“With no truly likeable characters to root for and a constant flow of circus acts, the movie leaves you feeling unfulfilled, a little disturbed and as if you had joined them in smoking crack“

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Overhyped“

Title: Wolf of Wall Street
Director: Martin Scorsese
Release Date: December 25th, 2013
Category: Comedy/Biography
Length: 180 minutes
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill
Rated: R

Wolf of Wall Street is the classic case of a movie that is so overhyped it becomes guaranteed to fall short of expectations. By far one of the most highly anticipated films of the year proves to be for no reason other than the repeat DiCaprio/Scorsese collaboration. The film is three long hours of the most vulgar sex acts, nonstop use of hard drugs (putting it lightly) and Leo doing his best again at trying to snag that Oscar nom. While DiCaprio did an outstanding acting job that is sure get deserved recognition, it is sad to say it is becoming a bit overdone seeing him play characters that are always going off the deep end. With all the sex, drugs and some domestic violence thrown in, the movie stacks up to be your typical Scorsese film, so if that is your thing, Wolf of Wall Street will be right up your alley. To sum it up, the following quote was overheard by a fellow viewer when exiting the theater, “that was really intense to watch and all that laughing was just from being nervous.” With no truly likeable characters to root for and a constant flow of circus acts, the movie leaves you feeling unfulfilled, a little disturbed and as if you had joined them in smoking crack. The Christmas day release date, the one after another sold out shows and theater lines around the corner were unfortunately not correct indications of how good the movie is.

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Overhyped“

“To prevent overhyping and causing disappointment, nothing else needs to be said here except for GO-SEE-IT!“

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “MUST SEE“

Title: American Hustle
Director: David O. Russel
Release Date: December 20th, 2013
Category: Drama
Length: 138 minutes
Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner
Rated: R

American Hustle is by far one of the best films to be released in a long time. It helps remind us of what a great film truly should be. All four lead actors provide outstanding performances and are definitely guaranteed Oscar nominations. The film is filled with memorable and quotable moments that will make you want to immediately go back and re-watch it. American Hustle is a movie that finally proves to be a pleasant surprise by far surpassing expectations and even outshining its trailer. Providing the perfect mixture of drama and humor, along with an unbelievable soundtrack, American Hustle is the perfect package. To prevent overhyping and causing disappointment, nothing else needs to be said here except for GO-SEE-IT!

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “MUST SEE“

“Filled with uplifting, foot tapping moments that bring back the classic memories of Mary Poppins“

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Worth Seeing“

Title: Saving Mr. Banks
Director: John Lee Hancock
Release Date: December 20th, 2013
Category: Drama/Comedy
Length: 125 minutes
Cast: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks
Rated: PG 13

Saving Mr. Banks is the perfect feel good movie for the holiday season. The film is not only sprinkled with good-hearted laughs the whole family can enjoy but also provides unexpected drama and touching issues. You grow to know and love the character that plays the author of the famous Mary Poppins as well as the legendary Walt Disney. The movie is filled with uplifting, foot tapping moments that bring back the classic memories of Mary Poppins. Saving Mr. Banks will immediately make you want to watch Mary Poppins again, not only to re-live the film in its entirety but because it will now be brought to a whole new level of understanding and the plot will definitely be viewed in a new light.

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Worth Seeing“

“Without a moment to break, the film flows through gut-wrenching, heart-tugging moments that leave you constantly on edge and tense“

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Worth Seeing“

Title: 12 Years A Slave
Director: Steve McQueen
Release Date: November 8th, 2013
Category: Drama
Length: 134 minutes
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Rated: R

This holiday season if you plan on seeing 12 Years a Slave, be warned that you should be mentally prepared for an extremely intense movie experience. Without a moment to break, the film flows through gut-wrenching, heart-tugging moments that leave you constantly on edge and tense. The topic of slavery is looked at from a new perspective as the main character starts off a free man living in the North and is soon sold off into slavery. Audiences quickly become emotionally invested into his unbelievable journey and we find ourselves desperately rooting for this character to succeed. And, to top it off, a special guest appearance is made by none other than Brad Pitt, who provides the one, much needed bright spot of the film. 12 Years a Slave will undoubtedly get acknowledged for Best Picture as it is an extremely significant film that not only addresses an important time period in American history but also helps bring perspective to our current everyday lives.

