Opening 7/1/16

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.

The BFG [PG] 2 hrs. Fantasy/Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader. Plot: the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

The Legend Of Tarzan 2D/3D/IMAX 3D 1 hr.49 min. Action/Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Djimon Hounsou. Plot: it has been years since the man once known as Tarzan (Skarsgård) left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane (Robbie) at his side. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Purge: Election Year  [R] 1 hr.43 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Edwin Hodge, Betty Gabriel, JJ Soria, Mykelti Williamson. Plot: the next terrifying chapter that occurs over 12 hours of annual lawlessness sanctioned by the New Founders of America to keep this country great. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Swiss Army Man [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Drama/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Plot: a man (Paul Dano) is stranded on a deserted island, having given up all hope of ever making it home again. But one day everything changes when a corpse  (Daniel Radcliffe) washes up on shore; the two become fast friends, and ultimately go on an epic adventure that will bring Hank back to the woman of his dreams. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 6/30/16

Movie Machine - Now You See Me 2, TMNT
Palace West - Keanu, The Darkness, The Boss, Ratchet & Clank, Huntsman 2
Warren East 13th - Captain America, X-Men, Warcraft, TMNT, Finding Dory 3D, Independence Day 2 3D
Warren West 21st - Captain America, X-Men, Warcraft, TMNT, Finding Dory 3D, Independence Day 2 3D/IMAX 3D
Warren Old Town - Now You See Me 2

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. 

Worthwhile (or not) 6/24/16

MetaCritic indicates The Shallows (57) is the top ranking film this week followed by Free State Of Jones (54), and Independence Day: Resurgence (37). I was under the weather this week so I didn't screen any of these. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 6/24/16

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.

Independence Day Resurgence [PG-13] 2 hrs. Sci-Fi action Watch Preview Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe, Angelababy , William Fichtner, Sela Ward. Plot: We always knew they were coming back. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Free State Of Jones  [R] 2 hrs.19 min. Action/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Keri Russell, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Mahershala Ali. Plot: an epic action-drama set during the Civil War, and tells the story of a defiant Southern farmer, and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Shallows [PG-13] 1 hr. 27 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Blake Lively, Oscar Jaenada, Sedona Legge. Plot: a woman is surfing alone on a secluded beach when she is attacked by a great white shark and stranded just a short distance from shore. Though she is only 200 yards from her survival, getting there proves the ultimate contest of wills. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 6/23/16

Movie Machine - Warcraft
Palace West -  nothing
Warren East 13th - Angry Birds, Neighbors 2, Love & Friendship, The Lobster, Alice Through The Looking Glass, Now You See Me 2, The Conjuring
Warren West 21st - Warcraft 3D, Angry Birds, Alice Through The Looking Glass
Warren Old Town - Warcraft, Out Of The Shadows, Me Before You

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. 

Central Intelligence **

Rawson Marshall Thurber directed this Action comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan, Danielle Nicolet, Aaron Paul. Rated PG-13 for crude and suggestive humor, some nudity, action violence and brief strong language. Running time is one hour and fifty-four minutes.

A one-time bullied geek (Johnson) grows up to be a lethal CIA agent, coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, he enlists the help of the former “big man on campus” (Hart), now an accountant who misses his glory days.

Kevin Hart is not high on my list of favorite actors. I know that many find him hilarious but I find him mostly loud and obnoxious. He has toned down a bit in this film and pairing him with the steady, calm Johnson makes the whole film less madcap. Still, for something that's supposed to be a comedy, there are not many laughs, although Johnson in a fat suit, singing in the shower, did  make me chuckle, as did Hart's pratfall. The rest of the thirty-minute too long film has a fair amount of action which unfortunately kept being halted by Hart's nonsensical patter. The funniest part of the film is the outtakes that start right after "The End" appears on screen. If you're a Hart fan I'm sure this will be a must see. Otherwise, there are a lot more interesting films that are almost here.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 6/17/16

MetaCritic indicates Finding Dory (78) is the top ranking film this week followed by Central Intelligence (52). Clown, which opens at the Palace West this week is unrated. I saw one of these this week and thought it was OK but certainly not outstanding. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 6/17/16

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.

Central Intelligence [PG-13] 1 hr. 47 min. Action comedy Watch Preview Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan, Danielle Nicolet, Aaron Paul. Plot: a one-time bullied geek grows up to be a lethal CIA agent (Johnson), coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, he enlists the help of the former “big man on campus” (Hart), now an accountant who misses his glory days. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Finding Dory [PG] 1 hr. 37 min. Animated family film Watch Preview Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Kaitlin Olson, Albert Brooks, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Hayden Rolence, Michael Sheen Plot: Dory is reunited with friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 6/16/16

Movie Machine - X-Men: Apocalypse, Angry Birds
Palace West -  Barbershop 2, Mother's Day, Miracles From Heaven
Warren East 13th - Popstar, Money Monster, Nice Guys, Maggie's Plan, Warcraft 3D
Warren West 21st - Love & Friendship, Neighbors 2, Sorority Rising, Money Monster, Nice Guys, Popstar
Warren Old Town - X-Men: Apocalypse

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. 

