Jaume Collet-Serra directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Nate Parker, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some language, sensuality and drug references. Running time is one hour and forty-six minutes.
An Air Marshal (Neeson) receives a series of cryptic text messages
demanding he instruct the government to transfer $150 million into an
off-shore account or a passenger will be killed every 20 minutes.
Action/thriller fans should be well satisfied with Neeson's latest effort. The plot is fairly familiar but the film does a good job of keeping you in suspense until the very end. I personally thought the reasoning for the highjacking was suspect but that's a relatively minor point. Production values are good although there's nothing spectacular. Neeson plays the same role he's played for several films but he does that well. The rest of the cast is fine. Dockery makes no attempt to hide her British accent so she sounds just like Lady Mary in Downton Abbey, even though this character is certainly more modern. This will not be up for any awards and you'll forget about it shortly after leaving, but most will have a good time while watching.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will accentuate the action. Theatres/Times.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Worthwhile (or not) 2/28/2014
MetaCritic indicates The Wind Rises (84) is the top rated film this week followed by Non-Stop {56), Stalingrad (49), and Son Of God (37). Anchorman 2 Supersized received no rating so it may not have been screened for the critics. I
watched one of these films and found it enjoyable but not superlative. 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, February 24, 2014
Opening 2/28/2014
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.
Anchorman 2 Supersized [R] 2 hrs. 23 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast:Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Paul Rudd, Kristen Wiig, James Marsden, Dylan Baker, Meagan Good, Harrison Ford, Greg Kinnear, Josh Lawson, Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, Nicole Kidman. Plot: reissue of the December 2013 release with new R rated material (original was PG-13) and 24 minutes additional run time. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Non-Stop [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min.Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Nate Parker, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy. Plot: an Air Marshal (Neeson) receives a series of cryptic text messages demanding he instruct the government to transfer $150 million into an off-shore account or a passenger will be killed every 20 minutes. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Son Of God [PG-13] 2 hrs. 18 min Drama Watch Preview Cast: Diogo Morgado, Greg Hicks, Adrian Schiller, Darwin Shaw, Sebastian Knapp, Joe Wredden, Simon Kunz, Paul Marc Davis, Matthew Gravelle, Amber Rose Revah, Roma Downey. Plot: film spans from the humble birth of Jesus (Morgado) through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.
Stalingrad [R] IMAX 3D 2 hrs. 11 min.War Drama Watch Preview Cast:Thomas Kretschmann, Pyotr Fyodorov, Sergey Bondarchuk, Maria Smolnikova, Yanina Studilina. Plot: an epic look at the battle that turned the tide of World War II. Showing at: Warren West.
The Wind Rises [PG-13] 2 hrs.7 min. Animated fantasy Watch Preview Voices: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Martin Short, Stanley Tucci, Mandy Patinkin, William H. Macy, Werner Herzog, Mae Whitman, Jennifer Grey, Darren Criss, Elijah Wood, Ronan Farrow. Plot: a young Japanese boy dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes. Showing at: Warren East.
Leaving 2/27/2014
Movie Machine - Monuments Men, The Nut Job, Endless Love
Palace West - Walter Mitty, Captain Phillips, Book Thief
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Jack Ryan, Labor Day, Winter's Tale
Warren Old Town - Winter's Tale, RoboCop
Warren West 21st - That Awkward Moment, Jack Ryan, Gravity 3D, The Nut Job, Winter's Tale, Pompeii 3D
Palace West - Walter Mitty, Captain Phillips, Book Thief
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Jack Ryan, Labor Day, Winter's Tale
Warren Old Town - Winter's Tale, RoboCop
Warren West 21st - That Awkward Moment, Jack Ryan, Gravity 3D, The Nut Job, Winter's Tale, Pompeii 3D
Friday, February 21, 2014
3 Days To Kill ***½
McG directed this Thriller. Watch preview. Cast: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, Connie Nielsen. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-three minutes.
A dying international agent (Costner) is determined to give up his high stakes life to build a closer relationship with his estranged wife (Nielsen) and daughter (Steinfeld), but first, he must complete one last mission from his boss (Heard) in order to receive an experimental drug that could save his life.
