[6.50/10] Grabbers (2012)

Grabbers (2012)

QuickRating: The idea of making a horror film about sea creatures allergic to alcohol-soaked human blood is clever enough in itself  to make it stand out, but when you add to that a witty, humorous script, likable, yet hilarious characters, an interesting, murky but beautiful Irish countryside scenery, spot-on CGI work, and an out-of-this-world sea monster, you get "Grabber". Well, it may be a bit too silly and pointless, and not particularly polished, but seriously, who cares really?

[6.50/10] Hope Springs (2012)

Hope Springs (2012)

QuickRating: Delightfully awkward, emotionally  sincere, bittersweet on a moments, but always amusing, if far from exceptional, or particularly memorable, David Frankel's "Hope Springs" incredibly well-written, and features yet another very sensual performance from the one and only Meryl Streep, complemented by the terrific acting from another icon - Tommy Lee Jones, and it gives us a truthful and honest, yet humorous look at long-time marriages, and tough mature relationships.

[6.50/10] Not Suitable for Children (2012)

Not Suitable for Children (2012)

QuickRating: This finely-crafted Aussie dramedy is in the same vein as last year's "50/50", but definitely funnier, and less depressing and dramatic. While the film's premise sounds barely intriguing, Michael Lucas' smart script is actually quite smart, full of surprises and hilarious situations, and the rather awkward romance is absolutely hysterical. On the top of that Ryan Kwanten irresistible charm will make you for his struggling character.

[6.50/10] Ted (2012)

Ted (2012)

QuickRating: "Ted" has an original, if kinda goofy premise, the fictional title character is utterly adorable, but in a naughty sort of way, and both Mark Wahlberg and the Mila Kunis deliver amusing performances and have an engaging on-screen relationship, but despite all these positive aspects and the undeniable moronic charm it exudes, "Ted" barely lives up to its big potential, and it's not as hysterically funny as it's supposed to be, mainly due to its inconsistency and lack of focus.

[6.50/10] The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)

The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)

Brief review: Driven by his gigantic passion for Chinese martial arts, Wu-Tang Clan leader and actor, RZA, finally makes his directing debut, giving us "The Man with the Iron Fists" - a semi-successful martial arts fantasy flick for western tastes, that is heavy on action, but very light on plot. The story, narrated rather poorly by RZA himself, is unnecessarily complicated,  confusing, and not particularly original, and as a result the film feels forced and all over the place. RZA's inspiration from old-school kung-fu films is obvious, but he also gives the movie a modern edge in order to mix things up. He may be a lazy narrator and sub-par director, but RZA certainly has taste for visual panache, and that shows through the movie's lavish overall look and strong production values. The action sequences are frenetic and highly-stylized, complemented by first-rate wire-work, and featuring a surprising amount of violence and gore. The choreography by the legendary Corey Yuen is very creative, though at times, there's too much going on on the screen, and that combined with the choppy editing, makes the fights a bit hard to follow, if still thrillingly spectacular. There are far too many characters in the movie, none of which is particularly memorable. The colorful, international cast including Lucy Liu, Russell Crowe, and Dave Bautista do their best with the given material, but it is the mediocre script that doesn't let them shine.

Overall summary: It's wildly uneven, and overstuffed with characters, and the weak plot is just an excuse for some over-the-top action scenes, but "The Man with the Iron Fists" still can be fully enjoyed for what it is -  a visually stimulating martial arts extravaganza for grown-ups.

[6.50/10] Upside Down (2012)

Upside Down (2012)

Brief review: Hitting US theaters on Dec10 this year, "Upside Down" is the second feature film by Argentinian director Juan Diego Solanas, who manages to deliver one of the most extraordinary love stories ever made, meant to those willing to see something truly one-of-a-kind, both premise-wise and execution-wise. However, "Upside Down" is definitely not for everyone, as the whole idea of the movie is odd, and may be 'too much to handle' for more traditional viewers. Also, the forbidden love type of romance doesn't feel sincere at first, but it gets more believable and charming as the movie progresses. Mixing sci-fi and romance is one movie is rarely a smart move, but Solanas blends these contradictory genres rather seamlessly, and with an exquisite sense of flair. He also deserves a lot of credit for his work in creating this movie on a purely technical note, because "Upside Down"is incredibly difficult to shoot and execute, considering its 'upside down' concept, and the fact that it requires great skills to be made properly. Visually, "Upside Down" has a lot going on about it, sometimes even more the eyes can take. The visuals are imaginative and nothing short of striking, and while there are a lot of CGIs involved, those are absolutely top-notch. Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess not only do an excellent job in their roles, but also share a great chemistry, and the supporting cast is pretty much on par.

