Opening 1/4/13

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.

Hyde Park On Hudson [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Biographical Drama Watch Preview Cast: Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Olivia Colman, Samuel West, Elizabeth Marvel, Elizabeth Wilson, Eleanor Bron, Olivia Williams. Plot: in June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) host the King and Queen of England (Samuel West, Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson – the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. Showing at: Warren East.

The Impossible [PG-13] 1 hr. 54 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast. Plot: the true story of one family's survival of the 2004 Thailand tsunami. Showing at: Warren East.

Promised Land [R] 1 hr. 46 min. Drama  Watch Preview Cast: Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Frances McDormand, Rosemarie DeWitt, Scoot McNairy, Titus Welliver, Hal Holbrook. Plot: an ace corporate salesman for a natural gas company (Matt Damon) is sent along with his partner (Frances McDormand), to close a key rural town in his company's expansion plans. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Texas Chainsaw 3D 2D/3D [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Horror/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, Trey Songz, Keram Malicki-Sanchez, Shaun Sipos, Thom Barry, Paul Rae, Scott Eastwood, Richard Riehle, Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn Burns, John Dugan, Bill Moseley, Dan Yeager. Plot: continues the legendary story of the homicidal Sawyer family. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 1/3/13

Derby Plaza - Monsters, Inc. 3D
Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - Alex Cross, Sinister
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for season
Warren East 13th - Monsters, Inc. 3D
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Red Dawn

Django Unchained ***

Quentin Tarantino wrote, directed and acts in this Western. Watch Preview. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Dennis Christopher, Laura Cayouette, M.C. Gainey, Don Johnson, Kerry Washington, Tom Wopat, James Remar, James Russo, Todd Allen, Jonah Hill. Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity. Running time is two hours and forty-five minutes.

A slave-turned-bounty hunter (Foxx) sets out to rescue his wife (Washington) from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner (DiCaprio) with the help of his mentor and partner (Waltz).

There's been a lot of buzz about this film but it's basically a homage to the Spaghetti Westerns of the 60-70s and is as brutal and bloody as they were. It's very well done with good pacing but it's unnecessarily long. There are two or three places where the film could have ended but the decision was made to continue extending the plot. There is extensive use of the N word altho it doesn't seem gratuitous and doesn't grate like you might think it would.Waltz is superb as usual and Foxx and DiCaprio are very good in their roles. Washington is an attractive addition but is on the screen so seldom it hardly seems worth her while, and her nudity is so slight it hardly seems worth mentioning in the rating. Samuel Jackson has a strong role but is almost unrecognizable. Western fans and men will like this most while the excessive, graphic violence may turn off many others.

There's one flash scene at the end of the credits but it's nothing to wait around for. A big screen will aid in your enjoyment. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates Django Unchained (80) is the best picture this week, followed by Les Miserables (61), and in last place, Parental Guidance (31). I've seen one of these and think it will be enjoyed by Western fans and males. Nothing new opens on Friday so this is it for the 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 12/25

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.
 

Django Unchained [R] 2 hrs. 45 minutes Western Watch Preview Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Gerald McRaney, Dennis Christopher, Laura Cayouette, M.C. Gainey, Don Johnson, Kerry Washington, Anthony LaPaglia, RZA, Tom Wopat, James Remar, James Russo, Todd Allen, Jonah Hill. Plot: a slave-turned-bounty hunter (Foxx) sets out to rescue his wife (Washington) from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner (DiCaprio) with the help of his mentor (Waltz). Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Les Misérables [PG-13] 2 hrs. 37 min. Musical Watch Preview Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen. Plot: ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by a ruthless policeman (Crowe), agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Parental Guidance [PG] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Bailee Madison. Plot: an old school grandfather (Billy Crystal), accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids when their parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) leave town for work. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Jack Reacher ***

Christopher McQuarrie wrote the screenplay and directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, David Oyelowo, Richard Jenkins, Alexia Fast, Robert Duvall, Jai Courtney, Werner Herzog. Rated PG-13 for violence, language and some drug material. Running time is two hours and ten minutes.

Ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) is pitted against an unexpected enemy with a skill for violence, as he investigates a mass killing for a young attorney (Pike).

The national critics don't care for this but I'll bet the action/thriller audience will like it just fine. It may be a bit violent for some but it's not overly graphical. The pacing is good and there's enough action to make the two-hour-plus time go by quickly. I know Cruise doesn't fit the book's  character description but he plays this part well and Pike does her part admirably. Herzog is best known as a director but he does his part as a chilling criminal boss with gusto. Men will find this more enjoyable than women because of the level of violence.

