WON'T BACK DOWN

Plot:



Jamie Fitzpatrick (Gyllenhaal), tired and frustrated with the school that her daughter (who suffers from a learning disability) attends because most the teachers there are unwilling to commit to teaching and unable to get her in a better school, she sets out with the help of one of the few teachers, Nona Alberts (Davis), who still likes to teach and wants a better education for her learning disabled son as well. The two finds a loop hole in the system that allows parents and willing teachers to take over a school so that they can control how to educate the students that attend. But this is not an easy mission as the failing Pittsburg school program led by the union will set up all types of road blocks possible to deter the women from succeeding.


Reel Talk:



This is a very inspirational movie regarding how to help improve the school system, but it was also a little boring. It really doesn't pick up any type of steam about a little bit past the half the movie. It doesn't help that Gyllenhaal and Davis both very good actresses, lack any real intensity for their characters. They were protrayed as scared, unassured women instead of strong women who should lead a rally. I actually like the characters of Holly hunter, Rosie Perez and Marianne Jean-Baptiste because of the strength that they eluded on the screen. I'm a strong advocate for education so on that note alone I will recommend this movie but don't go in with high expectations.

Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal,  Viola Davis, Oscar Isaac, Holly Hunter, Rosie Perez, Emily Alyn Lind and Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Directed by: Daniel Barnz
Rated: PG

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

LOOPER

Plot:


In the near future time travel is prohibited except for criminals that are sent back in time to be executed by assassins that are led by Abe (Daniels), a gangster from the future. A young drug addicted Joe (Gordon-Levitt) is one of Abe's top killers, one who always gets his target until he is assigned to terminate himself from the future portrayed by Bruce Willis who has an agenda of his own and that was to go back and time and murder some people that have affected the outcome of things in his future. But since the younger Joe missed his mark, he has a wave of Abe's assassins out to elimanate both him and his older self.


Reel Talk:


Bruce Willis is back in semi-action form in this ultra violent action thriller along with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Die hard action junkies will enjoy this movie even thou the story is sorta all over the place. You will really have to stay in tune with the movie to actually know whats going on. But despite the scattered story the action is definitely on point and the violence is very graphic. Bruce willis and action fans won'yt be disappointed with this movie.

Starring: Josepph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Jeff Daniels and Pierce Gagnon
Directed by: Rian Johnson
Rated: R

I give it 3 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

END OF WATCH

Plot:


LAPD Officers Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Pena) patrol the toughest areas in South Central and have gained the reputation of being two of the best on the street, willing to knock down any door and take a bullet for each other all while unlawfully video taping their quest. The latter will soon be put to the test when the two street heros unknowingly stumble upon the illegal operations of the Mexican Crime Cartel who become tiresome of the officers interference and puts a hit out on them. With so much to live for, with Mike and his wife just having adding a newborn to their lives and Brian settling down and marrying his girl Janet (Kendrick), the two still will not take a back seat to the threats from the street but rather continue to take crime head on willing to watch each other's back til death if need be.


Reel Talk:


In this gritty street drama about the LAPD and their battle against the intruding Mexican Cartel, Gyllenhaal and Pena put in compelling performances as the two cops who acknowledge each other as brothers, fearlessly willing to fight law defiers to the death. The movie's action is riveting from the beginning to it's surprising climatic ending. Where I think I could never do the job as a police officer, this movie truly helps you appreciate the very hard and dangerous job that the men in uniform provide us on the daily.Definitely a movie to catch but be warned this is a graphicly violent movie!

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, Natalie Martinez, Anna Kendrick, David Harbour and Frank Grillo
Directed by: David Ayer
Rated: R

I give it 4 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

TROUBLE WITH THE CURB

Plot:



Gus (Eastwood) is an aging pro baseball scouter with a deteriating eye desease that puts to question his continued ability to do his job. With 3 months remaining on his current contract, a young zealous executive name Phillip (Lillard) feels that computers finds the best recruits for the team, so he wants to put Gus out to pasture feeling his way of recruiting is dated. Given one last chance to prove his worth, he is sent to North Carolina to scout a hot shot batter for the potential 1st draft pick. But his best friend and co-worker Pete (Goodman) knows the deck is stacked against him so he pleads with Gus's daughter Mickey (Adams) to meet him there in hopes that she can help him out. Mickey an aspiring attorney caught up trying to make partner at her firm relunctantly agrees to help her father hoping to get a chance to get closure to why he has been so distant from her for so many years.While there the father/ daughter dou encounter Johnny (Timberlake) another scout there to check out the same talent but is also keeping a sharp eye out for Mickey/


Reel Talk:


Remember seeing Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry as a grumpy man, well in this film you get to see him as Old Grumpy Dirty Harry...lol. Being an old grumpy man seems to be a role fit for him as he plays the stubborn and stern Gus. This is a charming and delightful but very predictable movie that you will enjoy. With an all star cast that ranges from various ages and talents, they all contribute to this movie at some point. You will also catch Eastwood's son Scott in it as young pro baseballer Billy Clark. AS  Not a great movie but an enjoyable one worth checking out.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Amy adams, John Goodman, Robert Patrick, Matthew Lillard, Justin Timberlake and Scott Eastwood
Directed by: Robert Lorenz
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler