Opening, 3/4/11

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

The Adjustment Bureau [PG-13] 1 hr. 46 min. Romance/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt. Plot: a politician discovers the relationship he's having with a ballerina is not supposed to be his future. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Beastly [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Fantasy/Romance Watch Preview Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris. Plot: an attractive, wealthy teenage boy is transformed into a hideous monster so he can find true love. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Rango [PG] 1 hr. 47 min. Animated/Adventure Watch Preview Voice of: Johnny Depp. Plot: a chameleon pretending to be a swashbuckling hero is forced to be one in order to protect a Western town. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Somewhere [R] 1 hr. 38 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning. Plot: a privileged Hollywood actor re-examines his lifestyle after his 11-year-old daughter drops in for an extended stay. Showing at: Warren East.

Take Me Home Tonight [R] 1 hr. 37 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler, Teresa Palmer. Plot: a college grad, his twin sister and their best friend ponder adulthood at a wild Labor Day weekend party. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving, 3/3/11

Derby Plaza - Big Momma's, Unknown, Justin Bieber
Movie Machine - Justin Bieber
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Megamind, The Tourist, Unstoppable
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th - The Roomate, No Strings Attached, Barney's Version
Warren Old Town - No Strings Attached, The Eagle, Big Momma's
Warren West 21st - Sanctum, No Strings Attached, The Roomate

Hall Pass **

Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly directed this Comedy. Watch Preview Cast: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Richard Jenkins, Christina Applegate, Alexandra Daddario, Stephen Merchant, Nicky Whelan, Larry Joe Campbell, Tyler Hoechlin. Rated R for crude and sexual humor throughout, language, some graphic nudity and drug use. Running time is one hour and forty-five minutes.

When two men (Owen Wilson, Jason Sudekis) begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives (Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate) take a bold approach to revitalizing their marriages: granting them a "hall pass," one week of freedom to do whatever they want...no questions asked.

I can see where a younger audience seeing this with a large number of others might find this very funny on multiple occasions. I basically watched it alone, however, and was mostly embarrassed for the two guys rather than finding their pathetic attempts to 'score' that funny. The cast is fine although I personally enjoyed Fischer and Applegate more than Wilson and Sudekis. The R rating is well deserved and I should probably point out there is some 'up close and personal' male nudity some might find offensive. The older you are the less you will be entertained by this one.

Worthwhile (or not), 2/25/2011

MetaCritic indicates RABBIT HOLE (76) is the highest rated film for the week (of course, virtually no one here will see it), followed by HALL PASS (49), THE GRACE CARD (47) and DRIVE ANGRY 3D (0) coming in last since there are so few reviews available. I watched HALL PASS but wasn't overly impressed, although younger viewers may find it more to their liking.  Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film. Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

My review of HALL PASS will be posted after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).

Opening, 2/25/11

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

Drive Angry 3D [R] 1 hr. 44 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Nicolas Cage, William Fichtner, Amber Heard, Billy Burke, Simona Williams, Katy Mixon. Plot: a hardened felon becomes hell bent on stopping a vicious cult of fanatics who murdered his daughter and plan on sacrificing his infant granddaughter beneath a full moon. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Grace Card [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom, Louis Gossett Jr., Joy Moore, Dawntoya Thomason, Rob Erickson, Cindy Hodge. Plot: when a man loses his son in an accident, years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God... and everyone else. Showing at:  Warren West.

Hall Pass [R] 1 hr. 48 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Richard Jenkins, Christina Applegate, Alexandra Daddario, Stephen Merchant, Nicky Whelan, Larry Joe Campbell, Tyler Hoechlin. Plot: when two men (Owen Wilson, Jason Sudekis) begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives (Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate) take a bold approach to revitalizing their marriages: granting them a "hall pass," one week of freedom to do whatever they want...no questions asked. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Rabbit Hole [PG-13] 1 hr. 32 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Tammy Blanchard, Miles Teller, Giancarlo Esposito, Jon Tenney, Patricia Kalember, Julie Lauren, Sandra Oh. Plot: a vivid, hopeful, honest and unexpectedly witty portrait of a family searching for what remains possible in the most impossible of all situations. Showing at:  Warren East.

Leaving, 2/24/11

Derby Plaza - The Roomate
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Faster, Due Date
Starlite Drive-In - Opens March 4
Warren East 13th - The Dilemma, Green Hornet, Sanctum
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - The Rite, The Mechanic, Green Hornet, Sanctum

I Am Number Four ***

D.J. Caruso directed this Sci-Fi/Thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Kevin Durand, Callan McAuliffe. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for language. Running time is one hour and fifty minutes.

