The First Time — A cute touching teen flick to put a smile on your face — 7*/10

The First Time is nicely witty and funny. As opposed to a lot of teen movies, this one can be appreciated by anyone. Strong, cutting dialogs with interesting characters, if a tad stereotypical. The story is simple, but well told and entertaining. It easily captures the attention of the audience. Overall: it's cute.

Anytime, especially when you need to smile.
7*/10

Arthur Christmas — What you should watch with your kids this Holiday — 8*/10

Arthur Christmas is a bundle of fun. Sharp graphics, tight action, silliness aplenty, well developed characters, nice dialogs, interesting plot line, fast paced scenario, and, not to forget, a great explanation on how Santa does it all.

For some Holiday fun.
8*/10

How the Grinch Stole Christmas — An adorable depiction of a classic tale — 7*/10

How the Grinch Stole Christmas offers us a great performance by Jim Carrey. The story is goofy and well portrayed. The kids will love it and the adults will find it funny. The sentiments and morals are painted wide and difficult to miss, while some moments are touching, and others are totally silly. Overall it's great entertainment, just don't expect something delicate.

To put a smile on your face.
7*/10

Fred Claus — A slapstick Christmas comedy for all — 6*/10

Fred Claus is funny in a very goofy way and its story is very predictable. However, it can be touching and it has its moments. Paul Giamatti and Kevin Spacey both deliver a solid performance, especially considering the type of movie. Overall, it's a good Holiday flick, just beware the end, it is extremely sirupy, and the Brother Anonymous scene, it is really awkward.

Only if you're ready for the antics of Vince Vaughn.
6*/10

Miracle on 34th Street — You should definitively see it for Christmas — 6*/10

Miracle on 34th Street is a good modern version of the original. It's funny, light, touching and easily defends the myth without ruining it. It might not be a masterpiece, but it's nice entertainment.

For Holiday cheers.
6*/10

Dawn of the Dead — Your basic zombie epidemic — 7*/10

Dawn of the Dead is a good zombie movie and if that's what you're looking for you'll be entertained. Things happen fast, lots of action, not too gory, nice effects, and lots of thoughtful plot elements. However, it's a bit linear, predictable and it feels like there isn't much to chew on. It's nice, but only once.

For those hungry for a zombie flick.
7*/10

The Zero Theorem — The future is weird but humans will always be humans — 8*/10

The Zero Theorem is a difficult film to get into because its world is so confusing, it's so different that it's almost alien. At first setup seems somewhat too goofy, like it's a ridiculous parody of the future. However, once you get immersed, you get to really appreciate the situation the main character is in. The story and the scenario are very novel and each turns taken is a surprise. There's something deep hidden in the guts of this flick and paying attention doesn't seem to help, you have to let yourself float.

A must try.
8*/10

Syrup — Flawed but captivating in an unusual way — 6*/10

Syrup is an interesting movie. Its strength lies in the plot elements, particularly the end. It is captivating. However, there are some continuity problems and a few lower than expected actor performance in the secondary characters. I think the lack of cohesion might be due to the adaptation of the book.

For something different.
6*/10

Cougars Inc. — It depends what you're looking for — 5*/10

Cougars Inc. is simple the women gorgeous and some of the dialogs are very funny, but the sound take is horrible.

For minor entertainment if you can easily overlook shortcomings.
5*/10

Penguins of Madagascar — You'll have what you want but not as much as you desired — 6*/10

Penguins of Madagascar is funny and interesting. However they didn't stretch their creativity on this one. The penguins were the most interesting characters in the Madagascar movies, but instead of building on their funkiness, they tried to develop their personality. That flopped, except for their infancy. That was nicely done. The kids will probably like it, and any adults ready to turn their brains off might to.

For simple animated fun.
6*/10

Knights of Badassdom — Extremely geeky, yet fascinating — 6*/10

Knights of Badassdom is definitively a low budget movie, and it shows, yet it accurately recreates the RPG and LARP worlds to the point where aficionados will nod their head as they watch, because the acting is pretty good considering everything. It's a comedy slasher movie with a medieval geek twist. It's a lot of fun if you understand the culture. I wanted to give a better rating, but the special effects were just not good enough.

Mainly for role playing geeks to get their laugh on.
6*/10

Hamlet 2 — Crazy and totally fucking amazing laugh fest — 8*/10

Hamlet 2, once you're past the very awkward and ridiculous beginning, is a genius piece of comedy. Very few movies have been able to play into such a degree of silliness and yet have a realistic and compelling resonance with its audience. By the end, you'll see that it's much better than what you thought it would be, just keep your mind open.

Not for everyone, but if you haven't seen, you have to!
8*/10

Horrible Bosses 2 — You can enjoy more of the same — 6*/10

Horrible Bosses 2, the sequel to the original Horrible Bosses, is entertaining if nothing else and achieves pretty much the same effect as the first one. The humor and the characters are simple and funny in a very basic way. Don't expect too much and you'll be entertained.

For some easy laughs.
6*/10

Margin Call — You can feel the tsunami coming — 9*/10

Margin Call is what it might be like at the onset of the crash. The acting and the atmosphere are brilliantly simple and on the nose. The scenario has a nice pacing, the story is captivating, and the ending is perfect. You don't need big theatrics to underline major dramatic consequences.

For those who don't require action to enjoy a flick.
9*/10

Dredd — Cheap entertainment, but good entertainment — 7*/10

Dredd, in its latest incarnation, is a simple flick and it doesn't try to do more than entertain. The story is linear without getting boring, it veers away from trying to tackle a larger issue, and is very single minded, much like the hero. Excellent settings, you can almost taste the futuristic crass, solid acting and nice action, with only a few dubious special effects that are easily overlooked. One thing though I just have to comment on, those motorcycles: ugly ass pieces of garbage.

For a good action fix.
7*/10

Arthur Newman — Will vary depending on your tastes — 6*/10

Arthur Newman is a slow and uneventful flick. There's a bit of drama and intrigue coated with some good acting, but its real quality lies in the fact that it doesn't follow the conventional path of story writing.

If you want to see something different.
6*/10

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 — Barely worth the time — 6*/10

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 doesn't let what is happening sink in. It pushes the feelings down the throat of the audience which makes the whole experience very mechanic. The action is interesting, if sparse. The story bland and linear.

Only for those who really want to know what happens next.
6*/10

Goats — offbeat, slow moving, low key and plain different — 7*/10

Goats is a no story movie. You catch a youngster at some point in his life, follow him for a while and then drop him off at another non-defining moment. This film has integrity and realism in a offbeat kind of way. The characters are funky, but they are all with a certain level of grey instead of black and white, with inaptitudes of real persons. The acting is good and the scenario takes unusual turns, going most of the time against the grain of standard Hollywood hacking. However, it's low key, without much happening. It's to be appreciated for its novelty and its touch of silliness.

If you're looking for something different.
7*/10

Horloge Biologique — S'adresse à certaines personnes, sans plus — 6*/10

Horloge Biologique nous place dans une problématique opposant hommes et femmes dans le but de la procréation. Si l’on s'identifie à ces standards, c'est un film qui peut nous faire penser, sinon, on peut rire des personnages stéréotypés. Les jeux d'acteur sont bons, l'histoire est intéressante et le scénario a un bon rythme, mais sans plus.

Pour ceux qui veulent réfléchir à leur appartenance au standard.
6*/10

Québec-Montréal — Assez simple, mais riche en dénouements — 8*/10

Québec-Montréal découd une série de relations qui font le trajet entre ces deux pôles québécois. Vous rirez, vous serez embarrassés, et même surpris. Ce film ne vous laissera pas de marbre. Chacune des situations comporte son lot de remise en question et de positionnement, à moins que vous ne décidiez de prendre le tout au premier degré. À votre choix.

Pour rire et peut-être même cogiter.
8*/10

Killing Bono — Acceptable silly piece of independent art — 6*/10

Killing Bono is silly with a touch of pathetic sadness to it. You'll laugh and be captivated against your will, but, mainly, you'll give yourself more than a few face palms. It's low budget, but still interesting.

