BECAUSE I SAID SO [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Romance Cast: Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Gabriel Macht, Tom Everett Scott, Lauren Graham, Piper Perabo, Steven Collins. Plot: the proud mom of three daughters decides to set her youngest up with the perfect man by placing an ad in the online personals. Showing at: Derby Cinema, Movie Machine, Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren Old Town, Warren West 21st.
THE MESSENGERS [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Horror/Thriller Cast: Kristen Stewart, Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller, John Corbett. Plot: the children of a family who have recently moved to a secluded farm begin seeing ominous apparitions that no one else can, and try desperately to warn the rest of the family before it's too late. Showing at: Derby Cinema, Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
PERFUME: THE STORY OF A MURDERER [R] 2 hrs. 30 min. Drama/Thriller Cast: Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Dustin Hoffman. Plot: a story of murder set in 18th-century France driven by the obsession to create the world's most powerful fragrance, the elusive aroma of young womanhood. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Leaving 2/1/2007
Derby Cinema - Freedom Writers, The Pursuit Of Happyness
Movie Machine - Arthur & The Invisibles, Children Of Men
Northrock 14 - Code Name: The Cleaner, The Hitcher
Palace West - The Fountain, Stranger Than Fiction, Saw III
Premiere Palace - Borat, The Bridge, The Good Shepherd, Casino Royale
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - Arthur & The Invisibles, Blood Diamond, Alpha Dog
Warren Old Town - Pursuit Of Happyness
Warren West 21st - Alpha Dog, Primeval
Movie Machine - Arthur & The Invisibles, Children Of Men
Northrock 14 - Code Name: The Cleaner, The Hitcher
Palace West - The Fountain, Stranger Than Fiction, Saw III
Premiere Palace - Borat, The Bridge, The Good Shepherd, Casino Royale
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - Arthur & The Invisibles, Blood Diamond, Alpha Dog
Warren Old Town - Pursuit Of Happyness
Warren West 21st - Alpha Dog, Primeval
Friday, January 26, 2007
Worthwhile (and not) 1/26/2007
According to the national critics there are only two three-four star films, NOTES ON A SCANDAL and VOLVER. Something tells me neither of those will draw major crowds in Wichita. CATCH AND RELEASE looks to be in the two-three star range and everything else is coming in even lower.
This would be a good weekend to catch one of the Oscar nominated films you missed earlier. THE DEPARTED is back again as well as THE QUEEN. Several other nominated films are still in their initial release.
This would be a good weekend to catch one of the Oscar nominated films you missed earlier. THE DEPARTED is back again as well as THE QUEEN. Several other nominated films are still in their initial release.
SMOKIN' ACES *
Every so often Hollywood makes a caper/crime feature. The better ones feature some A list stars, a witty script, and a plot twist at the end that clears everything up and makes you leave the theatre happy.
This time the plot is relatively simple. A dying mob boss wants a 2nd rate Las Vegas magician killed and he wants his heart brought to him as proof the deed was actually done (although how he'd know one heart from another is beyond me). He sets a price of a million dollars for this accomplishment which of course draws every ne'er-do-well to Tahoe where the magician is hiding (although everyone seems to know he's there so his magical skills are somewhat questionable).
As you probably surmised from the one star, I didn't think much of this film. There are no real A list stars. There are way too many B and C list stars. The plot is confusing beyond belief. It's virtually impossible to keep track of everyone, what they're doing, and whether they're a good guy or bad guy (or girl). There is a twist at the end but it adds nothing to the film and I can guarantee you're going to leave the theatre regretting the loss of your cash. There is plenty of mayhem if that will suffice but otherwise, skip this one.
This time the plot is relatively simple. A dying mob boss wants a 2nd rate Las Vegas magician killed and he wants his heart brought to him as proof the deed was actually done (although how he'd know one heart from another is beyond me). He sets a price of a million dollars for this accomplishment which of course draws every ne'er-do-well to Tahoe where the magician is hiding (although everyone seems to know he's there so his magical skills are somewhat questionable).
As you probably surmised from the one star, I didn't think much of this film. There are no real A list stars. There are way too many B and C list stars. The plot is confusing beyond belief. It's virtually impossible to keep track of everyone, what they're doing, and whether they're a good guy or bad guy (or girl). There is a twist at the end but it adds nothing to the film and I can guarantee you're going to leave the theatre regretting the loss of your cash. There is plenty of mayhem if that will suffice but otherwise, skip this one.
BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE *
Frankly, this film isn't worth the time it would take to write a full review. The synopsis on Coming tells you the plot and I will just say this film isn't going to make anyone happy. It looks like a horror film made for the Disney channel. Not nearly enough blood and gore for the horror fans but the subject matter isn't going to attract anyone but gore fans. Almost no CG so the werewolves are shown as humans leaping about like an acrobatic troupe and then, slow blur, they're wolves. Production values are a little weak with sloppy cuts throughout. The cast is mostly unfamiliar although reasonably competent. This isn't worth even the cost of a DVD rental. Skip it.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Opening 12/26/2007
BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama/Romance/Horror/Thriller Cast: Agnes Bruckner, Hugh Dancy, Olivier Martinez, Katja Riemann, Bryan Dick, Chris Geere, Tom Harper, John Kerr, Jack Wilson, Vitalie Ursu, Bogdan Voda, Kata Dobó, Rodica Mandache, Lia Bugnar, Mihai Calin. Plot: in modern day Bucharest a nineteen year old girl who has spent her life on the run from the truth... that she is a werewolf... must choose between her love for an outsider and betraying the secret vows of her family. Showing at: Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
THE BRIDGE [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Documentary Cast: Kevin Hines, Pat Hines, Carolyn Pressley, Dave Williams, Matt Rossi. Plot: glimpses into the darkest, and possibly most impenetrable corners of the human mind as the fates of the 24 people who committed suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004 are linked together by a 4 second fall. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
CATCH AND RELEASE [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Drama Cast: Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Kevin Smith, Sam Jaeger, Fiona Shaw, Juliette Lewis. Plot: After the sudden death of her fiancé, a woman comes to see new sides of the man she thought she knew, and at the same time finds herself drawn to the last man she ever expected to fall for. Showing at: Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
EPIC MOVIE [PG-13] 1 hr. 20 min. Comedy Cast: Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Jennifer Coolidge, Crispin Glover, Tony Cox, Héctor Jiménez, Carmen Electra, Darrell Hammond, David Carradine, Kevin McDonald, George Alvarez, Fred Willard, Jayma Mays, Crista Flanagan. Plot: four not-so-young orphans visit a chocolate factory where they stumble into an enchanted wardrobe that transports them to the land of Gnarnia (with a "G"). There they meet a flamboyant pirate captain and join forces to defeat the evil White Bitch of Gnarnia. Showing at: Derby Cinema, Movie Machine, Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
NOTES ON A SCANDAL [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Drama Cast: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson, Phil Davis, Michael Maloney, Juno Temple, Max Lewis. Plot: When a new art teacher joins St. George's , an older teacher senses a kindred spirit. When the new teacher begins an illicit affair the older one becomes the keeper of her secret. Showing at: Warren East 13th exclusively.
SMOKIN' ACES [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Action/Comedy Cast: Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Peter Berg, Taraji Henson, Chris Pine, Martin Henderson, Jason Bateman. Plot: When word of a price on Buddy Aces' head spreads into the community of ex-cons and cons-to-be in Tahoe, bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, smokin' hot vixens and double-crossing mobsters collide in a comic race to hit the jackpot and rub him out. Showing at: Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren Old Town, Warren West 21st.
VOLVER [R] 2 hrs. Comedy Cast: Yohana Cobo, Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo. Plot: three generations of women survive wind, fire and even death, thanks to goodness, audacity and a limitless vitality. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
THE BRIDGE [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Documentary Cast: Kevin Hines, Pat Hines, Carolyn Pressley, Dave Williams, Matt Rossi. Plot: glimpses into the darkest, and possibly most impenetrable corners of the human mind as the fates of the 24 people who committed suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004 are linked together by a 4 second fall. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
CATCH AND RELEASE [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Drama Cast: Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Kevin Smith, Sam Jaeger, Fiona Shaw, Juliette Lewis. Plot: After the sudden death of her fiancé, a woman comes to see new sides of the man she thought she knew, and at the same time finds herself drawn to the last man she ever expected to fall for. Showing at: Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
EPIC MOVIE [PG-13] 1 hr. 20 min. Comedy Cast: Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Jennifer Coolidge, Crispin Glover, Tony Cox, Héctor Jiménez, Carmen Electra, Darrell Hammond, David Carradine, Kevin McDonald, George Alvarez, Fred Willard, Jayma Mays, Crista Flanagan. Plot: four not-so-young orphans visit a chocolate factory where they stumble into an enchanted wardrobe that transports them to the land of Gnarnia (with a "G"). There they meet a flamboyant pirate captain and join forces to defeat the evil White Bitch of Gnarnia. Showing at: Derby Cinema, Movie Machine, Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
NOTES ON A SCANDAL [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Drama Cast: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson, Phil Davis, Michael Maloney, Juno Temple, Max Lewis. Plot: When a new art teacher joins St. George's , an older teacher senses a kindred spirit. When the new teacher begins an illicit affair the older one becomes the keeper of her secret. Showing at: Warren East 13th exclusively.
