[5.00/10] Wanderlust (2012)

Wanderlust (2012)

QuickRating: It's easy to watch and completely free-spirited just like the majority of its hippie characters, and both Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd are fantastic in their roles, but "Wanderlust" is less funny than it's supposed to be and even though its director boldly tries something new and different to refresh the genre, the end result is an original, yet rather disappointing comedy with weird mood and lots of unexpected and mostly unpleasant nudity.

[5.00/10] Goon (2012)

Goon (2012)

QuickRating: More violent than funny and more nasty than harsh, "Goon" is a crude sports comedy that may have a big heart, but the sincerity of its human (not humane) characters and Sean William Scott's surprisingly engaging performance can't save this movie from being a so-so slapstick comedy with lots of blood, but very few laughs, made strictly for hockey fans, who will be the only one to fully enjoy the mess that's happening on screen.

[5.00/10] The Vow (2012)

The Vow (2012)

Brief review: Based on the true story of real-life couple Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, "The Vow" is director Michael Sucsy's very first theatrically released movie in his career. While the film's plot is inspired by one touching and truly heartfelt story, unlike this real story, the movie fails to make a big impact, because, strangely and ironically enough, it feels fabricated and improbable. The main reason for this paradoxicality lies in its banally-written script, filled with cliches, cheesy romance and trite dialogues, we've seen and heard million times before. Further more, "The Vow" is so obvious, you don't need to be Nostradamus to predict each next scene and pretty much every line. On a positive note, there are some moving moments that actually work, but those are very few and far between. The main cast is incredibly appealing, no doubt about that. Rachel McAdams is full of talent and possesses a true natural charisma, but sadly the weak script doesn't allow her to shine at all. Even the character she plays is not that likable. Channing Tatum's handsomeness works in his favor as usual, but his dramatic acting skills have yet to be developed. Fortunately, the chemistry between the two leads is strong enough, at least most of the time. Sam Neill and Jessica Lange's screen time is way too limited, the supporting cast is instantly forgettable, and Michael Sucsy's generic direction is nothing to write home about.

Overall summary: Aside from a couple of moving moments and Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum's good on-screen chemistry, "The Vow" is just another forgettable romantic dramedy, that suffers from its dated, hackneyed premise, flimsy script and complete predictability.

[5.00/10] American Reunion (2012)

American Reunion (2012)

Brief review: Back in 1999, the sexually-charged teen comedy, "American Pie", was a huge hit, and still remains as a classic. Well, sort of. It was followed by two hugely successful sequels in 2001 and 2003, and now in 2012 it's time for the "Reunion". Even though it has written nostalgia all over it, this forth sequels fails to meet expectations big time. The hardcore fans of the franchise won't mind the same old jokes, immature behavior and embarrassing situations, but for the rest of the audience, the "American Reunion" doesn't offer anything new, fresh, clever and even remotely original script-wise. Yes, there are a couple of hilarious scenes, and one or two laugh-out-loud moments, but overall there's no wit whatsoever. On the other hand, "American Reunion" kind of redeems itself near the end with an unexpectedly sweet, touching and heartwarming conclusion, that will put a smile on your face, plus, it features the long awaited 'sex revenge' of Stifler, that has something to do with one of the other characters' 'MILF' mom. Despite their age, the grown-up characters are still immature and horny, and haven't changed a bit. Jason Biggs still has that charming awkwardness about him, Chris Klein and Thomas Ian Nicholas are watchable at best, Alyson Hannigan, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari and Dania Ramirez are all likable as the girls, but Seann William Scott still plays the same annoying, silly jerk.

Overall summary: The last 20 minutes are surprisingly heartfelt, but apart from that, "American Reunion" is just a derivative, mildly funny installment, that would appeal only to the nostalgic fans of the franchise, who would be happy to have more of the same juvenile stuff.

[5.00/10] Johnny English Reborn (2011)

Johnny English Reborn (2011)

QuickRating: If you a fan of Rowan Atkinson you know what to expect from him, and he really does his best with the given material, but it's the ridiculous story and Parker's sub-par direction, that really bring this movie down. That said, "Johnny English Reborn" is still a mildly entertaining and occasionally funny spy comedy that delivers a couple of good laughs, and some exciting, yet implausible action sequences.

