Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film).This is a week where the rating scores will have very little correlation to the attendance at the theatres. PERCY JACKSON is basically for teens, VALENTINE'S DAY is for women and the men they drag along, and WOLFMAN is for males. I've seen the latter two and would score them higher than did the national critics but neither is close to four stars by any means.
48 Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief,
35 Valentine's Day,
44 Wolfman, 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 reviews of VALENTINE'S DAY and THE WOLFMANN will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
Opening, 2/12/2010
For show times select a theatre in the Showing at: section at the end of each synopsis. Friday times appear starting Wednesdays.
PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS [PG] 2 hrs. Fantasy Adventure SEE PREVIEW CAST: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Kevin McKidd, Joe Pantoliano, Uma Thurman, Ray Winstone. Plot: after Zeus' lightning bolt is stolen and his mother disappears, a descendant of Poseidon and his friends embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief, save his mom, and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
VALENTINE'S DAY [PG-13] 2 hrs. 5 min. Romantic Comedy SEE PREVIEW CAST: Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts, Taylor Swift. Plot: follows the intertwining storylines of a group of Los Angelinos as they find their way through romance over the course of one Valentine's Day. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
THE WOLFMAN [R] 1 hr. 42 min. Horror Drama SEE PREVIEW CAST: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik. Plot: a haunted nobleman is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, he sets out to find his brother... and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
VALENTINE'S DAY [PG-13] 2 hrs. 5 min. Romantic Comedy SEE PREVIEW CAST: Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts, Taylor Swift. Plot: follows the intertwining storylines of a group of Los Angelinos as they find their way through romance over the course of one Valentine's Day. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
THE WOLFMAN [R] 1 hr. 42 min. Horror Drama SEE PREVIEW CAST: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik. Plot: a haunted nobleman is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, he sets out to find his brother... and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. Showing at: Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Leaving, 2/11/2010
Derby Plaza - Edge Of Darkness, Book Of Eli, The Lovely Bones
Movie Machine - Avatar, The Blind Side, The Spy Next Door
Northrock 14 -Extraordinary Measures, Legion, Invictus
Palace West - Boondock Saints II, Armored, Where The Wild Things Are, Ninja Assassin, Cloudy With Meatballs, Law Abiding Citizen
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th -Leap Year, To Save A Life, The Lovely Bones, It's Complicated, Extraordinary Measures, Alvin: Squeakquel, Young Victoria, The Spy Next Door
Warren Old Town - Legion, Edge Of Darkness, The Book Of Eli
Warren West 21st - Leap Year, To Save A Life, Extraordinary Measures
Movie Machine - Avatar, The Blind Side, The Spy Next Door
Northrock 14 -Extraordinary Measures, Legion, Invictus
Palace West - Boondock Saints II, Armored, Where The Wild Things Are, Ninja Assassin, Cloudy With Meatballs, Law Abiding Citizen
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th -Leap Year, To Save A Life, The Lovely Bones, It's Complicated, Extraordinary Measures, Alvin: Squeakquel, Young Victoria, The Spy Next Door
Warren Old Town - Legion, Edge Of Darkness, The Book Of Eli
Warren West 21st - Leap Year, To Save A Life, Extraordinary Measures
Friday, February 05, 2010
AN EDUCATION ***½
Lone Scherfig directed this Drama starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour, Matthew Beard, Sally Hawkins. See Preview Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexual content, and for smoking.Running time is one hour and thirty-five minutes.
An attractive, precocious 16-year-old schoolgirl's (Mulligan) suburban life is upended by the arrival of an unsuitable, 30-ish, suitor (Sarsgaard). Along with his friends (Cooper and Pike) she's introduced to a life far removed from her boring life as a schoolgirl. Her parents (Molina and Seymour) are charmed also, never realizing what's actually occurring.
A great script, great pacing, and the screen presence of Mulligan, very ably aided by a superb cast of supporting actors, make this a very enjoyable film. Mulligan's winsome persona makes you care about her and keeps you continuously involved. The fact this has won several awards and has been nominated for three Oscars should let you know this is one of the best films of the past year. If you can't get to a theatre to watch it, the DVD will take nothing away. However you choose to see it, this is one not to miss.
An attractive, precocious 16-year-old schoolgirl's (Mulligan) suburban life is upended by the arrival of an unsuitable, 30-ish, suitor (Sarsgaard). Along with his friends (Cooper and Pike) she's introduced to a life far removed from her boring life as a schoolgirl. Her parents (Molina and Seymour) are charmed also, never realizing what's actually occurring.
A great script, great pacing, and the screen presence of Mulligan, very ably aided by a superb cast of supporting actors, make this a very enjoyable film. Mulligan's winsome persona makes you care about her and keeps you continuously involved. The fact this has won several awards and has been nominated for three Oscars should let you know this is one of the best films of the past year. If you can't get to a theatre to watch it, the DVD will take nothing away. However you choose to see it, this is one not to miss.
FROM PARIS WITH LOVE **½
Pierre Morel directed this Action Drama starring: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kasia Smutniak, Richard Durden. See Preview Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, drug content, pervasive language and brief sexuality. Running time is one hour and thirty-two minutes.
A personal aide (Meyers) to the U.S. Ambassador in France (Durdrn) has an enviable life in Paris and a beautiful French girlfriend (Smutniak), but wants to become a bona fide CIA agent and see some real action. When he's offered his first senior-level assignment, he can't believe his good luck - until he meets his new partner (Travolta).
Morel was the director of last year's TAKEN and he continues in the same mode here. As is usual these days the plot is weak and if you watch many movies I'll bet you'll see the ending coming ten minutes into this one. Meyers has almost no screen personality in this film although he really doesn't need one with Travolta around. Smutniak is lovely and is fine in her role. But, this is Travolta's film and he does the most with what he's given. What this film does offer is start to finish action of the most extremely violent kind. Women aren't going to be real fans of this one but most males will find the action, the fast pacing and the reasonable length enjoyable. Because of the action if you plan on watching this one, a theatre will be your best choice.
A personal aide (Meyers) to the U.S. Ambassador in France (Durdrn) has an enviable life in Paris and a beautiful French girlfriend (Smutniak), but wants to become a bona fide CIA agent and see some real action. When he's offered his first senior-level assignment, he can't believe his good luck - until he meets his new partner (Travolta).
Morel was the director of last year's TAKEN and he continues in the same mode here. As is usual these days the plot is weak and if you watch many movies I'll bet you'll see the ending coming ten minutes into this one. Meyers has almost no screen personality in this film although he really doesn't need one with Travolta around. Smutniak is lovely and is fine in her role. But, this is Travolta's film and he does the most with what he's given. What this film does offer is start to finish action of the most extremely violent kind. Women aren't going to be real fans of this one but most males will find the action, the fast pacing and the reasonable length enjoyable. Because of the action if you plan on watching this one, a theatre will be your best choice.
DEAR JOHN **
Lasse Hallström directed this Romantic Drama starring: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Henry Thomas, Richard Jenkins, and Keith Robinson. See Preview Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and violence. Running time is one hour and forty-five minutes.
