Clint Eastwood is ninety-one years old and he’s done many films where he helps younger people find courage in themselves. In Cry Macho, he once again displays those qualities in Oscar-worthy fashion. The film is not a masterpiece, but Eastwood is excellent and the film is entertaining.

Eastwood plays Mike Milo, a former rodeo star and horse breeder. Milo’s former boss is Howard Polk, played by Dwight Yoakam. Polk asks Milo to help him get his son, Rafo, played by Eduardo Minet, back from his alcoholic mom so Polk can raise his son properly. This leads to a road of unexpected dangers through Texas and the boarders of Mexico, and to a ranch where Milo’s love of horses is passed on to Rafo.

Eastwood is the perfect director and lead role for Cry Macho. He has the authoritative voice, and the unexpected anger. There is not a large amount of dialogue in the film, but Eastwood still knows how to build surprises into his self-directed flicks, and those surprises are relatively clever. I found myself wondering just how many more surprises Cry Macho can have.

Cry Macho was slow at times, but with Eastwood’s style and himself as the lead, I did enjoy it. As a director, Eastwood almost always sets up the suspense with anticipation and build-up, and Cry Macho is no exception. I did find myself wondering how many films Eastwood can make like this, and I think that helped me savor the film. For fans of Clint Eastwood, this film is not to be missed. I give Cry Macho three stars.

Dear Evan Hansen will touch many audiences around the world. The film is faithful to the musical stage play on which it is based, and the music is touching and spellbinding. The film conveys the positive message that although some people may feel alone, they are not as alone as they think.

Evan Hansen is a seventeen-year-old approaching his senior year in high school. He suffers from social anxiety and lives with his mother Heidi Hansen, played by Julianne Moore. Evan has his friend Jared, played by Nik Dodani, but no other real friends. He writes a letter to himself as an assignment from his counselor, and that letter falls into the wrong hands of a boy named Connor Murphy, played by Colton Ryan. At first Evan is humiliated that someone has his letter, but the story takes a drastic turn when Connor takes his own life.

Connor’s mom, played by Amy Adams, and his dad, played by Danny Pino, find the letter and believe that it was Connor’s last words. Evan also has a cast with Connor’s name written on it, and he starts creating stories about he and Connor being friends. Evan gains more popularity, and for once in his life he feels that he matters. He finds love with Connor’s sister, Zoe Murphy, played by Kaitlyn Dever. Evan’s deception goes viral and he becomes an icon to his high school and many around the world.

No one plays Evan Hansen better than Ben Platt. He was also the lead when it opened on Broadway. I saw the Broadway in Chicago version of the production, without Platt, but it was still wonderful on many levels.

I felt a connection to Evan, and many audiences members will feel the same. Evan’s challenges correlate to real-life challenges for many adolescents and teenagers. Like many other young people, Evan experiences moments of loss, moments of disconnect, but also moments of success.

I loved Dear Evan Hansen. I too have had my share of struggles in life. I have had times where I felt my was in life in limbo and I struggled to find inspiration, so I could truly relate. And Evan’s feelings of not wanting to be alone are universal. Ultimately, the true importance of Dear Evan Hansen is to remind us that we all need love, and that there is nothing wrong with being different. Three and a half stars for Dear Evan Hansen.

Director Joe Carnahan’s Cop Shop has some cheesy moments, but those moments only add to the fun. In fact, I thought Cop Shop was as funny as Carnahan’s The A-Team (2010), although the violence and profanity are up several notches in Cop Shop.

Cop Shop is set entirely in a small town Nevada police station. Frank Grillo plays Teddy Murretto, a con artist who gets detained in the station along with hitman Bob Viddick, played by Gerard Butler, and psychopath Anthony Lamb, played by Toby Huss. Alexis Louder plays police officer Valerie Young.

Cop Shop displays Gerald Butler’s witty sense of humor and sarcasm well. As he tangles with Grillo, Huss and Louder it becomes hard to know who the main antagonist is. The pacing of the destruction and disasters, arriving in unexpected moments, makes for unexpected laughs as well. Cop Shop is a rollercoaster ride of a cat and mouse game.

Again, the violence in Cop Shop is extreme at times, but I didn’t find it over the top or too disturbing. Overall, the film has lots of laughs and is a general good time.

I actually had low expectations for Cop Shop, but it was a thrill ride of fun that I ending up loving. The premise and humor are brilliant. The destruction is out of this world. And there was seemingly something new and exciting at every turn. Three and a half stars for Cop Shop.