Movie Review For July 24, 2015: PAPER TOWNS, PIXELS, and SOUTHPAW

PAPER TOWNS
Rated: PG-13
Director: Jake Schreier
Stars: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne
Plot: When a high school girl disappears, her neighbor and friends follow clues to try to find her
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

It's probably not fair to compare this movie to THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, but the reality is that it is really hard not to do it since they are both based on John Green novels. That said, PAPER TOWNS is not nearly as good as TFIOS.

It's not a bad movie at all, it just doesn't have that magic that we all experienced with TFIOS. Cara and Nat do a decent job, but they aren't quite accomplished enough yet to carry a film like this. I feel it might have been a much better movie with the likes of Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley as the leads.

While I do recommend seeing it at some point, it's not a film you need to see in theaters. It is worth the time to check it out when it comes out on DVD, because there are several good moments throughout.

If you go into it thinking TIFIOS you will be disappointed. But if you go in thinking that it's a coming-of-age story you'll leave mostly satisfied.




PIXELS
Rated: PG-13
Director: Chris Columbus
Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Josh Gad, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage
Plot: A small group of former video game champions must save the world from an alien invasion
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

Thank goodness for Josh Gad. He should be required casting for all comedies from now on. Without him, this movie would have been barely tolerable.

The best way I can describe PIXELS is by saying it's kind of like eating candy. It looks good, it tastes good, but then you realize that what you've just ingested has zero nutritional value and is, in fact, slowly killing you.

On a scale of Adam Sandler flicks this one ranks as above average, but it's only because the effects are fun and Josh Gad is hysterical. The rest of the film is full of bad dialogue and mediocre jokes.

If you like Sandler movies, then you will enjoy PIXELS a lot, but if you find his style to be tired, then you will walk out of this movie feeling slightly amused at best.




SOUTHPAW
Rated: R
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence
Plot: A champion boxer loses everything and must work hard to get his daughter and life back.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

I wish I could say that this movie was better than it was. It had a lot of potential to be great, unfortunately, Director Antoine Fuqua let us all down. As a big boxing fan, I was excited to see a rough and gritty fight film. Instead, I saw a movie where the director didn't even bother to get the boxing right.

The pacing was also problematic throughout the movie. In some places it drags on and gets to the point of almost being boring, then it speeds through other parts so fast the audience misses key elements to the story.

Jake Gyllenhaal gives another incredible performance. While not Oscar-worthy like NIGHTCRAWLER was, he proves once again that he is one of the best actors in Hollywood. He's one of the few with the ability to disappear into a role.

Rachel McAdams does fine as well, but Oona Laurence completely steals the show. She is the 10 year old daughter, Leila. This is a girl that has every opportunity to be a superstar in the next 10 - 15 years. She may have even taught Jake and Rachel a few things about acting.

The story itself is interesting, compelling, heartbreaking and inspiring, unfortunately it just isn't told well enough to be something that you need to see.

DVD Review For February 3, 2015

DRACULA UNTOLD
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper
Plot: Vlad The Impaler defies the Turks and takes desperate measures to protect his family and his followers from war
Trailer

Clint Says: Only watch this if someone else pays for it

I really wanted this movie to be good. Unfortunately, it's not. The plot is jumpy, the action scene are all shot with shaky camera, and the ending is cringe-worthy.

This film breaks rules that it set up for the world of Dracula for convenience and there are certain things that happen even though there is an obvious and better way of handling the situation.

The most disappointing aspect of this film is that it bases it's story in the reality of Vlad The Impaler, but the movie makes him a sympathetic character. If you know anything about the real Vlad The Impaler, he was anything but sympathetic.

There is some great imagery throughout the film, but it's not enough to make it worth paying for to sit through it.




JOHN WICK
Rated: R
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen
Plot: A former hit-man for the Russian mob is pulled back into his old life through a series of unfortunate events.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this DVD as soon as possible

At its base this is a revenge flick, but this one is very well done. The powers that be added a unique world building aspect to this film that makes it much more interesting and compelling than your typical shoot-'em-up.

Keanu Reeves plays a believable if reluctant hit-man tormented by recent events, and his adversaries are not the typical one-dimensional bad guys that litter the screens of lesser films. That said, there are your usual convenient plot holes, bad guy soliloquies instead of just killing the protagonist, and cheesy one-liners, but thankfully they are minor enough not to distract from the overall story.

For the squeamish among you, JOHN WICK probably breaks the record for the most close-distance head shots. But for the rest of you looking for a kick-butt film, JOHN WICK will satisfy.




THE BEST OF ME
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Luke Bracey, Liana Liberato
Plot: Two people that used to be lovers, but haven't seen each other in 20 years, are brought together again and try to reconnect through their complicated relationship.
Trailer

Clint Says: Only watch this if someone else pays for it

This is yet another eye-rolling train wreck brought to you by Nicholas Sparks. The plot is mostly boring, the acting is mediocre at best, and, no spoilers here, but the ending is such a ridiculously impossible stretch it is even unbelievable for his die-hard fans.

The only good thing about this movie is Gerald McRaney. He is brilliant as always. I feel bad for him that he got suckered into this flick. He will probably just have to consider it a stain on his otherwise incredible career.

