Movie Reviews November 25, 2015: CREED, THE GOOD DINOSAUR, and VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN

CREED
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: Nivember 25, 2015
Director: Ryan Coogler
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
Plot: The son of Apollo Creed tries to make a name for himself in the boxing world, but his legendary father is always lurking
Trailer

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

This is a ROCKY for a new generation. It is powerful, emotional and most importantly, it's a good film.

The movie went a lot deeper than I expected it to go. It got down inside the main characters so we could really understand their strengths, flaws, and motivations.The performances by all of the main players were great. Not quite award-worthy, but still fine acting all around.

There are several predictable and cliche moments throughout the movie, but those can easily be pushed aside since the entirety of the film is so well done.

And, in true ROCKY fashion, they did leave it open for the possibility of a sequel.





THE GOOD DINOSAUR
Rated: PG
Release Date: November 25, 2015
Director: Peter Sohn
Stars: Raymond Ochoa, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright
Plot: A young boy and a dinosaur become friends on a long journey
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

This film is a swing and a miss for Pixar. It is really slow, even though it's only 90 minutes long it feels like it's well over 2 hours. There are very few light-hearted or funny moments. And while this isn't a funny film per se, we have come to expect a lot of laughs from Pixar movies.

The film is rated PG and I wouldn't take anyone under age 5 because there are several very scary moments. Also, the film just isn't good enough to hold the attention of the younger kids.

This movie has very little to offer adults, which is quite disappointing. Usually Pixar films are great for all ages. This one will appeal to children that are 8-10 years old and that's about it.

There are some other family films coming out in the near future that look like they would be worth your theater money. I say save it for those films and just rent this one when the DVD is finally released.

Warning: The animated short before THE GOOD DINOSAUR is terrifying. I know that if my five year old saw it she would have nightmares. Just be aware going into the movie that bad dreams are a possibility.




VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 25, 2015
Director: Paul McGuigan
Stars: James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, Andrew Scott
Plot: Two brilliant scientists create life from death while Scotland Yard tries to stop them
Trailer

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

The trailer for this movie had me chomping at the bit to see it. I was really hoping that it would live up to the expectations that I had from the trailer, and it did.

It has a great plot with an especially fascinating origin story for Igor, and the Gothic cinematography is outstanding. McAvoy and Radcliffe have incredible chemistry making the movie even more fun to watch.

This film is nerdtastic all the way through with the science and experiments. It is also quite scary and intense in places. Most people wouldn't consider this a horror film by today's standards, but I would say this is exactly what a true horror film should be.

NOTE: For those of you that are fans of the BBC show SHERLOCK, you'll have fun watching Moriarty play Sherlock for a while.

Movie Reviews For November 20, 2015: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2, THE NIGHT BEFORE, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, and BY THE SEA

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Director: Francis Lawrence
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Liam Hemsworth
Plot: Katniss and the rebels devise a plan to take down the Capitol and President Snow
Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

Simply put, this film is outstanding. It is a perfect ending to an incredible franchise. I walked out of the theater with so many emotions. I was happy because the movie was so good. I was sad because there are several very emotional and intense scenes that will wreck you and leave you raw. And I felt loss knowing that this will be the last time I will get to experience something new from this world.

While the acting throughout the series has been great, in this movie the actors went to another level of greatness. There is a possibility that we might see Josh Hutcherson up for a few awards.

MOCKINGJAY Part 2 will leave you breathless. For nearly the entire 2 1/2 hours you finally think you are going to be able to catch your breath for a moment then something else happens making you jump out of your chair and holding your breath even longer.

Grab your friends and head to the theaters now. Then, once you've all recovered, go do it again.

One word of warning. It is imperative that you see Part 1 before seeing Part 2. If you haven't seen it you will be completely lost from the first scene. The move starts where Part 1 left off almost as if it is just a jump cut to the next scene.





THE NIGHT BEFORE
Rated: R
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Director: Jonathan Levine
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie
Plot: Three buddies spend Christmas Eve looking for an epic Christmas party.
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

This is one of those films where you know going into it you are going to see stupid, raunchy humor throughout, hilarious cameos, and a heartwarming finish. It's also a film that affords you the luxury of being able to turn your brain off for 90 minutes.

