Worthwhle (or not) 10/31/14

MetaCritic indicates Nightcrawler (79) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Before I Go To Sleep (40). Saw is a re-issue and didn't receive new ratings. Due to some health issues I didn't watch anything this week.  For national 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 10/31/14

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.

Before  I Go To Sleep [R] 1 hr. 32 min.Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong. Plot: based on the best-selling novel by S.J. Watson, "Before I Go to Sleep" is the story of a woman (Nicole Kidman) who wakes up every day with no memory as the result of a traumatic accident in her past. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Nightcrawler [R] 1 hr. 57 min. Crime Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton. Plot: a driven young man (Gyllenhaal) desperate for work discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Saw Re-Issue [R] 1 hr. 43 min. Horror/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Ken Leung, Dina Meyer, Monica Potter, Shawnee Smith, Leigh Whannell. Plot: the 10th anniversary of "Saw's" release, back to theaters for one week this Halloween. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 10/30/14

Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - The Hundred-Foot Journey
Starlite Drive-In - open Fri-Sat
Warren East 13th - Men, Women & Children
Warren Old Town - The Judge, Annabelle, Dracula Untold
Warren West 21st - 23 Blast, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Left Behind

Worthwhile (or not) 10/24/14

MetaCritic indicates John Wick (67) is the top ranking film this week, followed by St. Vincent (64), 23 Blast (45), and Ouija (38). Due to some health issues I didn't watch anything this week.  For national 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 10/24/14

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.

23 Blast [PG-13] 1 hr. 38 min. Sports Drama Watch Preview Cast: Stephen Lang, Alexa Vega, Mark Hapka, Max Adler, Kimberly Jo Zimmer, Bram Hoover, Becky Ann Baker, Dylan Baker, Kevin Cooney, Scott Sowers, Isiah Whitlock, Jr., Crystal Hunt, Timothy Busfield, Fred Dalton Thompson. Plot: when a high school football star is suddenly stricken with irreversible, total blindness, he must decide whether to live a safe, protected life or to summon the courage through playing football to step back into the world. Showing at:  Warren West.

John Wick [R] 1 hr. 41 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Dean Winters, Bridget Moynahan, Ian McShane, John Leguizmo, Willem Dafoe. Plot: an ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters who took everything from him. Showing at:  Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
 
Ouija [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Supernatural/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Olivia Cooke, Daren Kagasoff, Douglas Smith, Bianca Santos, Ana Coto. Plot: a group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board. Showing at:  Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

St. Vincent [PG-13] 1 hr. 43 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher. Plot: when a single mother, moves into a new home in Brooklyn with her 12-year old son (Lieberher), she is forced to work long hours and has no choice but to leave hm in the care of their new neighbor (Murray), a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. Showing at:  Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 10/23/14

Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - The November Man, Bang, Bang
Starlite Drive-In - open Fri-Sat
Warren East 13th - The Boxtrolls, Kill The Messenger, This Is Where I Leave You, The Good Lie, Book Of Life 3D
Warren Old Town - The Equalizer
Warren West 21st - Dolphin Tale 2, The Good Lie, Dracula Untold IMAX, This Is Where I Leave You

Worthwhile (or not) 10/17/14

MetaCritic indicates Book Of Life (66) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Fury (63), Men, Women & Children (37), and The Best Of Me (27). Due to some health issues I didn't watch anything this week.  For national 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 10/17/14

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 Best Of Me [PG-13] 1 hr. 58 min.Drama Watch Preview Cast: Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Liana Liberato, Luke Bracey, Sebastian Arcelus, Gerald McRaney. Plot: two former high school sweethearts find themselves reunited after 20 years apart. Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. Showing at:Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Book Of Life [PG] 2D/3D 1 hr. 35 min. Animated Comedy Watch Preview Voices: Diego Luna, Channing Tatum, Zoë Saldana, Ice Cube, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, Kate del Castillo, Cheech Marin, Placido Domingo, Hector Elizondo, Ana de la Reguera, Eugenio Derbez, Gabriel Iglesias, Ricardo "El Mandril" Sanchez, Danny Trejo. Plot: the journey of a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Showing at:Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Fury [R] 2 hrs. 14 min. Action drama Watch Preview Cast: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs. Plot: a battle-hardened army sergeant (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines in WWII. Showing at:Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Men, Women And Children [R] 1 hr. 56 min. Romantic comedy/drama Watch Preview Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ansel Elgort, Jennifer Garner, Judy Greer, Dean Norris, Adam Sandler. Plot: a group of high school teenagers and their parents attempt to navigate the many ways the internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives. Showing at:Warren East.

