Mike's Movie Tips

3/4 Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Stephanie Szostack, Mary-Louise Parker Rated PG-13 for Violence, Sci-Fi/Fantast Action, Some Sensuality and Language including Sex References Call it the guilty pleasure of 2013.  It moves way too fast.  There are some big plotholes.  Half of Jeff Bridges dialogue is unintelligible.  But, I had fun and I enjoyed myself. Nick (Reynolds) is a cop in the DC police department.  He and his partner Hayes (Bacon) have taken some gold that they found on a bust and kept it for themselves.  But Nick's conscience gets the best of him and decides to turn in his part while telling Hayes that he can do what he wants.  For this, Hayes betrays him on a bust and kills him (never has an attempt to get a PG-13 been more obvious than in this scene).  Nick is thusly zoomed up into the afterlife, and the person he meets there (a dryly funny Parker) gives him two options: risk Judgement (lying is a very bad idea) or join the Rest In Peace De

4/4 Starring: Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis Rated R for Some Bloody Images and Language The best horror films are built on universal feelings.  " Sinister " was all about having an image stare back at you.  "Halloween" had an emotionless, unstoppable killing machine.  "The Innkeepers" touches on the feeling that there's someone standing right behind you.  Throughout the movie, I was checking behind me to make sure there was no ghost ready to pounce on me. It's the last weekend of business at the Yankee Pedlar Inn.  Once a bustling hotel, it has now been driven out of business by big hotel chains.  It's also haunted, and it's two employees, tomboy Claire (Paxton) and nerdy Luke (Healy), are determined to get proof that the ghost of Madeline O'Malley haunts the inn. Plotwise, there's really not much else to say.  There are a total of four guests in the movie, only one of which has an important role.  That's Lean

1/4 Starring: Julia Roberts, John Malkovich, George Cole, Michael Gambon, Glenn Close Rated R for Notable Gore and Some Strong Violence As I put my recently purchased copy of "Mary Reilly" into the my Xbox, I had no idea what I was going to see.  I knew it was a new take on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic tale, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," but the cast and crew reads like something out of a high voltage drama.  Julia Roberts' career has never involved a horror movie, and Stephen Frears is to horror what Uve Boll is to Oscar contenders.  But I knew I would be in good hands because Roberts and Malkovich are always good, and Stephen Frears had yet to direct a movie that I didn't adore (his credits include " Mrs. Henderson Presents " and "High Fidelity" to name two).  Needless to say, I was wrong. Mary Reilly (Roberts) is the new chambermaid at the household of wealthy scientist Dr. Henry Jekyll (Malkovich).  She comes from a bad pas

3.5/4 Starring: Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Maribel Verdu The version being reviewed is unrated.  The Edited Version is rated R for Strong Sexual Content involving Teens, Drug Use and Language The sad thing about American culture is that our attitudes towards sex are so backward.  Teenagers aren't able to get an honest understanding of the ins and outs of sex and its complications.  It's become a dirty joke or something to be feared. True, the characters in this film do joke about sex (as teenagers do), but the film is uncensored in a way that is refreshing.  There is a lot of sex in this film (some of which is very hot), but director Alfonso Cuaron doesn't tiptoe around it.  He presents it in a matter of fact and realistic way.  In American movies, even R-rated ones like " Basic Instinct " or " American Pie ," sex is treated in such a coy way that robs it of all its mystery and excitement.  Quick cuts, blankets and unrealistic "choreogr

A week or so ago, when it was announced that former Playboy Bunny Jenny McCarthy was joining the morning talk show "The View," it was released with a storm of controversy.  McCarthy has become infamous for her activism against the MMR vaccine, which she believes caused her son's autism.  People think that the position will give validity to her claims, which have been repeatedly shown to be untrue.  I share those fears.  This is a dangerous medical hoax, and we need to do everything we can to prevent this rumor from spreading. Before I go any further, let me state my belief about this controversy: there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.  Not only have numerous studies by reputable organizations failed to find any link whatsoever, the scientist behind the "findings," Andrew Wakefield, has been charged with just about every ethical and methodological misconduct one can think of, including 12 counts of abusing mentally challenged children and falsifyi

