Opening 4/1/16

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.

God's Not Dead 2 [PG] 2 hrs. 1 min. Religious drama Watch Preview Cast: Melissa Joan Hart, Ernie Hudson, Jesse Metcalfe, David A.R. White. Plot: a Christian teacher, who is forced to appear before a judge for honestly answering a question about Jesus in the classroom. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Eye In The Sky [R] 1 hr. 42 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, Iain Glen, Phoebe Fox. Plot: a UK-based military officer in command of a top secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya becomes involved in an international dispute over the moral, political, and personal implications of modern warfare. Showing at: Warren East.

I Saw The Light [R] 2 hrs. 4 min. Music biography Watch Preview Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, Cherry Jones, Bradley Whitford, Maddie Hasson, Wrenn Schmidt. Plot: story about legendary country western singer Hank Williams, who in his brief life created one of the greatest bodies of work in American music. Showing at: Warren West.

Meet The Blacks [R] 1 hr. 28 min. Horror/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Mike Epps, Mike Tyson, George Lopez, Bresha Webb, Zulay Henao. Plot: a comedy/horror hybrid spoofing the hit film “The Purge.” Showing at: Warren West.

Leaving 3/31/16

Movie Machine - The Divergent Series: Allegiant
Palace West -  The Choice, Daddy's Home, Good Dinosaur
Warren East 13th - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Warren West 21st - Race, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Young Messiah
Warren Old Town - nothing

More people are back to work, but not getting the hours they want, nor the wages they need to get back what they lost in the recession. 

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice **

Zack Snyder directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Rated PG - 13 for intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality. Running time is two hours and thirty-one minutes.

Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante (Affleck) takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior (Cavill). But, when Lex Luthor (Eisenberg) creates the monster Doomsday, they must join together, along with Wonder Woman (Gadot), to stop it from destroying Metropolis.

The only positive things I can say about this incoherent, bloated mess is it has very good CG effects and an above average cast. But, if you can figure out what's going on in this film, you're a better person than I am. The first thirty minutes jumps around dizzyingly through several storylines, leaving you puzzled and eventually indifferent. Batman is a bully who feels the need to brand the villains he catches with a bat image. Superman seems torn by his need to save Lois Lane (Adams) vs. everyone else. And, Wonder Woman just pops into the story to add an extra dose of violence without ever having been called upon to do so. I can see a younger crowd enjoying this for the violence and destruction alone, without any need for a meaningful storyline. But the rest are going to find this too long, too violent and too confusing to be enjoyable. I saw this in the 2D version so I can't comment on the 3D quality.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. You'll need a large screen to appreciate all of the violence and destruction. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. 2D IMAX Times. 3D IMAX times.

Worthwhile (or not) 3/25/16

MetaCritic indicates Hello, My Name Is Doris (62) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Batman vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice (44), and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (39). I saw one of these and found it incoherent and extremely violent. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 3/25/16

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.

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice [PG-13] 2 hrs. 33 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Plot: fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Hello My Name Is Doris [R] 1 hr. 35 min.Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Natasha Lyonne, Kumail Nanjiani, Peter Gallagher, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tyne Daly, Beth Behrs. Plot: a woman of a certain age finds her world turned upside down by a handsome new co-worker and a self-help seminar that inspires her to take a chance on love. Showing at: Warren West.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Romantic comedy Watch Preview Cast: John Corbett, Nia Vardalos. Plot: a Portokalos family secret is revealed that brings everyone back together for an even bigger Greek wedding. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 3/24/16

Movie Machine - 10 Cloverfield Lane, Kung Fu Panda 3
Palace West -  The Finest Hours, Zoolander 2, Spotlight
Warren East 13th - The Young Messiah, Perfect Match, Brothers Grimsby, Kung Fu Panda 3, Risen
Warren West 21st - The Bronze, The Young Messiah, Other Side Of The Door, Gods Of Egypt, Risen, Brothers Grimsby, Eddie The Eagle, The Force Awakens, Allegiant IMAX
Warren Old Town - London Has Fallen,  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, How To Be Single, Brothers Grimsby

More people are back to work, but not getting the hours they want, nor the wages they need to get back what they lost in the recession. 

The Divergent Series: Allegiant **

Robert Schwentke directed this Sci-fi thriller. Watch Preview Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Octavia Spencer, Naomi Watts, Jeff Daniels, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jonny Weston, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, Nadia Hilker, Bill Skarsgård. Rated PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements, and some partial nudity. Running time is two hours and one minute.

Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago and she is forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.

Basically, this is a two hour waste of your time and money. The production values are good, with some impressive CG effects, and the cast is attractive and competent. But, there's no story. You learn one minor detail that could have been covered either in the last or in the next film in the series. On the positive side, the film will provide you with a question: how do the people live in the radioactive wasteland without any evident source of food, much less have normal children, since the radioactivity is so high anyone else visiting must be decontaminated? The normal purpose of a sequel is advancing the plot,  but since that doesn't happen here, you're left with the realization the film's only real purpose is separating you from your money. If all you're interested in is action involving attractive actors, and no meaningful story is required...go for it. Otherwise, pass on this one.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen will enhance the action. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 3/18/16

MetaCritic indicates Miracles From Heaven (48) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Bronze (41), and Divergent: Allegiant (35). I saw one of these and basically thought it a waste of time. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 3/18/16

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 Divergent Series: Allegiant [PG-13] 2 hrs. Sci-Fi thriller Watch Preview Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Octavia Spencer, Naomi Watts, Jeff Daniels, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jonny Weston, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, Nadia Hilker, Bill Skarsgård. Plot: Tris and Four go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago and she is forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Bronze [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Sports comedy Watch Preview Cast: Melissa Rauch, Gary Cole, Thomas Middleditch, Sebastian Stan, Hailey Lu Richardson, Cecily Strong. Plot: a former medal winner (Melissa Rauch) learns she must coach Amherst’s newest gymnastics prodigy (Haley Lu Richardson) in order to receive a sizeable financial inheritance. Showing at: Warren West.

Miracles From Heaven [PG] 1 hr. 49 min. Religious Drama Watch Preview Cast: Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Martin Henderson, John Carroll Lynch, Eugenio Derbez, Queen Latifah. Plot: when a mother  (Jennifer Garner) discovers her 10-year-old daughter (Kylie Rogers) has a rare, incurable disease, she becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter’s healing. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.  Starts 3/16.

Leaving 3/17/16

Movie Machine - Deadpool, London Has Fallen
Palace West -  Dirty Grandpa, Jane Got A Gun
Warren East 13th - The  Revenant, Gods Of Egypt, Eddie The Eagle, Zootopia 3D
Warren West 21st - Kung Fu Panda 3, The Witch, Deadpool, 10 Cloverfield Lane IMAX
Warren Old Town - nothing

More people are back to work, but not getting the hours they want, nor the wages they need to get back what they lost in the recession. 

10 Cloverfield Lane ***½

Dan Trachtenberg directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr.. Rated PG-13 for thematic material including frightening sequences of threat with some violence, and brief language. Running time is one hour and forty-five minutes.

After losing consciousness in a car accident, a girl (Winstead) wakes up in an underground cellar with a man (Goodman) who tells her the outside world has perished in a nuclear attack.

This is one of those reviews in which I really can't say much about the film's plot, not that I usually tell much anyway. But, to let you know what's going on here would ruin a lot of the impact the film has. You're never really sure whether or not there has been some kind of attack, or whether she has been secreted in the bunker of a lonely older man who is simply looking for a love slave. Or, whether both or neither of those are true. And, you won't find out until the last few minutes. But, I can tell you that in my opinion, it's worth the wait. And, that's why I like this film, the fact the ending was never telegraphed. For those who are afraid this will be another of those jerky, found footage films like Cloverfield was...it isn't. The production values are good as is the cast, what there is of one. I saw this in the IMAX version, but unless you're just really fond of that theatre you'll do just as well in any auditorium, since almost all of the action takes place in a small, underground bunker.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. Any screen size will do. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.

The Brothers Grimsby ½

Louis Leterrier  directrd this Action/Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson, Gabourey Sidibe, Penelope Cruz. Rated R for strong crude sexual content, graphic nudity, violence, language, and some drug use. Running time is one hour and twenty-three minutes.

MI6’s top assassin (Mark Strong) has a brother. Unfortunately for him, he’s an English football hooligan (Sacha Baron Cohen) from the town of Grimsby.

You say you've never been offended by a movie? Would you like to be? Well, here you go. I'm one of those who don't find films really offensive, just bad, but this one is truly, truly distasteful. It's a combination of a typical Mark Strong action film with a typical Sacha Baron Cohen attempt at a comedy, so it does have a little action going for it, but this isn't something I could ever recommend for a rational adult. In fact the only thing going for this film is that it's less than an hour and a half long. The cast and production values are fine as is the pacing, but the excessive crudity ruins it all. The only group I can see actually enjoying this film are boys who are too young to get in the theatre due to the rating, and the actual rating description is mild compared to what you'll see on the screen..

