DVD Review For June 30, 2015: GET HARD, DANNY COLLINS, WHILE WE'RE YOUNG, and THE GUNMAN

GET HARD
Rated: R
Stars: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, TI
Plot: A wealthy businessman hires a guy to teach him how to survive prison after he's convicted of fraud
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this movie today, if you can handle the raunch

This is the funniest and also raunchiest movie I've seen so far in 2015. There were several moments where we were all laughing so hard that we missed the next line in the film. There were also moments where we were audibly cringing so loud at the raunchiness that we missed entire scenes of dialogue.

Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart play well to each other's strengths and have great comedic chemistry. I was also pleasantly surprised at how well TI can act. A warning though on Ferrell's performance... Once again we see way too much of him.

The plot is actually quite compelling for a comedy and there is a good amount of suspense to keep this from being a paper-thin, one-dimensional film.

If you are looking to guffaw this weekend this is your movie, but if you don't do well with raunchy humor you need to stay far away from this flick.




DANNY COLLINS
Rated: R
Stars: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Garner
Plot: An aging rock star is giving a life-changing letter that leads him to connecting with his adult son and family.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this DVD this week

To be honest, when I saw the trailer for this film I thought it looked okay, but it didn't seem to be much more than an old-people-find-love-while-teaching-each-other-life-lessons flick. I'm glad it is so much more than that.

Al Pacino does a nice job, but Bobby Cannavale completely steals the show. He is spectacular. I wouldn't go so far as to say his performance is award-worthy, but it is absolutely worth the price of admission.

This film is heartwarming, dramatic, funny, heartbreaking and beautiful. I laughed out loud, I came really close to crying (which is saying a lot because I rarely cry at movies), and I held my breath in suspense. This story is told so well that I even cared about the hotel valet and receptionist.

I am still reeling at the ending of this film. It is one of those amazing moments in film when everything comes together, great actors, great acting, great writing, and great directing leading to a scene that is so full of tension, drama and suspense that you feel like the screen is going to explode. And if it doesn't, you just might.

Throw on top of all of that a John Lennon-led soundtrack and you've got a movie well worth seeing.




THE GUNMAN
Rated: R
Stars: Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Javier Bardem
Plot: A security expert makes a controversial kill and must go into hiding in order to stay one step ahead of the hitmen after him.
Trailer

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

This movie is one hour and 55 minutes of cliche action flick. It's so cliche that even the big twist is painfully obvious.

There are massive plot holes, several events that arise that are never explained, and the bad guy gets killed in what may go down in action movie history as the most ridiculous death of a villain ever. When people laugh out loud at the death scene you know it's bad.

The movie does have a few moments of nice suspense, but overall there is nothing new or better than any of the action flicks that it stole its ideas from.




WHILE WE'RE YOUNG
Rated: R
Stars: Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried
Plot: A forty-something couple begins hanging out with a twenty-something couple, but things aren't what they seem
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent it if you've got nothing better planned

If this film had condensed the first hour into about 10 minutes and then gotten to the last 45 minutes it would have been a much better movie. Unfortunately, by the time I sat through the first hour I pretty much just wanted it to end.

It felt like Ben Stiller was just going through the motions, Naomi Watts didn't really add much to the story, and Amanda Seyfried wasn't used to her full potential. Adam Driver, on the other hand, was incredible, as usual.

While I did like the twist that completely blindsided me, it wasn't enough to overcome the mundane feel and pace of the rest of the film.

DVD Review For April 28, 2015: PADDINGTON, THE WEDDING RINGER, INHERENT VICE, THE BOY NEXT DOOR, THE GAMBLER

PADDINGTON
Rated: PG
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman
Plot: A young, lonely bear is discovered at Paddington Station and given a place to stay by the Brown family.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD for your elementary school kids

Technically speaking, PADDINGTON is astounding. The level of effects used to bring the bear to life and the mastery of those effects are evident in this film. That being said, the overall movie is okay at best.

The film has some beautiful set design and costumes, but it doesn't make up for the fact that the story is fairly bland and slow-moving. This is a kid's movie through and through so I know they couldn't ramp up the drama and action too much, but a little bit more would have been fine.

I fear that this movie is a bit too complicated for the under 5 audience to grasp and anyone over 10 is going to spend a good portion of the movie bored. But the elementary school crowd will really enjoy PADDINGTON.




