[6.00/10] The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

QuickRating: Slightly moody and not particularly enjoyable, yet still charming, touching, good-hearted and somewhat magical, "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" learns youngsters that being different and even weird is okay, and encourages them  to embrace that in a very delicate, yet honest way, and even though you'll either love or hate the film's peculiar nature, you couldn't deny the wonderful performances from everyone involved.

[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

[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.

[6.00/10] Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted [3D] (2012)

Madagascar 3:
Europe's Most Wanted [3D] (2012)

Brief review: While certainly a slight improvement over its average predecessor "Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa", Dreamwork's second sequel to 2005's crowd-pleaser has its flaws and lacks the punch that made the favorite original film so memorable. As disappointing as it may sound, "Europe's Most Wanted" contains very few good laughs, and it's not nearly as funny as its promising trailers suggested it to be. The script is well-written and moderately clever, but let's be honest - a couple of witty lines and clever jokes do not make a smart movie. On the other hand, the story is entertaining, tremendously adventurous, briskly paced and heartfelt, so there's zero boredom. The newly introduced characters are just as likable and adorable as our favorite animated protagonists, and the villain, Captain Chantel DuBois, lifts the movie to another level. At least visually, "Madagascar 3" hardly disappoints. While the execution is far from being super-slick and on-par with the best Dreamwork / Pixar animated features, the CG animation itself is bright, vivid and colorful, and with enough details and stunning CGI backdrops to leave a huge impression on the viewers. The breathtaking 'flying circus' sequence towards the end deserves a special mention, as it certainly has the 'wow factor'. The use of 3D in this particular scene is remarkable, and overall the 3D effects in this animated romp add to the visual experience.

Overall summary: It's entertaining, amusing, adventurous and at times delightfully witty, and the animation is crisp, but "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" is neither as smart nor as hilarious as it's supposed to be, and in fact, it's not particularly memorable nor very inventive.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.00/10] Wrath of the Titans [3D] (2012)

Wrath of the Titans [3D] (2012)

Brief review: In spite of the atrocious use of 3D, cheesy CGIs and Leterrier's messy direction, 2010's "Clash of the Titans" was a flawed, but watchable fantasy flick, that had its moments of 'guilty pleasure'. Liebesman's sequel also fails to deliver an intelligible and engaging story, it takes itself too seriously, and its script is full of corny lines and cheesy dialogues, but in terms of visuals, action and even acting, "Wrath of the Titans" is definitely an improvement over its predecessor. The special and creature effects are executed with great precision and remarkable attention to detail, and the end result is often eye-popping. The seamless mix of practical set design and CGI scenery is flawless and the 3D is so slick and expertly-done, it feels like the film has been shot in 3D, and not post-converted. Thankfully, the action scenes are high-octane. The Chimera attack, the Cyclops fight and the final battle against Kronos are all dynamically-shot and very thrilling, at times even startling. Acting-wise, "Wrath of the Titans" is hit and miss. Worthington's lack of charisma works against him as usual, but at least he's not annoying to watch. Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Rosamund Pikedo do their best with the given material, Bill Nighy does a hilarious job as the nutty Hephaestus and Toby Kebbell steals the show with his amusingly stirring performance as Poseidon's dodgy demigod son, Agenor.

Overall summary: Far from great, yet slightly underrated probably due to the bad reputation of its predecessor, "Wrath of the Titans" provides a passable entertainment to those seeking for a 'no brainer' with great action scenes, effective use of 3D, and first class CGI work.

[6.00/10] Hell (2011)

Hell (2011)

QuickRating: Ambiguously-titled "Hell" (Hell in German means 'Bright' in English), this German horror has a unique post-apocalyptic scenario where The Earth has turned into a living hell after the sun has burned everything down, and despite its tiny budget and simplistic plot is still effective, compelling and technically well-made - the bright, yellowish cinematography captures the feel of the movie so perfectly, it burns, the barren scenery adds to the bleak visuals and the direction is solid.

[6.00/10] J. Edgar (2011)

J. Edgar (2011)

QuickRating: From Clint Eastwood's unbelievably heavy-handed direction, atrocious lighting and poor make-up, to the muddled pacing and incoherent narrative, everything about "J. Edgar" is a complete disaster. However, half way through, the movie puts itself back together and becomes easier to watch and much more gripping, plus, Leonardo DiCaprio's award-worthy performance saves it from being a total bummer of a film.

[6.00/10] Winnie the Pooh (2011)

Winnie the Pooh (2011)

QuickRating: The breathtaking hand-drawn animation is beautiful in its simplicity, the innocence of all the sweet and charming characters is adorable, and it definitely brings back childhood memories, but while "Winnie the Pooh" is great fun for little kids, the older members off the audience may find it too juvenile, sluggish, and not to say annoying, and despite its ultra-short running time, this otherwise cute animated flick feels a bit tiresome and slow.

