Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). I've seen two of the three new films for this week and there's no way I'm agreeing with the MetaCritic ratings. I found X-MEN to be very entertaining and GHOSTS slightly less so but still satisfying. BATTLE is the one I haven't seen and I suspect that will also be the reaction of the viewing public although the 3-D theatres may prove me wrong. My reviews of GHOSTS and X-MEN will be posted later today.
54 Battle for Terra,
38 Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,
42 X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Opening 5/01/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
BATTLE FOR TERRA (3-D and 2-D) [PG-13] 1 hr. 24 min. Animated/Adventure Trailer Cast: Justin Long, Brian Cox, Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, David Cross, Amanda Peet, James Garner, Dennis Quaid, Chris Evans, Danny Glover. Plot: two rebellious alien teens live on a planet invaded by human beings fleeing a civil war and environmental catastrophe. They two races face the terrifying realization that in a world of limited resources, only one of them is likely to survive. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren (3-D), 21st Street Warren (2-D).
GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone, Michael Douglas. Plot: at his brother's wedding party a confirmed bachelor gets a wake-up call from the ghost of his late Uncle , the hard-partying, legendary ladies man upon whose exploits he has modeled his lifestyle. The Uncle has an urgent message for his protege, which he delivers through the ghosts of the younger man's jilted girlfriends--past, present and future--who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through a lifetime of failed relationships. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Old Town Warren, 21st Street Warren.
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE [PG-13] 2 hrs. Action Trailer Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney, Lynn Collins. Plot: the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances in the film series have long been anticipated. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone, Michael Douglas. Plot: at his brother's wedding party a confirmed bachelor gets a wake-up call from the ghost of his late Uncle , the hard-partying, legendary ladies man upon whose exploits he has modeled his lifestyle. The Uncle has an urgent message for his protege, which he delivers through the ghosts of the younger man's jilted girlfriends--past, present and future--who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through a lifetime of failed relationships. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Old Town Warren, 21st Street Warren.
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE [PG-13] 2 hrs. Action Trailer Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney, Lynn Collins. Plot: the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances in the film series have long been anticipated. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 4/30/09
Derby Plaza - The Haunting In Connecticut, 17 Again
Movie Machine - Knowing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Defiance, Bedtime Stories, Bride Wars
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - The Informers, Crank: High Voltage, Sunshine Cleaning, Haunting In Connecticut, I Love You Man, Observe And Report
Warren Old Town - 17 Again, Observe And Report
Warren West 21st - 17 Again, Observe And Report, Crank: High Voltage, Haunting In Connecticut, I Love You Man, Duplicity
Movie Machine - Knowing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Defiance, Bedtime Stories, Bride Wars
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - The Informers, Crank: High Voltage, Sunshine Cleaning, Haunting In Connecticut, I Love You Man, Observe And Report
Warren Old Town - 17 Again, Observe And Report
Warren West 21st - 17 Again, Observe And Report, Crank: High Voltage, Haunting In Connecticut, I Love You Man, Duplicity
Friday, April 24, 2009
Worthwhile (or not), 4/24/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). My schedule this week didn't allow me to watch a screening so MetaCritic will have to do. EARTH is the clear winner altho unlikely to attract many of the younger crowd. I'm guessing OBSESSED wasn't screened for good reason. The reviews of SOLOIST are mixed and FIGHTING is getting better reviews than I would have thought. If none of these do much for you, the summer blockbusters are just around the corner!
72 Earth,
60 Fighting,
19 Informers, The,
xx Obsessed,
61 Soloist, The
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
72 Earth,
60 Fighting,
19 Informers, The,
xx Obsessed,
61 Soloist, The
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Opening 4/22, 24/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
Earth [G ] STARTS WEDNESDAY 4/22 1 hr. 30 min. Documentary Trailer Cast: narrated by James Earl Jones. Plot: tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journey across the planet we all call home. It combines rare action, unimaginable scale and impossible locations by capturing the most intimate moments of our planet's wildest and most elusive creatures. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Fighting [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Action/Drama Trailer Cast: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Brian White, Luis Guzman, Zulay Henao. Plot: a small-town boy is barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets of New York. His luck changes when a scam artist sees he has a natural talent for streetfighting and the two form an uneasy partnership. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
The Informers [R] 1 hr. 38 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, Lou Taylor Pucci, Amber Heard, Rhys Ifans, Brad Renfro, Jon Foster. Plot: set in Los Angeles of the early 1980's with a multi-strand narrative that deftly balances a vast array of characters who represent both the top of the heap (a Hollywood dream merchant, a dissolute rock star, an aging newscaster) and the bottom (a voyeuristic doorman, an amoral ex-con). Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.
Obsessed [PG-13] 1 hr. 49 min. Thriller/Drama Trailer Cast: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti. Plot: a successful asset manager who has just received a huge promotion is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage when a temp worker starts stalking him, placing everything he's worked so hard for in jeopardy. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
The Soloist [PG-13] 1 hr. 57 min. Biography/Drama Trailer Cast: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton. Plot: a journalist discovers a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As he endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Leaving 4/23/09
Derby Plaza - Observe And Report
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - The International, Slumdog Millionaire, Bedtime Stories
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Adventureland (drops Tue), Dragonball Evolution
Warren Old Town - Monsters vs. Aliens, Knowing, I Love You Man
Warren West 21st - Adventureland, Dragonball Evolution
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - The International, Slumdog Millionaire, Bedtime Stories
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Adventureland (drops Tue), Dragonball Evolution
Warren Old Town - Monsters vs. Aliens, Knowing, I Love You Man
Warren West 21st - Adventureland, Dragonball Evolution
Friday, April 17, 2009
CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE **
Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor wrote and directed this extreme action film which stars: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam, Efren Ramirez, Clifton Collins Jr., and Bai Ling. Rated R for frenetic strong bloody violence throughout, crude and graphic sexual content, nudity and pervasive language. Running time is one hour and thirty-six minutes.
A hit man (Statham) launches himself on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles in pursuit of the Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart.
This looks like a film that set out to see how much sex, nudity, violence and objectionable language could be used in a film without getting a NC-17 rating. As a result, patrons attending this will fall into two general classes, those who love the sex and violence and those who will jump up, offended, leave the auditorium and demand their money back. The plot is laughable so you have to decide to ignore it and just go with the flow of violence and sex. Personally, I found it mildly entertaining but I would really hesitate to recommend it to anyone. You'll get the most impact by watching this in a large screened theatre with a good sized audience you can react with. The target audience is males over eighteen. This would not make a good date movie.
A hit man (Statham) launches himself on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles in pursuit of the Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart.
This looks like a film that set out to see how much sex, nudity, violence and objectionable language could be used in a film without getting a NC-17 rating. As a result, patrons attending this will fall into two general classes, those who love the sex and violence and those who will jump up, offended, leave the auditorium and demand their money back. The plot is laughable so you have to decide to ignore it and just go with the flow of violence and sex. Personally, I found it mildly entertaining but I would really hesitate to recommend it to anyone. You'll get the most impact by watching this in a large screened theatre with a good sized audience you can react with. The target audience is males over eighteen. This would not make a good date movie.
