Opening 8/1/14

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.

A Most Wanted Man [R] 2 hrs. 1 min.Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright, Willem Dafoe, Daniel Brühl. Plot: based on John le Carré’s worldwide bestselling book about a Chechen Muslim who illegally immigrates to Hamburg and becomes caught in the international war on terror. Showing at: Warren East.

Get On Up [PG-13] 2 hrs. 18 min. Musical Drama Watch Preview Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis, Lennie James, Jill Scott, Dan Aykroyd. Plot: based on the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul, the film looks inside the music, moves and moods of James Brown. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Guardians Of The Galaxy 2D/3D/IMAX 3D 2 hrs. 2 min. Action/adventure Watch Preview Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio del Toro. Plot: a brash adventurer (Chris Pratt) finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. Showing at: Movie Machine, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 7/31/14

Movie Machine - Transformers 4
Palace West - Heaven Is For Real, Mom's Night Out, Neighbors
Starlite Drive-In - open daily
Warren East 13th - Maleficent, Persecuted, Think Like A Man Too, Edge Of Tomorrow, Hercules 3D
Warren Old Town - Tammy, Sex Tape
Warren West 21st - Hercules IMAX 3D, Jersey Boys, Persecuted

Lucy ***½

Luc Besson directed this Sci-Fi Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman. Rated R for strong violence, disturbing images, and sexuality. Running time is one hour and thirty minutes.

A woman accidentally caught in a drug smuggling deal turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

This is one of those films whose patron responses will range from Huh? to Wow! Count me in the latter group. Oh, I noticed some of the silly errors in the opening minutes and much of Freeman's pontificating is questionable, but I found the overall trajectory mind bending, although some may consider it blasphemous. Basically, Besson shows us the evolution from the original pre-human Lucy until now and then postulates what might happen if a similar, far more rapid evolution occurred starting with the title character, Lucy. Instead of 2001's obelisk, he uses a synthetic drug as the catalyst. He leaves it up to the audience to decide what the final outcome of that transformation might be. I have my opinion but I'll leave it up each viewer to come to their own conclusion. Whatever you may think about the plot, the pacing is absolutely perfect, there's plenty of action and the running time is spot on. What's not to like.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 7/25/14

MetaCritic indicates Lucy (61) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Hercules (58), Wish I Was Here (43) and And So It Goes (39). I saw one of this week's films and thought it a real mind bender. 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.

Opening 7/25/14

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.

And So It Goes [PG-13] 1 hr. 34 min. Romantic drama Watch Preview Cast: Michael Douglas, Diane Keaton, Sterling Jerins, Frankie Valli, Scott Shepherd, Frances Sternhagen. Plot: an obnoxious realtor (Michael Douglas) has a granddaughter (Sterling Jerins) he never knew existed left with him so he pawns her off on his determined and lovable neighbor (Diane Keaton).
Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Hercules [PG-13] 2D/3D/IMAX 3D 2 hr.  Fantasy adventure Watch Preview Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, John Hurt, Rebecca Ferguson, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Aksel Hennie, Reece Ritchie. Plot: based on the Radical Studios graphic novel "Hercules: The Thracian Wars," this ensemble-action film is a revisionist take on the classic myth set in a grounded world where the supernatural does not exist. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Lucy [R] 1 hr. 29 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman. Plot: a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Wish I Was Here [R] 1 hr. 54 min.  Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Zach Braff, Kate Hudson, Mandy Patinkin, Josh Gad, Joey King, Pierce Gagnon. Plot: what it means to be at a major crossroads as a parent, spouse, and child -- all at once. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 7/24/14

Movie Machine - Tammy, How To Train Your Dragon 2
Palace West - Million Dollar Arm
Starlite Drive-In - open daily
Warren East 13th - Earth To Echo, The Obvious Child, Deliver Us From Evil, Planet Of The Apes 3D, Planes 3D
Warren Old Town - Transformers 4, 22 Jump Street, Planet Of The Apes 3D
Warren West 21st - Deliver Us From Evil, Earth To Echo, The Fault In Our Stars, Transformers 4 IMAX 3D

Sex Tape **½

Jake Kasdan directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper, Rob Lowe, Jack Black. Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use. Running time is one hour and thirty minutes.

A married couple (Diaz, Segel) decide to make a video of themselves trying out every position in The Joy of Sex in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea – until they discover the tape has been posted on the internet.

This had the potential to be a really good film but unfortunately falls short. It does have its share of laughs but enough plot deficiencies to keep it from being a real winner. The first problem is the basic premise of the mistakenly uploaded video. Anyone with just a little knowledge of the internet will understand how this could be easily rectified, and eventually so does the film cast, but it takes them the whole movie to figure it out.  Second, the whole plot is about one thing, getting the video back, and that gets tiresome long before the film is over. Third, the very long sequence with Rob Lowe. As good as he is, way too much time is spent on that aspect. Diaz and Segel obviously have good chemistry together and really appear to be enjoying themselves. The rest of the cast is fine but are almost superfluous to the story and Black is hardly onscreen at all. It's interesting that Diaz and Segel are supposedly on the same health regimen, but she looks great and he looks emaciated. I watched this with my wife who was even less impressed than I was, so I doubt this is going to have much female interest.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 7/18/14

MetaCritic indicates Planes: Fire And Rescue (48) and The Purge: Anarchy (48) are tied for top ranking this week, followed by Third Person (37), Sex Tape (35) and Persecuted (7). I saw one of this week's films and thought it funny in spots but not as good as hoped for. 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.