An extraordinary teen (Alex Pettyfer) is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. He falls for a pretty high school girl (Dianna Agron) to the dismay of the man guarding him (Timothy Olyphant) Based on the book by Pittacus Lore.

Make no mistake, this film is aimed at a teen/twenty audience. Still, it's good Sci-Fi and I personally found it very enjoyable. Most of the cast is relatively unknown, unless you're a fan of GLEE (Agron), but there were no weak links as far as I'm concerned. There's a fair amount of action and some good CG effects and a plot that's realistic for a Sci-Fi film and reasonably fast paced so boredom is never a problem. The ending is clearly a lead-in to a sequel and I for one an hoping there will be one...I found this one to be that entertaining. Theatres/Times  Imax Times  

Unknown **

Jaume Collet-Serra directed this Thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz, Frank Langella. Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sexual content. Running time is one hour and fifty-three minutes.

Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity.

This is  a very entertaining film that will keep you involved throughout with the plot antics and numerous action sequences. It should have a higher rating but, to me, the ending was so ridiculous I couldn't bring myself to go any higher. If it isn't necessary to you that the plot resolution makes sense, this will provide a couple of hours of entertainment. Unfortunately, that isn't me so I recommend if you're going to see it, leave about five minutes before the film is over and make up your own ending...it will probably make more sense than the one you'll see if you stay. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 2/18/2011

MetaCritic indicates BARNEY'S VERSION (67) is the highest rated film for the week (of course, virtually no one here will see it), followed by UNKNOWN (57), I AM NUMBER FOUR (37) and BIG MOMMAS: LIKE FATHER LIKE SON (30) coming in last. I watched UNKNOWN and FOUR and liked the latter much better than did the national reviewers.  Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film. Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

My reviews of UNKNOWN and I AM NUMBER FOUR will be posted after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).

Opening, 2/18/11

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

Barney's Version [R] 2 hr. 12 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre, Scott Speedman, Bruce Greenwood. Plot: a seemingly ordinary man (Giamatti) lives an extraordinary life spaning three decades and two continents, and includes three wives, one outrageous father and a dangerously dissolute best friend. Based on the book by Mordecai Richler. Showing at: Warren East.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son [PG-13] 1 hr. 48 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas, Faizon Love, Emily Rios, Portia Doubleday, Michelle Ang. Plot: FBI Agent Turner is joined by his teenage stepson as they go undercover at an all-girls performing arts school after the boy witnesses a murder. Posing as Big Momma and as hefty coed Charmaine, they must find the murderer before he finds them. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

I Am Number Four [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Sci-Fi/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Kevin Durand, Callan McAuliffe. Plot: an extraordinary teen (Alex Pettyfer) is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Based on the book by Pittacus Lore. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Unknown [PG-13] 1 hr. 47 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz, Frank Langella. Plot: Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving, 2/17/11

Derby Plaza - King's Speech, Green Hornet, Sanctum
Movie Machine - Yogi Bear, Tangled
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - How Do You Know, Life As We Know It
Starlite Drive-In - Opens March 4
Warren East 13th - Another Year, Tangled, The Mechanic, The Rite, The Illusionist
Warren Old Town - The Roomate, Sanctum, The Mechanic, The Rite
Warren West 21st - 127 Hours, The Dilemma, Black Swan, The Fighter

Just Go With It *

Dennis Dugan directed this Romantic comedy. Watch Preview Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Brooklyn Decker, Dave Matthews, Bailee Madison. Rated PG-13 for frequent crude and sexual content, partial nudity, brief drug references and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-six minutes.

A plastic surgeon (Sandler), romances a much younger schoolteacher (Decker) and pays no romantic attention to his attractive assistant (Aniston).

An attractive cast is completely sabotaged by a very unattractive script. I've never found Sandler to be very amusing and he continues to be unamusing here. Aniston does well but continues to select films that just aren't very entertaining. Decker isn't a bad actress for a model and Kidman is fine, but what's she doing in this mess?  The pic is easily thirty minutes too long which exacerbates the lameness of the plot. No doubt this is supposed to be your Valentine movie but I don't think anyone's going to be in a very good mood after struggling through it. Your best bet is to see if Cactus Flower is on NetFlicks and watch it, since that s what this film is based on. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 2/11/2011

MetaCritic indicates THE ILLUSIONIST (83) is the highest rated film for the week (of course, virtually no one here will see it), followed by THE EAGLE (55), GNOMEO AND JULIET (53), JUSTIN BIEBER (50) and JUST GO WITH IT (33) coming in last (as well it should). Unfortunately, I saw the last one and you should definitely save your money.  Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film. Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

My reviews of JUST GO WITH IT will be posted after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).