Opening 4/24/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
Fighting [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Action/Drama Trailer Cast: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Brian White, Luis Guzman, Zulay Henao. Plot: a small-town boy is barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets of New York. His luck changes when a scam artist sees he has a natural talent for streetfighting and the two form an uneasy partnership. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
The Informers [R] 1 hr. 38 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, Lou Taylor Pucci, Amber Heard, Rhys Ifans, Brad Renfro, Jon Foster. Plot: set in Los Angeles of the early 1980's with a multi-strand narrative that deftly balances a vast array of characters who represent both the top of the heap (a Hollywood dream merchant, a dissolute rock star, an aging newscaster) and the bottom (a voyeuristic doorman, an amoral ex-con). Showing at:
13th Avenue Warren.
Obsessed [PG-13] 1 hr. 49 min. Thriller/Drama Trailer Cast: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti. Plot: a successful asset manager who has just received a huge promotion is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage when a temp worker starts stalking him, placing everything he's worked so hard for in jeopardy. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
The Soloist [PG-13] 1 hr. 57 min. Biography/Drama Trailer Cast: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton. Plot: a journalist discovers a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As he endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Earth [G ] STARTS WEDNESDAY 4/22 1 hr. 30 min. Documentary Trailer Cast: narrated by James Earl Jones. Plot: tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journey across the planet we all call home. It combines rare action, unimaginable scale and impossible locations by capturing the most intimate moments of our planet's wildest and most elusive creatures. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Fighting [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Action/Drama Trailer Cast: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Brian White, Luis Guzman, Zulay Henao. Plot: a small-town boy is barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets of New York. His luck changes when a scam artist sees he has a natural talent for streetfighting and the two form an uneasy partnership. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
The Informers [R] 1 hr. 38 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, Lou Taylor Pucci, Amber Heard, Rhys Ifans, Brad Renfro, Jon Foster. Plot: set in Los Angeles of the early 1980's with a multi-strand narrative that deftly balances a vast array of characters who represent both the top of the heap (a Hollywood dream merchant, a dissolute rock star, an aging newscaster) and the bottom (a voyeuristic doorman, an amoral ex-con). Showing at:
13th Avenue Warren.
Obsessed [PG-13] 1 hr. 49 min. Thriller/Drama Trailer Cast: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti. Plot: a successful asset manager who has just received a huge promotion is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage when a temp worker starts stalking him, placing everything he's worked so hard for in jeopardy. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
The Soloist [PG-13] 1 hr. 57 min. Biography/Drama Trailer Cast: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton. Plot: a journalist discovers a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As he endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Worthwhile (or not), 4/17/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). At least there's a wide variety this week. The teens should enjoy 17 AGAIN, those who like drama should enjoy STATE OF PLAY, while those who like mindless sex and violence and are over 18 should get revved up with CRANK.
49 17 Again,
xx Crank: High Voltage,
61 State of Play
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE will be posted today at 4:30 pm.
49 17 Again,
xx Crank: High Voltage,
61 State of Play
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE will be posted today at 4:30 pm.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Opening 4/17/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
17 AGAIN [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Matthew Perry. Plot: 20 years later after his glory days as a high school basketball star, a man who feels he's become a failure is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE [R] 1 hr. 25 min. Action/Drama Trailer Cast: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam, Efren Ramirez, Clifton Collins Jr., Bai Ling. Plot: a hitman launches himself on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles in pursuit of the Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
STATE OF PLAY [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min. Thriller Trailer Cast: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Helen Mirren. Plot: a rising congressman and an investigative journalist, both friends, become embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 4/16/09
Derby Plaza - Knowing, Race To Witch Mountain
Movie Machine - Taken
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Pink Panther 2, Bolt, Benjamin Buttons
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Race To Witch Mountain, Last House On The Left, Taken, 12 Rounds, The Class
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Race To Witch Mountain, Taken, 12 Rounds
Movie Machine - Taken
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Pink Panther 2, Bolt, Benjamin Buttons
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Race To Witch Mountain, Last House On The Left, Taken, 12 Rounds, The Class
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Race To Witch Mountain, Taken, 12 Rounds
Friday, April 10, 2009
HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE *½
Peter Chelsom directed this family/comedy which features: Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, Margo Martindale, Jason Earles, Peter Gunn, Melora Hardin, Mitchel Musso, Lucas Till, Barry Bostwick, Moises Arias, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Vanessa Williams, Billy Ray Cyrus. MPAA rating is G and the running time is one hour and forty-six minutes.
A girl (Miley) struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona. So her father (Billy Ray) takes the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tenn., for a dose of reality, kicking off an adventure filled with fun, laughter and romance.
There's no doubt Ms. Cyrus is a talented individual, but she's going to have to get a better script than this corn pone mess (which consists of equal parts MTV, Looney Tunes and the Three Stooges) if she ever wishes to achieve her true potential. The fact the whole plot depends on the fact no one can tell Miley from Hannah because one of them wears a blonde wig tells me this is family comedy for the lowest common denominator. The tweens will no doubt love it but anyone older with even a modicum of taste is out of luck. Strictly for Hannah fans. TV viewing will not be a problem.
A girl (Miley) struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona. So her father (Billy Ray) takes the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tenn., for a dose of reality, kicking off an adventure filled with fun, laughter and romance.
There's no doubt Ms. Cyrus is a talented individual, but she's going to have to get a better script than this corn pone mess (which consists of equal parts MTV, Looney Tunes and the Three Stooges) if she ever wishes to achieve her true potential. The fact the whole plot depends on the fact no one can tell Miley from Hannah because one of them wears a blonde wig tells me this is family comedy for the lowest common denominator. The tweens will no doubt love it but anyone older with even a modicum of taste is out of luck. Strictly for Hannah fans. TV viewing will not be a problem.
Worthwhile (or not), 4/10/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Looks like you're out of luck this week unless you like French language art films (THE CLASS). Clearly the distributor of DRAGONBALL didn't want you seeing any reviews until they had your money (never a good sign). Little girls are the only audience I think will enjoy HANNAH and I haven't heard a good word about OBSERVE (it looked so unappealing I couldn't force myself to go to the screening).
92 The Class
xx Dragonball Evolution
49 Hannah Montana: The Movie,
52 Observe and Report
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My reviews of SUNSHINE CLEANING and HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE will be posted at 4:30 pm.
Check out the previews for next Friday's (April 17) new films: 17 AGAIN, CRANK HIGH VOLTAGE, STATE OF PLAY.
92 The Class
xx Dragonball Evolution
49 Hannah Montana: The Movie,
52 Observe and Report
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My reviews of SUNSHINE CLEANING and HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE will be posted at 4:30 pm.
Check out the previews for next Friday's (April 17) new films: 17 AGAIN, CRANK HIGH VOLTAGE, STATE OF PLAY.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Opening 4/10/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
THE CLASS [PG-13] 2 hrs. 10 min. Drama Trailer Cast: François Bégaudeau. Plot: a film about what happens over the course of a year between a single collège (junior high or middle school) class in the multi-ethnic 20th arrondissment of Paris and their French teacher. Subtitles. Showing at: 13th Avvenue Warren.
DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION [PG] 1 hr. 25 min. Fantasy/Adventure Trailer Cast: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum, Eriko Tamura, Joon Park, Chow Yun-Fat, Texas Battle, Randall Duk Kim, Ernie Hudson. Plot: the long-awaited, live-action motion picture based on the popular Japanese manga (no, I don't have the slightest idea what that means). Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE [G] 1 hr. 40 min. Family/Comedy Trailer Cast: Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, Margo Martindale, Jason Earles, Peter Gunn, Melora Hardin, Mitchel Musso, Lucas Till, Barry Bostwick, Moises Arias, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Vanessa Williams, Billy Ray Cyrus. Plot: a girl struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona. So her father takes the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tenn., for a dose of reality, kicking off an adventure filled with fun, laughter and romance. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
OBSERVE AND REPORT [R] 1 hr. 25 min. Dark comedy Trailer Cast: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, Jesse Plemons. Plot: the Forest Ridge Mall head of security patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist, combating skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun. But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with an equally competitive police detective. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 4/9/09
Derby Plaza - I Love You, Man, 12 Rounds
Movie Machine - Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Northrock 14 - 12 Rounds, Fired Up, Hotel For Dogs, Last House On The Left
Palace West - Friday The 13th, Marley And Me, The Reader
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Watchmen
Warren Old Town - Duplicity
Warren West 21st - Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Watchmen
Movie Machine - Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Northrock 14 - 12 Rounds, Fired Up, Hotel For Dogs, Last House On The Left
Palace West - Friday The 13th, Marley And Me, The Reader
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Watchmen
Warren Old Town - Duplicity
Warren West 21st - Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Watchmen
Friday, April 03, 2009
ADVENTURELAND ***½
Written and directed by Greg Mottola this comedy features: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Kristen Wiig, and Bill Hader. Rated R for language, drug use and sexual references. Running time is one hour and forty-seven minutes.
An uptight recent college grad (Eisenberg) has to take a lowly job at a local amusement park (run by Hader and Wiig). Lucky for him, what should have been his worst summer ever turns into quite an adventure as he discovers love in the most unlikely place with a captivating co-worker (Stewart), and learns to loosen up.
I can't say I had high hopes for this film but it turned out to be much better than expected. It's a coming-of-age film without all the ridiculous antics that usually ruin films of this type. Its humor is more amusing than strident and it has an aura of sweetness to its story that came as a complete surprise. What really draws you in is the fact the story is believable and you come to really care about the two lead characters. The R rating is well deserved, basically for the language. This won't be winning any awards but if you're looking for an enjoyable couple of hours at the movies, this will fill the bill nicely.
An uptight recent college grad (Eisenberg) has to take a lowly job at a local amusement park (run by Hader and Wiig). Lucky for him, what should have been his worst summer ever turns into quite an adventure as he discovers love in the most unlikely place with a captivating co-worker (Stewart), and learns to loosen up.
I can't say I had high hopes for this film but it turned out to be much better than expected. It's a coming-of-age film without all the ridiculous antics that usually ruin films of this type. Its humor is more amusing than strident and it has an aura of sweetness to its story that came as a complete surprise. What really draws you in is the fact the story is believable and you come to really care about the two lead characters. The R rating is well deserved, basically for the language. This won't be winning any awards but if you're looking for an enjoyable couple of hours at the movies, this will fill the bill nicely.
Worthwhile (or not), 4/3/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Two pretty good dramas plus a fairly predictable action flick make up the bill for this week. No doubt the lower rated film will do the most business.
76 Adventureland,
44 Fast & Furious,
61 Sunshine Cleaning
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of ADVENTURELAND will be posted at 4:30 pm.
Scheduled for Wednesday, 4/8: DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION. Scheduled for Friday, 4/10: HANNAH MONTANA MOVIE and OBSERVE AND REPORT.
76 Adventureland,
44 Fast & Furious,
61 Sunshine Cleaning
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of ADVENTURELAND will be posted at 4:30 pm.
Scheduled for Wednesday, 4/8: DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION. Scheduled for Friday, 4/10: HANNAH MONTANA MOVIE and OBSERVE AND REPORT.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Opening 4/3/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
ADVENTURELAND [R] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Ryan Reynolds, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Paige Howard, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Margarita Levieva. Plot: an uptight recent college grad has to take a lowly job at a local amusement park. Lucky for him, what should have been his worst summer ever turns into quite an adventure as he discovers love in the most unlikely place with a captivating co-worker, and learns to loosen up. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
FAST & FURIOUS [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso, Gal Gadot, Shea Whigham, Tego Calderon, Liza Lapira. Plot: when a crime brings them back to L.A., a fugitive ex-con reignites his feud with a lawman. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, the pair must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
SUNSHINE CLEANING [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins Jr., Jason Spevack. Plot: a single mom and her slacker sister find an unexpected way to turn their lives around when they go into the crime scene clean-up business to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders, suicides and other... specialized situations. As they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, the sisters find a true respect for one another and the closeness they have always craved finally blossoms. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.
Leaving 4/2/09
Derby Plaza - Duplicity
Movie Machine - Race To Witch Mountain
Northrock 14 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Watchmen
Palace West - Twilight, Last Chance Harvey
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Madea Goes To Jail, Slumdog Millionaire, Gran Torino, He's Just Not That Into You
Warren Old Town - Race To Witch Mountain
Warren West 21st - Madea Goes To Jail, Gran Torino
Movie Machine - Race To Witch Mountain
Northrock 14 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Watchmen
Palace West - Twilight, Last Chance Harvey
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Madea Goes To Jail, Slumdog Millionaire, Gran Torino, He's Just Not That Into You
Warren Old Town - Race To Witch Mountain
Warren West 21st - Madea Goes To Jail, Gran Torino
Friday, March 27, 2009
MONSTERS vs. ALIENS **½ (for 3-D version)
Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon directed this animated film which features voices by: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland, and Paul Rudd. Rated PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language. Running time is one hour and 34 minutes.
When a girl is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and she is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.
I saw this in the 3-D version and I would urge you to do the same if you want any chance of enjoying it. For me, the 3-D effect was the major star of the film, which has a ho-hum, rather boring plot. It isn't nearly as entertaining or as funny as the Pixar animated films. Children will probably enjoy the story and will certainly be entertained by the dimensional effects. If you want 3-D, the theatre is your only choice. If you're willing to go for the 2-D (**) version, I think you'll be happier waiting for the DVD and just watching at home.
When a girl is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and she is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.
I saw this in the 3-D version and I would urge you to do the same if you want any chance of enjoying it. For me, the 3-D effect was the major star of the film, which has a ho-hum, rather boring plot. It isn't nearly as entertaining or as funny as the Pixar animated films. Children will probably enjoy the story and will certainly be entertained by the dimensional effects. If you want 3-D, the theatre is your only choice. If you're willing to go for the 2-D (**) version, I think you'll be happier waiting for the DVD and just watching at home.
