Movies

‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

“The Outlaw Josey Wales” was directed by Clint Eastwood, and it was adapted from the book, “Gone to Texas” by Forrest Carter. Eastwood is also the lead actor in the film, and he’s certainly in his wheelhouse when it comes to the Hollywood Western. When it comes to certain Clint Eastwood Westerns, some of them stand out more than others.  This film was released in 1976, and it was Eastwood’s second time directing a Western after first directing “High Plains Drifter.” He would return in 1985 with “Pale Rider” before putting his finishing touches on the genre with “Unforgiven” in 1992. For my money, “Unforgiven” is not only one of the best Westerns Eastwood ever directed or starred in, but it’s also one of the best Westerns of all time.

“The Outlaw Josey Wales” is set during the American Civil War, and it opens with the wife and son of Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) being murdered by Captain Terrill (Bill McKinney) and his group of Union militia. Now, Josey Wales will stop at nothing to seek revenge for the death of his wife and son.  Throughout his journey, he stumbles upon a group of unique and eccentric characters who can either help him or get out of his way. Eastwood plays Josey Wales as subdued, determined, and unflappable. If he gets his pound of flesh, will he be satisfied? He’s on a mission, and he isn’t going to let anything or anyone slow him down or get in his way.

One of the more interesting characters that Josey Wales meets is Lone Watie, played by Chief Dan George. They have had an “Odd Couple” type of relationship, as it’s hard to get a read on Josey whereas Lone Watie is quite chatty. Along the way, they come in contact with various gunmen, and we quickly learn that Josey is not someone to be trifled with when he’s in a battle of life or death.  There are also quiet and reflective moments when the threat of violence isn’t in the air.  The film is shot with a keen eye by Eastwood. He’s always been a skilled and talented director, especially when he’s shooting Westerns. He makes even the mundane look spectacular and mesmerizing.

When I was watching “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” there wasn’t anything happening on screen from a plot or character perspective which drew me in or kept my attention.  I recently reviewed “Pale Rider,” which was done after “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” and that was a film with a strong pulse and interesting characters. I have seen Eastwood portray this character before, and it feels like he’s simply spinning his wheels with this performance. There is not a whole lot going on with this character of Josey, and there isn’t a whole lot going on with the majority of the story either.

I can only get lost in the scenery and the beautiful sights and sounds for so long before I eventually start to get bored.  Make no mistake about it, “The Outlaw Josey Wales” is a beautiful film from a filmmaking perspective.  There is a ton of skill on display, and it’s a quiet and unassuming film.  The problem is it also feels bland and flat. I didn’t feel as though the film did anything to differentiate itself from a host of other Westerns which have been directed by Eastwood in the past. It’s OK for his character to not be showy, loud or outspoken, as we don’t expect that in an Eastwood Western. However, at times, it looked and felt like he was in a medically-induced coma.

As I was watching this film, I kept waiting for it to spring into action and come to life on screen. After you have seen him take out the bad guys time after time, it begins to become repetitive and it loses its luster the more you see it happen. This is a movie which is a little too focused on its sense of time and place but not focused enough on creating a captivating story.  This is a problem when you have a film that is a little over two hours long. I didn’t hate watching “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” but I didn’t particularly enjoy the experience. It left me feeling very underwhelmed.

* * out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Outlaw Josey Wales” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It comes in either a 4K slipcover edition or a 4K steelbook. The film has a running time of 135 minutes and is rated PG. The film also comes with a digital code to redeem.

4K Video Info: The 4K of this film is absolutely magnificent.  Westerns, in particular, were made to be released on 4K. You just don’t get this type of viewing experience on Blu-ray or DVD with Westerns. The HDR on this film presents an epic picture that is utterly flawless.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos audio track also brings the film to life in your living room with a soundtrack that is big and bold. Subtitles are included in Spanish, English, and French.

Special Features:

Commentary by Richard Schickel

An Outlaw and an Antihero – NEW

The Cinematography of and Outlaw: Crafting Josie Wales – NEW

Clint Eastwood’s West

Eastwood in Action

Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales

Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – Reinventing the West

Should You Buy It?

I had the pleasure of reviewing three Clint Eastwood 4K’s over the past week: “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” “Dirty Harry,” and “Pale Rider.” “Pale Rider,” without question, was my favorite of the three. With “Dirty Harry” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” I admired but didn’t love them.  I felt like I was missing something when I was watching them.  Both films are well-made and they are not terrible, but they didn’t entertain or grab me emotionally. However, I’m well aware that many people out there who love both “Dirty Harry” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” When it comes to “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” if you are a fan of the film, you need to add it to your collection as soon as possible.  It looks and sounds out of this world on 4K, and there is a boatload of special features here to enjoy, especially a few new ones as well. I just put this film under the category of, “It wasn’t for me.” If it is for you, you can’t ask for a better physical media release than what they have put together at Warner Brothers for this one.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Dirty Harry’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

“Dirty Harry” is a film I’ve heard a lot about during my almost forty years on this planet, especially when I started to watch movies regularly in my youth. It’s long been a part of American pop culture, and it’s hard for me to believe this was my first time watching it.  I’m familiar with the “Do you feel lucky, punk?” speech that has been repeated by numerous cinephiles over the past fifty years.  “Dirty Harry” was released in 1971. The 70’s are my favorite decade of American cinema, as the films back then were raw, dirty, and unapologetically in-your-face.

Our antagonist in this film goes by the name of Scorpio (Andrew Robinson), and when he’s first introduced on screen, he’s seen killing a woman in a San Francisco pool from a rooftop. Scorpio a vicious sniper who plans on killing more innocent people unless his demands are met.  He’s looking to get $100,000, and if he doesn’t, he will kill one person a day, starting with either a Catholic priest or an African American.  Police Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) found his ransom letter and wants to take matters into his own hands much to the dismay of the San Francisco Police Department. He’s called Dirty Harry because he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty and do whatever is necessary to find his man. He also appears to hate everyone equally, regardless of their race.

