Opening 11/2

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.

 
Flight [R] 2 hrs. 19 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood, Brian Geraghty, John Goodman, Tamara Tunie. Plot: a commercial airline pilot pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, but is forced to hold up to the scrutiny of an investigation bringing into question his behavior the night before the doomed flight. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Man With The Iron Fists [R] 1 hr. 26 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Russell Crowe, RZA, Lucy Liu, Rick Yune, Jamie Chung, Cung Le, Dave Bautista, Byron Mann, Daniel Wu, Pam Grier. Plot: the epic story of warriors, assassins and a lone outsider hero in nineteenth-century China who must unite to destroy the clan traitor who would destroy them all. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Wreck-It Ralph 2D/3D [PG] Animated comedy Watch Preview Voices: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Ed O’Neill, Mindy Kaling, Adam Carolla, Horatio Sanz, Dennis Haysbert, Edie McClurg, Roger Craig Smith, Gerald C Rivers, Rachael Harris, Stefanie Scott, Reuben Langdon, Kyle Hebert. Plot: an arcade-game character takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 11/1

Derby Plaza - Paranormal Activity 4, Taken 2
Movie Machine - Argo
Palace West - Dredd, Resident Evil:  Retribution
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for season
Warren East 13th - Seven Psychopaths
Warren Old Town - Paranormal Activity 4, Sinister
Warren West 21st - Seven Psychopaths

Cloud Atlas **½

Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski directed this Sci-Fi drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Xun Zhou, Keith David, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant. Rated R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use. Running time is two hours and fifty-two minutes.

Explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future.

This is a large scale epic production with an interweaving plot I think most will find confusing. There are several stories being told, but they jump back and forth and at  times it's difficult to determine just where you are. I never thought the basic premise that past lives can affect future lives was adequately presented, so it was several separate stories populated by the same actors as far as I was concerned. I will admit some of the stories were interesting enough the time didn't drag too terribly much, but this is still far too long for the average movie patron. When all was said and done, I felt like I needed to see this several more times to gain a better understanding of the story but I'm not interested enough to do it.

Once the final credits begin there is an interesting showing of each of the main actors and their various disguises, some of which are impressive. A large screen will aid in the film's impact. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates Cloud Atlas (55) is the best picture this week, followed by Chasing Mavericks (44), Death By China (43), Fun Size (39) and Silent Hill Revelation (17). I watched one of these films and thought it was far too long but impressively made. 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 10/26

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.

Chasing Mavericks [PG] 1 hr. 54 min. Sports drama Watch Preview Cast: Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, Jonny Weston, Leven Rambin. Plot: based on the inspirational true story of surfing icon Jay Moriarty, the story of a young man's quest to surf Northern California's most dangerous wave, and the local legend who takes him under his wing. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Cloud Atlas [R] 2 hr. 12 min. Sci-Fi drama Watch Preview Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Xun Zhou, Keith David, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant. Plot: explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Death By China [NR] 1 hr. 19 min. Documentary Watch Preview Cast: Martin Sheen. Plot: a documentary feature confronting the most urgent problem facing America - its increasingly destructive trade relationship with a rapidly rising China. Showing at: Warren East.

Fun Size [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Victoria Justice, Thomas Mann, Jane Levy, Thomas McDonell, Thomas Middleditch, Chelsea Handler. Plot: a teen comedy centered on a sarcastic high school senior (Victoria Justice) who is eager to distance herself from her dysfunctional family by going off to college. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Silent Hill: Revelation 2D/3D [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Horror Watch Preview Cast: Adelaide Clemens, Sean Bean, Kit Harington, Radha Mitchell, Deborah Kara Unger, Carrie-Ann Moss, Malcolm McDowell, Martin Donovan, Heather Marks. Plot: a girl (Adelaide Clemens) always on the run, discovers she's not who she thinks she is, leading her deeper into a demonic world that threatens to trap her forever. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 10/25

Derby Plaza - Frankenweenie, Argo, Pitch Perfect
Movie Machine - Frankenweenie, Pitch Perfect
Palace West -The Words, Lawless, Premium Rush, Bourne Legacy, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Ted
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri-Sat Only
Warren East 13th -End Of Watch, House At The End Of The Street, Samsara, Atlas Shrugged 2, Trouble With The Curve
Warren Old Town - Pitch Perfect, Looper, Here Comes The Boom
Warren West 21st -Looper, Atlas Shrugged 2, Trouble With The Curve, House At The End Of The Street

Worthwhile (or not) 10/19

MetaCritic indicates Samsara (65) is the best picture this week, followed by Paranormal Activity 4 (40), and Alex Cross (38). This is one of those rare weeks when nothing looked appealing to me so I gave all of them a pass. If you want to see a movie and haven't been lately, Taken 2, Looper, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, Argo, and Pitch Perfect are all good, enjoyable films you'd enjoy more than this week's new offerings. 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 10/19

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.