Opening 7/18/14

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.

Persecuted [PG-13] 1 hr. 31 min. Suspense drama Watch Preview Cast: James Remar, Fred Dalton Thompson, Gretchen Carlson, Dean Stockwell, Bruce Davison, Brad Stine, Natalie Grant. Plot: an acclaimed evangelist, the last obstacle in the way of sweeping religious reform, is framed for the murder of a teenage girl. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Planes: Fire & Rescue 2D/3D [PG] 1 hr. 16 min. Animated adventure Watch Preview Voices: Dane Cook, Julie Bowen. Plot: a world famous air racer (voice of Dane Cook) learns his engine is damaged and he may never race again, so he shifts gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting.  Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

The Purge:Anarchy [R] 1 hr. 43 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Frank Grillo, Michael K. Williams, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez, Keith Stanfield. Plot: the New Founders of America invite you to celebrate your annual right to Purge.  Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Sex Tape [R] 1 hr. 34 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper, Rob Lowe. Plot: a married couple decide to make a video of themselves trying out every position in The Joy of Sex in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea – until they discover the tape has been posted on the internet. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Third Person [R] 2 hrs. 17 min. Romance drama Watch Preview Cast: Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, Adrien Brody. Plot: interlocking love stories involving three couples in Rome, Paris, and New York. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 7/17/14

Movie Machine - Earth To Echo
Palace West - Divergent, Million Ways To Die In The West
Starlite Drive-In - open daily
Warren East 13th - The Fault In Our Stars, Chef, Think Like A Man Too, Jersey Boys
Warren Old Town - Deliver Us From Evil, 22 Jump Street
Warren West 21st - X-Men, Edge Of Tomorrow

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes **½

Matt Reeves directed this Sci-fi film. Watch Preview. Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Enrique Murciano, Kirk Acevedo, Judy Greer. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief strong language. Running time is two hours and ten minutes.

The genetically evolved apes led by Caesar are threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier and are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

I was less than thrilled when I first saw this on the booking list; just what we need, another Apes movie! But, it's better than expected and those who've not seen any of the earlier films needn't worry as the story stands nicely on its own. This uses the capture motion technique where actual actors act the ape parts and then CG are used to complete the transformation so it appears there are actual apes starring in the film. It makes for a very realistic effect. The plot's not at all innovative with most scenes being quite predictable. But the action and filming technique are very good and action fans should be pleased. My biggest quibble is the length. There is simply no need for at least a half  hour of padding at the end. Had this been a more reasonable 90-105 minutes I'd have given a higher rating. The film's ending implies if this one does well (and it should) there will be more to follow. I saw this in the 2D version so I can't speak to the quality of the 3D film effects.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. The largest possible screen will add to the film's action impact. 2D Theatre/Times. 3D Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 7/11/14

MetaCritic indicates Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (77) is the top rated film this week, followed by Obvious Child (75) and Begin Again (62). I saw one of this week's films and thought it better than expected but too long. 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.

Opening 7/11/14

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.

Begin Again [R] 1 hr. 45 min. Romance Watch Preview Cast: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, Catherine Keener, Cee Lo Green. Plot: what happens when lost souls meet and make beautiful music together.  Showing at: Warren East.

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes [PG-13] 2D/3D 2 hr. 10 min. Sci-fi film Watch Preview Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Enrique Murciano, Kirk Acevedo, Judy Greer. Plot: the genetically evolved apes led by Caesar are threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier and are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Obvious Child [R] 1 hr. 23 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, David Cross, Gabe Liedman, Richard Kind. Plot: when a comedienne gets dumped, loses her job, and finds herself pregnant just in time for Valentine's Day, she has to navigate the murky waters of independent adulthood for the first time. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 7/10/14

Movie Machine - Maleficent
Palace West - The Lego Movie, The Other Woman, God's Not Dead
Starlite Drive-In - open daily
Warren East 13th - Million Dollar Arm, Million Ways To Die In The West, X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Warren Old Town - Jersey Boys, Think Like A Man To, Transformers 3D
Warren West 21st - Million Ways To Die In The West, Think Like A ManToo, Transformers 3D

Worthwhile (or not) 7/2/14

 MetaCritic indicates Earth To Echo (47) is the top rated film this week, weakly followed by Deliver Us From Evil (43) and Tammy (41). America has not been reviewed by enough critics to have a score but what reviews it does have are terrible! This week's offerings looked so pitiful I couldn't bring myself to bother watching any of them. 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.