Opening 4/4/08

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

NIM'S ISLAND [PG] 1 hr. 35 min. Adventure/Comedy/Fantasy Trailer Cast: Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin, Gerard Butler, Alphonso McAuley. Plot: anything can happen on Nim's Island, a magical place ruled by a young girl's imagination. When the young girl's father goes missing from their island, she joins with her favorite author and a fictional hero to set things right. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.

LEATHERHEADS [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, John Krasinski, Jonathan Pryce, Stephen Root, Ezra Buzzington, John Vance, Dan John Miller. Plot: a charming, brash football hero is determined to guide his team from bar brawls to packed stadiums. After the players lose their sponsor and the entire league faces certain collapse, he convinces a college football star to join his ragtag ranks. But a spitfire newswoman suspects there are holes in the stars' background. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.

THE RUINS [R] 2 hrs. Horror/thriller Trailer Cast: Jonathan Tucker, Laura Ramsey, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Joe Anderson. Plot: a group of friends' leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for the worse when they accompany a fellow tourist on a remote archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.

SHINE A LIGHT [PG-13] 2 hrs. Documentary Trailer Cast: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, Christina Aguilera, Buddy Guy, Jack White III. Plot: Martin Scorsese's concert documentary shows the world the Rolling Stones as they've never been seen before. Filmed at the famed Beacon Theatre in New York City in fall 2006, Scorsese captures the raw energy of the legendary band. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren.

Leaving 4/3/2008

Derby Plaza - Shutter, College Road Trip, 10,000 B.C.
Movie Machine - The Spiderwick Chronicles, Jumper, Drillbit Taylor
Northrock 14 - The Bank Job, Never Back Down, Doomsday
Palace West - There Will Be Blood, I Am Legend, Enchanted, Definitely-Maybe
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri/Sat only
Warren East 13th - Doomsday, Jumper, The Other Boleyn Girl, Fool's Gold
Warren Old Town - 10,000 B.C., Vantage Point
Warren West 21st - The Bank Job, Vantage Point, Fool's Gold

Worthwhile (or not) 3/28/08

Here's how MetaCritic ranks the films. Superhero Movie obviously wasn't screened for the critics which tells you what the distributor thought its chances were.

50 21,
48 Run, Fat Boy, Run,
67 Stop Loss,
xx Superhero Movie

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.

21 **½

Australian director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde, Win A Date With Tad Hamilton) helmed this adventure/drama which stars Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, and Kevin Spacey. Rated PG-13 for some violence and sexual content including partial nudity, the film is two hours long.

A shy, brilliant M.I.T. student Sturgess), desperately in need of money to go to Harvard Medical School, is recruited to join a group of the school's most gifted students (Bosworth, etc.) who head to Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the odds at blackjack in their favor. The leader of the team is a college professor (Spacey) who did the same thing as a young man. The challenge becomes staying one step ahead of the casinos' menacing enforcer (Fishburne) who's been after the professor for years.

This turned out to be more enjoyable than expected. Ten years ago this would have starred Affleck or Damon or Pitt but they're too expensive now so a younger group takes their place. And, they do a fine job. Spacey and Fishburne are excellent as always. While two hours long, the film never drags so the time passes quickly. There are the requisite plot twists but everything is explained and audiences should be happy with the ending. While Vegas looks good on the big screen, one isn't absolutely necessary to enjoy this film so waiting for the DVD is an option you can safely consider.

Opening 3/28/08

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

21 [PG-13] 2 hrs. 5 min. Action/Adventure Trailer Cast: Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Spacey, Liza Lapira, Josh Gad, Aaron Yoo, Sam Golzari. Plot: a shy, brilliant M.I.T. student is recruited to join a group of the school's most gifted students who head to Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the odds at blackjack in their favor. The challenge becomes staying one step ahead of the casinos' menacing enforcer. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.

RUN FAT BOY RUN [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Simon Pegg, Hank Azaria, Ameet Chana, Dylan Moran, Thandie Newton, Harish Patel. Plot: a man who left his pregnant fiancée at the alter discovers she's hooked up with a high-flying-go-getter and it's now or never. He enters a marathon to show he's more than a quitter. Nobody gives him a chance but he knows it's his only hope to be more than a running joke. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.

STOP-LOSS [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ciarán Hinds, Timothy Olyphant, Victor Rasuk, Rob Brown. Plot: a decorated Iraq war hero returns to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. Then, against his will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq which tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love, and the value of honor. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.