Once again the national critics dislike a film I found quite entertaining, as did my wife. It's true there's nothing particularly new in this plot, you have seen it before, but the characters are ones you start to care about as that plot progresses, and that draws you more completely into the story. The production values are excellent and the film has a definite European feel, which it should since it was filmed there. The cast is uniformly good, although Nielsen doesn't have all that much to do. It's been awhile since Costner has appeared in a leading role and it's nice to see him in one once again. Heard packs a real punch in her role and Steinfeld is maturing into a very competent actress. There's plenty of action but it's balanced with several instances of humor that makes the film enjoyable for almost anyone. While I don't see this being a tentpole pic, I for one wouldn't mind if it became one.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will give the action more impact. Theatres/Times.
A dying international agent (Costner) is determined to give up his high stakes life to build a closer relationship with his estranged wife (Nielsen) and daughter (Steinfeld), but first, he must complete one last mission from his boss (Heard) in order to receive an experimental drug that could save his life.
Once again the national critics dislike a film I found quite entertaining, as did my wife. It's true there's nothing particularly new in this plot, you have seen it before, but the characters are ones you start to care about as that plot progresses, and that draws you more completely into the story. The production values are excellent and the film has a definite European feel, which it should since it was filmed there. The cast is uniformly good, although Nielsen doesn't have all that much to do. It's been awhile since Costner has appeared in a leading role and it's nice to see him in one once again. Heard packs a real punch in her role and Steinfeld is maturing into a very competent actress. There's plenty of action but it's balanced with several instances of humor that makes the film enjoyable for almost anyone. While I don't see this being a tentpole pic, I for one wouldn't mind if it became one.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will give the action more impact. Theatres/Times.
Worthwhile (or not) 2/21/14
MetaCritic indicates 3 Days To Kill (40) and Pompeii (40) are tied this week. I
watched one of these films and found myself once again in complete disagreement with the national critics. 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, February 17, 2014
Opening 2/21/14
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.
3 Days To Kill [PG-13] 2 hrs. Thriller Watch preview Cast: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, Connie Nielsen. Plot: a dying international spy (Costner) is determined to give up his high stakes life to build a closer relationship with his estranged wife (Nielsen) and daughter (Steinfeld), but first, he must complete one last mission in order to receive an experimental drug that could save his life. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Pompeii 2D/3D [PG-13] 1 hr. 46 min. Action drama Watch preview Cast: Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Browning, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Paz Vega, Jessica Lucas, Jared Harris, Kiefer Sutherland. Plot: the epic story of a slave (Kit Harington) turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love (Emily Browning) as Mount Vesuvius erupts. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving 2/20/14
Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - Anchorman 2, Grudge Match
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Vampire Academy
Warren Old Town - Lone Survivor
Warren West 21st - Labor Day, I Frankenstein, Vampire Academy
Palace West - Anchorman 2, Grudge Match
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Vampire Academy
Warren Old Town - Lone Survivor
Warren West 21st - Labor Day, I Frankenstein, Vampire Academy
Friday, February 14, 2014
Winter's Tale ***
Akiva Goldsman wrote and directed this Fantasy/Drama. Watch Preview. Cast:
Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt,
Eva Marie Saint, Russell Crowe, Ripley Sobo, Mckayla Twiggs. Rated PG-13 for violence and some sensuality. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.
Spanning more than a century, a story of miracles, crossed destinies, and the age-old battle between good and evil. Based on the acclaimed novel by Mark Helprin.
My wife and I watched this and both of us liked it very much. I note that isn't the case with the national critics who seem rather uniform in their dislike. That may be because they're comparing the novel to the movie, I don't know, but I got the sense many of them didn't understand what was going on. In order to appreciate this film you have to realize it's set in an alternate reality. One that seems almost the same as ours, but not quite. Consumption (tuberculosis) seems to manifest itself somewhat differently, as does the appearance of the devil, demons, angels and miracles. As long as you understand you're in a reality somewhat different than ours, the film makes perfect sense, and is quite moving at times. The cast is excellent and the production values are first class. While it's a little longer than I usually like, the pacing is such I never once looked at my watch. Consider this a romance for older patrons (the younger ones will be attending About Last Night), be willing to suspend belief for a couple of hours, and I think you'll find this quite enjoyable.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is relatively unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Spanning more than a century, a story of miracles, crossed destinies, and the age-old battle between good and evil. Based on the acclaimed novel by Mark Helprin.
