Review Roundup 11/22/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Coco (80)

The Man Who Invented Christmas (60) 

Roman J. Israel, Esq. (58) 

Review Roundup 11/17/2017

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Justice League  (46)

The Star  (43)

Wonder (65)

Review Roundup 11/10/2017

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Daddy's Home 2  (29)

Murder on the Orient Express (52)

Review Roundup 11/1, 3/2017

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

A Bad Moms Christmas (41)

Thor: Ragnarok (73)

Review Roundup 10/27/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Jigsaw (45)

Suburbicon (43)

Thank You for Your Service  (69)

Review Roundup 10/20/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Geostorm (21)

Only the Brave (74) 

Same Kind of Different as Me  (49)

The Snowman (23)

Tyler Perry's Boo 2! A Madea Halloween (17)

Review Roundup 10/6/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Blade Runner 2049 (82)

The Mountain Between Us (47)

My Little Pony: The Movie (41)

The Stray (?)

Victoria & Abdul (57)

Review Roundup 9/22/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Brad's Status (71)
Friend Request (33)
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (46) 
The LEGO Ninjago Movie (55)
Stronger (76)

Review Roundup 9/8/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

9/11(tbd) has received no reviews. Looking at that cast of has-beens and the fact there are no reviews indicates you should avoid this one. Rated R for language. IMDB Parent's Guide.

Home Again (43) has received mixed or average reviews. I'm guessing the average patron in the mood for a romantic comedy will like this just fine. Rated PG-13 for some thematic and sexual material. IMDB Parent's Guide.
      Home Again has a certain charm and polish. It’s hard not to like people who are so … likable. But it’s also hard not to feel a constant sense of disconnect from these characters and their so-called “crises.” Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Sep 7, 2017

It (71) has received generally favorable reviews. Hollywood would really appreciate it if you'd pay your money and see this one. In an otherwise dismal late summer this is one of their expected bright spots. You wouldn't want to disappoint them, would you? Rated R for violence/horror, bloody images, and for language. IMDB Parent's Guide.
     IT...carried me along from the opening frame, rarely missing a beat. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Sep 5, 2017 

Review Roundup 9/1/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

It (tbd) has received no reviews yet. This is on the release schedule for next week so either the distributor saw a gap to fill this week or they decided to open before the critics got a chance to weigh in on the film. Rated R for violence/horror, bloody images, and for language. IMDB Parent's Guide.

Hazlo Como Hombre (Do It Like An Hombre) (tbd) has received no reviews yet. All I can tell you is it's a Spanish language comedy. Rated R for sexual content throughout. 

Patti Cake$  (67) has received generally favorable reviews. This doesn't look like a film I'd pay to see but the critics seem generally impressed. May be your best option in an otherwise lackluster week. Rated R for language throughout, crude sexual references, some drug use and a brief nude image. IMDB Parent's Guide.
     Macdonald is an absolute force as the twentysomething Patricia Dombrowski, who wakes up every morning determined and upbeat, even though her life path already looks to be a series of dead ends. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 14, 2017

Tulip Fever (38) has received generally unfavorable reviews. This has been on the shelf for awhile so you know the distributor has no faith in its performance. If you like this type of period drama you'll probably be happier if you wait for it to stream. Rated R for sexual content and nudity.
    As Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) piles on the coincidences and misdirections, the movie finally collapses under its own schematic weight, and wilts to the ground. Read full review.  Entertainment Weekly—Leah Greenblatt Sep 1, 2017 

Review Roundup 08/25/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

All Saints (NR) has received no reviews yet. That's not unusual for this type of film. The critics will not be kind to it and its limited audience won't care. Rated PG for thematic elements. IMDB Parent's Guide.

Birth Of The Dragon (NR) has received no reviews yet and the film has been completed for months. In this case that's not a good sign. It means the distributor is afraid of those reviews. Probably one to pass on. Rated PG-13 for martial arts violence, language, and thematic elements. IMDB Parent's Guide.

