The 5th Wave

LANDON *1/2
Yet another dystopian YA sci-fi film that's as generic as it sounds.  You could save a movie like this with a well-written screenplay, but unfortunately that's not the case here.  "The 5th Wave" is nonsensically driven with teenage characters and a straight-up stupid love story.  There are hints of a good movie in here.  The production design is pretty good and the story had noticeable potential, but the good stuff is overwhelmed with crappy dialogue and characters lacking depth.  Skip this one.
CHASE **
I pretty much agree with what you said.  One thing I have to add is that there are some scenes, especially at the beginning, that felt like they were trying to rush the story.  It didn't give us enough time to care about the characters.  At this point, it'll be really hard to find a young adult film that is as good as the "Hunger Games" franchise.
LOGAN **

BANGERANG SCORE: **

Room

CHASE ****
"Room" has been getting a lot of Oscar buzz and it is all richly deserved.  I absolutely loved this film!  However, it is definitely not a story for the faint of heart.  The movie follows the relationship between a 5 year old boy named Jack and his mom, referred to only as Ma, who are trapped in a confined space for all of Jack's life.  It is one of the most emotionally resonant movies I've seen in recent memory with a relationship between these two characters that feels real and authentic.  Brie Larson is amazing as the mother and Jacob Tremblay gives one of the best child performances in a long time as the son.  I love how it was able balance dark, emotional moments with hopeful, uplifting moments as well.  This is definitely one of the best films of the year.  For those who can handle some extremely emotional material, I highly recommend it as it is a rich and rewarding experience.

LANDON ****
This is the best film of the year.  It's not even close.  "Room" is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had the privilege to view this decade.  What makes Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay's performances so amazing is how believable it is.  They weren't actors.  They felt like real people in a real situation that truly love each other with all their hearts.  It's heart wrenching and life-affirming all at once.  This is not just the best film of the year, it's one of the best films of the decade.

BRYCE ****
LOGAN ***1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: ****

The Revenant

LOGAN ***1/2
Oscar winner Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu returns to the big screen to direct this movie about revenge.  The majority of the movie is basically about the main character, Hugh Glass, surviving in the wilderness, but I have to give Alejandro big praise for how he directed this movie.  Everything that happens in "The Revenant" has a big impact on you and really lets you feel everything the protagonist is going through.  Speaking of which, Leonardo Dicaprio gives the performance of a lifetime in this role, going through some method acting that just makes the role feel so real.  The other actors, like Tom Hardy, do a good job too.  Much of the heart of the movie comes with the size and scale of where it takes place.  The camerawork and the settings of the scenes make the movie cold and big, as if you were actually there.  My only gripe is the movie feels slow at times, as it takes a very deliberate pace.  However, "The Revenant" is an incredibly intense survival movie that will engage you throughout its running time.  One of the best movies of the year.