FURRY VENGEANCE *

Roger Kumble  directed this Comedy. Watch Preview Cast: Brendan Fraser, Brooke Shields, Ken Jeong, Samantha Bee. Rated PG for some rude humor, mild language and brief smoking. Running time is one hour and thirty-two minutes.

An ambitious young real estate developer faces off with a band of angry animals when his new housing subdivision pushes too far into their wilderness. Led by an incredibly clever raccoon, the animals stymie the development and show the environmental consequences of man's encroachment on nature.

In my opinion the only audience that will enjoy this film is under the age of 10. Adults can just forget it, it is inane, stupid and downright insulting to anyone with a smattering of intelligence. The production values and cast are fine but the plot is just terrible. Unless you're forced to accompany a youngster, give this one a really wide berth! Watch here in Wichita or change location for your town.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET **

Samuel Bayer directed this Horror film. Watch Preview Cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Thomas Dekker, Kellan Lutz, Katie Cassidy, Connie Britton. Rated R for strong bloody horror violence, disturbing images, terror and language. Running time is one hour and thirty-five minutes.

Five teens are all having the same dream--of the same man, wearing a tattered red and green striped sweater, a beaten fedora half-concealing a disfigured face and a gardener's glove with knives for fingers. And they're all hearing the same frightening voice... When one of their number dies violently, they realize what happens in their dreams happens for real, and the only way to stay alive is to stay awake.

I never saw the original films in the "Freddy" series so I have no way to compare. On its own merits, this film has good production values, and a good cast, but virtually nothing that makes it stand apart from every other completely forgettable horror film. It uses sudden bits of shrieking sound and scene cuts to try and make you jump rather than developing plot elements to raise the horror level. You'd think at the very least they could have released this in 3D so Freddy's knife fingers could menace an audience big time. Even so, teens will probably go for this in a big way, at least for the first couple of weeks, but my opinion is this won't be around long. Watch here in Wichita or change location for your town.Watch here in Wichita or change location for your town.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/30/2010

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). You've got your choice this week between a horror classic remake or a fuzzy animal family film. I think most will find these equally bad.

34 Nightmare on Elm Street, A,

23 Furry Vengeance

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  A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and FURRY VENGEANCE will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).

Opening, 4/30/2010

For Wichita show times select a theatre at the end of each synopsis. For most other cities, select any theatre name below a synopsis or review and enter other town/state below "Change Location", press enter. Next times, just press change. Friday times appear Wednesdays.

FURRY VENGEANCE [PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Brendan Fraser, Brooke Shields, Dick Van Dyke, Ken Jeong, Samantha Bee. Plot: an ambitious young real estate developer faces off with a band of angry animals when his new housing subdivision pushes too far into their wilderness. Led by an incredibly clever raccoon, the animals stymie the development and show the environmental consequences of man's encroachment on nature. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET [R] 1 hr. 36 min. Horror Watch Preview Cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Thomas Dekker, Kellan Lutz, Katie Cassidy, Connie Britton. Plot: five teens are all having the same dream--of the same man, wearing a tattered red and green striped sweater, a beaten fedora half-concealing a disfigured face and a gardener's glove with knives for fingers. And they're all hearing the same frightening voice... When one of their number dies violently, they realize what happens in their dreams happens for real, and the only way to stay alive is to stay awake. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving, 4/29/2010

Derby Plaza - Kick-Ass, The Last Song
Movie Machine - The Last Song, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - From Paris With Love, Sherlock Holmes
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th -Greenberg, Kick-Ass, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Death At A Funeral
Warren Old Town - Hot Tub Time Machine
Warren West 21st - Kick-Ass, Alice In Wonderland, Letters To God

THE LOSERS **½

Sylvain White directed this Action/Thriller Watch Preview featuring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, Holt McCallany, Oscar Jaenada, Jason Patric, Peter Macdissi. Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, a scene of sensuality and language. Run time is one hour and thirty-eight minutes.

The members of an elite U.S. Special Forces unit are sent into the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission. They find themselves the target of a lethal betrayal instigated from inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max. Presumed dead, the group makes plans to even the score when they're joined by the mysterious Aisha, a beautiful operative with her own agenda.

