Opening 2/3/17

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 Comedian [R] 1 hr. 59 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Edie Falco, Veronica Ferres, Charles Grodin, Cloris Leachman, Patti LuPone, Harvey Keitel. Plot: an aging comic (Robert De Niro) has seen better days.  Despite his efforts to reinvent himself and his comic genius, the audience only wants to know him as the former television character he once played. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Rings [PG-13 1 hr. 42 min. Horror film Watch Preview Cast: Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Aimee Teegarden, Bonnie Morgan, Vincent D'Onofrio. Plot: a young woman becomes worried about her boyfriend when he explores a dark subculture surrounding a mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after he has viewed it. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Space Between Us [PG-13 2 hrs. 1 min. Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield, Carla Gugino, Britt Robertson, BD Wong, Janet Montgomery. Plot: a space shuttle embarks on the first mission to colonize Mars, only to discover after takeoff that one of the astronauts is pregnant. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Un Padre No Tan Padre [PG-13] 1 hr. 34 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Zamia Fandiño, Jacqueline Bracamontes, Camila Selser. Plot: when a father has to leave his retirement home he moves in with his son and is shocked by the son's lifestyle. Showing at: Warren West.

Leaving 2/2/17

Movie Machine - XXX: Return Of Xander Cage
Palace West - Office Christmas Party, Allied, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
Warren East 13th - Bye Bye Man, Resurrection Of Gavin Stone, Moana Sing-Along, Sleepless, Resident Evil 5 3D
Warren West 21st - The Founder, Resurrection Of Gavin Stone, Moana Sing-Along, Why Him?
Warren Old Town - Rogue One

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) 1/27/17

MetaCritic indicates Jackie (81) is the top ranked film this week, followed by Gold (49). The Resident Evil: The Final Chapter has received no reviews at this time (never a good sign). I couldn't get excited about any of these (well, I lived through the Jackie era and felt no reason to revisit it) so I'll have no reviews this week. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Oopening 1/27/17

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.

Gold [R] 2 hrs. Adventure drama Watch Preview Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell, Bruce Greenwood, Stacy Keach. Plot: a modern day prospector (McConaughey) desperate for a lucky break, teams up with a similarly eager geologist and sets off on an amazing journey to find gold in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Jackie [R] 1 hr. 39 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Natalie Portman, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, John Hurt, Peter Sarsgaard. Plot: portrait of one of the most important and tragic moments in American history, seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, then Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (Natalie Portman). Showing at: Warren East.

Moana Sing-Along Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Resident  Evil: The Final Chapter [R] 1 hr. 46 min. Sci-fi/Horror film Watch Preview Cast: Ruby Rose, Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter.  Plot: (Milla Jovovich) is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity's final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 1/26/17

Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - Ouija
Warren East 13th - Moana, Live By Night, Underworld, Silence
Warren West 21st - Moana, Live By Night, Silence, Sleepless, XXX: Return Of Xander Cage IMAX 3D
Warren Old Town - Patriots Day, Underworld, Live By Night

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. 

Split ***

M. Night Shyamalan wrote and directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula, Haley Lu Richardson. Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and behavior, violence and some language. Running time is one hour and fifty-seven minutes.

Though (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others.

Shyamalan is known for making films with a twist at the ending, so I was expecting something really wild. The film didn't go where I expected it to but I wouldn't call the ending a real surprise. I was  expecting a slightly different ending because of the time the film spent on the backstory of one of the kidnap victims, which takes up a fair amount of the film's time and causes the film to slow to a snails pace during the middle portion. (Also, if you pay attention, he telegraphs what that ending is likely to be.) As it turns out, the director could have saved that time and made the overall film shorter and thus better, and increasing the pacing certainly wouldn't have hurt. All that being said, the film is worth watching just to see the acting of McAvoy and the nine characters he portrays. He looks totally different without his hair and beard and his usual Scottish accent is completely missing. The girls are adequate and  Buckley is good, as she is always. If you look closely you'll see the director in a brief scene. This is not a great film, but it does have its moments.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 1/20/17

