Opening 6/3/16

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 Lobster [R] 1 hr. 59 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw. Plot: a man who has just been dumped by his wife lives in a society where single people have 45 days to find true love, or else they are turned into the animal of their choice and released into the woods. Showing at: Warren East.

Me Before You [PG-13] 1 hr. 44 min. Romantic drama Watch Preview Cast: Sam Claflin, Emilia Clarke, Charles Dance, Jenna Coleman, Matthew Lewis, Vanessa Kirby, Stephen Peacocke, Brendan Coyle, Janet McTeer. Plot: a quirky and creative 26-year-old (Clarke) takes a job as caregiver and companion to a wealthy young banker (Claflin) who became wheelchair bound in an accident. Based on the critically acclaimed, bestselling novel by Jojo Moyes Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Popstar: Never Stop Stopping  [R] 1 hr. 27 min. Music/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, Sarah Silverman, Tim Meadows, Maya Rudolph. Plot: a singer/rapper (Samberg) faces a crisis of popularity after his sophomore album flops. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows 2D/3D [PG-13] 1 hr. 48 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Pete Ploszek, Jeremy Howard, Stephen Amell, Tyler Perry, Laura Linney, Brian Tee, Stephen 'Sheamus' Farrelly, Gary Anthony Williams. Plot: the Turtles are back to save the city from a dangerous threat. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 6/2/16

Movie Machine - Neighbors 2
Palace West -  London Has Fallen, Deadpool
Warren East 13th - The Darkness
Warren West 21st - The Boss, Zootopia, Mother's Day, The Darkness
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. 

X-Men: Apocalypse **

Bryan Singer directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alexandra Shipp, Josh Helman, Lana Condor, Ben Hardy. Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, action and destruction, brief strong language and some suggestive images.Running time is two hours and twenty-four minutes.

As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) leads a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

Basically, this film takes some real Hollywood talent and puts them in a story that reminds me of the serials I used to see as a boy. The story is simplistic to a fault and since you know what the ending has to be there's not a bit of cinematic tension. On top of that it's grossly overly-long to the point I was continually checking my watch after about fifteen minutes. The special effects are good but not nearly good enough to overcome the pathetic plot. I did not see this in 3D so I cannot attest to its quality. It will probably do good business because teens will like it and can see it. But, adults should avoid this like the plague.

There is an additional scene after the credits begin. You want to see this on a large screen. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times.

Alice Through The Looking Glass**

 James Bobin directed this Fantasy. Watch Preview. Cast: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall. Rated PG for fantasy action/peril and some language. Running time is one hour and fifty-three minutes.

Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.

This film has spectacular visual images but the plot feels like someone was desperately trying to tell a story whose main purpose was to showcase a lot of spectacular images. There's no way you're going to get involved in the story and that means you won't care what happens to any of the characters. Parents and Grandparents may want to take the little ones to see it as they'll be entranced by the visuals and aren't likely to care about a story. The only others  for whom I can recommend this are  those who are interested in seeing really good 3D, and the IMAX version has that. But, if you don't have any little ones you could take or if you don't care about 3D no matter how good it is, you'll be wasting your money on this one.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. IMAX is the only one I'd recommend. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. IMAX 3D Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 5/27/16

MetaCritic indicates Love And Friendship (85) is the top ranking film this week followed by A Bigger Splash (74), X-Men: Apocalypse (53) and Alice Through The Looking Glass (33). I saw two of these this week and didn't find either exceptional. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 5/27/16

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.

Alice Through The Looking Glass 2D/3D/IMAX 3D [PG] 1 hr. 49 min. Fantasy Watch Preview Cast: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall. Plot: Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

A Bigger Splash [R] 2 hrs. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Dakota Johnson, Matthias Schoenaerts, Tilda Swinton. Plot: the vacation of a famous rock star and a filmmaker is disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter, resulting in desire, jealousy and rock and roll, under the Mediterranean sun. Showing at: Warren East.

Love & Friendship [PG] 1 hr. 34 min. Period drama/comedy Watch Preview Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel. Plot: beautiful young widow Lady Susan Vernon visits the estate of her in-laws to secure a husband for herself and a future for her eligible but reluctant daughter.  Showing at: Warren East.