Based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, "Dear John" tells story of a young soldier (Tatum) home on leave and the idealistic college student (Seyfried) he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by his increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a continuous stream of love letters to each other.
Teenage girls and young women will no doubt think more highly of this picture than I do. From my perspective this is a very slowly paced, maudlin romance that most males will find boring. Seyfried is the one reason to see this as she possesses a screen presence that few can match. Tatum has the personality of a rock in this film although I'm sure that's what his role called for. Jenkins is very good at portraying a caring father with social limitations. This will do as a date movie or for an outing of teenage girls but that's about it.
Based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, "Dear John" tells story of a young soldier (Tatum) home on leave and the idealistic college student (Seyfried) he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by his increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a continuous stream of love letters to each other.
Teenage girls and young women will no doubt think more highly of this picture than I do. From my perspective this is a very slowly paced, maudlin romance that most males will find boring. Seyfried is the one reason to see this as she possesses a screen presence that few can match. Tatum has the personality of a rock in this film although I'm sure that's what his role called for. Jenkins is very good at portraying a caring father with social limitations. This will do as a date movie or for an outing of teenage girls but that's about it.
Worthwhile (or not), 2/5/2010
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 the "art films" have got the high scores this week. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean they'll have the large audiences to match. Women, especially the younger ones, will be heading for DEAR JOHN while males of all ages will be heading for FROM PARIS WITH LOVE. I wouldn't wait too long to see the two high scoring films as it's likely they won't be around long, although the three Oscar nominations AN EDUCATION got will help its patronage.
83 Crazy Heart
,
45 Dear John,
85 Education, An,
47 From Paris with Love
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 FROM PARIS WITH LOVE and AN EDUCATION will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
83 Crazy Heart
,45 Dear John,
85 Education, An
,47 From Paris with Love
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 FROM PARIS WITH LOVE and AN EDUCATION will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
Monday, February 01, 2010
Opening, 2/5/2010
For show times select a theatre in the Showing at: section at the end of each synopsis. Friday times appear starting Wednesdays.
AN EDUCATION [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama See Preview Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour, Matthew Beard, Sally Hawkins. Plot: an attractive, bright 16-year-old schoolgirl's suburban life is upended by the arrival of an unsuitable, 30-ish, suitor. Showing at: Warren East.
DEAR JOHN [PG-13] 1 hr. 49 min. Drama See Preview Cast: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Henry Thomas, Richard Jenkins, Keith Robinson. Plot: based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, "Dear John" tells story of a young soldier home on leave and the idealistic college student he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by his increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a continuous stream of love letters overseas--correspondence that eventually triggers fateful consequences. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
CRAZY HEART [R] 1 hr. 51 min. Drama/Music See Preview Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Sarah Jane Morris. Plot: a broken-down, hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road, and one too many drinks way too many times, can't help but reach for salvation with the help of a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician. Showing at: Warren East.
FROM PARIS WITH LOVE [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Action See Preview Cast: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kasia Smutniak, Richard Durden. Plot: a personal aide to the U.S. Ambassador in France has an enviable life in Paris and a beautiful French girlfriend, but wants to become a bona fide CIA agent and see some real action. When he's offered his first senior-level assignment, he can't believe his good luck - until he meets his new partner. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Leaving, 2/4/2010
Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Invictus, It's Complicated, Leap Year
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - A Single Man, Doctor Parnassus, Spy Next Door
Warren Old Town - Lovely Bones, Sherlock Holmes, Extraordinary Measures
Warren West 21st - New Moon, Spy Next Door, 3 Idiots
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Invictus, It's Complicated, Leap Year
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - A Single Man, Doctor Parnassus, Spy Next Door
Warren Old Town - Lovely Bones, Sherlock Holmes, Extraordinary Measures
Warren West 21st - New Moon, Spy Next Door, 3 Idiots
Friday, January 29, 2010
EDGE OF DARKNESS ***½
Martin Campbell directed this Suspense/Thriller which stars: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Shawn Roberts, Bojana Novakovic, Frank Grillo, Gbenga Akinnagbe. See The Preview Rated R for strong bloody violence and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-seven minutes.
When a Boston detective's (Gibson) only child (Novakovic) is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assumes he was the target. But he suspects otherwise, and embarks on a mission to find out about his activist daughter's secret life and killing. His investigation leads him into a dangerous, looking glass world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder – and to a shadowy government operative (Winstone) who has been sent to clean up the evidence.
Finally, we get good production values, a very good cast and, wonder of wonders, a well written script. The plot is based on a 1984 BBC series of the same name, with the director of both the series and this movie being the same individual. The script and directorial pedigree quality are clearly evident and result in a compelling drama that holds your attention from start to finish. The film may be a little too violent for women but males of all ages will identify with a heartbroken father avenging his child's death. Add corporate greed and political malfeasance and you have a story both emotionally powerful and timely. The national reviews are mixed to poor but don't believe them. This is a film the average moviegoer will like.
When a Boston detective's (Gibson) only child (Novakovic) is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assumes he was the target. But he suspects otherwise, and embarks on a mission to find out about his activist daughter's secret life and killing. His investigation leads him into a dangerous, looking glass world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder – and to a shadowy government operative (Winstone) who has been sent to clean up the evidence.
Finally, we get good production values, a very good cast and, wonder of wonders, a well written script. The plot is based on a 1984 BBC series of the same name, with the director of both the series and this movie being the same individual. The script and directorial pedigree quality are clearly evident and result in a compelling drama that holds your attention from start to finish. The film may be a little too violent for women but males of all ages will identify with a heartbroken father avenging his child's death. Add corporate greed and political malfeasance and you have a story both emotionally powerful and timely. The national reviews are mixed to poor but don't believe them. This is a film the average moviegoer will like.
Worthwhile (or not), 1/29/2010
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 DARKNESS and found it to be a compelling film most males at least will like. I thought it better than the numerical score indicates. I haven't seen ROME but that score sure seems to agree with most of the reviews.
54 Edge of Darkness,
30 When in Rome
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 EDGE OF DARKNESS will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
54 Edge of Darkness,
30 When in Rome
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 EDGE OF DARKNESS will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
Monday, January 25, 2010
Opening, 1/29/2010
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
EDGE OF DARKNESS [R] 1 hr. 57 min. Suspense/Thriller See The Preview Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Shawn Roberts, Bojana Novakovic, Frank Grillo, Gbenga Akinnagbe. Plot: when a Boston detective's only child is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assumes he was the target. But he suspects otherwise, and embarks on a mission to find out about his activist daughter's secret life and killing. His investigation leads him into a dangerous, looking glass world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder – and to a shadowy government operative who has been sent to clean up the evidence. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Oldtown, Warren West.
3 IDIOTS [NR] 2 hr. 53 min. Comedy/Drama See The Preview Cast: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, plus a large number of actors most of us have never heard of. Plot: loosely based on the Chetan Bhagat best seller "Five Point Someone", Three Idiots is a comedy of ideas that dares to challenge the monotonous stream of education persisting in India without going too much into social propaganda. A laugh-riot that talks about the most important of human pursuits: self-actualization. English subtitles. Showing at: Warren West.