SMOKIN' ACES [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Action/Comedy Cast: Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Peter Berg, Taraji Henson, Chris Pine, Martin Henderson, Jason Bateman. Plot: When word of a price on Buddy Aces' head spreads into the community of ex-cons and cons-to-be in Tahoe, bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, smokin' hot vixens and double-crossing mobsters collide in a comic race to hit the jackpot and rub him out. Showing at: Northrock, Warren East 13th, Warren Old Town, Warren West 21st.
VOLVER [R] 2 hrs. Comedy Cast: Yohana Cobo, Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo. Plot: three generations of women survive wind, fire and even death, thanks to goodness, audacity and a limitless vitality. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
Leaving 1/25/2007
Derby Cinema - Charlotte's Web, We Are Marshall
Movie Machine - Happily N'Ever After, Curse Of The Golden Flower
Northrock 14 - Curse Of The Golden Flower, Primeval, Charlotte's Web, Good Shepherd
Palace West - Santa Clause 3, Facing The Giants
Premiere Palace - Deja Vu, Thr3e
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - The Good Shepherd, The Holiday, Curse Of Golden Flower, Primeval, Rocky Balboa, Happily N'Ever After, Apocalypto
Warren Old Town - Children Of Men, The Queen
Warren West 21st - Eragon, Thr3e, Curse Of Golden Flower, Happily N'Ever After, The Holiday
Movie Machine - Happily N'Ever After, Curse Of The Golden Flower
Northrock 14 - Curse Of The Golden Flower, Primeval, Charlotte's Web, Good Shepherd
Palace West - Santa Clause 3, Facing The Giants
Premiere Palace - Deja Vu, Thr3e
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - The Good Shepherd, The Holiday, Curse Of Golden Flower, Primeval, Rocky Balboa, Happily N'Ever After, Apocalypto
Warren Old Town - Children Of Men, The Queen
Warren West 21st - Eragon, Thr3e, Curse Of Golden Flower, Happily N'Ever After, The Holiday
Friday, January 19, 2007
Worthwhile (and not) 1/19/2007
All of the films released in Wichita this week are considered ***+ films by the national critics, with one exception, THE HITCHER. That one was not screened for the critics so you know what its distributor thought the reviews would be.
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA **½
The battle of Iwo Jima was fought during February and March of 1945. The U.S. wanted the island for its airplane runways which could be used to launch planes in the final assault on the Japanese homeland. For the same reason, the Japanese were determined to hold the island. The Japanese lost about 21,000 soldiers in the battle while the Americans lost around 7000.
The film says the story was based on a number of letters found buried in one of the caves the Japanese used during the battle. The letters describe the lives of the Japanese soldiers and their thoughts about the war and their desire to go home. The commanding general of the Japanese, played by Ken Watanabe, had spent several enjoyable years in the United States and admired this country. He was, however, very loyal to his country and determined to exact a price from the Americans for the attack. He was under no illusion he could win the battle, but simply surrendering was unthinkable to him and most of his soldiers.
This film is the flip side of FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS and is the better of the two. Eastwood's films tend to be too long and FLAGS simply didn't have enough going on to justify its length. To a certain extent the same problem applies here but there are more characters to become interested in so the length doesn't seem quite so interminable. There are significant cultural differences between the two countries and we are shown how those differences caused actions by the Japanese we found completely unacceptable. I suspect those who actually fought the Japanese in WWII will find this film far too sympathetic toward them, but everyone is entitled to their own viewpoint. I didn't find this film entertaining but it was interesting. It would have been just as interesting if it had been an hour shorter. A large theatre will be the best viewing venue for this film.
The film says the story was based on a number of letters found buried in one of the caves the Japanese used during the battle. The letters describe the lives of the Japanese soldiers and their thoughts about the war and their desire to go home. The commanding general of the Japanese, played by Ken Watanabe, had spent several enjoyable years in the United States and admired this country. He was, however, very loyal to his country and determined to exact a price from the Americans for the attack. He was under no illusion he could win the battle, but simply surrendering was unthinkable to him and most of his soldiers.