Harry is none too pleased when he’s assigned a rookie partner named Chico Gonzalez, played by Reni Santoni. Harry’s previous two partners ended up injured or dead. Before long, Scorpio decides he wants to raise the stakes–he wants $200,000 or he will kill a teenager named Ann Mary Deacon.  It’s up to Harry and Chico to put a stop to this before it gets even worse for the entire city of San Francisco. The biggest problems in Harry’s life come from his own police department, as they want him to play by the rules and follow police protocol.  Harry Callahan knows he’s dealing with a lunatic here, and you can’t reason with someone who is evil, maniacal, and cold-blooded.

My biggest issue with “Dirty Harry” is the fact the film presents an antagonist and a protagonist who are written in a bland and one-note fashion. Eastwood is known for his understated and minimalist approach to acting, and most of the time, it works. In “Dirty Harry,” for me, I wanted to learn more about what makes him tick and what his backstory is.  I didn’t need everything to be explained to me in granular detail, but we know very little about him.  The mystery of Harry Callahan doesn’t work in this film because I found myself detached from the character.  Scorpio is just an over-the-top villain. What is anyone’s motivation here?

“Dirty Harry” is a film which is all about the chase.  It’s all about Harry chasing Scorpio, and it’s interesting to a degree, but it doesn’t hold up for the duration of the film.  I understand the film is making a statement about police violence and what needs to be done in order to achieve a peaceful environment for everyone involved. Do the police need to resort to a more aggressive style of police protocol? Are they letting criminals get away with too much? Do the police need to bend the rules a little bit if it allows everyone to feel safe?  I understand what the film was trying to say, and I don’t need everything to be spelled out for me perfectly, but this is a film that felt flat and uninteresting to me. I needed a little more meat on the bone here.  It’s OK to have a simple story, but you need characters with a little more depth to them than simply good guy versus bad guy.

Overall, I liked the beginning and the end of the film, but the film completely lost me in the middle when it was the back-and-forth chase between Scorpio and Harry Callahan. There is little to no dialogue going on in these scenes, and I respected the style that was on display from director Don Siegel, but I needed something else to grab me to keep my attention. “Dirty Harry” is a Hollywood classic, and I understand many filmgoers hold it in very high regard.  I was anticipating having a strong reaction to it. When it was over, I thought to myself, “That’s it?”

* * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Dirty Harry” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment in either a slipcover version or a collector’s edition steelbook. There is also a digital copy of the film included in the set.  The film has a running time of 102 minutes and is rated R.

4K Video Info: The 4K HDR transfer here is striking and vibrant while maintaining a grimy and old-school look to it in the process. When the film is taking place during the day, the colors really pop and shine on screen. When it takes place at night, the deep blacks are on full display.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is sharp and solid throughout the film. It’s powerful without being overbearing. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish, and French.

Special Features:

Commentary by Richard Schickel

Generations and Dirty Harry – NEW

Lensing Justice: The Cinematography of Dirty Harry – NEW

American Masters Career Retrospective: Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows

Clint Eastwood: The Man from Malpaso

Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – Fighting for Justice

Interview Gallery

Dirty Harry’s Way

Dirty Harry: The Original

Should You Buy It?

If you love “Dirty Harry” and it’s one of your favorite films, you’ll be over the moon about this 4K release, which includes over four hours of special features. They really made sure they went above and beyond for this 4K release, and I imagine a lot of people have been waiting a long time for this.  Visually, it’s a stunning release that is sure to satisfy physical media lovers out there. The Dolby Atmos track stands out on this as well. For people who haven’t seen the film before, like myself, I don’t know how well it will hold up with a modern audience or a first-time viewer. It didn’t connect with me, and I was disappointed by the majority of it. It was a film I respected, but I didn’t connect with it the way I have other Clint Eastwood films I’ve been watching lately. If you haven’t seen it before, you might want to watch it before you blind buy it.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

All-Time Favorite Trailers: ‘Pale Rider’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

With Tony Farinella’s ever so enthusiastic review of Clint Eastwood’s 1985 western “Pale Rider,” I was quickly reminded of the various trailers made for it back in the day. Each trailer and television commercial made for it was dominated by the music of “Best Endeavours” which was composed by Alan Hawkshaw. That piece of music alone was enough to get me super excited about this particular motion picture.

But one particular trailer for “Pale Rider” which excited and stayed me throughout the years was its teaser. I first watched the teaser when it was included in the VHS release of “City Heat,” a movie which teamed up Eastwood with Burt Reynolds and eventually became one of my most inescapable guilty pleasures.

What makes this trailer for “Pale Rider” stand out for me is how it is composed simply of still images. Like the Italian movie trailer for Dario Argento’s “Suspiria,” it is the images which, in their stillness or frozen moments, spoke volumes. While Warner Brothers might have preferred more in the way of moving images, the still ones had much more of an impact on me.

Plus, it has a narrator telling us how Eastwood had previously directed the last great western back in 1976 with “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” This made the trailer’s promise of “Pale Rider” being the next great American western all the more thrilling. Whether or not you think “Pale Rider” proved to be such the thing, I admired the case the narrator sold us on.

As much as I wanted to see “Pale Rider” when it arrived in theaters, I was only ten years at the time, and it was rated R. The best I could do was watch Siskel & Ebert review it as I got to see movie clips there, and I did get to read the movie’s novelization which was written by Alan Dean Foster. For some odd reason, my parents never kept me from doing that.

I didn’t get to see “Pale Rider” until many years later, but that is a story for another time. And from now on, Alan Hawkshaw’s “Best Endeavours” will always forever be the “Pale Rider” theme to me. To others, it may forever be the theme for the British program Channel 4 News, but Channel 4 never secured permanent exclusivity rights for it at the time, so there!

Please check out the “Pale Rider” teaser trailer down below.

