Opening 1/2/09

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

THE READER [R] 2 hrs. 3 min. Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, David Kross, Lena Olin, Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara. Plot: a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, is stunned to find a former lover as a defendant in the courtroom. As her past is revealed, he uncovers a deep secret that will impact both their lives. "The Reader" is a haunting story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren exclusively.

What's Leaving 1/1/09

Derby Plaza - nothing
Movie Machine - Day The Earth Stood Still
Northrock 14 - nothing
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - nothing
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Nothing Like The Holidays

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE ***½

Danny Boyle directed this drama/romance which stars: Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, and Freida Pinto. Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language. Running time is two hours.

An 18 year-old orphan (Patel) from the slums of Mumbai is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" When the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? During the course of the movie we learn about his relationship with his brother (Mittal), another slum orphan (Pinto), and just how he knows the answers to the questions the program asks.

If you want to see this film in Wichita you'll have to drive East to the Warren 13th which is playing it exclusively. It's well worth the trip. Many of the Oscar prognosticators are saying this will be the Best Picture this year and they could well be right. It's a little confusing at first but as the film progresses its intent becomes obvious even as it keeps switching between various scenes and times. The actors are relative newcomers to the profession so the film doesn't appear as polished as some you'll see but the story is compelling and the film seems very realistic. There's not a lot of "must see" talk about this film but if you like good, quality film, you should see this one.

BEDTIME STORIES **

Adam Shankman directed this comedy/fantasy which stars: Adam Sandler, Guy Pearce, Keri Russell, Richard Griffiths, and Courteney Cox. Rated PG for some mild rude humor and mild language. Running time is one hour and thirty-five minutes.

A hotel handyman's (Sandler) life is changed forever when the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew (children of his sister, Cox) start to mysteriously come true. He hopes he can use this power to encourage his boss (Griffiths) to name him as the manager of a new hotel instead of his main rival (Pearce). Unfortunately, the new hotel is to be built on the site of the school where his sister is principal and where her best friend (Russell) teaches.

I've just never been a Sandler fan. While I'm sure he's an intelligent, creative individual, the characters he portrays are always stupid and with a speech impediment...two qualities I've just never found to be amusing. He isn't as bad in this film as he has been in others but he still portrays a character I simply can't root for...so for me the film fails. Families and smaller children may find this amusing and there really isn't anything here that would offend. If you've seen all the other films suitable for families and want to go to the movies, this will do, but just barely.

Worthwhile (or not) 12/25/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). An interesting assortment of Holiday fare, with no real standouts and a couple of lumps of coal. I haven't seen DOUBT and BENJAMIN BUTTON yet but they are high on my list. The rest don't have much appeal for me and I'm surprised some of them are being released during the vaunted Holiday season. Perhaps if we get through the next year without an actor's strike we'll have some better choices at Christmas time in 2009.

37 Bedtime Stories,
69 Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
70 Doubt,
56 Marley & Me,
28 Spirit, The,
58 Valkyrie

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

My review of BEDTIME STORIES will be on this site after 4:30 pm.

Here are previews of films scheduled for Friday, 1/9: BRIDE WARS, GRAN TORINO, NOT EASILY BROKEN, THE READER, THE UNBORN.

Opening 12/25/08

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

BEDTIME STORIES [PG] 1 hr. 39 min. Comedy/Adventure Trailer Cast: Adam Sandler, Guy Pearce, Keri Russell, Richard Griffiths, Courteney Cox, Lucy Lawless, Teresa Palmer, Russell Brand, Aisha Tyler, Jonathan Pryce. Plot: a hotel handyman's life is changed forever when the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to mysteriously come true. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON [PG-13] 2 hrs. 45 min. Drama/Fantasy Trailer Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, Tilda Swinton. Plot: adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 3th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

DOUBT [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis. Plot: John Patrick Shanley brings his Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play to the screen as a gripping story about the quest for truth, the forces of change, and the devastating consequences of blind justice in an age defined by moral conviction. Without a shard of proof besides her moral certainty, a nun locks into a battle of wills with a priest which threatens to tear apart their community with irrevocable consequence. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

