“The Heat” (R) **** Finally, a summer comedy that’s actually funny. Going in, with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, you know the chances are good for some laughs and, though it starts slowly, the pace quickens, the gags multiply and…
Mike at the Movies
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • 1 Comment
“Mud” (PG-13) **** Everyone involved with this film played it straight: no gimmicks, no out-of-character surprises, no phony emotional rants or pulls at heartstrings for effect. Just good, old-fashioned honest drama with a core theme that still resonates: romance vs.…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“Star Trek Into Darkness” (PG-13) ★★★★ Most viewers of this movie may recall that it is, like other recent Star Trek films, a prequel. Spock, Kirk, Sulu and Scotty are all much younger than when we first came to know…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“The Great Gatsby” (PG-13) ***** The novel is short, the movie is long, but the film does what it is supposed to do and more. It tells the complex story of Jay Gatsby and adds depth and context to it…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“The Sapphires” (PG-13) **** It’s the usual girl singers’ story: Get together at a local hall, be heard, get recruited for something bigger and hit the big time. The difference in this film is that the girls are all Australian…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“Olympus Has Fallen” (R) *** For those of you who love the capital city, stay at home because a lot of D.C. gets destroyed in this thriller. The targets are the White House and the president of the United States,…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“Dead Man Down” (R) *** Revenge is not necessarily sweet. As someone in this film remarks, “You’ve found that, when it’s over, it won’t mend your heart.” Everybody in this decent revenge film wants revenge: Victor (Colin Farrell), Beatrice (Noomi…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“Quartet” (PG-13) ***** Hey, kids! Ignore the fact that all the cast members are over 80 and the setting is a retirement home for musicians. This movie is not a drag. Allow your folks to take you to this great…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“Side Effects” (R) **** I will admit I’m a sucker for involved, clever plots with multi-dimensional characters. So this film is already in my Top 10 list except for one character, who predictably fails to do anything but be his…
Mike at the Movies
by Mike Cuthbert • • Comments Off
“Silver Linings Playbook” (R) **** With Jackie Weaver as a lubricant for a messed up group of characters, this is a triumphant little movie. Bradley Cooper as a disturbed bipolar mental patient, Pat, under a restraining order to stay away…