MetaCritic indicates The Spectacular Now (82) is the best picture this week followed by The Grandmaster (73), Closed Circuit (66), One Direction: This Is Us
(49), and clear at the bottom: Getaway (23). Due to a major computer disaster I haven't had time to watch anything this week. For all the
reviews take the
link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on
the titles above.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Opening 8/28, 8/30/13
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.
Wednesday, 8/28/13
Closed Circuit [R] 1 hr. 36 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciarán Hinds, Riz Ahmed, Anne-Marie Duff, Kenneth Cranham, Denis Moschitto, Julia Stiles, Jim Broadbent. Plot: two ex-lovers (Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall) find their loyalties tested and their lives at risk when they are joined together on the defense team in a terrorism trial. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
The Spectacular Now [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Plot: a vivid portrait of youth confronting the funny, thrilling and perilous business of modern love and adulthood. Showing at: Warren East.
Friday, 8/30/13
Getaway [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight, Rebecca Budig, Bruce Payn. Plot: a former race car driver (Ethan Hawke) is pitted against the clock, desperately trying to save the life of his kidnapped wife. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
The GrandMaster [PG-13] 2 hr. 02 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung, Hye-kyo Song, Chen Chang, Yuen Woo-ping, Shun Lau, Siu-Lung Leung. Plot: an epic action feature inspired by the life and times of the legendary kung fu master, Ip Man. Showing at: Warren East.
One Direction: This Is Us 2D/3D [PG] 1 hr. 32 min. Music documentary Watch Preview Cast: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson. Plot: One Direction were discovered by Simon Cowell on the U.K.'s "The X Factor" in 2010 and quickly gained a following to become one of the competition's all-time most popular acts. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren West.
Friday, August 23, 2013
The World's End ***
Edgar Wright co-wrote and directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike. Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.
20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them (Pegg) becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again.
As someone who watches and appreciates a great deal of British TV and cinema, this was a real pleasure. I'm familiar with most of these actors and a couple of them, (Pike in Jack Reacher) and (Marsan in TV's Ray Donovan) should be familiar to many Americans. It's the dialogue quality and timing I find so attractive in many British productions and this has both in spades. The film covers what happened in the lives of the five college friends over a twenty year period, has them reconcile their differences, and then turns into a sci-fi film with the five combating alien robots who are trying to prepare humans for galactic citizenship. It sounds farfetched, I know, but it works, and very entertainingly so. This is the third film in a trilogy featuring most of this cast (Shaun of the Dead and
Hot Fuzz are the earlier two).
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.
20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them (Pegg) becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again.
As someone who watches and appreciates a great deal of British TV and cinema, this was a real pleasure. I'm familiar with most of these actors and a couple of them, (Pike in Jack Reacher) and (Marsan in TV's Ray Donovan) should be familiar to many Americans. It's the dialogue quality and timing I find so attractive in many British productions and this has both in spades. The film covers what happened in the lives of the five college friends over a twenty year period, has them reconcile their differences, and then turns into a sci-fi film with the five combating alien robots who are trying to prepare humans for galactic citizenship. It sounds farfetched, I know, but it works, and very entertainingly so. This is the third film in a trilogy featuring most of this cast (Shaun of the Dead and
Hot Fuzz are the earlier two).
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.
You're Next ***
Adam Wingard directed this Horror film. Watch Preview. Cast:
Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen, Nick Tucci, Wendy Glenn, Joe Swanberg, Rob
Moran, Barbara Crampton, Maragaret Laney, Amy Seimetz, Ti West, Larry
Fessenden, Lane Hughes, L.C. Holt, Simon Barrett, Calvin Reeder. Rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity. Running time is one hour and thirty-four minutes.
When a gang of masked, ax-wielding murderers descend upon a family reunion, the hapless victims seem trapped...until an unlikely guest of the family (Vinson) proves to be the most talented killer of all.