There are no extra scenes once the final credits start. A large screen will add impact to the action. Theatres/Times.

The Guilt Trip **½

Anne Fletcher directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Barbra Streisand, Seth Rogen, Kathy Najimy, Colin Hanks, Adam Scott. Rated PG-13 for language and some risque material. Running time is one hour and thirty-five minutes.

An inventor (Rogen) invites his mother (Streisand) on a cross-country trip as he tries to sell his new product while also reuniting her with a lost love.

I don't suppose you've ever had a hankering for a road trip pic with Streisand, but ready or not, here it is. I went into this with low expectations but found myself chuckling on several occasions. Streisand and Rogen do fine as the archetypal Jewish mother and son but the constant talking gets tiring at times. Still, the pacing is fine and the length is perfect. I don't imagine younger generations will find this entertaining but older audiences and couples will.

There are additional outtakes after the final credits begin. A large screen is unnecessary although a large audience will add to the laughter. Theatres/Times. 

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates the rerelease of Monsters, Inc. (78) is the best picture this week, followed by Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (60), This Is 40 (59). The Guilt Trip (54) and in last place, Jack Reacher (52). I've seen two of these and think one will be enjoyed by older audiences and and the other by a far larger one. 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 12/19, 12/21

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.

Wednesday, December 19

The Guilt Trip [PG-13] 1 hr. 36 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Barbra Streisand, Seth Rogen, Kathy Najimy, Colin Hanks, Adam Scott. Plot: an inventor (Rogen) invites his mother (Streisand) on a cross-country trip as he tries to sell his new product while also reuniting her with a lost love. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren West.

Monsters, Inc. 2D/3D [G] 1 hr. 36 min. Animated Watch Preview Voices: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger, Frank Oz, Bonnie Hunt. Plot: one of Disney•Pixar's most visually imaginative feature films, returns to the big screen in 3D. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Friday, December 21

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 2D/3D [PG] 1 hr. 32 min. Family Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Erica Linz, Dallas Barnett, Lutz Halbhubner. Plot: two young people journey through the dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other. Showing at: Warren East.

Jack Reacher [PG-13] 2 hr. 10 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, David Oyelowo, Richard Jenkins, Alexia Fast, Robert Duvall, Jai Courtney, Werner Herzog. Plot: ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) is pitted against an unexpected enemy with a skill for violence, a secret to keep and a target on Reacher’s back. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

This Is 40 [R] 2 hr. 14 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Megan Fox, John Lithgow, Iris Apatow, Maude Apatow, Melissa McCarthy, Robert Smigel, Charlene Yi, Albert Brooks. Plot: expands upon the story of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) from "Knocked Up" as we see first-hand how they are dealing with their current state of life. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 12/18, 12/20

Derby Plaza - 12/20: Red Dawn, Lincoln, Playing For Keeps, Breaking Dawn
Movie Machine - 12/18: Breaking Dawn; 12/20: nothing
Palace West - 12/20: Paranornal Activity 4, Fun Size, Brave, Odd Life Of Timothy Green
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for season
Warren East 13th - 12/18: nothing; 12/20: Killing Them Softly, Flight, Rise Of The Guardians 3D
Warren Old Town - 12/18: nothing; 12/20: Life Of Pi, Red Dawn, Breaking Dawn, Playing For Keeps
Warren West 21st - 12/18: Breaking Dawn; 12/20: Killing Them Softly,The Collection, Rise Of The Guardians 3D

Hitchcock ***

Sacha Gervasi directed this Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Danny Huston, Toni Collette, Jessica Biel, Michael Stuhlbarg, James D'Arcy, Michael Wincott, Richard Portnow, Kurtwood Smith. Rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material. Running time is one hour and thirty-eight minutes.

A love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century, Alfred Hitchcock (Hopkins) and his wife and partner Alma Reville (Mirren) set during the time when Psycho was being produced.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at the participants in the making of Psycho. You'll learn more about the relationship between Hitchcock and his wife than you will about film production, but this is well made and well paced with a first-rate cast that should entertain any film buff. This is a good couples movie for those old enough to remember Hitchcock.

There are no meaningful scenes once the final credits start. A large screen is not really necessary. Theatre/Times.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey **½

Peter Jackson directed this Fantasy drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, Aidan Turner, Billy Connolly. Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images. Running time is two hours and forty-nine minutes.

Bilbo Baggins is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug.