THE WEDDING RINGER
Rated: R
Stars: Kevin Hart, Josh Gad, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting
Plot: A groom in need of a best man turns to a service that offers fake friendships...for a price.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this movie this weekend

I was completely shocked as to how much I enjoyed this film. Kevin Hart is really funny, but he has a tendency to wear me out with his humor. However, in this film, Josh Gad balances out Hart perfectly making for a stellar comedy duo.

The story is unique and the hi-jinks will keep you laughing all the way through. And while the guffaws are aplenty, it's also a heartwarming story with enough of a deeper message to make it more than a simple bromance flick, but not so deep that it loses it's comedic edge.

This is a great flick for a night out with the guys, or a fun date. And fans of LOST, be ready to run to the bathroom as soon as the credits roll, because the very last line of the movie is going to make you laugh so hard you'll almost pee your pants.




INHERENT VICE
Rated: R
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Katherine Waterston, Josh Brolin
Plot: A Los Angeles P.I. investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend and her lover.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for a free stream on Netflix

This is one of those movies where the trailer is way better than the film, and the trailer makes it look like you will be seeing an entirely different movie than you actually end up seeing.

Clocking in at just shy of 2 1/2 hours, INHERENT VICE is a slow-moving, odd, quirky and nearly useless film. While Joaquin Phoenix does an incredible job in his role, I found myself several times trying to figure out why this movie was even made. It's not terribly entertaining, it isn't a ground-breaking piece of cinematic history, and as a mystery movie it is mediocre at best.

If you are interested in seeing this film you'd be much better off just watching the very well done trailer and then spending your money on something else.




THE BOY NEXT DOOR
Rated: R
Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, Kristin Chenoweth
Plot: A high school teacher is stalked by one of her new students after a night that shouldn't have happened
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for a free stream on Netflix

This is one of those movies that is about an inch deep, but it's still a fun date movie. There is zero thinking required, the ending is absurdly cliche, and what little mystery there is is elementary at best. That said, there is enough suspense and chills to make it fun.

Jennifer Lopez is exactly what you have seen before in all of her other movies, not bad, not great. Ryan Guzman plays the lovable psycho well, and Kristin Chenoweth is her usual nails-on-the-chalkboard self. Why anyone casts her in anything I will never understand.

I will say that the trailer is somewhat misleading. Yes, she does sleep with one of her students, but he's also almost 20 years old. (I'm not saying what she did is right, I'm simply pointing out that the trailer makes it look like statutory rape, but it isn't.)

It's the kind of movie you'll forget you saw a couple of months from now, but you won't feel like you wasted 90 minutes of your life while watching it.




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.

Movie Review For March 27, 2015

HOME
Rated: PG
Stars: Jim Parsons, Rihanna
Plot: A young girl and an outcast alien try to find her mom and save the world before it is too late
Trailer

Clint Says: See this after opening weekend, if you have younger kids

This is basically an inter-species, intergalactic road trip flick that will keep you smiling for 90 minutes.

This is the kind of movie that is really good, but it could have been so much more. I enjoyed it and the children in the theater were all very excited about it, but it didn't have that over-the-top experience like some of the other great Dreamworks projects, (SHREK, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, etc.)

It is a funny, caring, somewhat suspenseful, and unique movie that would make for a fun outing with the whole family, but don't expect this one to become the movie that spends three months in the DVD player.

There are a couple of scary scenes that may be too intense for the under 5 crowd, but everyone else should have a good time.





GET HARD
Rated: R
Stars: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, TI
Plot: A wealthy businessman hires a guy to teach him how to survive prison after he's convicted of fraud
Trailer

Clint Says: See this in theaters after opening weekend if you can handle the raunch

This is the funniest and also raunchiest movie I've seen so far in 2015. There were several moments where we were all laughing so hard that we missed the next line in the film. There were also moments where we were audibly cringing so loud at the raunchiness that we missed entire scenes of dialogue.

Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart play well to each other's strengths and have great comedic chemistry. I was also pleasantly surprised at how well TI can act. A warning though on Ferrell's performance... Once again we see way too much of him.

The plot is actually quite compelling for a comedy and there is a good amount of suspense to keep this from being a paper-thin, one-dimensional film.

If you are looking to guffaw this weekend this is your movie, but if you don't do well with raunchy humor you need to stay far away from this flick.





