Review Roundup 10/13/17

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 Foreigner (57)

Happy Death Day (55)

Marshall (70)

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (60)

Review Roundup 7/21/17

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.

Dunkirk (96) Critics have given it universal acclaim. Action, history and war movie fans will obviously find this to be the film of choice this week. Rated PG-13 for intense war experience and some language. IMDB Parent's Guide.
     Nolan has crafted a tight, gripping, deeply involving and unforgettable film that ranks about the best war movies of the decade. Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper
     Although Dunkirk is technically a war film, its tone and style are those of a high-octane thriller. For his most serious-minded film to date, Christopher Nolan has employed all the weapons in his arsenal to craft something that, despite the Oscar-unfriendly July release date, will almost certainly be remembered when the Best Picture nominations are handed out. ReelViews—James Berardinelli

Girls Trip (71) Critics have given it generally favorable reviews. Yet another girl's gone wild film for those who appreciate this genre. Rated R for crude and sexual content throughout, pervasive language, brief graphic nudity, and drug material. IMDB Parent's Guide.
     The jokes that are there are shocking and hysterical, and unlike some similar comedies about grownup friends, the four core characters are actually likeable. Entertainment Weekly—Devan Coggan
     Girls Trip is just fun, a movie that—even within the context of its broad, exaggerated humor—never seems to be trying too hard. Time—Stephanie Zacharek

Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (54) Critics have given it mixed or average reviews. Sci-Fi fans should consider waiting for this at home unless they really love 3D. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action, suggestive material and brief language. IMDB Parent's Guide.
    Sure, the pricey special effects are impressive to behold (though, as usually the case, the 3D is nothing to text home about). And yes, at times “Valerian” creates a strange and beautiful universe. Which ultimately means nothing, because the plot is paper-thin.  Chicago Sun-Times—Richard Roeper
     During the film’s intoxicating first 30 minutes, for example, I couldn’t decide whether what I was watching was brilliantly bonkers or total folly. Then, as the story went on, it came into sharper and sharper focus: Valerian is an epic mess. Entertainment Weekly—Chris Nashawaty

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.

Worthwhile (or not) 12/30/16

MetaCritic indicates Lion (68) is the top ranked (and only new) film this week. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Worthwhile (or not) 11/11/16

MetaCritic indicates Arrival (82) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Almost Christmas (52).Shut In (NR) has not yet received any reviews (not a good sign). I saw one of these and thought it was excellent. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Worthwhile (or not) 8/12/16

MetaCritic indicates Pete's Dragon (72) is the top ranking film this week followed by Florence Foster Jenkins (69), Sausage Party (67) and Anthropoid (56). I didn't screen any of these this week although a couple of them look as if they have potential. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Worthwhile ( or not) 4/8/16

MetaCritic indicates Midnight Special (76) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Hardcore Henry (51), Demolition (48), and The Boss (37).  I saw two of these and disagreed with the national critics on one and agreed with them on the other. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Worthwhile (or not) 4/1/16

MetaCritic indicates Eye In The Sky (72) is the top ranking film this week, followed by I Saw The Light (45). Evidently neither God's Not Dead 2 nor Meet The Blacks were screened as neither has a rating. I was unable to watch any of these this week, so no reviews from me. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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.

Worthwhile (or not) 1/8/16

MetaCritic indicates Carol (95) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Revenant (77), and The Forest (35). The Masked Saint was not reviewed which is not unusual for a film of this type. I saw two of these and think the national critics are far too complimentary. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses. 

Worthwhile (or not) 11/20/15

MetaCritic indicates Spotlight (93) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (66), The Night Before (58), and Secret In Their Eyes (47). I watched three of these and found one good and two basically forgettable. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses. 

Worthwhile (or not) 10/23/15

MetaCritic indicates Steve Jobs (81) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Jem And The Holograms (44), The Last Witch Hunter (35), and Rock The Kasbah (29). Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension has no rating.  I watched one of these and found it more acceptable than did the national critics. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses. 

Worthwhile (or not) 9/30,10/2/15

MetaCritic indicates Sicario (83) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Martian (78), and The Walk (70).  I watched two of these and found both to be very good although not necessarily entertaining. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses. 

Worthwhile (or not) 6/3, 5/15

MetaCritic indicates Spy (74) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Insidious: Chapter  3 (51) and Entourage (38).  I saw one of these and found it funny but overly crude. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses. 

Worthwhile (or not) 5/15/15

MetaCritic indicates Mad Max: Fury Road (91) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Wild Tales (77) and Pitch Perfect 2 (65). Where Hope Grows is not rated which often happens on films of this type which usually have low attendance. I saw two of these and found one entertaining and the other a very mixed bag. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

Worthwhile (or not) 1/31/14

MetaCritic indicates Labor Day (52) is the best film this week followed by That Awkward Moment (34).  I watched both of these films and would reverse their scoring as far as entertainment value is concerned.  For all the reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

Worthwhile (or not) 8/2/13

MetaCritic indicates Frances Ha (81) is the best picture this week followed by 2 Guns (55) and Smurfs 2 (35).  I've seen one of these and found it entertaining.  For all the reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

Worthwhile (or not) 10/19

MetaCritic indicates Samsara (65) is the best picture this week, followed by Paranormal Activity 4 (40), and Alex Cross (38). This is one of those rare weeks when nothing looked appealing to me so I gave all of them a pass. If you want to see a movie and haven't been lately, Taken 2, Looper, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, Argo, and Pitch Perfect are all good, enjoyable films you'd enjoy more than this week's new offerings. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

Check out Monday's Opening section below to see the previews and synopses.

Worthwhile (or not)

MetaCritic indicates Bernie (75) is the best movie this week, followed by Snow White And The Huntsman (56) and For Greater Glory (36).  I saw one of the three and enjoyed it. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

Check out Monday's Opening section to see the previews and synopses.

My review of Snow White And The Huntsman (***) will be on the site at 4:30 p.m. Here are national reviews of this week's new films:

MIAMI HERALD review of  Bernie.
BOSTON GLOBE  review of For Greater Glory.
USA TODAY  review of Snow White And The Huntsman.

Worthwhile (or not), 12/9/2011

MetaCritic indicates TAKE SHELTER (85) is the best of the new films this week, closely followed by THE DESCENDANTS (84), with THE SITTER (44) and NEW YEAR'S EVE (24) trailing. I watched two of this week's  new films.  Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

Check out Monday's Opening section to see the previews and synopses.

My reviews of THE DESCENDANTS (***) and NEW YEAR'S EVE (**½) will be posted at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Until then, here are national reviews of all the films.

Miami Hearld review of THE DESCENDANTS.
Roger Ebert review of NEW YEAR'S EVE.
USA Today review of THE SITTER.
Chicago Tribune review of TAKE SHELTER.