DVD Review For March 24, 2015

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans
Plot: Bilbo and Gandalf must work together to try to save Middle-Earth from the greed of its varied inhabitants.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this when you have the time

Director Peter Jackson finishes strong with the final installment in THE HOBBIT trilogy. It's not the best film of the bunch, but it is satisfying enough that fans of the series will walk away feeling fulfilled.

I will say that it feels like there is something missing from this movie. To be quite honest I can't figure it out, but I think it's the lack of character depth. This is essentially a 2 1/2 hour CGI battle movie and I would have liked a bit more story out of it.

The action is spectacular, the creatures are fascinating and the quest is compelling. And, without giving anything away, the finale of this film ties in beautifully to the beginning of THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy.

It's the end of an era, so enjoy this one.




INTO THE WOODS
Rated: PG
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine
Plot: A baker and his wife encounter several other fairy tale figures as they try to complete a task for a witch.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this soon

I saw this musical on stage several years ago and absolutely loved it. When I heard that Disney was making it into a film I was a bit nervous that the story would get too sanitized from the original to really have any impact. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Disney did a spectacular job at making this a musical palatable for children, (although I probably wouldn't take anyone under age 8), yet still intense and dramatic for the adults. The screen version is also significantly funnier than I remember the stage performance to be.

One big mark against this film is its length. There is a point where it feels like the movie ends, but then it goes on for about an hour after that. They probably could have accomplished the same thing by editing the last hour down to about 20 minutes.

Chris Pine steals the show and his song "Agony" is the highlight of the entire film. Meryl Streep does a fine job, although I didn't consider it to be award-worthy. If I had my choice of award nominations for this movie I would give the nod to Daniel Huttlestone who plays Jack. (He also plays Gavroche in Les Mis). He is mesmerizing once again.

Fans of the musical will notice missing and new songs in this version, but I think you will like this version all the same.




UNBROKEN
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Jack O'Connell, Takamasa Ishihara, Domhnall Gleeson
Plot: A former Olympian gets stranded at sea during World War II then becomes a prisoner of war inside Japan for several years.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this after you've seen the other movies out this week

This movie could have been something special, but it never gets there. I wasn't made to care for the main character any more than the other POWs, nor did I really hate his enemies. The character development was weak at best and in many cases non-existent. We blow through the main character's childhood and Olympic career so fast that we miss anything that might have been compelling about him.

Jolie uses flashbacks during the first third of the film which are powerful and well done, but then they just stop. For the last two thirds of the film we get nothing. I think the movie could have been a lot more powerful if she had kept those flashbacks going as a way to show his resolve and something to give him hope.

This is not a bad film at all, in fact it is pretty good, it just isn't great. And a movie like this needs to be great.

DVD Review For February 24, 2015

BIG HERO 6

Rated: PG

Stars: Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter

Plot: A young genius uses a robot and his friends to help solve a mystery. 

Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD today

When you get the geniuses from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel all in on a movie you end up with some epic awesomeness. BIG HERO 6 is epic awesomeness. This is a movie that will be inserted into the DVD player and set to "Repeat".

The animation is crisp, detailed, layered and filled with background fun for those of you that like to search for Marvel Easter Eggs. The story is very well told. It is compelling, emotional, funny and engaging for children and adults.  

This film is really action-packed and some of it may be a bit too intense for the under 5 crowd, but aside from that, everyone else will enjoy this film. Grab the whole family and enjoy an evening of fun. 

WHIPLASH

Rated: R
Stars: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons
Plot: A student at a prestigious music college is invited to play in the top band, but soon discovers the band director is abusive
Trailer

Clint Says: Watch this on DVD this week

This is an amazing film. J.K. Simmons character is one of the most evil villains to hit the big screen in years. He is so brutally abusive to his students that you truly hate him with your entire being. His creative use of the F-word is almost mesmerizing. His efforts have garnered him a lot of hardware this awards season, including the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

It is fascinating to watch Miles Teller's character grow throughout the film from a cocky but insecure student into a driven man willing to risk everything for the sake of his career.

This is an outstanding "overcomer" film that is worth seeing as soon as possible.