WHEN IN ROME [PG-13] 1 hr. 31 min. Comedy See The Preview Cast: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Will Arnett, Alexis Dziena, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard, Kate Micucci, Bobby Moynihan, Danny DeVito, Anjelica Huston. Plot: an ambitious young New Yorker, disillusioned with romance, takes a whirlwind trip to Rome where she defiantly plucks magic coins from a "foolish" fountain of love, inexplicably igniting the passion of an odd group of suitors: a sausage magnate, a street magician, an adoring painter and a self-admiring model. But when a charming reporter pursues her with equal zest, how will she know if his love is the real thing? Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving, 1/28/2010
Derby Plaza - Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, The Spy Next Door
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - The Spy Next Door
Palace West - Men Who Stare At Goats
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Princess & The Frog, Daybreakers, Youth In Revolt
Warren Old Town - The Lovely Bones
Warren West 21st - Princess & The Frog, New Moon, Daybreakers, Up In The Air
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - The Spy Next Door
Palace West - Men Who Stare At Goats
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Princess & The Frog, Daybreakers, Youth In Revolt
Warren Old Town - The Lovely Bones
Warren West 21st - Princess & The Frog, New Moon, Daybreakers, Up In The Air
Friday, January 22, 2010
EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES ***
Tom Vaughan directed this Drama starring: Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell, and Courtney B. Vance. Watch The Preview Rated PG for thematic material, language and a mild suggestive moment. Running time is one hour and forty-five minutes.
Inspired by the true story of John (Fraser) and Aileen (Russell) Crowley, a couple who defied conventional wisdom and great odds, and risked their family's future to pursue a cure for their children's life threatening disease by aiding an eccentric medical researcher (Ford). Based on the book, THE CURE.
This normally wouldn't be of much interest to me as I don't care for the "disease of the week" shows or movies. However, this film is well made and has a very competent cast. As a result I was engaged throughout and came to care for the characters and their struggles. It helps the film is based on a true story. While I feel this is worth attending now, if you choose to wait for the DVD you'll be OK as a big screen isn't absolutely essential. My feeling is this film won't be around for an extended stay so I wouldn't dawdle.
Inspired by the true story of John (Fraser) and Aileen (Russell) Crowley, a couple who defied conventional wisdom and great odds, and risked their family's future to pursue a cure for their children's life threatening disease by aiding an eccentric medical researcher (Ford). Based on the book, THE CURE.
This normally wouldn't be of much interest to me as I don't care for the "disease of the week" shows or movies. However, this film is well made and has a very competent cast. As a result I was engaged throughout and came to care for the characters and their struggles. It helps the film is based on a true story. While I feel this is worth attending now, if you choose to wait for the DVD you'll be OK as a big screen isn't absolutely essential. My feeling is this film won't be around for an extended stay so I wouldn't dawdle.
LEGION *½
Written and directed by Scott Stewart this Supernatural Thriller features: Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Tenney, Charles S. Dutton, Lucas Black, Kate Walsh, Doug Jones, Adrianne Palicki, Kevin Durand, Willa Holland. Watch The Preview Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language. Running time is one hour and forty minutes.
When God loses faith in Mankind, he sends his legion of angels led by Gabriel (Durand) to bring on the Apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers (Quaid, Gibson, Dutton, Wash, Palicki, etc.) trapped in a desert diner and the Archangel Michael (Bettany).
The producers of this film evidently didn't screen it for the national critics, and it's a good thing they didn't because those critics are going to have a real field day with it. It's another of those films with a decent cast and reasonably good special effects and sound, but saddled with a plot that's absolutely ridiculous. Simply put, there's no way this story makes any sense. If you don't find a reasonable story essential, the combination of a cast of familiar TV personalities coupled with the special effects may provide a small measure of entertainment. If this looks something you want to see, do so in a theatre. Without the large screen and surround sound this will just be a complete waste of time.
When God loses faith in Mankind, he sends his legion of angels led by Gabriel (Durand) to bring on the Apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers (Quaid, Gibson, Dutton, Wash, Palicki, etc.) trapped in a desert diner and the Archangel Michael (Bettany).
The producers of this film evidently didn't screen it for the national critics, and it's a good thing they didn't because those critics are going to have a real field day with it. It's another of those films with a decent cast and reasonably good special effects and sound, but saddled with a plot that's absolutely ridiculous. Simply put, there's no way this story makes any sense. If you don't find a reasonable story essential, the combination of a cast of familiar TV personalities coupled with the special effects may provide a small measure of entertainment. If this looks something you want to see, do so in a theatre. Without the large screen and surround sound this will just be a complete waste of time.
Worthwhile (or not), 1/22/2010
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 think EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES is better than its rating would indicate while LEGION was very smart not to screen for the critics; they're going to kill it! TO SAVE A LIFE is one of those inspirational pics that will only be enjoyed by a limited audience and TOOTH FAIRY is just for the kids although adults who enjoy silliness may like it.
44 Extraordinary Measures,
xx Legion,
17 To Save a Life,
40 Tooth Fairy
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 EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES and LEGION will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
44 Extraordinary Measures,
xx Legion,
17 To Save a Life,
40 Tooth Fairy
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 EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES and LEGION will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
Monday, January 18, 2010
Opening, 1/22/2010
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama Watch The Preview Cast: Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell, Courtney B. Vance. Plot: inspired by the true story of John Crowley, a man who defied conventional wisdom and great odds, and risked his family's future to pursue a cure for his children's life threatening disease. Based on the book, THE CURE. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren, East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
LEGION [R] 1 hr. 40 min. Supernatural Thriller Watch The Preview Cast: Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Tenney, Charles S. Dutton, Lucas Black, Kate Walsh, Doug Jones, Adrianne Palicki, Kevin Durand, Willa Holland. Plot: when God loses faith in Mankind, he sends his legion of angels to bring on the Apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner and the Archangel Michael (Paul Bettany). Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren, East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
TO SAVE A LIFE [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Drama Watch The Preview Cast: Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Weigel, Steven Crowder, D. David Morin. Plot: devastated by what a friend has done, a young man finds himself deeply compelled to reach out to kids on the fringe – kids who aren't viewed as cool enough. But this decision threatens his world. He may lose his friends, his scholarship and even his reputation by asking "What do I want my life to be about?" Based on the book. Showing at: Warren, East, Warren West.
TOOTH FAIRY [PG] 1 hr. 42 min. Family Comedy Watch The Preview Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Julie Andrews, Stephen Merchant, Ryan Sheckler. Plot: when a hard-charging minor league hockey player discourages a youngster's hopes, he's sentenced to one week's hard labor as a real tooth fairy, complete with the requisite tutu, wings and magic wand. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren, East, Warren West.