Worthwhile (or not), 3/27/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Kind of a slow weekend with the possible exception of the animated film.
37 12 Rounds,
32 Haunting in Connecticut, The,
56 Monsters vs. Aliens
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My reviews of MONSTERS vs. ALIENS will be posted at 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 4/3: FAST & FURIOUS, ADVENTURELAND.
37 12 Rounds,
32 Haunting in Connecticut, The,
56 Monsters vs. Aliens
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My reviews of MONSTERS vs. ALIENS will be posted at 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 4/3: FAST & FURIOUS, ADVENTURELAND.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Opening 3/27/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
12 ROUNDS [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Crime/Thriller Trailer Cast: John Cena, Steve Harris, Ashley Scott, Aidan Gillen, Brian White, Gonzalo Menendez. Plot: a New Orleans police detective's girlfriend is kidnapped. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Horror/Thriller Trailer Cast: Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Martin Donovan, Elias Koteas, Amanda Crew. Plot: when a family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: not only was the house once a funeral parlor where inconceivable acts occurred, but the owner's clairvoyant son served as a demonic messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
MONSTERS vs. ALIENS [PG] 1 hr. 35 min. Animation Trailer Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland, Paul Rudd. Plot: when a girl is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and she is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 3/26/09
Derby Plaza - Taken, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Coraline 3D, Watchmen
Movie Machine - Watchmen
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Revolutionary Road, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, Valkyrie
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Two Lovers, Confessions Of A Shopaholic, Miss March, Push, Fired Up, The Reader, Last Chance Harvey
Warren Old Town - Watchmen
Warren West 21st - Miss March, He's Just Not That Into You, Slumdog Millionaire, Confessions Of A Shopaholic
Movie Machine - Watchmen
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Revolutionary Road, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, Valkyrie
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Two Lovers, Confessions Of A Shopaholic, Miss March, Push, Fired Up, The Reader, Last Chance Harvey
Warren Old Town - Watchmen
Warren West 21st - Miss March, He's Just Not That Into You, Slumdog Millionaire, Confessions Of A Shopaholic
Sunday, March 22, 2009
I LOVE YOU MAN **½
Written and directed by John Hamburg this comedy stars: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jon Favreau, and Jaime Pressly. Rated R for pervasive language, including crude and sexual references. Running time is one hour and forty-four minutes.
A successful real estate agent (Rudd) discovers upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams (Jones), he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. He sets out to find one and does (Segel), a charming, opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two men get, the more his relationship with his intended suffers, ultimately forcing him to choose between his fiancee and his new found "bro," in a story that comically explores what it truly means to be a "friend." Also featured in the film are his gay brother (Samberg), mother (Curtin) and father (Simmons) as well as his fiancee's best friend (Pressly) and husband (Favreau).
The teen/twenties group I vewed this with seemed to enjoy it much more than I did. They laughed, I occasionally smiled. It clearly is aimed at that age group and their sensibilities. I did find the film to be nicer than I thought it would be, even though it is a well deserved R. It isn't at all mean spirited, which I probably would have found funnier. The lead actors are right on target and quite believable and there is a very good supporting cast. Production values are good. This will work as well in a home theatre as in a big one although a large crowd response will heighten your enjoyment.
A successful real estate agent (Rudd) discovers upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams (Jones), he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. He sets out to find one and does (Segel), a charming, opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two men get, the more his relationship with his intended suffers, ultimately forcing him to choose between his fiancee and his new found "bro," in a story that comically explores what it truly means to be a "friend." Also featured in the film are his gay brother (Samberg), mother (Curtin) and father (Simmons) as well as his fiancee's best friend (Pressly) and husband (Favreau).
The teen/twenties group I vewed this with seemed to enjoy it much more than I did. They laughed, I occasionally smiled. It clearly is aimed at that age group and their sensibilities. I did find the film to be nicer than I thought it would be, even though it is a well deserved R. It isn't at all mean spirited, which I probably would have found funnier. The lead actors are right on target and quite believable and there is a very good supporting cast. Production values are good. This will work as well in a home theatre as in a big one although a large crowd response will heighten your enjoyment.
KNOWING ***½
Produced and directed by Alex Proyas, this sci-fi/thriller stars: Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, and Chandler Canterbury. Rated PG-13 for disaster sequences, disturbing images and brief strong language. Running time is two hours and ten minutes.
In 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead. Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule’s contents and the girl's cryptic message ends up in the hands of a young boy (Canterbury). But it is his father (Cage), a professor , who makes the startling discovery that the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years. As he further unravels the document's chilling secrets, he realizes the document foretells three additional events—the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve him and his son. When his attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf ears, he takes it upon himself along with the daughter (Byrne) of the original author to try to prevent more destruction from taking place.
Almost always, after leaving a movie, I forget about it within a few minutes. That's not the case with this film. Featuring a number of excellent special effects as well as a well paced plot that holds your attention, it's main attraction for me was the varied plot elements I keep thinking about and extrapolating into different backstories long after I'd left the theatre. Many are going to write this off as just another sci-fi thriller, others are going to be upset by a plot that conflicts with fundamentalist religious beliefs. While I can't imagine this winning any major awards, it does tell a story that provides plenty of food for thought. A large screen and good sound definitely enhance the effects of this film.
In 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead. Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule’s contents and the girl's cryptic message ends up in the hands of a young boy (Canterbury). But it is his father (Cage), a professor , who makes the startling discovery that the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years. As he further unravels the document's chilling secrets, he realizes the document foretells three additional events—the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve him and his son. When his attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf ears, he takes it upon himself along with the daughter (Byrne) of the original author to try to prevent more destruction from taking place.
Almost always, after leaving a movie, I forget about it within a few minutes. That's not the case with this film. Featuring a number of excellent special effects as well as a well paced plot that holds your attention, it's main attraction for me was the varied plot elements I keep thinking about and extrapolating into different backstories long after I'd left the theatre. Many are going to write this off as just another sci-fi thriller, others are going to be upset by a plot that conflicts with fundamentalist religious beliefs. While I can't imagine this winning any major awards, it does tell a story that provides plenty of food for thought. A large screen and good sound definitely enhance the effects of this film.
DUPLICITY **½
Written and directed by Tony Gilroy this comedy/romance/thriller stars: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson, and Paul Giamatti. Rated PG-13 for language and some sexual content. Running time is two hours and five minutes.
Two spies-turned-corporate operatives (Roberts and Owen) are also in the midst of a clandestine love affair. When they find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes espionage game, (between the companies headed by Wilkinson and Giamatti) they discover the toughest part of the job is deciding how much to trust the one you love.
Unfortunately, what we have here is a very fine cast saddled with a muddled plot. The film tries way too hard to be clever but just ends up being confusing. It's also too long by a good half hour. Initially, I tried to keep up with the time jumps but finally gave up and hoped it would all make sense by the end. It does resolve although probably not the way you're expecting, but it would have so much better and probably much shorter if they'd just told the story in a straightforward manner. It's nice to see Roberts again after five years and she and Owen have good screen chemistry. It's just too bad they didn't have a better vehicle for her return.
