Opening 11/4/11

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.

Margin Call [R] 1 hr. 46 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci. Plot: set in the high-stakes world of the financial industry, the key players at an investment firm scramble to save their company during one perilous 24-hour period in the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. Showing at:  Warren East.

Tower Heist [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Action comedy Watch Preview Cast: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Téa Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Casey Affleck, Stephen Henderson, Judd Hirsch, Michael Pena, Alan Alda. Plot: after the workers at a luxury Central Park condominium discover the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement, they plot the ultimate revenge: a heist to reclaim what he took from them. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

A Very Harold And Kumar 3D Christmas [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garcés, Danneel Harris, Tom Lennon, Danny Trejo, Elias Koteas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, David Krumholtz, Patton Oswalt, Neil Patrick Harris. Plot: after six years of growing apart, Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) have replaced each other with new friends and are preparing for their respective Yuletide celebrations. but reluctantly embark on another ill-advised journey through New York City. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 11/3/11

Derby Plaza - Footloose, Real Steel, The Three Musketeers
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Shark Night, Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark, Straw Dogs
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - The Mighty Macs, The Thing, The Big Year, Johnny English Reborn
Warren Old Town - The Three Musketeers, Real Steel
Warren West 21st - The Mighty Macs, The Big Year, The Thing, The Ides Of March, Johnny English Reborn

In Time **½

Andrew Niccol directed this Sci-Fi Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Galecki. Rated PG-13 for violence, some sexualty and partial nudity, and strong language. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.

In a future where time is literally money, the only way to stay alive is to earn, steal, or inherit more time. A man (Timberlake) lives life a minute at a time, until a windfall of time gives him access to the world of the wealthy, where he teams up with a beautiful young heiress (Seyfried) to destroy the corrupt system, while being relentlessly chased by a Time Keeper (Murphy).

Once you get past the silliness of the plot, this is a reasonably entertaining film. Timberlake is OK although not yet a top class actor. Seyfried is fine and Murphy is intently menacing. The story moves right along and there  are few slow spots. Though futuristic, there are no obvious cgi effects although the film does make it seem like all vehicles are battery powered. Since in this future, all currency is time, it's interesting to see how the dialogue about people having too little or too much time mirrors our current dialogues about wealth and poverty. This is not a memorable film but it will pass the time for sci-fi or Timberlake fans.

A larger screen will add to the film's impact. There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 10/28/11

MetaCritic indicates THE WAY (65) is the best of the new films this week, followed by PUSS IN BOOTS (63), IN TIME (61) and in last place, THE RUM DIARY (58). I've seen one of these and found it enjoyable. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My review of IN TIME (**½) will be available today (Friday) at 4:30 p.m. If you can't wait that long for reviews, see the reviews below.

Variety review of PUSS IN BOOTS.
USA Today review of THE RUM DIARY.
Chicago Tribune review of IN TIME.
Roger Moore review of THE WAY.

Opening 10/28/11

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.

In Time [PG-13] 1 hr.50 Min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Galecki. Plot: in a future where time is literally money, the only way to stay alive is to earn, steal, or inherit more time. A man (Timberlake) lives life a minute at a time, until a windfall of time gives him access to the world of the wealthy, where he teams up with a beautiful young heiress (Seyfried) to destroy the corrupt system. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Puss in Boots 2D, 3D, IMAX 3D [PG] Animated Watch Preview Voices: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris. Plot: the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend... The Boots. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Rum Diary [R] 2 hrs. 02 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Richard Jenkins, Giovanni Ribisi, Marshall Bell. Plot: based on the debut novel by Hunter S. Thompson, "The Rum Diary" tells the increasingly unhinged story of an itinerant journalist (Johnny Depp). Showing at: Northrock 14?, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Way [R] 2 hrs. 01 min Drama Watch Preview Cast: Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Yorick van Wageningen, Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt. Plot: an American doctor (Sheen) comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son, killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 10/27/11

Derby Plaza - The Thing, Dolphin Tale, The  Big Year
Movie Machine - The Thing, Dolphin Tale
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Colombiana, Fright Night, Zookeeper, Harry Potter 7.2
Starlite Drive-In - LAST WEEKEND FOR THE SEASON
Warren East 13th - Contagion, The Thing, The Lion King,  Abduction, Dream House
Warren Old Town - Footloose, Moneyball, The Thing
Warren West 21st - The Thing, The Help, Contagion, Abduction

The Three Musketeers 2D, 3D **½

Paul W.S. Anderson directed this Action film. Watch Preview Cast: Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Mads Mikkelsen, Gabriella Wilde, Juno Temple, Orlando Bloom, Christoph Waltz. Rated PG-13 for sequences of adventure action violence. Running time is one hour and fifty minutes.

Hot-headed young D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman) joins forces with three rogue Musketeers (Matthew MacFadyen, Luke Evans and Ray Stevenson) to must stop the evil Richelieu (Christoph Waltz) and face off with Buckingham (Orlando Bloom) and the treacherous Milady (Milla Jovovich).

