James Patterson – Movie Reviews – C

MOVIE REVIEWS – C’S


The Cabin in the Woods movie poster

The Cabin in the Woods

Everything depended on the ending, which let me down.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Cadillac Records movie poster

Cadillac Records

Pick of the Week

If you have at least a slight interest in the blues and rock-and-roll, which I do, this movie is a delight. It skillfully avoids the usual trap of high spirits at the beginning leading to a sorrowful drug-filled ending. Along the way, the impersonations of Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James and others are absolutely wonderful.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Cafe Society movie poster

Café Society

Beautifully filmed, strong performances, so-so storyline. B

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Cairo Time movie poster

Cairo Time

I thoroughly enjoyed touring Cairo for a couple of hours; the story and the film—not quite so much. Though the acting is fine.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: iTunes


The Call movie poster

The Call

Pick of the Week

Kiss the Girls meets Psycho. That can’t be all bad.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Calvary movie poster

Calvary

Pick of the Week

A very good movie about a very good priest. Imagine that. Brendan Gleeson, as always, is amazing. A-

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Can You Ever Forgive Me movie poster

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

If you like good movies, if you like good books, you really shouldn’t miss this one. If Melissa McCarthy doesn’t get an Academy Award nomination than there’s something wrong with the process. A

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon


The Campaign movie poster

The Campaign

Funny in spots, but I was grossed out (and I’m not easily grossed out) more times than I laughed. Also—our current political races are funnier.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Captain America: The First Avenger movie poster

Captain America: The First Avenger

Pick of the Week

An old-fashioned comic-book style movie based on an old-fashioned comic book, this—in Jack’s and my opinion—far outshines the others in its genre: Pirates, Transformers, Green Lantern, Thor (did I forget any of these forgettable flicks?).

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie poster

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Pick of the Week

A 2-hour plus commercial for Chevrolet, otherwise the best of the Captain America movies by far.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Captain Fantastic movie poster

Captain Fantastic

Viggo Mortensen is great in this very quirky story about a widower raising his kids to be very well read survivors in the wilds. The father’s point of view was a little too much for me at times (of course, that’s the way the story was written) but this film is strong and very unusual. B+

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Movie Poster Shop


Captain Phillips movie poster

Captain Phillips

Pick of the Week

Probably my favorite flick so far this year. Definitely the most exciting. Tom Hanks shows dramatic chops we haven’t seen out of him before.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


"Carlos" movie poster

“Carlos “

Long, long, long, but powerful reimagining of Carlos the Jackal (assassin, playboy, sort-of-revolutionary).

On DVD: Amazon


Carol movie poster

Carol

Pick of the Week

An extremely well told love story. The cast, cinematography, storytelling—everything worked for me. But this is not for folks who will turn away from same-sex kissing and foreplay. A

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Carrie movie poster

Carrie

Very brave of the director to do a remake of a movie originally shot by Brian De Palma. The direction is strong, coherent, nicely theatrical.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Cedar Rapids movie poster

Cedar Rapids

Pick of the Week

This is a really terrific and funny movie. It’s so much better than the so-called comedies the studios get behind. I’m not sure how it will go over in NY and LA, but if you live just about everywhere else you’ll probably love this movie.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Celeste and Jesse Forever movie poster

Celeste and Jesse Forever

Pick of the Week

Smart, well-told tale about two people who love each other but can’t be together. Sounds like a few marriages I know.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes


Changeling movie poster

Changeling

Pick of the Week

Is a sad true story and probably my favorite movie so far this fall. Clint Eastwood continues to astonish me. Maybe John McCain wasn’t too old after all.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Chappie movie poster

Chappie

Way too all-over-the-place for me. It’s part sci-fi, part noir-suspense, part lesson in ethics. B-

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Charlie Wilson's War movie poster

Charlie Wilson’s War

Charlie Wilson’s War is probably the only war movie that will make money this year, and it deserves to. I’m not usually a Mike Nichols fan but this was a very tight, funny flick. It’s also the best role Tom Hanks has had in a couple years. Of course the absolute star is Philip Seymour Hoffman and he keeps getting better and better.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Cheri movie poster

Chéri

Looks beautiful and Stephen Frears definitely has a terrific track record. Unfortunately, the story didn’t quite grab me—though Michelle Pfeiffer and her young lover were just fine. Also, the ending felt like they had simply run out of film.

On DVD: Amazon
Posters: Amazon


Chef movie poster

Chef

Pick of the Week

My favorite movie so far this year. It’s also—I think—a metaphor for the very talented director Jon Favreau’s experience working with the powers-that-be-way-too-powerful in Hollywood. Funny, warm delightful.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Child 44 movie poster

Child 44

It’s difficult to make a film that’s both a thriller and a realistic drama. This one comes close. B-

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Chips movie poster

CHiPs

I don’t know why I go to some of these movies, but here we are. This flick is partly an embarrassment and partly very funny. I wasn’t a big fan of the TV show, which leads me once again to the big question in the sky: what was I doing at this movie? C+

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


The Choice movie poster

The Choice

Two pretty good lead actors, glossy photography. Nicholas Sparks’ stories seem to always have the same ending. B-

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Chronicle movie poster

Chronicle

The trailer had me quite interested in this film—but the gimmick got played out fairly soon for me. I wasn’t terribly interested in the characters. So I left. Not a bad movie, but for some reason I expected more.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


City Island movie poster

City Island

Pick of the Week

A very well done comedy—the kind of flick you watch and say, “They’re even crazier than my family.” Of course I wouldn’t trade my family for anything. (Had any good offers for your family lately?)

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Clash of the Titans movie poster

Clash of the Titans

I had no intention of seeing this, but got dragged to the theater. I was pleasantly surprised. Good, goofy SFX fun—except the scenes with the gods—which were just goofy.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer movie poster

Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer

What really happened to Eliot Spitzer? The answers might surprise you and will definitely hold your attention for two hours.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes


Closed Circuit movie poster

Closed Circuit

Pick of the Week

From the people who brought us the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy—another smart, well-acted Brit suspenser.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


The Cold Light of Day movie poster

The Cold Light of Day

I just kind of found this unwatchable. I could not get into it at all.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Collection movie poster

The Collection

I lasted 10 minutes and I don’t know how I made it that long.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Company Men movie poster

The Company Men

Very well-done, depressing tale of men and women (mostly men) who lost their jobs in ’08. Hollywood thinks this kind of story is edifying and important. (My reaction is “tell us something we don’t already know.”)

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Concert movie poster

The Concert

Pick of the Week

The concept’s been around for a while, but it’s the best movie I’ve seen this year. Very funny at times, but also hugely emotional and rewarding. Subtitles—if that bothers you.

On DVD: Amazon


Confessions of a Shopaholic

My wife, Sue, and I really enjoy these books. Unfortunately, the comedy didn’t carry over into this movie—at least not for us. Sue wanted to leave after a half an hour, and Sue never wants to leave a movie. One interesting thing is that “women’s night out” at the movies is really catching on, which is both fun and energizing. But this movie ain’t no Devil Wears Prada.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Conjuring movie poster

The Conjuring

Pretty good, smart, but I’ve seen scarier.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


The Conjuring 2 movie poster

The Conjuring 2

Pick of the Week

This is horror at its very, very best. Fascinating characters, complex storytelling, sharp direction, well-earned screams from the audience. A

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


The Connection movie poster

The Connection

French film. Subtitles. Probably the best thriller I’ve seen so far this year. A-


The Conspirator movie poster

The Conspirator

The only conspiracy here is the one to take your money.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Contagion movie poster

Contagion

My wife Sue didn’t like it. My son’s friend didn’t like it. Jack liked it but thought it was a little too much like a documentary. I thought it was intelligent and well-made. And yet—does it serve any worthwhile purpose for us to feel further stressed out and hopeless about yet one more thing in our world we can’t do a damn thing to prevent?

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Contraband movie poster

Contraband

Pick of the Week

Not the handsomest looking film I’ve ever seen but the twists and turns come at a dizzying pace—and that’s always a very positive thing for me.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Conviction movie poster

Conviction

Powerful story. Honestly, if predictably, told.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Cop Out movie poster

Cop Out

When I was a kid, we had double features and everyone went away satisfied (or at least exhausted). Cop Out is very funny at times and could have been a classic 10-minute-skit on Saturday Night Live.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Counselor movie poster

The Counselor

Pick of the Week

Like a pretentious Broadway play, but with moving pictures. Great cast. Talky as hell, but I liked it. Most people, I suspect, won’t. In a big way.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Country Strong movie poster

Country Strong

I’m not a huge country and western fan but I enjoyed the music more than the rest of this uneven film. Gwyneth Paltrow cried and cried and cried but unfortunately I didn’t shed a tear. Not even when—(spoiler alert).

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Crazies movie poster

The Crazies

The Crazies is another zombie-ish plague story, though very well crafted. Bring back the old double feature!

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Crazy Heart movie poster

Crazy Heart

Pick of the Week

The critics in Hollywood always love to see a movie star revealed in a bad light and here Jeff Bridges is fat and slovenly and greasy and ultimately quite wonderful in what everybody seems to agree is his best role yet. The love story wasn’t entirely convincing to me but this is a well-made film.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Crazy Rich Asians movie poster

Crazy Rich Asians

Fun, diverting, not the usual fare. One quibble – I don’t think I learned anything about China watching this movie that takes place in China. That struck me as a little curious. A-


Crazy, Stupid, Love movie poster

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Pick of the Week

If you’re reading this, let’s assume you’re somewhat of a romantic, and if you are, the movie delivers. Good dialogue, high emotion, surprises, lots of laughs. Probably my favorite movie so far this summer. (But of course I haven’t yet—and won’t—see Smurfs.)

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Creed movie poster

Creed

Pick of the Week

Hollywood isn’t good at sequels. Rocky II-VI. Not very good. But Creed—pretty good. Michael B. Jordan is a star. Sylvester Stallone is back in form. A-

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Creed 2 movie poster

Creed II

Michael B. Jordan is obviously a big star and Sylvester Stallone is a better actor than he’s given credit for being. The film’s love story dragged a bit for me and the dramatic structure was very predictable. B+

On Blu-ray: Amazon
On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon


Criminal movie poster

Criminal

This is well-shot, but for me the photography and director’s skillset actually gets in the way of the story a bit. It’s a cool idea for a thriller, which I think could have been stronger if it had been about the people rather than the movie and the camera. B

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Croods movie poster

The Croods

Lively, funny enough, but I still vote for highest vs. lowest common denominator (cavemen) for my favorite film fare.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie poster

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Pick of the Week

This is a three hour story and for over two hours it was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen—a truly magical tale, a cinematic miracle, that reminded me more of the work of John Irving than F. Scott Fitzgerald. Then I felt the story went flat for 40 minutes or more. I wish that a strong editor—film and story—had been around to make the last hour as good as the first 2. Still, I admired this film tremendously.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon