Opening 9/2,4/15

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.

Wednesday 9/2

A Walk In The Woods [R] 1 hr. 44 min. Adventure/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Emma Thompson, Nick Nolte, Robert Redford, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal, Mary Steenburgen. Plot: a celebrated travel writer (Robert Redford) challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail, accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek (Nick Nolte). Now they're about to find out  when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Friday 9/4

Inside Out [PG] 1 hr. 42 min. Animated film Disney Reissue Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East.

Mistress America [R] 1 hr. 26 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Greta Gerwig, Lola Kirke, Matthew Shear, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, Heather Lind, Michael Chernus. Plot: a lonely college freshman (Kirke) is taken in by her soon-to-be stepsister (Gerwig) and seduced by her alluringly mad schemes. Showing at: Warren East.

Southpaw [R] 2 hrs, 4 min. Sports Drama Reissue Showing at: Warren Old Town.

The Transporter Refueled 2D/IMAX 2D [PG-13] 1 hr. 36 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Ray Stevenson, Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol, Radivoje Bukvic, Gabriella Wright, Anatole Taubman, Tatiana Pajkovic. Plot: a former special-ops mercenary (Ed Skrein) is engaged by a cunning femme-fatale (Loan Chabanol), and her three seductive sidekicks to orchestrate the bank heist of the century. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos [PG-13] 1 hr. 28 min. Animated film Watch Preview Voices: Bruno Bichir, Maite Perroni, Omar Chaparro, Ninel Conde, Carlos Espejel.  Plot:  the egg-cellent animated (Huevo Cartoon) series finally cracks the U.S. big screen. In Spanish. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 9/1,3/15

Movie Machine - 9/1: nothing; 9/3: Hitman: Agent 47, Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Palace West -  9/1: nothing; 9/3: The Gallows, Pitch Perfect 2
Warren East 13th - 9/1: End Of Tour, Fantastic Four; 9/3: American Ultra
Warren West 21st - 9/1: Ricki And The Flash; 9/3: Fantastic Four
Warren Old Town - 9/1: nothing; 9/3: American Ultra, Hitman: Agent 47

No Escape ***

John Erick Dowdle co-wrote and directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Owen Wilson, Lake Bell. Rated R for strong violence including a sexual assault, and for language. Running time is one hour and forty-three minutes.

An American businessman (Wilson) and his family settle into their new home in Southeast Asia and suddenly find themselves in the middle of a violent political uprising, with only a British agent (Brosnan) to help them.

I see a lot of films categorized as thrillers but seldom do I find they actually are. This film is. You get a little lull at first to set the stage and then it's off to the races, with the American family desperately trying to keep from being killed. Wilson and Bell do a good job as the parents of two young daughters (who vary between cute and obnoxious). This was filmed on location in Thailand and feels very real. You do start to care what happens to the characters which makes the film much more involving. The plot is a little manipulative but I don't think you'll notice that much once you get involved. The R rating is well deserved but patrons looking for a well made action film will not be disappointed.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen is preferable. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 8/26-28/15

MetaCritic indicates We Are Your Friends (46) is the top ranking film this week,  followed by No Escape (38), and War Room (34). I watched one of these and liked it better than did the national critics. War Room only has two reviews which is fairly normal for a religiously themed drama with an unknown cast. 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 8/26, 28/15

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.

Wednesday 8/26

No Escape [R] 1 hr. 43 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Owen Wilson, Lake Bell. Plot: an American businessman (Wilson) and his family settle into their new home in Southeast Asia and suddenly find themselves in the middle of a violent political uprising. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Friday 8/28

We Are Your Friends [R] 1 hr. 36 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Wes Bentley, Zac Efron, Emily Ratajkowski. Plot: an aspiring 23-year-old DJ (Efron) spends his days scheming with his childhood friends and his nights working on the one track that will set the world on fire. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

War Room [PG] 2 hrs.Religious Drama Watch Preview Cast: Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, T.C. Stallings, Michael Jr., Karen Abercrombie, Alena Pitts, Beth Moore. Plot: explores the transformational role prayer plays in the lives of a family. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 8/25, 27/15

Movie Machine - 8/25: Fantastic Four; 8/27 nothing
Palace West - 8/27: Home, Tomorrowland
Warren East 13th - 8/25: Minions; 8/27: Inside Out, Southpaw, Pixels, Shaun The Sheep
Warren West 21st - 8/25: nothing; 8/27: Shaun The Sheep, MI5 IMAX, Trainwreck, Southpaw
Warren Old Town - 8/25: Trainwreck; 8/27 nothing

Hitman: Agent 47 *

Aleksander Bach directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast:  Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto, Ciarán Hinds,Thomas Kretschmann, Jürgen Prochnow. Rated R for sequences of strong violence, and some language. Running time is one hour and thirty-six minutes.

An elite assassin (Friend), genetically engineered from conception to be the perfect killing machine, is known only by the last two digits on the barcode tattooed on the back of his neck. While he searches for a young woman (Ware), another modified agent (Quinto) from the Syndicate attempts to kill him.

I don't know whether it's because this is based on a game or because it has a definite European feel and cast (with the exception of Quinto), but I never got involved in the story. The production values are good and the location filming is interesting but none of the characters ever felt real to me. Consequently, it was impossible to really care what happened to any of them.  This is a very bloody film and the violence is about the only thing I think will appeal to those who like action movies. Gamers may want to check this out but I suspect even they will be disappointed, as will most older patrons.

There is one short additional scene after the credits begin. A large screen is preferable. Theatres/Times.

American Ultra **

Nima Nourizadeh directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Connie Britton, Jesse Eisenberg, John Leguizamo, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Bill Pullman. Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, drug use and some sexual content. Running time is one hour and thirty-five minutes.

A seemingly hapless and unmotivated stoner (Jesse Eisenberg) is enjoying his small-town life with his live-in girlfriend (Kristen Stewart), when his world is suddenly turned upside down. Unbeknownst to him, he is actually a highly trained, lethal sleeper agent and someone in the C.I.A. (Grace) wants to exterminate him.

This film has good production values and a very good cast but is severely hampered with a muddled and confusing plot. Because of that, you never really care for any of the characters or what happens to them. I found this film frustrating because with a crisper story and better editing it easily could have been a very good movie. The younger crowd may find this acceptable due to the cast but older patrons are very likely to be disappointed. Also, the film is being called a comedy but I sure didn't find much to laugh at and I don't think you will either.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen is preferable. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 8/21/15

MetaCritic indicates The End Of The Tour (85) is the top ranking film this week,  followed by American Ultra (51), Sinister 2 (33), and Hitman: Agent 47 (27). I watched two of these and wasn't 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 8/21/15

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.

American Ultra [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Action/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Connie Britton, Jesse Eisenberg, John Leguizamo, Kristen Stewart. Plot: a seemingly hapless and unmotivated stoner (Jesse Eisenberg) is enjoying his small-town life with his live-in girlfriend, Phoebe (Kristen Stewart), when his world is suddenly turned upside down. Unbeknownst to him, he is actually a highly trained, lethal sleeper agent. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The End Of The Tour [R] 1 hr. 46 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Joan Cusack, Jason Segel, Mamie Gummer, Anna Chlumsky, Mickey Sumner. Plot: tells the story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter (and novelist) David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel), which took place right after the 1996 publication of Wallace's groundbreaking epic novel, Infinite Jest. Showing at: Warren East.

Hitman: Agent 47 [R] 1 hr. 36 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast:  Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto. Plot: an elite assassin, genetically engineered from conception to be the perfect killing machine, is known only by the last two digits on the barcode tattooed on the back of his neck. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Sinister 2 [R] 1 hr. 37 min. Horror film Watch Preview Cast: James Ransone, Shannyn Sossamon, Robert Daniel Plot: a protective mother (Shannyn Sossamon) and her 9-year-old twin sons (Robert and Dartanian Sloan) find themselves in a rural house marked for death as an evil spirit continues to spread with frightening intensity. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 8/20/15

Movie Machine - MI5
Palace West - Vatican Tapes, Mad Max: Fiury Road, Ted 2
Warren East 13th - Paper Towns
Warren West 21st - Pixels, Jurassic World
Warren Old Town - Fantastic Four, The Gift

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. ***½

Guy Ritchie co-wrote and directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, Hugh Grant. Rated PG-13 for action violence, some suggestive content, and partial nudity. Running time is one hour and fifty-six minutes.

Centers on CIA agent Solo (Cavill) and KGB agent Kuryakin (Hammer) who are forced to put aside longstanding hostilities and team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization. They are accompanied on their mission by a woman (Vikander) who may be more than she at first appears to be.

This may seem pretty tame to younger viewers but for those of us who enjoyed the 'caper' films of the early 60's, this is an enjoyable romp. I was working nights (as a theatre manager) when the original TV series ran so I have no way of comparing this film to that series. But as an action film, I found this quite enjoyable. On location scenes, a capable cast and a plot that was paced well although there were a few slow spots. Another real positive as far as I'm concerned is that it doesn't break the two hour limit, which so many of these films do these days. This film feels and looks like a 1960's film, which for me is an improvement over today's 'fast cut' editing style. The ending clearly implies there will be a sequel although this film's gross will be the real determining factor. I saw this on a regular, but large screen.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen is preferable. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 8/14/15

MetaCritic indicates Straight Outta Compton (74) is the top ranking film this week,  followed by The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (53). I watched one of these and found it far better than did the national critics. 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 8/14/15