X-Men: Apocalypse 2D/3D [PG-13] 2 hrs. 23 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alexandra Shipp, Josh Helman, Lana Condor, Ben Hardy. Plot: as the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) leads a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 5/26/16

Movie Machine - Money Monster, Jungle Book
Palace West -  Criminal, Big Fat Greek Wedding, Alvin & Chipmunks, Ride Along 2
Warren East 13th - Zootopia, Sing Street, The Boss, Mother's Day, The Force Awakens, The Huntsman, Angry Birds 3D
Warren West 21st - Sing Street, Hello My Name Is Doris, Captain America  IMAX, Angry Birds 3D
Warren Old Town - Money Monster, Jungle Book

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 Nice Guys ***

Shane Black co-wrote and directed this Action comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, Kim Basinger. Rated R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language and brief drug use. Running time is one hour and fifty-six minutes.

A down-on-his-luck private eye (Gosling) and hired enforcer (Crowe) must work together to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death of a porn star while trying to avoid being killed by a hired assassin (Bomer).

Crowe and Gosling make quite the pair in this enjoyable action film. Crowe is the steady, somewhat brutal, no-nonsense type while Gosling is just shy of being a complete klutz. Together they add up to an effective detective team. Young Australian actress Angourie Rice is a real revelation and looks to have a major career ahead. Basinger is basically wasted and we see far too little of her. The plot is more convoluted than necessary and the film is longer than it needs to be but the pacing is good enough it doesn't really matter. Set in the 1970s, the musical styles will be nostalgic to those who lived through that era. There are several female topless scenes and the language is a bit rough in spots, although not so much it seems unrealistic. The biggest compliment I can give this film is that I'd really like to see this cast in a sequel, and I very rarely feel that way.

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

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising **

Nicholas Stoller directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Chloe Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gallo, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kiersey Clemons, Beanie Feldstein, Selena Gomez, Lisa Kudrow. Rated R for crude sexual content including brief graphic nudity, language throughout, drug use and teen partying. Running time is one hour and thirty-two minutes.

Just as (Rogen and Byrne) thought they’d reclaimed the neighborhood and were safe to sell their house, they learn the new occupants next door are a sorority even more out of control than (Efron) and his brothers ever dreamed of being.

The only reason I can think of for going to this film is if you're a fan of crude, profane humor and you didn't see the first film. This is virtually a copy of the first, substituting a sorority for a fraternity and throwing in a couple of meaningless, humorless subplots that add nothing to the film. Production values are fine and the cast does well with what they have to work with. The only audience I think will find this amusing is the 18-30 group, some of whom seem to think profanity is a valid replacement for good writing. But, if you really need a fix of crude, sophomoric humor, just watch the first film again...it's a little funnier and a lot cheaper.

Surprisingly, there are no outtakes or additional scenes once the credits begin. Any screen size will do. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 5/20/16

MetaCritic indicates The Nice Guys (71) is the top ranking film this week followed by The Meddler (68), Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (57) and The Angry Birds (43). I saw two of these this week and liked one much better than the other. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 5/20/16

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 Angry Birds Movie [PG] 1 hr. 37 min. Animated comedy Watch Preview Voices: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Ike Barinholtz, Tituss Burgess, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage. Plot: takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – except for three unhappy outcasts. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

The Meddler [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons, Cecily Strong, Jerrod Carmichael, Michael McKean. Plot: a widow (Sarandon) moves to be near her single daughter (Byrne) and smother her with motherly love. Showing at: Warren East.

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising [R] 1 hr. 31 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Chloe Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gallo, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kiersey Clemons, Beanie Feldstein, Selena Gomez, Lisa Kudrow. Plot: just as (Rogen and Byrne) thought they’d reclaimed the neighborhood and were safe to sell, they learn the new occupants next door are a sorority even more out of control than (Efron) and his brothers ever dreamed of being. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Nice Guys [R] 1 hr. 56 min. Action comedy Watch Preview Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, Kim Basinger. Plot: a down-on-his-luck private eye (Gosling) and hired enforcer (Crowe) must work together to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death of a porn star. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens returns to Warren East for an encore.

Leaving 5/19/16

Movie Machine - Zootopia
Palace West -  God's Of Egypt, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Warren East 13th - Barbershop: The Next Cut, Batman vs Superman, Eye In The Sky, Criminal Keanu, Captain America: Civil War 3D, A Hologram For The King
Warren West 21st - Barbershop: The Next Cut, Captain America: Civil War 3D, Huntsman: Winter's War, God's Not Dead 2
Warren Old Town - Captain America: Civil War, Mother's Day, The Boss

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. 

