Movie Review For March 6, 2015

CHAPPIE
Rated: R
Stars: Sharito Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver
Plot: In the future all crime is policed by robots, but one of those robots is taken and reprogrammed to think and feel for himself.
Trailer

Clint Says: Don't even bother

Imagine a world in the amazingly far-off future of 2016 where we all have mullets and gangsters wear neon clothing straight out of the 1980's and we make movies that are violent and useless mash-ups of SHORT CIRCUIT and TRANSCENDENCE. If you can imagine that then you've seen CHAPPIE.

This movie may have allowed me to break my record for the most eye rolls and audible exclamations like "are you kidding me" in a two hour period.

This may be the worst performance of Hugh Jackman's career, not because he's bad in the role, but because they gave him absolutely nothing with which to work. His character is painfully one-dimensional and his transformation from good guy to bad guy takes about 4 nanoseconds and it's done with weak motivation.

They have been marketing this film as "from the director of DISTRICT 9" which makes no sense to me, because that was a horrible film as well. Here is a perfect example of how ridiculous this flick is: The really, really bad guy has such a thick accent that even though he's speaking English they had to put in subtitles.

They should have pulled the plug on this epic waste of time.




UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Rated: R
Stars: Vince Vaughn, Dave Franco, Tom Wilkinson
Plot: Three guys from a small business travel to Europe to close a major deal, but everything goes wrong.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

If you've seen one Vince Vaughn movie you've seen them all, and this one is no different. He plays a big, goofy, but lovable adult child with no real business sense, but is a member of Mensa when it comes to street smarts. And end the end everyone lives happily ever after except the one guy that was mean to everybody the whole time.

This movie will give you a few laughs and several cringe-worthy moments, but overall it's pretty slow-paced. As far as Vince Vaughn flicks go this is average at best...and that's not saying much.

If you are looking for a mind-numbing night out UNFINISHED BUSINESS will take care of that for you.




THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
Rated: PG
Stars: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel
Plot: The hotel owner has his eye set on expansion, but a couple of new guests and his own wedding may put an end to his dreams.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee, but go see it

Maggie Smith rules the world. That is all.

This is a very pleasant, feel-good film that will leave you feeling satisfied. There is nothing in this film that is earth-shattering or even really unique from other films of this ilk, but it is okay because the cast is what makes this film so enjoyable.

There is a moment in this movie where Maggie Smith conveys so much with a simple look that lasts for all of one second that we are all left in awe of her incredible acting ability. Her wit and snark throughout the film make for great moments of levity.

Judi Dench and Bill Nighy are simply charming together and a joy to watch.

There are times where the film does feel like it runs a bit long and there are a few moments of made up drama, but for the most part it is a well-paced and legitimate movie.

DVD Review For December 23, 2014

THE GOOD LIE
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll, Arnold Oceng
Plot: A single woman helps Sudanese refugees acclimate to life in America
Trailer

Clint Says: It's worth renting the DVD once

Reese has a busy week. She is staring in the critically acclaimed film WILD (my review) and stars in the DVD release of this mediocre film about an incredible story.

This is one of those rare occasions where the story is so important that it outweighs the fact that the movie just isn't that good. There are some big plot holes and the pacing is all over the place, but the story makes it worth enduring.

I will say that for a low-budget film it was better than I expected it to be, but it's only slightly better than a made-for-TV movie. It's worth seeing, but just rent it, it's not worth buying

I had the opportunity to go to the Red Carpet Premiere of THE GOOD LIE. You can see the video of the evening here.



PRIDE
Rated: R
Stars: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West
Plot: When a group of coal miners go on strike they are helped by an unlikely alliance with gay activists
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this DVD as soon as possible

This is one of those films that is based on a true story, but not necessarily the exact true story. That said, it's an interesting film that portrays a moment in time in a fascinating way.

Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton are masterful in this British film that is a lot funnier than I was expecting.

If there is anything wrong with this movie it would have to be that it seems to be a bit too polished and smooth. It would have been nice to see more of the grit and grime that started the strike that eventually led to this film.

DVD Review for May 13, 2014

THAT AWKWARD MOMENT
Rated R
Stars: Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan
Plot: Three friends make a pact to stay out of deep relationships until one of them is ready to move forward.
Trailer

Clint Says: It's worth a rental

THAT AWKWARD MOMENT is basically one big awkward moment because it's a romantic comedy for guys. It follows the same tried and true formula for RomComs, but is full of raunchy jokes and typical 20-something guy behavior. The movie has a few good laughs and a couple of horrifically awkward moments, but there isn't an audience that is going to like this movie in it's entirety.

It's an ok movie that is worth seeing once, but don't waste your money buying it.



HER
Rated R
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson
Plot: A loner falls in love with his computer's artificial intelligence operating system.
Trailer

Clint Says: This is worth a rental if you can handle the weird

When I first heard about the premise of HER I thought, "that sounds creepy and weird." Then I went to see it and thought, "that was creepy and weird." Don't get me wrong, the movie is well done and very well acted, especially by Joaquin Phoenix, but it's still creepy and weird. It's played out in a not-too-distant future and is set up in a way that makes it seem like it is something that could actually happen. That's probably why it came across as creepy and weird.

There are people that will love every aspect of this film and others will be offended by the very premise. My recommendation, see this movie based on your level of comfort with the plot.



I, FRANKENSTEIN
Rated PG-13
Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Yvonne Strahovski, Bill Nighy
Plot:  200 years after his creation, Frankenstein's monster finds himself in a battle between demons and gargoyles
Trailer

Clint Says: If you have to watch this movie, make someone else rent it.

After seeing the trailer, my first thought was, "this could either be really good or really bad." Unfortunately, it is really bad. And even more unfortunate, they set it up for possible sequels. Bill Nighy is one of my favorite actors and even he couldn't come close to saving this boring, uncompelling, go-through-the-motions, snoozer.

Movie Review for January 24, 2014

I, FRANKENSTEIN
Rated R
Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy
Plot: 200 years after his creation, Frankenstein's monster finds himself in a battle between demons and gargoyles
Trailer
Clint Says: Wait for the DVD and let someone else rent it

After seeing the trailer, my first thought was, "this could either be really good or really bad." Unfortunately, it is really bad. And even more unfortunate, they set it up for possible sequels. Bill Nighy is one of my favorite actors and even he couldn't come close to saving this boring, uncompelling, go-through-the-motions, snoozer.



GIMMIE SHELTER
Rated R
Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, Brendan Fraser
Plot: A teen girl grows up between an abusive mom and a neglectful foster care system. When she finds herself pregnant she goes against every one's advise and decides to keep her baby
Trailer
Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see this movie in theaters

This, based on a true story film, is very difficult to watch, but it is amazing and powerful. Hollywood critics are panning this movie, but audiences love it. Hudgens and Dawson both give the best performances of their careers. If this movie weren't so anti-Hollywood in the decisions made by the main character I believe it would have been released in December and been up for several awards.

Movies like this should be supported by all of us. Go watch it today, but just know that it is a tough film with a tough subject matter.