[7.50/10] American Mary (2012)

American Mary (2012)

Brief review: The Canadian twin sisters, Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska, take indie horror cinema to another level with their latest blood-soaked gem, "American Mary" - an unexpectedly brilliant feminist horror story of revenge, that also explores human's twisted mentality and the perverse desires of people obsessed with the idea of being unique, by turning themselves into monsters, literally. Soska sister's original script cleverly mixes visceral and psychological horror with unsettling sense of realism, outrageous gore and dark humor, and that well-balanced combination of elements leads to an impressive end result. Due to its sick, demented nature, "American Mary" may be a bit too bizarre and revolting for mass tastes, but those willing to see something different, will appreciate the film's bleak uniqueness. Soskas' latest isn't scary, and it's not meant to be, because the story is already shocking and grim enough, so the film doesn't need any additional gimmicks to give you the chills. Sure, being a surgeon horror, there's lots of blood, guts and cut-off body parts, but none of it is over-the-top or too in-your-face. "American Mary" does not look like a low-budget indie film. Soskas' stylish direction complements the film's gloomy tone, which is captured through the use of low lighting and gritty cinematography. It wouldn't be as effective, without Katharine Isabelle's disturbing, yet captivating portrayal of Mary - a gifted surgeon, who's also a sick-minded freak you don't wanna mess with at all.

Overall summary: More nasty than scary, cold, yet sleek in atmosphere and look, and definitely disturbing, "American Mary" is a superbly-crafted and highly original horror movie with feminist undertones, grim sense of humor and grotesque gore, that every genre fan should see.

[7.50/10] Butter (2012)

Butter (2012)

QuickRating: "Butter" is all about butter, but in an artsy sort of way. It's also satirical, witty, and even sentimental, yet always feel-good. The visuals have that refreshing, vintage feel about them, the butter creations are fantastic indeed, and the ensemble cast delivers: Jennifer Garner gives a hilarious, enjoyably over-the-top performance as the snobbish Laura, Yara Shahidi is cute as a button, but surprisingly, it's Olivia Wilde that shines the most as the amusingly cheeky hooker.

[7.50/10] Pitch Perfect (2012)

Pitch Perfect (2012)

QuickRating: Clever, witty, original, pleasant to watch, delightfully quirky, downright hilarious, and featuring catchy musical numbers, tons of great laughs, and awesome performances from Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Ester Dean, Skylar Astin, and the talented Anna Kendrick, the-"Mean Girls"-of-musicals, "Pitch Perfect", not only hits all the right notes, but constantly feels like a breath of fresh air, despite the formulaic plot it has, and it offers a 'pitch perfect' entertainment for all tastes, because it's fun, fun, fun!

[7.50/10] The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Brief review: Don't get mislead by the intentionally cheesy title and the seemingly hackneyed premise, because "The Cabin in the Woods" is almost like nothing you have seen before. Even though the plot starts in a familiar fashion, even from the very beginning, the creators throw enough curve balls to make you wonder "What the heck is going on here?!". Later on, things are starting to clear up, but the shocks keep coming right until the end. The inventively puzzling script boldly reveals the 'hypothetical' secret behind the horror cliches, plus, Whedon and Goddard inject a solid dose of satire, humor and creativity in it to reach the wanted effect, which is redefining the genre. Though not as scary as expected, "The Cabin in the Woods" is edge-of-your-seat tense and thrilling pretty much most of the time, and has lots of gruesome, nasty imagery. The final 20 min are a complete bloodbath of mayhem and destruction, featuring arguably the goriest scenes since Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive". Sadly, the movie fails to impress execution-wise. Goddard's direction is competent and versatile enough, but it lacks the slickness that could have made it as innovative visually, as it's conceptually. While the practical effects are absolutely spot-on, the CGI work is below par by today's high standards, and at times, quite cheesy. The acting is great, with Kristen Connolly and Fran Kranz both being the stand-outs.

Overall summary: It's a way too overambitious and not particularly terrifying, and is further let down by some sub-par CGIs, but "The Cabin in the Woods" is a cliché-breaker that will knock your socks off with its originality, satirical inventiveness and twisted unpredictability.