[5.00/10] The Cat (2011)

The Cat (2011)

QuickRating: This potentially good cats-inspired Korean horror flick has a somewhat original concept, and it features a decent cast, some truly ominous images and a few graphically gory kills that fans of the genre would enjoy, however, after an intriguing first half, "The Cat" transforms into the typical Asian story, dealing with ghost kids and unsolved deaths, and it's all too familiar and hackneyed to be effective or very memorable.

[5.00/10] Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

Brief review: It's hard to believe that the creator of the fantastic "Iron Man" 1 & 2, Jon Favreau, has directed this disappointing mess of a movie, based on the 2006 graphic novel of the same name. He tries to merge two completely different genres, sadly very unsuccessfully, and as a result, his latest blockbuster "Cowboys & Aliens" ends up being unimpressive, uneven, and pretty lackluster in terms of execution. Although the action sequences are remarkably well-shot and pretty striking, surprisingly, those are very few and far between, and that's not a good thing for a movie that pretends to be a sci-fi epic. The scenery is typically western, and mostly consists of a sterile wilderness that is quite boring to watch, but the saturated color scheme of the cinematography makes it a bit more appealing to the eye. The special effects are absolutely first-rate and pretty slick, but they can't compensate for the director's lack of inspiration and а clear vision about what he's really trying to achieve. Daniel Craig is solid as usual as the central character, and Harrison Ford, while a bit underused, does his best with the material he's given. Olivia Wilde, gives another average performance as Jake's love interest, and the supporting cast does a passable job.

Overall summary: As silly as its title suggests, "Cowboys & Aliens" boasts some top-notch special effects and great action scenes, but it's mostly a dull, disjointed and unspectacular sci-fi/western hybrid that fails to engage, despite its capable director and competent cast.

[5.00/10] The Warrior's Way (2010)

The Warrior's Way (2010)

Brief review: Although in itself "Warrior's Way" is an Eastern movie made for Western tastes, first-time Korean director Sngmoo Lee struggles to find the balance between those two cultures, and as a result, his martial arts/western/fantasy hybrid fails to deliver a satisfying story. Also, for a film called "Warrior's Way", the movie doesn't provide enough action to justify its title. With the exception of the fast-paced opening sequence and the action-heavy final act, "Warrior's Way" is more of a romantic movie rather than a true martial arts flick. The fights themselves are nicely-choreographed and the wire-work is passable, but the action scenes are either shot in slow-motion or too fast to follow. However, in terms of visuals the film succeeds vastly, despite some cheesy CGI work, as it has some truly spectacular settings, and a vivid, almost artsy cinematography that pleases the eye. Korean star Jang Dong-gun plays the lead character Yang, and although his martial arts skills are undoubtedly impressive, he turns in an unbelievably dull and uncharismatic performance. Kate Bosworth definitely has the looks, but her acting abilities are rather questionable. Unsurprisingly, the great Geoffrey Rush steals the show as the cool drunkard, Ron.

Overall summary: Aside from some truly gorgeous settings, colorful cinematography and a few thrillingly-choreographed and nicely-shot action sequences, "Warrior's Way" is a poorly-acted, joyless misfire, that barely lives up to its promising title. Nice try, Sngmoo Lee!

Numerous QuickRatings PART 5: 2010 Movies [3]

Primal (2010)

QuickRating: Although the Australian bush provides a beautiful backdrop for this oddly intriguing story, and the acting from the young Aussie cast is decent at best, the film itself is almost ruined by an incompetent execution, so-so directing and weak script, and though it succeeds in the gore department, "Primal" fails to deliver genuine scares.

My Rating: 5.00/10

Jackass 3D (2010)

QuickRating: Featuring the best slow-mo sequences since "Zombieland"'s opening scene, and numerous incredible stunts, as well as some gross and even scary ones, "Jackass 3D" is three times crazier than its predecessors, and just as funny and entertaining, even though it's hardly watchable at times. Just see it.. if you dare.

My Rating: 5.75/10

Welcome to the Rileys (2010)

QuickRating: Grim, yet somewhat uplifting, "Welcome to the Rileys", can't boast with excellent production values or skillful direction, but it offers and original and emotionally-gripping story, and it features Kristen Stewart's best performance to date, a great turn by James Gandolfini, and an absolutely amazing supporting performance from Melissa Leo.

My Rating: 6.50/10

Another Year (2010)

QuickRating: Thoughtful, poignant and astoundingly acted, if rather slow-moving and overly simplistic, "Another Year" may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it offers a realistic glimpse of everyday life with its ups and lows, and shows how you can easily create your own happiness, if you believe in yourself, and if you're dedicated to the people you love.