2.5/4 Starring: Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Colm Meaney, Rachel Ticotin, Mykelti Williamson, Monica Potter Rated R for Strong Violence and Language I feel jealous of mature filmgoers during the 1996-1997 time period.  Three classic action movies were released during that year: " Heat ," " Face/Off " and " Turbulence "...ha ha.  Just kidding.  I meant to say " The Rock " (as if anyone with more than a quarter of their brain could consider MGM's bomb a "classic"...).  While "Con Air" certainly isn't among those masterpieces, it does have it's pleasures. Cameron Poe (Cage) is an ex-Army Ranger who has just left the armed forces.  While celebrating with his lovely wife Tricia (Potter), he is attacked by three drunken goons.  While Tricia runs for help, Cameron kills one of them in self-defense.  Refusing to take a plea bargain, he is sentenced to seven years in the slammer.  Now out on parole, Ca

4/4 Starring: Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carrell, Toni Collette, AnnaSophia Robb, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry Rated PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Language, Some Sexual Content and Brief Drug Material The last time I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that the movie I was seeing had another scene to go was " The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ."  But "The Way Way Back" is one of those movies that you wish would never end.  The characters are so interesting and likable (with a few exceptions), the story is winning and it's honest . We've all been awkward during adolescence.  It's part of growing up.  That's no different for Duncan (James).  Duncan knows he's awkward, which is why he's too shy to really do anything.  He's been dragged to Trent's (Carrell) beach house for the summer.  Trent, whom Duncan hates, is dating his mother Pam (Collette).  Also along for the ride is Trent's daughter

3/4 Starring: Michael Angarano, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Guiry, Melissa Leo, Emily VanCamp Rated R for Some Language and Brief Violence They always say that you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family.  I think that the McKays would agree with that sentiment. The McKays are a broken family living in South Boston.  None of them are happy in the slightest, and as a family, they're broken beyond repair.  Desmond (Gleeson) is a failed ball player who turned to alcohol when his dreams fizzled out, and now carries a secret from his family.  Margaret (Leo) is a devout Catholic whose attempts to do the right thing do more harm than good.  Oldest son Terry (Guiry) is an out of control menace who's going to end up dead or in jail (whichever comes first).  Katie (VanCamp) is pregnant and unmarried.  And Cole (Angarano), the youngest son, is simply trying to keep his head above water. There's really not much of a plot to this movie.  It's not that kind o

4/4 Narrated by Judi Dench Rated PG for Thematic Elements The wide range of human nature amazes me.  We are capable of both great evil and great good.  I mentioned "evil" first and "good" second not because I am a pessimist, but because that's how the story goes.  The film begins with acts of terror and horror, but we see that just as people can force children from their parents and slaughter millions, there are others who can take in children they do not know for no incentive other than the goodness in their hearts. As Adolph Hitler gained more power and spread the evil of the Third Reich into Austria and the Sudetenland, life in those areas became more and more hostile and dangerous.  Getting out was, due to the legal requirements, next to impossible.  When word of the Jewish peoples' plight reached London, the English Parliament approved a plan for Jewish children under the age of 17 to be shipped out of their home countries and into England.  Thi

2/4 Starring: Adrienne King, Jeannine Taylor, Robbi Morgan, Kevin Bacon, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bertram, Mark Nelson, Peter Brouwer Rated R for Violence/Gore, Sexuality/Nudity, and Drug Use (I guess) The "Friday the 13th" franchise is one of the "Big Three" slasher franchises (the other two being the "Halloween" saga and the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies).  After having seen all three of the movies, I'd have to say that "Halloween" reigns supreme.  That's the scary one, while Freddy Krueger's debut was creepy and inventive, but not on the same level.  "Friday the 13th" certainly has its moments, including one very effective shock, but for the most part it's just a poser. Camp Crystal Lake has a bad history.  The year after a child drowned, two counselors looking for a hot encounter were butchered, and the camp has been plagued by misfortune ever since.  This year, the son of the Christys, who own the c

2/4 Starring: Brad Pitt, Mirelle Enos, Daniella Kertesz, Fana Mokoena, Sterling Jerins, Abigail Hargrove Rated PG-13 for Intense Frightening Zombie Sequences, Violence and Disturbing Images Movies as troubled as "World War Z" are typically disastrous.  "Gigli," "Supernova," the list goes on.  Hollywood's latest zombie movie, based on Max Brooks' bestselling novel, is surprisingly not the disaster I was expecting.  It's not perfect, and I don't recommend it.  But compared to drek like "Pacific Rim" and "The Purge," it's decent entertainment. Gerry Lane (Pitt) is a former investigator for the UN, but is now a husband to his wife Karin (Enos) and father to his daughters Constance (Jerins) and Rachel (Hargrove).  His life seems idyllic but then he and his family hit disaster.  Zombies are running amok but fortunately, Gerry and his family escape, but Gerry's former co-worker, Thierry Umutoni (Mokoena), sends