‘Pale Rider’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

Clint Eastwood is synonymous with the Hollywood western in American cinema. For my money, the westerns of Eastwood are far superior than those of John Wayne. There is a subtlety and nuance to his films and his performances. While not all of them are Hollywood classics, they are a great example of old-school craftsmanship, especially when he’s behind the camera.  He is behind the camera for “Pale Rider,” which is celebrating its 40th anniversary with this 4K release.  It is a film I have not seen before, but after watching it for the first time, I fell in love with it immediately.

Our film is set in LaHood, California in Carbon Canyon, which is being run by an malevolent banker and a crooked marshal. The banker is named Coy LaHood, played by Richard Dysart. Since he doesn’t have the legal rights to kick the miners out of their homes, he uses violence and intimidation in an attempt to gain complete control of the land. This doesn’t sit right with Hull Barret, played by Michael Moriarty, as he’s trying to take care of his fiancée Sarah (Carrie Snodgress) and her daughter Megan (Sydney Penny). However, he’s finding little to no support in his battle against LaHood.

Megan’s prayers for peace are answered by a man known as the Preacher, played by Eastwood. He’s a mysterious and shadowy figure who shows up to save Hull after he’s attacked by four of LaHood’s men. Megan was having a hard time seeing the silver lining in much of anything after her father left, her grandfather passed away, and her dog was killed.  LaHood has brought nothing but mayhem and destruction to Carbon Canyon.  The Preacher, however, is not only giving Megan hope, but he’s also giving hope and faith to everyone in Carbon Canyon. They are not going to be kicked out of their homes, and they will not be bought off.

Westerns are often hit or miss with me as a film critic. When they are done with interesting characters, beautiful cinematography and focus on the quiet introspective moments, they connect with me and I’m completely absorbed.  One of my favorite Westerns of all time is “Unforgiven,” which was also directed by Eastwood. It deals with the aftermath of the violence and the effect it has on those who have inflicted it on others. “Pale Rider” is about the people of Carbon Canyon and how they are trying to exist, survive, and live while under the thumb of LaHood.   Eastwood, in many ways, is a supporting character in his own film.  I imagine this was by design. When he does appear on screen, everything he does is thoughtful and understated. He has a terrific scene with Sydney Penny where he describes why they can’t be together romantically. It’s delicate and, in the hands of any other filmmaker, it would have been awkward and out of place.

It all leads to the big shootout between the Preacher and LaHood’s men along with Stockburn, the Marshal, played by John Russell.  The shootout scene is impactful because Eastwood is a patient director and he takes his time in building up to the grand finale.  At the end of the day, movies are simple—introduce us to characters we are invested in, set the stage, let the actors do their work, and get out of the way. Eastwood is one of the best in the business at doing that as a director, which is one of many reasons why he’s a Hollywood legend.

I’d also like to mention the work of Chris Penn in the film as LaHood’s son, Josh. Even though Sean Penn is more well-known and established as an actor, his brother Chris was a terrific character actor who really knew how to play a slimy and underhanded villain. I’ve always been a big fan of his work.  Michael Moriarty plays a good man who is trying to do the right thing while simultaneously trying to maintain his manhood at the same time.  In many ways, even though Eastwood receives top billing, he’s the lead in the film when it comes to screen time. Carrie Snodgress and Sydney Penny bring vulnerability, strength, and warmth to their performances. This is a terrific cast.

From start to finish, I was utterly engrossed in “Pale Rider,” and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. There is a sense of mystery surrounding the Preacher character, and it is what keeps the story moving in a unique and captivating way.  I like to be kept on my toes. Overall, this is the kind of movie I love as a moviegoer.  The acting, from top-to-bottom, is phenomenal, the scenery is gorgeous, and the story is simple yet powerful. This is another in a long line of classic films from the great Clint Eastwood. The great thing about his filmography is there are still films of his I haven’t seen. He’s the gift that keeps on giving.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “Pale Rider” is being released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The release comes with a beautiful slipcover and a digital copy as well.  There is a steelbook version of the film available for purchase if you are interested in steelbooks over slipcovers. I prefer slipcovers myself. The film has a running time of 116 minutes and is rated R.

4K Video Info: “Pale Rider” comes with a jaw-dropping 4K HDR transfer. The film looks magnificent. Westerns, in particular, are always a welcome addition to 4K.  The landscapes are enthralling to look at and the colors are lively and vivid.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is out of this world as it is peaceful during the quieter moments in the film but it comes to life during the action sequences. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.

Special Features:

The Diary of Sydney Penny: Lessons from the Set – NEW

Painting the Preacher: Bruce Surtees and Pale Rider – NEW

Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – Reinventing Westerns

Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story

The Eastwood Factor

Should You Buy It?

HELL YES! “Pale Rider” is a great film.  It was almost a perfect film, and I was very close to giving it four stars. In the end, I decided to give it three and a half stars, but when it comes to owning the 4K, it’s a no brainer.  There are also new special features on this disc! So many physical media collectors often complain about the lack of new special features, but there are two new special features on this 4K disc. In total, there are over three hours of special features here! Clint Eastwood and Warner Brothers have a special relationship, and this is one of their finest films.  The audio and visual aspects of the 4K are magnificent.  This is one of my favorite 4K releases of 2025 so far, and I can’t wait to watch “Dirty Harry” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales” on 4K from Warner Brothers. They hit a home run with this release, and you owe it to yourself to add this film to your collection. This one comes highly recommended.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Virginia Madsen Reflects on Portraying Maya in ‘Sideways’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

I was lucky enough to attend an anniversary screening of Alexander Payne’s “Sideways” at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center in Santa Monica, California. I remember and watching and loving this film back when it was released back in 2004, and now it has reached its twentieth anniversary which just scares the hell out of me. This screening was followed by a Q&A with some of the film’s participants as well as the authors of the recently released book “Sideways Uncorked,” Kirk Honeycutt and Mira Advani Honeycutt.