Overall summary: Slightly pretentious and at times utterly peculiar, yet still engaging, "Upside Down" is an unusual love story full of originality, inventive ideas and stunning, never-seen-before imagery, that is further elevated by some solid performances from the cast involved.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.50/10] Excision (2012)

Excision (2012)

Brief review: Brought by first-time feature direction Richard Bates Jr., and  based on his own 2008 short movie of the same name, "Excision" is a coming-of-age horror drama, with some fine touches of dark humor, in the same vein as Lucky McKee's horror gem "May", and driven by its central character Pauline - a teen girl with morbid, yet vivid imagination, and twisted sexual desires. "Excision" is one of those horror movies, that avoids obvious scares, but still manages to be shocking and disturbing, thanks to the well-thought-out script that take us on a mental journey to one sick girl's mind. It also delivers on the gore and gross out horror, but in a very artsy sort of way. Considering the tiny budget it was made on, "Excision" looks quite aesthetically pleasing to the eye, however, Richard Bates Jr.'s direction is nothing-to-write-home-about really, which on the other hand isn't much of an issue, because "Excision" is all about the characters. "Nip/Tuck"'s own, the stunning AnnaLynne McCord, is barely recognizable as the freaky misfit, Pauline. She demonstrates a surprising amount of acting talent, and fully dominates the screen with her oddly captivating performance. Traci Lords is engagingly over-the-top as the controlling mother two, and the supporting cast does a solid job as well. The ending is gut-wrenchingly genius, if a bit predictable, and the true 'cherry on top' of Bates Jr.'s weird, yet unsettling piece of work.

Overall summary: It certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, but those seeking for something different, odd, bizarre, unusual and, well, sick, will remain deeply satisfied with Richard Bates Jr.'s nasty little horror movie, "Excision", as it delivers all of that in spades, and then some.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.50/10] The Possession (2012)

The Possession (2012)

Brief review: While Bornedal’s latest film is not even half as compelling and terrifying as "The Exorcist", compared to some of the more recent movies of this sub-genre, "The Possession" is not that weak at all. Script-wise, it barely stands out form all the other exorcism flicks, as it has far too many familiar elements and tired plot formulas, but manages to make up for that in other areas. The fact that the film is based on a true story makes it fairly disturbing, especially if you take it seriously. However, some gruesomely creepy images and a couple of suspenseful moments aside, The Possession" barely has the 'scare factor'. Even though it’s set in present day, interestingly enough, it has that specific, 70’s-inspired, ominous feel about it. From the washed-out color palette to the bleak, intentionally simplistic cinematography, eerie sound effects and oddly scratchy music score, everything about "The Possession" screams 'old school'. Ole Bornedal’s direction is quite simple in style, yet sophisticated execution-wise, and while the use of CGI is a bit too obvious at times, overall the special effects are convincingly-executed, way above average, and everything but cheesy. Jeffrey Dean Morgan gives one of his best performances, but the true star of the film remains the promising young actress Natasha Calis as Em, who alternates between innocence and evilness so effortlessly, it’s fascinating.

Overall summary: Well-crafted, solidly-acted, visually-atmospheric and often sinister, if far from frightening, there’s nothing particularly wrong with Ole Bornedal’s exorcism flick, "The Possession", but there’s nothing that special, groundbreaking, or very original about it either.

Read (and please comment on) the extended version of my "The Possession" review, written solely for White Cat Magazine HERE.

[6.50/10] [REC] 3 Genesis (2012)

[REC]³ Génesis (2012)

Brief review: Five years ago, Spanish directing duo Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza blew all horror fans away with their 'found footage' phenomenon "[REC]" - arguably the scariest movie ever made. Than in 2009, they brought us an imaginative sequel, that went in a direction no one saw coming. In "[REC]³ Génesis", Paco Plaza goes solo for the very first time, in order to show us his own vision for the franchise, and for better or worse, "[REC] 3" differs vastly from its predecessors, in terms of concept, style and execution. That may be disappointing on one hand, but on the other, it feels completely refreshing. The 'wedding party goes wrong' storyline is pretty straightforward and lacking in twists, and the religious explanations do not always make sense, but at least the movie doesn't take itself too seriously and has an unexpectedly great sense of humor. After a 20-minute-long opening sequence, shot in a POV style, Paco Plaza throws the hand-held camera away and gives the movie a 'standard' look, which increases the quality of the visuals and makes them more vibrant. Unlike its predecessors, "[REC] 3" ain't frightening at all, however, the thrills are there, and so is the gore, and the gruesome, cool-looking zombies, which make "[REC] 3" a bloody fun ride of a horror film. The movie also features an entirely new cast of actors, with Leticia Dolera and Diego Martín doing an awesome job in the lead roles.