This film is the flip side of FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS and is the better of the two. Eastwood's films tend to be too long and FLAGS simply didn't have enough going on to justify its length. To a certain extent the same problem applies here but there are more characters to become interested in so the length doesn't seem quite so interminable. There are significant cultural differences between the two countries and we are shown how those differences caused actions by the Japanese we found completely unacceptable. I suspect those who actually fought the Japanese in WWII will find this film far too sympathetic toward them, but everyone is entitled to their own viewpoint. I didn't find this film entertaining but it was interesting. It would have been just as interesting if it had been an hour shorter. A large theatre will be the best viewing venue for this film.
LAST KING OF SCOTLAND **
Idi Amin was the despotic ruler of the African country of Uganda for most of the 1970's. He purportedly was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of his countrymen. After being forced to leave the country he lived in exile in Saudia Arabia until his death in 1993.
The story is about a young Scottish doctor, played by James McAvoy, who went to Uganda shortly after graduation from medical school to escape having to go into practice with his father, also a doctor. Through an accidental meeting with Amin, played by Forest Whitaker, he becomes an advisor to Amin as well as his personal physician. At first highly impressed by Amin, he slowly comes to realize his true nature. Along the way he becomes involved with one of Amin's wives, played by Kerry Washington, and tries to become involved with the wife of another doctor, played by Gillian Anderson.
Those of you who have been reading my reviews over the years know I basically rate a film for its entertainment value, thus my rating. The acting and production vales are fine but this film is not in the least entertaining. McAvoy's character is not at all admirable. He's personally responsible for some of the deaths that occur and for most of the film seems more interested in his status and the perks of power than in doing anything actually useful. Amin of course is a psychotic mass murderer and there's not much entertaining in that. Whitaker's performance is very good but I'm personally hard pressed to understand why it's being considered one of the best of the year. Gillian Anderson must have been added to the cast for her name value in the credits. Her role is very small and could have been done by any of hundreds of actresses. There's nothing in this film that requires a large screen so my suggestion is to wait for the DVD if you still think you want to see it.
The story is about a young Scottish doctor, played by James McAvoy, who went to Uganda shortly after graduation from medical school to escape having to go into practice with his father, also a doctor. Through an accidental meeting with Amin, played by Forest Whitaker, he becomes an advisor to Amin as well as his personal physician. At first highly impressed by Amin, he slowly comes to realize his true nature. Along the way he becomes involved with one of Amin's wives, played by Kerry Washington, and tries to become involved with the wife of another doctor, played by Gillian Anderson.
Those of you who have been reading my reviews over the years know I basically rate a film for its entertainment value, thus my rating. The acting and production vales are fine but this film is not in the least entertaining. McAvoy's character is not at all admirable. He's personally responsible for some of the deaths that occur and for most of the film seems more interested in his status and the perks of power than in doing anything actually useful. Amin of course is a psychotic mass murderer and there's not much entertaining in that. Whitaker's performance is very good but I'm personally hard pressed to understand why it's being considered one of the best of the year. Gillian Anderson must have been added to the cast for her name value in the credits. Her role is very small and could have been done by any of hundreds of actresses. There's nothing in this film that requires a large screen so my suggestion is to wait for the DVD if you still think you want to see it.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Opening 1/19/2007
THE HITCHER [R] 1hr. 40min. Horror/Thriller Cast: Sean Bean, Sophia Bush, Zachary Knighton, Neal McDonough. Plot: an update of the 1986 film of the same name about a collegiate couple tormented by a mysterious hitchhiker who implicates them in a horrific slaying. Showing at: Derby Cinema, Warren East 13th, Waren West 21st.
LAST KING OF SCOTLAND [PG-13] 2hrs. 5min. Drama Cast: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson. Plot: a Scottish doctor on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the world's most barbaric figures: Idi Amin. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA [R] 2hrs. 20min. Action/War Drama Cast: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, Shido Nakamura, Yuki Matsuzaki, Hiroshi Watanabe, Takumi Bando, Nobumasa Sakagami, Takashi Yamaguchi, Nae Yuuki. Plot: director Clint Eastwood felt 2006's Flags of Our Fathers would be telling only half the story of the battle for Iwo Jima. With this film, shot back-to-back with Flags, he seeks to reveal the battle, and, by implication, the war in the Pacific--as a clash not only of arms but of cultures. Showing at: Warren East 13th exclusively.