Good Time (80) has received generally favorable reviews. This doesn't look like a good time to me, but rather one film critics think you should see. Rated R. IMDB Parent's Guide.
     Good Time is a hallucinatory and often gripping one-night stand of mishaps, mayhem and madness. Ultimately, though, the sometimes clever story runs out of steam and limps across the finish line, and the in-your-face characters and camerawork, not to mention the in-your-ears score, left me not all that involved and a bit exhausted. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 17, 2017 

Leap! (50) has received mixed to average reviews. Worth a visit only if you have young children or grandchildren to entertain. Rated PG for some impolite humor, and action. IMDB Parent's Guide.
     It’s not a leap to call “Leap!” perfectly watchable, if entirely too dull for the very young — especially the hyper-active. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 21, 2017

The Only Living Boy in New York (34) has generally unfavorable reviews. The prevue looks a lot more interesting than the reviews would lead you to believe the film is. It might be worth a shot in an otherwise unimpressive week. Rated R for language and some drug material. IMDB Parent's Guide
     “Serviceable,” the stinging critique of a young man’s potential by his publisher/father, fits. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 17, 2017 

Review Roundup 8/18/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

The Hitman's Bodyguard (50) received mixed or average reviews. Looks like one to wait for until it streams. Rated R for strong violence and language throughout. IMDB Parent's Guide.
    There’s nothing and no one to like in The Hitman’s Bodyguard. This is one loud, generic, forgettable late summer action flick. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 17, 2017
     Laugh-out-loud funny? Yes. It’s just a pity that the “more is better” bodycount sours the picture long before its drawn-out ending spoils the punchline. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 16, 2017 

Logan Lucky (78) received generally favorable reviews. This looks like one to take a chance on if you're in the mood for an action comedy. Rated PG-13 for language and some crude comments. IMDB Parent's Guide.
     Logan Lucky is great fun and one of the most purely entertaining movies of the year. Read full review.  Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 16, 2017
     The damned thing doesn’t play. The rube jokes fall flat, the complex caper doesn’t skate by the way the best of the “Oceans” pictures did. It’s “Masterminds” meets “Little Miss Sunshine,” with a heaping helping of Coen Brothers “Burn After Reading” contempt for its characters. Read full review Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 13, 2017        

Step (81) received universal acclaim. I can't imagine this doing much business but it looks entertaining for those who decide to see it. Rated PG for thematic elements and some language. IMDB Parent's Guide
     Without question, Broadway producer Amanda Lipitz’s brilliant feature film directorial debut is deeply moving and inspirational, but unlike most documentaries it also makes for very entertaining viewing. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Bill Zwecker Aug 2, 2017 

Wind River  (73) received generally favorable reviews. This is the one I'd choose to see. Rated R for strong violence, a rape, disturbing images, and language. IMDB Parent's Guide
    Writer-director Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River is a stark and beautiful and haunting 21st century Western thriller, filled with memorable visuals and poetic dialogue — and scenes of sudden, shocking, brutal violence. Read full review.  Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 10, 2017
     [Renner] and Sheridan and some terrific, under-used supporting players...give Wind River a somber, grim grace and the relentless forward motion of a thriller. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 10, 2017

Review Roundup 8/11/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Annabelle: Creation (63) has generally favorable reviews. Strictly for horror fans. This will basically draw a younger crowd. Rated R for horror violence and terror. IMDB Parents Guide
     If you can’t get more than just a taste of terror from throwing half a dozen orphans into a haunted house, maybe your “universe” isn’t expanding at all and your “Creation” has run its course. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 8, 2017 

The Glass Castle (57) has mixed or average reviews. Unless you have an interest in one-time gossip columnist Jeannette Walls, this looks like one to pass. Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content involving family dysfunction, and for some language and smoking. IMDB Parents Guide
     A lumbering ordeal of a picture. Read full review.  Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 11, 2017
     It’s a well-made film with strong performances, and it by no means shies away from some of the more shocking and tragic episodes from Jeannette’s upbringing. But when “The Glass Castle” reaches for late-movie moments of closure and self-revelations and forgiveness...it rings sour and false. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 10, 2017 

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (68) has generally favorable reviews. Al Gore has been around long enough for you to know exactly what to expect. Rated PG for thematic elements and some troubling images. IMDB Parents Guide
     It’s never self-congratulatory, rarely “I told you so,” although if anybody on Planet Earth is entitled to owning that phrase it’s Al Gore. Read full review.  Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 6, 2017
     Directed in disjointed and sometimes unfocused fashion by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power is nonetheless worth a viewing, if only for the continued, irrefutable, scientifically sound reminders that humankind continues to harm the planet in shocking and sobering ways. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 3, 2017 