Warcraft **½

Duncan Jones co-wrote and directed this Fantasy Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Ben Foster, Clancy Brown, Daniel Wu, Dominic Cooper, Paula Patton, Toby Kebbell, Travis Fimmel, Ben Schnetzer, Ruth Negga, Robert Kazinsky, Anna Galvin. Rated PG - 13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy violence. Running time is two hours and three minutes.

A peaceful realm stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a race of invaders fleeing their dying home. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction.

This is a well made film but I have to wonder about its potential audience. It's based on the multi-player game of the same name and it's been my experience those who play games are usually negative about the movie version. Those who like fantasy films (Avatar comes to mind) may also find this appealing although precious little time is spent giving you any kind of background. I don't play computer games so I went into this with no preconceptions. It took me a while to determine this is set on an Earthlike world (Azeroth) that has the appearance of medieval Europe, but with races other than human-like inhabiting it, along with those who appear human. There's also plenty of magic, both good and bad, and a few creatures you won't find on Earth, including a horse/bird creature that can be ridden. Then there's the whole portal to another world bit, which Orcs who are on a dying world, plan to use to get to Azeroth. You get the idea. If this sounds appealing to you, production values are good and the pacing is fairly good, although I was looking at my watch before it was over. If you decide to pass, you may have another shot in a couple of years as the ending is clearly leaning toward a sequel. I saw this in IMAX 3D, which was excellent.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A large screen is imperative for maximum visual enjoyment. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. IMAX 3D Times.

Now You See Me 2 **½

Jon M. Chu directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan, David Washofsky, Tsai Chin, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman. Rated PG-13 for violence and some language. Running time is two hours and nine minutes.

One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate.

This is one of those sequels which makes you wonder about the reason for its being made since it adds nothing new to the story, with the exception of Lizzy Caplan and Daniel Radcliffe to the cast. The story is still about misdirection, although this time it's the illusionists who are being misdirected. Still, it's an enjoyable cast and the film is fun to watch, though perhaps a bit confusing if you haven't seen the first one. Production values are fine but the pacing is a bit slow, especially for a film that's a good thirty minutes longer than it should be. If you didn't see the original, I can give this a mild recommendation. If you did see it, you'll be ahead to just watch it again.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 6/10/16

MetaCritic indicates Maggie's Plan (76) is the top ranking film this week followed by The Conjuring 2 (64), Now You See Me 2 (48) and Warcraft (32). I saw two of these this week and thought they were slightly 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 6/10/16

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 Conjuring 2 [R] 2 hrs. 11 min. Horror film Watch Preview Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Frances O'Connor, Madison Wolfe, Lauren Esposito, Patrick McAuley, Benjamin Haigh, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Simon Delaney, Franka Potente, Simon McBurney. Plot: 2 paranormal investigators, travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Maggie's Plan [R] 1 hr. 38 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, Travis Fimmel, Ida Rohatyn, Wallace Shawn, Mina Sundwall. Plot: a woman's plan to have a baby on her own is derailed when she falls in love with a married man, destroying his volatile marriage. Showing at: Warren East.

Now You See Me 2 [PG-13] 2 hrs. 9 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan, David Washofsky, Tsai Chin, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman. Plot: one year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate.
Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Warcraft [PG-13] 2D/3D/IMAX 3D 2 hrs. 3 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Ben Foster, Clancy Brown, Daniel Wu, Dominic Cooper, Paula Patton, Toby Kebbell, Travis Fimmel, Ben Schnetzer, Ruth Negga, Robert Kazinsky, Anna Galvin. Plot: a peaceful realm stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a race of invaders fleeing their dying home. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 6/9/16

Movie Machine - Alice Through The Looking Glass, Captain America: Civil War
Palace West -  Allegiant, 10 Cloverfield Lane
Warren East 13th - Jungle Book, The Meddler, A Bigger Splash, X-Men: Apocalypse 3D. Alice Through The Looking Glass 3D
Warren West 21st - Alice Through The Looking Glass 3D, IMAX 3D, X-Men: Apocalypse 3D
Warren Old Town - Alice Through The Looking Glass, Captain America: Civil War, Neighbors 2, The Nice Guys

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. 

Worthwhile (or not) 6/3/16

MetaCritic indicates The Lobster (82) is the top ranking film this week followed by Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (70), Me Before You (52) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (42). I had too much going on at home this week to make it to a movie so there'll be no reviews from me. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.