ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER

Plot:


Abraham Lincoln, when just a young boy, witnesses the murder of his mother at the hands of a ruthless slave trader named Jack Barts (Csokas). Vowing to avenge her death by hunting down Barts and killing him, a now young adult Lincoln (Walker) eventually gets the opportunity when he finally meets up with the murderer only to find out that killing him is not as easy as he thought because it turn’s out that he is a vampire. After surviving the botched murder attempt with the help of Henry Sturgess (Cooper), a lone drifter who soon teaches Lincoln the art of hunting vampires, he sets out to complete his mission of killing vampires and also becomes a politician seeking the presidency so as to abolish slavery, because they (slaves) are at the top of the food chain for the blood thirsting creatures.


Reel Talk:


Being completely honest, I got to say I thought this would be some thrown together garbage just for the purpose of entertainment. Well it is very entertaining, just not thrown together garbage! It actually is a pretty good story, not a true story (c’mon Lincoln and vampires, what’s next Obama vs zombies…lol), that is portrayed well by Benjamin Walker as Abe. Filmed in 3D, this is one of the better 3D movies out of the current releases lately and full of fast paced action. Die hard action junkies will enjoy this axe wielding Abe flick that I say is a good, entertaining action movie well worth checking out.

Starring: Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell, Marton Csokas and Jimmi Simpson
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

ROCK OF AGES

Plot:


Back in the 80’s when Rock and Roll ruled, a small town girl named Sherrie (Hough) sets out for Hollywood in a quest for fame, only to be befriended by an aspiring rocker named Drew (Boneta) who helps her land a job at the rock club he works at owned by Dennis (Baldwin). The club which is a legendary starting stage for the biggest rocker out, Stacee Jaxx , is fighting to stay open among it’s financial problems and the mayor’s wife trying to shut them down. Dennis along with his manager Lonny (Brand), enlist the help from king rocker Jaxx by way of his double dealing manager Paul (Giamatti) to have him perform a charity concert which also allows Drew and Sherrie to showcase their hard rocking talents.


Reel Talk:


Rock Of Ages has a great all star cast, with a dynamite soundtrack but it is a musical movie. Although musicals are an acquired taste, this one is good based on the performances and again the songs. But like most musicals it becomes tiresome and you just want it to be over at some point. There are some strong performances in Cruise as rocker Stacee Jaxx and Giamatti as the ruthless manager Paul. The film takes a weird turn with the characters of Baldwin and Brand that really didn’t contribute any substance to the movie other than meaningless entertainment. Overall not a bad movie just not one that you got to rush out to see unless you are truly a die hard musical lover or would like to take a flashback stroll down memory lane for some good hard rocking 80’s music.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta Jones, Paul Giamatti and Mary J. Blige
Directed by: Adam Shankman
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog - The Reel Hustler

THAT'S MY BOY

Plot:


Donny Burger who gained fame and fortune off the heal of his sexual encounters with his high school teacher who ended up going to jail because of their illicit affair, may be facing prison himself if he doesn’t come up with $43,000 to cover his back taxes. Broke because of his reckless lifestyle he get a chance at the money by a reality show producer if he can arrange a reunion with his imprisoned ex-lover and their now grown son who was spawned from the affair. Todd (Samberg) is the son who resents and is embarrassed by his father who shows up during the time he is schedule to get married, causing him all types of chaos with his new friends and future family. The two play charades so that no one becomes wise about their father/son relationship.


Reel Talk:


When it comes to raw and raunchy comedy, Adam Sandler is one of the best at it. Who else would turn a taboo situation about inappropriate teacher and student affairs into a comedy film. The other thing that is admiral about Sandler is that he not a selfish person he looks out for people. Here he has given the opportunity for old timers like Vanilla Ice, Todd Bridges, Tony Orlando, James Caan and of course some of his regular crew to join him on the screen of this silly movie. The teaming of Sandler and fellow SNL alumni Andy Samberg is ideal because the two worked well together and even share looks that help in forming their characters. The humor is crazy, far fetched and totally adult, but very funny. In need of some laughter, this is one worth checking out.

Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester, Susan Sarandon, James Caan, Vanilla Ice, Tony Orlando, Todd Bridges, Luenell and Ciara
Directed by: Sean Anders
Rated: R

I give it 3 and a half eaten corn dogs.

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

THE INTOUCHABLES

Plot:

When Philippe (Cluzet), a rich aristocrat who is now a quadriplegic following a paragliding accident holds an audition for a 24 hour 7 days a week caretaker, disappointed by the large selection of sympathetic, by the book, this is just a job applicants he takes the biggest risk by giving the job to a just released street thug named Driss (Sy). He has no adequate training or skills but Philippe sees the one thing that he truly needs in the young man – unsympathetic loyalty. It’s not long before the two are the best of friends as well as employer/employee despite the criticism from Philippe’s peers. The two begin to share with each other certain attributes of their different worlds which will only strengthen their bond.


Reel Talk:


First off this is a foreign film so it is completely in subtitles. If you can appreciate subtitles or are willing to commit to reading the screen the entire film you will be in for a great movie. This is one of the best movies of the year, telling the story of a heartwarming interracial bonding of two completely different individuals who become the best of friends. Cluzet and Sy both respected award winning actors in their countries put in two outstanding performances as the odd couple. I strongly recommend this movie as a must see, subtitles and all!

Starring: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny and Clotilde Mollet
Directed by: Oliver Nakache and Eric Toledano
Rated: R

I give it 5 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN

Plot:


When she was a young girl, princess Snow White’s (Stewart) father the king is killed by his bride the evil Ravenna (Theron) who along with her dark army takes over the kingdom. With Ravenna feeding off the youth and beauty of the young village girls, she places Snow White into captivity until her 18th birthday. It is until then that the mirror on the wall has named Ravenna the fairest of them all and now she must kill and extract the young princess’ heart so that she (Ravenna) will forever have youth and immortality. But when Snow White escapes into the Dark Forest, the only one who has the knowledge of the terrain to retrieve her is a drinking widower huntsman (Hemsworth). He takes on the assignment until he realizes who she is and why the evil Ravenna wants her and instead decides to protect her so that she may avenge her father’s death.


Reel Talk:

Parental warning: This is not your kiddie version of Snow White! Although it has a dark overtone, this is a beautifully cinematic film. The stars Theron, Hemsworth and Stewart (who normally has a dull appreance in her Twilight films) look great in this movie. Theron , who I must say this is probably the best that I have ever seen her, will most likely get nominated for an Oscar for her riveting role as the menacing Ravenna. With the new twist to this legendary fairy tale, this is one movie you should check out.

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin and Ian Mchane
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Rated: PG-13

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler

HIGH SCHOOL

Plot:


Henry Burke (Bush) is an all A student on track to be class valedictorian until he rekindles an old friendship with the high school stoner Travis Breaux (Marquette). The two sit around kicking it about the old days and smoking marijuana not knowing that the principal played by Michael Chiklis is holding an all out drug testing to expel any students that test positive for drug usage so that his school will maintain prestige status. With his chance of class valedictorian at stake the two boys figure the only way to not get caught is to rob local drug dealer Psycho Ed (Brody) of his most potent marijuana and lace the brownies at the school bake sale so that everyone will test positive. But what they didn’t expect is that it would turn the entire school into a zoo of pandemonium.


Reel Talk:


In this watered down version of all the stoner movies before it, the jokes just like the film is dated. The film which is really 2 years past its original release period might have worked 2 years ago. Not the funniest movie but good for a few laughs, but the real problem is the timing. With all the issues about our youth, K2 and Spice (manufactured marijuana), is this the proper movie to present to our youth now, making it seem that to get high is cool? Just not a good look at this point in time, they could and should have kept this one on the shelf and I understand that this is just a paycheck movie for Chiklis, Brody and even Colin Hanks because definitely no awards will be handed out for this one. This movie gets the wait til cable nod from me.

Starring: Michael Chiklis, Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks, Matt Bush, Sean Marquette, Adhir Kalyan and Mykelti Williamson
Directed by: John Stalberg
Rated: r

I give it 1 corn dog

By: Corn Dog – The Reel Hustler