For those not looking for too much.
6*/10

Adult World — Hilarious, low budget. yet excellent — 7*/10

Adult World really defines what clueless means through its main character. It's disarming and totally hilarious how clueless she is, even though she's intelligent. She's just very isolated from any real strife. Realistic, utterly funny, with solid acting. The content is a little light, but it's totally entertaining.

For those who don't need a big budget production.
7*/10

Big Hero 6 — To add a splash of color, fun and action to your day — 8*/10

Big Hero 6 is colorful and imaginative. It's also very funny and entertaining with lots of action and a few touching moments. However, its story is a bit predictable, linear and takes many easy turns. Do not fear, though, the kids are going to love it and the adults are going to enjoy themselves. It will easily captivate your imagination, just make sure your expectations are set right before watching.

For the young at heart.
8*/10

Interstellar — A sublime masterpiece that will transport you — 10*/10

Interstellar is much better than the previews make us believe. Christopher Nolan proved once again that he is a master of his art. The IMAX price is more than worth it. A science-fiction film to cherish.

GO SEE IT.
10*/10

Familia — Une petite histoire de famille captivante et troublante — 8*/10

Familia touche des sujets assez durs, mais avec une certaine légèreté. Il y a peu à rire dans cette histoire et certaines scènes sont assez percutantes, mais la manière dont le tout est traité permet de voir ce film plus d'une fois et d'être touché.

Pas pour les âmes trop sensibles.
8*/10

Laggies — Light, funny and touching story about finding yourself — 7*/10

Laggies is certainly funny and somewhat imaginative. The love story is touching, the acting nice, and the characters brilliant. It might not be a master piece but it's great entertainment.

For something light and a bit different from the usual.
7*/10

Maps to the Stars — Self-centered people locked in the Hollywood clockwork — 8*/10

Maps to the Stars doesn't make it easy to understand the story and reveals it little by little. It's confusing at first, but becomes quickly engrossing. The plot is twisted and not just a little insane. The acting is great and the ending surprising, but it leaves you with a sense of something missing, as if it was too easy.

Well worth the watch if you don't mind psychotic.
8*/10

Nightcrawler — Brilliant, scary and completely demented — 9*/10

Nightcrawler is creepy and insane. At first, things just seem a little off with the main character, but as the story progress and you get completely drawn in, you get to see how deep the rabbit hole goes. It's a brilliant film on many aspects, but it's definitively not be for everybody.

For those who like psychological flick with some action.
9*/10

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) — Insanity can make a great story — 10*/10

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is crazy. Well, naturally, since it's about a man who is lost in his own mind. It's an intricate triple juxtaposition of the real life of the actor, his role in the movie and the part he plays in the Broadway play within the film. All around superb acting, great camera work, and captivating scenario. The drums might get on your nerves, but they set the beat beautifully.

For those who don't mind the unusual or the psychotic.
10*/10

The Book of Life — For the kids in all our hearts — 7*/10

The Book of Life is a love triangle princess story with a hefty dose of feminism. It's funny and very colorful, but the story is kind of simple. Nonetheless, it's good entertainment for the young and the not so young.

For everyone who's still a kid.
7*/10

St. Vincent — It gets weird fast for a good laugh — 7*/10

St. Vincent is slightly offbeat and a mix of different styles. Its strongest appeal is the fact that it often takes unexpected turns in its story. Beside that, the acting is really good and the dialogs are priceless. You'll have a laugh and you'll be touched.

If you don't mind it dirty and weird.
7*/10

Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu? — Parfaitement drôle — 9*/10

Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu? est tout à fait hilarant si vous comprenez que ce qu'il y a de drôle, c'est le ridicule de la chose. À part une certaine prévisibilité, et une ligne directrice un peu facile, ce film est très fort.

Pour tous, sauf ceux qui se doivent de tout prendre au premier degré.
9*/10

John Wick — Wicked action and violence with piss poor story and dialogs — 6*/10

John Wick doesn't have much to offer beyond tight action scenes. You can get an inkling of a parallel criminal world where a certain code of conduct has sway and gold coins are the currency, but that's it. The rest is just a basic revenge scenario of a super killer.

For those in need of an action fix.
6*/10

Best Man Down — An everyday mystery with ups and downs — 8*/10

Best Man Down is not your average wedding story. It's actually closer to a family drama mixed in with a drug story. You'll get drawn in by the events and the characters. Even though it feels simple, the little intrigue is still captivating. At times it's sad, and at others, it's uplifting. The acting is great. The ending is just right. The drama is not overdone.

For those who don't mind a bit of sadness.
8*/10

Boyhood — Discover his life one step at a time — 9*/10

Boyhood is not a drama, not a family piece, it's just multiple excerpts from the life of a boy, nothing fancy, just well told. There are no artificial plot pieces, the scenario doesn't follow a story model, the acting is superb, and the unfolding events are captivating even if they don't have an overall cohesive narrative track. It's one of those movie where you keep waiting for "it" and "it" never shows up. The end will leave you with a smile.

A must for everyone, unless you need action.
9*/10

Fury — See what it feels like to be outclassed and outgunned — 9*/10

Fury is an excellent war movie. Acting, action, special effects, fights, and realism are all near perfect. It's only weak point would be the slight predictability of the scenario. Still the story is quite captivating.

For anyone who doesn't mind violence.
9*/10

Fat Kid Rules the World — Not perfect, but totally amazing — 9*/10

Fat Kid Rules the World is a coming of age teen story simply told with a lot of realism. This underdog tale has a lot of heart grounded in imperfection. The scenario is seamlessly paced, the story captivating, even if it starts pathetically, and the acting is just right.

For those who like a different story.
9*/10

Men, Women & Children — A modern portrait that will make a lasting impression — 10*/10

Men, Women & Children is a fast changing movie. It moves between sexy, quiet, dramatic, and even comedic at time with almost seamless fluidity. It is incredibly touching, realistic and modern. It presents to us the connected lives that most people live nowadays. We are not all like this — I'm not at least — but this is a good portrait of where we are. Excellent acting, riveting story, perfect scenario, and more...

A must for everyone.
10*/10

Mommy — Un chef d'oeuvre très difficile à regarder et soutenir sans broncher — 10*/10

Mommy, par Xavier Dolan, est l'histoire de l'univers clos d'une relation très dysfonctionnelle. C'est un drame psychologique très dur et violent d'une perfection difficile à égaler. Tout y est presque parfait, alors je ne nommerai que ce qui fait de cette production un chef d'oeuvre: la psychologie très poussée et parfaitement étalée des personnages, le jeu des acteurs, et le montage.

À éviter pour les sensibles.

10*/10

Here Comes the Boom — A great spectacle for those who like a good mix bag — 8*/10

Here Comes the Boom is highly underrated. It's a mixed story of underdog and Cinderella as well as a great modern tribute to Rocky. Nice acting, lots of action, plenty of laughs and very interesting dialogs. There are some predictable plot elements, but each one of them is underlined with a certain whimsy. There's also a few fakes that show, however, it definitively doesn't take itself seriously.

For a good time and some good action.
8*/10

The Five-Year Engagement — A weird mix that ends up being refreshing — 7*/10

The Five-Year Engagement has a great deal of awkward moments more so than real life but all very realistic. It's funny, but with a slight edge of drama. It is romantic, but with many cold showers in the mix. It has many surprises, yet serves also many clichés. It takes a bit of patience to see the whole picture and its novelty.

For those who don't mind weird, realistic and have enough patience.
7*/10

Dan in Real Life — Had a good potential, but turned out as light entertainment — 6*/10

Dan in Real Life starts with a very good introduction, however, after a while it degenerates into a series of easy clichés. The acting is very good, the story interesting, if predictable.

