[6.25/10] A Kid Like Jake (2019)

A Kid Like Jake (2019)

Quick Review: Exploring a deeply sensitive subject matter of gender identity in children, but doing it in a hesitant fashion, portraying the title character more as a figure rather than an actual person, and focusing more on his protective parents, "A Kid Like Jake" succeeds thanks to the sense of realism, some genuine emotion, and superb acting, but it's the tension between the adults that generates the biggest drama in the otherwise monotone story filled with mildly involving subplots.

[8.50/10] Marriage Story (2019)

Marriage Story (2019)

Quick Review: Focusing more on the hard process of divorce than the ups and downs of marriage, and led by Johansson and Driver's career- best central turns, "Marriage Story" is an introspective and penetrating emotional roller coaster ride through happiness and sorrow, pleasure and agony, and freedom and loneliness, that is moving, devastating, stirring, affecting, sad and funny all at once, always enthralling to watch, and real beautiful in its raw honesty, despite the 'ugly' turn of events.

[7.25/10] Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)

Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)

Quick Review: Featuring one of Blanchett's most emotionally diverse and vibrant turns as the innovative and gifted, yet asocial protagonist, who is as appealing as it is flawed, "Bernadette" is funny and dramatic, if barely inspiring personal journey of retrospection, dilemmas, travels, motherhood, and reunion with the past that, in spite of its unevenness, has a profound story with meaning, charm and distinctive quirkiness that make it a wacky winner.

[6.50/10] The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)

The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)

Quick Review: A genuinely moving and heart-rending human 'life' story, narrated from a canine perspective, infused with a dose of car racing for relief, this one may be a cliched and manipulative tearjerker, but dealing with love, family, parenting, illness and loss, without compromising on humor, and bringing the dog/owner connection to a whole new level with Denny and Enzo's strong bond, this is a warm and charming drama that touches and entertains.

[5.25/10] The Laundromat (2019)

The Laundromat (2019)

Quick Review: More disappointing rather than plain bad, Soberbergh's scandalous fact-based story dealing with financial schemes and money laundering suffers big time from an uneven plot structure that appears horribly patchy and episodic, with its improvised in feel segments ranging from sporadically engaging to fairly watchable to tediously flat, not tho mention the otherwise outstanding A-list cast is pretty much completely wasted due to a subpar writing and uninteresting characters.

[7.00/10] After the Wedding (2019)

After the Wedding (2019)

Quick Review: It lacks the balance such complex plot should have, as it aims to simultaneously focus on two equally as key stories and smoothly merge them, which it semi-succeeds in, but "After the Wedding" depicts the big contrast between wealth and poverty, material and spiritual in a powerful, moving, and affecting way, plus the startling twist midway, along with Williams and Moore's clashing, opposite heroines and their strained dynamics, add edge to the already pretty tense atmosphere.

[6.50/10] Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)

Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)

Quick Review: Following the tough journey of a failed late 20s woman's desire for physical change, "Brittany Runs a Marathon" is not just about losing weight and staying active, it's a charming, amusing, uplifting, and above all inspiring story of drive and determination, strong will, finding a new passion and bringing back your confidence, with Bell being as funny, zany and sweet as she's fragile and flawed as the relatable, loser-turned a-winner-in-life, Brittany.

[5.50/10] The Knight Before Christmas (2019)

The Knight Before Christmas (2019)

Quick Review: With its snowy small town setting, opulent in and outdoor Christmas decorations, vivid colors, and crisp visuals, it surely captures the spirit of holiday season, also by having a surprising amount of heart in its otherwise cornball story, and Hudgens and Whitehouse make a charming pair, but this 'real-life fairy tale' time-travel romance sweetened with medieval affability is too absurd even for a fantasy, and so sugary, it might give you diabetes.

[7.50/10] Downton Abbey (2019)

Downton Abbey (2019)

Quick Review: As visually rich as it is thematically lightweight, exquisite to look at, and delightfully vintage in its sophisticated 1920s authenticity, "Downton Abbey" is a smartly written period drama filled with Brit wit, and crowded with captivating characters that revolves around a 'royal visit' which creates panic and excitement, and stirs the post in а truly amusing, hectic, and lively manner, but it's the stellar acting that engages the most, with the lovely Maggie Smith always stealing the whole show.

