Movie Review For May 22, 2015: TOMORROWLAND and POLTERGEIST

TOMORROWLAND
Rated: PG
Stars: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie
Plot: A young genius is recruited by smart people from an alternate universe to try to help save the world
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

I would love to be able to tell you that this movie is amazing and you should grab your kids and rush to the theater as soon as possible to see it. Unfortunately, I can't do that. TOMORROWLAND is a 2-plus hour snoozefest that is slow, confusing and preachy.

The first 80% of the film is a slow build-up for the last 20 minutes of action, and the payoff isn't worth sitting through the build-up. Once I finally realized what was going on my reaction was, "Really? That's it? THAT is the reason that all of this stuff is going on?" It was highly disappointing.

Aside from the boring nature of the film it is also preachy and condescending. It doesn't matter if you don't care about environmental issues at all or you are the world's most caring tree-hugger, you will walk out of this film feeling like you just sat through two hours of environment church. At one point there is even a 2 1/2 minute long speech by one of the main characters explaining all that is wrong with our environment thanks to humans.

This is just the beginning of the summer blockbuster season. Save your money for the good family-friendly flicks that will be coming out in a month or so.




POLTERGEIST
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris
Plot: When a ghost kidnaps a family's daughter they must do whatever it takes to try to get her back
Trailer

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

When I heard that they were making a reboot of this classic horror flick I had no idea why. The original was so good and so scary. I had nightmares for weeks when I saw that one. This one lives up to its predecessor.

I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre because most of the film use the same hack scare tactics over and over. It's formulaic and insulting to the audience. This film is actually scary. The evil feels real and the stakes are high. The drama and suspense are legitimate and very few things that happen in the film feel like your typical "no, don't walk down those stairs alone at night" moments.

The children cast in this movie are outstanding. The effects are well done. The plot is interesting and compelling. And clocking in at about 90 minutes it feels like it's over as quickly as it began.

POLTERGEIST is a great date night flick.

DVD Review for May 20, 2014

THE MONUMENTS MEN
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Kate Blanchett
Plot: A group of art historians are recruited by the US military to find thousands of pieces of art stolen by the Nazis during World War 2.
Trailer

Clint Says: It's worth a rental, but don't buy it

THE MONUMENTS MEN is a fascinating story based on true events. While I found the movie interesting, it could have been so much more and so much better. It's not nearly as dark and suspenseful as one might expect and at some points it borders on campy.

There are several scenes shot in the style of an old WWII movie, but then there are other scenes shot with modern-day movie making techniques. It almost seems like the director (Clooney) couldn't quite figure out the plan for this movie. Nor could he show the should-be brilliant chemistry of the fine cast.

For a movie about the salvation of high art, this movie is anything but high art.



3 DAYS TO KILL
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld
Plot: A CIA operative tries to reconnect with his daughter while taking on a risky mission in exchange for a drug that may save his life.
Trailer

Clint Says: If you have to see this movie make someone else rent it

Kevin Costner proves once again that he has zero ability to act. That combined with a horrible screenplay and poor directing make for a 2-hour snooze fest. Here are a couple of things you'll be able to "look forward" to in 3DTK:
1. The main villain has little more than a cameo role. How are you supposed to care about the good guy getting the bad guy if you have no clue what the bad guy is all about?
2. The business-like CIA handler heads to Paris and instantly becomes an over-sexualized weirdo for no discernible reason whatsoever.
3.  There are several moments of would-be comedic relief, but Costner's acting is so poor they just come across as lame.
4. The movie is not a beat-the-clock action thriller like the trailers suggest. Instead, it is a movie about a dysfunctional family trying to reconcile while the CIA gets in the way every so often.

If you really need to see a movie similar to this, go watch THE BOURNE IDENTITY again...you'll be much happier with your choice.



ABOUT LAST NIGHT
Rated: R
Stars: Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Joy Bryant
Plot: Two couples compare notes on their relationships while they head in different directions.
Trailer

Clint Says: It's worth a rental

ABOUT LAST NIGHT is one of those relationship movies that makes me so thankful that I'm already married and don't have to go through the stupidity of dating. There are many moments of cringe-worthy arguments and uncomfortable exchanges that make this movie equally uncomfortable to watch. It is very funny, but also extremely raunchy, there are some heart-warming moments and other moment that make you say "what just happened there?" It's a mediocre movie at best, but it will give you several good laughs.



POMPEII
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Keifer Sutherland
Plot: A gladiator falls in love with a woman out of his class while fighting for his freedom. Meanwhile, a volcano near their city is coming to life.
Trailer

Clint Says: It's worth a rental if you have an awesome TV and surround sound

If you didn't see POMPEII in the theaters you missed out. The movie isn't very good, but the effects are spectacular. This is much more of an apocalypse movie than a love-story, so if you don't have an entertainment system that's able to shake your couch then you'd be better served renting something else.



VAMPIRE ACADEMY
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry
Plot: A half-vampire/half-human is tasked with protecting one of the peaceful Vampire royalty from evil vampires.
Trailer

Clint Says: If you are a tween or teen girl you will love this

If you are a teen girl, this is a movie tailor-made for you. For the rest of humanity, you will find this movie both annoying and frustrating.

It's best to just buy a copy of this movie for a teen girl in your life and let them have control of the TV for a while. It'll make everyone's life much better.

Movie Review for February 7, 2014

THE LEGO MOVIE
Rated PG
Stars: Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks
Plot: An average Lego construction worker leads the master-builders in a quest to stop Lord Business from ruining Lego life as they know it.
Trailer

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

This movie was significantly better than the trailers made it look. It is very funny, the plot is interesting to kids and adults and there is a twist at the end that you will never see coming. It's funny, heart-warming and enjoyable for all ages.

Bonus: The STAR WARS cameo is awesome. Everything is awesome. (You'll understand that after you've seen the movie...in fact, that phrase will probably be stuck in your head for days).



THE MONUMENTS MEN
Rated PG-13
Stars: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman
Plot: A group of art experts are hired by the US military during World War II to find and return art stolen by the Nazis before it can be destroyed.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

THE MONUMENTS MEN is a fascinating story based on true events. While I found the movie interesting, it could have been so much more and so much better. It's not nearly as dark and suspenseful as one might expect and at some points it borders on campy.

There are several scenes shot in the style of an old WWII movie, but then there are other scenes shot with modern-day movie making techniques. It almost seems like the director (Clooney) couldn't quite figure out the plan for this movie. Nor could he show the should-be brilliant chemistry of the fine cast.

For a movie about the salvation of high art, this movie is anything but high art.


VAMPIRE ACADEMY
Rated PG-13
Stars: Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry
Plot: A half human half vampire is tasked with protecting a member of the vampire royal family and ends up in a battle with the immortal full vampires.
Trailer

Clint Says: No review yet

 

 

Every so often a movie comes out that the studio does not allow critics or audiences to see early. This is one of those films. Usually it means the film isn't any good, but I will reserve judgement until I've seen it. I'll post a review as soon as I can.

 

If you get to see it before I do, please post your review in the comments section, I'd love to read what you thought of it.