Very light entertainment.
6*/10

A Birder's Guide to Everything — A simple tale of an ordinary teen — 6*/10

A Birder's Guide to Everything is nothing grand, but it is interesting in a simple way. There's a few laughs and a sprinkle of drama in this teen flick. There's nothing raunchy in its story, but there's a tiny flicker of romance. It's greatest attraction is that it is realistic, like a snapshot of an ordinary teen life.

Don't expect too much.
6*/10

The Skeleton Twins — Quirky, drama-prone and endearing film — 8*/10

The Skeleton Twins is a nifty little piece. Realistic, simple, dramatic, a little funny at times, and very interesting. The scenario has a good pacing, and the story captures our attention pretty quickly with well chosen plot elements, some novel. The characters are solidly thought out, quirky, and nicely acted.

For those who don't need big deployments and like flick that explore life.
8*/10

She's All That — Straight out of the mold for some light entertainment — 6*/10

She's All That is an easy teen romance. The usual trappings are all there, nicely made, but predictable. Beside that, it's real problem are a few filler scenes that aren't done that well. The end is slightly better.

For a brainless movie night.
6*/10

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World — Just see it, it's really worth it — 9*/10

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is an incredibly underrated movie. It doesn't waste time with the intro, it's always very consistent with what's happening (except for food), lots of novel things to discover, great acting, captivating scenario, very interesting characters with great depth, and totally hilarious. Even the end is great.

For comedy and romance seeker.
9*/10

The Boxtrolls — Be transported by this imaginative and quirky world — 8*/10

The Boxtrolls is extremely imaginative; no wonder it comes from a book. It's a silly animation and obviously for kids, but the world really transports you and the societal commentary will interest any adult willing to put his mind to it. The stop-motion animation and the voice acting are perfect. The only below par character development would be Jelly which is rather flat.

For those open to fantasy.
8*/10

Hector and the Search for Happiness — Very colorful and could have been more — 7*/10

Hector and the Search for Happiness is very interesting for about 2/3 of its length. The problem is that the remaining l/3 falls really flat after the intense and very colorful beginning. Still, it's very entertaining with solid acting, so it's worth the watch.

For happy adventure lovers.
7*/10

The Equalizer — Lots of action and violence, but no novelty — 6*/10

The Equalizer is a mix of a revenge scenario and an assassin one. It's good entertainment, lots of action and visuals, but not much else. Its only saving grace is that the main characters are interesting and have good interactions. The end is very poor.

For action and violence lovers only.
6*/10

This Is Where I Leave You — A mess of a family done in a not so messy way — 7*/10

This Is Where I Leave You depicts a messy family. It presents us with various novel ideas mixed in with tried and tested ones as well as some that are just too easy. You'll laugh, you'll be surprised, but you'll also say "Really?", and most of those will be centered around the mother and the oldest's wife, with the worst instance being the poorly done final mother's kiss and ensuing revelation.

Entertainment you can count on.
7*/10

The Maze Runner — Not a masterpiece but still some nice entertainment — 6*/10

The Maze Runner definitively doesn't bring anything new to the table, even the overall idea of the test is not new. However, there are a number of good points. The action scenes and the special effects are solid. The story is interesting with a captivating pacing and even a few nice twists. More over, beside a couple of hiccups, the acting is acceptable.

Just for the kick of it, but don't have any expectations.
6*/10

Waking Ned Devine — Watch at least 45 minutes of it and you won't stop — 7*/10

Waking Ned Devine is not what its synopsis conjures up, it's a much better take on it. It's very novel, and funny, but you better be ready for a small Irish town setting with no frills, because that's what you'll get. The end is quite catching and reveal a nice twist in its B story. It can take a while to get hooked, but by the middle of the film, you should be.

If you don't need any glamor or action in your comedy.
7*/10

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — A solid modern take on the teen comedy romance — 8*/10

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is a great attempt at breaking the Hollywood mold for teen comedy romance. You have your standard heartsick underdog, beautiful ex-girlfriend, love-hate potential conquest, and happy ending, but the rest is pretty novel. It's very funny, with lots of great ideas, solid acting, and a scenario that doesn't follow the standard routine.

A treat for anyone not looking for action.
8*/10

Populaire — Une comédie légère avec un peu de romantisme et un touche de réalisme — 7*/10

Populaire une belle comédie d'époque avec un flair pour mélanger son auditoire quant aux motivations des personnages. On s'attache rapidement à l'héroïne, tout autant que son patron peut être antipathique. Très divertissant, avec une histoire intéressantes et des dialogues soutenus.

Pour ceux qui aime les comédie un peu farfelu avec une touche de réalisme.
7*/10

What to Expect When You're Expecting — Pretty much what you'd expect, but don't expect too much — 7*/10

What to Expect When You're Expecting is not a masterpiece, but does a fair job at tackling the subject in a fluffy manner. The scenario puts different kind of "expecting" side by side with some slight character background crossover. The storyline pops a few surprises from time, even if it doesn't break the expected mold. Overall, the production delivers a pretty much average entertainment, but considering the star studded cast, we would have expected a bit more. Beware the end, The Cheesy Pig is the unwanted cherry on a overly sweet sunday.

Do not expect too much out of this flick.
7*/10

Forgetting Sarah Marshall — It's a surprising flick you should really give a try — 7*/10

Forgetting Sarah Marshall starts really pathetic, I even found it difficult to watch at first. However, it slowly improves. Come the middle of the movie, you won't be able to stop watching it, and by the end you should be very happy you made that choice. There a number of scenes in that scenario that are gems. Their beauty comes from the fact that they take unexpected turn, at least when it comes Hollywood standards. The end is rosy, true, but it's not too syrupy and it's very funny.

Truly worth the pain of the intro.
7*/10

Let's Be Cops — To be watched only if you truly liked the trailer — 5*/10

Let's Be Cops is what the trailer looks like. To appreciate it, you need to at least have enjoyed the previews, then make sure you have no expectations and finally, please turn your brain off. It's a weird mix of slapstick comedy and reality check moments. Its main problems are the poor story and the shallow characters.

Only if you must.
5*/10

Girl Most Likely — Average comedy for when you don't know what to watch — 6*/10

Girl Most Likely is a silly simple comedy about a dysfunctional person at the end of her roll. There's nothing truly bad about it, but then there's northing truly extraordinary about it. It's entertainment in a very basic form.

On a slow night.
6*/10

A.C.O.D. — Be ready for a lot of facepalms, it's that kind of flick — 7*/10

A.C.O.D. is funny, no doubt about it, but can be hard to watch. However, maybe it's just because my generation is the first to be mostly all ACOD. Anyway, I'm warning you, you'll probably want to slap the parents silly, assassinate the researcher at some point and tell the main character to grow a spine. Beyond that, the situations are hilarious, the story interesting, and the dialogs well constructed.

For those who like silly comedies.
7*/10

Austenland — Funny, but with as basic a humor as you can get — 6*/10

Austenland is a simple movie, and it's neither as bad or as good as you think. Its main winning points are that it doesn't take itself seriously and it has a number of very funny situations. Be warned though, it's slapstick comedy mostly. Its detractor might find some of the characters really annoying.

It's up to you.
6*/10

Magic in the Moonlight — An intellectual comedy fro easy entertainment — 8*/10

Magic in the Moonlight a light comedy where the dialogs are the meat of the story with a simple intrigue to confound and amuse the audience. The acting is great and the characters are fascinating.

For those who like intellectual comedies.
8*/10

The Congress — You might not understand it, but it will make you think — 8*/10

The Congress is the type of movie you need to think about. I didn't understand it, but it made me think and imagine a different future. The first part is incredibly immersive with excellent acting. The rest feels like an acid trip, or at least what I think an acid trip feels like. It's confusing and mind-boggling.

Judge for yourself.
8*/10

Kiss Me — Watch it and be slowly entranced by the blooming relationship — 9*/10

Kiss Me is a great little Swedish romance flick. It's simple, realistic, with well developed characters, beautiful scenery and a story that will slowly captivate you.