SUPERHERO MOVIE [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Action/Comedy Trailer Cast: Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, Christopher McDonald, Pamela Anderson, Tracy Morgan, Regina Hall, Craig Bierko, Simon Rex, Leslie Nielsen, Marion Ross, Kevin Hart, Jeffrey Tambor, Ryan Hansen, Brent Spiner, Keith David. Plot: how many superheroes does it take to save the world? The creators of "The Naked Gun" and "Scary Movie" answer this question as they take aim at some of the biggest blockbusters of our time including "Spider-Man," "Batman," "X-Men," and "Fantastic Four," to name a few. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.

Leaving 3/27/2008

Derby Plaza - Vantage Point, Fool's Gold
Movie Machine - The Spiderwick Chronicles, Jumper
Northrock 14 - Michael Clayton, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
Palace West - The Water Horse, Cloverfield, Mad Money, Rambo, First Sunday
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri/Sat only
Warren East 13th - Doomsday, Funny Games, Penelope, Semi-Pro, The Spiderwick Chronicles, City Of Men
Warren Old Town - Never Back Down
Warren West 21st - Doomsday, Semi-Pro, Penelope, Jumper

Worthwhile (or not) 3/21/08

Here's how MetaCritic ranks the films. The films with the highest scores are the least likely to be seen (nothing unusual about that) although Pettigrew looks enjoyable for fans of British comedy. Shutter and Meet the Browns obviously weren't screened for the critics which tells you what the distributor thought those ratings would be.

63 City of Men,
40 Drillbit Taylor,
63 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,
xx Shutter,
xx Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns


Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.

DRILLBIT TAYLOR **

Directed by Steven Brill (Mr. Deeds) and featuring Owen Wilson, Leslie Mann, Nate Hartley, Troy Gentile, David Dorfman, and Alex Frost. Rated PG-13 for crude sexual references throughout, strong bullying, language, drug references and partial nudity, this modestly humorous drama is one hour and forty-two minutes long.

After being harassed by a school bully (Frost), three high school freshmen (Hartley, Gentile and Dorfman) hire a former soldier of fortune (Wilson) as a bodyguard, only to find out he isn't who he said he was and has an agenda of his own. In attempting to help the boys he passes himself off as a substitute teacher without difficulty and manages to strike up a romantic attachment with a fellow teacher (Mann).

This wasn't at all what I expected and what the previews lead you to believe. Thus, my slightly lower rating. The film isn't bad and even mildly enjoyable, but it's far from what I'd class as a comedy, at least the kind of comedies that involve nerdy high schoolers we've come to expect. It's basically a coming of age drama concerning the three teens and an immature man finally grows up drama as far as Wilson is concerned. I think you'll be a lot happier if you wait for the DVD, the cost/benefit ratio is much better when the price isn't as high.

Opening 3/21/08

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

CITY OF MEN [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, Rodrigo dos Santos. Plot: in a culture dictated by violence and run by street gangs, two teenagers have become close as brothers. When they suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war, the lifelong friends are forced to confront a shocking secret from their shared past. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren.

DRILLBIT TAYLOR [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Owen Wilson, Leslie Mann, Danny McBride, Josh Peck, David Dorfman, Alex Frost, Troy Gentile, Nate Hartley, Casey Boersma, Dylan Boersma. Plot: after being harrased by a school bully, two teenagers hire a former soldier of fortune as a bodyguard, only to find out he has his own agenda. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.

MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Lee Pace. Plot: in 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Without so much as severance pay, she realizes she must – for the first time in two decades – seize the day. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment – as "social secretary" for an American actress and singer. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren.

SHUTTER [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Horror Trailer Cast: Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor, David Denman, James Kyson Lee, John Hensley. Plot: a newly married couple discovers disturbing, ghostly images in photographs they develop after a tragic accident. Fearing the manifestations may be connected, they investigate, only to learn that some mysteries are better left unsolved. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.

TYLER PERRY'S MEET THE BROWNS [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Tyler Perry, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Angela Bassett, Lance Gross, Chloe Bailey, Mariana Tolbert, Rick Fox, Sofia Vergara, Irma P. Hall. Plot: A single mother living in inner city Chicago is laid off with no warning. When a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she's never met, she takes her family to Georgia for the funeral. There she struggles to know the family she never knew existed…and finds a brand new romance that just might change her life. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.