There is nothing about this movie that is great. There is nothing about this movie that makes it worth seeing in theaters. It's stupid, childish, obnoxious and annoying. That said, if you are looking for a fun, brainless, laugh-out-loud night with friends this movie will not disappoint.

While it isn't the best work for most of the actors, I must say that this is probably Miley Cyrus's greatest moment to date.




SECRET IN THEIR EYES
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Director: Billy Ray
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts
Plot: A group of investigators' lives are changed when the daughter of one of their own is murdered
Trailer

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

If you are in the mood for a well done, suspenseful thriller this week then you need to see this movie. The acting is great, the plot is incredible, and the twists are stunning.

The only thing that really bothered me about this movie was that it switches back and forth between 2001 and 2015, but the characters are the same, so sometimes it is confusing as to which year we are in.Other than that, this is a film that will sit in your brain for days.

Julia Roberts plays the slightly creepy, plain Jane cop very well, and her turning point scene will wreck you. There may be a couple of award nominations in her future. The rest of the cast does a fine job, but Roberts is the stand out.




BY THE SEA
Rated: R
Release Date: November 20, 2015
Director: Angelina Jolie
Stars: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt
Plot: An estranged couple tries to rekindle their relationship in a French, sea-side hotel
Trailer

Clint Says: Don't even bother

I have to give Angelina Jolie credit for being ambitious. She wrote, directed and starred in BY THE SEA and she did it all in an interesting throwback homage to the glamour films of the 60's and 70's. That said, this film is horrible.

There are three things I really can't stand in movies. One is a slow-moving plot in a 2-plus hour long movie, another is a highly anticipated reveal that turns out to be a complete letdown, and another is Brad Pitt eating. This film strikes out in all three categories.

It is dreadfully slow and boring. The film could have easily been edited down by 45 minutes and still accomplished the same thing. We spend more that two hours catching glimpses of the horrific event that has caused this couple so much strife for so long only to find out in the last 10 minutes that the horrific event, while tragic, is something that millions of people go through every year and are able to carry on with their lives in an all, but normal fashion. It's actually quite offensive to those people that have dealt with the same thing. And finally, Brad Pitt's eating is nauseating. How anyone can watch him scoop, and chomp and smack and stuff like that is beyond me.

I honestly can't see how anyone could walk out of the theater after seeing this movie and be able to say that it was a good film.

Movie Reviews For November 13, 2015: LOVE THE COOPERS and THE 33

LOVE THE COOPERS
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 13, 2015
Director: Jessie Nelson
Stars: Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Olivia Wilde
Plot: A Christmas family gathering makes them all take a new look at family bonds
Trailer

Clint Says: Don't even bother

To quote another Christmas movie, LOVE THE COOPERS sits on a throne of lies! This film has been marketed through the trailers as a fun holiday comedy. The truth? It's a sad, depressing, shallow movie that tries to redeem itself with three minutes of Christmas magic at the end.

The ensemble cast is great, and this may be Olivia Wilde's best work, but the plot is so terrible that their performances are overshadowed. 

If you are looking for a movie to get you into the Christmas spirit, stay far away from this one. The only gift this movie gives you is when the end credits finally roll.

THE 33
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 13, 2015
Director: Patricia Riggen
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche
Plot: Based on the true story of the 33 Chilean miners trapped in a mine for 69 days
Trailer

Clint Says: Save some money and see a matinee

In the Fall of 2010 we all sat glued to TV screens desperately hoping we would see the first miner come up through a small hole in the ground. When he finally did, you could almost hear the whole world cheering as one. No movie could ever recreate the sense of drama and intensity of that moment, but this film comes close.

It is impossible to imagine what life would be like living, for 69 days, under a rock that could shift and kill you at any second. The stress and fear must have been all but unbearable. We get to see some of that in this movie, but there are so many stories that the director tried to get in that we never really get to go deep into any of them.

The same can be said for the stories of the families waiting for their loved ones to be rescued and the rescuers. We get to see bits and pieces of a lot of stories, but we are never given enough to really care about individuals. Thankfully the story is so compelling itself that it makes the movie worth watching.