[7.50/10] The Pirates! Band of Misfits [3D] (2012)

The Pirates!
Band of Misfits [3D] (2012)

Brief review: One of the creators of the unique and hilarious "Chicken Run", Peter Lord, along with "Flushed Away"'s head animator, Jeff Newitt, bring us yet another brilliantly-executed stop-motion animated film, produced and released by Aardman Animations, who also gave us the amazing "Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit". The movie displays enough originality and creativity to save itself from being 'you typical pirate affair', and delivers many clever jokes for the adults as well as some silly but funny slapstick for the youngsters. What makes "Pirates!" even more enjoyable and entertaining is the adventurous nature of it, the superbly colorful characters, and last but not least, the ingeniously hilarious, yet inventive action scenes it proudly boasts. Clay animation is extremely difficult to execute and usually takes months, if not years, to put together, and both directors deserve credit for the remarkable job they've done on this truly stellar project. Visually and technically, "Band of Misfits" is quite astonishing and near flawless - the amount of detail is amazing, the clay work is pitch-perfect, and the colors are pastelly, yet vibrant and saturated. The competent use of 3D works in the film's favor and certainly adds depth to the already magnificent visuals. The voice casting is spot-on, with Hugh Grant being the absolute standout with his first-ever voice performance as Captain Pirate.

Overall summary: It lacks the genuine wit and quirky charm of "Chicken Run", but "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is every bit as visually delightful as Aardman Studios' previous claymation flicks, and has enough fresh ideas, bright humor and whimsicality to shine on its own merits.

[7.50/10] The Flowers of War (2011)

The Flowers of War (2011)

QuickRating: Harsh, graphic and truly dramatic, if rather slow and overlong, "The Flowers of War" is just about as visually stunning and beautifully-shot as any of Zhang Yimou's previous movies (which are mostly masterpieces), yet hardly as striking and memorable. However, the director injects enough heart into the sad story to keep it moving and affecting even for Western audiences. Ni Ni is alluring as Yu Mo, but surprisingly, Bale's cocky portrayal lets the film down a bit.

[7.50/10] Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

Extremely Loud &
Incredibly Close (2011)

QuickRating: As quirky as its title suggests, "EL & IC" is overly sentimental, slightly pretentious and emotionally manipulative, therefore, it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but those with an open mind will find this strangely whimsical modern-day adventure very touching, emotional and entertaining. The fantastic cast elevates the movie to another level and Daldry's moody, yet energetic direction adds to the experience.

[7.50/10] Snowtown (2011)

Snowtown (2011)

QuickRating: Undoubtedly on par with another strikingly brutal Aussie hit from 2010, "Animal Kingdom", "Snowtown" is a harsh, gloomy and truly hard-hitting suburban crime drama, that builds tension slowly, but than explodes into violence that will disturb the viewer's mind. All of the performances are strong and believable, but it's Daniel Henshall chillingly brilliant portrayal that makes this movie worth-seeing.

[7.50/10] Evidence (2012)

Evidence (2012)

Brief review: "Evidence" will be released straight to DVD on March 12, which is a pity, because the film deserves a theatrical release, at least a limited one, as it's much better than most POV horror movies shown on the big screen recently, including "The Devil Inside", "Atrocious" and even the "Paranormal Activity" franchise. Do not get misled by the rather conventional first half of the film, where a bunch of boys and girls go camping in the woods, with one of them filming a pointless documentary, because this is not your typical 'found footage' horror movie, even if it seems like one. Just when you think "Evidence" works effectively as a creature feature shot in a POV style, it turns out to be something much more unsettling and crazy than that. It's hard to review the movie without revealing too much, so let's say that in its final 30 minutes, "Evidence" goes in a direction you won't see coming, leading to an unexpected horrifying events that will shock you, scare you to death and make your skin crawl. It won't be a lie if we call "Evidence" a clever, tense and truly frightening horror movie, full of unexpected surprises, real scares, lots of disturbing images and solid amount of gore, because it's exactly that. The movie also has well-developed characters, believably portrayed by Ryan McCoy, Brett Rosenberg, Abigail Richie and Ashley Bracken, who all manage to convey fear, confusion and panic so convincingly.