There is a short scene at the end of the credits. Screen size is unimportant because your eyes will be closed for most of the film. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 3/11/16

MetaCritic indicates 10 Cloverfield Lane (78) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Brothers Grimsby (48), with neither The Perfect Match nor The Young Messiah receiving any reviews. I saw two of these and thought one was absolutely disgusting and the other one of the better films I've seen in awhile. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 3/11/16

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.

10 Cloverfield Lane [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr.. Plot: after losing consciousness in a car accident, a girl wakes up in an underground cellar with a man who tells her the outside world has perished in a nuclear attack. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Brothers Grimsby [R] 1 hr. 42 min. Action/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson, Gabourey Sidibe, Penelope Cruz. Plot: MI6’s top assassin (Mark Strong) has a brother. Unfortunately for him, he’s an English football hooligan (Sacha Baron Cohen) from the town of Grimsby. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Perfect Match [R] 1 hr. 33 min.Romantic comedy Watch Preview Cast: Terrence J, Paula Patton, Donald Faison, Lauren London, Dascha Polanco, Joe Pantoliano, French Montana, Brandy Norwood, Robin Givens, Casper Smart, Draya Michele, Chantel Jeffries, Timothy Delaghetto. Plot: a playboy's best friends bet him if he sticks to one woman for one month, he's bound to fall in love. Showing at: Warren East.

The Young Messiah [PG-13] 1 hr. 51 min. Religious drama Watch Preview Cast: Sean Bean, David Bradley, Jonathan Bailey. Plot: the story of seven-year-old Jesus Christ and his family. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 3/10/16

Movie Machine - Gods Of Egypt
Palace West -  13 Hours
Warren East 13th - Triple 9, Race, How To Be Single
Warren West 21st - The Choice, Spotlight, Revenant, How To Be Single, Triple 9, Zootopia IMAX 3D
Warren Old Town - Gods Of Egypt, The Witch

Consumer confidence falls. 

London Has Fallen **½

Babak Najafi directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Alon Moni Aboutboul, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, Jackie Earle Haley, Melissa Leo, Radha Mitchell, Sean O'Bryan, Charlotte Riley, Waleed F. Zuaiter. Rated R for strong violence and language throughout. Running time is one hour and thirty-nine minutes.

After the British Prime Minister passes away, his funeral becomes a target of a terrorist organization to destroy some of the world’s most powerful leaders, devastate the British capital, and unleash a terrifying vision of the future.

This has gotten very bad national reviews, and it's obvious this film will never win an Academy Award, or any other award for that matter. But, if what you're looking for is an action film, that's exactly what this film delivers...and lots of it. There are some very good CG (computer graphics) effects once the destruction of London starts which effectively gets everything rolling. Production values are good and the cast is very adequate for what is required. Pacing is excellent so you're not going to be looking at your watch. There is a little romance for the women attending, but this is mostly non-stop violence that will make the action junkies very happy.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen will enhance the action. Theatres/Times.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot **

Glenn Ficarra, John Requa directed this War comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, Alfred Molina, Billy Bob Thornton. Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content, drug use and violent war images. Running time is one hour and fifty-two minutes.

An adaptation of journalist Kim Barker’s wartime memoir, "The Taliban Shuffle," which recounts her experiences covering conflicts in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

If you're interested in a film about the adventures of a war correspondent, this should fill the bill. If, however, you decided to watch this because you were looking for some laughs...well, think again. As a biography, this is a reasonably good pic. But the majority of the scenes seem to be about the parties they had while waiting for something to happen. And, when something does happen, it isn't all that exciting...neither are the parties for that matter. Fey does a fine job as does Freeman. Thornton, however, is basically in a bit part so his talents are mostly wasted. And, Robbie is basically screen candy. This is an OK film, but it's something you would enjoy as much on a cable channel (this would be hard to put on an OTA channel as there wouldn't be much left after deleting all the profanity) as you would in a theatre.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 3/4/16

MetaCritic indicates Zootopia (81) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (55), The Other Side Of The Door (33) and London Has Fallen (29). I saw two of these and thought one was well made but slow, and the other much 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.

Employment report shows hiring slower.