Opening 4/3/15

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.

Furious 7 [PG-13] 2D/IMAX 2D 2 hrs. 17 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Vin Diesel, Djimon Hounsou, Kurt Russell, Tony Jaa, Dwayne Johnson, Nathalie Emmanuel, John Brotherton, Iggy Azaela. Plot: continuing the global exploits in the series built on speed, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 4/2/15

Movie Machine - Spongebob Movie, Run All Night
Palace West - Penguins Of Madagascar, Wedding Ringer
Warren East 13th - Still Alice, The Duff, Spongebob Movie, Chappie, The Gunman, Insurgent 3D, Home 3D
Warren West 21st - The Duff, Lazarus Effect, Chappie, The Gunman, Insurgent IMAX 3D, Home 3D
Warren Old Town - The Gunman, Run All Night, Insurgent 3D

Get Hard *

Etan Cohen directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Will Ferrell, Craig T. Nelson, Kevin Hart, Tip "T.I." Harris, Alison Brie. Rated R for pervasive crude and sexual content and language, some graphic nudity, and drug material. Running time is one hour and forty minutes.

A millionaire hedge fund manager (Will Ferrell), nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin,  turns to a man whom he assumes is an ex-con (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars.

There's a funny premise in this film that's completely botched with an idiotic plot and a dependency on bad language for humor. The average adult will be bored silly by this although teen/twenties patrons will probably find the continual use of profanity amusing. The only intelligent character in this plot is Hart although he manages to dim that effect by non-stop talking. There are also two completely gratuitous scenes of a flaccid penis whose inclusion I can only assume is meant to be a funny contrast to the title. That's the level we're talking about, folks. There's no way I would recommend this to anyone.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant, but the smaller the better in my opinion! Theatres/Times.   

Worthwhile (or not) 3/27/15

MetaCritic indicates It Follows (82) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Home (52), and Get Hard (33). I saw one of these and was sorry I wasted the time. 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 3/27/15

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.

Get Hard [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Will Ferrell, Craig T. Nelson, Kevin Hart, Tip "T.I." Harris, Alison Brie. Plot: a millionaire hedge fund manager (Will Ferrell), nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin,  turns to a man whom he assumes is an ex-con (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
 
Home 2D/3D [PG] 1 hr. 33 min. Animated Sci-Fi Watch Preview Voices: Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Jones, Brian Stepanek, April M. Lawrence, Stephen Kearin, Brian Stepanek, Lisa Stewart, April Winchell. Plot: when Earth is taken over by an alien race in search of a new place to call home, one resourceful girl (Rihanna), manages to avoid capture and finds herself the accidental accomplice of a banished alien (Jim Parsons). Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

It Follows [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Horror film Watch Preview Cast: Keir Gilchrist, Maika Monroe, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, Lili Sepe. Plot: a 19-year-old (Monroe), after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, can't shake the sensation that someone, or something, is following her. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 3/26/15

Movie Machine - Lazarus Effect, Chappie
Palace West - Blackhat, Boy Next Door, Project Almanac, Mockingjay Pt. 1
Warren East 13th - Imitation Game, Lazarus Effect, 50 Shades Of Grey
Warren West 21st - Focus, 50 Shades Of Grey, Spongebob Movie
Warren Old Town - 50 Shades Of Grey, Unfinished Business, Chappie

Divergent: Insurgent **½

Robert Schwentke directed this Sci-Fi Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Naomi Watts, Kate Winslet, Maggie Q, Ray Stevenson, Mekhi Phifer, Zoe Kravitz, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Octavia Spencer, Theo James, Shailene Woodley, Jonny Weston, Daniel Dae Kim, Ansel Elgort, Emjay Anthony, Rosa Salazar, Suki Waterhouse, Keiynan Lonsdale. Rated PG-13 for intense violence and action throughout, some sensuality, thematic elements and brief language. Running time is one hour and fifty-nine minutes.

Tris (Woodley) and Four (James), now fugitives on the run, search for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago.

As I've mentioned previously, I'm a fan of sci-fi. For some reason, though, this series just isn't doing it for me. It has a very good cast and terrific production values, including some of the most impressive CG effects I've seen. But, the story is on the dull/slow side and the whole premise seems implausible. I understand teen girls love this series and as a consequence it's going to do well at the boxoffice, but this is pretty dull stuff for the rest of us. I saw this in IMAX 3D and it was very good, as usual, although this isn't an IMAX production so the full screen height isn't used.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen will make you appreciate the CG effects to the fullest extent. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. IMAX 3D Times.

The Gunman **

Pierre Morel directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Ray Winstone, Jasmine Trinca, Javier Bardem, Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Mark Rylance. Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexuality. Running time is one hour and fifty-five minutes.

An international operative (Penn) is betrayed by the organization he worked for, and must go on the run in a relentless game of cat and mouse across Europe.

My basic problem with this film is Sean Penn. I understand he's a good actor, but I feel absolutely no rapport with his screen persona. As a result, I don't care what happens to him in the film and that makes for a slog of a movie. He's also smoking in virtually every scene and I found that unnecessary. It's clearly obvious this is an European production (perhaps that's the reason for all the smoking) since the majority of the cast is unknown to Americans, although they all seem quite competent. The foreign scenery is nice, though. The plot is a little murky and it takes most of the film before you completely understand what's going on. This isn't a bad film, its just that it isn't at all memorable. This won't be around long so you'd better hurry if you're a Penn fan.

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

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates Divergent: Insurgent (43) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Gunman (38).  Do You Believe (NR) has yet to receive any reviews. I saw two of these and was not overly impressed with either. 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 3/20/2015

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.