For romantics who don't mind the unusual.
9*/10

The November Man — Great entertainment, but ultimately flawed — 7*/10

The November Man, a spy action flick, is excellent entertainment. Although its story has a few minor surprises, it's unfortunately devoid of a real soul. Depth is skin deep.

Don't expect too much.
7*/10

A Most Wanted Man — Different, brilliant, ambiguous, treacherous... what spying is — 10*/10

A Most Wanted Man is a mostly action-deprived spy thriller. It's a surprise at almost every turn, and you won't believe the end. The acting is superb, the characters full-fledged, and the tension constant. If you liked Zero Dark Thirty, you'll probably fall in love with this european flavored cousin with a much better ending and moral.

It's not for everyone, but just go see it.
10*/10

The Hundred-Foot Journey — Quite a culinary trip full of laughters — 8*/10

The Hundred-Foot Journey is funny, light, tasty and full little surprises. The dialogs and repartee are full of flavors, the scenery is often breathtaking, the story captivating, and the dishes beautiful. Only two negative comments come to mind. One, the inconsistency in scenario regarding languages. Two, the seemingly incongruous part in Paris.

For food lovers and those in need of a good comedy.
8*/10

When the Game Stands Tall — A great story and an inspiration if you don't mind a few dertails — 7*/10

When the Game Stands Tall is a solid inspirational football movie. The strength of the scenario is the story itself. However, in his retelling of the story, the director seemed to push emotions on us a bit, it feels buffed and shiny. Also, religion plays a certain part in it, so it can be somewhat of a turn off to those of us, like me, who are atheist.

For football and real story fans.
7*/10

Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For — Not bad, but definitively not as good — 7*/10

Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For doesn't match the quality of its predecessor Sin City. The main flaw of the production is its inability to sink you in the universe of Sin City. Instead of feeling every sweaty heartbeat as your own, you get the impression of skipping on the surface like a spinning flat stone thrown hard against the water. Maybe the error was trying to tie it back to the first film, I don't know, but the result is disappointing and confusing. One more odd thing, Marv's face seems to fluctuate in appearance throughout the flick, what's that all about? All in all, it's not bad, just not as good.

If you haven't seen the first one, maybe you'll like it more.
7*/10

The Expendables 3 — Unsuitable for most audience, action lovers only — 5*/10

The Expendables 3 has much more value in its cast than its content. More over, its CGI are piss poor, the dialog very simple, the story linear at best, and the acting barely adequate. That being said, the long final battle scene is pretty good. This chapter is definitively the worst of the series.

Only for the hardcore action fans.
5*/10

Fiston — Une histoire romantique typique retournée sur elle-même — 6*/10

Fiston est intéressant, une fois que l'on dépasse le ridicule du début, car celui-ci tue. Le message final est même positif si on y pense bien, ou tout du moins, inhabituel côté film. L'histoire est charmante, la trame tient bien notre attention, mais l'idée de base n'est pas nouvelle. Cela dit, j'ai beaucoup aimé la fin.

Pour ceux qui veulent un film romantique léger et qui n'ont pas peur du ridicule.
6*/10

Bon Cop, Bad Cop — Un comédie québécoise remplie d'action à ne pas manquer — 9*/10

Bon Cop, Bad Cop est d'après moi la meilleure comédie québécoise qui ait été produite. Très drôle, rempli d'action et de blagues bilingues ainsi qu'unilingues, ce film possède un solide scénario dont l'intrigue nous captive jusqu'à la fin.

Pour tout bon Québécois, surtout les Montréalais.
9*/10

The F Word — For a good time, laughter and novelty romances — 8*/10

The F Word has excellent dialogs very solid characters with lots of depth, an engaging storyline, many laughs, and a few original takes on onscreen romance. It's sad that the end wasn't as strong as the rest, but all in all, the movie is great.

For the romantics or the quirky.
8*/10

De père en flic — Un fort succès québécois, pour de bonnes raisons — 8*/10

De père en flic est l’une des meilleures comédies québécoises. Humour sarcastique, caustique, très lyrique, et parfois loufoque, ce film réunit deux grands comiques du Québec de deux générations différentes et nous les présente de cette manière dans un scénario captivant.

À voir.
8*/10

Starbuck — Une excellente comédie québécoise remplie d'émotions — 9*/10

Starbuck est plus qu'une comédie, c'est une histoire très touchante à bien des égards. La seule chose qui retient ce film d'être parfait est le fait que celui-ci a une petite tendance loufoque, ce qui nous empêche de le prendre sérieusement. Cependant, de s'arrêter à cela est une erreur.

Laissez-vous porter.
9*/10

Premium Rush — Good, but not for everyone — 7*/10

Premium Rush is interesting if in an incomplete manner. Action is good as is the suspense, the characters are interesting the same as the basic ideas behind the scenario, but the storyline is flat, without meat and very linear.

If you like the trailer, you might like the movie.
7*/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — Avoid the 3D version if you can — 5*/10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the modern revival of a classic cartoon. Its fans might be disappointed, though. It's better than the old movie, which was just bad, but it's nothing to be proud of. It's bare minimal entertainment. Warning, though, the 3D is absolutely horrid, especially the first scene.

Tweens are probably the better audience.
5*/10

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes — The end of humanity has come and you can feel it — 8*/10

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the post-apocalyptic second part of the remake. Great settings, solid action, strong emotional strings, and a captivating story. There are a few logical flaws that mar this movie, but all in all, I can't deny its quality.

I must confess that I didn't like the first part. It was good, but not my kind of film. This is more to my liking.

For the fans of the series, those who like post-apocalyptic settings, and sci-fi aficionados.
8*/10

Total Recall — Astounding visuals built on a flawed story for entertainment purposes — 6*/10

Total Recall made in 2012 is not a bad remake of the 1990 original. Great action, superb special effects, especially for the landscapes, and a fast paced scenario. The acting is minimal, the dialogs are just adequate, and there are many logical flaws in the story.

For science-fiction and action fans.
6*/10

Guardians of the Galaxy — Pure delightful light entertainment for all — 9*/10

Guardians of the Galaxy is hilarious and it keeps the laughter up almost all the time. Beside amazing special effects, action and CGI, you have incredibly interesting characters. The story is nice and there are some easy choices made in the scenario, but the entertainment value is still high.

For everyone to enjoy.
9*/10

The To Do List — Be caught by the laughs then enjoy the sex positive vibe — 7*/10

The To Do List is a nice simple well made teen comedy. Like most of its kind, it's funny, very funny, but it's distinction comes from its juxtaposition of the usual judgemental American mentality with a newer sex positive view that we can only hope becomes the norm in the near future.

Enjoy.
7*/10

Father of Invention — Meets the minimum requirements for a light flick — 5*/10

Father of Invention has a great main actor with an interesting idea for a story. However, there stop its list of qualities. It's entertaining, but fails to develop into a good movie.

For Kevin Spacey fans only, and on a slow night at that.
5*/10

Magic Mike — The ladies will love all this nudity — 6*/10

Magic Mike is not your usual subject matter. It's a straight mix of realistic comedy and everyday life drama. It's not a masterpiece by all mean, but you'll laugh and feel the characters very well. The story is simple, at time a little too simple, the scenario straightforward, and the acting on the dot.

For those who don't mind seeing the naked male form in all its glory, everything except frontal nudity.
6*/10

The Purge: Anarchy — More of the same violence, but under different circumstances — 6*/10

The Purge: Anarchy is a different take on the original The Purge, and it feels like they have taken my advice. The quality has gone slightly up, but not enough to be noticeable. The story puts more meat on the bone, most of the actors aren't as bad, they tried to flesh out the characters more, and, finally, by doing something different on the same theme and exploring it, they're at least trying to keep their audience interested.

I hope the fan of the first one are not expecting an other tight claustrophobic environment, because they're casting a wider net.

For those looking for violence with a modicum of story.
6*/10

Hercules — Could have been so much more than a brawn flick — 5*/10

Hercules will be a disappointment if you expect more than basic action. The production wants to present the demigod as just a normal human, yet keeps pushing its super-hero qualities all along the flick. The dialogs are weak, the scenario incredibly linear, the token female warrior uninteresting and unidimensional.