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (40) has mixed or average reviews. Unless you're babysitting, this looks like one to avoid. Rated PG for action and some rude humor. IMDB Parents Guide.
     The one gag that works is probably a little racist, or at least racially touchy. Jackie Chan voices the lead mouse in a sea of martial artist mice who beat the purple out of Surly any time he ventures into Chinatown. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 9, 2017 

Review Roundup 8/4/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

The Dark Tower (35) reviews are generally unfavorable. The majority of King's book to film attempts have not fared well. You'll probably be better off waiting for this to stream at home. Rated PG-13 for thematic material including sequences of gun violence and action. IMDB Parent's Guide
     The cinematography has a washed-out, dull tone. The special effects are mediocre. With a few exceptions, the dialogue is stilted and filled with expository passages so obviously intended to explain things to us, I half-expected characters to turn to the camera and say, “Here’s what you need to know so you can understand what’s happening.” Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 3, 2017 
     Bad dialogue, lame plot, fine. The bigger issue: How could a film with Elba and McConaughey have so little swagger? Read full review. Entertainment Weekly—Darren Franich Aug 3, 2017 

Detroit (80) reviews are generally favorable. This is not what I'd consider entertaining, but if you're interested in serious drama this is clearly the film of the week. Rated R for strong violence and pervasive language. IMDB Parent's Guide
     Arriving in theaters almost exactly 50 years since the Detroit riots of late July 1967, Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit is a searing, pulse-pounding, shocking and deeply effective dramatic interpretation of events in and around the Algiers Motel. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Jul 25, 2017 
     Detroit, despite its flaws, is compelling and deeply unsettling. Its thriller and horror elements gain resonance because, at least to some degree, they’re based on real events. Read full review. ReelViews—James Berardinelli Aug 3, 2017 

Kidnap (45) reviews are mixed and average. Strictly for action and Berry fans. The rest will be happier waiting for a cheaper viewing. Rated R for violence and peril. IMDB Parent's Guide

     As Karla turns into Super Mom, brushing off multiple car accidents and more than one attempt on her life, Kidnap provides some easy applause-getting moments but grows increasingly over-the-top. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Aug 3, 2017 

     It’s a dopey but pulse-pounding B-movie. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Aug 1, 2017 

Disney's Newsies the Broadway Musical I could find no reviews for the movie version of this stage musical. The title link above will take you to reviews of the stage production which seem reasonably positive. What your experience will be in the movie theatre is anyone's guess.

Review Roundup 7/28/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews. (NR) after title is the MetaCritic score.

Atomic Blonde (63)  has generally favorable critical reviews. Those who prefer action films should find this acceptable. Rated R for sequences of strong violence, language throughout, and some sexuality/nudity. Parents Guide
     Punch kick stab shoot. Borrow from “Bourne” and Bond. Rinse and repeat. This is the recipe for the quite ridiculous, ultra-violent and deliriously entertaining Atomic Blonde. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Jul 26, 2017
     Stuntman (“Fight Club,””300”) turned director (he had a hand in “John Wick”) David Leitch proves he was the right guy for the job with every furious blast of onscreen mayhem. Read full review. Movie Nation—Roger Moore Jul 25, 2017 

The Emoji Movie (8)  has overwhelming critical dislike. Clearly, this is a film to skip. Rated PG for rude humor. Parents Guide
     To add to the pain and despair of the experience, The Emoji Movie is preceded by a short, “Puppy,” featuring the characters from the “Hotel Transylvania” animated movies. It is also idiotic. Read full review. The New York Times—Glenn Kenny Jul 27, 2017
     The only thing worse than the dialogue is the absurd product placement. Read full review. New York Daily News—Jordan Hoffman Jul 27, 2017 

A Ghost Story (84) has universal critical acclaim. According to the score and the topic this looks like the one to see for most patrons. Rated R for brief language and a disturbing image. Parents Guide
     There are mysteries here, not the least of them being how such a modest little movie can evoke such profound feelings. Read full review.  Wall Street Journal—Joe Morgenstern Jul 6, 2017
     Roughly 60 percent of A Ghost Story is disturbingly beautiful and spiritually challenging and stuck to me like a memory magnet. About 40 percent of A Ghost Story is maddeningly still and achingly self-conscious and just a little too pleased with itself. Read full review. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper Jul 12, 2017 

Review Roundup 7/14/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews.