I wasn't counting on this being much of a picture and it's certainly never going to win an Oscar. But, it's  more entertaining than expected. I watched this with several other males (you didn't think there'd be a large female contingent for this, did you?) and they all had the same comment: better than I thought it would be. It's has the over-the-top action males are attracted to and it's not remotely realistic. But there are enough plot twist and turns to keep you interested and the production values are good. Perhaps the better than average plot is due to one of the writers, Peter Berg, who's best known as an actor. I wouldn't recommend this as a date movie but males should like it just fine. Watch it here.

THE BACK-UP PLAN **½

Alan Poul directed this Romantic comedy Watch Preview starring: Jennifer Lopez, Alex O'Loughlin, Eric Christian Olsen, Michaela Watkins, Anthony Anderson, Noureen DeWulf, Melissa McCarthy, Danneel Harris.  Rated PG-13 for sexual content including references, some crude material and language. Running time is one hour and forty-six minutes.

After years of dating, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) has decided waiting for the right one is taking too long. Determined to become a mother, she commits to a plan, makes an appointment and decides to go it alone. On the day of her artificial insemination, Zoe meets Stan (Alex O'Loughlin) – a man with real possibilities.

This is your basic formula chick-flick where you know every thing that's going to happen and how it's going to end. The only potential surprises are how good the actors are and how well they relate on screen. Well, they do fine and relate well. Production values are good and the film moves right along without dragging. To me this is an easily  forgettable film but my wife enjoyed it very much and that should tell you who the audience will be. There are a few laughs, mainly provided by Anthony Anderson, so it won't be a total loss for the guys as a date movie. Watch it here.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/23/2010

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 choices are pretty obvious this week: a nature film, an art film, a chick flick or a male-oriented action film. I've seen two of the four and thought they were a little better than the national critics would lead you to believe.

36 Back-up Plan, The,

75 Greenberg,
45 Losers, The,

79 Oceans

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 BACK-UP PLAN and THE LOSERS will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).

Opening, 4/22-23/2010

For Wichita show times select a theatre at the end of each synopsis. For other cities, click any theatre name below the synopsis of interest and enter a town and state's name in the upper left below "Change Location" and press enter. Friday times appear Wednesdays.

Opens Thursday, 4/22

OCEANS [G] 1 hr. 24 min. Documentary Watch Preview Cast: Pierce Brosnan. Plot: nearly three-quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water and "Oceans" dives deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind—exploring the playful splendor and the harsh reality of the weird and wonderful creatures that live within. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Opens  Friday, 4/23

THE BACK-UP PLAN [PG-13] 1 hr. 38 min. Romantic comedy Watch Preview Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Alex O'Loughlin, Eric Christian Olsen, Michaela Watkins, Noureen DeWulf, Melissa McCarthy, Danneel Harris. Plot: after years of dating, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) has decided waiting for the right one is taking too long. Determined to become a mother, she commits to a plan, makes an appointment and decides to go it alone. On the day of her artificial insemination, Zoe meets Stan (Alex O'Loughlin) – a man with real possibilities. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

GREENBERG [R] 1 hr. 47 min.  Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Chris Messina, Brie Larson, Juno Temple. Plot: Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller), single, fortyish and at a crossroads in his life, finds himself in Los Angeles, house-sitting for six weeks for his more successful/married-with-children brother. In search of a place to restart his life, he soon finds himself spending more and more time with his brother's personal assistant Florence (Greta Gerwig), an aspiring singer and also something of a lost soul. Despite his best attempts not to be drawn in, Greenberg and Florence manage to forge a connection, and Greenberg realizes he may at last have found a reason to be happy. Showing at: Warren East.

THE LOSERS [PG-13] 1 hr. 38 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, Holt McCallany, Oscar Jaenada, Jason Patric, Peter Macdissi. Plot: the members of an elite U.S. Special Forces unit are sent into the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission. They find themselves the target of a lethal betrayal instigated from inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max. Presumed dead, the group makes plans to even the score when they're joined by the mysterious Aisha, a beautiful operative with her own agenda. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 4/22/2010

Derby Plaza - Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Bounty Hunter
Movie Machine - Clash Of TheTitans
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - The Wolfman, Dear John
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th -The Runaways
Warren Old Town - Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?
Warren West 21st - Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?

KICK-ASS ***½

Matthew Vaughn directed this  Action/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong, Clark Duke, Evan Peters,  Chloe Moretz, Nicolas Cage. Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use - some involving children. Running time is one hour and fifty-seven minutes. Based on the comic, Kick-Ass.

