ON DVD/RENTAL
CURRENT REVIEWS
The Grand Budapest Review
by Robert Hass 7.8/10 In his arguably most ambitious (and “R-rated”) outing, The Grand Budapest Hotel’s immaculately designed, “blink-and-you’ll miss it” eccentricities --as per usual with Wes’s work-- may become a bit too overwhelming for one viewing. Regardless, Anderson continues to deliver with yet another whimsical, nostalgic, and subtly poignant gem brimmed with typically impeccable set/production design and cinematography, an all-star cast, bushels of farcical humor and energy, and a potent heart at its core. Read more... For Anderson fans, this baby is hog heaven. Nevertheless, other viewers should still see it for both its entertaining “screwball-caper” quirk and once again delectably crafted, mouthwatering aesthetic. 
Non-Stop Review
by Robert Hass 6.1/10 Non-Stop jumps the shark -- and a thorough build-up -- with a very rough and spottily-CGI'd conclusion, and its previously tight script falls flat on delivering the climactic “reveal.” But what can’t be denied is a strong, tension-filled first half, a cleverly and consistently deceitful screenplay, firm work from a fine-tuned supporting cast, some nifty visual flourishes, and as always a compelling performance from Liam Neeson, who practically seems to elevates the quality of everything he touches nowadays. Read more... I guess see it if you are in the mood for an good ol’ air-born “Whodunit”, but you could also stick to renting it for some Hitchcock-ian, high-altitude suspense. 
Robocop (2014) Review
by Robert Hass 6.4/10 Though its finale is rather abrupt and anti-climactic, it feels a tad bit long, and the sanitized PG-13 rating restricts some of the good ol’ mayhem that made the first so entertaining, Robocop still remains a decently surprising and thoroughly watchable remake thanks to a firm first half, some great performances, and sardonically biting (and amusing) social commentary. Read more... I would say see it at matinee price, and though it understandably pales in comparison to the original, you could rent it as well and be perfectly amused, if not totally satisfied. 
Gravity Review
by Robert Hass 9.2/10 Oh boy, this one is a doozy. Gravity is an unbearably intense, technically outstanding, and relentlessly effective thrill ride with spectacular visuals, incredible cinematography, and masterful direction. Read more... This is a must see experience, especially in 3-D, for its amazingly heart-pounding thrills and astonishing special effects, but be prepared, this baby is far from a walk through the park. 
The Way Way Back Review
by Robert Hass 4.8/10 Rockwell shines, it has a solid cast, and a promising beginning, but The Way Way Back soon stumbles on annoying clichés and ends up being formulaic, contrived, often sloppily made, and after a while just plain tedious. I've seen it all before, and notably done better. Read more... You probably will like it more than I did if you see it, but something rubbed me the wrong way and I simply didn't fall for its crowd pleaser charm. Rent it...maybe. 
The Spectacular Now Review
by Robert Hass 8.5/10 It does go into some depressing territory, at times has (albeit realistic) narrator choices that aren't easy to empathize with, and it isn't the most conclusive of films. Regardless, The Spectacular Now is an extremely authentic coming-of-age drama with fantastic standout performances from its leads, amazing, compelling chemistry between the two, an admirably unsaturated depiction of alcoholism/teenage choices and their consequences, and a narrative that avoids all expected clichés with subtle, tender touches. Read more... Be sure to see it especially for its acting and refreshingly raw emotion. 
Blue Jasmine Review
by Robert Hass 8.1/10 While it may not be as fun as Allen's recent romps, it becomes a bit long near its finish, and it just sort of "ends", Blue Jasmine is a bright, well-made, and very well-acted character study with a perfect cast and a particularly strong performance from Blanchett. Read more... See it for its acting, even though you may be expecting more laughs. 