Alex Cross [PG-13] 1 hr. 42 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Edward Burns, Rachel Nichols, Jean Reno. Plot: a homicide detective/psychologist (Tyler Perry), from the worldwide best-selling novels by James Patterson, meets his match in a serial killer (Matthew Fox). Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Paranormal Activity 4 2D,  IMAX [R] 1 hr. 31 min. Horror Watch Preview Cast: Katie Featherston, Kathryn Newton. Plot: a suburban family witness strange events in their neighborhood when a woman and a mysterious child move in. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Samsara [PG-13] 1 hr. 42 min. Documentary Watch Preview Plot: filmmakers search for the elusive current of interconnection that runs through our lives as they travel to varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 10/18

Derby Plaza - Frankenweenie 3D
Movie Machine - Nothing
Palace West - The Avengers, Total Recall
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri-Sat Only
Warren East 13th - The Master, Frankenweenie 3D
Warren Old Town - Nothing
Warren West 21st - Frankenweenie IMAX 3D, End Of Watch, House At The End Of The Street

Argo ***½

Ben Affleck directed and stars in this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Kerry Bishe, Kyle Chandler, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Victor Garber, Zeljko Ivanek, Richard Kind, Scoot McNairy, Chris Messina, Michael Parks, Taylor Schilling. Rated R for language and some violent images. Running time is two hours.

Based on true events, "Argo" chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis. A CIA agent (Affleck) enters Iran with a supposed scouting crew for a film called, Argo.

I would think the mark of a good director is to be able to take a story where the ending is already known and make a movie about it that is both suspenseful and thrilling. Affleck manages to do that, and do it well, in a film people have been eagerly awaiting. If I had a complaint about this film it is that it unnecessarily long. There are quite a few stretches that could have been dispensed with without diminishing the film's impact, but the pacing is generally good and the ending is a real nail biter. This is a film virtually everyone will enjoy.

The end credits are interesting in that they pictorially compare the real hostages to the actors portraying them. A big screen isn't required. Theatres/Times.

Seven Psychopaths *½

Martin McDonagh directed this Black Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits, Olga Kurylenko, Zeljko Ivanek. Rated R for strong violence, bloody images, pervasive language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.

A struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell) inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends (Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell) kidnap a gangster's (Woody Harrelson) beloved Shih Tzu.

I've always enjoyed Walken's characters and the rest of this cast is very good. And, I really enjoyed this director's last film, In Bruges. But, the plot is nearly discernible in this movie within a screenplay effort. And, how they thought this was a comedy is beyond me. Oh, there are a few funny comments along the way but mostly we get to see exploding heads, slashed throats, and various knifings and  shootings, and all over a stolen dog. I've read a few reviews that found this funny. My thought is: if you find yourself with a group of people who feel likewise—RUN!

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatre/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 10/12

MetaCritic indicates Argo (87) is the best picture this week, followed by The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (67), Seven Psychopaths (67). Sinister (57) and Here Come The Boom (43. Atlas Shrugged Part 2 evidently wasn't screened for the national critics (not usually a good sign). I saw two of these films and enjoyed one and thought the other a waste of time. 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 Argo (***½) and Seven Psychopaths (*½) will be on the site after 4:30 p.m., Friday.

Opening 10/12

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.

Argo [R] 2 hrs. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Kerry Bishe, Kyle Chandler, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Victor Garber, Zeljko Ivanek, Richard Kind, Scoot McNairy, Chris Messina, Michael Parks, Taylor Schilling. Plot: based on true events, "Argo" chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Atlas Shrugged: Part 2  [PG-13] 1 hr. 52 min.  Drama Watch Preview Cast: Samantha Mathis, Jason Beghe, Patrick Fabien, Richard T. Jones, Esai Morales, Diedrich Bader. Plot: what may very well be the answer to a mounting energy crisis is found abandoned among the ruins of a once productive factory, a revolutionary motor that could seemingly power the World.  Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Here Comes The Boom [PG] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler. Plot: a former collegiate wrester (Kevin James) in a failing high school begins to raise money by moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower [PG-13] 1 hr. 43 min.  Drama Watch Preview Cast: Emma Watson, Logan Ler­man, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Nina Dobrev, Johnny Simmons, Dylan McDermott. Plot: a tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Seven Psychopaths [R] 1 hr. 40 min.  Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits, Olga Kurylenko, Zeljko Ivanek. Plot: a struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell) inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends (Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell) kidnap a gangster's (Woody Harrelson) beloved Shih Tzu. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Sinister [R] 1 hr. 38 min.  Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, James Ransone, Fred Dalton Thompson, Nicholas King, Clare Foley, Victoria Leigh, Juliet Rylance, Michael Hall D'Addario. Plot: a true crime novelist (Hawke) discovers a box of mysterious, disturbing home movies that plunge his family into a nightmarish experience of supernatural horror. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 10/11