This turned out to be much better than expected. I don't normally watch horror films, but as far as I'm concerned, this isn't one. "Slasher" film seems more appropriate as it is very graphically violent, but there's no hint of the supernatural, which is what I expect in a horror film. The cast is very adequate even though unknown to me. Production values are fine although they went a little far in the use of the 'scary' soundtrack effects. There are enough plot turns and twists to keep things interesting and the pacing plus the running time make things move right along.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is relatively unimportant although a large, screaming audience would add to the film's impact. Theatres/Times.
When a gang of masked, ax-wielding murderers descend upon a family reunion, the hapless victims seem trapped...until an unlikely guest of the family (Vinson) proves to be the most talented killer of all.
This turned out to be much better than expected. I don't normally watch horror films, but as far as I'm concerned, this isn't one. "Slasher" film seems more appropriate as it is very graphically violent, but there's no hint of the supernatural, which is what I expect in a horror film. The cast is very adequate even though unknown to me. Production values are fine although they went a little far in the use of the 'scary' soundtrack effects. There are enough plot turns and twists to keep things interesting and the pacing plus the running time make things move right along.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is relatively unimportant although a large, screaming audience would add to the film's impact. Theatres/Times.
The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones 2D, IMAX **
Harald Zwart directed this Action/Fantasy. Watch Preview. Cast:
Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Lena
Headey, Kevin Durand, Aidan Turner, Jemima West, Godfrey Gao, CCH
Pounder, Jared Harris, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of fantasy violence and action, and some suggestive content. Running time is two hours and ten minutes.
A seemingly ordinary teenager (Lily Collins) discovers she is the descendant of a line of half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series.
This is clearly a film aimed at the teenage female market, and with that group it should perform nicely. For everyone else, however, this is just another 'same-old' fantasy with nothing much new to intrigue. The cast is fine and the production values are good. It's a good thirty minutes too long, but perhaps that's because they were trying to keep as much of the book plot as possible for its readers. I found it mildly entertaining but I've always been fond of fantasy films and doubt other adults not so inclined will be equally entertained. I watched this in IMAX but am somewhat puzzled why it was released in that version since it clearly wasn't shot in IMAX (smaller screen size).
There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen will add impact to the action scenes. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.
A seemingly ordinary teenager (Lily Collins) discovers she is the descendant of a line of half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series.
This is clearly a film aimed at the teenage female market, and with that group it should perform nicely. For everyone else, however, this is just another 'same-old' fantasy with nothing much new to intrigue. The cast is fine and the production values are good. It's a good thirty minutes too long, but perhaps that's because they were trying to keep as much of the book plot as possible for its readers. I found it mildly entertaining but I've always been fond of fantasy films and doubt other adults not so inclined will be equally entertained. I watched this in IMAX but am somewhat puzzled why it was released in that version since it clearly wasn't shot in IMAX (smaller screen size).
There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen will add impact to the action scenes. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.
Worthwhile (or not) 8/23/13
MetaCritic indicates The World's End (81) is the best picture this week followed by Blue Jasmine (77) , You're Next (66), and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
(34).
I've seen three of these and found all of them entertaining, although not equally so. For all the
reviews take the
link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on
the titles above.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Opening 8/21, 23/13
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.
Wednesday 8/21
The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones 2D, IMAX [PG-13] 2 hrs. 10 min. Action/Fantasy Watch Preview Cast: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Lena Headey, Kevin Durand, Aidan Turner, Jemima West, Godfrey Gao, CCH Pounder, Jared Harris, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Plot: a seemingly ordinary teenager (Lily Collins) discovers she is the descendant of a line of half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Friday 8/23
Blue Jasmine [PG-13] 1 hr. 38 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett, Bobby Cannavale, Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, Sally Hawkins, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg. Plot: Woody Allen film about the final stages of an acute crisis and a life of a fashionable New York housewife. Showing at: Warren East.