An unnoticed high school student and comic book fan (Johnson) decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so. He and his friends (Duke and Peters) soon run afoul of the local crime lord (Strong) and his son (Mintz-Plasse), who are also being hunted by Big Daddy (Cage) and his daughter, Hit-Girl (Moretz).

This one caught me completely by surprise.After looking at the previews I thought I knew exactly what I was going to see, a typical, utterly forgettable, teen romp. After all it had the faces I'd seen in those movies before. Boy, was I wrong. This is a well-paced, extremely violent, dark comedy that's one of the more entertaining films I've seen in some time. Cage is not the lead character; Johnson is, closely followed by 13-year-old (she was eleven when this was filmed) Chloe Moretz, who is absolutely astounding in her role as a well-trained killer with the face of an angel (I'm aware there must have been stunt doubles involved...but still!). She also has a real mouth on her and utters one vulgarity that will raise the hackles on some. Due to the level of violence, not everyone is going to like this. But, if violence, mayhem and vulgarity don't bother you much, and you appreciate well written, funny dialogue, this is one you don't want to miss. I guarantee you this is one they're going to be talking about Monday. See  it here.

DEATH AT A FUNERAL *½

Neil LaBute directed this Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Loretta Devine, Peter Dinklage, Ron Glass, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Martin Lawrence, James Marsden, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Columbus Short, Luke Wilson. Rated R for language, drug content and some sexual humor. Running time is one hour and thirty minutes.

A day in the life of an American family come together to put a beloved husband and father to rest. As mourners gather at the family home, shocking revelations, festering resentments, ugly threats, blackmail and a misdirected corpse unleash mayhem. This is an American remake of the hilarious 2007 Frank Oz British comedy.

If you have any interest in seeing the difference between really good comedy and what passes for it in America most of the time, compare this film with the 2007 original.  The difference is night and day even though the two share a screenwriter and an actor. The original featured  dry, understated British wit that was laugh-out-loud funny which has been replaced in this American version with the crude, vulgar and scatological action/dialogue that passes for humor so often of late. To me, this film was boring and mostly unfunny, not a description you'd want for a film that's supposed to be a comedy. If you're in the mood for a good laugh, rent the 2007 version and give this one a pass. See it here.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/16/2010

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Only two films this week. The first is a comedy based on the British film of the same name and the second is a action/mayhem pic based on a comic book. Younger patrons will do OK with the remake while an older crowd may find the comic book film surprisingly entertaining.

49 Death at a Funeral,

69 Kick-Ass

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  DEATH AT A FUNERAL and KICK-ASS will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).

Opening, 4/16/2010

For show times select a theatre in the Showing at: section at the end of each synopsis. Friday times appear starting Wednesdays.

DEATH AT A FUNERAL [R] 1 hr. 31 min.Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Loretta Devine, Peter Dinklage, Ron Glass, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Martin Lawrence, James Marsden, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Columbus Short, Luke Wilson. Plot: a day in the life of an American family come together to put a beloved husband and father to rest. As mourners gather at the family home, shocking revelations, festering resentments, ugly threats, blackmail and a misdirected corpse unleash mayhem. This is a remake of the hilarious 2007 Frank Oz British comedy. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

KICK-ASS [R] 1 hr. 58 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong, Chloe Moretz, Nicolas Cage. Plot: an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 4/15/2010

Derby Plaza - Hot Tub Time Machine
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Valentine's Day, Dr. Parnassus, The Blind Side
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th -Green Zone, She's Out Of My League
Warren Old Town - The Bounty Hunter
Warren West 21st - Avatar

DATE NIGHT **

 Shawn Levy directed this Comedy Watch Preview. Cast: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Leighton Meester, Common, Taraji Henson, Kristen Wiig, Ray Liotta, Mila Kunis, Mark Ruffalo, William Fichtner, Olivia Munn. Rated PG-13 for sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference. Running time is one hour and twenty-eight minutes.


A bored married couple's (Carell, Fey) date night is turned upside down - way upside down, when they're mistaken for another couple (Ruffalo, Kunis).

This film starts out with an interesting premise and a few laughs but doesn't maintain its opening quality and ends up a dud. The last half hour isn't funny at all. The actors are fine, it's the plot that lets them down. The most entertaining parts of the film are the out takes during the credits and at the very end, after the credits. Those will give you some idea how much improvisation was used during the filming. The supporting cast is good but this is Carell and Fey's film. They have good screen chemistry, it's just too bad they didn't get a script that enhanced it. See it here.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/9/2010

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 national critics seem to have liked DATE NIGHT a little better than I did. LETTERS TO GOD evidently wasn't screened for the critics but it wouldn't make any difference for a film of this type...whatever audience it gets won't be affected by critics. RUNAWAYS seems to be the winner this week, as long as you like their music.