[5.00/10] High Strung Free Dance (2019)

High Strung Free Dance (2019)

Quick Review: The dance routines consisting of hip-hop, contemporary, and ballet are finely-choreographed and entertaining enough, especially the brilliant final number, and Barlow is a likable, charming, and easy-to- care-for protagonist, mostly thanks to Doherty's finesse and appeal, but "Free Dance" is still your typical run- of-the-mill dance flick with bland plot and stereotypical characters that is further let down by the mawkish love triangle-driven romance.

[7.25/10] The Irishman (2019)

The Irishman (2019)

Quick Review: Made with skill, flair and precision, technically spotless, and showing its three veteran stars at their best, yet slow, dragged out, talky,  and  overlong, "The Irishman" is an old-fashioned mob drama that starts off as a savage portrait of a cunning killer, but ends as a moving character study of a lone man, and though it barely offers anything new, the thought-provoking timeline, dark humor and riveting characters make it an absorbing affair that demands focus to be appreciated.

[7.50/10] The Farewell (2019)

The Farewell (2019)

Quick Review: An ideally balanced death-themed dramedy that's in fact opposite of lifeless, due to the deep characters, their sincere bond, and all of the genuine emotions they are forced to repress in the name of a 'white lie', "The Farewell" is as sad as it's uplifting, telling the what turns out to be an extraordinary domestic tragedy filled with so much warmth, love, respect, and sorrow, it's hard not to tear up in devastation, but it's Awkwafina's moving central turn that makes the story special.

[6.25/10] The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)

The Angry Birds 2 (2019)

Quick Review: Although not as fun as the first, the crisp graphics, vivid colors, the cutesy new and lovable known characters, and the brisk, at times frantic, but always entertaining story in which the birdies join forces with the piggies to face off the mean and hysterical Zeta, whose hilarious voicing and eccentric behavior steal the show, "AB 2" is a humorous and energy-driven sequel that favors the most from the three cute hatchlings' fascinatingly adventurous backstory, especially the 'lol' finale.

[7.00/10] Frozen II [3D] (2019)

Frozen II [3D] (2019)

Quick Review: With a less frosty, more autumn-y vibe, and slick, richly detailed graphics that make it pretty to look at, yet not as enchanting as the first, "Frozen II" offers a grimmer, more grownup family-driven story of loss and vulnerability, taking us on a mysteriously obscure adventure that lacks the drama, heart and magic of its predecessor, or its catchy songs, but thanks to Elsa and Anna's warm sibling bond, its positive messages, and Olaf's hilarious silliness, it sure is still a trip worth taking.

[5.50/10] The Climbers (2019)

The Climbers (2019)

Quick Review: It has an important story that needs to be told, the A-list cast delivers, and the snowy, harsh environment is chilling, which along with the team's struggles to conquer Everest's summit bring moments of real tension, but instead of reaching new heights, "Climbers" falls apart as an avalanche in the end, allowing the sentiments of its melodramatic personal sub-plot to take over, plus the fight-for-national-pride approach make this historic achievement feel too political in purpose.

[7.25/10] Official Secrets (2019)

Official Secrets (2019)

Quick Review: As taut, thrilling and compelling as it's important and eye -opening, but above all disturbing in deeply realistic way, and led by one of Knightley's very best, most tense and dedicated performances to date as the brave and daring Gun, who risk her job, marriage, and freedom to save lives, "Official Secretes" is a must-see 'true story' political thriller that reveals the dubious nature of intelligence operations in a credible, suspenseful, and nail-biting manner to engage your interest.

[3.75/10] Don't Let Go (2019)

Don't Let Go (2019)

Quick Review: As highly ambitious as it's ludicrous, not only "Don't Let Go" is one of the most ugly-looking flicks of 2019, due to its off-putting color palette, unpleasant tone, and tacky style, but its prevent-murder- from-the-future-which-happened-in- the-past premise and bad execution make this one a real convoluted and plain stupid nonsense of a mystery sci-fi thriller with decent acting and some moments of mild tension, but very few thrills, and weak twists that narrowly work in its favor.

[6.75/10] The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

Quick Review: As visually subdued as it's emotionally rich, "The Peanut Butter Falcon" is a poignant, sweet, funny, but above all heart-warming adventure drama that much like its Down syndrome protagonist wears its heart in its sleeve, and despite its thematic delicacy, is never afraid to demonstrate sense of humor, telling a moving 'runaway' story about true friendship, freedom, and purity in a feel-good fashion, accompanied by some outstanding acting.