Leaving, 1/21/2010
Derby Plaza - Leap Year, The Blind Side
Movie Machine - Sherlock Holmes
Northrock 14 - Daybreakers, Up In The Air, Youth In Revolt
Palace West - Disney's A Christmas Carol
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Did You Hear About The Morgans, The Road, Invictus
Warren Old Town - The Blind Side, It's Complicated, Leap Year
Warren West 21st - Youth In Revolt, The Princess And The Frog, Did You Hear About The Morgans
Movie Machine - Sherlock Holmes
Northrock 14 - Daybreakers, Up In The Air, Youth In Revolt
Palace West - Disney's A Christmas Carol
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Did You Hear About The Morgans, The Road, Invictus
Warren Old Town - The Blind Side, It's Complicated, Leap Year
Warren West 21st - Youth In Revolt, The Princess And The Frog, Did You Hear About The Morgans
Friday, January 15, 2010
THE LOVELY BONES ***
Peter Jackson directed this Drama which stars: Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Rose McIver, and Michael Imperioli. See The Preview Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving disturbing violent content and images, and some language. Running time is two hours and fifteen minutes.
Based on the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, the story centers on a young girl (Ronan) who has been murdered and watches over her family (Wahlberg, Weisz, McIver, and Sarandon) – and her killer (Tucci) – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.
I have not read this novel but I'm guessing if I had I would have liked it better than this film. That's because, generally, you can picture something mentally better than someone else can visualize it for you on a screen. Still, this is a very well made pic that tells a story that could have been very unpleasant in less skillful hands. The two acting standouts are Ronan and Tucci. She is very good at portraying a young girl whose life was taken just as she was approaching womanhood. Tucci makes your skin crawl as the neighborhood pervert, which is why he's such an excellent actor. My biggest complaint, and what keeps me from giving it a slightly higher rating, is I never really connected with any of the characters. To me the film was interesting and well paced but without being engrossing. Still, this is one you should see.
Based on the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, the story centers on a young girl (Ronan) who has been murdered and watches over her family (Wahlberg, Weisz, McIver, and Sarandon) – and her killer (Tucci) – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.
I have not read this novel but I'm guessing if I had I would have liked it better than this film. That's because, generally, you can picture something mentally better than someone else can visualize it for you on a screen. Still, this is a very well made pic that tells a story that could have been very unpleasant in less skillful hands. The two acting standouts are Ronan and Tucci. She is very good at portraying a young girl whose life was taken just as she was approaching womanhood. Tucci makes your skin crawl as the neighborhood pervert, which is why he's such an excellent actor. My biggest complaint, and what keeps me from giving it a slightly higher rating, is I never really connected with any of the characters. To me the film was interesting and well paced but without being engrossing. Still, this is one you should see.
THE BOOK OF ELI **
Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes directed this Action/Adventure which stars: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals, Frances de la Tour, Michael Gambon, Evan Jones, Joe Pingue, Tom Waits. See The Preview Rated R for some brutal violence and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.
In the not-too-distant future, across the wasteland of what was once America, a lone warrior (Washington) must fight to bring civilization the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Along the way he runs into a man (Oldman) desperate to have the book he carries and a young woman (Kunis) who insists on accompanying him.
This is a film that tries hard to be profound but ends up being simply puzzling. It's rather slow moving and dreary to look at and while there's some action, if you've seen the preview you've already seen most of that. The last fifteen minutes made no sense at all to me and I've been a Sci-Fan for years. People with strong religious convictions may find something in this plot that appeals to them but I think the average movie patron is going to be simply bored. On the positive side, it isn't nearly as depressing as THE ROAD. Cat fanciers may want to avoid this as felines appear to provide most of Washington's protein. To me, this just isn't worth the price of admission.
In the not-too-distant future, across the wasteland of what was once America, a lone warrior (Washington) must fight to bring civilization the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Along the way he runs into a man (Oldman) desperate to have the book he carries and a young woman (Kunis) who insists on accompanying him.
This is a film that tries hard to be profound but ends up being simply puzzling. It's rather slow moving and dreary to look at and while there's some action, if you've seen the preview you've already seen most of that. The last fifteen minutes made no sense at all to me and I've been a Sci-Fan for years. People with strong religious convictions may find something in this plot that appeals to them but I think the average movie patron is going to be simply bored. On the positive side, it isn't nearly as depressing as THE ROAD. Cat fanciers may want to avoid this as felines appear to provide most of Washington's protein. To me, this just isn't worth the price of admission.
Worthwhile (or not), 1/15/2010
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). Another week where I'm going to disagree with the national critics. There's no way ELI is better than BONES and I'm reasonably sure the movie going public will see it that way also. SINGLE MAN is for the Art/Drama fans while SPY will be disappointing for the normal Chan fans but probably enjoyed by kids.
52 Book of Eli, The,
42 Lovely Bones, The,
76 Single Man, A,
32 Spy Next Door, 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 reviews of THE BOOK OF ELI and THE LOVELY BONES will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
52 Book of Eli, The,
42 Lovely Bones, The,
76 Single Man, A,
32 Spy Next Door, 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 reviews of THE BOOK OF ELI and THE LOVELY BONES will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
Monday, January 11, 2010
Opening, 1/15/2010
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
THE BOOK OF ELI [R] 1 hr. 58 min. Action/Adventure See The Preview Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals, Frances de la Tour, Michael Gambon, Evan Jones, Joe Pingue, Tom Waits. Plot: in the not-too-distant future, across the wasteland of what was once America, a lone warrior must fight to bring civilization the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
THE LOVELY BONES [PG-13] 2 hr. 15 min. Drama See The Preview Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli, Saoirse Ronan. Plot: based on the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, the story centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
A SINGLE MAN [R] 1 hr. 41 min. Drama See The Preview Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Nicholas Hoult. Plot: a romantic tale of love interrupted, the isolation that is an inherent part of the human condition, and ultimately the importance of the seemingly smaller moments in life. Showing at: Warren East.
THE SPY NEXT DOOR [PG] 1 hr. 32 min. Action/Comedy See The Preview Cast: Jackie Chan, Madeline Carroll, Alina Foley, George Lopez, Billy Ray Cyrus, Amber Valletta, Katherine Boecher. Plot: an undercover CIA superspy decides to give up his career in espionage to settle down with his next-door neighbor and girlfriend. But he has one more mission to complete before she agrees to marry him: winning over her three opinionated kids. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving, 1/14/2010
Derby Plaza -Sherlock Holmes, It's Complicated, The Princess And The Frog
Movie Machine - The Princess And The Frog
Northrock 14 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Palace West -Astro Boy, Paranormal Activity, The Stepfather, Zombieland
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Old Dogs, New Moon, Nine
Warren Old Town - Up In The Air, Did You Hear About The Morgans?
Warren West 21st - Invictus
Movie Machine - The Princess And The Frog
Northrock 14 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Palace West -Astro Boy, Paranormal Activity, The Stepfather, Zombieland
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Old Dogs, New Moon, Nine
Warren Old Town - Up In The Air, Did You Hear About The Morgans?
Warren West 21st - Invictus
Friday, January 08, 2010
THE YOUNG VICTORIA ***
Jean-Marc Vallée directed this Drama/Romance which stars: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong. See The Preview Rated PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking. Running time is one hour and forty-five minutes.
The story of Queen Victoria (Blunt) in the turbulent first years of her reign and Prince Albert (Friend), the suitor who wins her heart and becomes her partner in one of history's greatest romances. Along the way we experience the strained relationship with her mother (Richardson) and her friendship with Lord Melbourne (Bettany).