MetaCritic indicates Split (70) is the top ranked film this week, followed by The Founder (68), and XXX: Return Of Xander Cage (54). The Resurrection Of Gavin Stone has received no reviews  at this time. I saw one of these this week and found it interesting but a little slow. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 1/20/17

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 Founder [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini, Patrick Wilson, B.J. Novak, Laura Dern. Plot: the true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a struggling salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

The Resurrection Of Gavin Stone [PG] 1 hr. 32 min. Family drama Watch Preview Cast: Brett Dalton, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Shawn Michaels. Plot: a washed-up former child star, forced to do community service at a local megachurch, pretends to be a Christian to land the part of Jesus in their annual Passion Play. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Split [PG-13] 1 hr. 57 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula, Haley Lu Richardson. Plot: though (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

XXX: Return Of Xander Cage [PG-13] 1 hr. 47 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Conor McGregor, Tony Jaa, Deepika Padukone, Nina Dobrev, Ruby Rose, Toni Collette, Donnie Yen, Ariadna Gutierrez, Ice Cube. Plot:  an extreme athlete turned government operative (Vin Diesel) comes out of self-imposed exile in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 1/19/17

Movie Machine - Underworld, Rogue One
Palace West - Always Christmas, Madea Halloween
Warren East 13th - Assassin's Creed, Why Him?, Manchester By The Sea, Monster Trucks 3D, A Monster Calls
Warren West 21st - Assassin's Creed, Why Him?, Manchester By The Sea, Monster Trucks 3D, A Monster Calls, Hacksaw Ridge, Fences, Rogue One IMAX 3D
Warren Old Town - Why Him?, Passengers

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. 

Live By Night **½

Ben Affleck co-wrote and directed this Crime Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper. Rated R for strong violence, language throughout, and some sexuality/nudity. Running time is two hours and eight minutes.

A Prohibition era drama about the son (Affleck) of a Boston police officer who becomes involved in the illegal rum business and organized crime in Boston and eventually, Florida.

This is a well made film with a very good cast and excellent production values. Unfortunately, the pacing during the middle portion of the film becomes boringly slow and the overall length is unnecessarily long. It's also episodic to the point the continuity of the film is at times compromised. There's plenty of action at the beginning and end of the film but there's an hour in the middle where you'll be inclined to take a nap. The look of the 20s is captured nicely and if you enjoy films set during that era you won't be disappointed. With some judicious editing, this could have been a much better film. But, even with these faults it is at times still an entertaining film.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 1/13/17

MetaCritic indicates Silence (79) is the top ranked film this week, followed by Patriots Day (70), Live By Night (48), Monster Trucks (43) and Bye Bye Man (36). Sleepless has received no reviews  at this time. I saw one of these this week and found it a little slow. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 1/13/17

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 Bye Bye Man [PG-13]  1 hr. 45 min. Horror Watch Preview Cast: Carrie-Anne Moss, Faye Dunaway, Douglas Smith, Cressida Bonas, Lucien Laviscount, Douglas Jones. Plot: when three college friends stumble upon the horrific origins of the Bye Bye Man, they discover there is only one way to avoid his curse: don’t think it, don’t say it. But once the Bye Bye Man gets inside your head, he takes control. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Live By Night [R] 2 hrs. 8 min. Crime Drama Watch Preview Cast: Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper. Plot: a Prohibition era drama about rum runners and organized crime. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Monster Trucks [PG] 1 hr. 45 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Lucas Till, Jane Levy, Holt McCallany, Barry Pepper, Tucker Albrizzi, Danny Glover, Amy Ryan, Rob Lowe, Frank Whaley, Thomas Lennon. Plot: a high school senior (Lucas Till), builds a Monster Truck from bits and pieces of scrapped cars. After an accident at a nearby oil-drilling site displaces a strange and subterranean creature with a taste and a talent for speed, he may have found the key to getting out of town and a most unlikely friend. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Patriots Day [R] 1 hr. 53 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, J.K. Simmons, Michelle Monaghan. Plot: a police Sergeant (Mark Wahlberg) joins courageous survivors, first responders and investigators in a race against the clock to hunt down the Boston bombers before they strike again. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Silence [R] 2 hrs. 41 min. Historical Drama Watch Preview Cast: Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano, Issey Ogata, Ciaran Hinds, Yosuke Kubozuka, Yoshi Oida. Plot: the story of two Christian missionaries (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) – at a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden. Showing at: Warren East.