MARLEY AND ME [PG] 2 hrs. 5 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin, Eric Dane, Kathleen Turner. Plot: a young couple get a puppy to see how well they can handle responsibility in preparation for raising a family. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

THE SPIRIT [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Action Trailer Cast: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes, Dan Lauria, Paz Vega, Jaime King, Scarlett Johansson, Louis Lombardi, Stana Katic. Plot: adapted from Will Eisner's comic book series, "The Spirit" is a classic action-adventure-romance genre-twister written for the screen and directed by Frank Miller (creator of "300" and "Sin City"). It is the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as The Spirit to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

VALKYRIE [PG-13] 2 hrs. Drama/Thriller Trailer Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice van Houten, Thomas Kretschmann, Eddie Izzard, Christian Berkel, Terence Stamp. Plot: based on the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the daring and ingenious plot to eliminate one of the most evil tyrants the world has ever known, Hitler. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.

What's Leaving 12/24/08

Derby Plaza - Bolt, Four Christmases, Day The Earth Stood Still
Movie Machine - Bolt, Twilight, Four Christmases, Day The Earth Stood Still
Northrock 14 - Australia, Role Models, Transporter 3, Twilight
Palace West - Haunting Of Molly Hartley, Wall-E
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Punisher, Transporter 3, Boy In The Striped Pajamas, Role Models
Warren Old Town - Four Christmases, Twilight
Warren West 21st - Quantum Of Solace, Role Models

SEVEN POUNDS **

Gabriele Muccino directed this drama which stars: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper, and Woody Harrelson. Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.

A man with a fateful secret (Smith) embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers with the help of a high school friend (Pepper). Included in the group are his brother (Ealy), a blind telemarketer/pianist (Harrelson) and a greeting card creator in need of a heart transplant (Dawson).

There will be people who will like this film much better than I did, finding its conclusion uplifting. As for myself, I can't quibble about the film's quality, the production values are fine. The acting quality is what you'd expect from a Holiday film, including a luminous performance by Dawson. But I'm having a hard time believing what a large group of people want to see at Christmas is a drama about suicidal depression. Perhaps it's the subject matter, but this two hour film feels more like three and it has one of those plots that quickly reveals the conclusion but only slowly unravels the reasoning behind the action. If you still feel this is something you want to see I'd advise a couple of NoDoze for the first hour and forty-five minutes and a box of tissues for the denouement. Frankly, I don't need to go to a movie like this to become depressed. This time of year all I have to do is look at my checkbook balance.

Worthwhile (or not) 12/19/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Will Smith's new film is certainly not my idea of the typical Holiday pic; the art film once again garners the most votes; the animated film has a respectable if not outstanding rating; and Carrey's film is rated higher than I'd expected.

35 Seven Pounds,
86 Slumdog Millionaire
55 Tale of Despereaux, The,
45 Yes Man

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

My review of SEVEN POUNDS will be on this site after 4:30 pm.

Here are previews of films opening on Thursday, 12/25: BEDTIME STORIES, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, MARLEY AND ME, THE SPIRIT, and VALKYRIE.

Opening 12/19/08

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

SEVEN POUNDS [PG-13] 1 hr. 25 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper, Woody Harrelson. Plot: an IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE [R] 2 hours Drama Trailer Cast: Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan. Plot: an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" When the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX [G] 1 hr. 35 min. Animated comedy/adventure Trailer Voices of : Matthew Broderick, Robbie Coltrane, Frances Conroy, Tony Hale, Ciaran Hinds, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Frank Langella, Christopher Lloyd, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, Tracey Ullman, Emma Watson, Sigourney Weaver. Plot: a brave and virtuous mouse and his friend embark upon a journey that will change the way they look at their world--and themselves--forever. In this tale of bravery, forgiveness and redemption, one tiny creature will teach a kingdom that it takes only a little light to show what you look like doesn't equal what you are. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren. 21st Street Warren.