This is way above average for a historical drama, managing to be both informative and interesting. The story covers Victoria's formative years and the early years of her courtship with and marriage to Albert. Both Blunt and Friend are excellent in their roles and the production values are first rate. This is very likely to win a number of nominations/awards and deservedly so. The big screen isn't absolutely necessary but does make the opulent settings more impressive.
The story of Queen Victoria (Blunt) in the turbulent first years of her reign and Prince Albert (Friend), the suitor who wins her heart and becomes her partner in one of history's greatest romances. Along the way we experience the strained relationship with her mother (Richardson) and her friendship with Lord Melbourne (Bettany).
This is way above average for a historical drama, managing to be both informative and interesting. The story covers Victoria's formative years and the early years of her courtship with and marriage to Albert. Both Blunt and Friend are excellent in their roles and the production values are first rate. This is very likely to win a number of nominations/awards and deservedly so. The big screen isn't absolutely necessary but does make the opulent settings more impressive.
YOUTH IN REVOLT **½
Miguel Arteta directed this Comedy which features: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Justin Long, Jean Smart, Ari Graynor, Fred Willard, Zach Galifianakis, Mary Kay Place, Rooney Mara and M. Emmet Walsh. See The Preview Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use. Running time is one hour and thirty minutes.
A unique, intelligent, but very droll teen (Cera) falls hopelessly in love with a beautiful, free-spirited young woman (Doubleday) while on a family vacation. Deciding they were meant to be together, he sets out on a series of actions meant to overcome the obstacles to their relationship, namely his (Smart and Buscemi) and her (Place and Walsh) parents.
What a pleasant surprise. I thought this would be just another copy cat teen pic but found it to be both innovative and laugh-out-loud funny. Cera continues to be the ultimate teen geek and Doubleday is great as the more worldly and manipulative girlfriend-to-be. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces who add to the silliness. This isn't going to win any awards but if you're looking for a few good laughs this will do the trick. The big screen adds nothing but a large audience watching with you will amplify the enjoyment.
A unique, intelligent, but very droll teen (Cera) falls hopelessly in love with a beautiful, free-spirited young woman (Doubleday) while on a family vacation. Deciding they were meant to be together, he sets out on a series of actions meant to overcome the obstacles to their relationship, namely his (Smart and Buscemi) and her (Place and Walsh) parents.
What a pleasant surprise. I thought this would be just another copy cat teen pic but found it to be both innovative and laugh-out-loud funny. Cera continues to be the ultimate teen geek and Doubleday is great as the more worldly and manipulative girlfriend-to-be. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces who add to the silliness. This isn't going to win any awards but if you're looking for a few good laughs this will do the trick. The big screen adds nothing but a large audience watching with you will amplify the enjoyment.
Worthwhile (or not), 1/8/2010
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). A little something for just about everybody this week. Horror fans get a vampire pic with DAYBREAKERS; fantasy fans get DR. PARNASSUS; adult comedy fans get LEAP YEAR, younger comedy fans get YOUTH IN REVOLT and history/romance fans get YOUNG VICTORIA. I'm a little surprised at the low rating for the Amy Adams film but I've seen the last two and those ratings look about right.
60 Daybreakers,
66 Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, The,
30 Leap Year,
63 Youth in Revolt,
64 Young Victoria, 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 reviews of YOUTH IN REVOLT and THE YOUNG VICTORIA will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
60 Daybreakers,
66 Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, The,
30 Leap Year,
63 Youth in Revolt,
64 Young Victoria, 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 reviews of YOUTH IN REVOLT and THE YOUNG VICTORIA will be posted after 4:30 pm today (Friday).
Monday, January 04, 2010
Opening, 1/7/2010
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
DAYBREAKERS [R] 1 hr. 38 min. Horror See The Preview Cast: Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Claudia Karvan, Michael Dorman, Vince Colosimo, Isabel Lucas, Sam Neill. Plot: a researcher in the year 2019, in which an unknown plague has transformed the world's population into vampires makes a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS [PG-13] 21 hr. 02 min. Drama/Fantasy See The Preview Cast: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law. Plot: the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a traveling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. Long ago he made a bet with the devil in which he won immortality. Many centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his first-born reached its 16th birthday he or she would become the devil's property. Now that child, a daughter, is rapidly approaching this 'coming of age' milestone and Dr Parnassus is desperate to protect her from her impending fate. The Devil arrives to collect but, always keen to make a bet, renegotiates the wager. Showing at: Warren East.
LEAP YEAR [PG] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy/Romance See The Preview Cast: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott, John Lithgow. Plot: when their four-year anniversary passes without a marriage proposal, a woman decides to take matters into her own hands. Investing in an Irish tradition that allows women to propose to men on February 29th, she decides to follow her boyfriend to Dublin and get down on one knee herself. But airplanes, weather and fate leave her stranded on the other side of Ireland, and she must enlist the help of a handsome but surly Irishman to get her across the country. As the two bicker across the Emerald Isle, they discover the road to love can take you to very unexpected places. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
THE YOUNG VICTORIA [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama See The Preview Cast: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong. Plot: the story of Queen Victoria in the turbulent first years of her reign and Prince Albert, the suitor who wins her heart and becomes her partner in one of history's greatest romances. Showing at: Warren East.
YOUTH IN REVOLT [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy See The Preview Cast: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Justin Long, Jean Smart, Ari Graynor, Fred Willard, Zach Galifianakis, Mary Kay Place, Rooney Mara. Plot: a unique, but affable teen with a taste for the finer things in life falls hopelessly in love with a beautiful, free-spirited young woman while on a family vacation. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS [PG-13] 21 hr. 02 min. Drama/Fantasy See The Preview Cast: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law. Plot: the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a traveling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. Long ago he made a bet with the devil in which he won immortality. Many centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his first-born reached its 16th birthday he or she would become the devil's property. Now that child, a daughter, is rapidly approaching this 'coming of age' milestone and Dr Parnassus is desperate to protect her from her impending fate. The Devil arrives to collect but, always keen to make a bet, renegotiates the wager. Showing at: Warren East.
LEAP YEAR [PG] 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy/Romance See The Preview Cast: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott, John Lithgow. Plot: when their four-year anniversary passes without a marriage proposal, a woman decides to take matters into her own hands. Investing in an Irish tradition that allows women to propose to men on February 29th, she decides to follow her boyfriend to Dublin and get down on one knee herself. But airplanes, weather and fate leave her stranded on the other side of Ireland, and she must enlist the help of a handsome but surly Irishman to get her across the country. As the two bicker across the Emerald Isle, they discover the road to love can take you to very unexpected places. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
THE YOUNG VICTORIA [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama See The Preview Cast: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong. Plot: the story of Queen Victoria in the turbulent first years of her reign and Prince Albert, the suitor who wins her heart and becomes her partner in one of history's greatest romances. Showing at: Warren East.
YOUTH IN REVOLT [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy See The Preview Cast: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Justin Long, Jean Smart, Ari Graynor, Fred Willard, Zach Galifianakis, Mary Kay Place, Rooney Mara. Plot: a unique, but affable teen with a taste for the finer things in life falls hopelessly in love with a beautiful, free-spirited young woman while on a family vacation. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving, 1/7/2010
Derby Plaza -Did You Hear About The Morgans?