My wife and I watched this and both of us liked it very much. I note that isn't the case with the national critics who seem rather uniform in their dislike. That may be because they're comparing the novel to the movie, I don't know, but I got the sense many of them didn't understand what was going on. In order to appreciate this film you have to realize it's set in an alternate reality. One that seems almost the same as ours, but not quite. Consumption (tuberculosis) seems to manifest itself somewhat differently, as does the appearance of the devil, demons, angels and miracles. As long as you understand you're in a reality somewhat different than ours, the film makes perfect sense, and is quite moving at times. The cast is excellent and the production values are first class. While it's a little longer than I usually like, the pacing is such I never once looked at my watch. Consider this a romance for older patrons (the younger ones will be attending About Last Night), be willing to suspend belief for a couple of hours, and I think you'll find this quite enjoyable.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is relatively unimportant. Theatres/Times.
Worthwhile (or not) 2/14/14
MetaCritic indicates About Last Night (62) is the best film this week followed by RoboCop (52), Winter's Tale (32) and Endless Love (31). I
watched one of these films and found myself once again in complete disagreement with the national critics. 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, February 10, 2014
Opening 2/12, 14/14
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.
Wednesday 2/12/14
RoboCop 2D/IMAX 2D [PG-13] 1 hr. 58 min. Sci-Fi thriller Watch Preview Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jay Baruchel, Jennifer Ehle, Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Plot: a good cop (Kinnaman) is critically injured in the line of duty and robotics is used to save his life. He returns to the streets of his city with amazing new abilities, but with issues a regular man has never had to face before. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Friday 2/14/14
About Last Night [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Romance Watch Preview Cast: Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Joy Bryant, Christopher McDonald, Paula Patton. Plot: follows new love for two couples as they journey from the bar to the bedroom and are eventually put to the test in the real world. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Endless Love [PG-13] 1 hr. 43 min. Drama/Romance Watch Preview Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde, Robert Patrick, Bruce Greenwood, Rhys Wakefield, Dayo Okeniyi, Emma Rigby, Joely Richardson. Plot: the story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.
Winter's Tale [PG-13] 2 hrs. 9 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, Eva Marie Saint, Russell Crowe, Ripley Sobo, Mckayla Twiggs. Plot: spanning more than a century, a story of miracles, crossed destinies, and the age-old battle between good and evil. Based on the acclaimed novel by Mark Helprin. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Leaving 2/11, 13/14
Movie Machine - 2/13: Ride Along
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - 2/11: Dallas Buyers Club, Nebraska, Hobbit, Philomena; 2/13: Saving Mr. Banks, Catching Fire, August: Osage County, I, Frankenstein
Warren Old Town - 2/11: Shadow Recruit, I, Frankenstein; 2/13: Labor Day, American Hustle
Warren West 21st - 2/11: Saving Mr. Banks, 12 Years A Slave; 2/13: August: Osage County, American Hustle
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - 2/11: Dallas Buyers Club, Nebraska, Hobbit, Philomena; 2/13: Saving Mr. Banks, Catching Fire, August: Osage County, I, Frankenstein
Warren Old Town - 2/11: Shadow Recruit, I, Frankenstein; 2/13: Labor Day, American Hustle
Warren West 21st - 2/11: Saving Mr. Banks, 12 Years A Slave; 2/13: August: Osage County, American Hustle
Friday, February 07, 2014
The Monuments Men **½
George Clooney wrote, directed and stars in this Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, John Goodman. Rated PG-13 for some images of war violence and historical smoking. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.
An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners.
This film is clearly aimed at an older crowd: those interested in WWII stories and fans of Clooney and Damon. Production values are good and the film exhibits a visual authenticity. The plot, however, is clunky and doesn't have a smooth flow. The pace is also slower than desirable which makes the two hour running time seem excessive. This was supposed to have been released as a Christmas picture but it was decided the film would not stand up well in that crowded release pattern. A good decision in my opinion as this would have come and gone in a couple of weeks during that time frame. As it is, I'm not sure this will be around much longer that that.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will be preferable for maximum action impact. Theatres/Times.
An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners.
