Movie Review For August 14, 2015: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. and STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
Rated: R
Director: F. Gary Gray
Stars: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Paul Giamatti
Plot: The story of the rise of NWA and the gangsta rap genre
Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

If you were a teenager in the late 80s and early 90s there is no doubt that NWA was a part of your life in some form. You may have loved them, you may have hated them, but you definitely knew about them...and about Compton.

This film comes at a very interesting time in America where we are seeing cries of police brutality across the nation. As you watch the movie it almost feels like the words of Ice Cube and MC Ren were 25 years ahead of their time. (Either that, or we've been ignoring a real issue for a very long time).

This film clocks in at almost 2 1/2 hours, but it moves fast. The drama is real, intense and non-stop. It also has a light-hearted side that is a nice relief from the depths of darkness in which we find the characters. It also has a lot of the music from that era, but it feels like it's not quite enough.

The film is produced by Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Tomica Woods-Wright (the wife of Eazy E), and they all have said that they wanted this movie to be as close to the real thing as possible. I'm sure there are some embellishments and moments of convenience, but for the most part, it feels very authentic. The only major player not associated with the film is NWA's former manager Jerry Heller. He's said a few things about the film not relaying the truth, but time will tell if he thinks it is enough off base for a lawsuit.

The acting and casting are also stellar. Ice Cube's son plays his father in the film and the other actors are so spot on you actually feel like you are watching a reincarnation of the group.

This film has a better than average chance of being a contender during awards season. It is well worth spending the money to see it on the big screen.




THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Rated: PG-13
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander
Plot: US and Russian spies must work together to stop a mad man from getting a nuclear weapon.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

If you are a tried and true fan of the James Bond franchise save your money for SPECTRE. This is not James Bond. It's not bad at all, in fact there is a lot about it that is quite enjoyable. It just has a completely different feel than you would expect from a typical spy flick. That probably has a lot to do with it being written, produced, and directed by Guy Ritchie.

I am always wary of a film that has one person in charge of so much. Especially if that person is one that is incapable of hearing the word "no" from his employees. (See: MacFarlane, Seth). But Ritchie actually made a movie worth seeing.

I wouldn't pay full price to see this flick simply because Henry Cavill's speech pattern is insufferably annoying and Armie Hammer's Russian accent is passable at best. Unfortunately, the two of them talk throughout the whole film.

I will say that the plot is interesting and suspenseful, there is a lot of great action and the laughs are plenty. You won't be disappointed seeing this film in theaters, but it's not going to be a long-lasting fan favorite.

My Non-Review of LOVE AND MERCY

LOVE AND MERCY
Rated: PG-13
Stars: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti
Plot: The story of the life of Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson
Trailer

Clint Says: I saw it, but I can't give it an honest review

Dear Reader,

This film came out a couple of weeks ago and typically I try to see as many of the films as I can before they are widely released. This film was one where I just couldn't do it. I wanted to see it, and at the same time I wanted this movie to be washed from my memory forever. This back-and-forth mental tug-of-war lasted about 10 days until I finally got the nerve to go see it.

I sat near the exit just in case I needed to make a quick escape.

As the movie began I got that queasy feeling you get when you are about to go on a roller coaster that you don't want to go on. I almost left.

But, I stayed.

And this movie wrecked me.

Most people will see LOVE AND MERCY and walk out feeling pretty good. Like they just saw a nicely done overcomer story. Making my reaction to the film seem completely out of place. But there is a reason for it.

I lived in Malibu, California in the early 1990's and over the course of a couple of years became acquainted with Brian Wilson. I say acquainted, because during that time I don't even know if it was possible for him to actually get to know someone. He was so fried from drug use and the forced over-medication by one of his confidants that most of the time I was around him he was barely able to talk. I'm sure back then he would have recognized me on some level, but there is no way he would remember me now.

I was just a teenager scooping ice cream at the local shop that he would frequent. Occasionally, we would exchange pleasantries, but that was about it...for him. For me, I would see this man...this legend...sitting there fumbling with his treat, sometimes so much so that his girlfriend would spoon feed him, and it devastated me.

This was the guy that had written the songs that defined a decade and are still powerful anthems to this day. This was a guy that had it all and, for whatever reason, threw it all away for a high. (I know now that he had mental issues and was being purposely over-medicated, but back then I thought that it was all his own doing).

I didn't understand. And even now, I still don't.

In a way, I am thankful for the time I got to spend with and around Brian Wilson. He basically showed me how not to live my life. The fact that I never got into drug use in any way is partially because of seeing what it did to him.

Watching the movie threw me right back into the early 90s. John Cusack absolutely nails it as Wilson. Other than that I can't honestly tell you if it was a good movie or not. Just thinking about the movie gives me a knot in my stomach.

So, if you were hoping to come here and find out if you should go see this movie or not, my apologies. I hope you will understand my reasoning and come back again for my next review.

Thank you for reading,

Clint

Movie Review For May 29, 2015: SAN ANDREAS and ALOHA

SAN ANDREAS
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario, Paul Giamatti, Carla Gugino
Plot: A father tries to save his wife and daughter during a swarm of massive earthquakes
Trailer

Clint Says: The only way to see this movie is in the biggest theater possible

Let's be honest, nobody goes to a disaster movie expecting to be mentally inspired. You go because you want to see a whole bunch of stuff blow up, fall down or otherwise be destroyed in some epic fashion. SAN ANDREAS gives you exactly what you are expecting.

This movie is a loud, intense, over-the-top, two-hour thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath. As long as you check your brain at the door as far as science goes you'll really enjoy this popcorn flick.

I must warn you though that this is not the kind of movie you can wait to see on DVD. You either need to spend what it takes to see this in IMAX 3D or don't bother seeing it at all. This is the kind of film you need to experience, not watch.




ALOHA
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams
Plot: A former military man returns to his old stomping grounds as a civilian contractor forcing his new and old worlds to collide.
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

This film has one of the best ensemble casts of 2015. Unfortunately, the script doesn't do them justice. The acting in ALOHA is outstanding, but that can only take a movie so far.

Even though this movie isn't even two hours long, it feels like it drags on. There isn't any conflict or really anything of interest that happens during the first half of the movie. It wasn't until almost the hour mark where I stopped questioning why I was seeing this film.

This movie could have been much better with some simple changes to the storytelling, but as it is, it is confusing, slow, boring and pretty much useless. It's a pleasant and nice film, but there isn't enough going on to make you feel anything until almost the very end.