The World's End [R] 1 hr. 49 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike. Plot: 20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
You're Next [R] 1 hr. 36 min. Horror film Watch Preview Cast: Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen, Nick Tucci, Wendy Glenn, Joe Swanberg, Rob Moran, Barbara Crampton, Maragaret Laney, Amy Seimetz, Ti West, Larry Fessenden, Lane Hughes, L.C. Holt, Simon Barrett, Calvin Reeder. Plot: when a gang of masked, ax-wielding murderers descend upon a family reunion, the hapless victims seem trapped...until an unlikely guest of the family proves to be the most talented killer of all. Showing at: Derby Plaza?, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Leaving 8/22/13
Derby Plaza - 8/20: The Smurfs 2, Butter
Movie Machine - 8/20: The Smurfs 2, Despicable Me 2
Palace West - Mud, The Great Gatsby
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri-Sun
Warren East 13th - Turbo
Warren Old Town - 8/20: The Conjuring; 8/22: 2 Guns
Warren West 21st - 8/20: Elysium IMAX; 8/22: Turbo, Grown Ups 2
Movie Machine - 8/20: The Smurfs 2, Despicable Me 2
Palace West - Mud, The Great Gatsby
Starlite Drive-In - Open Fri-Sun
Warren East 13th - Turbo
Warren Old Town - 8/20: The Conjuring; 8/22: 2 Guns
Warren West 21st - 8/20: Elysium IMAX; 8/22: Turbo, Grown Ups 2
Friday, August 16, 2013
Paranoia **½
Robert Luketic directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast:
Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, Harrison Ford, Lucas Till,
Embeth Davidtz, Julian McMahon, Josh Holloway, Richard Dreyfuss. Rated PG-13 for some sexuality, violence and language. Running time is one hour and forty-six minutes.
Two powerful tech billionaires (Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman) are bitter rivals with a complicated past who will stop at nothing to destroy each other, and try to use a young employee (Liam Hemsworth) to do so.
The national critics have been fairly harsh in their reviews of this film, but if you're just looking for a couple of hours of entertainment, you won't go wrong here. It features as exceptionally good cast, with Hemsworth being the lead, but what a supporting cast! Everyone does a fine job. There are a couple of plot inconsistencies, but they aren't enough to detract. The pacing is good enough so the slightly excessive length never becomes a problem. You won't see this on the awards list, I can't imagine there'll be a sequel, and I doubt you'll have to wait in line, but for the here and now, this will do just fine.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Two powerful tech billionaires (Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman) are bitter rivals with a complicated past who will stop at nothing to destroy each other, and try to use a young employee (Liam Hemsworth) to do so.
The national critics have been fairly harsh in their reviews of this film, but if you're just looking for a couple of hours of entertainment, you won't go wrong here. It features as exceptionally good cast, with Hemsworth being the lead, but what a supporting cast! Everyone does a fine job. There are a couple of plot inconsistencies, but they aren't enough to detract. The pacing is good enough so the slightly excessive length never becomes a problem. You won't see this on the awards list, I can't imagine there'll be a sequel, and I doubt you'll have to wait in line, but for the here and now, this will do just fine.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Kick-Ass 2 **
Jeff Wadlow wrote and directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse,
Morris Chestnut, John Leguizamo, Donald Faison, Jim Carrey. Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, crude and sexual content, and brief nudity. Running time is one hour and forty-three minutes.
Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Red Mist (with a new, very profane name) return for the follow-up to 2010's irreverent hit.
Here's another film where the patrons who will most want to see it aren't old enough to do so. The cast, with few exceptions, are supposed to be high school students but the rating is definitely not going to let that crowd in. Production values are fine and so is the cast. The problem is this is one of the most profane and grossly violent films I've seen, and that's saying something. None of that particularly bothered me, but it certainly makes it impossible to recommend the film.
There is a final scene after all the credits that alters the supposed ending. Screen size is relatively unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Red Mist (with a new, very profane name) return for the follow-up to 2010's irreverent hit.
Here's another film where the patrons who will most want to see it aren't old enough to do so. The cast, with few exceptions, are supposed to be high school students but the rating is definitely not going to let that crowd in. Production values are fine and so is the cast. The problem is this is one of the most profane and grossly violent films I've seen, and that's saying something. None of that particularly bothered me, but it certainly makes it impossible to recommend the film.
There is a final scene after all the credits that alters the supposed ending. Screen size is relatively unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Worthwhile (or not) 8/16/13
MetaCritic indicates The Butler (66) is the best picture this week followed by Jobs
(42), Kick-Ass 2 (42) and Paranoia
(33).