Just watch it for the action.
5*/10

Lucy — A thrilling action packed sci-fi that easily entertains despite a few flaws — 8*/10

Lucy by Luc Besson is a great sci-fi. If you set aside a few glaring scientific flaws concerning the brain and evolution, it is quite captivating. The action and the special effects are spectacular. Scarlett Johansson is right on her best game. The scenario is solid, except towards the end where it becomes a bit soft. The ending itself, however, is just perfect.

A should watch, especially if you're a sci-fi, action or Johansson fan.
8*/10

View from the Top — It can be entertaining if you're willing to suspend your disbelief — 6*/10

View from the Top is rather wacky romantic comedy. If you don't take it seriously you'll have fun. The only really bad thing about it, is the end. How emotionally dependent is that? Yuk.

For some silly fun.
6*/10

Bachelorette — Messy, upside-down, sideway, funny roller coaster — 8*/10

Bachelorette is the anti-thesis of your usual romantic comedy. The reason for that is that the main characters, good looking women who are popular, are depicted in a very realistic and mean fashion. Usually a flick tries to sell us the dream of beauty and popularity. Saying that this movie is a fat-shaming one, is like saying that Natural Born Killers glorifies and promotes violence. All the interactions between the characters a very off-kilter compared to the slick films we're used to. The dialogs and action have the messiness of real life.

If you wanna see something different and have a good laugh.
8*/10

Terminator Salvation — Forgetting the third instalment with something really decent — 7*/10

Terminator Salvation, the 4th Terminator, is not the best of the series, but after the dismally horrid third part, it's a balm to a fan of the first two. I'd even say that it's pretty good. It has all the action and special effects you can ask for, plus the story is interesting, the dialogs are nicely done and the acting is solid. My gripe is with the almost inexistent defence of Skynet central, and the lousy last scene.

For great entertainment.
7*/10

Wish I Was Here — A realistic family drama well sugared with levity — 8*/10

Wish I Was Here, surprisingly co-written and directed by Zach Braff, who also plays the main role, is just great. The drama is wrapped in realism and sensibility then sprinkled with laughs and comedy to the point where you can't help but be riveted to the story. Braff went beyond is usual role as an actor and demonstrated that he had many more talents.

A very easy flick to watch.
8*/10

Begin Again — A sentimental flick close to perfection — 9*/10

Begin Again only has a few easy plot artefact to blemish its perfection. It's very funny, has excellent main actors, captivating emotions, beautiful sets, a great story and the perfect ending. You can hardly ask for more.

Go see it, unless you think a movie is no good without action or special effects.
9*/10

Transformers: Age of Extinction — One of the best in the quadrilogy — 7*/10

Transformers: Age of Extinction is solid chapter in the series. Michael Bay gives one more of his signature action packed sci-fi with this new title. No complaints beside a few logical glitches and a simplistic storyline. A no brainer entertainment block-buster.

For Transformers, action and sci-fi fans. Others, abstain.
7*/10

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World — Great for a silly time in an uncharted parallel version of our world — 8*/10

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is silly ass movie of independent style with a great overarching metaphor that will greatly be appreciated by geeks everywhere. It's funny, with good acting and nicely done dialogs. It's drawback are not numerous, but I'll spell them out here. 1) It pushes the concept that nice guys are what girl should have but need to be convinced of and that bad boys are what they want and will always go to but should be protected from. 2) Girls don't have a say in the matter of who they should be with, that they can't make a decision for themselves. 3) While having surprising twist here and there in its scenario, the end sucks. It almost made it to the unexpected, but veered off at the last minute. Weak.

For geeks, super hero lovers, and those who love weird flicks.
8*/10

How to Train Your Dragon 2 — Solid entertainment and great sequel — 7*/10

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a worthy sequel to the first chapter. Although they couldn't recapture the novelty of it, which is a very difficult thing to do, they did however put in a lot of nice details and built a rich environment. The story is even interesting and compelling, but a mite predictable at times. Great action, solid animation.

For everyone.
7*/10

22 Jump Street — It doesn't take itself seriously, so don't either and have a blast — 7*/10

22 Jump Street, the followup to 21 Jump Street, is just as much fun and as ridiculous. It can take a while to get used to the self-deprecating message trumpeted in the first 20 minutes, "it's the exact same thing", but after that, it flows well. Lots of silly juvenile stuff, slapstick jokes, impossibly embarrassing situations, action, and some solid comedic acting.

For some stupid fun.
7*/10

Jeune & jolie — Bien, mais avec certaines failles qui font baisser sa valeur globale — 7*/10

Jeune & jolie n'est pas un film sur la prostitution, mais bien sur la sexualité d'une fille de 17 ans. Il y a quelques éléments non réalistes au niveau du travail du sexe, mais en gros, ça se tient. Très bon jeu d'acteurs, excellente mise en scène, mais l'histoire n'est pas à la hauteur.

Pour ceux qui aiment les développements lents avec peu de rebondissements.
7*/10

Cowboys & Aliens — Explosions and firefights galore with a thread thin story — 5*/10

Cowboys & Aliens is what it says it is. As weird as it sounds, the idea is good, however, the story is a tad predictable with plot schemes as old as the world and a lame backstory romance. More over, my guess is that the big name actors in this flick weren't able to deliver a better performance because there weren't given much to work with. It's entertaining, but not much beyond that.

If you want to see action, special effects, cowboys, and aliens, this is for you.
5*/10

Maleficent — It's very good, but it could have been much more — 7*/10

Maleficent is a visually impeccable fantasy movie, especially all the creatures they created just for it. Now, it's an entertaining flick with a very interesting twist on this old tale, but it's very linear and predictable, even when it actually surprises you. It also contains a few logical flaws which makes the plot a little less interesting. A high point for the scenario is its treatment of prince charming, very feminist, I liked it.

I do recommend seeing it if you like fantasy even remotely, but don't expect too much.
7*/10

Chef — Emotionally rich and very funny little comedy about something simple — 9*/10

Chef is funny, very funny. It's different, touching, interesting, nicely put together, with great acting and excellent dialogs. I'd say that the only negative points are the slightly rosy ending, although they did skip the sentimental dialogs so it's not so bad (I would have skip the whole thing after he calls back his son), and the overuse of Twitter, which in ten years will look a little weird.

For everyone, except action addicts.
9*/10

Pineapple Express — Ludicrous, interesting, and somewhat funny for when you need to turn your brain off — 6*/10

Pineapple Express is your basic stoner comedy. Its real attraction comes from the fact that it is our introduction to new stars in the comedy circles.

For those who like pot movies.
6*/10

Edge of Tomorrow — You have to see this unless you can't stand sci-fi — 10*/10

Edge of Tomorrow is an excellent science-fiction movie, in which you grab the edge of your seat and you don't want to let go, ever. The only thing I'd criticize is the fact that the end, after the grenades, is unnecessary sugar coating as well as flawed logically. Everything else is perfect.

A must for everyone, especially sci-fi fans.
10*/10

Drinking Buddies — Not what you'd think, yet enjoyable on a slow day — 6*/10

Drinking Buddies has a totally different pace than most movies, especially that kind of buddy comedy. This is a bit more realistic, yet still a bit silly since it feels like a parody of a male-female drinking companion relationship, for some reason. The end, however, is different than what we'd expect from this genre.

For those who don't need things to move too quickly.
6*/10

A Million Ways to Die in the West - Very light entertainment for a slow night - 6*/10

A Million Ways to Die in the West is just silly and totally anachronistic. The trailer gives a good idea of what the movie will be like. Don't expect greatness. Turn your brain off and watch.

For those who don't need a comedy to make sense.
6*/10

Project X - Give it time and you'll be totally captivated - 9*/10

Project X starts lame, really lame. However, it very slowly picks up momentum until you get something surprising. Emotions are flying high, action is a continuous rolling thunder, acting is solid, scenes are completely engrossing, and you get many a surprise. The only real flaw is that all the chicks are super hot and really easy which ruins our suspension of disbelief.

