[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.

[9.00/10] Togo (2019)

Togo (2019)

Quick Review: Set in 1925 Alaska, a setting as harsh as pretty, not only "Togo" captures the chilling scenery sumptuously, and with a bleak touch that matches the extreme situations, but Core masterfully narrates a taut, thrilling, and adventurous underdog tale, mixed with a sweet and moving backstory, to bring this soul-stirring canine legend to life, with the bond between the bold, brave, and lively Togo and his tough, yet kind owner, acted lovably by Defoe, being at the heart of the heroic fable.

[7.00/10] Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Quick Review: Fairly slow-moving, yet paced with exquisite elegance, deeply saturated with quiet passion and sexual tension, and often pretty as a picture to look at, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" beautifully depicts a moving, affecting, and sensual story of art, talent, and doomed romance in heartfelt fashion, captivating your attention with the genuinely strong bond between the wonderfully-acted and voluptuous heroines.

[4.25/10] Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Quick Review: The last 20 minutes are drenched in gory violence and extreme brutality that will raise your adrenaline, but that aside along with Stallone's okay attempts to still look as tough and intimidating as Rambo after all these years, "Last Blood" is basically a dull, generic, uninspired, bone-tired and incredibly lackluster conclusion to the franchise, whose poorly-conceived script doesn't treat the cherished character with all the respect it deserves, nor it contains any brains, or originality.

[6.50/10] A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Quick Review: Showing one of the most sweet, caring, endearing, and kind-hearted protagonists in recent memory, portrayed so delicately by Tom Hanks, you can't help but love, this one is all about human relations whether good or bad, but also about forgiveness, understanding, as well as giving a chance, which it teaches through its contrasting stories - one about an unlikely friendship and one about reconnection, both equally as frank and heart-rending.

[5.00/10] Villains (2019)

Villains (2019)

Quick Review: It captures the eye with its vibrancy, stylish sleekness, and color saturation, besides, every single one of the four performances has its moment of acting highlights, all ranging from goofily over-the-top to amusingly wacky, but for a dark comedy with horror thriller elements, "Villains" is neither funny or bright, nor bloody or grisly enough to live up to its grotesque nature, bringing nothing new to the table, apart from a few eccentric bits, nutty situations, and cuckoo characters.

[7.75/10] The Two Popes (2019)

The Two Popes (2019)

Quick Review: As informative and revealing, as it's absorbing, the wise and witty "The Two Popes" narrates the bumpy, yet sincere and moving real-life bond between the current and future popes, who build a true friendship, in spite of their opposite personalities, while also focusing on a grim backstory about Bergoglio's flawed past, with the apt, intelligent, sharp dialogues and bravura turns by Hopkins and Pryce making this a captivating and heartfelt 'true story' of faith and commitment.

[5.75/10] Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker [3D] (2019)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker [3D] (2019)  

Quick Review: With its grandiose intergalactic imagery, stellar effects, and imposing action, especially the flashy lightsaber swordplay, Episode IX is technically immaculate, but in its attempts to please the fans and 'fix' what "TLJ" did wrong, it follows the same tired formula, without any imagination put into the unexciting, mostly contrived story, filled with lots of cheesy, even senseless moments and overdone twists, and lacking in soul, thrills, and novelty.

[9.00/10] Knives Out (2019)

Knives Out (2019)

Quick Review: A brainy, dexterous, sharp-witted, smartly-conceived and brilliantly-executed Agatha Christie- esque murder mystery, whose twisty, pattern-like plot is so well-structured every turn makes perfect sense at the end, the unpredictable, creative, wildly entertaining, and thrillingly fun "Knives Out" not only brings out the best of its top-notch ensemble cast and their eccentric characters, but it demonstrates superb sense of style through its vintage feel, cool setting, and tasteful aesthetics.

[5.75/10] Let It Snow (2019)

Let It Snow (2019)

Quick Review: Possessing enough holiday spirit and festive feel to be seen as a Christmas movie, but also having enough heart and sweetness to work as a romance, and even a few silly bits here and there, not to be taken so seriously, "Let It Snow" may be a cliched and familiar rom- com focusing on various youngsters and their personal love stories, as well as the friendship between them, but the appealing cast and snowy, yet cozy small town setting make it a fairly pleasurable watch.