But make no mistake, the real star of the evening was Virginia Madsen whom everyone who loves “Sideways” was truly thrilled to see. She portrayed Maya, the divorced waitress who captures the attention of the ambitious but very depressed Miles (Paul Giamatti), a writer who just might be about to publish his novel for the world to see. Madsen deservedly earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her unforgettable performance here. Cate Blanchett ended up winning it that year for her work in “The Aviator,” but there is no forgetting what Madsen did, especially after Maya’s speech about her love of wine.

Before “Sideways,” Madsen was best known for her work in movies like “Candyman,” “Electric Dreams,” “The Prophecy” and “The Rainmaker.” Around the time it came to audition for this now classic film, Madsen openly admitted her career was not doing well and that the odds were against her in playing Maya.

Virginia Madsen: There was talk about getting someone who had a bigger name, but I got the audition and I was working with a coach, so I was really, really ready. They weren’t giving us the whole script though, and then I said, well, can I just have a couple of more scenes, and they just sounded like me.

In addition, she was very familiar with the Santa Inez valley and the other areas which “Sideways” takes place in as she considers them her weekend getaway. Also, this film marked the first time Payne made a film outside of Omaha, Nebraska.

Virgina Madsen: I lived about an hour from there. I didn’t ever go wine tasting. I just went there to sort of be a hippie and climb trees and have this beautiful sense of serenity, so I knew what I felt like when I was in the valley. So, I just went to play myself.

And we can all agree that Madsen’s greatest scene in “Sideways” was when she talks to Miles about her love of wine as it seduces us every bit as much as it seduces Miles. As a result, this made her meeting with Paul Giamatti all the more agonizing.

Virginia Madsen: I loved the part where I talked about wine in that scene with Paul, so I just got this one chance in the room with him. So, I said I just love this screenplay, I love this role, and I love when she talks about the life of wine. I went into the monologue, which you were not supposed to do for the audition. He went, “would you like to do the monologue?” I said, “Yes, sure.” I was so prepared. The tone in the writing changes in that scene. And when it was over, we just looked at the casting director and he said, “You know, we should have everyone do that monologue!” He (Giamatti) wanted me, but it took a while to hear a yes. I knew who Paul was as an actor, and I knew we would have chemistry. I am never wrong about that.

Then there came the time when Madsen met up with Payne about “Sideways,” and he offered her the role of Maya at the Chateau Marmont, something any actor or actress loves to be given the role of a lifetime at. But this also resulted in something actors might be reluctant to agree to.

Virginia Madsen: We met at the Chateau Marmont, and he said, “I want to ask you, would you do me the honor of playing Maya in my film ‘Sideways?’ And I was like, “Oh, well.” And he said, “I have one request though, are you willing to do this movie without makeup?” And I said, “Well Alexander, I’m not wearing makeup now, and that’s what I mostly do.” I did that in three films before that, and the greatest thing about that is you don’t have to get up quite so early. The only request I made back to him was, as long as I can wear mascara and some lip gloss on the date because, if a woman goes on a date, she’s just gonna do a little something, and he agreed to that. It seems to be nowadays more than ever this effort to make people look real, and they kind of look like hell, and that’s also distracting.

After all these years, “Sideways” has lost none of its power to entertain, be it in comedic or dramatic ways. Some films are quickly undone by time, but this one never will as everyone can relate to it and its characters in various ways. And when it comes to Madsen’s performance, she will make you fall in love with Maya every single time.

‘Red One’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

“Red One” is the latest film from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of the biggest names and highest paid actors in Hollywood. I am very familiar with Johnson’s work from his time in the professional wrestling industry, which is something I follow closely. He has become one of the biggest brands in the world. It is rare to find someone out there who does not know who Johnson is, either from his time in professional wrestling or his movie career. Personally speaking, I cannot help but respect and admire how he has built his career in two different industries, but lately, I am starting to suffer from a major case of Dwayne Johnson fatigue.

The film follows the story of Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) who oversees and protects Nick, aka Santa, aka Red One, played by J.K. Simmons. Callum Drift informs Santa this will be their last Christmas together, and then he is calling it quits. He has seen the naughty list grow by over twenty percent, and he feels as though too many people are losing the real meaning of Christmas. They are more interested in their own selfish needs as opposed to being good human beings. Santa tells him there are good people all around the world still, and he should not lose his hope in humanity. In classic movie fashion, Callum is going to retire so, of course, this means his final days will be filled with peril, stress, and action.

On Christmas Eve of all nights, Santa is kidnapped thanks to the help of a mercenary bounty hunter named Jack O’Malley, played by Chris Evans. Callum’s boss, Zoe (Lucy Liu) puts him in charge of tracking down Jack to find out the whereabouts of Santa. Jack confesses he does not know anything about the kidnapping, and he follows the money when it comes to his job opportunities. Lucy Liu oversees the MORA (Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority), and they take their job of protecting Santa very seriously. In order for Santa to be able to do his job, Jack and Callum must put their differences aside, team up together, and find out who was behind this mission and save Santa.

“Red One” is an absolute mess of a film from start-to-finish. One of the biggest issues with the film is that Johnson and Evans have no chemistry together on screen. This is not a fun buddy movie as Johnson takes this role too seriously while Evans is a goofball. The dialogue written for their characters is also bland and unfunny. When you have two actors with the charisma of Johnson and Evans, it should make for a fun, silly and enjoyable thrill-ride. Instead, this movie is dead on arrival. Johnson looks like he is sleepwalking throughout this movie.

The movie is searching for a consistent tone. As stated earlier, Johnson gives a one-note performance throughout the film. He is supposed to be a funny tough guy who takes himself too seriously, only he is not funny at all. His performance is so wooden, and it does not work with this material. Johnson and Evans should have played up their dynamic of being polar opposites in a way that was natural, organic, and funny. It is hard when the script does not give either of them anything of interest to say. J.K. Simmons, by the way, is barely in the movie. He is there at the beginning and he only shows up again at the end.