[6.00/10] Happy Feet Two (2011)

Happy Feet Two (2011)

QuickRating: The animation is still jaw-dropping, and the characters are sweet, absolutely adorable and beautifully-designed, but compared to its memorable and highly-original predecessor, "Happy Feet Two" feels somewhat ordinary, plus, the chaotic narrative and the lack of genuine charm make it even less impressive. Having said that, the visuals are so gorgeous and the songs are so catchy, you could easily forgive its other flaws.

[6.00/10] Man on a Ledge (2012)

Man on a Ledge (2012)

Brief review: Call it silly, absurd and pointless, but Asger Leth's debut non-doc feature, "Man on a Ledge" is one of those guilty pleasure type of movies, that you can't help but enjoy for all the wrong reasons. It's really weird how something so cliched, unoriginal and contrived can be so perfectly watchable and passably entertaining at the same time, and since this is an almost impossible thing to achieve, the director deserves credit for that. On the other hand, the film's 'high concept' premise is maybe a bit too ambitious for Asger Leth's lack of directing experience and skills, and as a result, aside from a few faced-paced and tautly-shot action sequences, "Man on a Ledge" is hardly impressive on a technical level. Despite its countless weaknesses, though, "Man on a Ledge" is everything but boring. There are some pacing issues in the beginning and the climax is absolutely improbable, not to say ridiculous, but for most part, the film retains a good level of intensity that will keep you intrigued, and even on the edge of your seat in particular scenes. The partially engaging cast also saves this thriller from being completely mediocre. Sam Worthington is a weak lead, and he lacks charisma as usual, but the charming and talented on-screen duo, Jamie Bell and Genesis Rodriguez are both likable, funny and very interesting to watch. Elizabeth Banks and Ed Harris are spot-on in their roles as well.

Overall summary: Contrived, hardly plausible and overly ambitious, yet well-cast, decently-made, and somewhat intriguing, "Man on a Ledge" is totally aware of its own silliness and absurdity, but it still delivers enough thrills, twists and tense moments to grab viewers' attention.

[6.00/10] Il primo incarico a.k.a. The First Assignment (2011)

Il primo incarico a.k.a.
The First Assignment (2011)

QuickRating: Set in the gorgeous countryside of Southern Italy, "Il primo incarico" is a slow and simple, yet honest, heartfelt and quietly absorbing drama about distant love, new beginnings, and the struggles of small town life, complemented by Giorgia Cecere's delicate direction, and the strong and genuinely believable performance by the lovely Isabella Ragonese.

[6.00/10] Retread (2011)

Retreat (2011)

QuickRating: Despite its low budget, relatively slow pacing and limited cast, "Retreat" is still a gripping, quite unpredictable, and incredibly effective virus-themed UK horror thriller, that succeeds mainly due to the brilliantly disturbing portrayal by the underrated Jamie Bell, the excellent performances by Cillian Murphy and Thandie Newton, the tense atmosphere, and the deserted island setting, that is a stunning as it's claustrophobic.

[6.00/10] The Sorcerer and the White Snake (2011)

The Sorcerer and
the White Snake (2011)

Brief review: Based on an old Chinese legend, Ching Siu-Tung's latest CGI-driven kung fu fantasy "The Sorcerer and the White Snake" suffers from a weak narrative and silly script, and tries to blend too many different genres unsuccessfully, but it still manages to entertain the viewer, thanks to some spectacular set-pieces and a bunch of quirky characters. Jet Li is a bit bland and emotionless as Abott Fahai, but he proves yet again what an amazing martial artist he truly is. Shengyi Huangand is a bit over-dramatic, and yet she delivers as the White Snake, and the rest of the cast do an okay job. Ching Siu-Tung is undoubtedly one of the best and most creative fight choreographers on the planet, but his directing skills are rather questionable. He tries to achieve a bigger effect by throwing too many things on the screen, and jumping too much from one camera angle to another, and as a result his direction ends up being a bit of a mess. The action sequences are CGI-laden and too over-the-top, yet nicely-choreographed and exciting to watch, and the special effects range from impressive to lame. Some of the settings are absolutely stunning, and the cinematography is sharp, vivid and colorful, which makes the film very appealing, visually.

Overall summary: Goofy, plotless and overly-sentimental, yet visually-fascinating and filled with thrilling action sequences, "The Sorcerer and the White Snake" falls flat on its face in terms of storytelling, but still succeeds as an entertaining and enjoyable martial arts fantasy flick.

[6.00/10] Faces in the Crowd (2011)

Faces in the Crowd (2011)

QuickRating: Although it's heavily flawed and hardly plausible, "Faces in the Crowd" achieves its goal as a mystery thriller - it's intriguing, suspenseful, tense and nicely-crafted, but above all, entertaining. The beautiful Milla Jovovich delivers a solid and emotional performance as the confused and struggling teacher, who suffers from 'face blindness', and proves that she's so much more than the badass chick from the "Resident Evil" series.

[6.00/10] Monte Carlo (2011)

Monte Carlo (2011)

QuickRating: It may be a bit silly at times, and completely predictable from the first to the last minute, but "Monte Carlo" is still a sweet, charming and thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy, that features an incredibly likable cast, amusing story, and gorgeous visuals. The scenery of Monte Carlo is so posh, wondrous and stunningly beautiful, it makes the film look like a modern fairy tale, and worth-seeing for the amazing location alone.