I understand why these movies are popular. It's a formula that works, you don't have to expend too much energy in thinking about anything in the movie, there is some great eye candy, and there is always a beautiful love story that lets us escape into what-might-have-been land. That said, this formula is so tired and so cookie-cutter that it doesn't allow the plot or the characters any leeway to make it somewhat interesting, thought-provoking, or even slightly different from the other Nicholas Sparks films.

For the most part, you know what you are getting when you walk in to see this movie, unfortunately what you are getting isn't any good.




OUIJA
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto
Plot: After the death of a friend a small group use a Ouija board to try to contact her, but instead they wake an evil spirit.
Trailer

Clint Says: Only watch this if someone else pays for it

OUIJA is short on scares and long on ridiculousness. The scenes that are supposed to be truly scary are, for the most part, corny and laughable. The only scenes that made the audience I shared this travesty with jump were the contrived scenes where the friends accidentally scare one another. It's a cheap trick that has become old and tired in the horror genre.

This film is full of massive plot holes, incredibly stupid decisions made by the unbearably beautiful teens, and pathetic overacting by the stereotypical ugly old lady.

If you are looking for a scary flick to chill you to the bone this is not the film to do it. You'd be much better off renting something else.

Movie Review For October 17. 2014

FURY
Rated: R
Stars: Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LeBeouf, Michael Pena
Plot: Five brave soldiers take their tank behind enemy lines to do their part to help win World War II.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee unless you love war movies then see it now

If you are a war movie fan this is a masterpiece. The action is intense, non-stop and brutal. For you, I would recommend paying the extra money to see this on the biggest screen with the loudest sound system possible.

For those of you looking for a great film that happens to be about war, you'll be left wanting. While it is a phenomenal story of five men facing insurmountable odds and the acting is superb, the depth of character just isn't there. We catch tiny glimpses into what makes each of these men who they are, but it's not enough for the audience to be fully invested in their lives.

The plot is very simplistic, which in this case is fine, because the movie is so intense I doubt we could handle much more.

As far as straight up war movies go, this may be one of the best ones ever made.



THE BEST OF ME
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Luke Bracey, Liana Liberato
Plot: Two people that used to be lovers, but haven't seen each other in 20 years, are brought together again and try to reconnect through their complicated relationship.
Trailer

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

This is yet another eye-rolling train wreck brought to you by Nicholas Sparks. The plot is mostly boring, the acting is mediocre at best, and, no spoilers here, but the ending is such a ridiculously impossible stretch it is even unbelievable for his die-hard fans.

The only good thing about this movie is Gerald McRaney. He is brilliant as always. I feel bad for him that he go suckered into this flick. He will probably just have to consider it a stain on his otherwise incredible career.

I understand why these movies are popular. It's a formula that works, you don't have to expend too much energy in thinking about anything in the movie, there is some great eye candy, and there is always a beautiful love story that lets us escape into what-might-have-been land. That said, this formula is so tired and so cookie-cutter that it doesn't allow the plot or the characters any leeway to make it somewhat interesting, thought-provoking, or even slightly different from the other Nicholas Sparks films.

For the most part, you know what you are getting when you walk in to see this movie, unfortunately what you are getting isn't any good.



THE BOOK OF LIFE
Rated: PG
Stars: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum
Plot: Two men battle for the love of one woman while the masters of death have a wager on the outcome.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

This is a fascinating film. If you only look at the plot it's an average movie at best, but because of the unique animation style and the cultural aspect of the film it makes it worth seeing.

The Day Of The Dead imagery throughout the film is spectacular and the glimpse into the Hispanic culture relating to one of their most important holidays is fascinating. I was intrigued by this movie, but I realized the cultural significance of it when I observed a family of Hispanic descent after seeing the film. The adults were all wiping away tears of joy and the children were bouncing with excitement.

The soundtrack of the film is also unique and very good. Most of the songs are either current hits or very popular songs remade into music that fits the theme of the movie. Trust me, you've never heard Mumford and Sons like this.

Surprisingly, given the subject matter of the film, there are very few scenes that I would consider scary for the younger kids. It's not squeaky clean, but if your child can handle a little bit of tension and drama they will enjoy this film.



MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Rated: R
Stars: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Ansel Elgort, Kaitlyn Dever
Plot: A biting commentary on how our lives have changed because of technology.
Trailer

Clint Says: Avoid this movie unless you are the parents of tweens or teens

This movie is sick, twisted, demented, disgusting, perverted and very close to real life. If you are the parent of a teen or tween you need to go see this movie. It's a horrible, horrible movie to sit through, but the subject matter is spot on with what teens are doing now and how they deal with situations. Just know that the money you spend on a ticket is not for entertainment, but to help you better understand and connect with your kids.

This is the kind of movie that I wish John Hughes was still around and could have directed. It has the potential to be an incredible film, but it falls flat.

Rarely do you see people walk out of a theater because a movie is so bad. I saw about half a dozen people leave during the screening for this film. Two of which were a mom and her tween son. She couldn't get him out of there fast enough with all of the nastiness up on the screen.