I had an enjoyable time watching this film. But,  make no mistake, this is no classic. I'm betting you'll have forgotten about this one ten minutes after you leave the theatre, but there's a good chance you'll have fun while you're there. This plays more like a rollicking light comedy than a serious drama. There's plenty of swashbuckling action but it's always the tongue-in-cheek kind rather than the blood and guts type. I watched the 3D version since this was actually filmed in that process rather than being converted from 2D. You can easily tell the difference and if you enjoy the 3D experience this is worth the extra money for a change. I didn't see or hear anything really offensive and would have no problem taking any of my grandchildren to see it. This should also make a good date or couples movie.

There are no additional scenes once the credits start. A large theatre will add to your enjoyment. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D  Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 10/21/11

MetaCritic indicates PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 (61) is the best of the new films this week, followed by THE MIGHTY MACS (45), JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN (44) and in last place, THE THREE MUSKETEERS (34). I've seen one of these and found it enjoyable if not memorable . Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My review of  THE THREE MUSKETEERS (**½)  will be available today (Friday) at 4:30 p.m. If you can't wait that long for reviews, see the reviews below.

Boxoffice Magazine review of  JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN.
Roger Ebert review of THE MIGHTY MACS.
USA Today review of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3.
Empire Magazine review of THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

Opening 10/21/11

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.

Johnny English Reborn [PG] 1 hr. 42 min. Comedy/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson, Dominic West, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Kaluuya. Plot: the most unlikely intelligence officer in Her Majesty's Secret Service (Atkinson) must stop a group of international assassins before they eliminate a world leader and cause global chaos. Showing at:  Warren East, Warren West.

The  Mighty Macs [G] 1 hr. 50 min. Sports Drama Watch  Preview Cast: Carla Gugino, David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton, Ellen Burstyn. Plot: hired as the coach of tiny Immaculata College, a woman's (Gugino)  challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams her Macs will face. There is no gymnasium, no fan support, and no money. To top it off, she may not even have enough players for a team! Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East,  Warren West.

Paranormal Activity 3 [PG-13] 1 hr. 24  min.  Supernatural Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Katie Featherston, Sprague Grayden, Lauren Bittner. Plot: in 1988, two young sisters (Featherston, Grayden)  befriend an invisible entity who inhabits their home. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Three Musketeers 2D, 3D [PG-13] 1 hr. 51  min.  Action Watch Preview Cast: Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Mads Mikkelsen, Gabriella Wilde, Juno Temple, Orlando Bloom, Christoph Waltz. Plot: hot-headed young D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman) joins forces with three rogue Musketeers (Matthew MacFadyen, Luke Evans and Ray Stevenson) to must stop the evil Richelieu (Christoph Waltz) and face off with Buckingham (Orlando Bloom) and the treacherous Milady (Milla Jovovich).  Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 10/20/11

Derby Plaza -  Moneyball, Dream House

Movie Machine - Moneyball

Northrock 14 -

Palace West - 30 Minutes Or Less, Spy Kids 4, Cowboys & Aliens

Starlite Drive-In - open weekends only

Warren East 13th - Drive, The Help, Killer Elite, Higher Ground

Warren Old Town - What's Your Number, Dream House, 50/50

Warren West 21st - What's Your Number, Killer Elite, The  Lion King, Dream House, Abduction

Footloose ***

Craig Brewer wrote and directed this Musical. Watch Preview. Cast:Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Andie MacDowell, Dennis Quaid, Miles Teller. Rated PG-13 for some teen drug and alcohol use, sexual content, violence and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-three minutes.

Delivers a new take of the 1984 classic film. A newcomer (Kenny Wormald) challenges a town's ban on loud music and dancing, revitalizing the town and falling in love with the minister's troubled daughter (Julianne Hough) in the process.

Fans of the original will probably see no reason to watch this new version but for the younger crowd it does use a new cast  of fresh faces to tell the same basic story. Wormald is fine and Hough is very good. She appears to have a  bright future in the movies as well as her singing and dancing careers. The pacing is fine and there are no particularly slow parts. The music and dance routines are just what you'd expect and  were  very enjoyable.

The size of the auditorium is not important for this film. There are no additional scenes once the end credits begin. Theatres/Times.

The Thing **½

Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. directed this Thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Jonathan Lloyd Walker, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Eric Olsen, Ulrich Thomsen, Paul Braunstein, Trond Espen Selm, Jorgen Langhelle. Rated R for strong creature violence and gore, disturbing images, and language. Running time is one hour and forty-three minutes.

A Norwegian scientific team stumbles across an extraterrestrial ship buried in the ice and discovers an organism that seems to have died in the crash eons ago. When a simple experiment frees the alien from its frozen prison, a paleontologist (Winstead) must join the crew's pilot (Edgerton) to keep it from killing them off one at a time. Serves as a prelude to John Carpenter's classic 1982 film of the same name.

Featuring a cast of relative unknowns, this film depends on cgi effects to keep you involved. That worked pretty well for me. This is a film you'll forget about shortly after leaving but it does keep you interested while it's showing. The cgi effects are pretty gross at times so those with weak stomachs may not want to watch. I don't know that we needed a prequel to the Carpenter film but sci-fi/thriller fans should find this acceptable.

