THE OPTIMIST - MOVIE REVIEWS

       As summer fades away allowing fall to slither in, and in the wake of a handful of big summer blockbusters, we begin to experience that transition period into the winter months and the big films that usually open during that time. However, that doesn't mean that in between now and then there aren't any good films to see. This last week, the Liam Neeson starring crime drama " A Walk Among the Tombstones " joins the 2014 club, and does so with stoic awesomeness. In my book, Liam Neeson can do no wrong. He has become one of Hollywood's most valuable action stars, taking on roles that one might think he was merely type-cast for, but in retrospect are right in his wheelhouse. He's played the complicated, dark, flawed man's man so well that it's not boring when we see the similarities in his characters.    "A Walk Among the Tombstones" is a refreshing take on the detective/crime drama. Neeson plays Matthew Scudder, a former police det...

   " This Is Where I Leave You " surprised me. The first thing that appealed to me when I saw the trailer for the first time was the cast. It's a pretty starry cast if ever I've seen one. Some of the top-of-the-list comedic actors of our time find themselves in a film together and, coupled with a sweet storyline and a decent screenplay, deliver a movie that was surprisingly great. I say that as if I was surprised that it was good. That's not it at all, I love everything (duh), so allow me to clarify. I was surprised at how good it really was.    Judd Altman, played by the wonderfully talented Jason Bateman , has what will probably become the worst year of his life. Not only does he find out that his wife ( Abigail Spencer ) is cheating on him with his boss ( Dax Shepard ), but his father passes away. The loss of the family patriarch is merely the catalyst to the emotional roller coaster that ensues for Judd and his family. Not that a cheating wife and a de...

             Movies nowadays that fall into the category of "Young Adult" films tend to have a few items of unwanted baggage attached to them. The first being a mixture of either poor source material or, more often than not, a poor interpretation of good source material. The second being the over-exuberant fan base who spend more time screaming and clapping when their adorable movie crush is on screen than actually watching and paying attention to the film. Good Young Adult movies tend to get a bad wrap sometimes simply because of their intended audiences. The acting is sometimes over the top, the writing and story-telling is flat or lacking, and no matter their faults, you still get the screaming and applauding, leaving you to question " Why did I think coming to see this movie was a good idea? " The recent adaptation of " Divergent " was like that, as was both " The Hunger Games " movies thus far. The big difference between the two though i...

        The third installment of what is becoming a formidable franchise arrived a few weeks ago in " The Expendables 3 ". Though the film has lost some steam since its mediocre opening, it's still a fun, adrenaline-pumping action flick that is as enjoyable as the two that came before it. In this particular adventure, we find Barney ( Sylvester Stallone ) finally beginning to feel Grandfather Time weighing down on him, as well as his team. Things begin to heat up after Barney realizes that the notorious arms trader he and his team have been trying to capture is in fact Conrad Stonebanks (played by the formidable Mel Gibson ), the co-founder of the Expendables long since removed from memory. Barney decides to inject some new blood into the group by embracing wholeheartedly the phrase "out with the old, in with the new"; dumping his old team for fresher, younger players. However, we learn not too far in that though you may be old, it doesn't mean you're...

      Who doesn't like a good sports movie, am I right? " When the Game Stands Tall " is one of those movies that really makes an effort to spread a specific, positive message and one that will leave you smiling as you walk out of the theater. The movie is an account of the De La Salle High School football team, brought out of obscurity by their legendary, inspiring coach Bob Ladouceur to a record-breaking 151 win streak. That's the premise, if you will. The story is really about life, loss, what it means to be inspired, and the true meaning behind the pursuit of happiness. The story aside, it's truly an inspiring film. Movies are definitely one of the greatest forms of entertainment, but to be moved or inspired from the stories portrayed is what makes the cinema a work of art.    The story of the infamous De La Salle High School football team has reached national recognition. Their program is structured not only to teach kids to play football, but to ulti...