Overall summary: It's no "[REC]", but Howie Askins' "Evidence" quickly establishes itself as one of most effective, terrifying and unpredictable 'found footage' horror movies in recent memory, delivering one shock after another, tons of genuine scares and unexpected twists.

[7.50/10] We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

QuickRating: As emotionally exhausting as it's utterly horrifying, Lynne Ramsay's latest is every parent's nightmare. Focusing on the deeply complicated relationship between а long-suffering mother and a cruel monster child, "We Need to Talk About Kevin" is more shocking, sinister and unsettling than any other movie this year that dares to call itself a horror. Besides, Tilda Swinton is nothing short of sensational here!

[7.50/10] Midnight in Paris (2011)

Midnight in Paris (2011)

QuickRating: Dreamy, charmingly nostalgic and delightfully surreal, if certainly not one of Woody Allen's most profound and accomplished achievements, "Midnight in Paris" is a funny, yet sophisticated comedy that embraces the beauty of the glorious city of Paris, as well as the joy of life and art of love, plus, it boasts the most dazzling and exquisite cinematography this year, and excellent performances from the enchantingly appealing cast.

[7.50/10] Warrior (2011)

Warrior (2011)

Brief review: Much like last year's "The Fighter", Gavin O'Connor's "Warrior" spends more time focusing on the dramatic elements rather than the action, and this is where the movie really succeeds. Although the story feels rush at times, it's the fantastically-written script that makes the movie as compelling, honest and emotional as it is. The connection between the characters is intricate, yet believable, and each and every one of them is wonderfully-portrayed. Joel Edgerton gives his best performance to date as the calm, yet determined teacher-turned-fighter Brendan, Tom "Handsome" Hardy delivers an amazingly convincing performance as the troubled and aggressive Tommy Conlon, also dedicated to fighting, and the iconic Nick Nolte turns in an exceptional supporting performance as the ex-drunk father and trainer, Paddy. Gavin O'Connor's excellent hand-held camera technique and gritty cinematography add visual authenticity to the film, and make it seems as realistic as possible. The MMA bouts in the second half of the movie are nothing short of thrilling, and the fight scenes themselves, while harsh and brutal, are extremely skilfully-shot and and professionally-executed, and the training sequences are just as entertaining to watch.

Overall summary: Sure, it's formulaic and rather far-fetched, but "Warrior"'s solid direction, powerful performances and strong storytelling make up for the lack of originality, plus, the film has as much heart as violence, and packs a big emotional and dramatic punch at the end.

After reading this review, if you feel like you need to watch "Warrior" to get your own opinion on it, then you can catch it through Netflix in the US or LOVEFiLM in the UK. Join a free trial and watch free movies online.

[7.50/10] Immortals [3D] (2011)

Immortals [3D] (2011)

