DVD Review For May 19. 2015: AMERCIAN SNIPER, HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2, and STRANGE MAGIC

AMERICAN SNIPER
Rated: R
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller
Plot: The story of America's most lethal sniper in history.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD today

If you liked ZERO DARK THIRTY you will love AMERICAN SNIPER. This film is so brutally intense, yet so personal and vulnerable that you will walk out of the theater feeling like you knew the real Chris Kyle.

The violence and war scenes in this film are not sugar-coated nor are they "Hollywoodized" either. If you've seen documentaries with actual footage of battles in the Gulf War you'll see that this matches up well.

Bradley Cooper does a magnificent job portraying Kyle and his demons as well as his heart for helping others. Sienna Miller is near perfect in her role as a military wife.

This is a very powerful film that will stay with you long after you leave the theater.






STRANGE MAGIC
Rated: PG
Stars: Evan Rachel Wood, Elijah Kelly, Kristin Chenoweth
Plot: Creatures from the magical world battle for control of a secret potion
Trailer

Clint Says: Don't even bother

Do you remember that amazing film from a few years ago, GNOMEO AND JULIET? Remember how amazing the story was, how innovative the animation was, and how awesome the music was? Well, STRANGE MAGIC is exactly like GNOMEO AND JULIET, except it is completely horrible.

The animation is truly incredible and beautifully done in this film. Unfortunately, everything else falls flat. The music is weird and forced, the story is too simple and boring, and the things that are supposed to be funny just aren't.

Save yourself the money and the anguish and go get GNOMEO AND JULIET to watch with the family this weekend. You'll be much happier for it.





HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2
Rated: R
Stars: Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke
Plot: Three friends must travel through time to solve the murder of one of their own
Trailer

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

This movie is absolute proof that nobody on earth has the ability to time travel. How do we know this? Because this movie is so bad I'm sure the movie execs searched high and low for a time machine so they could go back and either make a better movie or let the franchise live a pleasant existence with only the original film released.

The film does have a few good moments. The "you look like a..." improv scenes are great, even though they go on too long, and there are some other moments of genuine comedy, but the plot is simply ridiculous.

This might have been a better movie if it was about half as long seeing as though almost every joke was told and rehashed at least twice throughout the film. And it could have been a great film if they had focused the story on the things we finally see in the last three minutes of the movie.

This could have been another BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, unfortunately we got BOGUS JOURNEY. Lame.

Movie Review For February 20, 2015

THE DUFF
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne
Plot: A girl tries to change her high school social status after she learns she is a DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)
Trailer

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

This may well be the first great high school comedy since John Hughes gave us everything awesome about the 1980s. It is funny, heartwarming, a great story, but above all else it rings true. There isn't a scene or even a line that feels like it was written by an adult trying to get into the mind of a teen.

The book was written by Kody Keplinger, a 17 year old high school senior, and thankfully the powers that be let her writing stand for itself in the transition from book to screen.

The casting for this movie is spot on. Whitman is brilliant, Amell is great as the dumb jock with a heart, and Bella Thorne kills it as the girl everyone loves to hate.

As I watched THE DUFF I found myself constantly smiling like a goofy idiot, that is, when I wasn't laughing so hard I could barely breathe.

This is a movie that will become an instant classic and a must-own by teenage girls everywhere when it comes out on DVD.




HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2
Rated: R
Stars: Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke
Plot: Three friends must travel through time to solve the murder of one of their own
Trailer

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

This movie is absolute proof that nobody on earth has the ability to time travel. How do we know this? Because this movie is so bad I'm sure the movie execs searched high and low for a time machine so they could go back and either make a better movie or let the franchise live a pleasant existence with only the original film released.

The film does have a few good moments. The "you look like a..." improv scenes are great, even though they go on too long, and there are some other moments of genuine comedy, but the plot is simply ridiculous.

This might have been a better movie if it was about half as long seeing as though almost every joke was told and rehashed at least twice throughout the film. And it could have been a great film if they had focused the story on the things we finally see in the last three minutes of the movie.

This could have been another BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, unfortunately we got BOGUS JOURNEY. Lame.




McFARLAND, USA
Rated: PG
Stars: Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez
Plot: A cross country coach in a small town transforms the lives of his athletes through his teaching
Trailer

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

This is another formulaic inspirational sports film offered up by Disney, but it's also a really good movie. If you liked MILLION DOLLAR ARM you will love McFARLAND, USA.

Kevin Costner seems to have really hit his stride with the last few films he's been in, and the rest of the cast does an outstanding job as well.

The movie does run a bit long, but it's worth it in the end.

If you are looking for a good flick to take the whole family to this weekend, give McFARLAND, USA a shot. It might inspire you and your family.