Kaka

A relatively low-budget spy flick in a fast style, with a rather raw and minimalist execution and likeable main characters. It lacks the typical American grandeur, filters, and glitz, but on the other hand, we get great shootouts that in a way are very inventive. The talking parts are not as interesting, but, the fluff is necessary here as well. Respectably mastered craftsmanship.

A one-off, but very entertaining. The very simple script is handled in an interesting way, the cold realities are excellent, and the main characters are believable. Although it somewhat borrows from various elements of films from the past decade, it still works well, and Mickey Rourke is cool even though he looks like an Indian.

A boring mix of romance and breathtaking mountain scenery (more interesting first part) with a disjointed action adventure (boring second part) and a typically grandiose climax. As a prequel to a famous franchise, it's decent, but as a standalone action piece, it's very mishandled. Hugh Jackman has charisma, but his character is not sufficiently well-written, the action is confusing, computer-generated, and dull. The antagonists are solid, but the final over-the-top action set-piece follows a beaten path that no longer entertains me.

As expected, a boring moral agitprop that suffers from a lack of drive, absence of strong characters, and rather unremarkable actors. The several moments full of violence can’t save the overall miserable impression. Even the digital camera is not the right fit for the Mexican landscape. The effort is appreciated, but please do better next time.

Even worse than I expected. Even though the original cast is there and it looks like a dignified sequel, the screenwriters cook up something crazy they call a script, and they throw in some cars, crazy digital chases in tunnels, and the classic masculine charisma of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, and it doesn't work. For car enthusiasts, it will be torture because there are only a few really good chases. For action movie fans, it will also be a tough nut to crack because there is a lot of action, but it's not worth anything. And for fans of the main characters, it will just be a sad nostalgic memory of the first and only original installment. A very botched thing.

Enthusiastic, sincere, and full of life, with captivating music and the gritty realities of Asia. But it felt like a somewhat cynical affair, where the director is well aware, despite all the spontaneity, that this is exactly what people want to see. Does it work? Obviously yes, so where’s the problem? Definitely an extraordinary film worth seeing.

Another gem with heart and conceptual depth that many people (in the cinema, but also on FilmBooster) won't understand and will only see what is visible at first glance: a standard and routine crime story with a handheld camera and raw shootouts with a minimum of emotions. Michael Mann is still the same, but the film is incredibly cool and well thought out. A slightly weaker version of Heat, more intimate and unfortunately set in the 1930s.

Edward Zwick surprisingly fails where he is usually strongest. The film is carried in a strangely pathetic and clichéd manner, and the action sequences are a great disappointment; they are quite confusing, lacking in brutality and bloodshed. As a historical reconstruction, the film is considerably ineffective. The smaller budget was noticeable. The sets and production design are not as top-notch as we are accustomed to from Zwick. But it still holds true that he cannot make a completely bad film. He’s a clever guy because he always chooses an interesting subject that even if he messes it up, there will still be a solid storyline. Defiance is not necessarily bad, but it is not particularly interesting either, nor is it very captivating to watch.

An amazing visionary masterpiece. Snyder wasn't afraid to unleash himself again and he did it excellently. Watchmen is a sumptuous affair even for those unfamiliar with the comics and the story itself. The large number of flashbacks may be a bit demanding on concentration, but it can be managed. The action is gripping and intellectually precise and unprecedentedly stylish. Zack got his hands dirty and delivers something that pushes contemporary modern cinematography a bit further. After Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace defined a new pattern for action movies and charismatic heroes in the current world and kinetic action, now there’s a new milestone in the genre of comic book sci-fi.

Sam Mendes is boring again. The emotions are quite strong, the actors are convincing, but it lacks rawness. All scenes and their sequence are precisely lined up and played perfectly, but there isn't a single bit of improvisation or authenticity. Everything is polished exactly “like in a movie”, and it doesn’t look like a realistic drama. This is what a film that wants to collect all the non-technical Oscars looks like. I like the message and what it addresses, but I don't like how the director delivers it. It could have been even better.