The film also tries to do too much in its over two-hour running time. It introduces shapeshifting, Krampus and scenes involving snowmen attacking the two main characters at the beach. What is going on here? The writer, Chris Morgan, has written such films as “Cellular,” “The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Wanted,” “Fast and Furious,” “Fast Five” and “Furious 7,” and he has worked with Johnson before. Morgan has also worked in the action genre before, and he has had a lot of success. On paper, this film should have been a big hit at the box office. You have Johnson and Evans working together for the first time, Morgan as the writer, and the backdrop of Christmas.

For whom was this movie made? Was it made for children? I cannot see children really getting into this movie. It is not that it is too violent or too intense for children, as that is not the problem. The problem is the film does not have a sense of wonder or a sense of fun. It is also not really for adults as it is too silly and juvenile for an adult audience. I do not really know who “Red One” is going to appeal to, unless you are a diehard fan of Johnson or Evans. They should have kept this movie simple. They should have kept it under two hours, focused more on the dynamic between Johnson and Evans, given them better dialogue, and it should have been a lighthearted unlikely buddy comedy with heart. Instead, it is a brainless and soulless action flick. “Red One” is one of the worst movies of 2024.

½* out of * * * *

4K Info: “Red One” is being released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It also comes with a digital copy of the film. The film has a running time of 123 minutes and is rated PG-13 for action, some violence, and language.

4K Video Info: Warner Brothers is one of the most consistent studios when it comes to their home video releases on 4K, and “Red One” is no exception. The Dolby Vision transfer is vivid, colorful, and full of life. This is an exceptionally clean and crisp-looking 4K.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is also perfect for this film, as it has a good thump to it during the action sequences. Subtitles included are in English, Latin Spanish, Castilian Spanish, Italian, German, Parisian French, Canadian French, Dutch, Chinese – Complex, and Cantonese.

Special Features:

NONE

Should You Buy It?

With certain movies, you can feel the length of its run time. “Red One” is a movie where I felt every minute of its 123-minute run time. This film needed to focus on the strengths of its two main actors and not get bogged down with a convoluted backstory and mindless action that did not mean anything or go anywhere. This film was restlessly boring, and I did not chuckle or smirk once while watching it. I just wanted it to be over. This should have been an enormous success especially considering Hollywood is always in the market for new Christmas movies. Instead, they really lost the plot here.  On the bright side, the 4K looks and sounds terrific. There are no special features included here, and I think that says a lot about the film.  If you did enjoy this film, I’d recommend buying it when it goes on sale.  If you are a Dwayne Johnson or Chris Evans superfan, you might enjoy it, but you must really love everything they do. For everyone else, this is a hard pass.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Amadeus’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

There is a lot to like about physical media, especially when it is in the 4K format. There are the special features, the audio and video quality and, of course, the fact that you own the movie.  This means you never have to worry about a streaming platform taking it down and then having to hope your local library has a copy you can check out. It’s on your shelf, and you can pick it up and pop it in your player whenever you want to watch it.  Another positive is the fact that films like “Amadeus,” a Best Picture winner, can be discovered for the first time by a new set of eyes. In fact, this was my first time watching the film.

The reason “Amadeus” was not a film I had previously seen is because I thought it would be a boring, stuffy period piece. After sitting down to watch it, I am reminded of the old expression, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Even though I do not consider “Amadeus” a classic and did not fall in love with it after one viewing, it was an important film worth seeing and also worthy of my time.  I think the minute we start to become close-minded to art, we really lose our sense of self. This film deserves its day in court just like any other important and historical motion picture ever released.

This film begins by introducing us to Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a composer who has been put into a mental institute after an attempted suicide. A Catholic priest named Father Vogler (Richard Frank) is looking to get to the bottom of things, especially after Salieri says he is responsible for the death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. While it has been over three decades since Mozart passed away, Father Vogler thinks it is a tremendous burden to carry. He sees how it is weighing on Salieri, which is what led to his suicide attempt.

From this point, the film is told from Salieri’s point-of-view as he shares how he was both envious and enamored with the work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). He did not, however, think much of Mozart the person whom he found to be boorish, aloof and uncouth.  Still, he cannot deny the genius the man possessed and how he would make magic happen with his music. It was something Salieri himself was never able to achieve in his own career, and he sees it as a sin that God would give all this skill and talent to someone like Mozart. As a result, this creates a complicated relationship between the two men.

The film is fascinating in the way it explores genius and what makes someone possess the ability to do something which truly makes a positive impact on the world. There are often two lines of thinking when it comes to someone who has had enormous success or is a once-in-a-lifetime talent: it has either come naturally to them, or they have had to work very hard to hone their talent. Now, of course, there is also luck involved. It is also how you handle success if you continue to work hard at what you do, and that you don’t become complacent with your past success.

Throughout the film, no matter what is thrown Mozart’s way, he finds a way to make it work for him. This is even when Salieri is deliberately trying to sabotage him, especially when he hires Lori (Cynthia Nixon) to lend a helping hand to Mozart, as he has a wife and a child. The reason he hired Lori is to get inside information on Mozart and to stay one step ahead of him.  The thing that separates Salieri from Mozart is the fact that no matter how annoying or obscene Mozart is, he has a gift. It is a gift that will always rise to the top and make him memorable and one-of-a-kind. It is that envy and jealousy which drives Salieri mad.

Milos Forman was the director behind “Amadeus,” and it was a big project for him to take on. From the set pieces to the musical numbers to the sheer magnitude of the story, it is a big Hollywood production, and he’s up to the challenge of making this movie look and feel big.  It is the kind of big-screen Hollywood movie that used to run the movie industry back in the day. I miss big movies like this as they play very well on the big screen. They also pop on 4K as well. As to how historically accurate the film is, I cannot begin to tell you as, I must confess, I have not studied the history of Mozart.

