Movie Review For March 13, 2015

CINDERELLA
Rated: PG
Stars: Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett
Plot: A beautiful girl grows up as the servant to her wicked step-mother, but she finds love with the Prince.
Trailer

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

If you have a tween or younger girl in your house you simply must take them to see this movie. They will LOVE it. CINDERELLA is a beautifully told tale that doesn't feel like a rehash of the dozens of other movies by the same name that have popped up through the decades.

One nice aspect about this new Cinderella is that she is much more than just a pretty, nice girl that can only escape her pitiful situation by finding the love of a man. In fact, the first time she meets the prince the outcome is quite unexpected.

Cate Blanchett does a stellar job as the wicked stepmother, and even though we are still very early in the year, we may see her get some award nominations as 2015 comes to a close. The step sisters are riotously funny and Helena Bonham Carter is perfect as The Fairy Godmother.

My only issue with this film is that the first half hour is really sad and slow. After that the story picks up and we are all on a ride into a wonderful ever after.

By the way, it's worth the price of admission just to see the Disney animated short FROZEN FEVER that plays prior to the film. It's seven minutes of pee-your-pants funny.




RUN ALL NIGHT
Rated: R
Stars: Liam Neeson, Joel Kinnaman, Ed Harris
Plot: Two life-long friends and gangsters go after each other after one has to kill the son of the other one in order to save his own son's life.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

I've said before that Liam Neeson has really found his niche making action films where he's a quasi-bad guy with a conscience and is trying to make things right. That said, maybe he shouldn't take the lead role in every single movie that comes out with that plot line.

While this movie does have an incredible cast, all of which do great work in making their characters feel authentic, they don't have a lot to work with in this basic story. And while the story is fairly entertaining, it isn't nearly as compelling as it could be, nor do we see the character depth in some of the principle players that would make us want to care more about the outcome.

There are several large plot holes and many moments of convenience throughout the film that will probably drive you crazy. For example, can anyone explain to me how two injured and tired guys can be in a small building surrounded by 50 cops and still manage to sneak out the back door? It's moments like that that make this a film that could have been great into one that is mediocre at best.

DVD Review for March 18, 2014

SAVING MR. BANKS
Rated PG-13
Stars: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell
Plot: The, based on a true story, relationship between Walt Disney and P.L. Travers as he tried to get the rights to make the movie of Mary Poppins.
Trailer

Clint says: Drop everything and go buy this DVD now

This was my favorite movie of 2013. It is an incredible story told in a very compelling and emotional way. This movie stuck with me for days after I saw it, and for someone that sees close to 100 movies a year, that is very impressive. I highly recommend SAVING MR. BANKS.

Do not be fooled that this is Disney and Mary Poppins, this is not a movie for young children. It has several adult themes and a few scenes that are difficult even for adults to watch.


AMERICAN HUSTLE
Rated R
Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner
Plot: A small-time con couple are forced into working with the FBI to try to bring down some powerful political figures.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD as soon as possible

With 10 Oscar nominations, AMERICAN HUSTLE proved itself to be one of the elite films of the past year. The plot is exciting and fast-paced and the cast is superb. You can't go wrong buying this DVD.



FROZEN
Rated PG
Stars: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff
Plot: A young girl must journey to find her self-exiled sister and help her find a way to control her magical powers in order to bring their kingdom out of an eternal winter.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD as soon as possible

FROZEN is an incredible movie that kids and adults will enjoy. This is one of those films that you just know is an instant classic. The story is fun and exciting, the music is wonderful and the animation is ground-breaking.

This will be the DVD in your mini-van for a long time.



MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
Rated PG-13
Stars: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris
Plot: The story of the life of Nelson Mandela from childhood to the President of South Africa.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent it

This is a very impressive film, but, let's face it, Nelson Mandela is bigger than any one movie could ever hope to capture. It is worth a watch if you didn't get a chance to see it in theaters, but it's not the kind of movie you'll want to watch again and again. Rent it, enjoy it and then move on to another movie.

My Top 10 Movies of 2013

2013 had it's fair share of Hollywood blockbusters, flops and incredible movies that very few people saw.

I see a lot of movies every year, so for a movie to make it into my top 10 it has to be special. It needs to make me feel something, it needs to make me think about scenes from the movie days after I've seen it, and it needs to be accessible to the average movie goer.

I hate those top 10 movie lists of 10 movies you've never heard of much less had a chance of ever seeing. Besides, I thinks that most of those lists are self-serving pieces made to make the author feel cinematically superior to his or her readers. That, to me, is a complete waste of time.