HORRIBLE BOSSES 2

Rated: R
Stars: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Chris Pine
Plot: After their business is sabotaged, three guys come up with a plan to get their money back, but their plan gets hijacked by a scheming sleazeball.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this DVD soon, if you can handle the raunch

The original HORRIBLE BOSSES was a raunchy, hysterically awesome movie. HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 is the same. My jaw hurt when I left the theater after this movie, but I also felt like I needed a shower. This movie is so raunchy they couldn't even make a 2-minute trailer without several cuss words in it.

As with any comedy, the movie may be funny but it's only as good as its plot. In this case, the plot is outstanding. Sure, it has a few minor holes, but nothing that will hurt your head. It's fun and funny, but with significant moments of suspense and drama. The juxtaposition is what makes this movie so good.

If you can handle the offensive humor this is a sequel worth seeing.

BEYOND THE LIGHTS

Rated: R
Stars: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, Minnie Driver
Plot: A pop-star falls in love with the cop that saved her life, and they try to build a relationship while dealing with the bright lights of stardom.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this DVD if you don't have something better to do

This is one of those films that is just fine. There is nothing great about it, there is nothing bad about it. There is nothing that I will remember about this movie and there is nothing that I desperately wish to forget.

It's a nice love story with an interesting, if not unique, premise. Both of the leads play their parts well and for the most part it's believable.

If you are looking for a decent love story without having to think too hard about plot, this film would be an okay choice this week.

Movie Review For December 25, 2014

INTO THE WOODS
Rated: PG
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine
Plot: A baker and his wife encounter several other fairy tale figures as they try to complete a task for a witch.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee, but be sure to go

I saw this musical on stage several years ago and absolutely loved it. When I heard that Disney was making it into a film I was a bit nervous that the story would get too sanitized from the original to really have any impact. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Disney did a spectacular job at making this a musical palatable for children, (although I probably wouldn't take anyone under age 8), yet still intense and dramatic for the adults. The screen version is also significantly funnier than I remember the stage performance to be.

One big mark against this film is its length. There is a point where it feels like the movie ends, but then it goes on for about an hour after that. They probably could have accomplished the same thing by editing the last hour down to about 20 minutes.

Chris Pine steals the show and his song "Agony" is the highlight of the entire film. Meryl Streep does a fine job, although I wouldn't consider it to be award-worthy. If I had my choice of award nominations for this movie I would give the nod to Daniel Huttlestone who plays Jack. (He also plays Gavroche in Les Mis). He is mesmerizing once again.

Fans of the musical will notice missing and new songs in this version, but I think you will like this version all the same.

You can also watch my Drive Through Movie Review of INTO THE WOODS on YABooksCentral.com.




THE IMITATION GAME
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley
Plot: A British mathematician works to break the German's code to help the allies win the war.
Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

This is easily one of my top ten films of the year. Benedict Cumberbatch gives a masterful performance as does Keira Knightley.

This movie is so highly compelling because the stakes are so high, and this cast delivers the intensity to the audience every step of the way.

Without giving anything away I will say that the scene following their success is one of the most powerful, gut-wrenching and heart-breaking scenes I have ever seen. This is truly a masterpiece that should be seen by all.



UNBROKEN
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Jack O'Connell, Takamasa Ishihara, Domhnall Gleeson
Plot: A former Olympian gets stranded at sea during World War II then becomes a prisoner of war inside Japan for several years.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

Fair or not, UNBROKEN and director Angelina Jolie have the unfortunate draw of opening against another true-story World War II film, and THE IMITATION GAME completely obliterates this film in all aspects.

This movie could have been something special, but it never gets there. I wasn't made to care for the main character any more than the other POWs, nor did I really hate his enemies. The character development was weak at best and in many cases non-existent. We blow through the main character's childhood and Olympic career so fast that we miss anything that might have been compelling about him.

Jolie uses flashbacks during the first third of the film which are powerful and well done, but then they just stop. For the last two thirds of the film we get nothing. I think the movie could have been a lot more powerful if she had kept those flashbacks going as a way to show his resolve and something to give him hope.

This is not a bad film at all, in fact it is pretty good, it just isn't great. And a movie like this needs to be great.