Overall summary: It's not the horror masterpiece the original "[REC]" was, nor is as inventive as "[REC]²", but Paco Plaza's "[REC]³ Génesis" is still a refreshing entry into the popular franchise, with enough action, thrills and slick gore to please the fans... and everyone else.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.50/10] Big Miracle (2012)

Big Miracle (2012)

QuickRating: Inspired by actual events, "Big Miracle" is inspirational indeed. While its execution is far from 'miraculous', the wonderful storytelling keeps you engaged the entire time and makes you care about those trapped whales as well as the likable main characters. All political cynicism aside, this is a deeply moving family drama with a nice old-fashioned feel to it, that will certainly appeal to all ages. Hands down, one of the better 'feel good' movies of the year so far.

[6.50/10] The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

QuickRating: Slow-moving and at times unnecessarily dragged-out, yet honest, heartfelt and beautifully filmed, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" not only captures perfectly the unique feel of incredible India and successfully showcases its true colors, but also features a witty script, sweet and deeply touching story, endearing characters and wonderful performances from its amazingly special, super-talented cast of iconic veteran actors.

[6.50/10] Dark Shadows (2012)

Dark Shadows (2012)

Brief review: Based on the gothic horror soap opera of the same name, "Dark Shadows" is yet other Burton / Depp collaboration that has its moments of genuine fun, wit and amusement, but it's also full of intentional silliness that never quite works right. Due to its unbalanced script, the film fails to blend comedy, horror, and romance properly, and as a result, "Dark Shadows" is amusing but far from hilarious, interesting but hardly intriguing, and somewhat creepy yet never scary. The visuals of the film are nothing short of fantastic - the location is perfectly-chosen and grim, yet pretty, and that combined with Delbonnel's beautifully murky cinematography creates a splendidly gothic atmosphere, plus, the glorious old mansion, where most of the action takes place in, has so many amazing features, it will take your breath away. However, despite the stunning visuals and Tim Burton's unsurprisingly polished direction, the movie still lacks that extra special something that would have made it more memorable. The entire cast delivers. The main focus is on Johnny Depp and he gives yet another outstandingly amusing performance as the 200-year-old well-mannered vampire, trying to break his curse. Eva Green is devilishly sexy as the manipulative witch, Michelle Pfeiffer does a solid job as the charismatic Elizabeth, but Helena Bonham Carter and Chloë Grace Moretz are those who truly stand out from the rest.

Overall summary: It's a bit silly, and its director struggles to find the right balance between horror, comedy and family affair, but Burton's "Dark Shadows" makes up for these shortcomings with a top-notch cast, stunningly atmospheric visuals and some gorgeous settings.

The visually-stunning "Dark shadows" is yet another collaboration by Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. If you like watching great movies from this duo, then why not join lovefilm.com. Get a one month free trial and check out the entire Burton/Depp collection online.

[6.50/10] Joyful Noise (2012)

Joyful Noise (2012)

Brief review: Actor-turned-director Todd Graff brings us his third musical, called "Joyful Noise", and it's joyful indeed. Yes, the story has been done many times before, and you could easily predict every single scene in advance, but the script has enough humor, drama, sarcasm and wittiness to make you forgive its unoriginality. Todd Graff manages to pull this musical off decently, thanks to his lively, unpretentious direction that makes the movie quite easy to watch. Apart from a few glossy musical numbers towards the end, there's nothing particularly impressive about the visuals, but that's not even necessary, since "Joyful Noise" is all about the the singing. The songs are familiar, but so catchy and beautifully-sung, they'll still give you goosebumps, and the numbers themselves are joyous and incredibly fun to watch. The cast delivers acting-wise, singing-wise and chemistry-wise. The lovely Queen Latifah can do not wrong, giving another great performance as the conservative Vi Rose, and Dolly Parton does an excellent job as the glamorous and easy-going grandmother. Keke Palmer is by no means an amazing actress, but her voice is absolutely phenomenal. The newcomer Jeremy Jordan seems incredibly comfortable in front of the camera, displaying charm, charisma and unaffected behavior, but it's the hilarious Angela Grovey that steals the show every time she shows up on screen.