Full review: One of this year's most anticipated movies has finally arrived, and even though Tarsem's latest does not exceed expectations, it certainly meets them. Loosely based on the Greek myths of Theseus and the Minotaur and the Titanomachy, "Immortals" tells the story of Theseus, a mortal man who's chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the merciless King Hyperion, who wants to destroy humanity. Singh's interpretation of these myths is hardly groundbreaking in terms of storytelling, but he compensates the lack of strong script with creativity, skillful execution and his signature impressionist style. The astounding visuals are undeniably the film's main strength. Tarsem is widely known for his trademark visual style, and with "Immortals" he proved to the world yet again what an amazing visionary he truly is. Although shot mostly against green screen, nothing about "Immortals"' visuals feels fake. The CGI scenery, which mostly consists of monolithic seaside cliffs and ancient Greek fortresses, is absolutely stunning, and the 'real' settings are just as impressive and superbly crafted. The golden tint of the cinematography reminds the one in "300", though here the golden-brown caramel-ish colors are more muted and washed out. Most of the costumes are authentic and beautifully-designed, though some of Gods' armors look a bit ridiculous. The 3D is subtle and hardly noticeable, but it still adds depth to certain scenes, and makes the more eye-catching. The true highlight of "Immortals" is without a doubt the 'Gods vs Titans' action sequence at the end of the movie, which is nothing short of mind-blowing! You'll witness one of the coolest, most spectacular and unique slow motion fight scenes ever shot. During the battle, the camera angles are incredibly creative, the fast camera movements are razor-sharp, and the slow-mo itself is used in an effective and very stylish way, which makes this culmination scene absolutely jaw-dropping, and a true feast for the eyes. Sadly though, apart from this amazing scene, "Immortals" lacks enough action. There are some good, gory and extremely graphic fight scenes throughout, but obviously, Tarsem have saved the spectacle for last. One one hand, the climax is definitely worth the wait, but one the other hand, "Immortals" could have been so much more thrilling if there was more great action in it. The performances range from strong to forgettable. The future Superman, Henry Cavill, has the right look and the skills to play Theseus. He has great screen presence and does a great job in portraying his tough character. Stephen Dorff delivers as Stavros, Luke Evans is just okay as Zeus and John Hurt is gives a solid performance as the Old Man. Freida Pinto is beautiful head-to-toe, but she barely possesses any acting skills whatsoever, hence she gives a poor performance as Phaedra. Mickey Rourke is absolutely brilliant as the ruthless King Hyperion, and steals every scene he appears in.

Overall summary: Neither as spectacular, nor as visually-striking as Zack Snyder's similar-by-style "300", but still one of the best-looking movies of the year, Tarsem's "Immortals", while hardly phenomenal, is constantly engrossing, and offers a solid story, plenty of gorgeous visuals and some breathtakingly-shot action sequences.

[7.50/10] Attack the Block (2011)

Attack the Block (2011)

Brief review: Joe Cornish's debut full-length feature, the absolutely refreshing "Attack the Block", surprised moviegoers around the world with its cool premise, spot-on execution and high entertainment value. It works as both, a sci-fi action flick and a horror comedy, because it never takes itself seriously, it's fast-paced, humorous and full of wit, and at times quite intense and even frightening. Although the characters are a bit stereotypical, they're so likable and nicely-written, you can't help but feeling connected to them. Considering its budget of (only) $13,000, "Attack the Block" looks surprisingly good, visually. TV series director Joe Cornish provides us with wide variety of camera angles and dynamic camera movements to keep us engaged and drawn into the action. The action scenes themselves are exciting, energetic and well-shot. The settings are the typical British suburban, but the stylish cinematography makes them look very atmospheric. The special effects are a bit cheesy at times, but still incredibly effective. The creature itself doesn't impress with an amazing design, as it's literally a black, shaggy, wolf-looking beast with glowing neon jaws, however it is something we've never seen before, cool, creepy, mean, ferocious, and unique in its own way.

Overall summary: Smart, thrilling, original and stylish, if not necessarily mind-blowing, "Attack the Block" is a true breath of fresh air into the 'alien invasion' sub-genre, and a proof that British film-makers haven't run out of creativity, and still have a lot to offer to the world of cinema.

[7.50/10] Final Destination 5 [3D] (2011)

Final Destination 5 [3D] (2011)

Brief review: The Final Destination franchise had its ups and downs over the years, but the 2011 installment is a true breath of fresh air and, in fact, tons of fun. Plot-wise, "FD 5" brings nothing new to the table, however, director Steven Quale's inventive direction and a few clever twists here and there make up for the lack of originality. The acting is decent from everyone involved, except for Nicholas D'Agosto. He appears a bit stiff in his role as Sam, and not very convincing at all. The rest of the cast is okay, with Jacqueline Wood being the eye-candy, and Miles Fisher - the standout. The visuals are definitely the strongest and slickest in the series so far. The bridge sequence in particular is nothing short of spectacular. The demolition of the bridge is so realistic and superbly-crafted, it feels like watching a tragic event on the news, rather than a horror movie sequence. "FD 5" is all about the deaths though. Every single one of the death scenes is executed to perfection, delightfully gross and in-your-face gory. You'll find yourself covering your eyes and turning your head off, but at the same time, deep inside, you'll be satisfied by the extreme graphicness of it. The 3D is well-used, beyond effective, and certainly adds to the horrific experience.