This Is the End Review
by Robert Hass 7.0/10 Not all of its overly-vulgar gags hit the mark with me (there may be one to many d*ck or t***y f**k references) and I didn’t laugh as much as I expected, but This Is the End is still a frequently funny and entertaining comedy with a simplistically hilarious premise, fun performances from its leads, some cleverly crude jokes, surprisingly decent action sequences, and a bit of a heart, or message at its core about friendship. Read more... See it. 
Only God Forgvies Review
by Robert Hass 3.7/10 Only God Forgives is the epitome of style over substance at its rawest. It has immaculate cinematography and lighting and also a great score. But the film is still bogged down by its little-to-no character development, shallow story, graphically gratuitous violence, deliberate pacing, and pretentiously ambiguous elements. Fans of Refn and experimental films may enjoy it, but for others, proceed with caution. Read more... Skip it. 
Pacific Rim Review
by Robert Hass 6.7/10 Pacific Rim suffers from weak writing and slack character development, drags at parts with inconsistent pacing, and isn't quite as (hate to say it) "epic" as it promised. But it still provides admittedly decent B-movie popcorn entertainment thanks to a fun premise, fantastic special effects, inspired, awesomely stylized imagery, and exciting and well directed action sequences. Read more... See it on the big screen for its spectacle and gigantically exciting action scenes, but don't go in expecting to get much more than fists and twisted metal. 
The Wolverine Review
by Griffin Banks 6.9/10 Despite a face-palm worthy third act and the familiar pitfalls of the first five films, The Wolverine solidly nails everyone’s favorite Canuck, with ninja and samurai to boot. Read more... See it if you want the best Wolverine since his X-Men: First Class cameo, but if a certain unspeakable prequel left a bad taste in your mouth; take an adamantium bullet to the head and rent it. 
Evil Dead (2013) Review
by Robert Hass 5.4/10 Evil Dead is very well shot, does serve up a decent dose of unnerving scares, including some disturbingly effective imagery, fantastic practical effect, some neat twists from its source material, has a surprisingly great score, and serves up as darkly fun and ridiculously bloody entertainment in its final 20 minutes, but these perks still doesn't overshadow it's cliched plot (I know it's hard to avoid due to the original's plot), extremely weak character development, lack of needed jokes and comedic relief, graphically brutal and cringe-inducing moments of violence, and stupid characters that you don't invest in or really care about. Read more... Rent it if you are a fan of horror, the original, or just gore, but otherwise, steer clear. 
Stories We Tell Review
by Robert Hass 7.2/10 Stories We Tell is a well made and personal spin on the documentary film with dedicated direction, a heart at its core, and some thought provoking material, even if it is a tad narratively choppy and isn't entirely important or informative, which also makes it not as engrossing. Read more... See it for some personal food for thought, but you can also just wait for rental. 
Dead Man Down Review
by Robert Hass 6.5/10 It's long, the plot isn't very original, and it has a large plot twist that is a bit hard to believe, but still Dead Man Down is a very decent, well shot, firmly acted, and throughly engrossing revenge thriller thanks to its like-able characters, increasingly enveloping and intense story, and solid performances. This is one of the more pleasant surprises of the year, even if the story isn't new and has some holes. Read more... Rent it if you are looking for a old-fashioned revenge flick and I'm sure you will have a fine time. 
Europa Report Review
by Robert Hass 6.4/10 It has a somewhat anticlimactic ending, at times looses its cinematic energy when its, admirably clinical, documentarian "science" and pacing takes more of the stage, there could have been more character development, and while they pull it off very well, the indie budget restrictions and found footage presentation make it feel visually repetitive. Still Europa Report is a very clever, well-crafted, and even though provoking sci-fi found footage mockumentary with a unique and smart execution, an intelligent script including one awesomely fresh narrative twist, solid visual effects, a great score, and firm direction. Read more... Rent it if you are a fan of science fiction, and some intellectual food for though, but don't expect to get a lot of exhilarating action out of it either. 
