The Last Stand

Movie: The Last Stand

Genre: action

Synopsis: Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega) is a third-generation Mexican drug lord in federal custody in Las Vegas.  He escapes custody and ends up in a 1,000-horsepower Corvette heading for Mexico. The FBI (lead by Forest Whitaker) is hot on his trail, but are totally outmaneuvered by Cortez.  The only thing standing between Cortez and freedom in Mexico is the tiny Arizona town of Sommerton Junction . . . and its sheriff, Ray Owens -(Arnold Schwarzenegger).  Ray Owens was a big-time, highly-decorated Los Angeles cop who got tiered of all the violence and retired to Sommerton.  Now he and his three deputies are all that can stop Cortez.

My two cents:  This was a fun movie.  It was great to see Arnold back in the saddle.  The head henchman of Cortex was played by Peter Stormare – he seems to specialize in playing really nasty villains since Prison Break. Johnny Knoxville played a local “character” who had a gun museum to give him an excuse to have a huge gun collection – something that came in handy when the sheriff needed to beef up his arsenal.  If you like simple good guy vs bad guy movies with lots of action, you should like this.  Last note – the way that Cortez escapes from custody was one of the most innovative escapes I can recall seeing.

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Rust and Bone

Movie: Rust and Bone

Genre: drama

Synopsis: This is a French film with subtitles. Stéphanie (Marion Cotillard) works in the French version of Sea World as a killer whale trainer.  Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) is a poor Belgian immigrant who is trying to raise his young son while living with his sister. When Stéphanie loses both of her legs in a freak work-accident, she and Ali become friends.  He is instrumental is Stéphanie coming to grips with living her life without her legs.

My two cents: As much as I like Marion Cotillard, this movie just did not do it for me.  It kind of left me flat – like so many French films, the credits rolled and I asked myself what was the point of the movie and why did they not wrap things up.  It just left me hanging.  I am also a bit puzzled about the title – I never figured out how it fit the movie,

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A Haunted House

Movie: A Haunted House

Genre: horror-spoof

Synopsis: Marlon Wayans wrote and starred in this spoof of the Paranormal Activity series.

My two cents: The movie as its moments, but not enough to make it worth my money.  I would rather have waited to see it on TV.

[4]

Promised Land

Movie: Promised Land

Genre: drama

Synopsis: Steve Butler (Matt Damon) and Sue Thomason (Frances McDormand) work for a natural gas company.  Their job is to move into rural financially-depressed areas and buy up the mineral rights.  Their company then moves in with their drilling equipment to extract natural gas from the land using fracking technology.  Steve honestly believes what he is doing is the best way for these communities to make some money and get out of debt.  In their latest town, one resident, Frank Yates (Hal Holbrook), raises some awkward questions at a town meeting.  When Frank is joined by an eco-activist (John Krasinski) in a heated attempt to thwart Steve and stop the gas company.  Eventually, Steve is forced to face some awkward truths about the company he so believed in.

My two cents: A pretty solid movie.  Matt Damon put in his usual fine performance, as did Frances McDormand, John Krasinski, and Hal Holbrook.  I especially enjoyed Matt Damon’s character as he went from being naively eager for the people to sell their property rights to realizing that his actions were leading to a lot of misery by a lot of people.  I have to say that the twist near the end really caught me by surprise.

[3]

Django Unchained

Movie: Django Unchained

Genre: western

Synopsis: Django (Jaimie Foxx) is a slave in the south of 1858.  His wife is Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) – and yes, there is a story behind her name.  As punishment for trying to run away, both of them are flogged and then sold to different plantation owners.  Django is rescued by a bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz).  In return for his help acquiring bounties, Schultz agrees to help Django find his wife – who is now owned by Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), a sadistic plantation owner.

My two cents: A great movie.  Lots of blood and gore – but a great movie.  Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Leonardo DiCaprio all turn in top-notch performances.  But for me, the actor who stole the movie was Samuel L. Jackson as Stephen, the slave who runs Candie Plantation staff.  I have never seen Samuel L. Jackson funnier.  And this is a funny movie – but it is definitely a dark humor.  If hearing the “N” word offends you – prepare for a lot of offense.  I counted 75 times when the “N” word is uttered.  I would like to see at least two Oscar acting nominations for this movie: Waltz and Jackson.

[2]

The Guilt Trip

Movie: The Guilt Trip

Genre: comedy

Synopsis: Andrew Brewster (Seth Rogen) is a bio-chemist who has invented a new cleaning product.  The problem is that he cannot get anyone to market it.  He has a cross-country road trip planned to make one last stab at getting some store chain to market it.  Andrew lives in Los Angeles.  His widowed mother, Joyce (Barbra Streisand) lives in Brooklyn.  She is the stereo-typical over-protective Jewish mother.  Andrew asks her to accompany him on his road trip.  The trip – and their relationship – goes through a few ups and downs.

My two cents: This was a cute movie.  The road trip was pretty funny and their were some nice moments between the two.  There is a twist when they hit San Francisco that I did not see coming.  Barbara Streisand needs to do more movies.  She is hysterical as Joyce.  I had forgotten just how funny an actress Barbra Streisand is.  And I have to say that she is looking pretty damn good for a woman in her 70’s.

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