I've seen two of these and found Paranoia entertaining and Kick-Ass 2 incredibly violent. For all the
reviews take the
link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on
the titles above.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Opening 8/16/13
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.
Jobs [PG-13] 2 hrs. 2 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas, J.K. Simmons, Matthew Modine. Plot: the story of Steve Jobs, the original innovator and ground-breaking entrepreneur who let nothing stand in the way of greatness. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
Kick-Ass 2 [R] 1 hr. 47 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Morris Chestnut, John Leguizamo, Donald Faison, Jim Carrey. Plot: Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Red Mist return for the follow-up to 2010's irreverent hit. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Lee Daniels' The Butler [PG-13] 2 hrs. 6 min. Biographical Drama Watch Preview Cast: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Minka Kelly, Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Leo, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams. Plot: the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Paranoia [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, Harrison Ford, Lucas Till, Embeth Davidtz, Julian McMahon, Josh Holloway, Richard Dreyfuss. Plot: two powerful tech billionaires (Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman) are bitter rivals with a complicated past who will stop at nothing to destroy each other. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving 8/15/13
Derby Plaza - Two Guns, The Wolverine, Percy Jackson 2 3D, Planes 3D
Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - The Internship
Starlite Drive-In - Open daily
Warren East 13th - The Lone Ranger, Fruitvale Station, Pacific Rim, R.I.P.D., Percy Jackson 2 3D
Warren Old Town - The Wolverine, The Heat, Red 2
Warren West 21st - Pacific Rim, The Way, Way Back, Percy Jackson 2 3D
Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - The Internship
Starlite Drive-In - Open daily
Warren East 13th - The Lone Ranger, Fruitvale Station, Pacific Rim, R.I.P.D., Percy Jackson 2 3D
Warren Old Town - The Wolverine, The Heat, Red 2
Warren West 21st - Pacific Rim, The Way, Way Back, Percy Jackson 2 3D
Friday, August 09, 2013
Elysium **½
Neill Blomkamp wrote and directed this Sci-fi action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, William Fichtner, Wagner Moura. Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.
A citizen (Damon) from an overpopulated, ruined Earth in an attempt to get medical treatment attacks a pristine man-made space station protected by a ruthless, ambitious Secretary of Defense (Foster).
Writer/director Blomkamp is at it again, blending social commentary with science fiction/action. We first saw this in his 2009 film, District 9. In that film it was human/alien inequality, this time it's the one percenters vs. everyone else. He contrasts an Earth where everyone lives in extreme squalor and without proper medical care, with a huge space station whose wealthy, privileged inhabitants want for nothing. Damon's attempt to get medical treatment is the crux of the plot. The film is well made, with good production values but the plot should have received a lot more attention. There are too many coincidences at just the right time for the story to be believable. And one of the minor leads, Copley, has a South African accent so strong you can almost never understand him. Action fans (the obvious intended audience) will find more than enough violence to satisfy them. But that same violence, combined with the constant, depressing bleakness of the story, makes this film sadly lacking for those interested in being entertained.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will provide greatest visual impact. Theatres/Times. IMAX times.
A citizen (Damon) from an overpopulated, ruined Earth in an attempt to get medical treatment attacks a pristine man-made space station protected by a ruthless, ambitious Secretary of Defense (Foster).
Writer/director Blomkamp is at it again, blending social commentary with science fiction/action. We first saw this in his 2009 film, District 9. In that film it was human/alien inequality, this time it's the one percenters vs. everyone else. He contrasts an Earth where everyone lives in extreme squalor and without proper medical care, with a huge space station whose wealthy, privileged inhabitants want for nothing. Damon's attempt to get medical treatment is the crux of the plot. The film is well made, with good production values but the plot should have received a lot more attention. There are too many coincidences at just the right time for the story to be believable. And one of the minor leads, Copley, has a South African accent so strong you can almost never understand him. Action fans (the obvious intended audience) will find more than enough violence to satisfy them. But that same violence, combined with the constant, depressing bleakness of the story, makes this film sadly lacking for those interested in being entertained.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will provide greatest visual impact. Theatres/Times. IMAX times.