3.5/4 Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper, Allison Janney, Peter Gallagher Rated R for Strong Sexuality, Language, Violence and Drug Content I just don't want to be ordinary. When we're little, we all have big dreams about what we want to be.  "I want to be a fireman!"  "I want to be a police officer!"  "I want to be a doctor!"  "I want to be a movie star!"  When we're young, the possibilities seem endless, as if we can get anything we want.  While it's true that America is the "Land of the Free" and with hard work you can do anything you want, the reality is that either through circumstance or changing interests, most of us don't become what we dream of and end up sitting in a cubicle somewhere pushing money around on a computer. While that's certainly a cynical viewpoint, there's a lot of truth in that belief.  Does every "director"

1.5/4 Starring: James Woods, Daniel Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, Tim Guinee, Thomas Ian Griffith, Maximilian Schell Rated R for Strong Vampire Violence and Gore, Language and Sexuality I was fortunate enough to run into John Miller (name changed to protect his identity) earlier tonight.  Because Mr. Miller is a real-life vampire hunter and devoted film buff, I thought it would be interesting to hear his opinion on John Carpenter's 1998 thriller "Vampires." Me: So John, let's start with the obvious.  What did you think of the movie? John: It was lame.  It had its moments, but I quickly grew bored. Me: Same here.  I nearly fell asleep (although in my defense, it was kind of late).  And it had a good premise for kicking a lot of vampire ass.  I mean, there's James Woods in full scenery-chewing mode playing a slayer named Jack Crow, who after his team was slaughtered, goes on the hunt for the first real vampire, Jan Valek (Griffith).  It's sort of a revenge st

2/4 Starring: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillon, Adrienne Shelly, Cheryl Hines, Jeremy Sisto, Andy Griffith Rated PG-13 for Sexual Content, Language and Thematic Elements "Waitress" is an enthusiastic little film that certainly has some laudable qualities, but ultimately doesn't quite work.  It's more insightful than many comedies these days and it has energy, but it feels like a mish-mash of tones and genres that isn't quite streamlined enough.  It's a fantasy, but it doesn't come together. Jenna Hunterson (Russell) is a pie-making genius.  She can come up with unusual pie recipes off the top of her head that make everyone salivate.  Sadly, the success of her culinary skill does not translate to her personal life, which is a disaster.  Her husband Earl (Sisto) became an insecure but aggressive brute after they married and is determined to keep her under his control.  She's making plans and saving money to run away, but she discovers a little problem

1/4 Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman, Robert Kazinsky Rated PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Action and Violence Throughout, and Brief Language I love big and loud action movies as much as the next guy.  Intelligence is preferred, but it the action is good I'll give the film a little bit of leeway.  But movies like "Pacific Rim" scare me.  Is this where big budget action movies are going?  Are studios so obsessed with just getting everyone on earth in the theater that they've become terrified of having actual characters, plot or even dialogue that might turn the one person on that deserted island away? The movie is the unholy mix of "Transformers" and "Godzilla."  Think about that.  Could this movie ever have been good?  It sounds like one of those cheesy direct-to-DVD movies you find in the discount bin at K-Mart (not even Wal-Mart will stock something this silly).  But then I learn

2/4 Starring: Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, William Fitchner, Tom Wilkinson, Helena Bonham Carter, Mason Elston Cook, James Badge Dale Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Intense Action and Violence, and Some Suggestive Material News reports can't seem to stop talking about how poorly Disney's new movie, "The Lone Ranger," is doing at the box office.  While box office isn't necessarily tied to quality ("Speed Racer" was a huge loss for Warner Brothers, as was "Green Lantern"), it is in this case.  "The Lone Ranger isn't a bad movie per se, it's just relentlessly mediocre. A young boy (Cook) is wandering through a museum at a fair when he comes across a mannequin of Tonto, the sidekick to the legendary hero The Lone Ranger.  But as the boy finds out, the mannequin is not made of wax, but is in fact the real Tonto.  Tonto begins to recount one of his exploits with John Reid (Hammer), who would become the masked hero. John is coming h

