Opening 12/30/2011

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.

Nothing new opening this week. What you see is what you've got!

Leaving 12/29/2011

Derby Plaza - nothing
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Tower Heist
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - nothing

War Horse ***

Steven Spielberg directed this Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Kebbell. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of war violence. Running time is two hours and twenty-six minutes.

About the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert (Irvine), who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through WWI, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets.

This is obviously aimed at the family Christmas crowd and for the most part it succeeds. I wonder how smaller children will respond to the war scenes which at times are fairly intense, although nothing like Saving Private Ryan. In my estimation the film could just have easily been told in a shorter time but perhaps patrons feel like they're getting their moneys worth when it's this long. The only continuing link throughout is the horse, as he goes back and forth between the British and German armies depending on the circumstances at the time, with the human characters changing accordingly. Horse lovers and families will enjoy this the most. Fans of Gone With The Wind should appreciate the homage Spielberg makes at the end of the film. I doubt younger audiences will notice it.

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

The Darkest Hour 2D/3D *½

Chris Gorak directed thisSci-Fi film. Watch Preview. Cast: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor, Joel Kinnaman. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and some language. Running time is one hour thirty-nine minutes.

The story of five young people who find themselves stranded in Moscow, fighting to survive in the wake of a devastating alien attack.

I like sci-fi and this was OK, but it's not something I recommend spending your money on. The production values are fine, the film looks polished, but the plot is such you never really care what happens to the cast. I watched this with a younger crowd and none of them liked it. I doubt many of the older generations are going to be interested so I figure this film will be gone before many realize it was even here. It was filmed in Russia and in Berlin and has a definite European feel, which many find oft putting. I saw the 2D version so I can't tell you about the quality of the 3D.

The size of the screen will have no impact on your enjoyability. There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. 3D  Theatres/Times. 2D Theatres/Times.

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo ***½

David Fincher directed this Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, Joely Richardson. Rated R for brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language. Running time is two hours and thirty-eight minutes.

Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in The Millennium Trilogy, which altogether have sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide
phenomenon. An investigative journalist (Craig) is hired to discover who killed a young girl decades earlier and is aided by a brilliant but troubled assistant (Rooney).

I really liked the 2009 Swedish version of this film so I was initially somewhat ambivalent about this version. As far as I'm concerned, this one is even better than the first, although there are some significant differences. Craig seems more realistic an an investigative journalist but I enjoyed Rapace more as Lisbeth. I don't think that's Mara's fault, rather her character has been changed this time around and I liked her better as she was before. The rest of the cast is first rate and the production values are top notch. I normally get restless in a film of this length but Fincher kept me intrigued throughout, no mean feat considering I already knew the plot. I  think that's because this isn't a remake of the original film but rather a revisualization of the novel, resulting in a somewhat different plot. Those who thought the original film was too sexually violent should know this one is slightly more graphic, although it didn't seem gratuitous to me. This is an extremely well made film although perhaps too dark for some during this season.

A large screen will be advantageous in appreciating the outdoor scenes although not imperative. There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Theatres/Times.

Opening 12/21-25/2011

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.

Opening  Wednesday 12/21

Adventures Of Tintin2D/3D [PG] 1 hr. 47 min. Family Watch Preview Cast: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Gad Elmaleh, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook. Plot: Tintin (Bell), is an intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure along with the nefarious Red Rackham (Craig). Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo [R] 2 hrs. 38 min.Drama Watch Preview Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, Joely Richardson. Plot: directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in The Millennium Trilogy, which altogether have sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide
phenomenon. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Opening Friday 12/23

My Week With Marilyn [R] 1 hr. 39 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Julia Ormond, Dougray Scott, Zoe Wanamaker, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Philip Jackson, Geraldine Somerville, Derek Jacobi, Simon Russell Beale, Dominic Cooper. Plot: a lowly film assistant (Redmayne) introduces Marilyn Monroe (Williams) to some of the pleasures of British life; an idyllic week in which he escorts a Monroe desperate to get away from her retinue of Hollywood hangers-on and the pressures of work. Showing at: Warren East.

