I watch crappy movies so you don't have to.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Movie Review for June 27, 2014

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Nicola Peltz
Plot: A down-on-his-luck inventor finds one of the few remaining transformers and sets off a chain-reation of events that may lead to the end of humanity.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD and let someone else rent it


This may become one of the highest grossing films of 2014 just by the nature of the franchise and its "summer blockbuster" release date, but this movie is horrible. The only thing it has going for it are the incredible special effects and world-class explosions.

If you care at all about plot, character development, or meaningful dialogue go see something else. If you are only interested in things that go boom while spouting off cheesy lines you'll still think this 2 hour and 45 minute movie is an hour too long, but you'll be relatively happy. I would compare the cheese factor of this movie to a lame Saturday morning cartoon, but that would be an insult to the cartoon.

I also found the way the film treats the female lead throughout the movie to be thoroughly offensive. She spends the entire movie in tight shirts and either super-short cutoff jeans or painted on pants, her dialogue mainly consists of her yelling for her dad to rescue her, and her age is mentioned several times as 17. So, basically, she's supposed to be a minor that has daddy issues and is only there to provide eye candy rather than have a meaningful role. It's frustrating to see another summer blockbuster that uses the female lead as scenery rather than a legitimate plot-important character.

Just over halfway through the movie I was begging for it to end. When it finally did end it was left so wide open for a sequel that they barely finished this movie.

Save your money and wait for a good action flick.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

DVD Review for June 24, 2014

WINTER'S TALE
Rated - PG-13
Stars: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Russell Crowe
Plot: A criminal with the ability to reincarnate goes through several lives trying to find the woman he loves again.
Trailer

Clint Says: If you must see this, let someone else rent it.


This is one of those movies where you look at the cast and say, "this has got to be great." Then you actually see the movie and say, "how on earth did they manage to screw this story up so bad?"

This film tries to be ethereal and epic, but it only ends up being luke-warm mush. It really isn't worth your time.



300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE
Rated: R
Stars: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green
Plot: A Greek General leads his troops against Persia and their powerful Navy.
Trailer

Clint Says: Avoid this movie like the plague...unless you are a 19 year old boy


This movie is nothing more than war porn. It does everything it can to quickly push through the sub-par plot with boring narration and team-building speeches in order to get to the action shots. When it does finally get to the war scenes, the director goes lazy with shaky camera and super slow motion kill shots.

The only people that will like this movie are 20-year old male gamers because it is full of the two B's: Blood and boobs. If you don't fit that category stay far away from this flick.

Friday, June 20, 2014

I'm On Vacation

Hey all! I'm on vacation this week. I'll be posting my reviews of THE ROVER, JERSEY BOYS and THINK LIKE A MAN TOO early next week.

Have fun at the movies!

Monday, June 16, 2014

DVD Review for June 17, 2014

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Rated: R
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Willem Dafoe,
Plot: A world-class concierge trains his protege in the art of fine hotel service while going on a grand adventure.
Trailer

Clint Says: Go to the store and buy this DVD now


This may be Wes Anderson's best work yet. Ralph Fiennes is spectacular as are many of the other peculiar characters throughout the film. If forced to put this movie into a category, I'd have to call it a dark comedy, but it is much more than that.

The plot is uniquely interesting, the music is outstanding and, even though we are way too far out from the 2015 Academy Awards for Hollywood to remember this film, it wouldn't surprise me at all for this film to get an Oscar nod for cinematography. Every scene in this movie is framed like a beautiful painting.

Wes Anderson's work isn't for everyone, in fact, some of his former films I find to be a complete waste of time (FANTASTIC MR. FOX and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS), but if you've ever enjoyed any of his quirky works, you will love your stay at THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL.

The best way I can describe this movie is that it is a cross between MONTY PYTHON and CLUE.



THE LEGO MOVIE
Rated: PG
Stars: Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks
Plot: An average LEGO construction worker leads the Master-Builders in a quest to stop Lord Business from ruining LEGO life as they know it.
Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go buy this DVD now


This movie was significantly better than the trailers made it look. It is very funny, the plot is interesting to kids and adults and there is a twist at the end that you will never see coming. It's funny, heart-warming and enjoyable for all ages.