Leaving 3/20/2008

Derby Plaza - Jumper, Spiderwick Chronicles
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Vantage Point, The Spiderwick Chroicles, Semi-Pro
Palace West - Veggie Tales, Into The Wild, Bee Movie, Atonement
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri/Sat only
Warren East 13th - Juno, No Country For Old Men, There Will Be Blood, The Bucket List, Step Up 2, Definitely-Maybe
Warren Old Town - Semi-Pro
Warren West 21st - The Spiderwik Chronicles, No Country For Old Men, Step Up 2

Worthwhile (or not) 3/14/08

Here's how MetaCritic ranks the films. Clearly the one to see this week for most will be HORTON HEARS A WHO. I saw a large portion of HORTON but not all so I won't write a review. It looks just fine for families, though, and there was a lot of laughter from a mostly teen audience.

xx Doomsday (evidently not screened for critics...gee, I wonder why. See my review below),
38 Funny Games,
68 Horton Hears a Who!,
39 Never Back Down

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in.

DOOMSDAY ½

Directed by Neil Marshall this British sci-fi/action pic stars Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Adrian Lester, Alexander Siddig, David O'Hara, and Malcolm McDowell. One hour and fifty minutes long it is rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexual content/nudity.

The story starts in present times when British authorities brutally quarantine Scotland after a killer virus strikes. This works for three decades – until the dreaded virus resurfaces in London. An elite group of specialists is urgently dispatched into the still-quarantined country to retrieve a cure by any means necessary.

The direction is fine, the British cast is very capable, the CGI effects are acceptable and there's plenty of very bloody action for those who like that (in general, younger males). With all that going for it you'd think someone might have spent an extra hundred bucks or so to get a plot that didn't insult the intelligence of the viewer. The basic story is fine, but when the group goes into Scotland, a country cut off from the world for thirty years and without electricity or manufacturing capability, they discover the remaining populace has plenty of petrol for Molotov cocktails and is driving all sorts of vehicles. How so? Then, there's the fact the citizens of Glasgow basically eat each other (they have a nifty, large barbecue) even though there are thousands of cows roaming the countryside. Their leader likes to address them as the head of a rock band, complete with P.A. system and electric guitars. When Mitra and her cohorts need a vehicle they find one that's been in storage of 30 years, doesn't have a speck of dust on it, and starts immediately (wow, what a battery). When speeding down the highway (looks to be in perfect shape) there's a flashing warning informing them they're going too fast! I could go on but I think you get the picture. To add insult to injury, the ending clearly indicates a sequel is to be expected. I can hardly wait.

Opening 3/14/08

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

DOOMSDAY [R] 1hr. 50 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Adrian Lester, Alexander Siddig, Malcolm McDowell. Plot: authorities brutally quarantine a country when a virus strikes. This works for three decades – until the dreaded virus resurfaces in a major city. An elite group of specialists is urgently dispatched into the still-quarantined country to retrieve a cure by any means necessary. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.

FUNNY GAMES [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Psychological Thriller Trailer Cast: Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet, Boyd Gaines, Siobhan Fallon, Devon Gearhart. Plot: a vacationing family gets an unexpected visit from two deeply disturbed young men and their idyllic holiday turns nightmarish as they struggle to stay alive. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren.

HORTON HEARS A WHO! [G] 1 hr. 30 min. Animated Trailer Voices: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Seth Rogen, Will Arnett, Isla Fisher, Dan Fogler, Amy Poehler, Jaime Pressly, Jonah Hill, Josh Flitter. Plot: an imaginative elephant hears a cry for help coming from a tiny speck of dust floating through the air. Suspecting there may be life on that speck and despite a surrounding community which thinks he has lost his mind, Horton is determined to help. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.

NEVER BACK DOWN [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min Action Trailer Cast: Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Cam Gigandet, Amber Heard, Evan Peters, Wyatt Smith. Plot: a tough kid learns about the sport known as Mixed Marshall Arts (MMA). Showing at: Northrock, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.

Leaving 3/13/2008

Derby Plaza - Semi-Pro
Movie Machine - Semi-Pro
Northrock 14 - Definitely, Maybe, Step Up 2, Fool's Gold, No Country For Old Men
Palace West - One Missed Call, Michael Clayton, The Kite Runner
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri/Sat only
Warren East 13th - In Bruges, Be Kind Rewind, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
Warren Old Town - Jumper, Fool's Gold
Warren West 21st - Definitely, Maybe, Juno, Witless Protection, Be Kind Rewind

Worthwhile (or not) 3/7/08

Looks like there are two very enjoyable crime films and a couple of others that no one thinks much of. Here they are with their MetaCritic ratings (remember, you can take the link on the title and see if the approval rating is going up or down from it's rating at the time this was written):

39 10,000 B.C.,
69 Bank Job, The,
38 College Road Trip,
67 In Bruges

THE BANK JOB ****

This thriller was directed by Roger Donaldson and stars Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays, James Faulkner, Alki David, Michael Jibson, Richard Lintern, and David Suchet. Rated R for sexual content, nudity, violence and language; the film is one hour and fifty minutes long.