We're The Millers ***
Rawson Marshall Thurber directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts, Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, Will Poulter, Ed Helms. Rated R for crude sexual content, pervasive language, drug material and brief graphic nudity. Running time is one hour and fifty-minutes.
A small-time pot dealer (Sudeikis), forced to become a big-time drug smuggler, puts together a fake family (Aniston, Roberts, Poulter) to fool the border drug authorities.
This is the kind of film mainstream critics love to hate, but you shouldn't take their comments too seriously this time. There's nothing particularly innovative here but the pleasure comes from watching a very good cast turn a script into something quite enjoyable. Aniston comes across very well, blending attributes of a sexy stripper with those of a caring mother. Sudeikis doesn't have quite the same range as Aniston but he's good in this role. The supporting cast is very good. I watched this with my wife and we both laughed and chuckled throughout. There is a lot of profanity and a brief scene of male frontal nudity you should be aware of if that sort of thing bothers you. The film is a few minutes too long but the pacing is good enough to keep you from being bored.
There is a selection of outtakes right after the end title and before the credits. Screen size will be relatively unimportant but you'll laugh more with a large crowd. Theatres/Times.
A small-time pot dealer (Sudeikis), forced to become a big-time drug smuggler, puts together a fake family (Aniston, Roberts, Poulter) to fool the border drug authorities.
This is the kind of film mainstream critics love to hate, but you shouldn't take their comments too seriously this time. There's nothing particularly innovative here but the pleasure comes from watching a very good cast turn a script into something quite enjoyable. Aniston comes across very well, blending attributes of a sexy stripper with those of a caring mother. Sudeikis doesn't have quite the same range as Aniston but he's good in this role. The supporting cast is very good. I watched this with my wife and we both laughed and chuckled throughout. There is a lot of profanity and a brief scene of male frontal nudity you should be aware of if that sort of thing bothers you. The film is a few minutes too long but the pacing is good enough to keep you from being bored.
There is a selection of outtakes right after the end title and before the credits. Screen size will be relatively unimportant but you'll laugh more with a large crowd. Theatres/Times.
Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters **
Thor Freudenthal directed this Fantasy adventure. Watch Preview. Cast:
Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Douglas Smith,
Mary Birdsong, Yvette Nicole Brown, Missi Pyle, Nathan Fillion, Anthony
Head, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Leven Rambin, Stanley Tucci, Robert Maillet,
Zoe Aggeliki. Rated PG for fantasy action violence, some scary images and mild language. Running time is one hour and forty-six minutes.
To save the world, Percy (Lerman), the son of Poseidon, and his friends must find the fabled and magical Golden Fleece.
I'm a little puzzled by this film and it's predecessor. The plot would seem to be for a very limited, younger viewer, but the production values (and subsequent costs) are first rate. The leads are relatively unknown to me but there is a terrific supporting cast of excellent actors. I guess what I'm saying is I don't see how they can gross enough at the boxoffice to cover what I'm assuming are substantial production costs. Most adults are going to find this pretty silly, so unless they're accompanying children or grandchildren I don't see this attracting many of them. Still, I found it mildly entertaining and the CGI effects are very good. Perhaps if I'd read the books I might be more enthusiastic. I saw this in the 2D version so I can't comment on the 3D quality.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. The larger the screen, the more impressive this will appear. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times.
To save the world, Percy (Lerman), the son of Poseidon, and his friends must find the fabled and magical Golden Fleece.
I'm a little puzzled by this film and it's predecessor. The plot would seem to be for a very limited, younger viewer, but the production values (and subsequent costs) are first rate. The leads are relatively unknown to me but there is a terrific supporting cast of excellent actors. I guess what I'm saying is I don't see how they can gross enough at the boxoffice to cover what I'm assuming are substantial production costs. Most adults are going to find this pretty silly, so unless they're accompanying children or grandchildren I don't see this attracting many of them. Still, I found it mildly entertaining and the CGI effects are very good. Perhaps if I'd read the books I might be more enthusiastic. I saw this in the 2D version so I can't comment on the 3D quality.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. The larger the screen, the more impressive this will appear. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times.