Two spies-turned-corporate operatives (Roberts and Owen) are also in the midst of a clandestine love affair. When they find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes espionage game, (between the companies headed by Wilkinson and Giamatti) they discover the toughest part of the job is deciding how much to trust the one you love.
Unfortunately, what we have here is a very fine cast saddled with a muddled plot. The film tries way too hard to be clever but just ends up being confusing. It's also too long by a good half hour. Initially, I tried to keep up with the time jumps but finally gave up and hoped it would all make sense by the end. It does resolve although probably not the way you're expecting, but it would have so much better and probably much shorter if they'd just told the story in a straightforward manner. It's nice to see Roberts again after five years and she and Owen have good screen chemistry. It's just too bad they didn't have a better vehicle for her return.
TWO LOVERS **
James Gray produced and directed this drama/romance which stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas, and Moni Moshonov. Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief drug use. Running time is 1 hour and 50 minutes.
A charismatic but troubled young man (Phoenix) moves back into his childhood home following a recent heartbreak. While recovering under the watchful eye of his parents (Rossellini and Moshonov), he meets two women in quick succession: a mysterious and beautiful neighbor (Paltrow) who is exotic and out-of-place in Leonard's staid world, and a lovely and caring daughter (Shaw) of a businessman buying out his family's dry-cleaning business. He is forced to make an impossible decision – between the impetuousness of desire and the comfort of love – or risk falling back into the darkness that nearly killed him.
If I were rating this film on artistic merit it would be 3½ to 4 stars. But, since I rate with entertainment in mind, 2 stars is about it. Unless you're really into art films, this will bore you to tears even though it's beautifully acted and produced. I was also a little confused with the relationship between Shaw and Phoenix. They had barely met and she was infatuated, and that didn't ring quite true to me. The rest of the relationships seemed plausibile although I didn't find Paltrow's character nearly as attractive as the other two men in her life did. If you ever find yourself giddily happy and need to come down quickly, however, this is the film you want to see.
A charismatic but troubled young man (Phoenix) moves back into his childhood home following a recent heartbreak. While recovering under the watchful eye of his parents (Rossellini and Moshonov), he meets two women in quick succession: a mysterious and beautiful neighbor (Paltrow) who is exotic and out-of-place in Leonard's staid world, and a lovely and caring daughter (Shaw) of a businessman buying out his family's dry-cleaning business. He is forced to make an impossible decision – between the impetuousness of desire and the comfort of love – or risk falling back into the darkness that nearly killed him.
If I were rating this film on artistic merit it would be 3½ to 4 stars. But, since I rate with entertainment in mind, 2 stars is about it. Unless you're really into art films, this will bore you to tears even though it's beautifully acted and produced. I was also a little confused with the relationship between Shaw and Phoenix. They had barely met and she was infatuated, and that didn't ring quite true to me. The rest of the relationships seemed plausibile although I didn't find Paltrow's character nearly as attractive as the other two men in her life did. If you ever find yourself giddily happy and need to come down quickly, however, this is the film you want to see.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Worthwhile (or not), 3/20/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). I've seen all these films this week and, boy, do I disagree with the national reviewers. TWO LOVERS will put most of you to sleep even though it's beautifully acted; DUPLICITY tries to be too clever and it's hard to get a warm, fuzzy feeling about the two leads; I LOVE YOU, MAN is a sweeter movie than you might expect but is definitely for the younger crowd; KNOWING was my personal favorite, with an ending that's a little unsettling but with a lot of elements that will keep you thinking long after you've left the theatre.
69 Duplicity,
70 I Love You, Man,
40 Knowing,
74 Two Lovers
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My reviews of all four new films will be posted this weekend.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/27: MONSTERS AND ALIENS, 12 ROUNDS, ADVENTURELAND, and HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT.
69 Duplicity,
70 I Love You, Man,
40 Knowing,
74 Two Lovers
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My reviews of all four new films will be posted this weekend.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/27: MONSTERS AND ALIENS, 12 ROUNDS, ADVENTURELAND, and HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Opening 3/20/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
DUPLICITY [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy/Romance/Thriller Trailer Cast: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti, Rick Worthy. Plot: two spies-turned-corporate operatives are also in the midst of a clandestine love affair. When they find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes espionage game, they discover the toughest part of the job is deciding how much to trust the one you love. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
I LOVE YOU MAN [R] 1 hr. 05 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jon Favreau, Jaime Pressly. Plot: a successful real estate agent discovers upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. He sets out to find one and does, a charming, opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two men get, the more his relationship with his intended suffers, ultimately forcing him to choose between his fiancee and his new found "bro," in a story that comically explores what it truly means to be a "friend." Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
KNOWING [PG-13] 2 hr. 02 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, Chandler Canterbury. Plot: in 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead. Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule’s contents and the girl's cryptic message ends up in the hands of a young boy. But it is his father, a professor , who makes the startling discovery that the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years. As he further unravels the document's chilling secrets, he realizes the document foretells three additional events—the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve him and his son. When his attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf ears, he takes it upon himself to try to prevent more destruction from taking place. Showing at: Derby Plaza,
Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
TWO LOVERS [R] 1 hr. 48 min. Drama/Romance Trailer Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas, Moni Moshonov. Plot: a charismatic but troubled young man moves back into his childhood home following a recent heartbreak. While recovering under the watchful eye of his parents, he meets two women in quick succession: a mysterious and beautiful neighbor who is exotic and out-of-place in Leonard's staid world, and a lovely and caring daughter of a businessman who is buying out his family's dry-cleaning business. He is forced to make an impossible decision – between the impetuousness of desire and the comfort of love – or risk falling back into the darkness that nearly killed him. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.
Leaving 3/19/09
Derby Plaza - Hotel For Dogs, Fired Up
Movie Machine - Hotel For Dogs, Coraline
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Jonas Brother, International, Pink Panther 2.
Warren Old Town - Taken, Slumdog Millionaire.
Warren West 21st -Jonas Brothers, Hotel For Dogs, New In Town, Fired Up.
Movie Machine - Hotel For Dogs, Coraline
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Jonas Brother, International, Pink Panther 2.
Warren Old Town - Taken, Slumdog Millionaire.
Warren West 21st -Jonas Brothers, Hotel For Dogs, New In Town, Fired Up.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Race To Witch Mountain ***
Andy Fickman directed this sci-fi/action film featuring: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, and Alexander Ludwig. Rated PG for sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations, and some thematic elements. Running time is one hour and thirty-eight minutes.
When a Las Vegas cab driver (Johnson, formerly The Rock) finds two teens (Robb and Ludwig) with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can't explain. When he discovers the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, the race begins, as the government (Hinds), mobsters, and even extraterrestrials try to stop the three plus a UFO scientist no one else believes (Gugino).
This certainly won't win any awards but it's an entertaining film for families. Johnson's action background continues to serve him well in family films, making his action scenes more believable than you ususlly see in the family genre. The film pacing is just fine, the running time is just right, and the special effects are well done although not extravagant. I didn't look at my watch once and was satisfied when all was done. What more could a family ask for? A large screen and good sound will add to the overall impact.