A car dealer with a dodgy past and new family is offered a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street. The target is a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. What they don't realize is the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal underworld, the police force, the highest echelons of the British government, and the Royal Family itself. The film is based on actual events.

Finally, here's a fascinating British caper film that should be very enjoyable for anyone who likes that genre. There's enough action occurring at a fast, steady pace to keep you glued to the screen throughout. Statham and Burrows are note perfect and the rest of the roles are filled by first rate actors who will look very familiar to viewers of BBC America and PBS. I really liked this picture and recommend it highly.

10,000 BC *

Director Roland Emmerich has some entertaining films to his credit but this so-called adventure is not going to be listed as one of them. Starring Steven Strait and Camilla Belle, it is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence and is one hour and fifty minutes long.

The story concerns a group of mountain dwelling mammoth hunters whose camp is raided by a group of men looking for slaves. Our hero (Strait) escapes their clutches but his beloved (Belle) is not so lucky. Of course he sets out to save her and in the process meets up with other groups who've suffered the same fate. They join forces, track down the slavers and set about getting rid of the problem once and for all while reclaiming those taken from them.

Emmerich has obviously spent a lot of money building models and creating CG effects so you feel as if you're in a different time. So far, so good. The film looks impressive on a large screen. Unfortunately, the story isn't nearly as impressive so it's impossible to really care about any of the people. Plus, they don't do or say anything to change that. (Why are the hunters starving...they're living on a mountain top. Idiots!) Back in 1966 they solved all of these problems in a similar film (One Million Years B.C.) by casting Raquel Welch in skimpy animal skin duds. No one cared about the story or graphics, they were too busy leering at her. Oh, that we had been that lucky with this film.

Opening 3/7/08

For showtimes select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.

10,000 BC [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Adventure Trailer Cast: Steven Strait, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Omar Sharif, Tim Barlow, Marco Khan, Reece Ritchie, Mo Zinal, Mona Hammond, Joel Virgel Vierset, Suri van Sornsen, Joel Fry, Nathanael Baring, Joe Vaz. Plot: a sweeping odyssey into a mythical age of prophesies and gods, when spirits rule the land and mighty mammoths shake the earth. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.

THE BANK JOB [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays, James Faulkner, Alki David, Michael Jibson, Richard Lintern, Don Gallagher, David Suchet. Plot: A car dealer with a dodgy past and new family is offered a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street. The target is a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. What they don't realize is the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal underworld, the highest echelons of the British government, and the Royal Family itself. Showing at: Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st St. Warren.

COLLEGE ROAD TRIP [G] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symone, Donny Osmond, Will Sasso, Arnetia Walker. Plot: a young woman is eagerly looking forward to her first big step towards independence when she plans a "girls only" road trip to check out prospective universities. But when her overbearing police chief father insists on escorting her instead, she soon finds her dream trip has turned into a nightmare adventure full of comical misfortune and turmoil. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st St. Warren.

IN BRUGES [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Action/Comedy Trailer Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Posey. Plot: two hit men are ordered right before Christmas by their London boss to go and cool their heels in the storybook Flemish city for a couple of weeks. The longer they stay waiting for their boss's call, the more surreal their experience becomes, as they find themselves in weird encounters with locals, tourists, violent medieval art, a dwarf American actor, Dutch prostitutes, and a potential romance for one of them in the form of Chloë , who may have some dark secrets of her own. When the call does finally come, their vacation becomes a life-and-death struggle of darkly comic proportions and surprisingly emotional consequences. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

Leaving 3/6/2008

Derby Plaza - Witless Protection, Step Up 2
Movie Machine - Vantage Point, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
Northrock 14 - Juno, Untraceable, Witless Protection
Palace West - Sweeney Todd
Starlite Drive-In - Opens this weekend
Warren East 13th - Hannah Montana, U2 3D, Witless Protection, Charlie Bartlett, Atonement, The Savages, I'm Not There
Warren Old Town - The Spiderwick Chronicles
Warren West 21st - U2 3D, 27 Dresses, Charlie Bartlett, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins