Movie Reviews for October 30, 2015: OUR BRAND IS CRISIS and BURNT

OUR BRAND IS CRISIS
Rated: R
Release Date: October 30, 2015
Director: David Gordon Green
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Joaquim de Almeida
Plot: Two political strategists lock horns during a Bolivian presidential election
Trailer

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

This movie is almost completely unwatchable. It doesn't do anything for the first 30 minutes, it barely does anything over the course of the rest of the film, and there is almost zero redemptive quality to any of it.

Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton are great in their roles, but the plot is just plain terrible. It's one of those movies you know where it is going, but the ending is still disappointing.

The dirty politics throughout will make you feel like you need to take a long shower and loofah the nastiness off of you. Unfortunately, you won't be able to wash off the stench of this flick.




BURNT
Rated: R
Release Date: October 30, 2015
Director: John Wells
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Daniel Bruhl, Alicia Vikander
Plot: A recovering addict tries to get back in the game of high end cuisine
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

This is food porn at its finest. If you love food shows and high-end cuisine you will find this movie completely captivating. I will give you one warning though. If you can't stand Gordon Ramsey then skip this movie. Bradley Cooper is basically the world's biggest jerk of a chef.

Cooper and Miller have much better chemistry in BURNT than they did in AMERICAN SNIPER, and both do very well in their respective roles.

Aside from all of the amazing food footage this movie has a compelling plot, interesting and deep characters, and a unique feel. And while this isn't necessarily a film that must be seen on the big screen, if you are looking for a good movie to see, BURNT is a good choice.

Movie Review For April 12, 2015: WOMAN IN GOLD

WOMAN IN GOLD
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds
Plot: An Austrian-born woman living in America fights the Austrian government to return a highly-prized portrait of her aunt to her family 60 years after it was stolen by the Nazis.
Trailer

Clint Says: Go see this as soon as you can

This is one of those interesting films that, had it been in the right hands, could have ended up on the short list of Oscar consideration. Unfortunately, instead of being truly spectacular like THE IMITATION GAME it falls more into the slightly above average category like MONUMENTS MEN.

Mirren and Reynolds do an outstanding job, but the writing and directing fall short. That said, this is an important film that you should see in order to understand even more of the atrocities committed by the Nazis.

Based on a true story, this film is emotional, powerful and, at times, hard to watch, but it is well worth enduring the uncomfortable parts to understand the struggle that so many European Jews suffered.

If you have teens, I would highly recommend taking them to see WOMAN IN GOLD. It may lead to some interesting and dynamic conversations.