Movie Reviews For December 25, 2015: CONCUSSION, JOY, DADDY'S HOME, THE HATEFUL EIGHT, THE BIG SHORT, POINT BREAK, and THE REVENANT

THE BIG SHORT

Rated: R

Release Date: December 23, 2015

Director: Adam McKay

Stars: Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt

Plot: A group of financial geniuses bet against the housing market in 2008 and win big

Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

This is easily one of the best films of the year and should be the front runner for Best Comedy as well as many of the Best Supporting Actor nominations. It may even see nominations for Screenplay and Director.

When you hear that this is a 2-plus hour movie about the housing crash of 2008 you would think that it would be the most boring, slow-moving film, but it is actually very exciting and enthralling from beginning to end. The way they deliver the boring information is done in such a unique and fun way that you almost can’t help but be happy to be learning about lame economic terms.

Steve Carell and Christian Bale give outstanding performances. And the cameos are almost the best part of the movie.

I highly recommend seeing it. 

45 YEARS

Rated: R

Release Date: December 23, 2015

Director: Andrew Haigh

Stars: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

Plot: A couple has to deal with news from the past during the week of their 45th wedding anniversary

Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay give outstanding, possibly award-worthy performances in this rather boring and slow film. 

The premise behind the movie is highly intriguing, but the execution is lacking and the film never gets into the meat of the issue or the payoff. The conflict is mild at best and the stakes are almost non-existent. 

This movie has received a lot of attention from film snobs around the world, but your average movie-goer should just skip this one. 

CONCUSSION

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: December 25, 2015

Director: Peter Landesman

Stars: Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Plot: A doctor discovers a disease that may bring down the NFL

Trailer

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

Will Smith has given us a thinking-person's blockbuster. This movie is done in a way that it will satisfy both the casual movie-goer and the person looking for something deep and meaningful in their theatrical experience.

I'm not sure how true to the real story this film stays, but it is fascinating to see one man take on one of the world's largest businesses. His journey is compelling, frustrating and intense. You can tell that his character feels passionate about trying to save lives no matter what the personal cost to himself or his profession.

I would like to know if the NFL had any editorial say in this film. There are several scenes that make them look bad, but the film uses real NFL logos and stadiums so it makes me think that they may have had some input into the final cut. I hope not, but that remains to be seen.

This is not a happy, fun, popcorn flick. It is a powerful, moving film that is worth the time and money.




DADDY'S HOME
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: December 25, 2015
Director: Sean Anders
Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg
Plot: A dad and step-dad have a battle to try to win the affections of their children
Trailer

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

The Ferrell/Wahlberg combination is either incredible or a complete disaster. This movie, unfortunately, is the later. It's obnoxious, whiny, slow, and barely funny. I saw it in a theater with about 20 other people and I heard half a dozen laughs at most.

Most of the best lines and scenes from the movie are in the trailer, and a couple of good ones in the trailer didn't make it into the movie.

This film is full of cliches and stereotypes and the situations are unbelievable and forced.

This movie owes a big "Thank You" to STAR WARS because the only way it is making money is by people not able to see STAR WARS because it is sold out and opting to see this instead.




JOY
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: December 25, 2015
Director: David O. Russell
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro
Plot: A woman that has put off her own life for everyone else finally has a plan to make something of herself
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

I enjoyed this movie, but I wish it would have been better. I love the Lawrence/Cooper/De Niro crew, but this film doesn't quite capture the magic that we have seen from them in their other endeavors. I'm sure this movie will be nominated for, and win, several awards, but I'm not sure that it should.

The trailer leads one to believe that Joy is a savvy, go-getter that refuses to let nothing stand in her way, and while she eventually gets there, she spends the first half of the film dealing with everyone else's issues. It's important to the plot, but it could have been handled in a few minutes so we could move on to the good stuff quicker.

JOY has been slotted into the Comedy category, but the laughs are few. It's much more of a drama. Also, one of the things that makes these films so good is the rapport and banter between Lawrence and Cooper. We don't get nearly enough of that because, he's in the movie for all of about 10 minutes.

Like I said, I enjoyed this movie, and you probably will to, but it won't be a favorite for many people. You'd be better off just waiting for the DVD or seeing a matinee.




POINT BREAK
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: December 25, 2015
Director: Ericson Core
Stars: Luke Bracey, Edgar Ramirez, Ray Winstone
Plot: An FBI agent infiltrates a gang of extreme sports athletes on a massive crime spree
Trailer

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

I'm not really sure how you can make a movie about extreme sports, high stakes robberies, and undercover FBI work boring, but director Ericson Core managed to do it in spectacularly boring fashion.

There are so many eye-rolling moments in this film that I felt like I was doing my own back flips and stunts. The bad guys' motivation is flimsy at best, and Luke Bracey's incredible lack of acting skills makes Keanu Reeves look like he should have won an Oscar for the original POINT BREAK.

If I'm ever forced to watch this move again I may have to consider jumping off a cliff as an alternative...parachute optional.




THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Rated: R
Release Date: December 25, 2015
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Plot: Eight people from different walks of life end up trapped together in a blizzard when everything goes bad
Trailer

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

I really believe that when Quentin Tarantino sat down to write this screenplay he had just seen the movie CLUE (1985) and said, "I can do that movie way better. And with a ton more violence and bad language. And in the wild west."

Tarantino once again relies on the stellar talent of many of his go-to actors, and they pull off quite the epic flick. That said, this is a 3-plus hour long, Quentin Tarantino film. If either of those things bothers you do not go see this film.

You should also avoid this movie if you are easily offended by bad language, including the constant use of the N word, you do not like gratuitous violence, or you aren't a fan of Shakespearean-style tragedies.

You should drop everything and go see this movie now if you are a Quentin Tarantino fan, because this is some of his finest work since PULP FICTION. You should also see it if you love intriguing mysteries, scenes where you can cut the tension with a knife, and crazy twists that you will never see coming.

This film is long, over the top, ridiculous, and amazing. If you can handle it I highly recommend seeing it.

NOTE: Tarantino filmed this movie in the style of the old road show films. If you have a chance to see it in the road show fashion, I recommend it. It's odd compared to today's movies, but it is interesting. You'll feel like you are getting punked for the first ten minutes of the film, but then it kicks in, and it moves at light speed after the intermission.

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.

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.

DVD Review for June 17, 2014

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Rated: R
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Willem Dafoe,
Plot: A world-class concierge trains his protege in the art of fine hotel service while going on a grand adventure.
Trailer

Clint Says: Go to the store and buy this DVD now

This may be Wes Anderson's best work yet. Ralph Fiennes is spectacular as are many of the other peculiar characters throughout the film. If forced to put this movie into a category, I'd have to call it a dark comedy, but it is much more than that.

The plot is uniquely interesting, the music is outstanding and, even though we are way too far out from the 2015 Academy Awards for Hollywood to remember this film, it wouldn't surprise me at all for this film to get an Oscar nod for cinematography. Every scene in this movie is framed like a beautiful painting.

Wes Anderson's work isn't for everyone, in fact, some of his former films I find to be a complete waste of time (FANTASTIC MR. FOX and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS), but if you've ever enjoyed any of his quirky works, you will love your stay at THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL.

The best way I can describe this movie is that it is a cross between MONTY PYTHON and CLUE.



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: Drop everything and go buy this DVD now

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).

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.

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.