A large screen will add to the film's impact as will the screaming of a large audience. Don't be in a rush to leave when the credits start, there are several action sequences mixed into those credits. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 10/14/11

MetaCritic indicates HIGHER GROUND (74) is the best of the new films this week, followed by FOOTLOOSE (58), THE BIG YEAR (54) and in last place, THE THING (48). I've seen two of these and found both to be entertaining. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My reviews of FOOTLOOSE (***) and THE THING (** ½) will be available today (Friday) at 4:30 p.m. If you can't wait that long for reviews, see the reviews below.

Washington Post review of THE BIG YEAR.
Miami Hearld review of FOOTLOOSE.

Roger Moore review of HIGHER GROUND.
Roger Ebert review of THE THING.

Opening 10/14/11

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 Big Year [PG] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Steve Martin, Jack Black, Owen Wilson, Brian Dennehy, Rashida Jones, Rosamund Pike, Dianne Wiest. Plot: three friendly rivals, tired of being ruled by obligations and responsibilities, dedicate a year of their lives to following their dreams. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Footloose [PG-13] 1 hr. 43 min. Musical Watch Preview Cast: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Andie MacDowell, Dennis Quaid, Miles Teller. Plot: delivers a new take of the 1984 classic film. A newcomer (Kenny Wormald) challenges a town's ban on loud music and dancing, revitalizing the town and falling in love with the minister's troubled daughter (Julianne Hough) in the process. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Higher Ground [R] 1 hr. 51 min. Religious Drama Watch Preview Cast: Vera Farmiga, Joshua Leonard, Bill Irwin, Donna Murphy, Norbert Leo Butz, John Hawkes, Dagamara Dominczyk, Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Plot: a study of one woman's internal struggle with the primary love relationships in her life. Showing at: Warren East.

The Thing [R] 1 hr. 43 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Jonathan Lloyd Walker, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Eric Olsen, Ulrich Thomsen, Paul Braunstein, Trond Espen Selm, Jorgen Langhelle. Plot: a Norwegian scientific team stumbles across an extraterrestrial ship buried in the ice and discovers an organism that seems to have died in the crash eons ago. When a simple experiment frees the alien from its frozen prison, a paleontologist (Winstead)  must join the crew's pilot (Edgerton) to keep it from killing them off one at a time. Serves as a prelude to John Carpenter's classic 1982 film of the same name. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 10/13/11

Derby Plaza - What's Your Number, The Lion King, Abduction

Movie Machine - Abduction,  Contagion, What's Your Number

Northrock 14 -

Palace West - Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

Starlite Drive-In - open weekends only

Warren East 13th - Restless, What's Your Number, The Guard, Sarah's Key

Warren Old Town - Killer Elite

Warren West 21st - Drive, The Lion King

The Ides Of March ***½

George Clooney wrote, produced and directed this Political Drama. Watch Preview. Cast:Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Wright, Max Minghella, Evan Rachel Wood. Rated R for pervasive language. Running time is one hour and forty-one minutes.

An up-and-coming campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's (George Clooney) shot at the presidency.

There are so many things right about this film. The cast is first rate, the plot is interesting and keeps you involved, the pacing is great, and the ending will give you something to think/talk about after you leave the theatre. I'm going to be really surprised if this isn't up for several Academy Awards. This is one you really  shouldn't miss.

The size of the theatre will make no difference in your enjoyment. There are no further scenes once the credits start.  Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 10/7/11

MetaCritic indicates THE IDES OF MARCH (67) is the best of the new films this week, followed by REAL STEEL (59), and in last place, RESTLESS (47). I've seen one of these and found it to be very good. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My review of THE IDES OF MARCH (***½)  will be available today (Friday) at 4:30 p.m. If you can't wait that long for reviews, see the reviews below.

Roger Ebert review of The Ides Of March.
Los Angeles Times review of  Real Steel.
Entertainment Weekly review of Restless.

Opening 10/7/11

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 Ides Of March [R] 1 hr. 41 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Wright, Max Minghella, Evan Rachel Wood. Plot:  an up-and-coming campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's (George Clooney) shot at the presidency.  Showing at:  Warren East, Warren West.

Real Steel 2D & IMAX [PG-13] 2 hrs. 7 min. Action/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand. Plot: set in the near-future, where the sport of boxing has gone hi-tech, a father (Hugh Jackman) teams up with his estranged son (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship robot contender. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Restless [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Henry Hopper, Ryo Kase, Schuyler Fisk, Jane Adams. Plot:  two outsiders, both shaped by the circumstances that have brought them together, forge a deep and lasting love. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 10/6/11

Derby Plaza - Contagion

Movie Machine - nothing

Northrock 14 -

Palace West - Friends With Benefits, Conan The Barbarian, Final Destination 5, Horrible Bosses

Starlite Drive-In - open weekends only

Warren East 13th - Crazy-Stupid-Love, Straw Dogs, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, I Don't Know How  She Does It

Warren Old Town - Abduction

Warren West 21st - Seven Days In Utopia