Leaving 10/16/14

Movie Machine - Gone Girl, The Boxtrolls, Maze Runner
Palace West - Walk Among The Tombstones, Lucy
Starlite Drive-In - open Fri-Sat
Warren East 13th - Dolphin Tale 2, No Good Deed
Warren Old Town - The Maze Runner
Warren West 21st - Nothing

The Judge ****

David Dobkin directed this Relationship Drama Watch Preview Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shephard, Billy Bob Thornton, Ken Howard, Emma Tremblay, Balthazar Getty, David Krumholtz, Sarah Lancaster, Grace Zabriskie, Denis O'Hare. Rated R for language including some sexual references. Running time is two hours and twenty-one minutes.

Big city lawyer (Downey Jr.), returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge (Duvall), is charged with murder.

I've really been surprised at the reaction of most of the national critics to this film. Most of them weren't impressed at all while I found it one of the best films I've seen in a long time. Different strokes I guess.This is basically a film about family relationships with the legal aspects playing a relatively minor part. This has a strong cast, with all doing well, and with Downey Jr. and Duvall being exceptional. What made this work for me is I actually cared about the characters and became interested in their problems. That's unusual in most of today's films. I also didn't feel this film was too long, and if you look at the running time and if you're read many of my reviews, you should be aware I don't normally care for a film of this length. My wife watched this with me and was as impressed as I was.

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

Dracula Untold **½

Gary Shore directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Diarmaid Murtagh, Dominic Cooper, Samantha Barks, Charles Dance. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of warfare, vampire attacks, disturbing images, and some sensuality. Running time is one hour and thirty-two minutes.

The origin story of the man who became Dracula.

A film with a competent cast and good production values but with a plot that will leave you mostly uninvolved. The premise is that Dracula was a prince who became a vampire in order to save his subjects and family from the attacking Turks. Unfortunately, most of the subjects don't seem worth saving. While there is some of the requisite neck biting you expect in a vampire film, it's remarkably tame and few will ever feel the need to avert their eyes as the story progresses. Charles Dance has the juiciest role as the Master Vampire and manages to provide a little horror vibe. There are some good CG effects, but nothing you haven't seen before. The conclusion is puzzling and only makes sense if you assume the producers have a sequel in mind. I'll  personally be surprised if this does well enough at the boxoffice to justify one.

There are  no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen is best for appreciating the CG effects but not essential. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.

Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day **½

Miguel Arteta directed this Family Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Dylan Minnette, Kerris Dorsey, Ed Oxenbould, Megan Mullally, Jennifer Coolidge, Bella Thorne. Rated PG for rude humor including some reckless behavior and language. Running time is one hour and twenty-one minutes.

Follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life.

This is a pleasant family comedy most will enjoy but it's a  movie you've seen many times before. The cast is very good and the production values are fine. But, there's nothing exceptional here so it's akin to watching a TV movie. If you're looking for something away from home the whole family can attend, this is your picture. But, for teens on up sans children, this isn't going to make much of an impression.

There are additional stills along with the credits but nothing that has to be seen. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 10/10/14

MetaCritic indicates Kill The Messenger (60) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (52), The Judge (46), Dracula Untold (38) and in dismal last place with no score as it evidently wasn't screened, Addicted (0). I watched three of these and find myself in disagreement with these scores. For national 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 10/10/14

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.

Addicted [R] 1 hr. 45 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Kat Graham, William Levy. Plot: based on the best-selling novel by Zane: a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of indiscretion. Showing at:Warren East.

Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day [PG] 1 hr. 21 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Dylan Minnette, Kerris Dorsey, Ed Oxenbould, Megan Mullally, Jennifer Coolidge, Bella Thorne. Plot: follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Dracula Untold 2D & IMAX [PG-13] 2 hrs. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Diarmaid Murtagh, Dominic Cooper, Samantha Barks. Plot: the origin story of the man who became Dracula. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Judge [R] 2 hrs. 22 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shephard, Billy Bob Thornton, Ken Howard, Emma Tremblay, Balthazar Getty, David Krumholtz, Sarah Lancaster, Grace Zabriskie, Denis O'Hare. Plot: big city lawyer (Downey Jr.), returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge (Duvall), is suspected of murder. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Kill The Messenger [R] 1 hr. 52 min. Thriller/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Jeremy Renner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ray Liotta, Tim Blake Nelson, Barry Pepper, Oliver Platt, Michael Sheen, Paz Vega, Michael Kenneth Williams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Andy Garcia . Plot: the remarkable true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb who stumbles onto a story which leads to the shady origins of the men who started the crack epidemic on the nation’s streets…and further alleges that the CIA was aware of major dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S., and using the profits to arm rebels fighting in Nicaragua. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 10/9/14

Movie Machine - The Equalizer
Palace West - Hercules, How To Train Your Dragon 2, Expendables 3
Starlite Drive-In - open Fri-Sat
Warren East 13th - The Drop, The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby, When The Game Stands Tall, Love Is Strange, Skeleton Twins
Warren Old Town - This Is Where I Leave You, No Good Deed, A Walk Among The Tombstones
Warren West 21st - No Good Deed, If I Stay, When The Game Stands Tall, A Walk Among The Tombstones, The Equalizer IMAX

Gone Girl ***½

David Fincher directed this Suspense/Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, Carrie Coon, David Clennon. Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language. Running time is two hours and twenty-nine minutes.

Based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his beautiful wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing and his lies, deceits and strange behavior soon have everyone asking the same question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?

If you don't want be left out of a lot of conversations for the next few weeks, this is a movie you  need to see. It features top notch leads and an above average supporting cast with a plot containing enough twists and turns to keep even the most jaded movie patron interested. I haven't read the novel it's based upon but that didn't prove to be any detriment to my appreciation of this screen version. The only thing keeping me from giving this a four star rating is the unnecessarily lengthy running time, which many may find tiresome. I can think of some sequences that could have been trimmed to make this a two hour film, and it would have been better if shorter. But as long as it is, I can't say I was ever bored. Pay attention to the rating. This is not a film you want to be taking your children to, especially with the attention span they have. My wife watched this with me and she enjoyed it as much as I did.

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

The Good Lie **½

Philippe Falardeau directed this Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, Corey Stoll. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence, brief strong language and drug use. Running time is one hour and fifty minutes.

The story of the survival and triumph of Sudanese refugees who arrive in Kansas.

This is a film that means well in telling a fictionalized story about a group of refugees, but it didn't quite jell for me. I thought it spent too much time in Sudan and in the refugee camp without really showing what a hard, horrible time that must have been. That omission does mean children can watch but makes it harder to appreciate the adults the refugees become in America. The interesting thing to me was how they acclimated here and more of that would have made the film better. The cast is fine, with the Sudanese actors having actual Sudanese connections. Witherspoon is also fine although this is not the dominant part she usually plays. The title comes from a line in Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn and explains an action that takes place at the end of the film. Once again I think the movie is too long and would have been much better if twenty minutes shorter. I don't see this having a major impact at the boxoffice so if this is a topic of interest for you I wouldn't dally in seeing it.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A larger screen will let you enjoy the African vistas more. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates Love Is Strange (83) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Gone Girl (79), The Good Lie (65), Annabelle (40) and in dismal last place, which should come as no surprise to anyone, Left Behind (14). I watched one of these and found it mildly entertaining but somewhat disappointing. I'll be looking at Gone Girl later this weekend and will post a  review after I've seen it. For national 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.