Overall summary: Although it's basically more-of-the-same, "FD 5" is almost a masterpiece compared to its dreadful predecessor, plus, thanks to its uber-creative death scenes, fantastic gore effects, and great use of 3D, this installment can be easily considered the best of the series.

[7.50/10] The Tunnel (2011)

The Tunnel (2011)

Full review: This ambitious Australian project, called "The Tunnel" is the probably first ever movie in cinematic history, that was 100% legally released through BitTorrent, and of course for free. Another interesting fact is, that you can buy one (or more) frame from the movie, only for $1 AUD. So, go visit the official website, buy a frame for yourself, download the movie, and watch it! Shot in a moc-doc style, "The Tunnel" revolves around a News crew, who get more than they bargain for, when they head into the catacombs under Sydney, Australia, to investigate a government cover-up. In the same fashion as "The Blair Witch Project", "The Tunnel" leaves almost everything to imagination, as it doesn't use buckets of gore, creepy images or cheap scares to frighten us, but instead, it relies on the unpredictability and the mystery behind the story, and mostly, the fear of the unknown. On one hand, this is a clever strategy, as you know that, 'scary' is what you CAN'T see, but on the other hand, it's rather disappointing, since the director does not provide us with a single decent shot of the mysterious creature throughout the entire film. There's only one shot that lasts for about a second, and from what we can see, the creature is not nearly as frightening as Niña Medeiros from "[Rec]", for instance. Despite that, and the fact that the climax is almost non-existent, "The Tunnel" is still a constantly-tense and thoroughly effective moc-doc, filled with thrills, chills, many jump-of-your-seat-moments, eerie sound effects and ominous visuals. The underground settings are as atmospheric as they're appropriate - the abandoned tunnels beneath Sydney are dark, creepy and pretty claustrophobic, and knowing that there's no way out, will surely make you feel uncomfortable. Carlo Ledesma's direction is taut, solid and competent, featuring great angles and tons of shaky, yet well-handled camera movements, accompanied with crisp editing. Another strength of the film is the great acting by the largely unknown Australian cast. Bel Delia gives a genuine and very believable performance as the bold and brave journalist, Natasha. She conveys real fear and panic through her body language and facial expressions with such an ease, it's fascinating. Steve Davis delivers the second-pest performance as the charismatic cameraman, who also narrates the story, along with Natasha, and who's involved with the cinematography as well. The supporting performances are great, with Luke Arnold being the most memorable as the sympathetic Tangles.

Overall summary: Atmospheric, incredibly tense and utterly claustrophobic, "The Tunnel" may not be the scariest 'found footage' horror movie you'll ever see, or as innovative as its online campaign, but it's certainly one of the most finely-crafted and realistic mock-docs ever made, despite the lack of an actual climax.

Numerous QuickRatings PART 4: 2010 Movies [2]

Blue Valentine (2010)

QuickRating: Although Derek Cianfrance's debut feature "Blue Valentine" is a bit too depressing, moody and melancholic at times, it's still an emotionally involving, subtly-crafted, outstandingly-performed, and also a very daring film, that unveils the the inconvenient truth about never-lasting love, exploring an unfortunate love-turned-hate relationship.

My Rating: 7.50/10


Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)

QuickRating: As silly as it sounds, yet thoroughly hilarious, "Tucker & Dale vs. Evil" could be considered as both a ridiculous mess, and an incredibly original horror comedy, injected with a huge dose of wit and humor, that shows how misunderstandings can lead to fatal consequences, in the funniest, goriest and bloodiest possible way.

My Rating: 6.25/10


Djinns (2010)

QuickRating: "Djinns"'s cast does an excellent job in their roles, its settings are incredibly atmospheric, it features some truly spooky images, and the grotesque violence doubles the horror, but sadly, the film never reaches its potential, and it's neither scary nor suspenseful enough to be considered a great horror movie, despite its flawless execution.