We Bought A Zoo [PG] 1 hr. 50 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning, John Michael Higgins. Plot: an amazing and true story about a single dad (Damon) who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Opening Sunday 12/25

The Darkest Hour 2D/3D [PG-13] 1 hr. 29 min.Sci-Fi Watch Preview Cast: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor, Joel Kinnaman. Plot: the story of five young people who find themselves stranded in Moscow, fighting to survive in the wake of a devastating alien attack. Showing at: to be announced

War  Horse [PG-13] 2 hrs. 26 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Kebbell. Plot: about the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert (Irvine), who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through WWI, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets. Showing at: to be announced

Leaving 12/20/2011

Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - Arthur Christmas, Twilight: Breaking Dawn 1
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - The Help, 50/50, The Three Musketeers, The Smurfs, Contagion
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Happy Feet 2, Puss In Boots, Jack And Jill
Warren Old Town - Twilight: Breaking Dawn 1, Hugo, Immortals
Warren West 21st - Tower Heist, Puss In Boots, Happy Feet 2

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows ***

Guy Ritchie directed this Mystery. Watch Preview. Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material. Running time is two hours and nine minutes.

When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes  (Downey Jr.) deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder—a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty (Harris).

This a good film but with a couple of flaws that keep it from a better rating. The story is pretty weak, which is surprising for a Holmes film. It looks more like a large number of action scenes barely held together by a plot. The two leads are good together and there is some enjoyable repartee between them. Some of the location scenes and sets are quite spectacular and production values are quite good throughout. Director Ritchie likes the "up close and quick cut" technique which younger audiences seem to appreciate but which I personally think makes it hard at times to figure out what's going on. Holmes and Downey Jr. fans will find this enjoyable but it isn't as good as could be hoped for.

This will be best enjoyed on a large screen with good sound. The soundtrack is quite impressive and very good theatre sound will enhance it. There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Theatres/Times.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol ***½

Brad Bird directed this Action film.Watch preview Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Josh Holloway, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Lea Seydoux, Anil Kapoor. Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence. Running time is two hours and thirteen minutes.

IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name and save the world from nuclear disaster.

If you're looking for a good story with good special effects and good acting, here's your film. I would have been happier if it had been thirty minutes shorter but the pacing is good so it isn't as bad as you'd think. All of the cast acquit themselves well with Cruise being a solid performer in his role (even if he does run like a cartoon character). Those suffering from acrophobia will have to shut their eyes for a few minutes but the view is quite stunning for those who choose to watch. Scenes were done on location in several countries so the location shots are quite realistic. Action fans are not likely to find much better this holiday season.

This is currently only showing in IMAX and the large screen is used effectively. When it moves to regular engagements you will enjoy this more on a larger screen. There are no additional scenes once the credits start.
Theatre/Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 12/16/2011

MetaCritic indicates YOUNG ADULT and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (73) are tied as the best of the new films this week, followed by SHERLOCK HOLMES (53), with  CHIP-WRECKED (26) trailing. I watched two of this week's  new films.  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 SHERLOCK HOLMES (***) and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (***½) will be posted at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Until then, here are national reviews of all the films.

The  Globe & Mail review of  CHIP-WRECKED.
Roger Ebert review of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.
Los Angeles Times review of  SHERLOCK HOLMES.
Miami Hearld review of  YOUNG ADULT.

Opening 12/16/2011

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.

Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked [G] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate. Plot: the vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become 'chipwrecked' on a remote island. As the 'Munks and Chipettes try various schemes to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol IMAX Only [PG-13] 2 hrs. 13 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Josh Holloway, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Lea Seydoux, Anil Kapoor. Plot: IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name. Showing at: Warren West.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows 2 hrs. 9 min. Mystery Watch Preview Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams. Plot: when the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes  (Downey Jr.) deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder—a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty (Harris). Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Young Adult [R] 1 hr. 34 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt, Elizabeth Reaser. Plot: a recently divorced writer (Theron) returns to her small hometown to relive her glory days and attempt to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart (Wilson). Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 12/15/2011

Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - The Muppets, Happy Feet 2, Jack And Jill
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Take Shelter, J. Edgar, Immortals, In Time
Warren Old Town - Tower Heist
Warren West 21st - Immortals, In Time, J. Edgar

New Year's Eve **½

Garry Marshall directed this Romantic Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara. Rated PG-13 for language including some sexual references. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.