My Rating: 7.25/10

[5.00/10] The Resident (2011)

The Resident (2011)

Brief review: Finnish TV director Antti Jokinen's first full-length feature, "The Resident" (In Theaters Feb 17), is a so-so cat-and-mouse thriller about an attractive young doctor, who starts to suspects she's not alone in her new loft, after realizing her landlord has formed an obsession with her. Though pretty disturbing and moderately gripping, "The Resident" fails to deliver on many levels, mainly due to Jokinen's flawed direction and unsteady pacing, and the clumsy editing by Stuart Levy. Not only that the film starts tediously slow and lacks any thrills in its first half, but it reveals too much in its middle part, and as a result it becomes instantly uninteresting, less suspenseful, and sadly, even more predictable. One of the most talented Hollywood actresses, Hilary Swank, delivers a typically solid performance as the incredibly sympathetic, yet emotionally confused Juliet. Plus, she has never looked better - her body is stunning, and her sun-kissed skin is glowing. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, does a great job with the material given. He's as charismatic as he's disturbing in his role as Max - an antisocial, voyeurism-obsessed middle-aged man, haunted by his repressed past, and you can't help but like him, and being afraid of him at the same time.

Overall summary: Aside from its thrilling final act, and Swank and Morgan's more-than-adequate performances, "The Resident" is just a mildly tense, uneven, and rather predictable voyeuristic thriller, that never rises above mediocrity.

[5.00/10] Vanishing on 7th Street (2011)

Vanishing on 7th Street (2011)

Brief review: "The Machinist" director, Brad Anderson, brings this post-apocalyptic horror-thriller about a bunch of strangers who find themselves alone, after a mysterious power plunges the city of Detroit into total darkness. Despite its great premise, "Vanishing" fails to deliver on many levels, as it suffers from slow pacing, lazy direction and a somewhat muddled plot, that never lives up to its potential. Furthermore, it contains very few chilling moments, and it's neither scary, nor suspenseful enough to call itself a horror movie. Though hauntingly atmospheric, "Vanishing on 7th Street" offers nothing spectacular in terms of visuals. It's a rather boring affair, lacking in imagination and budget, with very limited variety of settings and special effects. The acting is pretty mediocre. from everybody involved in this. Hayden Christensen may be physically attractive, but he hardly possesses any talent or acting skills. He's typically stiff in his role as Luke, as he fails to convey any genuine feeling or depth of emotion. Thandie Newton gives a decent performance as Rosemary, though she often has a tendency to overact. John Leguizamo is just okay, and Jacob Latimore delivers in his role as the daring and likable James.

Overall summary: Though potentially good and somewhat intriguing, "Vanishing on 7th Street" ends up as a huge disappointment, as it's completely ruined by an unimaginative script and lackluster execution.

[5.00/10] Season of the Witch (2011)

Season of the Witch (2011)

Brief review: Sena's medieval fantasy, "Season of the Witch" is the first release of 2011, and despite its paper-thin plot, complete lack of scares and so-so sword fight sequences, it somehow manages to entertain, even if only occasionally. "Season of the Witch" is basically a road movie, as Cage and company are on a mission to transport a supposed-to-be-witch to a faraway monastery, in order to stop a mysterious plague, that religious masses believe is a work of witchcraft. However, it's biggest problem is, that it doesn't work very well, neither as a road movie, nor as a period fantasy, simply because it has very little to offer in terms of originality or thrills. Having said that, the film is far from terrible, visually. Shot in Central Europe, "Season of the Witch" boasts a scenery, that is as beautiful as it's grim, but the special effects while passable, often border on cheesy. Just like the movie itself, the acting is so-so. Cage and Perlman are convincing enough in their roles as Behmen and Felson, and the relationship between their characters is somewhat believable. Claire Foy also does a fair job as the innocent-looking, yet evil witch, but the supporting performances are, unfortunately, pretty dull.

Overall summary: Cliched and silly, yet hardly boring, "Season of the Witch" is a just another medieval horror/fantasy fare, that you'll forget as soon as the credits roll.