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Disney's A Christmas Carol, New Moon, Brothers, 2012
Palace West -The Box
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Disney's A Christmas Carol
Warren Old Town - Invictus
Warren West 21st - Nine, Invictus
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Disney's A Christmas Carol, New Moon, Brothers, 2012
Palace West -The Box
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Disney's A Christmas Carol
Warren Old Town - Invictus
Warren West 21st - Nine, Invictus
Monday, December 28, 2009
Leaving, 12/31/2009
Derby Plaza - nothing
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - nothing
Palace West -nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Brothers
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Disney's A Christmas Carol
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - nothing
Palace West -nothing
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Brothers
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Disney's A Christmas Carol
Friday, December 25, 2009
SHERLOCK HOLMES ***
Guy Ritchie directed this Action/Mystery which stars: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly. Watch The Preview Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material. Running time is two hours and eight minutes.
Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes (Downey Jr.) along with his friend Watson (Law) will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.
This is a Holmes unlike any you've seen before. That goes for Watson, also. They're much more contemporary characters although set in Merry Olde England. Personally, my favorite Holmes was portrayed by Jeremy Brett on PBS but that's just a matter of taste. Downey Jr. is fantastic as always and Law's Watson is much more an equal that we normally expect. McAdams does her part very well, what there is of it. The story is interesting, the pacing is very good and the production values are top notch. I found this to be a very good action drama and well worth your time during the holidays. While the big screen and surround sound is nice it isn't absolutely essential so you will enjoy this as much on DVD if you prefer to wait.
Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes (Downey Jr.) along with his friend Watson (Law) will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.
This is a Holmes unlike any you've seen before. That goes for Watson, also. They're much more contemporary characters although set in Merry Olde England. Personally, my favorite Holmes was portrayed by Jeremy Brett on PBS but that's just a matter of taste. Downey Jr. is fantastic as always and Law's Watson is much more an equal that we normally expect. McAdams does her part very well, what there is of it. The story is interesting, the pacing is very good and the production values are top notch. I found this to be a very good action drama and well worth your time during the holidays. While the big screen and surround sound is nice it isn't absolutely essential so you will enjoy this as much on DVD if you prefer to wait.
Worthwhile (or not), 12/25/2009
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 don't agree with the consensus of the national reviewers this week. I don't think ALVIN and UP IN THE AIR should be as highly rated as they are while I thought SHERLOCK was more entertaining than these numbers would indicate.
42 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,
58 It's Complicated,
49 Nine,
55 Sherlock Holmes,
83 Up in the Air
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 SHERLOCK HOLMES will be posted after 4:30 pm.
42 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,
58 It's Complicated,
49 Nine,
55 Sherlock Holmes,
83 Up in the Air
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 SHERLOCK HOLMES will be posted after 4:30 pm.
UP IN THE AIR **½
Jason Reitman wrote and directed this Drama starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Tamala Jones, Chris Lowell. Watch The Preview Rated R for language and some sexual content. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.
A corporate hatchet man (Clooney) who loves his life on the road is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. He is required to take a trainee with him (Kendrick), and spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he's worked toward for years: reaching ten million frequent flyer miles, and shortly after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams (Farmiga).
I know all the critics have been raving about this film but I didn't find it particularly satisfying. It's very well made, with a good cast and a pace that moves right along, but at the conclusion I was left feeling there was no real point to the story. I can't go much further without ruining the plot for you but I can tell you if you're looking for an uplifting, holiday style film, this isn't it. At another time of year I might feel a bit differently about the story, but in my opinion you should wait for the DVD since the big screen isn't really important in this case. Of course, if you're in the mood for a somewhat depressing drama, never mind.
A corporate hatchet man (Clooney) who loves his life on the road is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. He is required to take a trainee with him (Kendrick), and spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he's worked toward for years: reaching ten million frequent flyer miles, and shortly after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams (Farmiga).
I know all the critics have been raving about this film but I didn't find it particularly satisfying. It's very well made, with a good cast and a pace that moves right along, but at the conclusion I was left feeling there was no real point to the story. I can't go much further without ruining the plot for you but I can tell you if you're looking for an uplifting, holiday style film, this isn't it. At another time of year I might feel a bit differently about the story, but in my opinion you should wait for the DVD since the big screen isn't really important in this case. Of course, if you're in the mood for a somewhat depressing drama, never mind.
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL *
Betty Thomas directed this Family Comedy starring: Jason Lee, Justin Long, David Cross, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Amy Poehler, Zachary Levi. Watch The Preview Rated PG for some mild rude humor. Running time is one hour and forty minutes.
Alvin, Simon and Theodore finally meet their match – and maybe more – in the newly arrived female trio, The Chipettes.
My problem with this film is there's simply no reason for it. It's not in the least entertaining for adults and kids will be just as happy with the first one and if they just have to see this one I'm sure it will be available on DVD shortly. Lee is out of sight through most of the film and the majority of the stellar cast is never seen, just heard as a chipmunk voice. This is simply a waste of money.
Alvin, Simon and Theodore finally meet their match – and maybe more – in the newly arrived female trio, The Chipettes.
My problem with this film is there's simply no reason for it. It's not in the least entertaining for adults and kids will be just as happy with the first one and if they just have to see this one I'm sure it will be available on DVD shortly. Lee is out of sight through most of the film and the majority of the stellar cast is never seen, just heard as a chipmunk voice. This is simply a waste of money.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Opening, 12/23 and 12/25/2009
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
Opens Wednesday, 12/23/09:
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL [PG] 1 hr. 29 min. Family Comedy Watch The Preview Cast: Jason Lee, Justin Long, David Cross, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Amy Poehler, Zachary Levi. Plot: Alvin, Simon and Theodore finally meet their match – and maybe more – in the newly arrived female trio, The Chipettes. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
UP IN THE AIR [R] 1 hr. 49 min. Drama Watch The Preview Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Tamala Jones, Chris Lowell. Plot: a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. He is required to spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he's worked toward for years: reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and just after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Opens Friday, 12/25/09:
IT'S COMPLICATED [R] 1 hr. 59 min. Comedy Watch The Preview Cast: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell, Zoe Kazan, Mary Kay Place, Nora Dunn, Bruce Altman, Rita Wilson. Plot: the mother of three grown kids has—after a decade of divorce—an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, who has remarried. But, when they find themselves out of town for their son’s college graduation, an innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable—an affair. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
NINE [PG-13] 1 hr. 50 min. Drama/Musical Watch The Preview Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Stacy Ferguson, Sophia Loren. Plot: a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of a world famous film director as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife, his mistress, his film star muse, his confidant and costume designer, a young American fashion journalist, the whore from his youth, and his mother. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
SHERLOCK HOLMES [PG-13] 2 hrs. 10 min. Action/Mystery Watch The Preview Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly. Plot: revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Leaving, 12/22 and (12/24)/2009
Derby Plaza - (Old Dogs, Twilight: New Moon)
Movie Machine - Old Dogs (Twilight: New Moon)
Northrock 14 - Disney's A Christmas Carol, Old Dogs (Armored, Everybody's Fine, Ninja Assassin)
Palace West -nothing (Saw VI, G-Force, Invention Of Lying)
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Planet 51, Armored, 2012, Everybody's Fine (Boondock Saints II, Precious, Ninja Assassin)
Warren Old Town - 2012 (Twilight: New Moon)
Warren West 21st - Everybody's Fine, Planet 51, Armored, 2012 (Brothers, Old Dogs)
Movie Machine - Old Dogs (Twilight: New Moon)
Northrock 14 - Disney's A Christmas Carol, Old Dogs (Armored, Everybody's Fine, Ninja Assassin)
Palace West -nothing (Saw VI, G-Force, Invention Of Lying)
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Planet 51, Armored, 2012, Everybody's Fine (Boondock Saints II, Precious, Ninja Assassin)
Warren Old Town - 2012 (Twilight: New Moon)
Warren West 21st - Everybody's Fine, Planet 51, Armored, 2012 (Brothers, Old Dogs)
Friday, December 18, 2009
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? **½
Marc Lawrence wrote and directed this Romantic Comedy which stars: Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Elliott, Mary Steenburgen, Elisabeth Moss, Michael Kelly, and Wilford Brimley. Watch The Preview Rated PG-13 for some sexual references and momentary violence. Running time is one hour and forty-three minutes.