Intertwining stories of various singles and couples told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year.

If you read many of the national reviews you would think this was one of the worst films ever made. To be sure I've seen far better. But I'm guessing most couples who watch this will find it an enjoyable couple hours of entertainment. Its weakness stems from the fact there is no real star,  but rather a number of vignettes, each with a star or two on screen for a short time before moving on to the next one. They all coalesce satisfactorily by the time the film ends but none of them have much development. Still, that keeps the story from dragging and  most will not be dissatisfied at the conclusion.

The size of the screen has little to do with the film's enjoyability. There are several outtakes shown once the credits start. Theatres/Times.

The Descendents ***

Alexander Payne directed and co-wrote this Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Beau Bridges, Robert Forster, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, Nick Krause, Amara Miller, Mary Birdsong, Rob Huebel, Patricia Hastie. Rated R for language including some sexual references. Running time is one hour and fifty-five minutes.

An indifferent husband and father (Clooney) of two girls (Woodley, Miller) is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off Waikiki.

Well, this will take the Ho, Ho, Ho out of your holidays. I know some have called it a comedy but I certainly didn't find much humor at all. That doesn't mean it's not a good film, it is...but you're not going to be doing much laughing so you should be aware of that before you head out thinking you're in for a warm, fuzzy holiday pic. The  cast is excellent, especially Clooney and the eldest daughter, Woodley. Even the daughter's boyfriend, Sid (Krause), managed to win me over, which was no mean feat considering his character. The film was shot in Hawaii so the scenery is as gorgeous as you'd imagine. The pacing is good so even though this is a fairly serious drama it never bogs down. Those interested in family interaction and excellent acting will find this worth their while. I'd also be surprised if Clooney doesn't get an Oscar nomination for this role.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits start. A large screen will make little difference in your enjoyment. As for sound...the film is packed with Hawaiian music and I'd have been just as happy if I hadn't been able to hear it so well. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 12/9/2011

MetaCritic indicates TAKE SHELTER (85) is the best of the new films this week, closely followed by THE DESCENDANTS (84), with THE SITTER (44) and NEW YEAR'S EVE (24) trailing. I watched two of this week's  new films.  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 THE DESCENDANTS (***) and NEW YEAR'S EVE (**½) will be posted at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Until then, here are national reviews of all the films.

Miami Hearld review of THE DESCENDANTS.
Roger Ebert review of NEW YEAR'S EVE.
USA Today review of THE SITTER.
Chicago Tribune review of TAKE SHELTER.

Opening 12/9/2011

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.

New Year's Eve [PG-13] 1 hr. 58 min. Romantic Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara. Plot: intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Descendents [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Drama/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Beau Bridges, Robert Forster, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, Nick Krause, Amara Miller, Mary Birdsong, Rob Huebel, Patricia Hastie. Plot: an indifferent husband and father of two girls is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off Waikiki. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Take Shelter [R] 2 hr. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham, Katy Mixon, Kathy Baker. Plot: a man begins to have terrifying dreams he keeps to himself, channeling his anxiety into obsessively building a storm shelter in his backyard. His seemingly inexplicable behavior concerns and confounds those closest to him. Showing at:  Warren East.

The Sitter [R] 1 hr. 22 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Jonah Hill, Sam Rockwell, Max Records, Kevin Hernandez, Landry Bender, J.B. Smoove, Method Man. Plot: a college student, suspended for the semester and living back at home with his single mom, has a night to remember when he gets talked into baby-sitting the eccentric kids next door. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 12/8/2011

Derby Plaza - Puss In Boots, Happy Feet Two, Immortals
Movie Machine - Puss In Boots
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Crazy Stupid Love, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - The Skin I Live In, Like Crazy, Happy Feet Two
Warren Old Town - Anonymous, Arthur Christmas
Warren West 21st - Ides Of March, Moneyball

Worthwhile (or not), 12/2/2011

MetaCritic indicates THE SKIN I LIVE IN (70) is the best of the new films this week, followed by ANONYMOUS (50). I didn't watch either. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

While I didn't watch anything this week, I did select reviews for the two new films:

Washington Post review of ANONYMOUS.
Roger Ebert review of THE SKIN I LIVE IN.