IT FOLLOWS
Rated: R
Stars: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist
Plot: A girl is continuously followed by an evil being after a date goes wrong.
Trailer

Clint Says: Don't even bother

Imagine you sleep with someone and they give you an STD, but instead of this STD living inside your body and causing problems it is a really ticked off ghost that wants to kill you. Oh, and this angry ghost/STD hybrid can only walk, but it knows where you are and walks toward you all the time. If you can actually dumb your brain down enough to imagine that then you've basically seen IT FOLLOWS.

Horror films aren't usually known for their acting, but this flick takes bad acting to a whole new level of suck. Throw on top of that the fact that this is supposed to be a horror flick, but it isn't even remotely scary. And it's so dumb and poorly done that you can't even laugh at the stupidity of it all.

Not only is the acting and overall movie bad, but the musical score is one of the worst I've ever heard. It sounds like it was recorded on a kid's Casio synthesizer from the early 1980s.

I can easily judge how scary a movie is by how many people have their phones out in the theater and how many people go to the restroom during the movie. The more phones and the more bathroom breaks the scarier the film. I'm sure it's people trying to distract themselves from the scary. This movie? I didn't see a single phone nor did anyone leave to use the bathroom. I was surprised however that nobody just left and didn't come back.

If this movie wasn't bad enough already, the director also thought it was necessary for us to have to see some old dude's junk. I'm not spoiling anything here, believe me, that thing was spoiled a long time ago. I mean, honestly, put it away.

I can't believe I'm saying this again in another review, but it just fits too perfectly not to... Avoid this movie like you would an STD.

Movie Review For January 16, 2015

AMERICAN SNIPER
Rated: R
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller
Plot: The story of America's most lethal sniper in history.
Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

If you liked ZERO DARK THIRTY you will love AMERICAN SNIPER. This film is so brutally intense, yet so personal and vulnerable that you will walk out of the theater feeling like you knew the real Chris Kyle.

The violence and war scenes in this film are not sugar-coated nor are they "Hollywoodized" either. If you've seen documentaries with actual footage of battles in the Gulf War you'll see that this matches up well.

Bradley Cooper does a magnificent job portraying Kyle and his demons as well as his heart for helping others. Sienna Miller is near perfect in her role as a military wife.

This is a very powerful film that will stay with you long after you leave the theater.




BLACKHAT
Rated: R
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang
Plot: A convicted computer genius is released on the condition of helping the government catch a cyber terrorist.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

For a high-stakes, high-tech thriller, this film is really slow. I was expecting so much more from a plot that includes cyber-terrorism, nuclear reactors and Thor.

It's an okay film, but the slow pace, the shaky camera, and the several eye-rolling why-on-earth-would-they-do-this-instead-of-that moments make for a really long two-plus hours in the theater.

I sat next to a teenage computer whiz kid for this screening and afterwards he told me he thought it was okay. He thought it was laughable (as did I) that the main character is a world-class hacker, but he only types about 30 words a minute. When your prime audience thinks the movie is "okay" your film is in trouble.

I will say one very positive thing though. There is a scene that was so shockingly unexpected that the entire audience gasped as one. I haven't experienced anything like that in an action flick for a long time. (That said, it's an eye-rolling, convenient reason why they are put in the situation for said amazing scene).

Save your theater money on this one, there's a lot of 2015 left to go.




PADDINGTON
Rated: PG
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman
Plot: A young, lonely bear is discovered at Paddington Station and given a place to stay by the Brown family.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

Technically speaking, PADDINGTON is astounding. The level of effects used to bring the bear to life and the mastery of those effects are evident in this film. That being said, the overall movie is okay at best.

The film has some beautiful set design and costumes, but it doesn't make up for the fact that the story is fairly bland and slow-moving. This is a kid's movie through and through so I know they couldn't ramp up the drama and action too much, but a little bit more would have been fine.

I fear that this movie will be a bit too complicated for the under 5 audience to grasp and anyone over 10 is going to spend a good portion of the movie bored. Only time will tell if there are enough 5 to 10 year olds out there willing to see this movie to make it profitable.

There will be several movies for kids released this year, some of which look to be outstanding. You may want to take a pass on this one and save your money for something you know your kids will like.



THE WEDDING RINGER
Rated: R
Stars: Kevin Hart, Josh Gad, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting
Plot: A groom in need of a best man turns to a service that offers fake friendships...for a price.
Trailer

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

I was completely shocked as to how much I enjoyed this film. Kevin Hart is really funny, but he has a tendency to wear me out with his humor. However, in this film, Josh Gad balances out Hart perfectly making for a stellar comedy duo.

