)

The Bravest (2019)

Quick Review: Depicting the highly disastrous events of an oil pipeline explosion that jeopardizes an entire city and the struggles of the firemen to extinguish it, "The Bravest" is a massive production featuring grand explosions and fiery effects that's all about bravery, valor, and heroism, and though it gets too melodramatic in one of the heroes personal story and during the third act, which takes away from the tension, the sense of chaos and panic it creates is what makes it a hot thrill-ride.

[4.50/10] The Kitchen (2019)

The Kitchen (2019)

Quick Review: Visually murky and tonally off-putting, this crime thriller- turned-parody aims to be amusing, inspiring, and flagrant at once, but everything in the 'feminist overtake' mob story is so rushed, senseless, illogical, and pseudo-comical, "The Kitchen" very fast becomes a room you wanna get out from, despite the efforts of its otherwise solid, if kinda conflicting cast to make it watchable, even if they struggle to embrace the awkwardly conceived and executed 'girl power'-ish concept.

[7.00/10] Bombshell (2019)

Bombshell (2019)

Quick Review: Set in Fox's hectic office environment, the movie has a simple TV look and feel, but it's the plot and the characters "Bombshell" is focusing on, with the actual story of sexual harassment of women at Fox News, though not represented as boldly or shockingly as it should, makes an emotional impact as well as entertains, plus, Kidman, Robbie, and Theron shine in their portraits of real-life TV personas, particularly the latter, who steals the show with her spot-on embodiment.

[3.50/10] The Assent (2020)

The Assent (2020)

Quick Review: As schizophrenic as its mixed-up plot, "The Assent" can't make up its vague mind whether it wants to be a psychological thriller, family drama or demonic possession horror, failing to be either, let alone an effective blend of all three, with the end result being a lame, boring, hackneyed, and formulaic exorcism affair with atmospheric imagery, but zero scares, which gets even worse in the end, revealing a twist that is supposed to be jolting, but ends up being laughable instead.

[6.75/10] Abominable (2019)

Abominable (2019)

Quick Review: A few pretty shots aside, the graphics are a little rough about the edges, and the otherwise adventurous story is not as daring as it could be, but for a 'yeti' flick, "Abominable" offers a not only more originality than expected, but also a huge amount of heart, thanks to the sweet friendship between the lovely Yi and fluffy Everst, who embark on a journey through rural China that is fun and exciting, while dealing with a villain who brings the most poignant moment in the entire film.

[6.50/10] The Informer (2019)

The Informer (2019)

Quick Review: It is heavy-handed in its raw, style-less execution, not every member of the great cast has enough screen time to excel, and although complex, the plot contains too many familiar elements to shine with real originality, but thanks to the tight pacing that generates constant suspense, Kinnaman's credible lead turn, and the intricate 'FBI vs NYPD vs Polish drug lords' situations, "The Informer" is a taut and riveting crime affair with enough tension and twists to maintain your interest.

[6.75/10] Last Christmas (2019)

Last Christmas (2019)

Quick Review: Set in the glossy London and its glamorous scenery during holiday season, which match well with its heart-warming nature as well as Clarke's hearty and spirited performance as the unfortunate, but full of vigor Kate, "Last Christmas" not only portrays the growing of a problematic girl into lovable person earnestly, but it offers an element of surprise that leaves a big emotional impact, without preventing its story to remain fun, lively, and amusing as each rom-com should be.

[3.75/10] Black Christmas (2019)

Black Christmas (2019)

Quick Review: Putting an 'occult' twist on slasher horror, but with anti- climatic effect, and taking a 'no fun' antifeminist approach that demeans all women, "Black Christmas" plays it as a slow-burner which suggests a freaky climax, but instead, it ends up being a sluggish and murky-looking bore, filled with unlikable characters, lame dialogues, cheap jump scares, and a few random attacks thrown in, which culminates in a preposterous and chaotic finale with lots of PG-13 kills, but no actual thrills.

[6.50/10] Snatchers (2019)

Snatchers (2019)

Quick Review: Partly "Clueless"-y teen satire, partly a ditzy "Gremlins" meets "Alien" 'creature pregnancy' horror, partly a grisly gore-fest a'la "Slither", "Snatchers" is a bloody fun B-movie with hip old school practical effects, but modern in its approach, that manages to be funny, bonkers, outrageous, goofy, and nostalgic all at once, but also kinda moving, as it centers just as much on the reborn friendship between the two amusing protagonists, as it does on the bat- shit crazy alien mayhem.

CineMarvellous' Special: Our TOP 22 Movies of the Decade

[6.25/10] Black and Blue (2019)

Black and Blue (2019)

Quick Review: With its hackneyed premise built on familiar tropes, and an occasionally cheesy cat-n-mouse plot, "Black and Blue" can't escape from genre cliches and exaggerated chase situations with little credibility, but Deon Taylor's flair to generate true sense of grit through its filming style and plausible action along with his ability to sustain the tension from start to finish will keep you on the edge, plus, Harries tough, yet fragile turn as the rookie cop West adds an emotional weight to it all.

[6.50/10] Harriet (2019)

Harriet (2019)

Quick Review: Entirely driven by the strong-willed title character who embodies great courage and strive for freedom, portrayed with notable power, passion, and dedication by Erivo, "Harriet" may be a bit by-the- numbers in its approach and lacking the long-lasting impact of superior 'slavery' films, but it's a powerful and inspiring struggles-filled actual story, whose tough subject contrasts with the tasteful cinematography and the authentically appealing re-imagining of its XIX century setting.

[5.50/10] Little Joe (2019)

Little Joe (2019)

Quick Review: The stylish use of color, especially the greens, along with its floral-like visual tenderness correspond with the film's botanical concept, and make it eye-candy, but despite its fancy aesthetics, unique premise, and curious plant breeding scientific details, "Little Joe" fails to bloom completely, as it manages to produce a subtle sense of eeriness, and yet it refuses do dig deeper into its understated, if underdeveloped a "happy"-turned-viral-flower-making- people-act-bizarre story.

[6.50/10] Judy (2019)

Judy (2019)

Quick Review: Single-handedly led by Renée Zellweger's stellar turn as the title character, who she inhabits with remarkable devotion and sheer passion, "Judy" is an often engaging emotional journey of a real troubled performer with dark childhood, who struggles with both her career and personal life, and even though it is occasionally exhausting, and Judy herself is hardly likable, in the end, you can't help but being fascinated by her charm, passion, vulnerability, and eccentric charisma.

[4.50/10] Jexi (2019)

Jexi (2019)

Quick Review: Could be taken as either a parody of people's extreme obsession with smart devices, or a warning about our tech-dependent future, though it works as neither, "Jexi" features an annoying, sloppy, and flat out moronic protagonist so free of brains, it chooses to rely on the voice of an insulting and rude artificial intelligence instead, making Phil seem even dumber, not to say the whole romance is so awkward, it's embarrassing to watch, and so not sweet or endearing.

[7.25/10] Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Quick Review: A good-intentioned, often inspiring, but above all moving Nazi satire full of heart, in a typical Waititi style, "Jojo Rabbit" starts off as a vibrant, quirky, and even goofy coming-of-age comedy focusing on a heartfelt friendship that outgrows hatred and prejudice to grow into an uplifting anti-loath story, which in a tender, yet bold manner juxtaposes the horror of war with pure human affection, leading to a real grim final act that's as thought-provoking as it is emotionally harrowing.