The performance of F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri is nothing short of brilliant. His face shows the torment of a man who has had to live in the shadow of Mozart his whole life, and it has clearly done a number on him. His performance reflects this, and he also knows when to rein it in and play the character in a more low-key and understated way.   He was utterly captivating here from start to finish. In many ways, even though the film is called “Amadeus,” and it is about Mozart, it feels like Salieri’s story.  It is easy to see why Abraham won Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

Tom Hulce must perform a balancing act of portraying Mozart as someone the audience can relate to while also being over-the-top and goofy. He does a solid job here, but I was much more interested in Abraham’s performance.

“Amadeus” is a film which was a little too long for my liking, as I would have trimmed about 20 to 30 minutes from the running time of 160 minutes, but it is still a well-acted, entertaining, and monumental Hollywood film. I admired and respected it, but I did not love it or connect with it on a deeper level. It is a film I am happy to have watched, but I found the third act to be its most compelling and intriguing. The scenes I liked the most dealt with the characters of Mozart and Salieri as human beings. When the film was a character study of the two men, it captivated me. I would have liked more of the human element of the story and less of the long-drawn-out musical scenes.

* * * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Amadeus” is released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment, and it comes with a digital copy as well. The film has a running time of 160 minutes and is rated PG. Keep in mind; this is the theatrical cut of the film. I have read there is a director’s cut of the film, which is rated R and includes twenty minutes of extra footage. I think it would have been nice to include it here, but I am not sure what transpired to where this was not able to happen.

4K Video Info: I truly enjoyed this 4K transfer, as it showed the film as I imagine it was meant to be seen. The film is over forty years old, and it looks very cinematic with a very thematic look to it. This is not a perfect HDR transfer, but it’s not supposed to look flawless. It looks like how the film was intended to look, considering its release date.

4K Audio Info: I would have liked a Dolby Atmos track here, as this seemed like the perfect film to receive this treatment. As it stands, the audio is very sharp, clear, and the dialogue is easy to understand. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.

Special Features:

The Making of Amadeus (New)

Amadeus: The Making of a Masterpiece

Should You Buy It?

I will let you in on a little secret—I do not read or watch reviews before I am going to review a film myself. I do not want to be influenced by what anyone has to say, good, bad, or indifferent. Now, I am aware certain films have overwhelmingly positive, mixed or negative reviews, but I do not read the content of them. I do think a lot of people like me have put off watching “Amadeus” for the same reasons I mentioned earlier in my review. I can see why the film might not be easily accessible to a newer audience today. Still, I think modern audiences will be pleasantly surprised, just like I was when I sat down to watch “Amadeus.”  It is a period piece, yes, but it’s done in a way where you get to understand the characters, what makes them tick, and why they do the things they do throughout the course of the movie. My two issues were the run time and the fact that I wanted to spend more time with the two main characters together. Overall, it is a good film, but I do not think it is a great one. As far as the 4K is concerned, it looks terrific even though the audio would have benefited from a Dolby Atmos track. There is also a new special feature here.  If you are fine with the theatrical cut, which I imagine many fans of the film will be, this is a day one purchase, especially with the Oscars this weekend. If you are a first-time viewer, I think you might want to rent it digitally first before committing to buying it.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Constantine’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

Back in 2005 (I realize I’m aging myself by opening with that), I used to go to the movie theater just about every weekend to see the latest releases with my best friend at the time. For some reason, “Constantine” did not find its way onto our radar. I also skipped the film during my weekly visits to Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video. At the time, I was an avid viewer of Ebert and Roeper, formerly Siskel and Ebert, and Roger Ebert named it one of the worst films of 2005. I imagine this had a lot to do with me ignoring the film because growing up, their weekly review program was something I took to heart. When I heard “Constantine” was being released on 4K in honor of its 20th anniversary, I figured it was finally time to sit down and check out the film for myself.

“Constantine” follows the character of John Constantine, played by Keanu Reeves, and he’s an expert in the occult.  He believes there is a “balance” happening in the world between the souls of those who are walking the earth. Essentially, their souls are up for grabs. In his mind, it is up to him to make sure the evil souls are where they belong in hell, and the good souls stay on the straight and narrow. If John can perform enough good deeds, he hopes he can save his own soul because he has lung cancer and doesn’t have a lot of time left on this earth. However, he has a complicated past, so it might be too little, too late for him.

John meets a detective named Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) who is looking for answers after her twin sister’s suicide. Angela knows her sister did not commit suicide, and she believes something sinister is at play with her death. This falls back in line with John’s thinking, which is that the souls on earth are being influenced by evil bidders who are looking to bring them to hell. Because Angela’s family is religious, she is concerned her sister will not be able to make it to heaven because of her suicide.

On the surface, I liked the concept of “Constantine” as it reminded me of the films in “The Conjuring” universe with its views on demons and the occult. It also had a mystery element as well, which appealed to me.  I wanted to know the answers to some of the questions raised in the film.  I thought the first hour was captivating, intriguing and intense. I was interested in seeing how it was all going to play out, and I was along for the ride. Somewhere along the way in the latter half, it started to really lose my interest and also my patience with its story.

One of the biggest issues with the film is its lead actor, Keanu Reeves. I found his performance and the writing of his character to be silly and goofy. He has these terrible one-liners which are painfully unfunny, and he also delivers his lines in such a morose and blasé way. It really took me out of the film at times.  The Shia LaBeouf cab-driver character was also completely unnecessary and added nothing to the film. I did think Rachel Weisz gave a really good performance here as she is smart, tough and driven.  She is looking for answers when it comes to her sister, and she is not interested in playing any games. Weisz gives a serious and committed performance.

I would have liked it if they had written John Constantine’s character with the same level of seriousness and intelligence. I’m not against some comedic relief in a supernatural film like this, but it felt like he was Freddy Krueger with some of the silliness he was reading on screen. I really didn’t like it, and it made me wonder how this film would have turned out if they had hired an actor like Brad Pitt for this role as he can play cocky, charismatic and funny without trying too hard. Reeves needs the right role in order to show off his acting chops, and I didn’t think this film was in his wheelhouse. He seemed unaffected by a lot of what was happening on screen.