Opening, 2/11/11

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

The Eagle [PG-13] 1 hr. 54 min. Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim. Plot: in 140 AD, two men - master (Tatum) and slave (Bell) - venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest for a golden eagle emblem. Showing at: Northrock 14 ?, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Gnomeo And Juliet [G] 1 hr. 24 min. Animated comedy Watch Preview Voices of: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Jason Statham, Patrick Stewart, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Matt Lucas, Jim Cummings, Julie Walters, Richard Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne, Dolly Parton, Hulk Hogan. Plot: Shakespeare's revered tale gets a comical, off-the-wall makeover showcasing both classic and original songs by Elton John.  Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14 ?, Warren East, Warren West.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never [G] 1 hr. 45 min. Music Watch Preview Cast: Justin Bieber. Plot: biopic that will include performances from his 2010 concert tour. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14 ?, Warren East, Warren West.

Just Go With It [PG-13] 1 hr. 57 min. Romantic comedy Watch Preview Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Brooklyn Decker, Dave Matthews, Bailee Madison. Plot: a plastic surgeon, romances a much younger schoolteacher. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14 ?, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Illusionist [PG] 1 hr. 20 min.Animated family drama Watch Preview Plot: a stage entertainer encounters an innocent young girl, who will change his life forever. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving, 2/10/11

Derby Plaza -No Strings Attached, The Rite, The Mechanic
Movie Machine - The Dilemma, Green Hornet, Narnia: Dawn Treader
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Get Low, Secretariat, Red
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for winter
Warren East 13th - Blue Valentine, Little Fockers, Yogi Bear, Tron Legacy, Harry Potter 7.1, Country Strong
Warren Old Town - The Dilemma
Warren West 21st - Tangled, The Way Back, Harry Potter 7.1, Little Fockers, Yogi Bear, Narnia: Dawn Treader

The Roommate *½

Christian E. Christiansen directed this Thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Leighton Meester, Minka Kelly, Cam Gigandet, Aly Michalka, Danneel Harris, Frances Fisher, Billy Zane. Rated PG-13 for violence and menace, sexual content, some language and teen partying. Running time is one hour and thirty-three minutes.

A deranged college freshman (Leighton Meester) becomes obsessed with her new roommate (Minka Kelly).

Take a couple of TV series actresses plus a paltry eight million dollars plus the basic plot of Single White Female and this is what you get. They've kept the rating at PG-13 so the intended audience of teens can legally attend but that means there's no nudity, not much profanity and not a lot of thrills, either. The production values are fine and the cast does what it can with the plot but this is basically a TV movie of the week with a theatrical release. If you're a fan of the leads, they don't embarrass themselves so you may enjoy this one. Otherwise, save your money.

Sanctum **

Alister Grierson directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Richard Roxburgh, Rhys Wakefield, Ioan Gruffudd, Alice Parkinson, Dan Wyllie. Rated R for language, some violence and disturbing images. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.

A team of underwater cave divers goes on a treacherous expedition to the largest, most beautiful and least accessible cave system on Earth. When a tropical storm forces them deep into the caverns, they must fight raging water, deadly terrain and creeping panic as they search for an unknown escape route to the sea.

I saw this film in IMAX 3D so my review is predicated on that. If you're looking for a couple of hours of enjoyable escapism, give this film a wide berth. There's nothing enjoyable about it and I kept looking at my watch hoping it would soon be over. In the trade, this is known as a downer...there's not a happy moment in this film. Also, if you're the least bit claustrophobic, don't even think about going to this...you'll never last. There is some stunning photography and this is easily the best 3D I've ever seen. Everything looked natural and the glasses never got tiring, which is unusual for me. But unless you're going for the ultimate 3D or you're a spelunker at heart, there's just nothing here for the usual moviegoer.

Worthwhile (or not), 2/4/2011

MetaCritic indicates ANOTHER YEAR (80) is the highest rated film for the week, followed by SANCTUM (42) and THE ROOMATE (0) coming in last as it evidently wasn't screened. I saw the last two and think neither one is worth the time or money.  Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film. Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

My reviews of SANCTUM and THE ROOMATE will be posted after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).