PAN'S LABYRINTH [R] 1hr. 50min. Drama/Fantasy/Horror/Thriller Cast: Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Sergi López, Ariadna Gil, Maribel Verdú, Álex Angulo, Roger Casamajor, Sebastián Haro, Mina Lira, Federico Luppi, Ivan Massagué, Chema Ruiz, Manolo Solo, Milo Taboada. Plot: set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain, a lonely and dreamy child creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies and must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation. Showing at: Warren 13th exclusively.
LAST KING OF SCOTLAND [PG-13] 2hrs. 5min. Drama Cast: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson. Plot: a Scottish doctor on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the world's most barbaric figures: Idi Amin. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA [R] 2hrs. 20min. Action/War Drama Cast: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, Shido Nakamura, Yuki Matsuzaki, Hiroshi Watanabe, Takumi Bando, Nobumasa Sakagami, Takashi Yamaguchi, Nae Yuuki. Plot: director Clint Eastwood felt 2006's Flags of Our Fathers would be telling only half the story of the battle for Iwo Jima. With this film, shot back-to-back with Flags, he seeks to reveal the battle, and, by implication, the war in the Pacific--as a clash not only of arms but of cultures. Showing at: Warren East 13th exclusively.
PAN'S LABYRINTH [R] 1hr. 50min. Drama/Fantasy/Horror/Thriller Cast: Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Sergi López, Ariadna Gil, Maribel Verdú, Álex Angulo, Roger Casamajor, Sebastián Haro, Mina Lira, Federico Luppi, Ivan Massagué, Chema Ruiz, Manolo Solo, Milo Taboada. Plot: set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain, a lonely and dreamy child creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies and must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation. Showing at: Warren 13th exclusively.
Leaving 1/18/2007
Derby Cinema - Happily N'ever After
Movie Machine - Nothing
Northrock 14 - Happily N'ever After, Thr3e
Palace West - Deck The Halls, Flicka, The Prestige
Premiere Palace - The Queen, Stranger Than Fiction, Color Of The Cross, Black Christmas, Unaccompanied Minors
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - Thr3e, Charlotte's Web, Code Name: The Cleaner
Warren Old Town - Curse Of The Golden Flower
Warren West 21st - Happy Feet, Code Name: The Cleaner
Movie Machine - Nothing
Northrock 14 - Happily N'ever After, Thr3e
Palace West - Deck The Halls, Flicka, The Prestige
Premiere Palace - The Queen, Stranger Than Fiction, Color Of The Cross, Black Christmas, Unaccompanied Minors
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - Thr3e, Charlotte's Web, Code Name: The Cleaner
Warren Old Town - Curse Of The Golden Flower
Warren West 21st - Happy Feet, Code Name: The Cleaner
Friday, January 12, 2007
Worthwhile (and not) 1/12/2007
It's been a long time since I've seen a week that had so little to offer. Hopefully, next week will have better fare.
Only two films got Worthwhile reviews from the national critics, CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER and THE PAINTED VEIL. ALPHA DOG and STOMP THE YARD were in the 2-3 star range. The 1-2 star rating was given to ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES and COLOR OF THE CROSS. PRIMEVAL doesn't appear to have been screened in advance which tells you what the distributor thinks of the film.
Only two films got Worthwhile reviews from the national critics, CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER and THE PAINTED VEIL. ALPHA DOG and STOMP THE YARD were in the 2-3 star range. The 1-2 star rating was given to ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES and COLOR OF THE CROSS. PRIMEVAL doesn't appear to have been screened in advance which tells you what the distributor thinks of the film.
ALPHA DOG *
Nick Cassavetes both wrote and directed this fictionalized account of how Jesse James Hollywood, a L.A. drug dealer, became one of the youngest criminals (at age 20) to appear on the FBI's most wanted list. Hollywood is currently awaiting trial for his part in the 2000 kidnap and murder of one of his client's brother.
The film takes place over a three day period between the kidnapping and the murder. You're introduced to the various members involved in the crime and get a good sense of their purposeless lives and actions. While all the actors are good, the standouts are Ben Foster and Justin Timberlake. Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone bring some starpower to the proceedings although neither have much screen time.