A highly successful Manhattan couple(Grant and Parker) whose marriage is dissolving witness a murder and become targets of a contract killer. The Feds, protecting their witnesses, whisk them away from their beloved New York to a tiny town in Wyoming and into the home of a U.S. Marshal and his wife (Elliott and Steenburgen), and a relationship that was on the rocks threatens to end completely in the Rockies... unless, in their new BlackBerry-free lives, the Morgans can slow down the pace and rekindle the passion.
This is a very predictable but enjoyable film whose basic plot is mostly shown in the preview. Whether or not you'll find this enjoyable depends on whether you like Grant and Parker and if you feel they have some chemistry. I happen to like both and thought the screen chemistry between them was good so I found this film entertaining. I also enjoyed seeing Elliott and Steenburgen, who are both seen all too rarely these days. Even Brimley was a pleasant surprise since I haven't seen him in anything but TV commercials for years. If you don't want to spend the money right now to see this in a theatre, the DVD will do quite nicely when it appears.
A highly successful Manhattan couple(Grant and Parker) whose marriage is dissolving witness a murder and become targets of a contract killer. The Feds, protecting their witnesses, whisk them away from their beloved New York to a tiny town in Wyoming and into the home of a U.S. Marshal and his wife (Elliott and Steenburgen), and a relationship that was on the rocks threatens to end completely in the Rockies... unless, in their new BlackBerry-free lives, the Morgans can slow down the pace and rekindle the passion.
This is a very predictable but enjoyable film whose basic plot is mostly shown in the preview. Whether or not you'll find this enjoyable depends on whether you like Grant and Parker and if you feel they have some chemistry. I happen to like both and thought the screen chemistry between them was good so I found this film entertaining. I also enjoyed seeing Elliott and Steenburgen, who are both seen all too rarely these days. Even Brimley was a pleasant surprise since I haven't seen him in anything but TV commercials for years. If you don't want to spend the money right now to see this in a theatre, the DVD will do quite nicely when it appears.
AVATAR 3D & 2D ***
James Cameron wrote and directed this Sci/Fi drama starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Peter Mensah, Laz Alonso, Wes Studi, Stephen Lang, Matt Gerald. Watch The Preview Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking. Running time is two hours and forty-two minutes.
A former Marine (Worthington) confined to a wheelchair finds something worth fighting for on a distant world. Recruited to join an expedition to the moon Pandora, which corporate interests are strip-mining for a mineral worth $20 million per kilogram on Earth, his consciousness is linked into a human-Na'vi (the native inhabitants) hybrid – a fully living, breathing body that resembles the Na'vi but possesses the individual human's thoughts, feelings and personality – known as an "avatar." His mission is to interact with and infiltrate the Na'vi with the hope of enlisting their help – or at least their acquiescence – in mining the ore.
This was a little less than I'd hoped for although that should be expected after all the hype about the film for the past few months. The film's production quality is impressive, although it should be for $300 million, but the plot is very predictable and that was a letdown. The creation of an entire world, Pandora, is really spectacular and is the main reason to see the picture. The 3D is quite good although I would suggest you sit closer to the front of the auditorium in order to become better immersed in the film. If you sit toward the back of a large auditorium the 3D effect is comprimised. The film's length is unnecessarily long, basically because of the extended battle scenes toward the end. This must be seen in a theatre to be really appreciated, the larger the better.
A former Marine (Worthington) confined to a wheelchair finds something worth fighting for on a distant world. Recruited to join an expedition to the moon Pandora, which corporate interests are strip-mining for a mineral worth $20 million per kilogram on Earth, his consciousness is linked into a human-Na'vi (the native inhabitants) hybrid – a fully living, breathing body that resembles the Na'vi but possesses the individual human's thoughts, feelings and personality – known as an "avatar." His mission is to interact with and infiltrate the Na'vi with the hope of enlisting their help – or at least their acquiescence – in mining the ore.
This was a little less than I'd hoped for although that should be expected after all the hype about the film for the past few months. The film's production quality is impressive, although it should be for $300 million, but the plot is very predictable and that was a letdown. The creation of an entire world, Pandora, is really spectacular and is the main reason to see the picture. The 3D is quite good although I would suggest you sit closer to the front of the auditorium in order to become better immersed in the film. If you sit toward the back of a large auditorium the 3D effect is comprimised. The film's length is unnecessarily long, basically because of the extended battle scenes toward the end. This must be seen in a theatre to be really appreciated, the larger the better.
THE ROAD *
John Hillcoat directed this Drama which stars: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Guy Pearce. Watch The Preview Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language. Running time is one hour and fifty-one minutes.
Based on Cormac McCarthy's best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel: an epic post apocalyptic tale of a journey taken by a father (Mortensen) and his young son (Smit-McPhee) across a barren landscape blasted by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed civilization and most life on earth.
I review for entertainment value and there's no way this is in any way entertaining. In fact, this is the singularly most depressing film I've ever seen. That doesn't mean I don't recognize its quality and that it spectacularly portrays the world in which it's set, but this is as far from entertainment as you can get. The film has been completed for over a year and I can certainly understand the hesitation in releasing it...there's simply no way to sell it. But, why now? The Christmas season is not the time for a film that makes you think about ending it all. If you want to see it, I'd hurry. This is not going to be around for long. There's no particular reason to see it in a theatre as a large screen adds nothing.
Based on Cormac McCarthy's best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel: an epic post apocalyptic tale of a journey taken by a father (Mortensen) and his young son (Smit-McPhee) across a barren landscape blasted by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed civilization and most life on earth.