Below are my top 10 movies of 2013. I'm sure my list is not the same as yours, and that's great! I'd love to see your list. Just leave it in the comments section.

10. ABOUT TIME - Rated R
      Stars: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy
      Plot: A man discovers he can travel through time and uses his gift to find the girl of his dreams.
      Trailer: ABOUT TIME
      Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see this in theaters

ABOUT TIME has a great cast, a compelling plot and interesting twists and turns that make you think about what you would do if you were given the ability to travel through time.

9. GRAVITY - Rated PG-13
    Stars: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney
    Plot: A scientist turned astronaut must find a way back to earth after her spaceship and crew are destroyed by space debris.
    Trailer: GRAVITY
    Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see this in theaters

 



GRAVITY would have been higher on my list if it had more compelling dialogue and a slightly deeper plot. What it lacks in plot and dialogue it makes up with stunning visuals and edge-of-your-seat action.

8. IRON MAN 3 - Rated PG-13
    Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce
    Plot: Tony Stark's ingenuity that led him to create Iron Man now must help him take down the Mandarin, a foe that has stripped Tony of all that is important to him.
    Trailer: IRON MAN 3
    Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see this in theaters

IRON MAN 3 is the best IRON MAN yet. The thing that makes this movie so good is that Tony Stark isn't able to succeed as Iron Man, he must rely on his brains and his humanity to save all that is dear to him.

7. AMERICAN HUSTLE - Rated R
    Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner
    Plot: A small-time con team are forced to work with the FBI to bring down high-ranking politicians.
    Trailer: AMERICAN HUSTLE
    Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see this in theaters

 

The ensemble cast of AMERICAN HUSTLE takes an already well-developed story and makes this movie worthy of all the awards it has received so far and the multiple Oscars it will undoubtedly win.

6. FROZEN - Rated PG
    Stars: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel
    Plot: A princess with uncontrollable magical powers turns her town into a frozen wasteland, forcing her younger sister and a team of misfits to track her down and save the town.
    Trailer: FROZEN
    Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see this in theaters

 

FROZEN reminded me of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in that as I watched it I felt like I was watching the next level in animation technology. That combined with a beautiful story and a wonderful soundtrack makes this a movie that will play in minivan DVD players for years.

5. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS - Rated PG-13
    Stars: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi
    Plot: Somali pirates hijack the Maersk Alabama forcing the captain and crew on a terrifying journey.
    Trailer: CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
    Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

 

 

Despite the controversy over whether this movie follows the actual truth, this is an incredible movie. It is compelling, dramatic and fast-paced. Tom Hanks should have been nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.

 

4. MUD - Rated PG-13

    Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sherridan, Jacob Lofland

    Plot: A fugitive enlists the help of two young boys to find his girlfriend and escape the law.

    Trailer: MUD

    Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

 

It seems like there are always a couple of movies every year that are released too early for Hollywood to remember them when award season finally rolls around. MUD is one of those movies. It's intense, caring, and McConaughey gives an Oscar-worthy performance. (At least he'll get one for DALLAS BUYERS CLUB).

 

3. THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY - Rated PG

    Stars: Benn Stiller, Kristen Wiig

    Plot: A daydreaming homebody goes on the adventure of a lifetime when he loses a photo his company needs.

    Trailer: THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

    Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

 

 

I really wanted this movie to be good. I walked into the theater with expectations that were unfairly high. Surprisingly, this movie surpassed my expectations. This is a joyous, exciting and feel-good movie from start to finish.

 

2. THE WAY WAY BACK - Rated PG-13

    Stars: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell

    Plot: A teen boy is forced to spend the summer with his mom and her boyfriend. He finds purpose and a mentor at a waterpark job.

    Trailer: THE WAY WAY BACK

    Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

 

This is another movie that was release too early to be remembered at awards time. Sam Rockwell's performance is outstanding and Steve Carell plays a character that you will love to hate from the first second he opens his mouth. If you haven't seen this movie, find the DVD and watch it as soon as possible. You won't be disappointed.

 

1. SAVING MR. BANKS - Rated PG-13

    Stars: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell

    Plot: The story of Walt Disney trying to buy the film rights of Mary Poppins from P.L. Travers

    Trailer: SAVING MR. BANKS

    Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

 

I know a lot of people did not like the "Disneyfication" of this story, but when it's all said and done, it's a movie, not true life. The on-screen story is fantastic and the flashbacks are heartwarming then heartbreaking. Even though I see about 100 movies a year this one stuck with me days after I saw it. Any movie that can do that deserves high praise.