The film is well written and directed but it's hard for me to give this a good rating. There's no one in this movie you can admire. None of the characters appear intelligent and their lifestyle is absolutely reprehensible. Any parent who had children like this would, or should, consider themselves a parenting failure. The language is mostly repetitive profanity and there's a fair amount of sexual activity. I'm sure the intent was to expose the viewer to the lifestyle of a group of amoral teens, and it does that well. But, unless you enjoy paying money for something most will find repulsive, I'd advise skipping this one.
The film takes place over a three day period between the kidnapping and the murder. You're introduced to the various members involved in the crime and get a good sense of their purposeless lives and actions. While all the actors are good, the standouts are Ben Foster and Justin Timberlake. Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone bring some starpower to the proceedings although neither have much screen time.
The film is well written and directed but it's hard for me to give this a good rating. There's no one in this movie you can admire. None of the characters appear intelligent and their lifestyle is absolutely reprehensible. Any parent who had children like this would, or should, consider themselves a parenting failure. The language is mostly repetitive profanity and there's a fair amount of sexual activity. I'm sure the intent was to expose the viewer to the lifestyle of a group of amoral teens, and it does that well. But, unless you enjoy paying money for something most will find repulsive, I'd advise skipping this one.
Monday, January 08, 2007
What's new for 1/12/2007
ALPHA DOG [R] 2hrs. Drama Cast: Ben Foster, Shawn Hatosy, Emile Hirsch, Christopher Marquette, Sharon Stone, Justin Timberlake, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Willis. Plot: when the friend of a 19-year-old drug dealer welches on a debt, the dealer and his boys kidnap the welcher's 15-year-old brother and hold him as a marker. Showing at: Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES [PG] 1hr. 35min. Animated family fantasy Voices of: Robert De Niro, Madonna, Snoop Dogg, David Bowie, Freddie Highmore, Harvey Keitel, Anthony Anderson, Chazz Palminteri, Jason Bateman, Jimmy Fallon, Mia Farrow. Plot: family adventure about a boy who sets out to save his family home from emerging real estate developers by locating hidden treasure. Based on the best selling children's book, Arthur and the Minimoys. Showing at: Derby Cinema, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
COLOR OF THE CROSS [PG-13] 2hrs. Political/Religious Drama Cast: Jean Claude LaMarre, Debbi Morgan, Ananda Lewis, Johann Jean, Jesse Holland. Plot: presents the last 48 hours before the crucifixion of Jesus, who is portrayed as a black man. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER [R] 1hr. 55min. Action/Drama/Romance Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li. Plot: love, intrigue and death in 10th Century China. Subtitled. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren Old Town, Warren West 21st.
THE PAINTED VEIL [R] 2hr. 5min. Drama Cast: Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Toby Jones. Plot: based on the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham about a middle class doctor and an upper-class woman who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to Shanghai. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
PRIMEVAL [R] 1hr. 35min. Horror/Thriller Cast: Dominic Purcell, Orlando Jones, Brooke Langton, Jurgen Prochnow. Plot: inspired by the true story of the world's most prolific killer, an American news crew determines to capture the terrifying creature alive. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
STOMP THE YARD [PG-13] 1hr. 55min. Drama Cast: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith), Darrin Henson, Brian White, Laz Alonso, Valarie Pettiford, Harry Lennix, Chris Brown. Plot: a troubled youth from Los Angeles moves to Atlanta to attend Truth University and discovers "stepping," the age-old style of dance traditionally done in African-American Fraternities. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES [PG] 1hr. 35min. Animated family fantasy Voices of: Robert De Niro, Madonna, Snoop Dogg, David Bowie, Freddie Highmore, Harvey Keitel, Anthony Anderson, Chazz Palminteri, Jason Bateman, Jimmy Fallon, Mia Farrow. Plot: family adventure about a boy who sets out to save his family home from emerging real estate developers by locating hidden treasure. Based on the best selling children's book, Arthur and the Minimoys. Showing at: Derby Cinema, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
COLOR OF THE CROSS [PG-13] 2hrs. Political/Religious Drama Cast: Jean Claude LaMarre, Debbi Morgan, Ananda Lewis, Johann Jean, Jesse Holland. Plot: presents the last 48 hours before the crucifixion of Jesus, who is portrayed as a black man. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER [R] 1hr. 55min. Action/Drama/Romance Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li. Plot: love, intrigue and death in 10th Century China. Subtitled. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren Old Town, Warren West 21st.
THE PAINTED VEIL [R] 2hr. 5min. Drama Cast: Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Toby Jones. Plot: based on the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham about a middle class doctor and an upper-class woman who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to Shanghai. Showing at: Premiere Palace exclusively.
