Movie Reviews For November 13, 2015: LOVE THE COOPERS and THE 33

LOVE THE COOPERS
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 13, 2015
Director: Jessie Nelson
Stars: Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Olivia Wilde
Plot: A Christmas family gathering makes them all take a new look at family bonds
Trailer

Clint Says: Don't even bother

To quote another Christmas movie, LOVE THE COOPERS sits on a throne of lies! This film has been marketed through the trailers as a fun holiday comedy. The truth? It's a sad, depressing, shallow movie that tries to redeem itself with three minutes of Christmas magic at the end.

The ensemble cast is great, and this may be Olivia Wilde's best work, but the plot is so terrible that their performances are overshadowed. 

If you are looking for a movie to get you into the Christmas spirit, stay far away from this one. The only gift this movie gives you is when the end credits finally roll.

THE 33
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 13, 2015
Director: Patricia Riggen
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche
Plot: Based on the true story of the 33 Chilean miners trapped in a mine for 69 days
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

In the Fall of 2010 we all sat glued to TV screens desperately hoping we would see the first miner come up through a small hole in the ground. When he finally did, you could almost hear the whole world cheering as one. No movie could ever recreate the sense of drama and intensity of that moment, but this film comes close.

It is impossible to imagine what life would be like living, for 69 days, under a rock that could shift and kill you at any second. The stress and fear must have been all but unbearable. We get to see some of that in this movie, but there are so many stories that the director tried to get in that we never really get to go deep into any of them.

The same can be said for the stories of the families waiting for their loved ones to be rescued and the rescuers. We get to see bits and pieces of a lot of stories, but we are never given enough to really care about individuals. Thankfully the story is so compelling itself that it makes the movie worth watching.

If you are looking for a dramatic and inspirational story, you will find THE 33 satisfactory.

Movie Review For December 28, 2014

THE GAMBLER
Rated: R
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, John Goodman, Brie Larson
Plot: A university professor with a gambling addiction has one week to pay back a quarter of a million dollars to loan sharks.
Trailer

Clint Says: Don't even bother

THE GAMBLER is full of spectacular acting in a spectacularly bad flick. This is one of those films where I feel like I saw a completely different movie than most of the critics. I've seen many of them raving about this film, but I just don't get it.

When the film begins it dumps us in the middle of the story, which I am fine with and many time enjoy, but THE GAMBLER doesn't give us any flashbacks or back story to fill in the gaps. At no point are we shown why he has the addiction in the first place, nor do we ever see any motivation the main character has to do the things he does.

The romance feels weird and forced, John Goodman is a creeptastic, human version of Jabba The Hutt, and the editor must have been on vacation for most of the editing because there are many scenes that drag on endlessly for no reason.

This movie got so long, boring and annoying that near the end I was hoping the main character would get hit by a bus and the credits would roll. (You'll recognize the scene I'm referring to if you are unlucky enough to have to sit through this mess).

Wahlberg and Lange both give performances that are incredible to watch, unfortunately the story is total crap.



FOXCATCHER
Rated: R
Stars: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo
Plot: The story of John du Pont and his obsession with USA Wrestling.
Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters if you can find it

Steve Carell has already received several award nominations for his spot-on portrayal of John du Pont and I'm sure there are many more nominations to come. All of them are well-deserved. Steve Carell is not on the screen, it is John du Pont, and it's not just because of the makeup.

Tatum and Ruffalo also hold up their end of the film as well as evidenced by the award nominations they are both receiving .

This is one of the rare instances where I think it might be a better movie-going experience if you don't already know the story. The twists and turns are fascinating and intriguing, but for those that know the story you will notice the major plot changes and the film will feel slow.

FOXCATCHER is a disturbing and creepy film that is strangely gripping and mesmerizing. It is the kind of film that gets into your brain and will sit there for days.

Hopefully, this film will gain more attention and be released in more theaters as the bigger nominations come in, but as for now, you'll have to search it out to see it.

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.