Spring Breakers Review
by Robert Hass 5.3/10 Spring Breakers is a hard film to review. It is artfully shot, has a cool and uniquely fitting score, a great performance from Franco, is narratively unpredictable, stylistically intriguing, has many underlying, ambitious elements and ideas, and also a chock-full of darkly satirical social commentary. But it also becomes repetitive to a fault, sometimes has too much over-sensory in it's first act, some pacing issues, and hammers in it's artistic symbolism and style more than enough. Overall, it ends up being more of an artistically poetic and experimental satire rather than a mindless strip-fest. Read more... Rent it if you want to see something new and are a fan of experimental cinema, but if you come looking just for bodies and booze, this is NOT your cup of tea. 
The Heat Review
by Robert Hass 6.7/10 The plot may be formulaic, but The Heat is still a constantly funny and thoroughly entertaining comedy with great chemistry from its leads, and a hell of a side-splitting performance from McCarthy. Read more... See it. 
White House Down Review
by Robert Hass 3.2/10 It may have some brief funny lines/moments, nice chemistry between its two leads, and some passably watchable action, but White House Down is still a stupid, overlong, and extremely forgettable brainless thriller with a very generic plot, a cliche ridden and idiotic screenplay, uneven special effects, and bombastic direction. Read more... Like many of Emmerich's previous yarns, White House Down is an overstuffed slab of star-spangled cheese. Not worth the price of admission, skip it. 
Redemption Review
by Robert Hass 5.0/10 Redemption is different than typical Jason Statham fare, is well shot and lit, has a cool, pulsing mood/style, a firm performance from Statham, and is thematically ambitious. But it also is ploddingly paced, its execution and story becomes abstruse, even if it has themes of uplifting and "redemption", it is depressing, and it also has a lack of excitement. Read more... Rent it for its style and for something out of the ordinary from Statham, but you might be a little disappointed or feel inconclusive after watching it. 
Monsters University Review
by Robert Hass 8.4/10 You've seen its premise before, and it doesn't quite reach the strong emotional depth of other Pixar outings, but regardless Monsters University is a fun, beautifully animated, frequently hilarious, and overall charming family film that will be sure to leave a smile on your face. Read more... Definitely see it. 
World War Z Review
by Robert Hass 7.4/10 World War Z has an abrupt ending, and it isn't much of a cohesive film, but rather a string of extremely intense, pulse pounding, and wonderfully visceral set pieces. Read more... Definitely see it for some summer bait to chomp on and one hell of a thrill ride. 
Fast and Furious 6 Review
by Robert Hass 6.6/10 Fast and Furious 6, for better or for worse, is an unapologetically dumb, overly masculine, and juvenilely cartoonish piece of summer popcorn fluff that mostly makes up for its flaws with some immensely well crafted action sequences. Read more... See it for the final action sequence or rent it. 
This Is the End Review
by Robert Hass 7.0/10 Not all of its overly-vulgar gags hit the mark with me (there may be one to many d*ck or t***y f**k references) and I didn’t laugh as much as I expected, but This Is the End is still a frequently funny and entertaining comedy with a simplistically hilarious premise, fun performances from its leads, some cleverly crude jokes, surprisingly decent action sequences, and a bit of a heart, or message at its core about friendship. Read more... See it. 
World War Z Review
by Robert Hass 7.4/10 World War Z has an abrupt ending, and it isn't much of a cohesive film, but rather a string of extremely intense, pulse pounding, and wonderfully visceral set pieces. Read more... Definitely see it for some summer bait to chomp on and one hell of a thrill ride. 
Iron Man 3 Review
by Robert Hass 8.6/10 Overall, Iron Man 3 will divide many avid comic book fans, but is still a fun, exciting, and damn entertaining conclusion to the trilogy. Read more... Definitely see it. 
