Screening Room: “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Grudge Match”

OPENING CHRISTMAS DAY…

1) The Wolf of Wall Street (R)

Paramount

RUSS
Excessive, vulgar and depraved, “The Wolf of Wall Street” comes close to celebrating the very corruption it supposedly is lampooning. Leonardo DiCaprio is fine as a real-life corrupt stockbroker who ran a shady investment firm in the 1990s that became a cash machine.

SHAWN
It’s totally too celebratory. Void a moral compass. Empty and pointless to the core. One of Martin Scorsese’s lesser works.

RUSS
Martin Scorcese’s direction is sure handed as always, but the three-hour movie is overlong and repetitive. “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a blowout of debauchery that barely escaped getting slammed with an NC-17 rating.

SHAWN
All of the repetition stalls the story which is nothing more than a gross infatuation with theft. It’s all an ugly exercise of over-acting, over-directing and over-glorifying white collar crime.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 1 Popcorn Bags

2) Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (PG-13)
The Weinstein Company
RUSS
“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” shares the same problem as this year’s Steve Jobs biography. It isn’t as dynamic and important as its subject. It’s a respectable, workmanlike, but routine drama boosted by a strong lead performance by Idris Elba.

SHAWN
Yes, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is a conventional biopic elevated by super strong performances by Idris Elba and Naomie Harris as Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

RUSS
While earnest, the film reduces Mandela’s life to a bland series of incidents instead of the gripping and inspirational film it should have been.

SHAWN
There are more than a few moments of rhythmic beauty and compelling drama. This is a completely compelling movie that has its share of inspirational moments.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags

3) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (PG)
20th Century Fox
RUSS
Ben Stiller’s update of James Thurber’s classic short story about the ultimate daydreamer, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” starts off beautifully but loses steam in the third act. This well produced comic fable is peppered with effective moments, but it never quite gels.

SHAWN
The unconventional style of storytelling and and heartwarming message make for pleasure experience. It’s the rare PG movie that will captivate audiences of all ages. A nostalgic trip with a fresh vibe executed with creative verve.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags

4) Grudge Match (PG-13)
Warner Brothers
RUSS
Rocky meets the Raging Bull in the Geritol division in “Grudge Match,” an absurd comedy about two former boxers who set up a bout to settle an old score.

SHAWN
It’s really not Rocky meets Raging Bull. But a comedy about second chances and fulfilling unfulfilled dreams. Kevin Hart and Alan Arkin steal every scene in this surprisingly hilarious and heartwarming story.

RUSS
It’s all very silly, but the star power of Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro provides a jolt of energy to this predictable enterprise. Stay tuned until the end for the film’s funniest scene that involves two other aging boxers.

SHAWN
“Grudge Match” is what you call a mainstream knock-out.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags

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