Movie Review For August 28, 2015: NO ESCAPE, WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS, and WAR ROOM

BIG NEWS!!!!! I have a brand new, interactive movie review website that allows you to review the films you've seen and comment on other reviews. Plus it has some other cool features as well.

I'm going to keep this blog going for a while, but eventually everything will lead to the new site.

You can check it out at clintsmoviereviews.com. I'd love it if you take the time to register (it's free) and do your own reviews.

Thank you!

Clint




NO ESCAPE
Rated: R
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Stars: Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce Brosnan
Plot: A family trying to start a new life in Southeast Asia finds themselves in the middle of a rebel uprising
Trailer

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

This film should come with an oxygen tank with every ticket sold. It is so intense and suspenseful you will find yourself holding your breath and, at times, literally sitting on the edge of your seat.

I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I was for the moments of downtime in the film just so I could catch my breath.

Owen Wilson breaks from type for this film and does an outstanding job in the process. Lake Bell is spectacular as well, and the two play off of each other with authentic chemistry.

The film does have a few plot holes and several moments of convenience, but it also rings very true with the way a mother and father would do anything to protect their children.

If you are looking for a good, suspenseful flick that will make you gasp for breath, NO ESCAPE is a great choice.




WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS
Rated: R
Director: Max Joseph
Stars: Zac Efron, Wes Bentley, Emily Ratajkowski
Plot: Four friends try to come up with a plan to hit it big in the Electronic Dance Music industry
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

Have you ever helped someone move and they said, "put the couch here...no, over here...wait, let's try here"? That's kind of how it seems they made this movie. It's all over the place and it doesn't feel like there was a lot of planning before production began.

The actors do a fine job, nothing spectacular, but not so bad as to take away from the movie, but the plot is really thin. There are moments where the film tries to go deep, but it feels forced and fake. Then those moments are pushed aside quickly so we can get back to the party.

I would say this flick is a total waste of time, but there is a nice, educational seven-minute stretch that teaches us the theory behind being a great DJ with charts and graphs included. It's like watching "How To Become A DJ" on one of the science-friendly cable networks. At least I felt like I got a bit of an education, even if the rest of the film was all but useless.

I'm not really sure how to even classify this film. It's kind of a Rom-Com, but the romance is secondary and there isn't any comedy, it's kind of a music movie, but the music is shockingly minimal, and it's kind of a Bro-party flick, but you don't really care about them that much. It's just sort of....there. I'd suggest leaving it there and seeing something else.




WAR ROOM
Rated: PG
Director: Alex Kendrick
Stars: Priscilla Shirer, T.C. Stallings, Karen Abercrombie
Plot: A widow teaches a woman the power of prayer and it changes her life as well as her family's
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

This is a nice and heartfelt, inspirational film. It’s not as flashy or as precise as your typical Hollywood film, but it is better than your average made-for-tv movie.

Those that believe in the power of prayer will find this film to be inspiring. People that aren’t so sure about the whole prayer thing will find this movie to be thought-provoking and it might even give you the courage to give it a try.

The film does have a few slow moments, a few awkward moments, and a few moments of “Christian speak” where non-Christians might get lost in the jargon, but overall it is a good story with a positive message.

Strictly based on the quality of movie, I can’t recommend seeing this in theaters, but it will be a good rental when it comes out on DVD. 

DVD Review For November 25, 2014

THE NOVEMBER MAN
Rated: R
Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, Olga Kurylenko
Plot: An ex-CIA operative is called back into action to bring down one of his former trainees.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this movie this week

This film was released into theaters in one of Hollywood's typical dump months. It's where they release all of the films they don't expect to do well. But there are always one or two exceptions. Thankfully, THE NOVEMBER MAN is an exception.

This film is a very good, high entertainment spy flick that will keep you engaged and guessing. It is also done in a way that you really don't know if the main characters are going to make it out alive or not, adding to the suspense and thrills of the movie.

It's a lot of fun to see Pierce Brosnan return to the big screen in a high-action spy role. His cool-as-a-cucumber approach is the perfect juxtaposition to his quick-acting adversary.

It's not quite on par with the better James Bond films, but you won't walk away disappointed.

Get a big bucket of popcorn and enjoy the ride.



THE GIVER
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Odeya Rush
Plot: In a seemingly utopian society, a boy begins to learn the truth that they are all being manipulated by the government, and must figure out a way to stop them.
Trailer

Clint says: Rent this if you are interested to see where the YA genre began

This is one of those films that will mean a lot more to some people than to others. For those that read THE GIVER and understand the importance of that book in helping to create and shape the Young Adult genre this will be a film of great importance. For your average movie-goer, this film will probably be a little slow with a mediocre payoff.

The world-building is unique and interesting and there is enough suspense to keep you engaged throughout the film, but it isn't as exciting or fast-paced as DIVERGENT or THE HUNGER GAMES.



WHAT IF
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan
Plot: A man tries to be friends with a woman who has a boyfriend.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this movie this week

While this movie is at its base a formulaic Romantic Comedy, the chemistry between Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan is incredible. Their banter and non-verbal communications will make you smile throughout the movie, and there are several moments that will make you laugh out loud.

This is one of those sleeper films that seem to come out a couple of times a year that, for whatever reason, don't get traction among moviegoers, but are exceptional movies. I highly recommend WHAT IF.



THE EXPENDABLES 3
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Just about every action hero in Hollywood
Plot: The Expendables team comes up against a new foe in an old friend and must work together to stay alive.
Trailer

Clint Says: If you liked the first two, buy this DVD today

Here's the deal with this franchise, just think SHARKNADO, only with a huge budget and A-List actors. These films are so ridiculously over-the-top that they are among the most entertaining films ever. They aren't meant to be thought-provoking or important movies. They are meant to poke fun at the action genre in a non-parody way that satisfies completely.

Grab a big bucket of popcorn, get a bunch of friends and have a great time watching this movie.

Movie Review for August 29, 2014

THE NOVEMBER MAN
Rated - R
Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, Olga Kurylenko
Plot: An ex-CIA operative is called back into action to bring down one of his former trainees.
Trailer

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

Typically, this is the time of year when Hollywood dumps all of the films they don't expect to do well into theaters. But there are always one or two exceptions. Thankfully, THE NOVEMBER MAN is an exception.

This film is a very good, high entertainment spy flick that will keep you engaged and guessing. It is also done in a way that you really don't know if the main characters are going to make it out alive or not, adding to the suspense and thrills of the movie.

It's a lot of fun to see Pierce Brosnan return to the big screen in a high-action spy role. His cool-as-a-cucumber approach is the perfect juxtaposition to his quick-acting adversary.

It's not quite on par with the better James Bond films, but you won't walk out of the theater disappointed.

Get a big bucket of popcorn and enjoy the ride.




AS ABOVE SO BELOW
Rated - R
Stars: Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge
Plot: Dark secrets are revealed in the catacombs below Paris.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

This is about as basic and formulaic as you can get in the found-footage horror genre. The premise is quite interesting and the execution is tolerable, but the only real scary parts of this film are the jump-out-and-yell-boo moments. The rest of the movie is somewhat suspenseful, but by no means scary.

As with most horror flicks, there are several huge plot holes and missing or non-explained elements throughout the film that will drive some moviegoers crazy. However, the typical horror film fan will find this movie to be a decent horror flick with enough scares to raise heart rates for 90 minutes.

If you aren't into horror films this one will either bore you or give you lots of time to study the theater ceiling with all the eye rolling you will be doing.

Personally, I kept waiting for Harry Potter to show up somewhere in the catacombs under Paris. (You'll have to see the movie to understand why).