THE BIG SICK (87) This film has universal critic acclaim and would seem to be the pick for a romantic comedy. Rated R for language including some sexual references
     It is funny and smart and wise and silly, it is romantic and sweet and just cynical enough, and it is without a doubt one of the best romantic comedies I have seen in a long time. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper  |  Read full review
     The Big Sick has the qualities that could make it a sleeper hit. It’s funny, touching, and perceptive. ReelViews—James Berardinelli | Read full review

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (81) Indicates universal acclaim and should be the choice for Sci-Fi action fans and those who've loved the previous entries in this series. If you don't like long lines or crowded theatres you may want to wait a week. Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, thematic elements, and some disturbing images. IMDB Parental Guide.
     Serkis is brilliant and memorable and sometimes absolutely heartbreaking as Caesar. The supporting players excel, with each getting a moment or two in the sun. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper | Read full review
     This is a vital, original, and emotionally potent chapter to one of the longest-running movie series out there. It will easily be one of the summer of 2017’s best films and, at the end of the year, it will likely find a space on many respectable Top 10 lists. ReelViews—James Berardinelli | Read full review

WISH UPON has no MetaCritic rating yet which means it hasn't been screened for the critics. You know what that means. Rated PG-13 for violent and disturbing images, thematic elements and language. IMDB Parental Guide

Review Roundup 7/7/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Review Roundup will take you to MetaCritic reviews.

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (73) has generally favorable reviews. This score would correlate to a three-star review. I don't know that the world needs another Spider-Man film, but if you've enjoyed these before this looks as if you'd enjoy this one also. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language, and brief suggestive comments. IMDB Parent's Guide.

...Spider-Man: Homecoming feels fresh and new, an endearingly awkward kid brother to the glamorous “Wonder Woman.” New York Post—Sara Stewart

A brightly contemporary retelling that is not so much an origin story as a coming of age: The On-His-Way-to-Amazing Spider-Boy. Entertainment Weekly—Leah Greenblatt

The best thing about Spider-Man: Homecoming is Spidey is still more of a kid than a man. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper

Worthwhile (or not) 6/30/17

See the Opening section for ratings, casts, and prevue links. Title links in Worthwhile (or not) will take you to MetaCritic reviews.

Baby Driver has one of the highest MetaCritic ratings I've seen in awhile—86, meaning it has virtually universal acclaim. The only negative review I saw said: "a very long (much too long) music video with not very interesting car chases." However, it's a little shy of two hours in length which is about average these days. The positive comments range from "Cinematic Joyride" to "brilliant car chase musical" to "as much fun as you’re going to have in a movie theater this year".  If you like fast car action and loud music, this looks like one to see. The IMDB Parent's Guide will give you a better idea of what's in this one.

Beatriz at Dinner at 68 has generally favorable reviews. However, most of them make the point the film is a little preachy and one reviewer felt it was like a lecture from Al Gore. From the comments, I'm guessing conservative viewers will like this less than progressive ones will. Personally, this seems to me like a film you'd be happier watching at home. The IMDB Parent's Guide says this is what you'll be in for.

Despicable Me 3 at 50 has mixed to average reviews. The Seattle Times' Soren Andersen seems to sum it up best with "It’s a standard kiddie cartoon: noisy, colorful and forgettable." Unless you have kids or grandkids to entertain, this looks like one to miss. IMDB Parent's Guide.

The House finally has a rating of 31, meaning generally unfavorable reviews. This rating showed up at the last minute which I assume means the distributor wasn't eager to screen it. That's never a good sign. It usually indicates the distributor knows the film is a lemon and is trying to hide the fact as long as possible. I purposefully provided the red band trailer in the Opening section so you could get a better idea what this looks like. This appears to be for those who enjoy really raunchy films. Personally, I wouldn't waste my time. IMDB Parent's Guide.

Worthwhile (or not) 6/23/17

MetaCritic indicates the only new film this week has generally unfavorable reviews: Transformers: The Last Knight (27) is the fifth episode in this series and hopefully the last. It's basic audience will be teens/twenties action fans so you know who'll you be with if you decide to go.  For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Worthwhile (or not) 6/16/17

MetaCritic indicates these new films have mixed or average reviews: Cars 3 (60) is the top ranked film this week, followed by 47 Meters Down (56) and Rough Night (51). Films with generally unfavorable reviews are All Eyez On Me (35) and The Book Of Henry (27). For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above. Frankly, this looks to be a poor week for new films and you should consider saving your money for a better week or catching a film you've been wanting to see from a previous week.