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.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. [PG-13] 2D/IMAX 1 hr. 56 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, Hugh Grant. Plot: centers on CIA agent Solo (Cavill) and KGB agent Kuryakin (Hammer) who are forced to put aside longstanding hostilities and team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Straight Outta Compton [R] 2 hr. 21 min. Musical/Biography film Watch Preview Cast: Paul Giamatti, Aldis Hodge, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr.. Plot: follows the meteoric rise and fall of N.W.A., and tells the astonishing story of how these youngsters revolutionized music and pop culture the moment they told the world the truth about life in the hood. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 8/13/15

Movie Machine - Vacation
Palace West - I'll See You In My Dreams
Warren East 13th - Irrational Man
Warren West 21st - Paper Towns
Warren Old Town - Southpaw

Films To Consider In August

The Week—Summer Movie Guide: All The Films You Should See In August

Fantastic Four **

Josh Trank directed this Sci-Fi Action Film. Watch Preview. Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Tim Blake Nelson, Reg E. Cathey. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, and language. Running time is one hour and forty-minutes.

Four young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.

Yet another Marvel comic film. These all tend to look pretty much the same to me but I know the real audience for these are the teen/twenty crowd. The story is a little slow with no real action starting for at least forty-five minutes. CG effects are fine although they're not used as much as in some of the other Marvel films. I was interested in seeing Tulsa native, Nelson, who usually is cast as the village idiot in a somewhat serious role. He was acceptable if not completely believable. Teller and Mara are the best known actors and they're fine in their less than demanding roles. Older patrons should give this a pass and stay out of the way of the younger crowd who will no doubt be there in droves.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen is preferable. Theatres/Times.

The Gift **

Joel Edgerton wrote and directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Jason Bateman, Joel Edgerton, Rebecca Hall. Rated R for language. Running time is one hour and forty-eight minutes.

After a series of uninvited encounters and mysterious gifts prove troubling, a secret from the past is uncovered after more than 20 years.

I have no idea why this is classified as a thriller. There are a couple of 'scream' scenes included but that doesn't make a film a thriller in my book. The story is fine although you should have figured out the ending half way through the film. The cast is also fine although they don't have much to work with. As far as I'm concerned this is a run-of-the mill drama, not exceptional enough to warrant a visit to the theatre. It gets a half star higher rating than I feel it deserves because my wife liked it...so it must have something going for it.

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

Ricki And The Flash *½

Jonathan Demme directed this Comedy/Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, Sebastian Stan, Mamie Gummer, Audra McDonald, Rick Springfield. Rated PG - 13 for thematic material, brief drug content, sexuality and language. Running time is one hour and forty-one minutes.

A guitar heroine who gave up everything for her dream of rock-and-roll stardom returns home to make things right with her family.

If you're interested in seeing what a poor story can do to a first rate cast, here's your chance. Streep is a fantastic actress but she's sadly lacking when it comes to performing rock 'n roll, and that's all this film basically is. The plot is threadbare, the character interaction is limited and unbelievable, and the rock music is uncomfortably loud. The only reason to see this is if you're determined to see everything Streep (or Springfield, Kline or Gummer) is in. I did have to wonder what McDonald (she has a glorious voice) thought about being cast in a musical in a speaking role only. I also had to wonder why anyone thought this was a comedy...it sure didn't make me laugh!

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

Worthwhile (or not) 8/7/15

MetaCritic indicates Shaun The Sheep (81) is the top ranking film this week,  followed by The Gift (78), a tie between Irrational Man (54) snd Ricki And The Flash (54) and Fantastic Four (27) in last place. I watched three of these and find myself is real disagreement with the national critics. 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 8/7/15

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.

Wednesday 8/5

Shaun The Sheep [PG]  1 hr. 26 min. Animated film Watch Preview Voices: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Omid Djalili, Kate Harbour, Tim Hands, Andy Nyman, Simon Greenall, Emma Tate. Plot: when Shaun decides to take the day off and have some fun, he gets a little more action than he bargained for. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Friday 8/7

Fantastic Four [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Sci-Fi Action Film Watch Preview Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Tim Blake Nelson, Reg E. Cathey. Plot: four young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Gift [R] 1 hr. 48 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Jason Bateman, Joel Edgerton, Rebecca Hall. Plot: after a series of uninvited encounters and mysterious gifts prove troubling, a horrifying secret from the past is uncovered after more than 20 years. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Irrational Man [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Parker Posey, Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Jamie Blackley. Plot: the latest Woody Allen film is about a tormented philosophy professor who finds a will to live when he commits an existential act. Showing at: Warren East.

Ricki And The Flash [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, Sebastian Stan, Mamie Gummer, Audra McDonald, Rick Springfield. Plot: a guitar heroine who gave up everything for her dream of rock-and-roll stardom returns home to make things right with her family. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 8/6/15

Movie Machine - Paper Towns
Palace West - Young & Prodigous T.S. Spivet, Furious 7, Self/Less, Paul Blart 2
Warren East 13th - Vatican Tapes, Terminator Genisys (8/4), Pixels 3D, Spy
Warren West 21st - Spy (8/4), Magic Mike XXL, Pixels 3D
Warren Old Town - Pixels, Ant-Man