When a Las Vegas cab driver (Johnson, formerly The Rock) finds two teens (Robb and Ludwig) with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can't explain. When he discovers the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, the race begins, as the government (Hinds), mobsters, and even extraterrestrials try to stop the three plus a UFO scientist no one else believes (Gugino).
This certainly won't win any awards but it's an entertaining film for families. Johnson's action background continues to serve him well in family films, making his action scenes more believable than you ususlly see in the family genre. The film pacing is just fine, the running time is just right, and the special effects are well done although not extravagant. I didn't look at my watch once and was satisfied when all was done. What more could a family ask for? A large screen and good sound will add to the overall impact.
Worthwhile (or not), 3/13/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Your choices this week include a comedy that no national reviewer seems to think is funny, a remake of a classic horror film that appears to be quite graphic, and a remake of a sci-fi action film for the family. I'm guessing teens for the horror and families for the sci-fi.
44 Last House on the Left,
10 Miss March,
49 Race to Witch Mountain
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN will be on this site after 4:30 p.m., Friday.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/20:DUPLICITY, I LOVE YOU MAN, KNOWING.
44 Last House on the Left,
10 Miss March,
49 Race to Witch Mountain
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN will be on this site after 4:30 p.m., Friday.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/20:DUPLICITY, I LOVE YOU MAN, KNOWING.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Opening 3/13/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
The Last House On The Left [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Suspense/Thriller Trailer Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Rhys Coiro, Martha MacIsaac, Riki Lindhome, Aaron Paul. Plot: the night she arrives at the remote Collingwood lakehouse, a girl and her friend are kidnapped by a prison escapee and his crew. Terrified and left for dead, the girl's only hope is to make it back to her parents. Unfortunately, her attackers unknowingly seek shelter at the one place she could be safe. And when her family learns the horrifying story, they will make three strangers curse the day they came to "The Last House on the Left." Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Miss March [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Zach Cregger, Trevor Moore, Raquel Alessi, Molly Stanton, Craig Robinson. Plot: a young man awakens from a four-year coma to hear that his once virginal high-school sweetheart has since become a naked centerfold in a men’s magazine. He and his sex-crazed best friend decide to take a cross-country road trip in order to crash a party at the magazine’s legendary headquarters and win back the girl. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Race To Witch Mountain [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Action Trailer Cast: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Alexander Ludwig, Tom Everett Scott, Christopher Marquette, Cheech Marin, Garry Marshall. Plot: when a Las Vegas cab driver finds two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can't explain. When they discover that the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, the race begins, as the government, mobsters and even extraterrestrials try to stop them. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, Oldtown Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 3/12/09
Derby Plaza - Jonas Bros. 3D Concert, Slumdog Millionaire, Confessions Of A Shopaholic, Pink Panther 2
Movie Machine - Confessions Of A Shopaholic, He's Just Not That Into You
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Tale Of Despereaux, The Unborn, Yes Man
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Coraline, Friday The 13th, Street Fighter
Warren Old Town - Gran Torino, He's Just Not That Into You
Warren West 21st - Pink Panther 2, Street Fighter, Push, Coraline, Friday The 13th
Movie Machine - Confessions Of A Shopaholic, He's Just Not That Into You
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Tale Of Despereaux, The Unborn, Yes Man
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - Coraline, Friday The 13th, Street Fighter
Warren Old Town - Gran Torino, He's Just Not That Into You
Warren West 21st - Pink Panther 2, Street Fighter, Push, Coraline, Friday The 13th
Friday, March 06, 2009
WATCHMEN **½
He directed "300" and now Zack Snyder's back with this sci-fi/action feature starring: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language. Running time is two hours and forty-three minutes.
Set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered (Morgan), the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach (Haley) sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes (Akerman, Goode, etc.), only one of whom has true powers (Crudup) - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who is watching the Watchmen?
This is a very high quality, well made film which takes itself far too seriously and is substantially too long. Those who really enjoy comics may well find it a powerful adventure but those of us who find comics basically silly will not be as impressed. It is very graphically violent and sexually explicit at times. Had they been willing to tighten this up to ninety minutes and clear up some of the obvious plot faults it could easily have been a *** film. If you do want to see it, a large screen theatre is a necessity for full impact.
Set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered (Morgan), the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach (Haley) sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes (Akerman, Goode, etc.), only one of whom has true powers (Crudup) - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who is watching the Watchmen?
This is a very high quality, well made film which takes itself far too seriously and is substantially too long. Those who really enjoy comics may well find it a powerful adventure but those of us who find comics basically silly will not be as impressed. It is very graphically violent and sexually explicit at times. Had they been willing to tighten this up to ninety minutes and clear up some of the obvious plot faults it could easily have been a *** film. If you do want to see it, a large screen theatre is a necessity for full impact.
Worthwhile (or not), 3/6/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). One new film this week and unless you're under 30 or a real comic book fan this probably isn't for you.
57 Watchmen
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/13: Race To Witch Mountain, Last House On The Left, Miss March.
57 Watchmen
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/13: Race To Witch Mountain, Last House On The Left, Miss March.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Opening 3/6/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
WATCHMEN [R] 2 hrs. 50 min. Sci-Fi/Action Trailer Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson. Plot: set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who is watching the Watchmen? Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 3/5/09
Derby Plaza - He's Just Not That Into You
Movie Machine - Pink Panther 2
Northrock 14 - Friday The 13th, The Uninvited
Palace West - Seven Pounds, Australia
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - The Uninvited, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, Waltz With Bashir
Warren Old Town - Wrestler, Friday The 13th
Warren West 21st - The International, Taken
Movie Machine - Pink Panther 2
Northrock 14 - Friday The 13th, The Uninvited
Palace West - Seven Pounds, Australia
Starlite Drive-In - Open Weekends Only
Warren East 13th - The Uninvited, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, Waltz With Bashir
Warren Old Town - Wrestler, Friday The 13th
Warren West 21st - The International, Taken
Friday, February 27, 2009
Worthwhile (or not) 2/27/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). To be frank, none of the new films looked in the least interesting to me. So, I'm not reviewing anything this week. But, here's what the national critics think:
39 Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,
xx Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,
91 Waltz with Bashir
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/6: Watchman.
39 Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,
xx Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,
91 Waltz with Bashir
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 3/6: Watchman.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Opening 2/27/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
JONAS BROTHERS: 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE [G] 1 hr. 15 min. Concert film Trailer Cast: Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift. Plot: the film blends excerpts from the Brothers' red-hot "Burning Up" concert tour, including guest performances from Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift, with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, off-the-wall segments, a never-before-heard song ("Love Is On Its Way"), swarming fans and a lot of JB-style humor—giving fans never-before-seen insights into the lives of Kevin, Joe and Nick. Showing at: Derby Plaza, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Action Trailer Cast: Kristin Kreuk, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neal McDonough, Taboo, Chris Klein, Moon Bloodgood, Edmund Chen, Cheng Pei Pei, Josie Ho, Robin Shou. Plot: powerful forces are converging on the streets of Bangkok. They are warriors, some of whom possess extraordinary abilities, all of whom are determined to see their side prevail. Some fight for us; the others for unlimited power. Now, they are preparing for the ultimate battle - of terror versus beauty, light versus darkness, and good versus evil. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
WALTZ WITH BASHIR [R] 1 hr. 25 min. Animation/Documentary Trailer Cast: Ron Ben-Yishai, Ronny Dayag, Ari Folman, Dror Harazi. Plot: one night at a bar, an old friend tells director Ari about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. Every night, the same number of beasts. The two men conclude that there's a connection to their Israeli Army mission in the first Lebanon War of the early eighties. Ari is surprised that he can't remember a thing anymore about that period of his life but as he delves deeper and deeper into the mystery, his memory begins to return in surreal images. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren.