Al Pacino.  Robert De Niro.  Meryl Streep.  Johnny Depp.  Will Smith. Many great actors become are famous actors.  That's where we get the term "movie star."  But for all the movie stars we have, there are many great actors who have talent but aren't famous at all.  Or at least, don't get the recognition they should. So, here are five actors to watch out for.  If you see a movie with them, it will probably be good, and their performance definitely will.  For your benefit, I've linked their names to their iMDb profile pages. Dane DeHaan : I first took notice of Dane DeHaan after his performance in " Chronicle ," the pseudo-documentary superhero movie.  With his boyish face and breaking voice, he looks a lot like a high schooler (he's really 26...and married).  But it's his raw talent, especially for simmering anger, that has kept him in my radar.  He was terrific in the otherwise awful " Lawless ," and very good in " The P

1.5/4 Starring: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Wigham, Tova Stewart, Kathy Baker Rated R for Some Language It is the director's job, in every movie, to make his characters grow.  While they may be caught in stasis, we have to see that the things that happen to them are affecting them.  That doesn't happen here.  "Take Shelter" is Jeff Nichols' second film (his third was "Mud," which was released earlier this year), and it suffers from a crawling pace.  The film is so slow going that it completely tanks the film and makes the two lead performances an exercise in futility. Curtis (Shannon) is a loving husband to Samantha (Chastain) and father to Hannah (Stewart).  He has a job in construction and works with his best buddy, Dewart (Wigham).  But he's seeing storms and raining oil that no one else is seeing, and he's having violent nightmares that cause him to behave in bizarre ways.  Convinced that there is a devastating storm appro

2/4 Starring (voices): Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Helen Mirren, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Helen Mirren Rated G "Toy Story."  "Toy Story 2."  "Monsters Inc."  "The Incredibles."  "Finding Nemo."  " Brave ." Those are a few of the masterpieces that Pixar Animation Studios has produced over the past 18 years.  Sadly, "Monsters University" is not among them.  It's not a bad movie, just a mediocre one. "Monsters Inc." introduced moviegoers to an interesting world where monsters are not only real, they scare kids for energy.  It told a complete story with a beginning, middle and end.  Although the idea for the film's prequel is interesting and, with the chemistry and talent of Billy Crystal and John Goodman, had potential, it's mostly unrealized. Mike Wazowski (Crystal) has wanted to be a scarer ever since he snuck in with a legendary scarer to watch him work.  Ever since then

3/4 Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, Tom Wilkinson, Tcheky Karyo, Chris Cooper, Joely Richardson, Lisa Brenner The Extended Cut is Unrated.  For the record, the theatrical cut is rated R for Strong War Violence Seeing as yesterday was our Independence Day, I thought I'd review a topical movie (I watched it last night, but I was too tired to write the review). "The Patriot" is a solid action war movie.  It's got a hero we can get behind, a hissable villain, a hunky heartthrob, spectacular action, and a rousing story.  While Roland Emmerich, who made his name in disaster movies like "Independence Day" and, later, "The Day After Tomorrow" and "2012," may not seem like the ideal choice to direct a war movie, he does an effective job.  Sure, it's a little too melodramatic and the issues of race are dealt with in a way that is shallow and naiive, but it's good entertainment. Benjamin Martin (Gibson) is a farme

3/4 Starring: Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Susan Sarandon, Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Sisto and the voice of Peter Sarsgaard Rated PG-13 for Some Language While "Robot & Frank" is accessible to anyone over the age of 10, I have a sneaking suspicion that older adults will enjoy it more.  The Millennial generation gets skewered in this otherwise light comedy-drama that's heartfelt and occasionally very funny. Frank (Langella) is a retired cat burglar who is losing his memory.  He forgets who his children are until they remind him and occasionally leaves milk in the fridge until it spoils.  His worrywart son Hunter (Marsden) is worried about him, and gets him a robot (Sarsgaard) to help around the house.  Frank doesn't like the idea ("That thing will murder me in my sleep," he says).  But once he realizes that he can manipulate the robot to steal jewels from the town's biggest douchebag (Strong), they bond. Frank Langella ably handles t