[6.00/10] Hop (2011)

Hop (2011)

QuickRating: Cute, humorous, colorful and wonderfully-animated, if ultimately forgettable and very thin on story, "Hop" is overall an easy-to-watch and fairly entertaining Easter-themed flick, that kids and youngsters would enjoy for sure. Although, the older audience may find it too juvenile, silly and uninteresting, they still will be impressed by its stunning animation, sweet characters, clever jokes, and fascinating CGI visuals.

[6.00/10] Atrocious (2011)

Atrocious (2011)

QuickRating: This Spanish 'found footage' horror flick is kind of a slow-burner, and despite its 75 min running time, it feels a bit too long and dragged out, because of its unimaginative plot, however, "Atrocious" delivers some believable performances, a couple of truly tense and chilling moments, and a shocking twist at the end, that not only works well, but also manages to make up for the screenplay's shortcomings.

Numerous QuickRatings PART 9: Poor-to-Decent 2011 Movies

The Dilemma (2011)

QuickRating: The movie mostly relies on its talented A-list cast, but a couple of decent performances can't compensate for the lack of ideas, originality and laughs, and as a result, "The Dilemma" ends up as yet another uninspired, unfunny and instantly forgettable comedy, that shouldn't been made at all.

My Rating: 4.25/10




Exorcismus (2011)

QuickRating: Although it features some truly creepy and disturbing images, and a believable and more-than-convincing performance by the promising young actress Sophie Vavasseur, at the end of the day, "Exorcismus" offers nothing new or even remotely original to distinguish itself from all the other exorcism-related horror flicks.

My Rating: 5.25/10

The Eagle (2011)

QuickRating: "The Eagle" boasts plenty of gorgeous settings and impressive visuals, but unfortunately, the film is neither as spectacular, nor nearly as epic as expected, plus, it's let down by Channing Tatum's unsurprisingly dull performance and Kevin Macdonald's unimaginative and somewhat unsteady direction.

My Rating: 5.25/10




From Prada to Nada (2011)

QuickRating: This modern-day interpretation of "Sense and Sensibility" may be slightly ridiculous, and full of tired cliches, but "From Prada to Nada" compensates with an amusing script, enjoyable story, and likable characters, and manages to turn itself into a guilty pleasure type of chick flick that many girls (and boys) would enjoy.

My Rating: 6.00/10

[6.00/10] No Strings Attached (2011)

No Strings Attached (2011)

Brief review: The well known comedy director Ivan Reitman brings this highly enjoyable rom-com about life-long-friends-become-lovers, who try to keep their relationship strictly physical, though they soon realize they want something more than just sex. Yes, "No Strings Attached" is not without its flaws - it's unoriginal, overly predictable, and instantly forgettable, but nevertheless the movie provides a decent level of entertainment, laughter, and amusement to the audience, and it's sharp, sexy, and even naughty at times. Reitman is a very experienced director, he shows some diversity behind the camera, though his direction lacks focus in places, hence, the pacing loses its steadiness, and the movie drags a bit here and there. "No Strings Attached"'s main strength is its cast, and the Oscar-winner Natalie Portman in particular. Not only is she naturally stunning, but she proves yet again what a talented and amazingly versatile actress she is. Though this is an untypical role for her, Portman delivers a great comedic performance - she's sweet, funny, and utterly alluring as Emma. Ashton Kutcher's lack of acting skills is no secret, but he compensates with charisma and strong screen presence. On top of that, they both make an incredibly appealing couple.

Overall summary: "No Strings Attached" may be overly predictable and lacking in originality, but it succeeds in certain areas, thanks to its sharp and witty script, Reitman's typically solid direction, and Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher's incredible on-screen chemistry.

[6.00/10] Wake Wood (2011)

Wake Wood (2011)

Brief review: After some fantastic low-budget horror flicks like "Isolation" and "Dorothy Mills", Ireland offers yet another decent entry into the horror genre, aptly titled "Wake Wood". Why aptly? Because everything in this movie revolves around woods and awakening... awakening from death. The shocking and utterly bloody opening sequence draws you quickly into the story, and makes you hungry for more. The film moves at a rather slow pace, but it offers plenty of thrills and chills along the way, as well as plenty of graphic gore and some nasty scenes. "Wake Wood" obviously lacks a big budget, and the Irish scenery is typically flat, but David Keating compensates with skillful direction, gloomy settings and an atmospheric cinematography that fits the mood of the film quite well. Ella Connolly is cute as a button, but since her character is a pure evil, you just can't help but being scared of her. Eva Birthistle does a fantastic job as Alice's grieving mother, though her character is may be a bit too deluded and naive at times. Aidan Gillen plays the most interesting character of all - he's believable and likable, but at the same time there's something enigmatic about him... something you just can't figure out, well, until the very final scene.

Overall summary: Far from scary, and often predictable, yet somewhat original, pretty creepy and thoroughly effective, "Wake Wood" is bizarrely entertaining little gem of a horror movie, that proves Irish horror directors are a film-making force to be reckoned with.