The story is unique and the hi-jinks will keep you laughing all the way through. And while the guffaws are aplenty, it's also a heartwarming story with enough of a deeper message to make it more than a simple bromance flick, but not so deep that it loses it's comedic edge.

This is a great flick for a night out with the guys, or a fun date. And fans of LOST, be ready to run to the bathroom as soon as the credits roll, because the very last line of the movie is going to make you laugh so hard you'll almost pee your pants.

Movie Review For December 12, 2014

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley
Plot: The story of the battle between Moses and Ramses for the lives of the Hebrew slaves.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

When one hears that a film is being made about the life of Moses and his tumultuous relationship with Ramses, one would think that the film would include significant coverage of the plagues, the parting of the sea and the bringing down of the Ten Commandments. While all of these events are technically covered in this movie, they are a small fraction of the 2-plus hours of otherwise dull movie.

The film does have a few interesting moments, but overall it just skims the surface of the biblical story, and, on several occasions, skips major plot points leaving the view to have to fill in the blanks for themselves.

Director Ridley Scott takes several liberties with the story which will, no doubt, upset a portion of the movie-goers, but it's not so far off the beaten path from the original story that the average movie-goer will find fault with it.

I will say that the effects of the plagues and sea are incredible for the small amount of time we get to see them, but it's not worth spending the money to see this on the big screen. You'll get the same effect watching it at home.




TOP FIVE
Rated: R
Stars: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart
Plot: An alcoholic comedian spends the day with a reporter trying to explain why he wants to be a serious actor.
Trailer

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

This is supposed to be a comedy, right? I saw the movie and I'm still not sure if it was supposed to be a comedy or not. There was not a single audible laugh from anyone in the theater when I saw this movie. That's not an exaggeration. Not one single laugh.

The film is an awkward mix of fiction and what is supposed to be reality. For example, Chris Rock's character is at a strip club for his bachelor party with Adam Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg and Jerry Seinfeld all of whom are playing themselves.

You can tell that a lot of this movie was allowed to be improvised, but it's not great improvisation. A lot of it feels off or choppy.

I'm a big Chris Rock fan, but this movie misses the mark on many levels. Don't waste your time or your money.

DVD Review For September 16, 2014

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff
Plot: Two teens with cancer fall in love and learn how to live a beautiful, if short, life.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD...and some tissues

Not only is TFIOS the best movie of the year so far, (I told you MALEFICENT wouldn't hold the title very long), it has a great chance of holding that title when the year finally comes to a close. It is a master-class work by the entire cast and crew. 

Fans of the book by the same name will not be even the slightest bit disappointed by the film adaptation. It is rare to see a movie that so closely follows the book. I liken it to the first HARRY POTTER film where almost every bit of the book was portrayed on the big screen, and in a way that was very true to the book.

Shailene Woodley gives an Oscar-worthy performance and Ansel Elgort is charming throughout. Woodley and Elgort are perfectly cast as Hazel and Augustus, and even the hard-core YA fans aren't going to have a problem with the they-are-brother-and-sister-in-DIVERGENT-but-lovers-in-TFIOS-how-weird thing.

For those of you out there who say, "ugh, I don't want to see some cancer death movie," don't be so quick to judge. In THE HUNGER GAMES kids killed kids, yes, but that wasn't what it was about. In TFIOS, teens are dying from cancer, but the story is about them living, and loving, to the fullest that they can in the short infinity they are given.

I have seen TFIOS twice, something I rarely do simply because I see so many movies that I only have time to see ones that I REALLY love more than once. The second time through I was able to really see the layers that make this film so enjoyable.

NOTE: A few months ago I had the honor of hosting the DEMAND OUR STARS event at War Memorial in Nashville with John Green, Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff and 2,000 screaming TFIOS fans. You can see the recap of that event here. We also got to interview all four of them on Mix 92.9 the following day. You can hear that interview here, or see it here.

They are all very down-to-earth, genuinely good people that were able to come together and make a truly stellar film.



GODZILLA
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen
Plot: Godzilla returns from the deep, forcing humanity to come together to try to bring down their common foe.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this DVD for a really fun weekend

As far as monster movies go this may be one of the best ones ever. If you're looking for cinematic perfection, you should probably skip this flick.

This is one of those great summer popcorn movies that gives you tons of action, suspense, chills, jumps and bumps, but you can't think about the plot too much. You just have to leave all reality at the door and escape into the movie.

