Movie Review For October 16, 2015: GOOSEBUMPS, BRIDGE OF SPIES and CRIMSON PEAK

GOOSEBUMPS
Rated: PG
Release Date: October 16, 2015
Director: Rob Letterman
Stars: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Ryan Lee
Plot: When a boy suspects foul play at the neighbors' house, he finds out that R.L. Stein's monsters are real
Trailer

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

Jack Black belongs in the Awesomeness Hall of Fame. He is so much fun as the mysterious R.L.Stein. That, combined with the unique story line for this movie, makes it one worth seeing. It is a fun, funny, somewhat scary film that kids from 8 to 88 will enjoy. 

Fans of the books and TV show will enjoy this movie thoroughly, but it is just fine for those of you that have never delved into the GOOSEBUMPS world. The writers and director do a great job of catching you up without making it boring for the big fans.

The only thing I wish was better about this movie are the monsters. The CGI feels like it is from about 10 years ago. I liked the monsters, but the amateurish graphics kept pulling me out of the story with how obviously fake the monsters were. (I know. I know. Monsters are fake. But they could at least look real). 

This film is like a gateway drug for horror flicks. If you don't like horror films, but you want to get into the Halloween spirit a bit, this film should satisfy your craving. I wouldn't take any kids under six or seven to see this movie, but it is rated PG, so it's pretty tame for most families. 

Also, be on the lookout for a special appearance by R.L. Stein. It's a fun moment. 

BRIDGE OF SPIES

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: October 16, 2015

Director: Steven Spielberg

Stars: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance

Plot: A lawyer is recruited to negotiate a deal during the Cold War era between the US and Russia to get a detained US pilot returned

Trailer

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

When Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks work together on a project it is fair to expect an exceptional film. BRIDGE OF SPIES meets that expectation. Hanks is masterful once again and Spielberg allows the story to be the star without overdoing it. 

The film is a bit slow in some parts, but it is also incredibly intense and suspenseful. It's a great period piece that will give you a lot to talk about over coffee after you've seen it. 

This is a film that I will probably see again, because there is so much to it that I want to see if I pick up on anything I missed the first time around. 

There may be a few award nominations in the future for this film, but it won't be an Oscar front runner. However, it is still very much worth the price of admission.

CRIMSON PEAK

Rated: R

Release Date: October 16, 2015

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Stars: Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam

Plot: An American woman is lured into the evil plans of a European man and woman. 

Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

As far as horror movies go, this is one of the better ones. It is much more along the lines of true horror rather than slasher flick. That said, it still had a few eye rolling moments of cliche horror movie antics. 

The one thing that sets this movie apart from most horror films is the cast. They do an incredible job and make what could have been a rather bland film into something worth seeing. However, all of you SONS OF ANARCHY fans will be expecting Charlie Hunnam to hop on a motorcycle at any moment, because his character has many similar mannerisms to Jax Teller. 

If you are looking for a suspenseful thriller with a good ghost story to get you in the mood for Halloween, CRIMSON PEAK is a great choice. 

DVD Reviews For September 1, 2015: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD and THE D TRAIN

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Rated: R
Stars: Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult
Plot: A wasteland driver smuggles slave girls out of their horrific situation with the help of Max
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD this week

As the end credits rolled in the theater where I saw this film, I sat in my chair completely astounded by what I had just witnessed. Even as I write this, I'm not sure if I loved this movie or hated it. Although I'm pretty sure I loved it.

This film jumps right into the action and never lets up. It's a high-octane face punch that keeps coming at you. There is one scene about halfway through the film that finally gives the audience a break. I could hear the audience give an almost collective sigh of relief.

Interestingly, this film is part of the MAD MAX franchise and it is set in that world, but the story is actually led by Charlize Theron's character. While Max does help out, she is the driving force behind everything that happens as well as the person that most often gets them out of their seemingly hopeless predicaments.

This movie is loud, intense, gross, weird, disturbing and hilarious in its over-the-top presence. You may love it or you may hate it, but either way it's a flick that should be experienced on the biggest screen possible.




THE D TRAIN
Rated: R
Stars: Jack Black, James Marsden
Plot: When a regular guy can't get anyone to RSVP for their high school reunion he hatches a plan to bring in their former classmate that became a Hollywood actor hoping the others will follow
Trailer

Clint Says: It's not even worth a Redbox with a coupon

THE D TRAIN is a complete train wreck. Imagine a sequel to THE BREAKFAST CLUB where Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez, who ended up marrying Ally Sheedy, are a little bit too happy to see each other after all those years. That is THE D TRAIN in a nut shell.

It's got the feel and soundtrack of an 80s flick, but it's about a group of adults that graduated high school in 1994 and it's set in 2014.

It's not funny, it's not dramatic, it's not even quirky or weird. It's just there. I'm a huge fan of Jack Black, but this movie does not do him justice. I'm glad to see him in more serious roles, but this isn't it.

At 97 minutes you'd think this movie goes by pretty fast. Unfortunately, it drags on making that 97 minutes feel more like three hours. It's time you will never get back.

Even die hard Jack Black fans should skip this flick. Otherwise you'll be disappointed.

Movie Review For May 8, 2015: HOT PURSUIT, THE D TRAIN

HOT PURSUIT
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, Matthew Del Negro
Plot: A diminutive cop must keep a feisty witness alive so she can testify against a drug kingpin
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

When I saw the trailer for HOT PURSUIT I'm pretty sure I let out an audible groan. But, I like to give every film I see the opportunity to be great. I walked into the theater with no preconceived notions of how good or bad it would be, and I walked out fairly happy.

This is by no means a great movie, but it isn't horrible either. It's one of those film where you can see it and enjoy it, but two years from now when it's on TV and you're flipping through the channels you'll turn it on and vaguely recall seeing it.

Sofia Vergara is funny and spicy, but her look changes so much throughout the film it feels like you are watching four different women play her role. Reese Witherspoon plays the straight cop well, but her accent and overbearing personality are truly obnoxious.

If you've seen the other comedies that are out in theaters now and are still looking for something funny to see, you might as well give this one a try. It's not going to be one you'll see again and again, but you also won't be upset that you spent a few bucks to go to the movies.





THE D TRAIN
Rated: R
Stars: Jack Black, James Marsden
Plot: When a regular guy can't get anyone to RSVP for their high school reunion he hatches a plan to bring in their former classmate that became a Hollywood actor hoping the others will follow
Trailer

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

THE D TRAIN is a complete train wreck. Imagine a sequel to THE BREAKFAST CLUB where Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez, who ended up marrying Ally Sheedy, are a little bit too happy to see each other after all those years. That is THE D TRAIN in a nut shell.

It's got the feel and soundtrack of an 80s flick, but it's about a group of adults that graduated high school in 1994 and it's set in 2014.

It's not funny, it's not dramatic, it's not even quirky or weird. It's just there. I'm a huge fan of Jack Black, but this movie does not do him justice. I'm glad to see him in more serious roles, but this isn't it.

At 97 minutes you'd think this movie goes by pretty fast. Unfortunately, it drags on making that 97 minutes feel more like three hours. It's time you will never get back.

Even die hard Jack Black fans should skip this flick. Otherwise you'll be disappointed.