The Conjuring

The Conjuring (R) 2013

Directed by James Wan

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Joey King, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston, Mackenzie Foy, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, John Brotherton and Steve Coulter

Here We Go:  Demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren, come to the rescue of a family that has been invaded by a deadly demon.  Maybe it's because this movie is based on a true story, but this movie is legit!  It's absolutely scary, the story moves along at a good pace, and I can testify to the fact that this movie had grown men bring out their inner child - their inner screams-like-a-little-girl child.  The cast is perfect and truly believable, (and we all know how easily horror movies can quickly lose points on believability).  I just keep thinking of the first time the demon makes an appearance...and on that note, I'm off to check under my bed and turn on a few more lights.

Bottom Line:  Watch it, ya big baby!

Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas (R) 2012

Directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski and Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Keith David, James D'Arcy, Xun Zhou, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant

Here We Go:  From the 19th century to the 1970s and then well into a futuristic society, Cloud Atlas shows how the lives of  individuals change and touch each other across the span of many lifetimes.  Ok, what?  If not for the amazing actors, the fantastic sets, and being able to see the significant transformations of each person over time, I probably would have stopped this movie after 10 minutes.  I was so lost and had so many questions that there really wasn't any good reason for me to go on.  Then, towards the end, things started to make sense and the moral of the story/ending was really just so beautiful and profound.  I went from lost and confused to having a striking Ah-ha Moment.  If that you're looking for something that is going to be a light, airy movie that you don't have to give your full attention, this isn't the one for you.

Bottom Line:  If you like a movie that is full of intricate detail, watch it!

The Call

The Call (R) 2013

Directed by Brad Anderson

Starring:  Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, David Otunga, Michael Imperioli, Justina Machado, José Zúñiga, Roma Maffia, Evie Thompson, Denise Dowse and Ella Rae Peck

Here We Go:  At first I didn't know where this movie was going to go because it seemed like it started with the climax.  However,  you quickly learn that there is more to the plot and that the story is really about redemption, closure and revenge.  I have to point out that the police chase made the LAPD look ridiculously inept while the 911 operator was a superstar.  I  guess since Halle Berry was the 911 operator they had to make her the star but LAPD could have been a little more competent.  And why were there no detectives on this case?  A kid is kidnapped and it is left to a 911 operator and some uniformed officers for a day long chase?  Without ruining the ending I will tell you that it is excellent and doesn't fall into the normal "happy ending."  In fact, the ending makes the entire movie worth watching.  

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

Clifford

Clifford (PG) 1994

Directed by Paul Flaherty

Starring:  Martin Short, Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen, Dabney Coleman, Richard Kind, Jennifer Savidge, Brandis Kemp, Ben Savage and Don Galloway

Here We Go:  This is one of those movies that you either get it or you don't.  Clifford (Short) is an obnoxious little boy who teeters on psychotic.  The things that this boy puts his poor uncle (Grodin) through just for the sake of getting his own way is laugh-out-loud funny.  If an out of control, mischievousness, manipulative brat that terrorizes anyone who gets in his way (for 90 minutes) is something that might give you more anxiety than pleasure, you may want to skip this.  However,  consider that this isn't your child putting you through a special brand of hell.  It's a funny, funny movie, and Short pulls this role off with ease.

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

The Croods

The Croods (2013) PG

Directed by Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman and Clark Duke

Here We Go:  The Croods is a cute movie about a family of cavemen who are forced to relocate and "modernize" due to changes in the environment.  From the previews, it would seem that this was going to be a super funny movie, but it was more action/drama than comedy.  The kids enjoyed it and the character of the baby Crood was particularly entertaining (think: wild animal in baby form).  Compared to the Ice Age movies, The Croods falls short, but it's still a good movie with its fair share of tender and funny moments that make it worthwhile.

Bottom Line:  Watch it, but wait for it to come out to DVD.

Compliance

Compliance (2012) R

Directed by: Craig Zobel

Starring:  Sophia Lin, Craig Zobel, Theo Sena, Lisa Muskat, and Tyler Davidson

Here We Go:  What in the hell?!  I get that this movie is based on real life events, but the sheer fact that these people were this dumb in real life makes watching this movie painful.  I had to watch it just to see.  My torturous curiosity nagged at me until I couldn't take it anymore and I watched.  I watched with my jaw on the floor and threw in the occasional scoff, which I took as my body's way of checking that I hadn't actually slipped into some sort of stupidity induced coma.  The acting was decent, specifically, Sophia Lin's.  However, it's impossible to get past that these people are acting out things that actually happened.  The people that inspired this movie should be entered into a program for adults with special needs.

Bottom Line:  Watch it to settle your curiosity, OR to remind yourself that you're smarter than an entire restaurant staff.