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Worth Seeing“

“The movie never quite got to the level of intensity that was expected but was an overall exciting film, despite the already well-known ending”

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Worth Seeing“

Title: Captain Phillips
Director: Paul Greengrass
Release Date: October 11th, 2013
Category: Drama/Biography
Length: 134 minutes
Cast: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi
Rated: PG 13

The highlight of Captain Phillips was, to no one’s surprise, Tom Hanks. Despite being one of the most highly regarded A-list actors, Hanks managed to come across as the most down-to-earth man who you feel you have known your whole life. His performance will definitely prove to be award winning and one of his best yet. However, the real breakout performance of this film was the supporting lead actor, Barkhad Abdi, who gripped audiences with his chilling portrayal of a pirate. And even more incredible this was his first movie role…ever. The movie never quite got to the level of intensity that was expected but was an overall exciting film, despite the already well-known ending. Despite its strong reception, Captain Phillips will mostly likely be overshadowed by the exceptional lineup of films coming this holiday season that are sure to dominate this year’s awards.

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Worth Seeing“

“No one should waste their money on seeing this sadly laughable movie…and for that matter, don’t even waste your time if you get the chance to see it for free”

Title: The Family
Director: Luc Besson
Release Date: September 13, 2013
Category: Action Comedy
Length: 110 minutes
Cast: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones
Rated: R

Despite a seemingly standout cast, the movie is close to unbearable. It is difficult criticizing anything that involves Robert De Niro, but with an unbelievably ridiculous script filled with bad fake accents and corny one-liners, it is hard not to. The one enjoyable part, squeezed into a miserable two hours, was a scene revolving around the “irony” of a GoodFellas reference. But, despite this one guaranteed chuckle, it is painful to sit through numerous punch lines that leave the theater resonating with silence. It is honestly sad to witness De Niro succumb to a role in something so terrible and unfortunately this time his “mob-boss-with-a-comedic-spin” character did not meet his Analyze This potential.  It is definitely safe to say that De Niro himself will never view this film. The awkward mixture of jokes, murders and family bonding makes the genre unclear. However, due to the awful dialogue mixed with absurd acts of random violence, this film should be considered a “comedy” because it is absolutely impossible to take it seriously.

No one should waste their money on seeing this sadly laughable movie…and for that matter, don’t even waste your time if you get the chance to see it for free.

Check out Reel Reviews mentioned on Eyewitness News with Sandy Kenyon: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=9247741

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Two Hours Wasted“

“The film portrays a big message in a modest way, and this classic movie-making style has definitely been lacking in the film world for some time”

Title:(Lee Daniels’) The Butler
Director: Lee Daniels
Release Date: August 16, 2013
Category: Biography Drama
Length: 132 minutes
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard (to name only a few)
Rated: PG-13

The Butler is a timeless, classic film that serves as a much-needed reminder that big budgets and special effects are not requirements for making a movie enjoyable. With an all-star cast consisting of Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and Cuba Gooding Jr., it is hard to deny the easily preconceived certainty that choosing to sit through these two hours will prove to be money well spent. Forest Whitaker will undoubtedly receive an Oscar nomination for his gripping performance and, surprisingly, Oprah Winfrey conquers the impossible by allowing the audience to forget the reality that she is in fact “Oprah,” and enables us to connect to her relatable character. Further proof of just how substantial the cast is; Robin Williams, John Cusack and Liev Shreiber play merely the supporting roles and are accompanied by many others. In addition to the established level of acting, the perfectly timed message of the film is what will move audiences. In line with the 50^th anniversary of MLK’s “I Have A Dream” speech, the film acts as an aid to bring further recognition to our history and allows us to remember our past and the consequential achievements. The film portrays a big message in a modest way, and this classic movie-making style has definitely been lacking in the film world for some time. Stop wasting your money on seeing these overdone Sci-fi versions of the future that seemingly always involve the world coming to an end, and find enjoyment in a film that not only celebrates the past but leaves us feeling hopeful and optimistic for what the future holds.

REEL REVIEWS RATING: “Worth-Seeing“