Those who are fans of fantasy to the extent they'll attend this film wearing a cloak, helmet and carrying a plastic sword will no doubt be thrilled. Everyone else will be bored senseless by the slow pace and excruciating length. It's a very well made film with a superb cast but the plot has been padded beyond belief...the better to get your boxoffice dollars a second and third time for the two remaining sequels I suppose. I saw the 3D-HFR (high frame rate; i.e. 48 frames per second instead of the usual 24) version and did like the high resolution 3D it provided. I didn't find it disconcerting as some have commented. But, the average movie-going patron could easily take a hour-and-a-half nap in the middle of this and never miss a thing.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen and good sound will be a definite plus. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. IMAX 3D Times.

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (59) is the best picture this week, followed by Hitchcock (56). I've seen both films and found one very boring and one better than expected. 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 12/14

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.

Hitchcock [PG-13] 2 hrs. 8 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Danny Huston, Toni Collette, Jessica Biel, Michael Stuhlbarg, James D'Arcy, Michael Wincott, Richard Portnow, Kurtwood Smith. Plot: a love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century, Alfred Hitchcock and his wife and partner Alma Reville. Showing at: Warren East.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2D/3D/3D HFR IMAX 3D [PG-13] 2 hrs. 49 min. Fantasy drama Watch Preview Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, Aidan Turner, Billy Connolly. Plot: Bilbo Baggins is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 12/13

Derby Plaza - Wreck-It Ralph, Life Of Pi
Movie Machine - Life Of Pi, Skyfall
Palace West - 7 Psychopaths, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Looper
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for season
Warren East 13th - Bad Kids Go To Hell, The Paperboy, The Collection, End Of Watch
Warren Old Town - Killing Them Softly
Warren West 21st - Bad Kids Go To Hell, Life Of Pi 3D, End Of Watch, IMAX Skyfall, Wreck-It Ralph 3D

Playing For Keeps **½

Gabriele Muccino directed this Romantic comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Judy Greer, Dennis Quaid. Rated PG-13 for some sexual situations, language and a brief intense image. Running time is one hour and forty-six minutes.

A charming, down-on-his luck former soccer star (Butler) returns home to put his life back together and gets roped into coaching the boy’s soccer team his son plays on. But his attempts to finally become an "adult" are met with hilarious challenges from the attractive "soccer moms" (Thurman, Zeta-Jones, Greer) who pursue him at every turn while he's trying to rekindle a relationship with his former wife (Biel).

The national critics haven't been too kind to this film but should you decide to go I think you'll like it just fine. Oh, you can see where the plot's going right from the start and nothing unusual happens along the way to the predictable ending, but the trip is made very entertaining with an above average cast for a film of this genre. There's not a loser in the lot and it's nice to see some of them, who've been absent from the screen for far too long. This isn't going to win any awards and you'll probably forget about it shortly after leaving the theatre, but you will enjoy yourself while it's unspooling. This is a good couple's film.

There are  no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size and sound quality are relatively unimportant. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates The Paperboy (45) is the best picture this week, followed by Playing For Keeps (32) and Bad Kids Go To Hell  receiving no score as it evidently wasn't screened for the national critics. I can tell you most will find The Paperboy far too graphic and Playing For Keeps very enjoyable even with the low score. I watched one of these films and found it to be 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.

Opening 12/7

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.

Bad Kids Go To Hell [R] 1 hr. 31 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Amanda Alch, Marc Donato, Augie Duke, Roger Edwards, Ali Faulkner, Cameron Deane Stewart, Jeffrey Schmidt, Chanel Ryan, Eloise DeJoria, Ben Browder, Judd Nelson. Plot: based on the popular comic book series of the same name about six private school students locked in a Saturday detention with a killer on the loose. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

The Paperboy [R] 1 hr. 47 min. Crime thriller Watch Preview Cast: Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, David Oyelowo, Macy Gray, John Cusack, Nicole Kidman. Plot: a reporter plans to prove an innocent man has been railroaded on his way to the electric chair. Showing at: Warren East.

Playing For Keeps [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Romantic comedy Watch Preview Cast: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dennis Quaid. Plot: a charming, down-on-his luck former soccer star (Butler) returns home to put his life back together and gets roped into coaching the boy’s soccer team. But his attempts to finally become an "adult" are met with hilarious challenges from the attractive "soccer moms" who pursue him at every turn. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 12/6

Derby Plaza - Skyfall
Movie Machine - Nothing
Palace West - The Dark Knight Rises, Finding Nemo, Silent Hill: Revelation
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for season
Warren East 13th - Taken 2, Pitch Perfect
Warren Old Town - Flight
Warren West 21st - Pitch Perfect