[5.00/10] Flipped (2010)

Flipped (2010)

Brief review: "Mysery" director, Rob Reiner brings this adaptation of Wendelin Van Draanen's novel of the same name, that while well-acted and pretty watchable, brings nothing new to the table in terms of storytelling, except for a dual-narrative from the two young protagonists, each of them telling the story from their own perspective. The plot drags on slowly throughout the majority of the film, and as a result, "Flipped" feels dull and lazy, and it often becomes tedious to watch. Another issue is Rob Reiner's direction, which is so apathetic, that instead drawing you more and more into the story, it somehow pushes you away. Acting-wise, "Flipped" delivers partially. Madeline Carroll is absolutely adorable as the smart, modest and helpful girl, Juli, and she truly shines on screen. Callan McAuliffe, on the other hand, is somewhat stiff and uncharismatic, therefore he doesn't seem like a worthy screen partner to Madeline. The supporting cast which includes Rebecca De Mornay, Anthony Edwards and Penelope Ann Miller and they all do a farily good job with the given material. Visually, "Flipped" looks quite sterile and unimpressive, as it features mostly 'colorless' and boring environments.

Overall summary: Nicely-acted and interestingly-narrated, yet overly-familiar and rather bland, "Flipped" is a so-so nostalgic coming-of-age drama, that is neither as sweet, nor as touching as it thinks it is.

[5.00/10] Skyline (2010)

Skyline (2010)

"Skyline" takes place in a Los Angeles high-rise where a small group of survivors brave a mysterious attack of otherworldly origins. Donald Faison is playing an entrepreneur who lures his longtime friend to the West Coast. After a night of partying, both wake to find a strange force is swallowing humanity off the face of the earth. Strause brothers' sci-fi thriller is a perfect example of style over substance, as the film desperately tries to compensate for its cliche-ridden, uninspired plot, by offering a first-rate, flawlessly-executed special effects. And while it succeeds visually, its 'alien invasion' scenario is tired and painfully familiar. "Skyline" could be described as "Independence Day" meets "District 9" meets "War of the Worlds", as it shamelessly borrows ideas from all these films and some other better and worse sci-fi flick. As a result it feelss like a mish-mash of stolen ideas, dull script and superficial, hardly likable characters. Even worse, "Skyline" is joyous, almost humorless and it takes itself way too seriously. Having said that, "Skyline" truly delivers in terms of visuals. The special effects team behind "Skyline" and the upcoming "Battle: Los Angeles" has done an amazing job, as the CGIs in this film are nothing short of mindblowing. The aliens and their spaceships look impressively realistic, incredibly detailed, and crafted to perfection. The action scenes are quite intense, well-shot and very exciting, yet unfortunately, those are very few and far between. The last ten minutes of this film are a true visual feast, and yet the ending itself is ridiculous and completely unsatisfying. Sadly, "Skyline" is quite weak in the acting department. French actor Eric Balfour, who's more famous for his nude scenes, than for his acting talent, gives an utterly soulless and unconvincing performance as Jarrod. Scottie Thompson is a notch better in her role as Elaine, yet she often overacts. The supporting performances from Brittany Daniel, Crystal Reed, Donald Faison and Neil Hopkins never extend beyond an amateurish level, with the exception of David Zayas as Oliver, who truly stands among the rest. Flashy special effects aside, "Skyline" is a pretty lifeless, lackluster effort, that has the feel of a high-budget made-for-TV movie.

• My Rating: 5.00/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 14% (3.5/10)
• IMDb: 4.6/10

[5.00/10] You Again (2010)

You Again (2010)

Marni, a successful PR professional finds out her brother, Will is on the verge of marrying Joanna - her high school rival, who made her life a living hell. In her teens, Marni was a little clumsy, but now she is a career woman with success. Despite of her current success, she is still haunted by the memories of those old days when she was tormented by cheerleader Joanna, making her to weak up in cold sweat. Judging from the trailer "You Again" looked like it was going to be one pretty hilarious flick full of great laughs, but unfortunately, despite its very likable, charming and talented cast, this comedy is only occasionally funny and mostly forgettable. The story feels too contrived, as there are way too many ridiculous coincidences, and it's not especially original or very credible. The jokes are typical for a chick-flick like this, and although there are some funny moments here and there, they mostly fail to evoke genuine laughter from the audience. However, performance-wise, "You Again" succeeds admirably. For the first time together on screen, Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis shine in every scene they appear, and it's hard to say which one of them is better. They both look great for their age, they're fun to watch and they definitely can act incredibly well, even in a formulaic comedy like this one. Kristen Bell possesses an undeniable charm, and her acting is getting better and better with each movie. She does a good job as Marni . Odette Yustman is gorgeous and truly eye-candy, but her performance is mediocre at best, and her character, Joanna, is just not interesting enough. TV star, James Wolk, looks a bit too stiff in front of the camera, probably because this is his first role in a feature-length theatrical film. Betty White steals the show everytime she's on screen, as she deliver most of the laughs. Technically, "You Again" is pretty decent - the pacing is fine, as is the editing, Andy Fickman's direction is bright, fresh and engaging, and David Hennings' cinematography pleases the eye. By-the-numbers and thoroughly predictable, yet charming and easy to watch, "You Again" engages with great cast, but sadly, it doesn't provide many laugh.