Money Monster ***½

Jodie Foster  directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O'Connell, Dominic West, Giancarlo Esposito, Caitriona Balfe. Rated R for language throughout, some sexuality and brief violence. Running time is one hour and thirty-eight minutes.

A financial TV host (Clooney) and his producer (Roberts) are put in an explosive situation when an irate investor who has lost everything (Jack O'Connell) forcefully takes over their studio and threatens to kill the host with an explosive vest.

If you like a relevant, interesting story with a top notch cast, here's a film for you. It also features good production values, a reasonable running time, and plot pacing that never gives you a chance to get bored. Oh, the plot in the last third of the film get a bit unreal, but by that time you'll be so involved in what's happening I don't think you'll really care. Clooney and Roberts are as good as you expect them to be and it was interesting seeing Balfe (Outlander) in a contemporary role. O'Connell is very good as the investor whose life keeps going from bad to worse. The rating is basically due to the language, although there is a brief sex scene that's more amusing than prurient, so keep that in mind if that's something that bothers you. I have no reluctance in giving this a high recommendation.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen will be nice but not necessary. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 5/13/16

MetaCritic indicates Sing Street (78) is the top ranking film this week followed by Money Monster (59). The Darkness has not yet received a rating. I saw one film this week and liked it 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.

Opening 5/13/16

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 Darkness [PG-13] 1 hr. 32 min. Horror film Watch Preview Cast: Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, David Mazouz, Lucy Fry, Matt Walsh, Jennifer Morrison. Plot: a family returns home from vacation at the Grand Canyon, bringing home a supernatural force that preys off their own fears and vulnerabilities, Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Money Monster [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O'Connell, Dominic West, Giancarlo Esposito, Caitriona Balfe. Plot: a financial TV host (Clooney) and his producer (Roberts) are put in an explosive situation when an irate investor who has lost everything (Jack O'Connell) forcefully takes over their studio. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Sing Street [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Musical comedy Watch Preview Cast: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Aidan Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Jack Reynor, Lucy Boynton, Mark McKenna. Plot: 1980s Dublin seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who is looking for a break from a home strained by his parents' relationship and money troubles, while trying to adjust to his new inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 5/12/16

Movie Machine - Ratchet & Clank, Kenu, Batman vs Superman
Palace West -  Risen, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Warren East 13th - Batman vs Superman, Green Room, Everybody Wants Some, Ratchet & Clank
Warren West 21st - Ratchet & Clank, Kenu, Batman vs Superman
Warren Old Town - Keanu

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. 

Captain America: Civil War ***

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Daniel Brühl, Tom Holland. Rated PG-13. Running time is two hours and twenty-six minutes.

Political pressure results in the  government deciding to direct the team rather than letting them act on their own. This fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) who are not in favor of government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s (RobertDowney Jr.) decision to support the government action.

There's really not much reason to write a review for a film like this.  It has a built-in audience of comic book hero and action fans that will attend no matter what anyone says. And, for that crowd this is a perfectly acceptable film. It reintroduces us to the Avengers team again and lets us see them in plenty of action. That's all that crowd needs. For those who don't fit either of those categories, there's not much to see here in the way of a story. In fact the film has no plot progression whatever. What you have at the end is what you had when the film started, with a whole lot of fighting and CG in between. The average non-fan will find this way too long and a little on the boring side. To me the film seemed more of a place holder, a way to make a few hundred million without having to worry about something silly like a meaningful plot. I saw this in the 2D format but it looked to me as if the IMAX 3D would be pretty effective and that big screen would make the action even more impressive.

There are scenes both in the middle and at the end of the credits that fans will want to see. The bigger the screen the better. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. IMAX 3D Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 5/6/16

MetaCritic indicates Captain America: Civil War (75) is the top (and only) ranking film this week. I saw it and found it full of action but without much of a plot. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 5/6/16

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.

Captain America: Civil War 2D/3D, IMAX 3D [PG-13] 2 hrs. 27 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Daniel Brühl, Tom Holland. Plot: political pressure results in the  government directing the team. This fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) who are not in favor of government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s (RobertDowney Jr.) decision to support government oversight. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 5/5/16

Movie Machine - Huntsman: Winter's War
Palace West -  Hail, Caesar!
Warren East 13th - Big Far Greek Wedding 2, Miracles From Heaven, Divergent: Allegiant
Warren West 21st - Elvis & Nixon, Jungle Book IMAX 3D, Compadres, Criminal, Divergent: Allegiant
Warren Old Town - Huntsman: Winter's War, Barbershop: Next Cut

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.