Sleepless [PG-13 1 hr. 35 min. Crime Drama Watch Preview Cast: Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney, Gabrielle Union, David Harbour, Tip "T.I." Harris, Scoot McNairy, Octavius J. Johnson. Plot: when a heist goes wrong, a crew of homicidal gangsters kidnaps a Las Vegas undercover cop's teenage son. In one sleepless night he will have to rescue his son, evade an internal affairs investigation and bring the kidnappers to justice. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 1/12/17

Movie Machine - Passengers
Palace West - Incarnate, Inferno, Girl On The Train, Suicide Squad
Warren East 13th - Collateral Beauty, Office Christmas Party, Underworld 3D
Warren West 21st - Fantastic Beasts, Collateral Beauty, Office Christmas Party
Warren Old Town - Assassin's Creed, Office Christmas Party

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. 

La La Land **½

Damien Chazelle wrote and directed this Musical Drama. Watch Preview.  Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, Tom Everett Scott, Josh Pence. Rated PG-13 for some language. Running time is two hours and eight minutes.

In this modern take on the Hollywood musical (Ryan Gosling) and (Emma Stone) are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts they are faced with decisions that fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and threaten to rip them apart.

I realize this film has a MetaCritic rating in the 90s and is a strong contender for an Academy Award. And, I'm a real fan of musicals. So, I'm not happy to tell you I was disappointed after seeing it. I have to think all the people who are just raving about this have never seen one of the great musicals of the 50s. Those film featured actors who were top notch dancers and singers and the films always had a song or two that were memorable. Not so with this one. Gosling has a pleasant if not great voice but Stone, an actress I really like, has no singing voice at all. And both are rather pedestrian dancers. Also, I'll bet you won't come away with any song or melody you'll remember. Then, there's the fact it's a good thirty minutes too long. Younger audiences, who don't have any idea what a really good  musical looks or sounds like, may find this enjoyable. But those of us who are old enough to know the real thing when we see it are not going to be that impressed.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 1/6/17

MetaCritic indicates A Monster Calls (78) is the top ranked film this week, followed by Hidden Figures (74). Underworld: Blood Wars has received no reviews (not a good sign). For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Opening 1/6/17

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.

Hidden Figures [PG] 2 hrs, 6 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell. Plot: untold story of (Taraji P. Henson), (Octavia Spencer) and (Janelle Monáe)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

A Monster Calls [PG-13] 1 hr. 48 min. Fantasy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Lewis MacDougall, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver. Plot: a 12-year-old (Lewis MacDougall) attempts to deal with his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world of monsters and fairy tales that explore courage, loss, and faith. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Underworld: Blood Wars 2D/3D [R] 1 hr. 31 min. Horror/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, Charles Dance, James Faulkner, Peter Andersson, Clementine Nicholson, Bradley James, Daisy Head. Plot: in this latest film in the series, Selene (Kate Beckinsale) fights to end the eternal war between the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 1/5/17

Movie Machine - Assassin's Creed
Palace West - Bad Santa, Queen Of Katwe
Warren East 13th - Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Assassin's Creed 3D, Rogue One 3D, Paassengers 3D, Sing 3D
Warren West 21st - Assassin's Creed 3D, Rogue One 3D, Paassengers 3D, Sing 3D
Warren Old Town - Collateral Beauty

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.