Fast Five ***½

Justin Lin directed this Action film. Watch Preview Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Matt Schulze, Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Elsa Pataky, Joaquim de Almeida, Dwayne Johnson. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, sexual content and language. Running time is two hours and ten minutes.

Since Brian (Walker) and Mia (Brewster) broke Dom (Diesel) out of custody, they've blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom.

 This is not the type of picture to which I'd normally give a high rating but if you're an action fan it's hard to imagine how you're going to get better than this. Oh, the plot's not much to write about and it's fairly obvious how it's all going to end, but the action starts right at the beginning and never quits until the final moments. The cast is just right although Diesel, Walker and Johnson carry the biggest load. I saw the IMAX version and it's easily the best film in that process I've seen. It's really strange it will only be shown for one week here in the IMAX format (THOR opens in one week) since it has the potential to be a real audience pleaser, which is something IMAX hasn't enjoyed as of late. Don't be in too much of a hurry to leave when the credits start, there's a teaser about the next film in the series about half way through. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.

Kill The Irishman **

Jonathan Hensleigh co-wrote and directed this Crime drama. Watch Preview Cast: Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Paul Sorvino, Fionnula Flanagan, Laura Ramsey, Steve Schirripa, Linda Cardellini, Bob Gunton, Jason Butler Harner, Robert Davi. Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexual content/nudity. Running time is one hour and forty-six minutes.

Over the summer of 1976, thirty-six bombs detonate in the heart of Cleveland while a turf war raged between Irish mobster Danny Greene (Stevenson) and the Italian mafia. Based on a true story about Greene's rise from a tough Cleveland neighborhood to become an enforcer in the local mob.

This pic was completed and shown at the American Film Festival back in 2009. It was released in Europe last year and is just now being released here. I'm guessing the film company couldn't figure out how to sell it so they changed the title (from Bulletproof Gangster) and are now throwing it at the wall. I don't think it's going to stick. The cast is competent even though they're all from the B list but the fact they decided to authenticate the story by using TV clips from the era forced them to match the film quality to that TV footage, making for a dated looking drama. Frankly, it's  better suited for the History Channel than the big screen. The story is interesting enough and the pace is fine but this is a forty-year-old story about a thug and mobster no one remembers so I can't imagine there will be any "must see" demand. Even if you have pics of mobsters on your living room wall and carry an image of your favorite in your wallet, don't wait to buy your ticket...this won't be here long.Theatre/Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/29/2011

MetaCritic indicates FAST FIVE (73) is the highest rated film for the week, followed by PROM (52), KILL THE IRISHMAN (50), HOODWINKED TOO (24) with DYLAN DOG receiving no rating, due probably to not being screened. I watched two of these films this week, one of which was very entertaining.  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 FAST FIVE (***½) and KILL THE IRISHMAN (**) will be available after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).

Opening, 4/29/11

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.

Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night [PG-13] 1 hr. 47 min. Comedy/Horror Watch Preview Cast: Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington, Anita Briem, Peter Stormare, Taye Diggs. Plot: based on one of the world's most popular comics (60 million copies worldwide). A world famous private investigator (Routh) specializes in affairs of the undead. His PI business card reads "No Pulse? No Problem." Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town.

Fast Five [PG-13] 2 hrs. 10 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Matt Schulze, Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Elsa Pataky, Joaquim de Almeida, Dwayne Johnson. Plot: since Brian (Walker) and Mia (Brewster) broke Dom (Diesel) out of custody, they've blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood Vs. Evil [PG] 1 hr. 25 min. Animated/Family Watch Preview Voices of: Hayden Panettiere, Glenn Close, Joan Cusack, Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, David Alan Grier, Andy Dick, Brad Garrett, Martin Short, Patrick Warburton, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong. Plot: the sequel finds Red (Panettiere), training with a mysterious covert group called the Sisters of the Hood, forced to cut her training short when she gets an urgent call from Nicky Flippers (Stiers), who returns as head of the super-secret Happily Ever After Agency, aka the HEA. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Kill The Irishman [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Crime drama Watch Preview Cast: Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Paul Sorvino, Fionnula Flanagan, Laura Ramsey, Steve Schirripa, Linda Cardellini, Bob Gunton, Jason Butler Harner, Robert Davi. Plot: over the summer of 1976, thirty-six bombs detonate in the heart of Cleveland while a turf war raged between Irish mobster Danny Greene (Stevenson) and the Italian mafia. Based on a true story about Greene's rise from a tough Cleveland neighborhood to become an enforcer in the local mob. Showing at:  Warren East.