Another issue is when the demons come out to play. They are not that interesting as sparring partners for our main characters. I found them to be rather lackluster in terms of how they were written, and how they came across on screen. Tilda Swinton is a terrific actress, and I wish she had more to do and say here. Peter Stormare is over-the-top in a very uneven way, and I didn’t connect with his performance. Overall, this is a film with some thought-provoking ideas, and it’s directed with terrific style by Francis Lawrence, but the screenplay is wildly uneven. It needed a better performance from its leading man or a different leading man all together.

* * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Constantine” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. There is an insert inside, which includes a digital copy of the film as well.  The film has a running time of 121 minutes and is rated R for violence and demonic images.

4K Video Info: The film is treated to a Dolby Vision transfer, and it’s simply stunning. I haven’t seen the film in any other format as this was my first time watching it, but I found the color palette to be bold when it needed to be, and also dark when the material was shot at night.  The image is clean, crisp and vivid.

4K Audio Info: There is also a really solid Dolby Atmos track included here too with subtitles in English, Spanish and French. This is a soundtrack that is consistent and level throughout the duration of this movie.

Special Features:

NEW Feature – Two Decades of Damnation

Audio Commentary featuring Francis Lawrence and Akiva Goldsman

Audio Commentary featuring Kevin Brodbin and Frank A. Cappello

Channeling Constantine

Conjuring Constantine

Director’s Confessional

Collision with Evil

Holy Relics

Shotgun Shootout

Hellscape

Visualizing Vermin

Warrior Wings

Unholy Abduction

Demon Face

Constantine’s Cosmology

Foresight: The Power of Pre-Visualization

A Writer’s Vision

Deleted Scenes + Alternate Ending

Should You Buy It?

It seems as though this film has gained a cult following in the twenty years since it has been released, which shows the importance of physical media.  While I don’t think it’s as bad as the late, great Roger Ebert said it was in his initial review, I also don’t think it’s a cult classic either. I fall somewhere in the middle with “Constantine.” I wanted to like it, and I was enjoying the hell out of it for the first sixty minutes of its running time, but it lost me in the second half. I wanted to see a satisfying resolution to what was presented in the first half. This film looks and sounds great on 4K, and they even introduced a new special feature here as well, which I’m sure is going to make fans very happy. For now, I’d recommend you check it out first if you haven’t seen it before, and then decide if you want to buy it. You can rent it on many digital platforms for the low price of $3.99 and then, if you do like it, you can pick up the 4K. If you are a fan of this film and have been waiting for its 4K release for a long time, you have an awesome looking slipcover version, or you can pick up the 4K Steelbook instead.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Paddington in Peru’ is a Wonderful Adventure Not Just for Kids, But the Whole Family

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

I initially avoided the “Paddington” movies upon their initial release. Watching the trailer for the first one had me under the belief that the filmmakers were determined to dumb down the classic works of Michael Bond as I watched the beloved bear clean out his ears with toothbrushes and almost eating what was on them. Yuck! Plus, Colin Firth, who was originally supposed to voice Paddington, dropped out of the original film during post production, and this did not give me a lot of hope for the final version which was eventually going to be unveiled before a worldwide audience.

Alas, I was proven wrong with not only “Paddington,” but also with “Paddington 2” which proved to be an even better film than the original. “Paddington 2” also earned a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for a time before some bastard critic made the blasphemous decision to give it that one negative review. I would shudder to call them kid movies as that would simply mean they were meant for a certain age group and only that one group. Truth is, these are movies for the whole family, just like the best Pixar films are, and they have something for every age group to enjoy. Hollywood does not make enough movies like them these days, and they threaten to become a rarity now more than ever before.

The same goes with “Paddington in Peru,” the third movie in this beloved franchise which arrives to us seven years after “Paddington 2.” After watching this marmalade loving bear and the only creature, animal or human, who can make a red hat look cool these days, brave the adventures London has thrust upon him, he now returns to Darkest Peru where he once grew up. This time, it’s personal! Granted, that last sentence was the tagline for “Jaws: The Revenge,” one of the worst films, let alone sequels, ever made, but it seems inescapably appropriate to use here.

His sudden exodus from London comes when he is told that his Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, and no one can find her. Joining him on this expedition is the Brown family: Henry (Hugh Bonneville), Mary (Emily Mortimer), Judy (Madeleine Harris), Jonathan (Samuel Joslin), and Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters). Through thick and thin, the Browns have had Paddington’s back even as this bear’s adventures have proven to be as exasperating as they have been thrilling.

What I really love about the “Paddington” movies is how wonderfully realized the human characters are. Just when I expected they would be rendered as one-dimensional doofuses, they prove to be more complex than the average family movie would allow them to be. I also love how the kids have evolved from then to now as this is not always the case in movies, let alone sequels.

And like any good sequel, “Paddington in Peru” does take the time to introduce new characters into the mix. Among them is Hunter Cabot, a tour guide and treasure hunter played by Antonio Banderas, who is clearly having the time of his life in this role. In addition, he gets to play many members of Hunter’s family from generations before him, and it results in one memorably hilarious moment after another.

But even better is the ever so brilliant Olivia Colman who steals every scene she has here as the Reverend Mother who oversees the Home for Retired Bears. She makes a grand entrance singing a song which almost turns “Paddington in Peru” a musical along the lines of “The Sound of Music,” and when she finished, the need to applaud her efforts was quite justified. Also, I love how her voice says one thing, but her eyes are quick to say something else. Seriously, watching Colman’s eyes dart back and forth is a wonderful delight throughout.