Worthwhile (or not) 8/7, 9/13
MetaCritic indicates Elysium (60) is the best picture this week followed by We're The Millers
(43), Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (39) and Planes
(38).
I've seen three of these and found We're The Millers far more entertaining than Elysium. Elysium may well be the best of these films but it's far from being the most entertaining. For all the
reviews take the
link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on
the titles above.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Monday, August 05, 2013
Opening 8/7, 8/9/13
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.
Wednesday 8/7
Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters [PG] 2D/3D 1 hr. 46 min. Fantasy adventure Watch Preview Cast: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Douglas Smith, Mary Birdsong, Yvette Nicole Brown, Missi Pyle, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Head, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Leven Rambin, Stanley Tucci, Robert Maillet, Zoe Aggeliki. Plot: to save the world, Percy (Lerman) and his friends must find the fabled and magical Golden Fleece. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren West.
We're The Millers [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts, Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, Will Poulter, Ed Helms. Plot: a small-time pot dealer (Sudeikis) forced to become a big-time drug smuggler puts together a fake family (Aniston, Roberts, Poulter) to fool the drug authorities. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Friday 8/9
Elysium [R] 2D/IMAX 1 hr. 49 min. Sci-fi action Watch Preview Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, William Fichtner, Wagner Moura. Plot: a citizen (Damon) from an overpopulated, ruined Earth attacks a pristine man-made space station. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Planes [G] 2D/3D 1 hr. 32 min. Animated comedy Watch Preview Voices: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Cleese, Carlos Alazraqui, Priyanka Chopra, Gabriel Iglesias, Roger Craig Smith, Colin Cowherd, Sinbad, Oliver Kalkofe, Brent Musburger. Plot: a cropdusting plane dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving 8/8/13
Derby Plaza - Red 2, Turbo
Movie Machine - The Wolverine
Palace West - The Croods
Starlite Drive-In - Open daily
Warren East 13th - The Smurfs 3D
Warren Old Town - Grown Ups 2
Warren West 21st - The Smurfs 3D, Pacific Rim IMAX 3D, World War Z IMAX 3D
Movie Machine - The Wolverine
Palace West - The Croods
Starlite Drive-In - Open daily
Warren East 13th - The Smurfs 3D
Warren Old Town - Grown Ups 2
Warren West 21st - The Smurfs 3D, Pacific Rim IMAX 3D, World War Z IMAX 3D
Friday, August 02, 2013
2 Guns ***
Baltasar Kormákur directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos, James Marsden. Rated R for violence throughout, language and brief nudity. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.
Two government operatives (Washington, Wahlberg) from competing bureaus are forced on the run together, with neither knowing the other is an undercover federal agent.
There's nothing unique about this film. Basically, there's a lot of violent action interspersed with occasional minutes of buddy humor. What it has going for it is a very good cast and a director who know how to keep things moving. As a result, even though it's a little long it never seems slow and it keeps your attention throughout. This will never be up for awards and you'll forget about it soon after leaving the theatre, but action fans will enjoy themselves while there.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Two government operatives (Washington, Wahlberg) from competing bureaus are forced on the run together, with neither knowing the other is an undercover federal agent.
There's nothing unique about this film. Basically, there's a lot of violent action interspersed with occasional minutes of buddy humor. What it has going for it is a very good cast and a director who know how to keep things moving. As a result, even though it's a little long it never seems slow and it keeps your attention throughout. This will never be up for awards and you'll forget about it soon after leaving the theatre, but action fans will enjoy themselves while there.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Worthwhile (or not) 8/2/13
MetaCritic indicates Frances Ha (81) is the best picture this week followed by 2 Guns
(55) and Smurfs 2
(35).
I've seen one of these and found it entertaining. For all the
reviews take the
link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on
the titles above.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.
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About Me
- Wichita, KS, United States
- I've spent most of my adult life in film exhibition management, from which I've retired. As a result of my work I've seen thousands of movies over the years and maintain a strong interest in movies and theatres.
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