PRIMEVAL [R] 1hr. 35min. Horror/Thriller Cast: Dominic Purcell, Orlando Jones, Brooke Langton, Jurgen Prochnow. Plot: inspired by the true story of the world's most prolific killer, an American news crew determines to capture the terrifying creature alive. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
STOMP THE YARD [PG-13] 1hr. 55min. Drama Cast: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith), Darrin Henson, Brian White, Laz Alonso, Valarie Pettiford, Harry Lennix, Chris Brown. Plot: a troubled youth from Los Angeles moves to Atlanta to attend Truth University and discovers "stepping," the age-old style of dance traditionally done in African-American Fraternities. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East 13th, Warren West 21st.
Leaving 1/11/2007
Derby Cinema - Eragon
Movie Machine - The Holiday
Northrock 14 - Black Christmas, Happy Feet, The Holiday, Rocky Balboa, We Are Marshall
Palace West - Barnyard, The Guardian
Premiere Palace - Santa Clause 3, Flushed Away, Guadalupe, Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles, Bobby
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - Eragon, Happy Feet, Casino Royale, The Nativity Story
Warren Old Town - We Are Marshall, Rocky Balboa
Warren West 21st - Rocky Balboa, Blood Diamond, Apocalypto, The Nativity Story, Black Christmas
Movie Machine - The Holiday
Northrock 14 - Black Christmas, Happy Feet, The Holiday, Rocky Balboa, We Are Marshall
Palace West - Barnyard, The Guardian
Premiere Palace - Santa Clause 3, Flushed Away, Guadalupe, Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles, Bobby
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East 13th - Eragon, Happy Feet, Casino Royale, The Nativity Story
Warren Old Town - We Are Marshall, Rocky Balboa
Warren West 21st - Rocky Balboa, Blood Diamond, Apocalypto, The Nativity Story, Black Christmas
Friday, January 05, 2007
Worthwhile (and not) 12/5/2007
The top new film's this weekend, 3-4 stars, are CHILDREN OF MEN and FREEDOM WRITERS. If you want the very best, I think the nod has to go to CHILDREN. CODE NAME: THE CLEANER and RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES look to be in the 2-3 star range. Bringing up the rear in the 1-2 star range are HAPPILY 'N EVER AFTER and THR3E. The latter doesn't appear to have been screened so I'd avoid it like the plague.
CHILDREN OF MEN ****
Director Alfonso Cuarón has given us films that vary from Y tu mamá también to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Author P. D. James is best known for her Inspector Dalgliesh mystery novels, many of which have been filmed for the small screen and shown on PBS. With this film Cuarón's directing talent and James' writing combine to show us a not-too-distant future where all hope has been lost because Earth's population is infertile and there have been no births for eighteen years.
In this world Clive Owen is a minor British civil servant and Julianne Moore is the leader of a rebel group trying to bring down the repressive British government. She is also Owen's former lover and the mother of his child, who died in infancy. This is not a pleasant time to be alive. In Britain there is still some vestige of civilization but you are given to understand that in other countries chaos and destruction are the norm. Just in case things get too bad to bear, many people keep a suicide kit handy and you see advertisements for them on the telly. Then Moore contacts Owen and asks him to help get a young woman out of the country...a woman who is about to become a mother!
Like many good films this one will leave you with as many questions as answers. Would civilization really self-destruct in such circumstances? What caused the infertility and how is it possible that a pregnancy finally occurs? But, above all this is a film about emotion, from bleak despair to incredulous hope. There's no way to describe that, you'll have to see the film to experience it. And, this is one you'll need to see if you don't want to be left out of the water cooler conversations and talk about potential Academy Award winners.
In this world Clive Owen is a minor British civil servant and Julianne Moore is the leader of a rebel group trying to bring down the repressive British government. She is also Owen's former lover and the mother of his child, who died in infancy. This is not a pleasant time to be alive. In Britain there is still some vestige of civilization but you are given to understand that in other countries chaos and destruction are the norm. Just in case things get too bad to bear, many people keep a suicide kit handy and you see advertisements for them on the telly. Then Moore contacts Owen and asks him to help get a young woman out of the country...a woman who is about to become a mother!