Divergent: Insurgent [PG-13 2D/3D/IMAX 3D 1 hr. 59 min. Sci-Fi Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Naomi Watts, Kate Winslet, Maggie Q, Ray Stevenson, Mekhi Phifer, Zoe Kravitz, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Octavia Spencer, Theo James, Shailene Woodley, Jonny Weston, Daniel Dae Kim, Ansel Elgort, Emjay Anthony, Rosa Salazar, Suki Waterhouse, Keiynan Lonsdale. Plot: Tris (Woodley) and Four (James), now fugitives on the run, search for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Do You Believe [PG-13] 1 hr. 59 min. Religious Drama Watch Preview Cast: Sean Astin, Mira Sorvino, Madison Pettis, Lee Majors, Cybill Shepherd, Alexa PenaVega, Ted McGinley, Andrea Logan White, Brian Bosworth. Plot: a local pastor is shaken by the visible faith of an old street-corner preacher, and is reminded that true belief always requires action. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

The Gunman [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Ray Winstone, Jasmine Trinca, Javier Bardem, Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Mark Rylance. Plot: an international operative (Penn) is betrayed by the organization he worked for, and must go on the run in a relentless game of cat and mouse across Europe. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 3/19/15

Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - Strange Magic
Warren East 13th - Paddington, Jupiter Ascending, Unfinished Business
Warren West 21st - Paddington, Black Or White, Unfinished Business, Cinderella IMAX
Warren Old Town - Focus, American Sniper

Run All Night ***

Jaume Collet-Serra directed this Action Film. Watch Preview. Cast: Liam Neeson, Nick Nolte, Ed Harris, Vincent D'Onofrio, Joel Kinnaman, Patricia Kalember, Genesis Rodriguez, Boyd Holbrook. Rated R for strong violence, language including sexual references, and some drug use. Running time is one hour and fifty-four minutes.

A down-and-out mob hitman (Neeson) has one night to figure out exactly where his loyalties lie, mob or family, and see if he can finally make things right.

Right from the start you should understand this will never win any awards and most women will really dislike it. But, if you're looking for a gritty, mob film with plenty of action and a fair amount of bloodshed, this is it. The pacing is good so things never get boring. And, this is a terrific cast for a film of this type. It took me awhile to recognize Nolte behind the beard but Neeson, Harris and D'Onofrio are not only recognizable but very good. I haven't seen Kinnaman since TV's The Killing, but he also does well with his part. There's a lot of violence but considering the group it's for, that's a good thing.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 3/13/15

MetaCritic indicates Cinderella (68) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Run All Night (58).  I saw one of these and apparently liked it much better than the national critics did. 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 3/13/15

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.

Cinderella [PG] 1 hr. 45 min.Family Film Watch Preview Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Cate Blanchett, Stellan Skarsgård, Derek Jacobi, Nonso Anozie, Holliday Grainger, Lily James, Richard Madden, Sophie McShera. Plot: the familiar story retold with a new cast. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Run All Night [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Action Film Watch Preview Cast: Liam Neeson, Nick Nolte, Ed Harris, Vincent D'Onofrio, Joel Kinnaman, Patricia Kalember, Genesis Rodriguez, Boyd Holbrook. Plot: a mob hitman (Neeson) has one night to figure out exactly where his loyalties lie, mob or family, and see if he can finally make things right. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 3/12/15

Movie Machine - Focus, McFarland USA
Palace West - Seventh Son, Hobbit 3
Warren East 13th - Hot Tub Time Machine 2, Birdman,  A La Mala
Warren West 21st - Jupiter Ascending, Wedding Ringer, Imitation Game
Warren Old Town - Kingsman

Chappie **

Neill Blomkamp co-wrote and directed this Sci-Fi/Action film Watch Preview Cast: Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er. Rated R for violence, language and brief nudity. Running time is two hours.

In the near future a police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, making him the first robot with the ability to think and feel. Unfortunately, a group of thugs begin using him to commit crimes.

I've enjoyed director Blomkamp's earlier efforts but this film is just stupid. So much so I was ready to leave after an hour. I should have since the second hour wasn't any better. The film has multiple problems. First, it was shot in South Africa with actors from that country who have accents that make them occasionally unintelligible. Second, there are way too many plot contrivances that simply make no sense. Third, I spent a lot of time wondering how good actors like Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver got suckered into this lemon. Action fans will find plenty of that, so the film isn't a total loss. But, if you're looking for a film that is at least somewhat intriguing, you're out of luck!

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen is better for the action scenes but I have no idea why this is being shown in IMAX. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 3/6/15

MetaCritic indicates The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (50) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Chappie (41), and Unfinished Business (31).  I saw one of these and found it both disappointing and weird. 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 3/6/15

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.

Chappie [R] 2 hrs. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er. Plot: in the near future a police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, making him the first robot with the ability to think and feel. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel [PG] 2 hrs. 2 min. Drama/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Judi Dench, Richard Gere, Diana Hardcastle, David Strathairn, Celia Imrie, Dev Patel, Ronald Pickup. Plot: now that the Bext Exotic Marigold Hotel is almost sold out the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel) are making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life (Tena Desae). Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Unfinished Business [R] 1 hr. 25 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: James Marsden, Tom Wilkinson, Sienna Miller, Nick Frost, Vince Vaughn, Dave Franco. Plot: a hard-working small business owner (Vince Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every imaginable – and unimaginable – way. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 3/5/15

Movie Machine - The Duff
Palace West - Taken 3, Annie, Unbroken
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the season
Warren East 13th - The Wedding Ringer, Black Or White
Warren West 21st - Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Warren Old Town - Hot Tub Time Machine 2, McFarland USA