Derby Plaza - Trouble With The Curve, House At The End Of The Street
Movie Machine - Trouble With The Curve
Palace West - Moonrise Kingdom, The Amazing Spider Man
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri-Sat Only
Warren East 13th - Dredd, Resident Evil, Hope Springs, Arbitrage, Finding Nemo, Won't Back Down, Robot & Frank
Warren Old Town - Won't Back Down, Trouble With The Curve, End Of Watch
Warren West 21st - Dredd, Lawless, Hope Springs, Resident Evil, Finding Nemo, Won't Back Down

Pitch Perfect **½

Jason Moore directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast:  Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Alexis Knapp, Adam DeVine, Freddie Stroma, Elizabeth Banks. Rated PG-13 for sexual material, language and drug references. Running time is one hour and fifty-two minutes.

A freshman college girl (Kendrick) is muscled into a group she never would have picked on her own: girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together a capella.

I don't see any awards in this film's future but if offers an enjoyable couple of hours if you decide to see it now. It offers a very predictable plot, complete with current sexual sensibilities,  but I found the music so enjoyable it's negatives were unimportant. I have to tell you, I don't enjoy contemporary, popular music, so the fact I enjoyed these selections tells you it was the performances I found so attractive, rather than the music itself. The story is about college a capella group competitions, which I had no idea existed (if in fact they do). The cast is very good and production values are fine. Kendrick is very appealing and it was nice to see Snow (Harry's Law) again. Wilson is as outrageous as you expect her to be. I watched with some much younger patrons and they enjoyed it also, which means it should have universal age appeal, although I suspect we were enjoying different elements.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen isn't overly important but good sound definitely is. Theatres/Times.

Taken 2 **½

Olivier Megaton directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Sherbedgia, Luke Grimes. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sensuality. Running time is one hour and thirty-one minutes.

A retired CIA agent (Neeson) uses special forces tactics to get his family (Grace and Janssen) to safety and systematically take out their kidnappers one by one.

Action fans should find this just what they're looking for. The cast is fine and the production values are good. This ia a European production, shot on location, which always adds a little interest. Of course, it's a very predictable film...the title will tell you that. In fact, it's a virtual repeat of the first one. And, if this one does well at the boxoffice, they've set up number 3. You'll forget this one as soon as you've left the theatre, but you'll enjoy yourself while it's playing.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will provide more impact. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates Frankenweenie (74) is the best picture this week, followed by Robot And Frank (67),  and Taken 2 (45). Pitch Perfect (65) opens wide this week after an advance opening week at Warren 13th last week. I saw two of these films and enjoyed both. 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 Pitch Perfect (**½) and Taken 2 (**½) will be on the site after 4:30 p.m., Friday.

Opening 10/5

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.

Frakenweenie 2D/3D IMAX 3D [PG] 1 hr.28 min. Animated comedy Watch Preview Voices: Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Conchata Ferrell. Plot: after unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor Frankenstein harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Robot And Frank [PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Family comedy Watch Preview Cast: Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Peter Sarsgaard, Jeremy Sisto, Jeremy Strong. Plot:  a retired cat burglar's kids are tempted to place him in a nursing home until they decide to buy him a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. Showing at: Warren East.

Taken 2 [PG-13] 1 hr. 31 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Sherbedgia, Luke Grimes. Plot: a retired CIA agent uses advanced special forces tactics to get his family to safety and systematically take out their kidnappers one by one. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 10/4

Derby Plaza - Resident Evil, Finding Nemo 3D, End Of Watch
Movie Machine - House At The End Of The Street, The Possession, Odd Life Of Timothy Green
Palace West - Sparkle, The Apparition
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri-Sat Only
Warren East 13th - Lawless, Last Ounce Of Courage, 2016: Obama's America, Resident Evil 3D, Bourne Legacy, The Campaign
Warren Old Town - House At The End Of The Street, Dredd
Warren West 21st - Dredd 3D, Resident Evil IMAX 3D, Bourne Legacy, The Campaign