BIG EYES
Rated: R
Stars: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz
Plot: A woman's paintings start to become very popular, but her husband takes credit for them.
Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters as soon as possible

Whether you remember the actual Big Eyes phenomenon or not this movie will touch you. Waltz and Adams are outstanding in their respective roles as an overbearing con artist and a beaten down artist.

The film is pretty straight forward, especially for a Tim Burton flick, but he does inject his special flair for the odd throughout the film.

For a movie about painting, it is surprisingly fast-paced and the tempo really never lets down. It's full of drama and suspense and the story is as compelling as a high-value art heist. It's just an art heist done in a subtle way.

Movie Review For November 26, 2014

It's Thanksgiving week so most movies will be hitting the theaters on Wednesday instead of Friday. Enjoy!

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR
Rated: PG
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, John Malkovich, Tom McGrath
Plot: The penguins must team up with another elite force to try to stop a villain from kidnapping the world's penguins.
Trailer

Clint Says: Take the whole family and see this in theaters this week

This may well be the funniest animated movie of 2014. I laughed out loud 15 or 20 times and spent the better part of the rest of the film trying to wipe the smile off my face with no luck.

Kids will love this movie because it has a lot of fun elements for them, but adults will be just as pleased with it because it has an interesting plot, surprisingly in-depth character development, and it is fast-paced.

I put this movie up with the likes of THE LEGO MOVIE and MR. PEABODY AND SHERMAN. This has been an incredible year for animated films and PENGUINS keeps the streak alive.



HORRIBLE BOSSES 2
Rated: R
Stars: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Chris Pine
Plot: After their business is sabotaged, three guys come up with a plan to get their money back, but their plan gets hijacked by a scheming sleazeball.
Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters this week...if you can handle the raunch

The original HORRIBLE BOSSES was a raunchy, hysterically awesome movie. HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 is the same. My jaw hurt when I left the theater after this movie, but I also felt like I needed a shower. This movie is so raunchy they couldn't even make a 2-minute trailer without several cuss words in it.

As with any comedy, the movie may be funny but it's only as good as its plot. In this case, the plot is outstanding. Sure, it has a few minor holes, but nothing that will hurt your head. It's fun and funny, but with significant moments of suspense and drama. The juxtaposition is what makes this movie so good.

If you can handle the offensive humor this is a sequel worth seeing.

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.

Movie Review for January 17, 2014

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT
Rated PG-13
Stars: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley
Plot: A young Jack Ryan is recruited by the CIA be a financial analyst on Wall Street for the purpose of finding terrorist money.
Trailer
Clint Says: Wait until after opening weekend, but see it in theaters

This is one of those January surprise movies. Typically January releases with no press screenings means the movie is going to be horrible. Not so with JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT. This is a great movie. It's fast-paced, suspenseful, and a compelling storyline. Fans of action/suspense movies will enjoy this as will long-time fans of the Tom Clancy novels.



RIDE ALONG
Rated PG-13
Stars: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart
Plot: A diminutive school security guard tries to survive the day on a ride along with his future brother-in-law, a tough Atlanta detective.
Trailer
Clint Says: Save some money and go to the matinee

Even though this movie is predictable and cliche every step of the way, I still really enjoyed it because it is pee-your-pants funny. If you are looking for a few good laughs without having to think about plot, this is a perfect movie to see.



THE NUT JOB
Rated PG
Stars: Will Arnett, Liam Neeson
Plot: A self-serving, exiled squirrel is forced to help the other park animals raid a business with a stash of nuts that would set them up forever.
Trailer
Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

I'm not really sure who this movie is supposed to please. It is too boring for adults to sit though and some of the plot is too complicated for little kids to follow along. Most of the laughs come in the form of potty humor or predictable slapstick. I took my four year old daughter and she hated it. She said it was "a boy movie". Maybe if you have an eight year old boy you'll have better luck, but I doubt it. If anything, don't spend the money now, wait until it comes out on DVD then try your luck.



DEVIL'S DUE
Rated R
Stars: Allison Miller, Zach Gilford
Plot: An expecting newlywed couple begins to expect dark things may have happened the night they can't remember from their honeymoon.
Trailer
Clint Says: Don't even bother

This movie is a complete waste of time. If you want to see the best thing this movie had to offer, watch this video of the devil baby prank they did to market this film.