Prom [PG] 1 hr. 43 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Aimee Teegarden, Thomas McDonell, Danielle Campbell, Yin Chang, Kylie Bunbury, Nicholas Braun, Jared Kusnitz, Jonathan Keltz, De’Vaughn Nixon, Nolan Sotillo, Cameron Monaghan­, Joe Adler, Janelle Ortiz, Raini Rodriguez. Plot: portrays the precarious passage from high school to independence as some relationships unravel and others ignite as the big dance approaches. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving, 4/28/11

Derby Plaza - Scream 4, Arthur, Insidious
Movie Machine - Scream 4, Arthur, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Source Code
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Justin Bieber, Unknown, Hall Pass
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th - Win Win, Jane Eyre, Your Highness, Scream 4
Warren Old Town - Scream 4, Arthur
Warren West 21st - Your Highness, Born To Be Wild, Harry Potter 7.1, Avatar, Arthur

Water For Elephants ***

Francis Lawrence directed this Romance/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook. Rated  PG-13 for moments of intense violence and sexual content. Running time is two hours.

A penniless and recently-orphaned veterinary school student (Pattinson), parlays his expertise with animals into a job with a second-rate traveling circus and falls in love with the wife (Witherspoon) of the charismatic but unbalanced circus boss (Waltz). Based on the novel by Sara Gruen.

Romance dramas are not high on my "must see" movie list because they're usually unrealistic and sappy. Still, as romance dramas go, this was better than expected. The love story has been well balanced with the circus drama, and the pacing keeps things moving right along. I found the time passed fairly quickly for a two hour film. I saw where many who had read the novel thought the film would receive an R but the sexual content is reasonably subdued and the violence is mostly implied and not visually dwelt upon. Witherspoon and Pattinson are fine in their roles but Waltz is clearly the best actor of the leads. Holbrook plays the older Pattinson role at the start and finish of the film. The target audience is women 18-49 so this should make a good date movie.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/22/2011

MetaCritic indicates AFRICAN CATS (62) is the highest rated film for the week, followed by WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (53), with the Tyler Perry film receiving no rating, due probably to not being screened. I watched one of these films this week and think it will be a passable date movie.  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 WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (***) will be available after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).

Opening, 4/22/11

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.

African Cats [G] 1 hr. 29 min. True life adventure Watch Preview Narrated by: Samuel L. Jackson. Plot: captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Showing at:  Warren East,  Warren West.

Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Tyler Perry, Loretta Devine, Shad "Bow Wow" Moss, David Mann, Cassi Davis, Tamela Brown Mann, Lauren London, Isaiah Mustafa, Rodney Perry, Shannon Kane, Teyana Taylor, Natalie Desselle Reid. Plot: everyone's favorite wise-cracking, take-no-prisoners grandma, jumps into action when her niece receives distressing news about her health. Showing at:  Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Water For Elephants [PG-13] 2 hrs. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz. Plot: a penniless and recently-orphaned veterinary school student, parlays his expertise with animals into a job with a second-rate traveling circus and falls in love with the wife of the charismatic but unbalanced circus boss. Based on the novel by Sara Gruen. Showing at: Derby Plaza,  Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Avatar and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 are also being rereleased  on the Warren West 21st IMAX screen.