Stories We Tell Review
by Robert Hass 7.2/10 Stories We Tell is a well made and personal spin on the documentary film with dedicated direction, a heart at its core, and some thought provoking material even if it is a tad narratively choppy and isn't entirely important or informative, which also makes it not as engrossing. Read more... See it for some personal food for thought, but you can also just wait for rental. 
The Great Gatsby (2013) Review
by Robert Hass 4.9/10 Though it has bountiful visual flair and is stylishly ambitious, The Great Gatsby's story gets lost amidst its dazzling yet overproduced spectacle and ultimately ends up being a prime example of style over substance. Read more... See it for its style and the experience, but don't expect to get much else. 
Only God Forgvies Review
by Robert Hass 3.7/10 Only God Forgives is the epitome of style over substance at its rawest. It has incredible, immaculate cinematography and lighting and also a great score, but the film is still bogged down by its little to no character development, shallow story, graphically gratuitous violence, deliberate pacing, and pretentiously ambiguous elements. Fans of Refn and experimental films may enjoy it, but for others, proceed with caution. Read more... Skip it. 
Evil Dead (2013) Review
by Robert Hass 5.4/10 Evil Dead is very well shot, does serve up a decent dose of unnerving scares, including some disturbingly effective imagery, fantastic practical effect, some neat twists from its source material, has a surprisingly great score, and serves up as darkly fun and ridiculously bloody entertainment in its final 20 minutes, but these perks still doesn't overshadow it's cliched plot (I know it's hard to avoid due to the original's plot), extremely weak character development, lack of needed jokes and comedic relief, graphically brutal and cringe-inducing moments of violence, and stupid characters that you don't invest in or really care about. Read more... Rent it if you are a fan of horror, the original, or just gore, but otherwise, steer clear. 
Dead Man Down Review
by Robert Hass 6.5/10 It's long, the plot isn't very original, and it has a large plot twist is a bit hard to believe, but still Dead Man Down is a very decent, well shot, firmly acted, and throughly engrossing revenge thriller thanks to its like-able characters, increasingly enveloping and intense story, and solid performances. This is one of the more pleasant surprises of the year, even if the story isn't new and has some holes. Read more... Rent it if you are looking for a old-fashioned revenge flick and I'm sure you will have a fine time. 
Europa Report Review
by Robert Hass 6.4/10 It has a somewhat anticlimactic ending, at times looses its cinematic energy when its, admirably, clinical, documentarian "science" and pacing takes more of the stage, there could have been more character development, and while they pull it off very well, the indie budget restrictions and found footage presentation make it feel visually repetitive, Europa Report is still a very clever, well-crafted, and even though provoking sci-fi found footage mockumentary with a unique and smart execution, an intelligent script including one awesomely fresh narrative twist, solid visual effects, a great score, and firm direction. Read more... Rent it if you are a fan of science fiction, and some intellectual food for though, but don't expect to get a lot of exhilarating action out of it either. 
Spring Breakers Review
by Robert Hass 5.3/10 Spring Breakers is a hard film to review. It is artfully shot, has a cool and uniquely fitting score, a great performance from Franco, is narratively unpredictable, stylistically intriguing, has many underlying, ambitious elements and ideas, and also a chock-full of darkly satirical social commentary. But it also becomes repetitive to a fault, sometimes has too much over-sensory in it's first act, some pacing issues, and hammers in it's artistic symbolism and style more than enough. Overall, it ends up being more of an artistically poetic and experimental satire rather than a mindless strip-fest. Read more... Rent it if you want to see something new and are a fan of experimental cinema, but if you come looking just for bodies and booze, this is NOT your cup of tea. 
Redemption Review
by Robert Hass 5.0/10 Redemption is different than typical Jason Statham fare, is well shot and lit, has a cool, pulsing mood/style, a firm performance from Statham, and is thematically ambitious. But it also is ploddingly paced, its execution and story becomes abstruse, even if it has themes of uplifting and "redemption", it is depressing, and it also has a lack of excitement. Read more... Rent it for its style and for something out of the ordinary from Statham, but you might be a little disappointed or feel inconclusive after watching it. 