My Rating: 5.75/10


L'arnacoeur a.k.a.

Heartbreaker (2010)

QuickRating: The American rom-com filmmakers should learn some tricks from their French fellas, as "Heartbreaker" is so enjoyable, charming and fantastically-executed, it manages to deliver on many levels, despite its slightly cliched script, and it features a wonderfully-charismatic turn from Johnny Depp's beloved, the gorgeous Vanessa Paradis.

My Rating: 6.50/10

Numerous QuickRatings PART 2: 2009 Movies

Le Petit Nicolas (2009)

QuickRating: Original, quirky and thoroughly hilarious, "The Little Nicola" engages with its humorous story, odd yet extremely likable characters, stylish costumes and production design, and slick cinematography, and proves that the lack of substance is not necessarily an issue that may ruin the viewer's pleasure of cinematic enjoyment.

My Rating: 7.50/10

2:13 (2009)

QuickRating: Although it had the potential to be a decent entry into the serial killer genre, "Two:Thirteen" turned out to be yet another disappointingly mediocre effort, that suffers from unimaginative execution, lackluster direction, unnecessarily convoluted plot, utter laziness, and irrelevant conclusion that is as ridiculous as it's implausible.

My Rating: 4.50/10


The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)

QuickRating: It may not be as skillfully-crafted and impressively compelling as its predecessor, but the second installment in Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy is a solid, intense, consistently gripping and visually-atmospheric crime thriller, led by the sensational Nooni Rapace and her mesmerizing performance as Lisbeth.

My Rating: 7.50/10

A Christmas Carol (2009)

QuickRating: As magical, darkly funny and edifying as its source material, but a bit too creepy and disturbing for younger kids, "A Christmas Carol" is a decently-crafted adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, elevated by Kim Carrey's perky, vigorous voice work, but let down by its gloomy, unpolished and surprisingly unspectacular visuals.

My Rating: 6.00/10

[7.50/10] Buried (2010)

Buried (2010)

When Paul Conroy awakens six feet underground with no idea of who put him there or why, life for the truck driver contracted to work in Iraq instantly becomes a hellish struggle for survival. Buried with only a cell phone and a lighter, his contact with the outside world and ability to piece together clues that could help him discover his location are maddeningly limited. Poor reception, a rapidly draining battery, and a dwindling oxygen supply become his worst enemies in a tightly confined race against time. Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Cortés' second full-length feature film is, hands down, the most utterly claustrophobic movie ever made, as it's entirely shot in a single narrow wooden coffin! "Buried" is super uncomfortable to watch and a nightmare-come-true for people, like me, who have issues with claustrophobia. "Buried"'s 'limited space' settings create an atmosphere of claustrophobic intensity, leaving the viewer unable to take a deep breath, literally gasping for air. Plus, the impasse that the character finds himself in, contributes to the film's overall effectiveness. "Buried" is single-handedly driven by Ryan Reynolds's exceptional performance as the doomed truck driver Paul, who does everything he can to save his life, fighting panic and frustration. Reynolds's acting skills have improved tremendously over the years, and it really shows here. He carries the whole movie on his shoulders, and performs terrifically - he's believable, emotionally expressive, and very convincing in portraying genuine fear and desperation .Moreover, Raynolds brings a true fighting spirit to his character and makes him consistently engaging, earning and retaining audience sympathy throughout. "Buried" is very hard to shoot movie, due its limited scope and settings, but Rodrigo Cortés does an outstanding job. His direction is highly competent, providing a great variety of camera angles, with all of the movements paced excellently. Rodrigo Cortés' creativity and incredible shooting versatility compensates for the film's lack of various set pieces, and the result is rather impressive! All in all, "Buried" can be considered as an experimental type of film, but a very good one - it's an inventive, unpredictable, gripping and super-tense thriller, that possesses an undeniable originality.

• My Rating: 7.50/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (7.2/10)
• IMDb: 7.7/10