Leaving 2/26/2009
Derby Plaza - Friday The 13th
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Push, Confessions Of A Shopaholic
Palace West - The Spirit, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Rachel Getting Married
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - New In Town, Revolutionary Road, Hotel For Dogs
Warren Old Town - The International
Warren West 21st - My Bloody Valentine 3D, Friday The 13th
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Push, Confessions Of A Shopaholic
Palace West - The Spirit, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Rachel Getting Married
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - New In Town, Revolutionary Road, Hotel For Dogs
Warren Old Town - The International
Warren West 21st - My Bloody Valentine 3D, Friday The 13th
Friday, February 20, 2009
FIRED UP **
First time director Will Gluck is responsible for this comedy starring: Nicholas D'Agosto, Eric Christian Olsen, Sarah Roemer, Molly Sims, and John Michael Higgins. Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, partial nudity, language and some teen partying. Run time is one hour and forty minutes.
The two stars (D'Agosto and Christian) of the Gerald R. Ford High School football team, are dreading the prospect of another summer at football camp. When one hatches a scheme for the two to join their school's cheerleaders at cheer camp instead, they find themselves awash in a sea of gorgeous young women. It all goes great until one falls for the beautiful head cheerleader (Roemer) who sees right through them and the other falls for the cheerleading coach's (Higgins) wife (Sims).
This is not going to get good reviews and that's deserved. The film is predictable, like so many of the teen flicks you've seen before. But, it's well directed and paced and the competent cast seems to be having a very good time. I found it surprisingly enjoyable although I think most adults will find this more suitable for DVD viewing, if they choose to watch it at all. There are some out takes during the end credits and if you wait until the very end you'll get to see one of the Heroes cast members make an appearance.
The two stars (D'Agosto and Christian) of the Gerald R. Ford High School football team, are dreading the prospect of another summer at football camp. When one hatches a scheme for the two to join their school's cheerleaders at cheer camp instead, they find themselves awash in a sea of gorgeous young women. It all goes great until one falls for the beautiful head cheerleader (Roemer) who sees right through them and the other falls for the cheerleading coach's (Higgins) wife (Sims).
This is not going to get good reviews and that's deserved. The film is predictable, like so many of the teen flicks you've seen before. But, it's well directed and paced and the competent cast seems to be having a very good time. I found it surprisingly enjoyable although I think most adults will find this more suitable for DVD viewing, if they choose to watch it at all. There are some out takes during the end credits and if you wait until the very end you'll get to see one of the Heroes cast members make an appearance.
Worthwhile (or not) 2/20/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Tyler Perry's films have grossed over 300 million dollars so far and he's trying for even more. If you're a Perry fan, this should do fine although it appears he decided not to screen this film for the critics. FIRED UP is strictly for teen/20's. I think the distributors are thinking adults will be home watching the Oscars this weekend.
32 Fired Up,
00 Madea Goes To Jail
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of FIRED UP will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 2/27: JONAS BROTHERS: 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE, STREET FIGTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI.
32 Fired Up,
00 Madea Goes To Jail
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of FIRED UP will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 2/27: JONAS BROTHERS: 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE, STREET FIGTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Opening 2/20/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL [PG-13] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy/Family Trailer Cast: Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, David Mann, Tamala Mann, Ronreaco Lee, Ion Overman, Vanessa Ferlito, Viola Davis, Sophia Vergara, Robin Coleman, Bobbi Baker. Plot: after a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea in front of the judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the best of her and land her in jail. But Madea's eccentric family members, the Browns, rally behind her, lending their special "country" brand of support. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
FIRED UP [PG-13] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Nicholas D'Agosto, Eric Christian Olsen, Sarah Roemer, Molly Sims, Danneel Harris, Philip Baker Hall, Adhir Kalyan, Annalynne McCord, John Michael Higgins. Plot: the two stars of the Gerald R. Ford High School football team, are dreading the prospect of another summer at football camp. When one hatches a scheme for the two to join their school's cheerleaders at cheer camp instead, they find themselves awash in a sea of gorgeous young women. It all goes great until the other one falls for the beautiful head cheerleader who sees right through them. Showing at: 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
Leaving 2/19/2009
Derby Plaza - The Uninvited
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Inkheart, Defiance
Palace West - Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - My Bloody Valentine
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - The Uninvited, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Inkheart, Defiance
Palace West - Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - My Bloody Valentine
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - The Uninvited, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Friday, February 13, 2009
THE INTERNATIONAL ***
Tom Tykwer directed and partially scored this thriller starring: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, and BrÃan F. O'Byrne. Rated R for some sequences of violence and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.
An Interpol Agent (Owen) and a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney (Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, they follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets (Mueller-Stahn, Thomsen, etc.) will stop at nothing – even murder (by O'Byrne) – to continue financing terror and war.
If your thoughts about the banking business have been rather negative of late this isn't going to make them any more positive. Basically, it's about a rapacious Swiss bank that will let nothing get in the way of their lust for power and wealth. Owen and Watts spend the movie trying to get the goods on the bank only to be thwarted at every turn. The story is fast paced, the scenery is interesting and the cast is fine. I don't think you'll be as happy as you'd like when you leave the theatre but this is an entertaining, solid film for action fans.
An Interpol Agent (Owen) and a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney (Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, they follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets (Mueller-Stahn, Thomsen, etc.) will stop at nothing – even murder (by O'Byrne) – to continue financing terror and war.
If your thoughts about the banking business have been rather negative of late this isn't going to make them any more positive. Basically, it's about a rapacious Swiss bank that will let nothing get in the way of their lust for power and wealth. Owen and Watts spend the movie trying to get the goods on the bank only to be thwarted at every turn. The story is fast paced, the scenery is interesting and the cast is fine. I don't think you'll be as happy as you'd like when you leave the theatre but this is an entertaining, solid film for action fans.
Worthwhile (or not) 2/13/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). SHOPAHOLIC and 13th are getting critically panned while INTERNATIONAL comes out a little better. Again, we have a woman's pic, a teen pic and an adult action film. I'd go with the action pic if I were you.
39 Confessions of a Shopaholic,
35 Friday the 13th,
52 International, The
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of THE INTERNATIONAL will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 2/20: TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL and FIRED UP.