Overall summary: Formulaic, hence, predictable, and yet light-hearted and thoroughy enjoyable, "Joyful Noise" entertains with cheerful musical numbers and sarcastically witty dialogues, and gains from its talented, appealing cast members, that sing just as good as they act.

[6.50/10] Urban Explorer (2011)

Urban Explorer (2011)

QuickRating: While this German B-horror movie certainly won't win any awards for originality and technical excellence, it still works on so many levels, it's unbelievable. "Urban Explorer" is intense, scary, gory and thoroughly realistic, and it features one of the craziest, most disturbingly believable psycho killers ever put on film. Moreover, set in a maze of dark tunnels under the city of Berlin, the movie is so insanely claustrophobic, it will leave you gasping for air.

[6.50/10] Shame (2011)

Shame (2011)

QuickRating: Bold, daring and graphic, if hardly unforgettable, "Shame" is a a simple and moody, yet somewhat mesmerizing portrait of a sex addict, that relies on its appealing, talented cast. Michael Fassbender delivers one of his best performances so far, and Carey Mulligan does a remarkable job as well, and the on-screen relationship between them is very tense and believable, and probably the most memorable thing about this movie.

[6.50/10] We Bought a Zoo (2011)

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

QuickRating: It's predictable, quite straightforward, and it lacks depth, but "We Bought a Zoo" is still sweet, pleasant to watch and even moving at times, plus, it showcases love and respect for both animals and humans, and it's full of likable characters and adorable creatures. Matt Damon delivers a pretty engaging performance as the kind and determined father, and Scarlett Johansson proves everyone who thinks she can't act wrong.

[6.50/10] Cars 2 (2011)

Cars 2 (2011)

QuickRating: It won't be a lie to call "Cars 2" a pretty decent animated flick. However, compared to all the other magnificent Pixar films, this is without a doubt the studio's weakest animated movie since, well, the original "Cars". The animation is, crisp, vivid and delightfully colorful, Lasseter and Lewis' direction is energetic and brisk and the story is solid, but let's face it - the whole concept of talking human-like cars just isn't intriguing enough.

[6.50/10] Tomboy (2011)

Tomboy (2011)

QuickRating: It deals with an extremely delicate subject matter in a very modest and tender way, it's also thoroughly believable and amazingly well-acted, and it's sweet and charming in a French sort of way, but it's the rather conventional execution and lack of impressive production values that stop it from being incredible, plus, "Tomboy" is way too brief to provide sufficient development of the specific topic.

[6.50/10] Dolphin Tale (2011)

Dolphin Tale (2011)

QuickRating: It's predictable from beginning to the end, the direction is pretty generic, and it doesn't really break any new grounds in terms of storytelling, but Smith's "Dolphin Tale" is nevertheless a sweet, deeply heartwarming and truly inspiring family drama about a disabled dolphin, that will appeal to both children and adults. The entire competently-chosen cast deliver in they roles, and the dolphin Winter in the lead is adorably lovable.

[6.50/10] John Carter [3D] (2012)

John Carter [3D] (2012)

Brief review: The director of "WALL-E" and "Finding Nemo", Andrew Stanton, makes his live-action debut with "John Carter" - an uneven, yet fairly effective sci-fi adventure that has as many flaws as virtues. While the first half of the film is too dragged out and full of boring moments, the second half is brisker and more entertaining to watch, and the cleverly-executed ending also makes up for the film's earlier shortcomings. The script isn't great, but it has nice touches of wit that compensate for the many pacing issues. Aside from the unnecessary 3D post conversion, that adds nothing to the visuals, "John Carter" is technically masterful on every other level. Set on Mars, but actually shot in Utah, the movie impresses mostly with its expansive scenery that consists of red rocky barren wilderness and dusty pink sky, flawless and flashy special effects, and glorious sets that make it a pure feast for the eyes. In terms of action though, "John Carter" is hardly spectacular. For a two-hour movie that consider itself epic, it doesn't offer enough action to deliver on its promise, and the action scenes themselves, while exciting and well-shot, are way too short. Taylor Kitsch turns in a memorable performance as the title character, Lynn Collins is gorgeous and convincing enough as Dejah, and the supporting cast does a pretty good job, with Mark Strong being the best of the bunch as the enigmatic villain Matai Shang.

Overall summary: It's far from epic, and it suffers from a rather dull first half, but "John Carter" is nevertheless a well-shot and visually-stunning sci-fi action flick that pleases with first-rate special effects, satisfactory performances and some thrilling, yet brief, action sequences.