• My Rating: 5.00/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 16% (3.7/10)
• IMDb: 5.3/10

[5.00/10] Saw [3D] (2010)

Saw [3D] (2010)

OK, so first things first... I'm an absolute "Saw" hater! I gave the original "Saw" 4.5 stars out 0f 10, as I thought it was poorly-shot, horribly-acted, dull, drab and visually-ugly torture porn flick, with one of the most laughably ridiculous twist endings in film history. I gave the second installment 5 stars out of 10, as I found it slightly better-crafted, yet still pretty mediocre. As for the other four installments in the series, well, I've rated them even lower than the previous ones. Anyway, I've seen all "Saw" films, just because I was curious to see how much worse this franchise can get. Surprisingly for me, the 7th and hopefully the final entry wasn't as terrible as I expected it to be. Picking up where the 6th film left off, "Saw 3D" details the exploits of serial killer Jigsaw's surviving victims, who seek counseling from a self-help mentor, played by Sean Patrick Flanery, whose past as a previous victim figures directly into each one's fate. The story is weak and all over the place, which is very typical for a "Saw" film, but the pacing is kinda smooth and steady, and the editing is decent, which makes it surprisingly easy to follow. Acting-wise, "Saw 3D" is a pure and utter crap. Sean Patrick Flanery is somewhat good-looking and he physically reminds me a lot of Edward Norton, but he is literally the worst actor ever. Seriously! His acting is so fake, stiff and wooden, it's embarrassing. Costas Mandylor as Hoffman is cold-faced and lifeless as usual, but I didn't bother me. Betsy Russell looks great for her age, but she has zero acting abilities. Tobin Bell as Jigsaw barely shows up in this installment, and thank God for that. On a positive note, the traps are extremely well-designed and well-staged, especially the one in the opening scene, since it was the first-ever 'in public', and the trap in the service-station sequence, which is probably the nastiest and the most creative death scene in the entire series. Gore geeks will have plenty to cheer about, as "Saw 3D" offers gobs of gore, guts, blood , nasty and repulsive deaths, and it's so graphic, it leaves nothing to imagination. Director Kevin Greutert blends very well practical with digital effects during the traps and the death scenes, and in terms of that, the film really succeeds. This is the first and probably the last of the installments 'shot in 3D', and I have to admit, that the 3D effects are surprisingly good and pretty effective, and they make the tortures and deaths look even more brutal, gruesome and nasty. The final twist of the series isn't the most shocking or the most unexpected, since many fans guessed it a while ago, but it's still a somewhat satisfying conclusion for all "Saw" admirers, and even for the haters, like me. Atrociously-acted and illogically-plotted, yet fun to watch and quite entertaining, "Saw 3D" offers some pretty cool and creative death scenes and excellent 3D effects, but nothing much else. It's mediocre like the first two, but notch better then the previous four.

• My Rating: 5.00/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 08% (2.9/10)
• IMDb: 6.4/10

[5.00/10] Lottery Ticket (2010)

Lottery Ticket (2010)