Hugh Bonneville remains an entertaining presence as Henry Brown who always goes from being an uptight dad to a loving and risk taking individual even when a tarantula presents an unwelcome presence in his life. I also love how Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin continue to grow into their roles as Judy and Jonathan, and watching them traverse the perils of adolescence into adulthood is a welcome sight for me. As for then lovely Emily Mortimer, she does a lovely job of stepping into the role once inhabited by Sally Hawkins of Mary Brown to where calling her a replacement would be insulting and unfair to both her and Hawkins.

And at the center of it all is Ben Whishaw who once again voices Paddington to where it would be unthinkable to consider anyone else in this role. Right from the start, Whishaw has given this bear we all want to look after a solid dignity and politeness which might seem far too easily manipulative in the hands of any other actor. Some will be quick to say that the computer did all the work for Whishaw here, but he adds to the visual effects in an immeasurably way to where when Paddington gives an adversary that hard stare, he makes that stare even harder than it already is, and we should all be expecting that at some point here.

Of all the “Paddington” movies to date, “Paddington in Peru” is the least of the three. I don’t say this to degrade it in any way as saying the least does it more justice than calling it the worst as doing so would be a grave insult. Granted, this one threatens to be a more formulaic adventure movie as we watch Paddington go from unfamiliar surroundings to more familiar ones, but this sequel still proves to be a wonderful adventure for all ages, and that is saying quite a bit in this day and age.

And, as always, I leave you with the immortal words of Michael Bond which continue to speak volumes:

“Please look after this bear. Thank you.”

Also, when it comes to the online attacks Tony Farinella and I continue to get, I feel the need to add this:

“Please look after this film critic. Thank you.”

* * * ½ out of * * * *

‘Juror No. 2’ Movie and Blu-ray Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

“Juror No. 2” is the latest film from legendary director Clint Eastwood, and at age 94, it is beyond impressive he is still directing films.  With this one, the biggest controversy surrounding it is the fact that it was released in a limited number of theaters. With a pedigree like Eastwood’s, you would expect his films to get a wide release. However, with the current state of cinema, an adult drama is hard to sell to audiences who are more interested in big action spectacles, sequels and comic book franchises. Nonetheless, whether or not this is Eastwood’s last film or not, one thing is certain: He hasn’t lost any speed on his fastball.

“Juror No. 2” stars Nicholas Hoult as a soon-to-be-father named Justin Kemp who is looking to get out of jury duty. He wants to be there for his wife, Allison (Zoey Deutch), who is in the third trimester of a high-risk pregnancy. However, he is called into a case which involves the death of a young woman named Kendall Carter, who is played by Francesca Eastwood. She was in a relationship with a hot-tempered and aggressive man named James Michael Sythe (Gabriel Basso), who is being accused of her murder after her body is found dead shortly after they were seen arguing together at a bar.

As they say in most murder cases, the husband did it. For most of the twelve jurors, it seems like an open and shut case. However, Justin, a recovering alcoholic, is starting to piece together information about that infamous night. He remembers certain details about that night, and it’s up to him to decide what to do with that information.  As soon as he starts to raise doubt in the mind of one juror, a former homicide detective played by J.K. Simmons, the rest of the jurors soon follow. Now, all twelve jurors need to come together and figure out what to do with this trial, which seemed so simple in the beginning. Now, it’s anything but simple and cut and dry.

The first hour of “Juror No. 2” does a fantastic job of crafting an interesting, complex and fascinating story to grab the audience into this case.  I’m a big fan of courtroom dramas when they are done well and, in the beginning, this looked to be a good story, and I felt as though I was in good hands because Eastwood was directing. In today’s world of true crime obsession, it’s easy to see why this film would be a hit with viewers. As a matter of fact, one of the jurors is even a big fan of true crime podcasts, and she is the one who says the husband is usually the one who is behind the murder.  She also acknowledges how sometimes the police overlook important evidence in an attempt to close the case and move on.

The unfortunate part with this film is it really loses its way in the second half. It starts to get implausible and, at times, rather silly.  It requires the characters to act in a way that serves the story instead of the truth of their individual characters. When the film was over, I felt unsatisfied by the conclusion.  I understand they were going for an ambiguous ending, and I didn’t need everything to be tied together in a neat little bow. That being said, when the film ended, instead of it being a conclusion that felt like, “Oh wow, that was a bold choice,” it felt like, “Eh, at this point, it doesn’t matter.”

“Juror No. 2” features solid performances from Toni Collette, Chris Messina, Kiefer Sutherland and Cedric Yarbrough, but even they can’t save the messy screenplay. Another issue with the film is the lead performance from Hoult. For the film buffs out there, they are likely to remember “About a Boy” and how Hoult is reunited with his movie mom, Toni Collette. Time sure flies by! However, I felt as though he was doing a poor Tom Cruise impression with his performance. His acting really left a lot to be desired, and the performance felt forced and strained. The direction by Eastwood is top-notch as usual, and he is more than capable of directing at a high level for as long as he chooses to, but he needed a better leading man and a better script for his film.

* * out of * * * *

Blu-ray: “Juror No. 2” is released on a single disc Blu-ray from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It also comes with a digital copy of the film. The film is rated PG-13 for some violent images and strong language and has a running time of 113 minutes.

Audio and Video Information: There is a solid Dolby Atmos track included here, which was a pleasant surprise. It packs a good punch during the more dramatic scenes. The video quality is also solid.

Special Features: None

Should You Buy It?

“Juror No. 2” is a fine film to watch on a rainy afternoon weekend with your significant other.  It is entertaining, well-made, and it also features top-notch performances from its talented cast.  However, it’s not a movie that requires repeat viewings or the kind you need to go out and buy.  It’s on Max, and that is a perfect place to watch it. There is some good in the film, but it really falls apart in the second half.  It suffers from a pretty run-of-the-mill screenplay. It has drawn comparisons to “12 Angry Men,” but it’s only similar in concept and not in execution. I’m always happy to see a new film from Clint Eastwood, and I hope he has another movie or two left in him. 

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.