The Descendants

Clooney isn't bad in this one. He acts and pulls off a great performance. This movie had the feel and emotion of 50/50, a movie from earlier in 2011. It was well done in the storytelling department and pulled some emotional strings. It had a bit of a soap opera feel at times, but the story and well done performances made the movie enjoyable.

It is recommended for the patient adult crowd, not so much for the youngsters. If you could enjoy J Edgar, then go enjoy The Descendants. The imminent death of a family member brings out the dysfunction as personalities in the family in this film. We get to see the struggles and fallout and even unity around the significant events in the film.

The Descendants will pull a worthy 4 out of 5 Cyclones. This drama has a bit of comedy and some abrasive language from the kids. Well done soundtrack as well.

The Sitter

The movie tried so hard to get of the ground. It doesn't. The lack of integrity in a film is shown here. Regardless of a few LOL moments, the movie drags kids and vulgarity through our minds, the feebly attempts to find some redeeming value in the last 15 minutes of a less than mediocre film. Hoping for some comedy and bloopers and interesting takes on babysitting left me (viewers) feeling neglected. Sorry fat Jonah Hill, hopefully the video game market will help your career, this movie did not. The Sitter will earn 2 out of 5 Cyclones.

Sherlock Holmes - Game of Shadows

No story to follow. First hour and a half are guess work as to what is going on. The editing and camera work is refreshing, but cannot salvage a junk film. Stretch after stretch, and inference after inference leads to discouraging movie watching. The The humor is enjoyable and costumes as well, but there is no connection with much of the film. The movie falls short in story and following. It does incorporate forethought, camera work, comedy, and action quite well. Unfortunatley, just not what was expected for round two in this series. Holmes pulls 2 out of 5 Cyclones.

Arthur Christmas is more about efficiency and timing

Not bad, but not the holiday fun of years past.  The movie was cute and not exceptional in 3D. The story goes on about the Christmas clan and their heritage and how times change, but the values shouldn't.  It was well laid out and kids can enjoy it while parents are not turned off.  The movie comes during a lull in the season, and was unable to hit a high note with myself and many other viewers. The typical response to the film was "Cute." If that is what you want, then go enjoy.

The one liners from Grandpa/Senior Santa were hilarious as well as a few others from the animated cast.  Some of us were on the floor laughing, which made for a great show.  But aside from some witty comments, the remainder of the script was left for the kids.

Yes it is appropriate for all ages. Adults will adore the older Santa and the resourcefulness and mind-slip moments. Others will enjoy the clean animation. A good story about family and Christmas. Arthur Christmas pulls a weak 4 out of 5 Cyclones. 

-CycloneMovies.com Critic

J Edgar is a big fat slow movie

The movie is way too toned down to really give an accurate portrayal of the man. More a made for TV type docufilm. The youngsters who snuck into this movie were quick to leave as they realized who J Edgar was in reality. Yes, he wore women's clothes, hated/loved men, and had mommy issues.  He was also vital in the creation of the FBI and instrumental in challenging civil and constitutional rights in this country.  He was a one man army, like Manson was a mass murdered. They wielded a big stick, but their hands were clean.

The movie was a bit too dull to keep the general viewer engaged. Most were willing to depart early for some In-n-Out or a better option. Those looking for some historical insight were left a bit high and dry. The acting was not worthy of any award nods. So we are left with a made for TV movie and two hours in the theatre where we feel we aged as rapidly as J Edgar.  The make up and transformation from young to old JEH was done exceptionally well. The time jumps were done well also. Wait for Redbox. This one pulls 2 out of 5 Cyclones.

-CycloneMovies.com Critic, ready for a nap.

Muppets - classic Disney Muppets

The classic Muppets are back.  If you think Elmo or Snoopy is a Muppet, then you will not enjoy this film.  If you are part of the 99% (Occupy movement) or anyone who grew up with or still loves the Muppets, then this classic will keep you in the seats and entertained.

The dance and music scenes may be a tacky as the new Footloose film's scenes, but given that this is a kid's movie, that is fine....the kids don't care.  There is one scene in particular that was great and that was the song and dance about "Me", but the rest are relatively simple scores. 

The Muppets are trying to save their old theatre, and they need a mere 10 million dollars to accomplish this feat.  They are battling a corporate oil tycoon for the rights to the property and theatre.  Will the be able to get a host and telethon together in time on a major network to raise the money?  That is our movie with the new Muppets production.

The characters are there and ready to roll.  The kids filled the theatre's seats at the screening.  The kids would have made the movie fun, but many of them were not laughing. They were merely glued to their seats watching.  I took this as a good sign. Maybe I was wrong.  Muppets is nothing to line up for at the theatre, but it will pull 3 out of 5 Cyclones for classic goodness.


-CycloneMovies.com Critic

Twilight - the new one

Tough to write a review on such a bad series/film.  Bad: acting, makeup, soundtrack, effects, scenes... Good: closing score, and Bella's had a great part in the movie as a corpse.

The opening HOUR AND A HALF will make non Twilight series lovers want their money back.  Feminists may also cringe at the abortion dilemma. Have no fear, this a tame PG-13 film made for the kids.  The wedding is tame and poorly done, the sex scenes are mild and uneventful, yet the birthing session in the last half hour was intense. 

Those not glued to the books were sleeping through the movie. The first time i saw it, i didn't care. The second time I saw this episode, I stayed awake.  The third time I saw it, I realized how terrible it really was.  It is like they are trying to find actors as terrible as Mark Hamil and Hayden Christensen (in the Star Wars series) to battle for worst actors in a major motion picture series! 

If you are a tween who can text and play angry birds throughout the movies you usually watch, this is perfect for you and go be detached from yet another film you can tell your friends you saw and know nothing about it.  If you want a quality film with some value, then see ANYTHING else.  Merely to appease the 'Clones in love with the series, Twilight will pull 2 out of 5 Cyclones.


-CycloneMovies.com Critical Critic