"Lottery Ticket", the latest 'hit-and-miss' comedy starring Bow Wow revolves around Kevin Carson, a young man living in the projects, wins $370 million in a nationwide lottery. When his opportunistic neighbors discover he has the winning ticket in his possession, Kevin must survive their greedy and sometimes even threatening actions over a three-day holiday weekend before he can claim his prize. Despite its tired premise and thoroughly predictable plot, "Lottery Ticket" is a an enjoyable, funny and easy to watch, mainly due to Bow Wow's charismatic performance, likable secondary characters, lowbrow humor, lots of silly, yet hilarious situations. and entertaining chase sequences This type of story has been done a million times before (and better), but a charming all black cast helps to save this film from being terrible. Bow Wow is undoubtedly an adorable charmer, and he absolutely owns the screen as the fortunate lottery winner, Kevin Carson. He does act fairly well, and truly captivates the audience with his charismatic presence. Brandon T. Jackson as Kevin's best friend, Benny, also does a good job, as he gives an energetic and temperamental performance. Naturi Naughton as Stacie is probably the most likable character - she's smart and sober-thinking, yet sweet, natural and very sincere. Loretta Devine is fantastically over-the-top as Grandma, although here character is a bit too stereotypical. Ice Cube as Mr. Washington steals the show every time he appears - he's not only wise and calm, but he also kicks ass. Too cliched and predictable to be good, yet too cute and watchable to be bad, "Lottery Ticket" falls somewhere in between.

• My Rating: 5.00/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 33% (4.9/10)
• IMDb: 2.6/10

[5.00/10] Mirrors 2 (2010)

Mirrors 2 (2010)

"Mirrors 2" is yet another straight-to-DVD horror sequel, that relies on the success of its predecessor and hopes to find an audience for the same reason. The first movie definitely wasn't great or very original, since its subject matter concerned one of the most overused and annoying horror cliches - mirrors. Nevertheless, "Mirrors" managed to deliver some chills, creepy images and decent story. If I'm being honest, I was somewhat pleased with the original movie, mainly because I quite like Alexandre Aja's shooting style and admire his ideas as a director. Also, last but not least, I absolutely loved the twist in the end - it was unexpected, creative and downright terrifying. "Mirrors 2" revoleves around Max Matheson, who after losing his fiancee in a car crash, for which he blames himself, he reluctantly takes a job as a night watchman at his father's Mayflower Department Store. When his co-workers are killed off in gruesome and horrible ways and Max begins to see a mysterious young woman in all the store's mirrors, desperate to communicate with him, he fears he's losing his mind, or that he may be the next victim. As expected, it repeats the formula form the first film, but adds a different plot. Sadly, a pretty terrible one. However, despite its tired ghost-of-a-murdered-girl-seeking-for-revenge scenario, "Mirrors 2" is quite well put together for a STV movie, as it offers an okay direction, fairly good lead performance, smooth pacing and some excellent gore effects. It's more gory than scary or creepy, but there are some really tense moments and it's not without suspense. Nick Stahl gives very credible performance as Max, and he successfully carries the movie on his shoulders. Unfortunately, he's the only good actor here. Emmanuelle Vaugier is naturally drop dead gorgeous, but her acting abilities are amazingly dreadful. Lawrence Turner, William Katt and Jon Michael Davis are just bad. Period. Spanish director Victor Garcia's directing skills are also questionable at times, since during watching I noticed three absolutely identical shots. It was kinda hilarious. Despite its cliched story, predictable conclusion, and some truly terrible supporting performances, "Mirrors 2" is quite watchable and surprisingly gripping at times. It falls into the 'mediocre at best' category.

• My Rating: 5.00/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
• IMDb: 5.1/10

[5.00/10] Abandoned (2010)

Abandoned (2010)

Short review: "Abandoned" is actually Brittany Murphy's last movie before her tragic death, and for better or worse, it's a straight to DVD release. Brittany portrays her character Mary excellently, as the emotionally disturbed woman in love, whose boyfriend disappears in a hospital during a routine appointment. Unfortunately, the movie itself is just so-so. It tires hard to be original, but there's really nothing groundbreaking here. The story is a mysterious hard-to-solve puzzle and it has some really interesting moments, but "Abandoned" is lacking in execution. Visuals-wise, "Abandoned" has written 'straight-to-DVD' all over it. The lighting is poor, the settings are cheap-looking, and the camera work rather unimpressive. Brittany Murphy is a talented, charismatic and very charming actress, but she doesn't look good and healthy in this film at all - she's super skinny, her face looks tired, her hair's lifelessand she has dark circles under her eyes. Dean Cain as Mary's boyfriend, Kevin Peterson is quite annoying and flat... and completely miscast. On the positive side, the climax is unexpected and satisfying. "Abandoned" has its moments and is fairly entertaining, but I thоught Brittany Murphy deserved a better farewell. R.I.P. Brittany.

• My Rating: 5.00/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (1 Review)
• IMDb: 5.1/10