Like many good films this one will leave you with as many questions as answers. Would civilization really self-destruct in such circumstances? What caused the infertility and how is it possible that a pregnancy finally occurs? But, above all this is a film about emotion, from bleak despair to incredulous hope. There's no way to describe that, you'll have to see the film to experience it. And, this is one you'll need to see if you don't want to be left out of the water cooler conversations and talk about potential Academy Award winners.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Opening 1/5/2007
CHILDREN OF MEN [R] 1hr. 45min. Thriller Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Charlie Hunnam, Michael Caine. Plot: in a near-future world fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population, a disillusioned bureaucrat becomes an unlikely champion of Earth's survival. Showing at: WE, WO, WW
CODE NAME: THE CLEANER [PG-13] 1hr. 30min. Action/Comedy Cast: Cedric The Entertainer, Lucy Liu, Nicollette Sheridan, Elizabeth Hurley, DeRay Davis. Plot: a mild-mannered janitor with amnesia gets comically entangled in a government conspiracy. Showing at: NR, WE, WW
FREEDOM WRITERS [PG-13] Drama Cast: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn, Mario. Plot: when a teacher respects a class of gangbanger students, they begin to hope they can show the world their lives matter and they have something to say. Showing at: DC, NR, WE, WW
HAPPILY 'N EVER AFTER [PG] 1hr. 25min. Animated family comedy Voices of: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver, Freddie Prinze Jr., George Carlin, Wallace Shawn, Andy Dick. Plot: a satirical retelling of the classic story of Cinderella. Showing at: DC, MM, NR, WE, WW
RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES [PG] 1hr. 50min. Drama Cast: Takakura Ken, Terajima Shinobu, Nakai Kiichi. Plot: a moving story of one man's journey across China's heartland in order to comfort a dying son. Showing at: PP exclusively
THR3E [PG-13] 1hr. 45min. Horror/Thriller Cast: Marc Blucas, Justine Waddell, Laura Jordan, Max Ryan, Bill Mosely, Sherman Augustus, Priscilla Barnes, Tom Bower, Jeffrey Lee Hollis, Kevin Downes. Plot: based on the best-selling novel by Ted Dekker about a young seminary student targeted by a psychopathic killer. Showing at: NR, WE, WW
CODE NAME: THE CLEANER [PG-13] 1hr. 30min. Action/Comedy Cast: Cedric The Entertainer, Lucy Liu, Nicollette Sheridan, Elizabeth Hurley, DeRay Davis. Plot: a mild-mannered janitor with amnesia gets comically entangled in a government conspiracy. Showing at: NR, WE, WW
FREEDOM WRITERS [PG-13] Drama Cast: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn, Mario. Plot: when a teacher respects a class of gangbanger students, they begin to hope they can show the world their lives matter and they have something to say. Showing at: DC, NR, WE, WW
HAPPILY 'N EVER AFTER [PG] 1hr. 25min. Animated family comedy Voices of: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver, Freddie Prinze Jr., George Carlin, Wallace Shawn, Andy Dick. Plot: a satirical retelling of the classic story of Cinderella. Showing at: DC, MM, NR, WE, WW
RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES [PG] 1hr. 50min. Drama Cast: Takakura Ken, Terajima Shinobu, Nakai Kiichi. Plot: a moving story of one man's journey across China's heartland in order to comfort a dying son. Showing at: PP exclusively
THR3E [PG-13] 1hr. 45min. Horror/Thriller Cast: Marc Blucas, Justine Waddell, Laura Jordan, Max Ryan, Bill Mosely, Sherman Augustus, Priscilla Barnes, Tom Bower, Jeffrey Lee Hollis, Kevin Downes. Plot: based on the best-selling novel by Ted Dekker about a young seminary student targeted by a psychopathic killer. Showing at: NR, WE, WW
Leaving 1/4/2007
Derby Cinema - Rocky Balboa, The Holiday
Movie Machine - Eragon
Northrock 14 - Apocalypto, Blood Diamond, The Nativity Story
Palace West - The Return, Marie Antoinette
Premiere Palace - Driving Lessons
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East - Deck The Halls
Warren Old Town - Eragon
Warren West - Unaccompanied Minors, Deck The Halls
Movie Machine - Eragon
Northrock 14 - Apocalypto, Blood Diamond, The Nativity Story
Palace West - The Return, Marie Antoinette
Premiere Palace - Driving Lessons
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until spring
Warren East - Deck The Halls
Warren Old Town - Eragon
Warren West - Unaccompanied Minors, Deck The Halls
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About Me
- Wichita, KS, United States
- I've spent most of my adult life in film exhibition management, from which I've retired. As a result of my work I've seen thousands of movies over the years and maintain a strong interest in movies and theatres.
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