This film is clearly aimed at an older crowd: those interested in WWII stories and fans of Clooney and Damon. Production values are good and the film exhibits a visual authenticity. The plot, however, is clunky and doesn't have a smooth flow. The pace is also slower than desirable which makes the two hour running time seem excessive. This was supposed to have been released as a Christmas picture but it was decided the film would not stand up well in that crowded release pattern. A good decision in my opinion as this would have come and gone in a couple of weeks during that time frame. As it is, I'm not sure this will be around much longer that that.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will be preferable for maximum action impact. Theatres/Times.
Vampire Academy **½
Mark Waters directed this Comedy/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Zoey
Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky, Gabriel Byrne, Sarah Hyland, Joely
Richardson, Cameron Monaghan, Sami Gayle, Claire Foy, Ashley Charles. Rated PG-13 for violence, bloody images, sexual content and language. Running time is one hour and forty-four minutes.
Two 17-year-old girls (Deutch, Fry) attend a hidden boarding school for Moroi (mortal, peaceful Vampires) and Dhampirs (half-vampire/half-human guardians). Based on author Richelle Mead's worldwide bestselling series, "Vampire Academy".
While this is clearly aimed at the teenage girls who read the highly successful book series, there is enough fast paced, witty dialogue and action to make it appeal to an even wider audience. Aiming to fall between the Twilight series and Harry Potter, I found it better than the first but not nearly as good as the latter. Production values are good and the cast is fine, especially Deutch, but the plot jumps around unnecessarily and it's slightly longer than it should be. This film is basically a set-up to a hoped for new series, but whether it succeeds in that endeavor remains to be seen.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen would be nice but not necessary. Theatres/Times.
Two 17-year-old girls (Deutch, Fry) attend a hidden boarding school for Moroi (mortal, peaceful Vampires) and Dhampirs (half-vampire/half-human guardians). Based on author Richelle Mead's worldwide bestselling series, "Vampire Academy".
While this is clearly aimed at the teenage girls who read the highly successful book series, there is enough fast paced, witty dialogue and action to make it appeal to an even wider audience. Aiming to fall between the Twilight series and Harry Potter, I found it better than the first but not nearly as good as the latter. Production values are good and the cast is fine, especially Deutch, but the plot jumps around unnecessarily and it's slightly longer than it should be. This film is basically a set-up to a hoped for new series, but whether it succeeds in that endeavor remains to be seen.
There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen would be nice but not necessary. Theatres/Times.
Worthwhile (or not) 2/7/14
MetaCritic indicates The LEGO Movie (81) is the best film this week followed by The Monuments Men (53). Vampire Academy received no score as it evidently wasn't screened. I
watched two of these films and found both to be mildly entertaining although aimed at entirely different audiences. 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, February 03, 2014
Opening 2/7/14
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.
The LEGO Movie 2D/3D [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Animated comedy Watch Preview Voices: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman. Plot: an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure is mistakenly identified as key to saving the world and is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which he is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.
The Monuments Men [PG-13] 1 hr. 58 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, John Goodman. Plot: an unlikely World War II platoon is tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Vampire Academy [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky, Gabriel Byrne, Sarah Hyland, Joely Richardson, Cameron Monaghan, Sami Gayle, Claire Foy, Ashley Charles. Plot: two 17-year-old girls attend a hidden boarding school for Moroi (mortal, peaceful Vampires) and Dhampirs (half-vampire/half-human guardians). Based on author Richelle Mead's worldwide bestselling series, "Vampire Academy". Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving 2/6/14
Movie Machine - I, Frankenstein, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Palace West - The Delivery Man, Madea Christmas, Last Vegas
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Her, The Invisible Woman, Devil's Due
Warren Old Town - I, Frankenstein
Warren West 21st - Legend Of Hercules, Devil's Due, Desolation Of Smaug, Gimmie Shelter, I, Frankenstein IMAX 3D
Palace West - The Delivery Man, Madea Christmas, Last Vegas
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the winter
Warren East 13th - Her, The Invisible Woman, Devil's Due
Warren Old Town - I, Frankenstein
Warren West 21st - Legend Of Hercules, Devil's Due, Desolation Of Smaug, Gimmie Shelter, I, Frankenstein IMAX 3D
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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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