The effects are A+ and the acting is surprisingly above average for a film like this. If you're looking for a fun movie without too much thinking involved, GODZILLA would be a great choice.



THINK LIKE A MAN TOO
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Michael Ealy
Plot: A group of friends reunite for a wedding in Las Vegas, but things don't go according to plan.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent the DVD if you've got nothing better to do.

If you saw the first THINK LIKE A MAN then you've already seen this movie. It's the same people with the same jokes, it just happens to be in Vegas this time.

Kevin Hart is funny as always and if you think he's great then you'll probably be happy with this movie. If you are simply looking for a fun comedy, you'll want to pass on this film and go for something with a bit more originality.

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.

DVD Review for April 15, 2014

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
Rated PG
Stars: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig
Plot: A man leading an otherwise dull life, escapes by dreaming up wild adventures, but dreams become reality when he must embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Trailer

Clint Says: Go buy this DVD now

This is one of my top three movies of 2013. It is heart-warming, funny, inspiring, beautiful, touching and exciting all at the same time.

When I first saw the trailer for MITTY I immediately had unfair expectations of how good I wanted the movie to be. Incredibly, this film surpassed my expectations. I found myself grinning from ear to ear nearly the entire movie.

Wiig and Stiller have a great, but awkward chemistry that works well for the film. This is one of those films that comes along every so often that you want to stand up and cheer the good guy along.



RIDE ALONG
Rated PG-13
Stars: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube
Plot: A diminutive school security guard must convince one of the toughest cops on the Atlanta PD that he is worthy of marrying the cop's sister.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this movie this week

While there is a lot about this movie that is predictable, it's an excellent platform for the comedy of Kevin Hart and Ice Cube as his straight man.

If you've not seen Kevin Hart in action, RIDE ALONG is a perfect gateway into his style of comedy.




THE NUT JOB
Rated PG
Stars: Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson
Plot: An exiled squirrel must decide whether to help the hungry animals in the park or keep the biggest stash of nuts they've ever seen all to himself.
Trailer

Clint Says: Renting it one time for the kids will be more than enough

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.




PHILOMENA
Rated PG-13
Stars: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan
Plot: A journalist helps a woman find the child she was force to give up years ago.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this DVD

PHILOMENA is one of those little movies that could. Nominated for four Academy Awards and a couple of dozen other awards as well, this film is most assuredly worth seeing.

Judi Dench's character is both beautifully charming because of her personality and heart-breakingly empty because of the loss of her first-born. Steve Coogan character also has an interesting story arc that gives the audience a glimpse at an unlikely, messy, but well-timed relationship between the main characters.

If you need a little bit of heart-warming quirkiness in your life PHILOMENA will help fill that void.

Movie Review for February 14, 2014

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

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

 



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.



ROBOCOP
Rated PG-13
Stars: Joel Kinnaman, Gray Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson
Plot: In the near future, technology allows for OmniCorp to create a human/robot hybrid cop to fight out-of-control crime.
Trailer

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

This movie is leaps and bounds better than it's predecessor. The graphics are obviously better, but so is the story. This is a classic style action flick, but it has a large focus on the ethics of the situation as well as biting commentary on the ridiculous 24-hour news shows so prevalent today.

Keaton and Oldman's characters are well juxtaposed and add a level of tension and thought usually not seen in action movies. Samuel L. Jackson plays the role of news caster/salesman so well you almost fall for his pitch. If you are in the mood for an action film, this is as good a choice as any.



ENDLESS LOVE
Rated PG-13
Stars: Gabriella Wilde, Alex Pettyfer, Bruce Greenwood
Plot: A rich girl and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks fall for each other while her parents try to break them apart.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and go to a matinee

ENDLESS LOVE is significantly better than the trailers let on. There are multiple story lines that are compelling. They've tried to market this movie as a teen love story, and at it's base it is, but there is so much more to it than that. It is funny, romantic, heartbreaking and suspenseful.

Bruce Greenwood plays a perfect over-protective father on the verge of losing his cool at any moment. Alex Pettyfer plays a great bad-kid-gone-good. Overall, I'd have to say this is a perfect date movie.


WINTER'S TALE
Rated PG-13
Stars: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Russell Crowe
Plot: A criminal falls for a woman as she dies, he then uses his power of reincarnation to find her.
Trailer

Clint Says: No review yet

The studio did not do any media screenings or early releases of this movie. If you get a chance to see it, please leave your comments in the comments section. I'd love to know what you thought of it.

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.