Leaving, 4/21/11

Derby Plaza - Source Code
Movie Machine -nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West -Drive Angry, True Grit, Green Hornet, Tangled, Big Momma's
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th -Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Company Men
Warren Old Town - The Lincoln Lawyer, Insidious
Warren West 21st -Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, The Adjustment Bureau, Sucker Punch, Battle For L.A.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/15/2011

MetaCritic indicates WIN WIN (75) is the highest rated film for the week, followed by RIO  (66), THE CONSPIRATOR (54), SCREAM 4 (52) and ATLAS SHRUGGED (27). Due to a couple of doctor's appointments, finalizing tax returns, and to be frank, an almost complete lack of interest in this week's offerings, I didn't watch anything this week.  Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

Opening, 4/15/11

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.

Atlas Shrugged, Part 1 [PG-13] 1 hr. 42 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia, Michael Lerner. Plot: based on the Ayn Rand 1957 novel. Showing at:  Warren East.

The Conspirator [PG-13] 2 hrs. Drama Watch Preview Cast: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Justin Long, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, Kevin Kline, Alexis Bledel, Toby Kebbell, Danny Huston, Johnny Simmons, Stephen Root. Plot: a period drama based on true events following the assassination of President Lincoln. Showing at:   Warren East, Warren West.

Rio [G] 1 hr. 36 min. Animated comedy Watch Preview Voices: Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, George Lopez, Tracy Morgan, Jemaine Clement, Leslie Mann, will.i.am, Jamie Foxx. Plot: a rare macaw who thinks he is the last of his kind discovers there's another — and that she's a she — and so leaves the comforts of his cage in small town Minnesota and heads to Rio to find her. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14 ?, Warren East, Warren West.

Scream 4 [R] 1 hr. 52 min. Horror/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Marielle Jaffe, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella, Erik Knudsen, Marley Shelton, Anthony Anderson, Adam Brody, Alison Brie, Mary McDonnell, Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, Brittany Roberts. Plot: the author (Neve Campbell) of a self-help book, returns home on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey (David Arquette) and Gale (Courteney Cox), who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill (Emma Roberts) and her Aunt Kate (Mary McDonnell). Unfortunately, her appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14 ?, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Win Win [R] 1 hr. 46 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Melanie Lynskey, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Alex Shaffer. Plot: a struggling attorney (Paul Giamatti), who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach, becomes legal guardian of an elderly client in an attempt to help keep his practice afloat. When the client's teenage grandson runs away from home and shows up on his grandfather's doorstep, the attorney's family life and wrestling team are turned upside down. Showing at:  Warren East.

Leaving, 4/14/11

Derby Plaza - Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, The Lincoln Lawyer
Movie Machine - Rango, Sucker Punch
Northrock 14 -
Palace West -Take Me Home Tonight, Yogi Bear, The Roommate
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th -The King's Speech, Sucker Punch, Rango, Paul, The Adjustment Bureau, Battle: Los Angeles
Warren Old Town -nothing
Warren West 21st -Beastly, Red Riding Hood, Rango

Arthur **

Jason Winer directed this Romance/Comedy. Watch Preview Cast: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Garner. Rated PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references. Running time is one hour and fifty minutes.

Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge--choosing between an arranged marriage(to Jennifer Garner) that will ensure his lavish lifestyle, or an uncertain future with the one thing money can't buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved.

I had high hopes for this film but was ultimately disappointed. It has a big, big problem for a comedy...it's just not very funny. Oh, there are numerous quips and one liners that Brand is very good at giving, and the cast is excellent, but the plot itself isn't going to cause you to guffaw...not even a little. It will make a good date movie for those who aren't too discerning, but most will be wise to wait for the one dollar DVD rental Theatres/Times.

Hanna **½

Joe Wright directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana, Jason Flemyng, Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual material and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-one minutes.

Raised by her father (Eric Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland, Hanna's (Saoirse Ronan) upbringing and training have been all geared to making her the perfect assassin.

