Movie Reviews: '21 and Over' a Real Clunker; 'Giant Slayer' Nice on the Eyes, But Not Much Else

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Jack the Giant Slayer 

• Run time: 114 mins
• Starring: Nicholas Hoult , Stanley Tucci , John Kassir , Ian McShane , Ewan McGregor
• Rated: PG-13

Mark Glass, Patch blogger: ** Here’s yet another fairy tale stretched into a somewhat more adult action-adventure flick following what Hollywood has done lately to Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Hansel & Gretel, and perhaps a couple of others. These stem from a couple of irresistible temptations - the ease of creating fanciful worlds and creatures with today’s computer graphics, and the perceived box-office advantage of offering something based on the familiar. The latter also explains the proliferation of sequels in horror, action, sci-fi, animation and comedies. The former unfortunately has led to spending too much of the budget on the sizzle, at the expense of the steak...meaning the script. Full Review

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21 and Over

• Run time: 93 mins
• Starring: Miles Teller , Skylar Astin , Justin Chon , Sarah Wright , François Chau
• Rated: R

Mark Glass, Patch blogger: ** Some movies make me feel like Danny Glover’s graying cop character in the Lethal Weapon series, who famously kept sighing, "I’m getting too old for this ...". This grossout comedy about one long night of campus partying gone awry is a real clunker for anyone who has seen many of its zillion predecessors from the Porky’s flicks to the American Pie franchise to The Hangover duo, with plenty of stops in between. Full Review

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Snitch

• Run time: 112 mins
• Starring: Dwayne Johnson , Barry Pepper , Susan Sarandon
• Rated: PG-13

Mark Glass, Patch blogger: ** Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson tries his hand at more realistic dramatic fare in this supposedly fact-inspired tale of a father trying to save his son from a long prison stretch on a shaky rap as a drug dealer. The kid is caught with a bag of pills. He’s been set up by his pal, who made him the fall guy when he was busted. All this one needs to do is find someone else to finger, or face a ridiculously harsh 10-year minimum sentence under federal guidelines for our so-called War on Drugs. He either can’t or won’t. So daddy - a self-made guy who runs a construction and trucking business - decides to play dealer so he can deliver a big fish to the Feds in exchange for his boy’s freedom. Full Review

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Bless Me, Utima

• Run time: 102 mins
• Starring: Miriam Colon , Benito Martinez , Dolores Heredia , Castulo Guerra , Joaquin Cosio
• Rated: PG-13

Mark Glass, Patch blogger: *** If you’re in a leisurely mood, this quiet little drama may pleasantly surprise you with how much it covers. The events occur in a small, mostly Hispanic New Mexican village during WW II. The focus is the coming-of-age tale of young Antonio, who is fascinated by the old woman - allegedly a bruja (witch) - who comes to stay with his family. Dad is waiting the return of his three older sons from the War, so they can all move to the greater opportunities of California. But before then, some things occur which sharply divide the locals over their deeply-held Catholic beliefs and the possible good or dubious powers of the old woman. Full Review

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