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Movie: Money Monster
Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, some sexuality and brief violence
Released in Theaters: May 13, 2016
Best for Ages: 17+
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 99 minutes
Directed by: Jodie Foster
Studio: Sony
Cast: Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Jack O’Connell

MONEY MONSTER – MOVIE REVIEW

Money Monster
Money Monster

In this ripped-from-the-headlines movie, George Clooney plays cynical Lee Gates, the hyperactive host of a personal finance TV show. Being somewhat smarmy, Lee has alienated everyone he works with, including his long-suffering director, Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts).

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One day at the beginning of the show, a young man named Kyle (Jack O’Connell) sneaks onto the set posing as a delivery man, then pulls out a gun and forces Lee to put on a vest laced with explosives. And Kyle’s got the detonator.

Turns out Kyle is ticked off because the $60K he inherited from his mom went buh-bye from a bad investment endorsed by Lee. The “official story” is that the stock took a dive because of a computer glitch, but there’s more to that story than meets the eye. Kyle wants answers, and after hearing Kyle’s story, Lee wants answers, too. Meanwhile, Patty watches the nightmare unfold from the control room in the studio.

We’ve seen these movies before, but with our current economic climate, they’re more relevant now than ever. Someone who’s just barely getting by  – on 14 bucks an hour, Kyle tells Lee – loses any extra cash he has and is majorly miffed about it. Meanwhile, the fat cats get richer and don’t give a flying fig about anyone but themselves.

Director Jodie Foster brings together a gripping storyline, great characters with whom we can identify, and equal bits of action, drama and even some comedy – all wrapped up with a big Hollywood Entertainment bow.

As the unhinged Kyle, Jack O’Connell gives it everything he’s got, and Clooney and Roberts are their usual charming selves. In short, “Money Monster” is a gripping tale of financial fraud that’s right on the money.

JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM:
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Check out Jane Boursaw’s pop culture website, Reel Life With Jane. Images in this review used courtesy of the studio and distributor.

A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb

Bay View Insurance of Traverse City Michigan

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