I found this interesting while watching with good pacing and compelling acting, especially from Ronan and Blanchett. Unfortunately, the plot path is pretty short and when I reached the end of the film my response was, "is that all there is?" If this is meant to be the first film in a series, then all well and good. Hanna's character has been established and she's ready to make her way in the world. But, if this is a single film, I think you'll leave it feeling unsatisfied. No special big screen effects so see this one wherever it makes most sense for you to do so. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/8/2011

MetaCritic indicates JANE EYRE (77) is the highest rated film for the week, followed by HANNA  (67), SOUL SURFER (54), ARTHUR (39) and YOUR HIGHNESS (33). I saw two of them this week and and thought both were all right but certainly not exceptional.  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 HANNA (**½) and ARTHUR (**) will be posted after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).

Opening, 4/8/11

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.

Arthur [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Romance/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Garner. Plot: irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge--choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle, or an uncertain future with the one thing money can't buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Hanna [PG-13] 1 hr. 51 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana, Jason Flemyng, Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams. Plot: raised by her father (Eric Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland, Hanna's (Saoirse Ronan) upbringing and training have been all geared to making her the perfect assassin. Showing at:  Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Jane Eyre [PG-13] 2 hrs. Romance/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Holliday Grainger, Sally Hawkins, Tamzin Merchant, Imogen Poots, Judi Dench. Plot: romantic drama based on Charlotte Brontë's classic novel. Showing at:  Warren East.

Soul Surfer [PG] 1 hr. 46 min. Biographical drama Watch Preview Cast: Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb, Carrie Underwood, Lorraine Nicholson, Kevin Sorbo, Jeremy Sumpter. Plot: the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith. Showing at: Derby Plaza,  Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Your Highness [R] 1 hr. 42 min. Adventure/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux, Toby Jones, Damian Lewis. Plot: two princes (McBride, Franco) on a daring mission to save their land, must rescue the heir apparent's fiancée (Deschanel) before their kingdom is destroyed. Showing at:   Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving, 4/7/11

Derby Plaza - Sucker Punch, Rango
Movie Machine -nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West -The Eagle, Black Swan, No Strings Attached
Starlite Drive-In - Open weekends only
Warren East 13th -Mars Needs Moms, Just Go With It, Gnomeo & Juliet, Hall Pass, Beastly, Unknown, Red Riding Hood
Warren Old Town -Sucker Punch, Limitless, Paul
Warren West 21st -Mars Needs Moms, The Grace Card, Hall Pass

The Company Men ***

John Wells directed this Drama. Watch Preview Cast: Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Rosemarie DeWitt, Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson. Rated R for language and brief nudity. Running time is one hour and forty-four minutes.

When corporate downsizing leaves three men (Affleck, Cooper and Jones) jobless, they are forced to re-define their lives as men, husbands, and fathers.

It's hard to imagine you can have a film with a quality cast and timely story and not have a commercial success, but such is showbiz these days. This has been sitting on a shelf for a year as the film company couldn't figure out how to draw an audience for it. The cast is absolutely first class and the story is based on the company downsizing we've grown used to seeing as a result of Wall Street greed. It holds your attention throughout and you feel as if you've seen a very good film when it's over. But, I've been in the business long enough to know you won't have any trouble finding a seat in the couple of weeks it will be here. Go figure! Theatre/Times.

Source Code ***

Duncan Jones directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright. Rated PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language. Running time is one hour and thirty-three minutes.

A decorated soldier (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. A military officer (Farmiga) tries to talk him through the mission while he becomes increasingly concerned about saving the life of a fellow passenger (Monaghan).

Since the plot is supposedly based on manipulating quantum mechanics it's hard to determine whether or not any of it could actually happen. Throw that little problem aside, however, and you have a plot that moves right along with very competent and likeable actors and wraps up in the magic time of an hour and a half. There's plenty of action, several explosions and a budding romance which makes this the ideal date movie for almost any age group. Any size auditorium will be fine and this should also work well as a DVD. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 4/1/2011

MetaCritic indicates SOURCE CODE (74) is the highest rated film for the week, followed by THE COMPANY MEN (69), INSIDIOUS (53) and HOP (41). I saw two of them this week and and agree both were excellent.  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 SOURCE CODE (***) and THE COMPANY MEN (***) will be posted after 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).