If you are looking for a dramatic and inspirational story, you will find THE 33 satisfactory.

Move Reviews For November 6, 2015: SPECTRE and SUFFRAGETTE

SPECTRE
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: November 6, 2015
Director: Sam Mendes
Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes
Plot: James Bond must discover who is behind a secret terrorist organization with far-reaching capabilities
Trailer

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

The 007 cast and crew has done it again. This is a smart, fast-paced, well-acted spy flick that will have you holding your breath and cheering out loud.

This will almost certainly be Daniel Craig's last go around as James Bond, and this movie is a perfect sendoff for him. The film does set up another Bond film, so fear not 007 fans, we will see more of everyone's favorite spy. (Will it be Idris Elba, or Benedict Cumberbatch, or Tom Hiddleston, or someone else?)

This film has several great moments that flash back to previous films, but the best by far is a re-introduction of one of Bond's greatest villains. If you aren't cheering at the reveal you either aren't a full Bond fan or you need to have your pulse checked.

While this movie isn't quite as good as SKYFALL, it is still outstanding and very much worth seeing in theaters.

Also, SPECTRE has, arguably, the best opening credit montage of all of the Bond films to this point.




SUFFRAGETTE
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: October 12, 2015 (Limited)
Director: Sarah Gavron
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne-Marie Duff
Plot: Women in the early 20th century organize and begin using civil disobedience to force the government to give them the right to vote
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

This is the kind of movie that checks off almost all of the boxes for a solid Academy Award push. It's a period piece, it focuses on a social issue, and Meryl Streep is in it. Unfortunately, it fails to check off the most important box... it's simply not a very good movie.

SUFFRAGETTE could have been spectacular, but instead it is slow-moving to the point of being boring in some places, and the arc from point A to point B is riddled with dips and bumps. The ending is rushed and feels incomplete.

That said, Carey Mulligan is outstanding in her lead role and is worthy of being on the short list for awards nominations. It's just too bad that she didn't have a lot to work with in regards to script. Meryl Streep is in this movie for all of three minutes, if she gets an Oscar nomination for this role we all need to give up on Hollywood forever.

This is a movie that should make women feel empowered and proud, but the emotion isn't there.




THE PEANUTS MOVIE
Rated: G
Release Date: November 6, 2015
Director: Steve Martino
Stars: Noah Schnapp, Hadley Belle Miller, Bill Melendez
Plot: Charlie Brown and Snoopy both embark on great adventures
Trailer

Clint Says: Wait for the DVD

This is a slightly modified version of the same old Peanuts gang that has been around forever. If you are a fan of the old comic strip and holiday specials you will most likely enjoy this film. If you find the themes to be slow and boring, this film will not change your mind.

Charlie Brown is still as melancholy as ever, Lucy is still a bully and Snoopy is still fighting The Red Baron with Woodstock by his side.

I was hoping that, with the animation update, we might see a newer, more relevant style. It's too bad that Peanuts hasn't kept up with the times. I would really like my young kids to enjoy Peanuts, but it doesn't fit in to their high-tech lifestyles.

I do like the nostalgia of it all, but nostalgia is lost on a five year old. I'm afraid this movie misses it's target.




ROOM
Rated: R
Release Date: November 6, 2015
Director: Lenny Abrahanson
Stars: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay
Plot: A kidnapped woman raises her son to believe that the small room they live in is the entire world
Trailer

Clint Says: Drop everything and go see this movie now

This is easily one of the best films of the year. It will only be in limited release, but if you can find it at a theater near you, go see it now.

Brie Larson is amazing and Jacob Tremblay may win several awards this year. They are perfect together, and their portrayals will make you feel their hope, anger, despair and fear.

This is one of the best psychological films I have ever seen. The mental anguish is so real as is the dealing with the aftermath of their horrific situation.

I'm not spoiling anything that isn't already in the trailers, but I will say the escape scene lasts about five minutes and I'm pretty sure I held my breath the entire time. It was so powerful and intense you could almost see the tension filling up the theater.

Put this movie on your list now and be watching for it come awards season.