39 Confessions of a Shopaholic,
35 Friday the 13th,
52 International, The
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of THE INTERNATIONAL will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 2/20: TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL and FIRED UP.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Opening 2/13/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC [PG] 1 hr. 45 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie Bibb, Fred Armisen, Julie Hagerty, Krysten Ritter, Robert Stanton, Christine Ebersole, Clea Lewis, Wendie Malick, Stephanie March. Plot: a fun-loving girl who is so good at shopping she's seriously in debt, snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Movie Machine, 13th Avenue Warren, 21st Street Warren.
FRIDAY THE 13th [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Horror Trailer Cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Aaron Yoo, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle, Derek Mears. Plot: searching for his missing sister, a man heads up to the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake. Against the advice of police and cautions from the locals, he pursues what few leads he has, with the help of a young woman he meets among a group of college kids. Little do they know, they've entered the domain of one of the most terrifying specters in American film history—Jason Voorhees. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Oldtown, 21st Street Warren.
THE INTERNATIONAL [R] 2 hrs. Thriller Trailer Cast: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, BrÃan F. O'Byrne. Plot: an Interpol Agent and a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, they follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Avenue Warren, Warren Oldtown, 21st Street Warren.
What's Leaving 2/12/09
Derby Plaza - New In Town
Movie Machine - Taken
Northrock 14 - Inkheart, Not Easily Broken, New In Town, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans
Palace West - Punisher: War Zone, Four Christmases, Role Models, Fireproof
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Inkheart, Defiance, Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Bride Wars
Warren Old Town - Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, Slumdog Millionaire
Warren West 21st - Revolutionary Road, Bride Wars, Inkheart, Twilight, Last Chance Harvey
Movie Machine - Taken
Northrock 14 - Inkheart, Not Easily Broken, New In Town, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans
Palace West - Punisher: War Zone, Four Christmases, Role Models, Fireproof
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Inkheart, Defiance, Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Bride Wars
Warren Old Town - Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, Slumdog Millionaire
Warren West 21st - Revolutionary Road, Bride Wars, Inkheart, Twilight, Last Chance Harvey
Friday, February 06, 2009
PUSH **½
Paul McGuigan directed this sci-fi thriller starring: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, and Djimon Hounsou. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, brief strong language, smoking and a scene of teen drinking. Run time is one hour and fifty-one minutes.
A tale set in the near future about the deadly world of psychic espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the ability to move objects with their minds, see the future, create new realities and kill without ever touching their victims. Against this setting, a young man (Evans), his girl friend (Belle) and a teenage girl (Fanning) take on a clandestine agency (led by Hounsou) in a race against time that will determine the future of civilization.
As I've said before, I like sci-fi so I was partial to this film before it ever started. While the plotting could have used some work, especially the ending, I was pleased with what I saw. Evans, Belle and especially Fanning are fine in their roles with Fanning putting everyone on notice she will be an acting talent to be reckoned with in the future. The pacing is excellent, with the protagonists constantly on the move, and the production values and special effects are quite impressive. This is never going to win any awards but if you're looking for an action "fix" this will do the job nicely. Due to the special effects this film will be enjoyed best in a large theatre with good sound.
A tale set in the near future about the deadly world of psychic espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the ability to move objects with their minds, see the future, create new realities and kill without ever touching their victims. Against this setting, a young man (Evans), his girl friend (Belle) and a teenage girl (Fanning) take on a clandestine agency (led by Hounsou) in a race against time that will determine the future of civilization.
As I've said before, I like sci-fi so I was partial to this film before it ever started. While the plotting could have used some work, especially the ending, I was pleased with what I saw. Evans, Belle and especially Fanning are fine in their roles with Fanning putting everyone on notice she will be an acting talent to be reckoned with in the future. The pacing is excellent, with the protagonists constantly on the move, and the production values and special effects are quite impressive. This is never going to win any awards but if you're looking for an action "fix" this will do the job nicely. Due to the special effects this film will be enjoyed best in a large theatre with good sound.
Worthwhile (or not) 2/6/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). The PG rated CORALINE seems to be the critics favorite this week. I find it hard to believe it will be the #1 pic, however. PANTHER is also PG so families and younger teens have some choice. NOT INTO YOU definitely looks like the proverbial "chick flick" while PUSH is clearly for males and sci-fi fans.
80 Coraline,
46 He's Just Not That Into You,
36 Pink Panther 2,
40 Push
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of PUSH will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 2/13: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, FRIDAY THE 13th, THE INTERNATIONAL.
80 Coraline,
46 He's Just Not That Into You,
36 Pink Panther 2,
40 Push
Click on the title links to see if the ratings change as more reviews come in, and to read your favorite national critic's review.
My review of PUSH will be on this site after 4:30 pm.
Here are the films scheduled for Friday, 2/13: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, FRIDAY THE 13th, THE INTERNATIONAL.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Opening 2/6/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column. Weekend times normally start appearing on Wednesday.
CORALINE [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Animated Trailer Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ian McShane. Plot: a young girl is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door and discovers an alternate version of her life on the other side. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar – only much better. But when this seemingly perfect world turns dangerous, she must escape this increasingly perilous world – and save her family. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren (3D), 21st St. Warren (3D).
HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU [PG-13] 2 hrs. 10 min. Comedy/Romance Trailer Cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kris Kristofferson, Justin Long. Plot: the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty-and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, Warren Old Town, 21st St. Warren.
THE PINK PANTHER 2 [PG] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Andy Garcia, Lily Tomlin, John Cleese. Plot: when legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther Diamond, Chief Inspector Dreyfus is forced to assign Clouseau to a team of international detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving the stolen artifacts. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.
PUSH [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou, Maggie Siff, Scott Michael Campbell. Plot: futuristic tale about the deadly world of psychic espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the ability to move objects with their minds, see the future, create new realities and kill without ever touching their victims. Against this setting, a young man and a teenage girl take on a clandestine agency in a race against time that will determine the future of civilization. Showing at: Northrock 14, 13th Ave. Warren, 21st St. Warren.
What's Leaving 2/5/09
Derby Plaza - Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans, Gran Torino
Movie Machine - Inkheart, Hotel For Dogs, Bride Wars
Northrock 14 - Notorious, The Unborn, Valkyrie
Palace West - Transporter 3, Quantum Of Solace
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Doubt, Marley And Me, Valkyrie, Twilight, Bedtime Stories, The Unborn
Warren Old Town - Milk, The Reader
Warren West 21st - The Unborn, Marley And Me, Defiance, Valkyrie
Movie Machine - Inkheart, Hotel For Dogs, Bride Wars
Northrock 14 - Notorious, The Unborn, Valkyrie
Palace West - Transporter 3, Quantum Of Solace
Starlite Drive-In - Closed until Spring
Warren East 13th - Doubt, Marley And Me, Valkyrie, Twilight, Bedtime Stories, The Unborn
Warren Old Town - Milk, The Reader
Warren West 21st - The Unborn, Marley And Me, Defiance, Valkyrie
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About Me
- Wichita, KS, United States
- I've spent most of my adult life in film exhibition management, from which I've retired. As a result of my work I've seen thousands of movies over the years and maintain a strong interest in movies and theatres.
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