I highly recommend you give it a try. It might not be your cup of tea, but you have to go at least 45 minutes into it.
9*/10

Robot & Frank - A neat trick and a few good ideas - 7*/10

Robot & Frank is simple, well acted, and surprisingly human. It's a good story that lets us breeze through difficult issues and keep our attention focused. I would have given another star if it had ended after he pushed the button. The rest is unnecessary closure. There's also a number of too rapid transitions where the audience is not given enough time to assimilate the situation to believe it.

For science-fiction and AI fans.
7*/10

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Discover and be amazed - 8*/10

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is two incredibly funny female characters in non-stop social whirlwind topped with some quirky romance, all of it set in great decors. It isn't a period piece, but it does give you a fresh sense of wonder. Lots of heart and feelings.

For those who love quirky solid films.
8*/10

The Change-Up - Predictable, easy, unimaginative, yet funny - 6*/10

The Change-Up uses a bizarrely common theme and revisits it in a blandish fashion. While the ideas are nothing new under the sun, the jokes terribly easy, and the scenario predictable, you can appreciate the performance of the main actors, including the leading female.

For Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds fans only.
6*/10

The Lucky One - Interesting ideas, but with a bland result - 5*/10

The Lucky One had some good ideas for its story, but the scenario contains many weak elements that are difficult to ignore. The movie tends to take the easy road at every turn, and add to that a weird ending with an almost sickly twist, and you've got nothing good to watch.

Only for the die hard sentimental people in need of easy romance.
5*/10

X-Men: Days of Future Past - A nicely meshed story - 7*/10

X-Men: Days of Future Past is one of the good X-Men movies. The story is very involved and there are a lot of interesting elements as well as many new actors for the younger versions. The scenario might be a bit easy at time, but there are many captivating features to it. My biggest disappointment was the replacement  actress for Mystique. She's acceptable, but it's just not the same.

For super heroes fans and action fanatics.
7*/10

Fading Gigolo - Don't think you know what it is until you see it - 8*/10

Fading Gigolo is not what you'd think it is watching the preview reel. Yes, there's that, but the movie extends its view in a semi-satiric, semi-dramatic way. It seems to say that sex is not all that bad and that we need to open our eyes to the possibilities life can offer us. John Turturro as both a director and actor did a splendid job. Excellent acting and emotional setup.

For those who don't need to have their expectation fulfilled.
8*/10

Blended - Not worth going to the theater to see it - 5*/10

Blended is a story that fails to capture your attention. The jokes are easy and some of the acting is very poor. You'll need to do more than just turn your brain off to enjoy it, you'll need to overlook a lot of flaws and lower your expectations dramatically.

Wait for it on Netflix.
5*/10

Les invasions barbares - Soyez prêt à affronter la tristesse - 9*/10

Les invasions barbares dans cette suite au classique Le déclin de l'empire américain, bien peu de moments comiques et beaucoup de larmes à verser. La qualité est tout aussi grande, mais le ton est assez sombre.

À voir.
9*/10

Le déclin de l'empire américain - Un grand classique à voir - 9*/10

Le déclin de l'empire américain est un classique du cinéma québécois. Il met à nu l'état, à un niveau individuel, de la société québécoise à la fin des années 80. C'est bien sûr à propos de sexe. Solide mélange de comique et de dramatique, on ne peut qu'être accroché par la narrative même au 21è siècle.

Film sans action ou effets spéciaux, mais parfait pour tout adulte pour qui ce n'est pas nécessaire.
9*/10

Belle - Romance, deceit and a sprinkling of history - 7*/10

Belle is a captivating story, even with the few predictable turns it throws at us, with strong romantic feelings and the inevitable evil marriage plotting that we always give that era. The end is mushy, however, the acting is good enough to make us forgive movie's failings.

For the romantics.
7*/10

Foxfire - A little told, and harsh, story with a lot of heart - 7*/10

Foxfire is interesting for its depiction of a rarely talked about subject. The depiction is strong, poignant and, I think, true. Excellent acting.

For the curious.
7*/10

Locke - A strong dose of reality with a bitter taste - 8*/10

Locke is one of those movie where everything happens in a closed environment and with a minimal number of actors. It's always interesting to see a good one. Here's it's a car and a driver who spend his time on the phone. Good story, excellent tension, interesting scenario, great camera work and editing.

Not for those who need action.
8*/10

Under the Skin - A psychological journey through the unknowable - 9*/10

Under the Skin is a surreal experience. Scarlett Johansson is brilliant as the main character of this piece that floats in between a Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch movie. You'll be captivated by the great visuals and the stupendous metaphors. Your brain will be transported by a rising tide of unanswered questions. Be ready for more than you can chew.

For those who don't mind interpreting a film for themselves as they watch it.
9*/10

Neighbors - A tough mix to pull off, but very funny - 6*/10

Neighbors doesn't sink too far into the juvenile and the awkwardness of the beginning does go away at some point. It doesn't take itself too seriously, yet it brings some really funny spins even if they're not new to Seth Rogen's style. There are a few excellent moments in there.

If you want to turn you brain off and have a good laugh without compromising your soul.
6*/10

Brick Mansions - Nothing good beside the acrobatics - 5*/10

Brick Mansions is a disappointment because the preview is all acrobatics and that's the only thing that's good in the movie. The scenario and story are beyond weak.

5*/10

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - The best one made yet - 8*/10

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 easily wins the palm of the best Spider-Man movie ever made. I have to admit that I didn't like the previous chapter, which was a reset of the franchise, and was still looking at the previous incarnation as the best version. Not anymore.

Spidey finally has it all: strong drama, solidly built villains, amazing action, stupendous special effects, humor that really resemble his comic book incarnation, a scenario that keeps you riveted, a story that stands to logic, and good acting. The only weakness is the romance, which is a tad too predictable. However, the ending totally saves it.

See it.
8*/10

I've just rewatched it and I still think it's the best Spider-Man yet. However, the last third of the movie was so good, I forgot that some of the rest wasn't as amazing, pardon the pun. So, I have to lower the rating just a bit to be fair to other movies, especially, super heroes flick.

The Other Woman - Different and funny, a real keeper - 7*/10

The Other Woman is made to make us laugh and it does it well. You don't need to think too much and the scenario contains lots of little elements that steer it away from really bad clichés. However, it does stay within the chick flick mold, but it knows how to surprise you.

Have fun.
7*/10

The Princess Bride - Lots of silliness and adventure - 8*/10

The Princess Bride is a classic of comedic fantasy. It's witty, nicely paced with a very interesting story. Beyond the rats and eels, it has aged well. The key point is not to take it seriously and just enjoy the silliness.

For fantasy and comedy lovers.
8*/10

Draft Day - Excellent tension throughout the movie - 8*/10

Draft Day is great. It's difficult to name anything that could have been done a little better. The role of the mother? A bit, yes. An ever so slight predictability? Maybe. However, the overall qualities are: great tension, excellent acting, solid setup, a fast paced scenario and an interesting story.

A must for any draft fan, a good movie for the rest.
8*/10

Transcendence - Lots of flaws that break the experience - 6*/10

Transcendence is an interesting AI movie, but it contains a lot of physical and logical flaws. The special effects are great, the acting is good, but the scenario barely takes off the ground.

See it for the actors and the special effects and you'll be satisfied.
6*/10

Think Like a Man - Nothing new under the sun - 5*/10

Think Like a Man is a basic romantic comedy with multiple stories. Predictable and stereotyped, it reuses all the old gimmicks of the genre. The acting is good, but often over the top for no good reason.

Shut your brain off and you might have a chance to be entertained.
5*/10

The Company Men - An old subject laid out in a predictable manner - 6*/10

The Company Men talks about a subject that's been talked about a lot without bringing anything new set in a highly predictable scenario. Still, you can enjoy those big name actors each giving us an acceptable performance.

