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 Review for August 26, 2014

BLENDED
Rated - PG-13
Stars: Adam Sandler, Drew Berrymore
Plot: Two single parents that can't stand each other end up on the same African safari.
Trailer

Clint Says: It's worth a rental

While I will say this movie is significantly better that Sandler's last four or five movies, that's still not saying very much. It's not quite funny enough and it's not quite heartwarming enough, but it does enough to keep the audience fairly entertained throughout.

I was pleasantly surprised that the chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore is still there like in 50 FIRST DATES. And the addition of some of Sandler's regular go-to actors add a fun element to the film.

Sandler really hasn't made a film worth talking about for several years, but this is his best work in quite a while.



BELLE
Rated - PG
Stars: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Tom Felton
Plot: A mixed-race woman is raised in a life of aristocracy, but, because of the color of her skin, is still shunned.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent this as soon as possible

This movie is based on the true story of Dido Belle Lindsay and it is a highly compelling tale. The acting is superb and the story is fascinating. It is by no means a fast-paced movie, but the content will keep you engaged throughout.

DVD Reviews for April 1, 2014

ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES
Rated R
Stars: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell
Plot: Ron Burgundy and his misfit TV news team move to New York to help start the first 24-hour news channel.
Trailer

Clint Says: Let somebody else rent it.

ANCHORMAN 2 has moments of brilliance and several moments that are simply cringe worthy. This film is about half an hour too long and that half hour is brutal.

If you want to see a really good version of ANCHORMAN 2, watch the movie until he falls on the ice, then skip ahead to the last few minutes of the movie. You'll be glad you did and you won't miss anything worth watching.

I do give this movie an A+ for the completely hysterical way it makes fun of the 24-hour news cycle, but most of the humor in the sequel is just a rehash of jokes from the first ANCHORMAN movie.



47 RONIN
Rated PG-13
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada
Plot: A small group of dishonored Samurai fight to avenge the death of their leader.
Trailer

Clint Says: Rent it

47 RONIN is an interesting movie that fans of the genre will enjoy, but if you are only a casual observer, this will probably bore you.

Its slow pace allows for some incredible cinematography, but there is a noticeable lack of action. The movie takes more than an hour before it feels like it starts moving. When is does finally get going, it is intense and action-packed.

Like the pacing, the special effects are hit and miss. Sometimes they are incredible, other times they look like they were done on an old computer for a movie in the 80s.

It's not a bad movie at all, it's just not a movie for everyone.



THE PIRATE FAIRY
Rated G
Stars: Mae Whitman, Christina Hendricks, Tom Hiddleston
Plot: Zarina, an inquisitive fairy, finds herself in trouble and alone. She joins a band of pirates and plans to steal all of the pixie dust from the fairies, but Tinkerbell and her friends have plans of their own.
Trailer

Clint Says: Buy this for the little princess in your home

If you've seen any of the Disney Tinkerbell DVDs you know the feel of this movie as well. I took the toughest little four year old critic to see a screening of this movie and although she was not overly thrilled with the entire movie she liked it, and that's saying a lot coming from her. (The only movies worthy of her time are CINDERELLA and THE LITTLE MERMAID).

Personally, I loved the foreshadowing to Peter Pan. We get our first glimpses of Skull Island, the Tick Tock Croc, and Captain Hook (voiced by Tom Hiddleston...awesome).

If you have a Tinkerbell fan in your home, she will be thrilled with THE PIRATE FAIRY and will watch it again and again.