YES MAN [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby, John Michael Higgins, Danny Masterson, Terence Stamp. Plot: a guy whose life is going nowhere signs up for a self-help program based on one simple covenant: say yes to everything...and anything. Unleashing the power of "YES" begins to transform his life, getting him promoted at work and opening the door to a new romance. But his willingness to embrace every opportunity might just be too much of a good thing. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren. Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

What's Leaving 12/18/08

Derby Plaza - Delgo, Australia, Madagascar 2
Movie Machine - Madagascar 2
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Quarantine, RockNRolla, Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, Lakeview Terrace
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Delgo, Punisher: War Zone, Cadillac Records, Rachel Getting Married, Happy-Go-Lucky
Warren Old Town - Australia, Transporter 3, Role Models
Warren West 21st - Delgo, Punisher: War Zone, Transporter 3

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL ***

Scott Derrickson directed this sci-fi/thriller which stars: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, and Jaden Smith. Rated PG-13 for some sci-fi disaster images and violence. Running time is one hour and forty-three minutes. This is a remake of the 1951 film with the same name.

An alien's arrival (Reeves) on our planet triggers a global upheaval. As governments (Bates as the U.S. Secretary of Defense) and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind his appearance, a woman (Connelly) and her young stepson (Smith) get caught up in his mission – and come to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described "friend to the Earth."

I've always liked sci-fi, I liked the original film and I don't much care for Reeves. I liked this film just fine. To me it seemed true to the original with, of course, far superior graphics and effects. Revees' normally wooden performance style actually works in this film as he portrays an alien who is uncomfortable in an unfamiliar body. Uncomfortable and wooden he's great at. If you've seen the original film you have an understanding of the plot. If you haven't, all is explained satisfactorily. The effects are such in this film you'll enjoy it most in a theatre with a large screen and good sound. If you enjoy science fiction, I think you'll find this entertaining.

Worthwhile (or not) 12/12/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). The Christmas films start this with with the remake of a classic sci-fi pic, an animated fantasy film, a drama based on a true occurrence, and an ethnic Latino family holiday comedy/drama. While the film the critics love is no doubt very good (MILK), it's hard for me to imagine it will do that well in Wichita during the Holiday season. On the other hand, I found DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL far more enjoyable than did the national critics.

39 Day the Earth Stood Still, The,
28 Delgo,
84 Milk,
54 Nothing Like the Holidays

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

My reviews of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL will be on this site after 4:30 pm.

Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 12/19: SEVEN POUNDS, THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, and YES MAN.

Opening 12/12/08

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

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min Sci-Fi/Thriller Trailer Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, Jaden Smith, Jon Hamm, Kyle Chandler. Plot: an alien's arrival on our planet triggers a global upheaval. As governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind his appearance, a woman and her young stepson get caught up in his mission – and come to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described "friend to the Earth." Showing at:
Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.

DELGO [PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Animated adventure Trailer Voices of: Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Val Kilmer, Chris Kattan, Kelly Ripa, Michael Clarke Duncan, Eric Idle, Malcolm McDowell, Burt Reynolds, Lou Gossett Jr., Anne Bancroft. Plot: takes place in a magical land which is divided between two cultures - the Nohrin, winged masters of the skies, and the Lockni, who harness the mystical powers of the land. Suffice it to say, they don't always get along. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st Street Warren.

MILK [R] 2 hrs. 10 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Sean Penn, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, Victor Garber, Denis O'Hare, Stephen Spinella, Eric Stoltz. Plot: in 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. This film charts the last eight years of his life. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren.

NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: John Leguizamo, Debra Messing, Freddy Rodriguez, Vanessa Ferlito, Luis Guzman, Jay Hernandez, Alfred Molina, Elizabeth Pena, Melonie Diaz. Plot: the far-flung members of the Rodriguez family, converging at their parents' home in Chicago to celebrate the season, are shocked when their mother tells them she is divorcing their father. Showing at: 13th Ave. Warren, 21st Street Warren.