The Last Stand Review
by Robert Hass 4.8/10 The Last Stand may serve up as a passable, harmless, and mildly entertaining throwback to 80's action flicks, it tries to add some humor, has a right spirit, and its nice to see Schwarzenegger back on screen again, but it still doesn't entirely excuse the films cliché-ridden script, generic story, and sometimes lack of fluidly kinetic action. Read more... Rent it if you want to see Arnold spitting one-liners and totting guns once more, but you won't miss much otherwise. 
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
by Robert Hass 3.4/10 At its most basic level it may be stupid, mildly entertaining popcorn fluff, has some surprising and notable self-aware humor and lines, some enjoyable action sequences, solid visual effects, and it admirably knows what it is, G.I. Joe: Retaliation is still a juvenile and mindless blockbuster. Read more. 
V/H/S 2 Review
by Robert Hass 4.8/10 Like many anthologies, V/H/S 2 is uneven. It has many inventive concepts and gimmicks that are creative for it's popular genre, and does have a few unsettling spooks. On the contrary, it is darkly uncompromising and relies too much on discomfortingly grotesque shock value. I would just rent it or only watch the better two of its four short films. If you aren't into horror or gore, this is DEFINITELY not the movie for you. Read more... 
Oz: The Great and Powerful Review
by Robert Hass 4.9/10 It has bountiful visual flair, some refreshingly dry humor, a fine performance from James Franco, lush and vivid set designs and costumes, an entertaining climax/ending, delightful references to the classic original, a pleasant moral and message, and, as always, inventive camera work and directing style from Sam Raimi. Still, Oz the Great and Powerful ends up being just average and mildly entertaining due to it's lack of "magic" and awe... Read more. 
Side Effects Review
by Robert Hass 7.3/10 Like many of Soderbergh's other works, it's execution and viewing experience is constantly lean, clinical, and cold for better of for worse. Also, its ending could have used more of a bang rather than subtle style but still Side Effects is an effective and well made Hitchcock-ian thriller. Read more. |
On DVD/Rental
The Grand Budapest Hotel 7.8/10 Non-Stop 6.1/10 Robocop (2014) 6.4/10 Gravity 9.2/10 Blue Jasmine 8.1/10 The Spectacular Now 8.5/10 Fast and Furious 6 6.6/10 The Wolverine (Guest Review) 6.9/10 Man of Steel 6.4/10 White House Down 3.2/10 Monsters University 8.4/10 The Way Way Back 4.8/10 Pacific Rim 6.7/10 The Heat 6.7/10 This Is the End 7.0/10 World War Z 7.4/10 Iron Man 3 8.6/10 Stories We Tell 7.2/10 The Great Gatsby 4.9/10 Only God Forgives 3.7/10 Evil Dead (2013) 5.4/10 Dead Man Down 6.4/10 Europa Report 6.4/10 Spring Breakers 5.4/10 Redemption 5.0/10 GI: Joe Retaliation 3.4/10 V/H/S 2 4.8/10 Oz: The Great and Powerful 4.9/10 The Last Stand 4.8/10 Side Effects 7.3/10 The BlogThe goal for this blog is for me to deliver more direct movie summaries that skip more of the fluff and deliver the goods. The story, the good, the bad, and my overall take on it. For those of you who just want to know if you should see it or not, read the ratings and headlines of the films. Click read more if you want to see the details about the reviews.
About me
My name is Robert, but friends call me Vern. I'm a proud cinefile (not as creepy as it sounds...) I write, direct and edit movies. When I'm not doing that, I'm watching movies -- as many as I can -- and reviewing them here for you. I've found that my tastes are unpredictable; conventional to bizarre, formulaic to abstract, old-school to ahead of the curve. I've seen enough to have perspective but am still young enough to need a lift to the theater. Let me know what you think.
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