If you're looking for something calm.
6*/10

Zombieland - A world of violence, laughter and good entertainment - 8*/10

Zombieland is one of the best well made comedic zombie movie out there. Great setting and intro, with a smooth scenario, interesting story and good acting.

For good violence and laughs. Not for sensible stomachs.
8*/10

Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Much better than the first one - 8*/10

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is in with the other quality super heroes movies I've seen. It's scenario is a tad predictable and it doesn't bring anything new to the genre, but it's very well made. You've got plenty of action, excellent special effects, nice ambiance, good dialogs, some jokes and great pacing.

Great entertainment, especially for super heroes fan.
8*/10

21 Jump Street - Kick ass fun all around, very surprisingly - 8*/10

21 Jump Street is great mix of parody, action, and teen absurdity. I think Channing Tatum really shines as a comedic actor because he's the kind of person everybody sees in a serious light, yet he doesn't take himself seriously. Difficult to imagine a better partner for such an amount of silliness than Jonah Hill. The result is surprisingly good, especially since nothing is taken seriously.

For silly fun.
8*/10

Bad Words - Very surprising in all regards of the production - 8*/10

Bad Words is a surprising movie directed by the actor Jason Bateman. The story is simple, and yet, you get attached and interested by it right away; you want to understand. The scenario has a good pacing that keeps you entertained at all time, and delivers unusual twists in the plot all along. The three main actors are excellent and very funny.

A quality flick that's sure to get your laughs on.
8*/10

Enemy - Dark, twisted, slow paced little gem - 8*/10

Enemy requires psychoanalysis to understand, or at least try to. The pervasive mood is gripping, astringent, and completely submerse the viewer. Solid acting all around.

For those who don't need to understand to enjoy a dark movie.
8*/10

Need for Speed - A flop at the very least, a waste of money at the worst - 5*/10

Need for Speed is not really any good. Michael Keaton is its only strong point, because the story is boring, the dialogs are uninspiring, and there are better car chases than this. I love Aaron Paul, but nothing really came out of this.

Only if you must.
5*/10

Se7en - Perfection in a bone chilling costume of perfect serial murders - 10*/10

Se7en is no less than a master piece by David Fincher. The gripping ambiance, the sheer genius of the scenario as well as the acting power of Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey are it's strongest point, but there's no aspect that is less than great. (Except for one very minute detail.) One thing that is often overlooked is the backdrop discussion on society by the main characters which makes the movie that much better.

A must see if you don't mind harsh crimes.
10*/10

New Year's Eve - Lots of stars floating in an empty scenario - 5*/10

New Year's Eve keeps to the tradition of large star power cast; they help sell tickets, but results are often disappointing. In this case, none of those great names have the time to establish their characters and are fed pitiful lines. Nonetheless it's entertaining, but don't expect anything else, especially not depth or quality.

For a slow evening.
5*/10

3 Days to Kill - A big action ride just for the thrill of it - 7*/10

3 Days to Kill is your basic spy action flick in its modern format. It fits right into the mold without even trying to bring something new to the genre, but it does it well. Don't expect novelty, and you'll have fun.

For the action lovers.
7*/10

Rhymes for Young Ghouls - Powerful, almost beyond reason - 10*/10

Rhymes for Young Ghouls is as hard a movie as it gets. The reality is gripping, violent, and served to you raw. It will rattle your cage, take you out of your comfort zone, and leave you wrung out. This movie has no flaw, but it will not please everyone.

Not for tender souls or people looking for light entertainment.
10*/10

Pain & Gain - Shit keeps happening over and over - 7*/10

Pain & Gain is surprising, much better than anticipated. Still it's a low brawl movie, because it's based on low brawl events that are almost beyond belief. Acting is good, photography is surprising and the story very entertaining. It's far from perfect, but it' shocking.

For those ready to attempt the unusual. Must be in the mood.
7*/10

Zack and Miri Make a Porno - Hilarious and off the wall - 8*/10

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is an other easy to watch comedy by Kevin Smith, the most accessible one for the general public. At the heart of it, though, it's about being fearless, going through with something that scares you, taking a chance. Nice acting, hilarious bits, solid dialogs and well scripted scenario.

A must watch for comedy lovers.
8*/10

The Lego Movie - Everything is awesome, well, not exactly, but almost - 9*/10

The Lego Movie is what every Lego fan has been wishing for, if only subconsciously. The jokes are hilarious, the action is almost non-stop, the animation is just superb, and the subtle second degree satire very educating. The only real misstep is how the break in the suspension of disbelief was introduced, it's a bit awkward. However, they picked it up very well and everything meshed in back nicely. Will Ferrell is perfect for his roles.

For Lego fans, but also anyone who likes a good off the wall funny animation flick.
9*/10

One Day - Better than you might expect - 7*/10

One Day is a true romantic comedy and it has all the the valued trimmings of the genre, with some surprises to boot. The story and the scenario are rather weak at first, it takes some time to get into the real mood of it all, but you do get to finally enjoy its substance.

To discover if you like romantic comedy.
7*/10

The Monuments Men - Enjoy those big name actors but not much else - 6*/10

The Monuments Men is interesting for its informational value, its jokes, and the acting. However, this flick is mostly devoid of content, an emptiness made glaring by a few easy speech that try to imprint us with a sense of purpose.

Just for the big names in the production.
6*/10

Stoker - Sterile brilliant meeting of psychopathic minds - 8*/10

Stoker is about attention to details. It plunges you in its world slowly, until it drowns or hypnotizes you. Great acting on the part of the main characters, excellent score, powerful scenes with very elaborate sets and sharp photography are its key ingredients.

Not for everyone.
8*/10

Mona Lisa Smile - Very interesting characters and scenario - 8*/10

Mona Lisa Smile presents very interesting characters at a time when feminism had yet to be born. However its strong point, beyond excellent acting, is the story line that twists and turns in unpredictable ways. Captivating.

For everyone, especially those who like strong female voices.
8*/10

Vampire Academy - Good idea with a very lame execution - 5*/10

Vampire Academy is a much better trailer than movie. It's barely television quality on all levels: story, scenario, dialogs, characters, acting, settings, and special effects. Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2 is on par with this flick, never mind the following seasons.

For teen vampire fans only.
5*/10

That Awkward Moment - Average in more ways than one - 5*/10

That Awkward Moment makes a few attempt at being different, but fails with a miserable ending and feels like a weird mash up of a guy flick with girl flick. You'll have some laughs, you'll see some handsome people, however, don't hope for more.

If you're bored.
5*/10

Hesher - Raw, angry and touching family drama - 9*/10

Hesher is definitively not your average family drama. It's story has a strong sardonic undertone, some dark humor and is filled with irreverent behavior. The captivating plot constantly surprises the viewer because of the violent anarchist antics of the main character. Revulsion, frustration, anger, understanding and tears are on the menu.

Will not please everyone, but should touch almost anyone by the end. Don't expect glamour.
9*/10

Bridesmaids - Crazy off the turf kind of offbeat girly comedy - 7*/10

Bridesmaids has many very embarrassing moments and it's a bit much for me, getting me to squirm in my seat. That being said, it's really well made. Good acting and a very interesting story with novel dialogs.

If you want to see a girly comedy where the claws are out and dysfunctionality is a character.
7*/10

Her - A fantastic vision of AI and its incipient singularity - 10*/10

Her is brilliant. Great acting, captivating characters, sweet and sad story that completely immerse you, a scenario with perfect pacing, amazingly ambitious vision, and beautiful photography. It's the perfect low key science-fiction flick.

Something everyone can enjoy.
10*/10

Nebraska - A little of sweet and a lot of sour - 8*/10

Nebraska is about learning to live life as it is dealt to you. The acting is just right, the characters are presented with a lot of depth, the story is intriguing even if it takes a long time to get there, and what little humor there is is very sarcastic, somewhat caustic, and on the dot. The scenario set in rural America is extremely low key and there is very little happiness to be found.