What's Leaving 12/11/08

Derby Plaza - Transporter 3, Quantum of Solace
Movie Machine - Quantum Of Solace
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Flash Of Genius, Pride And Glory, Journey To The Center Of Earth, T.P.'s Family
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - High School Musical 3, Fireproof, Bolt, Nobel Son
Warren Old Town - Quantum of Solace, Madagascar 2
Warren West 21st - High School Musical 3

PUNISHER: WAR ZONE **

Lexi Alexander, a fairly neophyte director, is responsible for this crime thriller which features: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Doug Hutchinson, and Julie Benz. Rated R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use. Running time is one hour and forty-three minutes.

A ruthless vigilante-hero (Stevenson) sets his sights on an overeager mob boss (West) and horribly disfigures him. The mobster sets out for vengeance under his new alias, Jigsaw, along with his brother, Loony Bin Jim (Hutchinson), using the widow (Benz) of a slain FBI agent as bait. This is the second film based on the comic book series. The first film, released in 2004, starred Thomas Jane.

If you're in the mood for a garish, graphically bloody and violent movie, you've struck gold with this one. My initial impression wasn't favorable but as the film progressed and I got used to its style, I found myself starting to enjoy it. Or as much as you can enjoy a film with exploding body parts (literally), gallons of blood and a character who enjoys dining on other characters. Production values are fine, the B list actors acquit themselves adequately, and the running time is about perfect. This isn't something I'd recommend to many but if my description sounds like your kind of pic...go for it.

Worthwhile (or not) 12/5/08

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). The weekend after Thanksgiving weekend is one of the year's worst for movie attendance, thus the pitiful slate of new films. The distributor's just don't want to take a chance on a low gross for an expensive film. Clearly, the national critics felt the British import is the best choice for the weekend.

64 Cadillac Records,
84 Happy-Go-Lucky
29 Nobel Son,
30 Punisher: War Zone

Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.

My reviews of PUNISHER: WAR ZONE will be on this site after 4:30 pm.

Here are previews of films opening on Friday, 12/12: THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, DELGO, NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS.

Opening 12/5/08

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

CADILLAC RECORDS [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Beyonce Knowles, Gabrielle Union, Columbus Short, Cedric the Entertainer, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eamonn Walker, Mos Def. Plot: chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists. In this tale of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in Chicago of the 1950s and 60s, the film follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's greatest musical legends. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY [R] 2 hrs. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Sally Hawkins, Alexis Zegerman, Andrea Riseborough, Samuel Roukin, Sinead Matthews, Kate O'Flynn, Sarah Niles, Eddie Marsan, Joseph Kloska, Sylvestra Le Touzel. Plot: in the new comedy from writer/director Mike Leigh ("Vera Drake," "Secrets & Lies"), an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters, offering us an exploration of one of the most elusive of all human qualities: happiness. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

NOBEL SON [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy/Thriller Trailer Cast: Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, Shawn Hatosy, Mary Steenburgen, Bill Pullman, Eliza Dushku, Danny DeVito. Plot: a young man is struggling to finish his Ph.D. thesis when his father wins the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. When the son is kidnapped on the eve of his father accepting the prize, the father refuses to pay the ransom. So starts a game of intrigue and deception that proves that payback's a bitch. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.

PUNISHER: WAR ZONE [R] 1 hr. 45 min. Crime thriller Trailer Cast: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Doug Hutchinson, Colin Salmon, Wayne Knight, Dash Mihok, Julie Benz. Plot: a ruthless vigilante-hero sets his sights on an overeager mob boss and horribly disfigures him. The mobster sets out for vengeance under his new alias: Jigsaw. Based on the comic book series. Showing at: Northrock 13, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st. Street Warren.

What's Leaving 12/4/08

Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - High School Musical 3
Palace West - Righteous Kill, Ghost Town, Death Race
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Changeling
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Fireproof, Changeling