Bonus: The STAR WARS cameo is awesome. Everything is awesome. (You'll understand that after you've seen the movie...in fact, that phrase will probably be stuck in your head for days).

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Movie Review For June 13, 2014

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
Rated: PG
Stars: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchette
Plot: Hiccup and Toothless must fight to keep the dragons from falling into the hands of an evil warlord.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see it in theaters


HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2, simply put, is another outstanding offering by the DreamWorks team, and it is just as good at the first in the series.

It is action-packed, funny and heartwarming. The story is compelling and will keep audiences of all ages engaged throughout. There was very little that I didn't like about this film, and those things were easily overlooked due to the general amazingness of the rest of the film.

The artwork on HTTYD2 is incredible. Several times I found myself mesmerized by the intricate detail, especially the fur on the clothes and the scales on the dragons. It's worth the price of admission just to see the artwork, but you get so much more.

Grab the whole family and enjoy this film together.




22 JUMP STREET
Rated: R
Stars: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum
Plot: Two undercover drug cops enroll as college students and try to blend in to the college scene in order to make a huge bust.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see this in theaters


Very rarely is a sequel better than the original, but in this case it is. 22 JUMP STREET is riotously funny and Channing Tatum completely steals the show.

The story-line is similar to the first film, which typically would be boring, but in this case they use it to their advantage to make fun of themselves and, on several occasions, they make self-aware, tongue-in-cheek comments about the fact that they are in a sequel.

This film is almost as raunchy as the first one, but it makes up for the juvenile humor with a surprisingly interesting story that has several twists and turns uncommon for a typical action/comedy movie.

I haven't laughed this hard at a movie in a long time. If you are looking for a really fun date flick, check this one out.




WORDS AND PICTURES
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche
Plot: A washed up, alcoholic English teacher and an ailing Art teacher use their rivalry to inspire each other and their students to push harder than they ever have through a Words versus Pictures contest.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee


I went into this movie having no idea what to expect and came out pleasantly surprised, for the most part. Clive Owen and Juiliette Binoche have a quirky, intriguing chemistry that keeps the movie afloat through the slow parts. Unfortunately, the film relies on secondary characters to move the plot along and they don't carry their weight as well as one would expect.

The film is about 30 minutes too long and the soundtrack makes you feel like you are watching a cheesy love story from the early 80's, but the words and pictures are beautiful. There were times when this film reminded me of DEAD POETS' SOCIETY, but this movie is nowhere near that level of mastery. At best it's a poor man's version of DPS, at worst it's a blatant, but wrongheaded, attempt to be a knockoff film.

I did enjoy the inspiring nature of the movie and the passion and reverence it exudes for the art, both written and painted, was worth the price of admission. This film will not change your life, but it may inspire you to try a bit harder at life.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

DVD Review for June 10, 2014

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner
Plot: A young Jack Ryan is recruited by the CIA to be a Wall Street analyst to find terrorists' hidden money trails.
Trailer

Clint Says: This DVD is worth owning


This film is action-packed, intense and has a great story-line. Fans of the earlier Jack Ryan movies will be very happy with this reboot as will fans of the Tom Clancy novels.

Chris Pine does a wonderful job playing a learning-on-the-job CIA agent. Kevin Costner does nice work as Ryan's handler. He helps along the plot with pertinent information without getting in the way of the the lead.

If you are looking for a smart action flick this week, I highly recommend checking out JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT.



NON-STOP
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore
Plot: A Federal Air Marshal must save a plane from a terrorist attack, but all the powers that be think he is the one that has hijacked the plane.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent it as soon as possible


While NON-STOP is formulaic in every way with the typical rabbit chases and straw men it is still a highly suspenseful and fun movie. There were several times where I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my seat, and a few times where I gasped for breath after realizing I had been holding my breath for several seconds.

If you like suspenseful action flicks with a good dose of mystery, NON-STOP will satisfy.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Movie Review for June 6, 2014

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff
Plot: Two teens with cancer fall in love and learn how to live a beautiful, if short, life.
Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now...and take tissues


Not only is TFIOS the best movie of the year so far, (I told you MALEFICENT wouldn't hold the title very long), it has a great chance of holding that title when the year finally comes to a close. It is a master-class work by the entire cast and crew. 

Fans of the book by the same name will not be even the slightest bit disappointed by the film adaptation. It is rare to see a movie that so closely follows the book. I liken it to the first HARRY POTTER film where almost every bit of the book was portrayed on the big screen, and in a way that was very true to the book.

Shailene Woodley gives an Oscar-worthy performance and Ansel Elgort is charming throughout. Woodley and Elgort are perfectly cast as Hazel and Augustus, and even the hard-core YA fans aren't going to have a problem with the they-are-brother-and-sister-in-DIVERGENT-but-lovers-in-TFIOS-how-weird thing.

For those of you out there who say, "ugh, I don't want to see some cancer death movie," don't be so quick to judge. In THE HUNGER GAMES kids killed kids, yes, but that wasn't what it was about. In TFIOS, teens are dying from cancer, but the story is about them living, and loving, to the fullest that they can in the short infinity they are given.

I have seen TFIOS twice, something I rarely do simply because I see so many movies that I only have time to see ones that I REALLY love more than once. The second time through I was able to really see the layers that make this film so enjoyable.

A few weeks ago I had the honor of hosting the DEMAND OUR STARS event at War Memorial in Nashville with John Green, Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff and 2,000 screaming TFIOS fans. You can see the recap of that event here. We also got to interview all four of them on Mix 92.9 the following day. You can hear that interview here, or see it here.

They are all very down-to-earth, genuinely good people that were able to come together and make a truly stellar film.



EDGE OF TOMORROW
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt
Plot: A soldier finds himself repeating the same day, a day the aliens destroyed humanity. But he uses his special ability to get trained in a way to destroy the enemy.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see it in theaters


If you like sci-fi action flicks EDGE OF TOMORROW will completely satisfy your craving. It has aliens, explosions, cool weapons, people that don't get what's happening, a pretty boy that has no clue how to do anything and a super-awesome, kick butt woman that has to turn the pretty boy into a hardened soldier so he can save the world.

I found the movie to be mostly original in its story, with the exception of the one-alien-to-rule-them-all thing that so many sci-fi movies use as a crutch to make sure the humans can finally win. But aside from that it was an enjoyable action flick with a 50 FIRST DATES style love story thrown in to give the audience a little break from the action.

I would recommend paying the extra money to see this in a bigger theater with the huge sound system, but if you don't want to blow $20 on a movie for one ticket, seeing it in 2D will still get the job done.
By the way, these tough soldiers are going to lose big time to the teen girl army at the box office this weekend.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

DVD Review for June 3, 2014

LONE SURVIVOR
Rated: R
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch
Plot: A small group of Navy SEALs find their mission compromised and are surrounded by hundreds of Taliban supporters.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD


LONE SURVIVOR, based on the true story of Operation Red Wings, is very difficult to watch, but it worth every minute of your time. Wahlberg and the rest of the cast do an exemplary job of portraying the impossibility of their situation without straying from their military training. The tribute to the real heroes of Operation Red Wings at the end of the movie is worth the price of the DVD itself. If you liked ZERO DARK THIRTY you will love LONE SURVIVOR.



ROBOCOP
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson
Plot: In the near future, technology allows for OmniCorp to create a human/robot hybrid cop to fight out-of-control crime.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this movie now


This movie is leaps and bounds better than it's predecessor. The graphics are obviously better, but so is the story. This is a classic style action flick, but it has a large focus on the ethics of the situation as well as biting commentary on the ridiculous 24-hour news shows so prevalent today.

Keaton and Oldman's characters are well juxtaposed and add a level of tension and thought usually not seen in action movies. Samuel L. Jackson plays the role of newscaster/salesman so well you almost fall for his pitch. If you are in the mood for an action film, this is as good a choice as any.



SON OF GOD
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Diogo Morgado, Greg Hicks
Plot: The story of Jesus from birth to Resurrection.


Clint Says: Rent THE BIBLE instead.


SON OF GOD is well done, but if you already watched Mark Burnett's mini-series THE BIBLE you've seen this. It's the same footage from the mini-series only cut down to just the story of Jesus.
 
It is well done and stays true to the bible, but it's not as powerful as THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. If you want to see it I would recommend getting the most bang for your buck and just buying the entire mini-series.