Not for everyone, especially action and glory seekers.
8*/10

I, Frankenstein - Much less than it could have been - 5*/10

I, Frankenstein is big on effects, especially in its IMAX incarnation, unfortunately, the story didn't carry the promise it made in the interesting conceptual ideas. The dialogs are flat and uninteresting with a few long winded and boring explanations. The characters lack any depth and some of the actors are not even good, although that might just be because of the terribly written parts they have to play.

Just for the special effects.
5*/10

Brothers - Psychologically very disturbing post war trauma - 9*/10

Brothers is not the only post war trauma movie to combine with family drama, but it certainly merges the two in an heart wrenching way. The acting is impeccable, even the children, the story gripping and the scenario very taut and realistic.

Not for sensitive souls.
9*/10

The Lucky Ones - Very different story with nice twists - 7*/10

The Lucky Ones doesn't go where you think it will go, not once. Considering we're talking about soldiers, it's an extremely low key movie, yet the story is interesting and you can relate to the characters even if you've never been in the army.

For something different to watch.
7*/10

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Go ahead and plunge head first - 9*/10

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is an excellent work by Ben Stiller both as a director and an actor. The story is extremely engaging, the photography is spectacular, and the score vibrant. You'll get transported almost immediately. Only a few flaws pull it back from a perfect score.

For absolutely everyone.
9*/10

The Guard - Wit, cunning, action and fun in their most simple form - 9*/10

The Guard is a brilliant Irish movie. What makes it so good is the straight face humor and wit of the main character. It is totally off putting at first, right until the moment you start getting it, and then you can't help but appreciate the rest of his personality. The whole flick actually plays the same tune. The intrigue is simple yet very well done, the story is engrossing, and the each character has a compelling personality, even the criminals.

For those who like understated wit.
9*/10

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit - Out of the same old mold - 6*/10

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is your basic spy action and suspense. The story is sort of interesting, the plot is different from others, but in the end, it doesn't bring anything new to the table. Don't expect too much, and you might appreciate it.

For those who like the genre.
6*/10

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind - Tough raw psychotic show - 7*/10

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is not for everybody because it  feels like a delusion. Great acting coupled an interesting story keeps you watching, but almost with revulsion.

For those who like twisted minds.
7*/10

The Goonies - It's old but it's fun - 7*/10

The Goonies is the archetypal kid caper where everything is bigger than life, which means there's an overabundance of very fast dialogs, prototypical thin characters, and improbable events. That being said, it's a great adventure that aged relatively well with lots of action, fun and detailed sets.

Great for your kids or the kid in you.
7*/10

Super 8 - A kid caper with adult feelings - 8*/10

Super 8 is not your average kid caper. It combines great acting, at least for some of the actors, excellent tension, and solid dramatic undertone, as well as kids in seriously violent scenes.

It's like a modernized The Goonies with a sci-fi twist and a slightly more serious and dramatic feel.

For young teens and adults alike.
8*/10

American Hustle - Gritty crazy spiraling situation - 8*/10

American Hustle is not my kind of movie, but the quality is there: excellent acting and realistic story with an incredibly tight and well scripted scenario that will captivate you, even if it starts on an offbeat that takes a while to shake off. I'll also give Christian Bale, an actor that I rarely like, immense props for such a well played role.

For those who like gritty movies.
8*/10

Joueuse - À être apprécié avec attention - 7*/10

Joueuse est un film qui demande un peu d'analyse pour être compris, ce qui est fort probablement voulu, étant donné de sujet. Bons acteurs, situation très réelle, ainsi qu'un scénario bien assemblé sans éléments prévisibles.

Pour ceux qui apprécié un histoire hors de l'ordinaire.
7*/10

Despicable Me - To see it is to enjoy it - 8*/10

Despicable Me is a riot. Lots of silly fun, great dialogs and voice acting, as well as some very colorful graphics. Your kids will love and you'll be just as entertained.

For all, except those who take life too seriously.
8*/10

The Wolf of Wall Street - The perfect madness of money - 10*/10

The Wolf of Wall Street is powerful movie by Martin Scorsese. With brilliant performance by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill, he brutally plunges and submerges us in that crazy world to really make us understand what this whole insanity was about. Laughter, madness, depravity are on the menu, driven by incredible cinematic skills. It's a heavy dose of corruption.

Beware.
10*/10

The Vow - Very light entertainment and fluffy romance - 5*/10

The Vow has a number of flaws and illogical plot points, but if you want to see something romantic you'll be served. Don't expect something real, just beautiful people living an unrealistic love story.

For a girls' night and a nice nude male body.
5*/10

47 Ronin - Straight forward with nothing new - 7*/10

47 Ronin has great visuals, good fighting, and nice fantasy elements, but the dialogs are as bad as they come. Nonetheless, it's entertaining. Don't expect too much out of it and you'll be satisfied.

For fantasy lovers.
7*/10

Stuck in Love - A mixed bag of good and not so good - 5*/10

Stuck in Love has several co-evolving stories in it, some are good, some are not. Laughs, oddly accented drama, and wrong headed love is what you'll find in this scenario. The fuck friend is the most interesting, entertaining, and funny character, the others are mostly boring.

For a dreary afternoon.
5*/10

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - Not as good as the first one - 6*/10

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues lacked the novelty effect of the first instalment. It's difficult to build on something outrageous and make a second chapter just as good. That being said, the fight scene is quite interesting, with a number of good surprises.

For those wanting silly entertainment or more of Ron Burgundy.
6*/10

Saving Mr. Banks - Different and worth seeing - 8*/10

Saving Mr. Banks is a sad story wrapped in an happy story. You'll invariably be irked by some of the characters in this surprising tale, because the acting is beyond reproach, spot on, miraculously steering clear of caricatures or archetypes, if only by a hair. You'll probably shed a tear and have a few laugh as you watch, but this dichotomous scenario, the quirks, the accents, as well as the low key setting, might well be too much for some, but many others will fall in love.

To be experienced.
8*/10

Philomena - A touching story with some humor - 8*/10

Philomena is a real story and gives us the benefit of a real ending with the added bonus of being interesting and having closure. It's a touching drama done with a light note. It's not a charged scenario, the characters are done with depth, and the acting is just right.

Unless you need action, you'll like this.
8*/10

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - No less than what you expect - 10*/10

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is what you'd expect after seeing the first installment. Please read my review here to get to know what I think overall. However, now, we get to see Smaug, and he is extremely impressive, the best dragon ever presented on the big screen, by far. The lake town is also meticulously well done.

I'll get picky here and say that the final product is not as good as the first installment, since they created a lot more of material that wasn't in the book. That will offend die-hard Tolkien fans, but I liked what they did. It just didn't feel as wondrous as the rest, though. They deviated more and you can feel it.

For everyone.
10*/10

Battle Los Angeles - Brain off and action on - 6*/10

Battle Los Angeles is an action sci-fi flick and that's it, even if there are a few bits of good acting and some emotional moments. It does, however, do it well.

Turn your brain off and enjoy.
6*/10

Underworld: Awakening - Not much beyond action and special effects - 5*/10

Underworld: Awakening barely has a story let alone an interesting scenario. It's only compelling features are that you get to revisit an interesting world, an interesting premise, and Kate Beckinsale.

For the fans of the series only or for rabid fantasy addicts.
5*/10

Our Idiot Brother - Clever and effective - 7*/10

Our Idiot Brother is exactly what it says it is without falling into the slapstick routine or juvenile humor. The acting is on the dot, the story and characters interesting, well built, with a scenario that has many laughs and a sound ending.

An easy watch for anyone.
7*/10

An Invisible Sign - Very touching but flawed - 7*/10

An Invisible Sign is the kind of movie that had everything to be different and extremely interesting, but its ending ruined it all. Jessica Alba was incredibly good, the characters are deep, the story is touching and full of details. The scenario should have cut it after he crossed the street after he brought the letter back. That's the realistic and real end point.

If you want something different or are a fan of Jessica Alba.
7*/10