58 Date Night,
xx Letters to God,

65 Runaways, The

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  DATE NIGHT will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).

Opening, 4/9/2010

For show times select a theatre in the Showing at: section at the end of each synopsis. Friday times appear starting Wednesdays.

DATE NIGHT [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Leighton Meester, Common, Taraji Henson, Kristen Wiig, Ray Liotta, Mila Kunis, Mark Ruffalo, William Fichtner, Olivia Munn. Plot: a run-of-the-mill married couple's date night is turned upside down - way upside down, when they're mistaken for another couple. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine,  Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

LETTERS TO GOD [PG] 1 hr. 54 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Ralph Waite, Bailee Madison, Maree Cheatham, Robyn Lively. Plot: the story of what happens when one boy's faith crosses paths with one man's search for meaning—resulting in a transformational journey that touches the lives of everyone around them. Read The Book. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

THE RUNAWAYS [R] 1 hr. 49 min. Biographical Music Drama Watch Preview Cast: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon, Danielle Riley Keough, Scout Taylor-Compton, Stella Maeve, Tatum O'Neal, Plot: story of the ground-breaking, all girl, teenage rock band of the 1970s: The Runaways. Get The Music. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 4/8/2010

Derby Plaza - Alice In Wonderland
Movie Machine - The Bounty Hunter
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Edge Of Darkness, Alvin & The Chipmunks, When In Rome
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th -Chloe, Shutter Island, Repo Man
Warren Old Town - Alice In Wonderland
Warren West 21st - She's Out Of My League, Remember Me, Shutter Island, Green Zone

CLASH OF THE TITANS 3D **

Louis Leterrier directed this Action/Fantasy Watch Preview Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Danny Huston, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, Jason Flemyng, Alexa Davalos, Izabella Miko, Nicholas Hoult, Pete Postlethwaite. Rated PG-13 for fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.

The ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between the gods themselves, Zeus (Neeson) and Hades (Fiennes) could destroy the world, especially when they face the son of Zeus, Perseus (Worthington).

Nothing much to get excited about here, no matter what all the TV advertising might indicate. This is the typical Gods vs. Humans sillyness Hollywood has been making for years. The animatronics have gotten better and this film is in 3D, but there's nothing here you'll be thinking about thirty minutes after you leave the theatre. The 3D is acceptable but certainly not state of the art. This was filmed in 2D and converted to 3D as an afterthought. The effect is there but nothing jumps out and grabs you. If you've got time on your hands and money to burn, go for it. If that's not the case, I'm sure something better is just around the corner. See  it in 2D.  See  it in 3D.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/2/2010

Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). I've seen the first two films and neither one is anything to lose sleep over. The Tyler Perry pic was evidently not screened for the national critics but there's really no reason to. He has an audience that will come to his films no matter what anyone says.

 

39 Clash of the Titans,
33 Last Song, The,

xx Why Did I Get Married Too

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  THE LAST SONG is already on site and CLASH OF THE TITANS will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).

THE LAST SONG *

Julie Anne Robinson directed this.Drama featuring: Miley Cyrus, Bobby Coleman, Liam Hemsworth, Hallock Beals, Nick Lashaway, Carly Chaikin, Nick Searcy, Kate Vernon, Kelly Preston, Greg Kinnear. Watch Preview   Rated PG for thematic material, some violence, sensuality and mild language.Running time is one hour and forty-seven minutes.

Based on best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks' novel, "The Last Song" is set in a small Southern beach town where an estranged father (Greg Kinnear) gets a chance to spend the summer with his reluctant teenaged daughter (Miley Cyrus), who'd rather be home in New York.

This will probably open well due to the teenage female audience it will attract. But the older you are, the sillier and stupider this film will seem. The plot never rings true and is about as emotionally manipulative as any I've seen in a long time. Compound that with the fact Cyrus is nowhere close to being a competent, believable actress and you get what was for me almost two hours of tedium. The boy who plays her brother, Coleman; her real life boyfriend as well as screen boyfriend, Hemsworth; and especially Kinnear, can simply act circles around her. There's nothing offensive in this film except for Cyrus' acting, but adults are going to find this a poor entertainment investment. See It Here.