I review for entertainment value and there's no way this is in any way entertaining. In fact, this is the singularly most depressing film I've ever seen. That doesn't mean I don't recognize its quality and that it spectacularly portrays the world in which it's set, but this is as far from entertainment as you can get. The film has been completed for over a year and I can certainly understand the hesitation in releasing it...there's simply no way to sell it. But, why now? The Christmas season is not the time for a film that makes you think about ending it all. If you want to see it, I'd hurry. This is not going to be around for long. There's no particular reason to see it in a theatre as a large screen adds nothing.
Worthwhile (or not), 12/18/2009
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 don't agree with the consensus of the national reviewers this week. From an entertainment standard, there is simply no way ROAD beats MORGANS since ROAD is in absolutely no way entertaining. MORGANS may be predictable but at least it has a few laughs while ROAD makes you want to go out and shoot yourself.
82 Avatar,
25 Did You Hear About the Morgans?,
64 Road, 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 reviews of AVATAR, DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS and THE ROAD will be posted after 4:30 pm.
82 Avatar
,25 Did You Hear About the Morgans?,
64 Road, 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 reviews of AVATAR, DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS and THE ROAD will be posted after 4:30 pm.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Opening, 12/18/2009
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
AVATAR 3D & 2D [PG-13] 2 hrs. 35 min. Sci/Fi Watch The Preview Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Peter Mensah, Laz Alonso, Wes Studi, Stephen Lang, Matt Gerald. Plot: a former Marine confined to a wheelchair finds something worth fighting for on a distant world. Recruited to join an expedition to the moon Pandora, which corporate interests are strip-mining for a mineral worth $20 million per kilogram on Earth, his consciousness is linked into a human-Na'vi (the native inhabitants) hybrid – a fully living, breathing body that resembles the Na'vi but possesses the individual human's thoughts, feelings and personality – known as an "avatar." His mission is to interact with and infiltrate the Na'vi with the hope of enlisting their help – or at least their acquiescence – in mining the ore. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? [R] 1 hr. 43 min. Comedy Watch The Preview Cast: Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Elliott, Mary Steenburgen, Elisabeth Moss, Michael Kelly, Wilford Brimley. Plot: a highly successful Manhattan couple whose marriage is disolving witness a murder and become targets of a contract killer. The Feds, protecting their witnesses, whisk them away from their beloved New York to a tiny town in Wyoming, and a relationship that was on the rocks threatens to end completely in the Rockies... unless, in their new BlackBerry-free lives, the Morgans can slow down the pace and rekindle the passion. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
THE ROAD [R] 1 hr. 52 min. Drama Watch The Preview Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Guy Pearce. Plot: based on Cormac McCarthy's beloved, best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel: an epic post apocalyptic tale of a journey taken by a father and his young son across a barren landscape blasted by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed civilization and most life on earth. Showing at: Warren East.
Leaving, 12/17/2009
Derby Plaza - Christmas Carol
Movie Machine - Planet 51
Northrock 14 - Planet 51, Transylmania
Palace West -Whiteout, Inglourius Basterds, Shorts, Surrogates, Julie & Julia
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - The Men Who Stare At Goats, An Education, Planet 51
Warren Old Town - Ninja Assassin, Old Dogs
Warren West 21st - Law Abiding Citizen, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Ninja Assassin
Movie Machine - Planet 51
Northrock 14 - Planet 51, Transylmania
Palace West -Whiteout, Inglourius Basterds, Shorts, Surrogates, Julie & Julia
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - The Men Who Stare At Goats, An Education, Planet 51
Warren Old Town - Ninja Assassin, Old Dogs
Warren West 21st - Law Abiding Citizen, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Ninja Assassin
Friday, December 11, 2009
INVICTUS **½
Clint Eastwood directed this drama which stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. SEE THE PREVIEW Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. Running time is two hours and fourteen minutes.
Tells the true story of how Nelson Mandela (Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team (Damon) to help unite their country soon after Mandela was elected President.
If you enjoy well crafted, well acted dramas that feature the sport of rugby, this might be a film you'll enjoy. For me, however, the pacing was too slow, the action nonexistent, and the film too unnecessarily long to be truly satisfying. Additionally, the plot covers a subject most in this country long ago ceased to be interested in. Compound that with the fact a fair amount of time is spent watching rugby, a sport I and the majority of Americans are not familiar with, and you have a film I don't think most will find ultimately satisfying. The big screen adds virtually nothing to the film so feel free to wait until you can watch it at home.
Tells the true story of how Nelson Mandela (Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team (Damon) to help unite their country soon after Mandela was elected President.
If you enjoy well crafted, well acted dramas that feature the sport of rugby, this might be a film you'll enjoy. For me, however, the pacing was too slow, the action nonexistent, and the film too unnecessarily long to be truly satisfying. Additionally, the plot covers a subject most in this country long ago ceased to be interested in. Compound that with the fact a fair amount of time is spent watching rugby, a sport I and the majority of Americans are not familiar with, and you have a film I don't think most will find ultimately satisfying. The big screen adds virtually nothing to the film so feel free to wait until you can watch it at home.
Worthwhile (or not), 12/11/2009
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 a good week for new films with a Clint Eastwood drama about Nelson Mandela and a Disney animated feature for the family.
74 Invictus,
73 Princess & the Frog, 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 INVICTUS will be posted after 4:30 pm.
74 Invictus,
73 Princess & the Frog, 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 INVICTUS will be posted after 4:30 pm.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Opening, 12/11/2009
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
INVICTUS [PG] 2 hrs. 13 min. Drama SEE THE PREVIEW Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon. Plot: tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG [G] 1 hr. 37 min.Animated Musical Comedy SEE THE PREVIEW Cast: Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey. Plot: a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl , a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving, 12/10/2009
Derby Plaza - Fantastic Mr. Fox
Movie Machine - Disney's A Christmas Carol 2D
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Capitalism: A Love Story, Fame
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Transylmania
Warren Old Town - Disney's A Christmas Carol 3D
Warren West 21st - Transylmania, Men Who Stare At Goats
Movie Machine - Disney's A Christmas Carol 2D
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Capitalism: A Love Story, Fame
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Transylmania
Warren Old Town - Disney's A Christmas Carol 3D
Warren West 21st - Transylmania, Men Who Stare At Goats
Friday, December 04, 2009
EVERYBODY'S FINE *½
Kirk Jones wrote and directed this Drama starring: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, and Sam Rockwell. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language. Running time is one hour and forty minutes.
A widower (DeNiro) embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children (Barrymore, Beckinsale, Rockwell) only to discover their lives are far from perfect.
This is a first rate cast trapped in a Hallmark Hall Of Fame quality movie. It's something you'd probably enjoy watching for free at home but might resent paying for at a theatre, especially since the theatre experience adds nothing to the film. On top of that, it's mostly a downer and not likely to thrust you into the Christmas spirit. On the positive side, the length is about right and the ending is a little more upbeat. About the only people who will be pleased with this effort are the four cast leads who can take their no doubt substantial checks and buy some really nice gifts for their families and friends. There are better pictures coming...wait for them.
A widower (DeNiro) embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children (Barrymore, Beckinsale, Rockwell) only to discover their lives are far from perfect.
This is a first rate cast trapped in a Hallmark Hall Of Fame quality movie. It's something you'd probably enjoy watching for free at home but might resent paying for at a theatre, especially since the theatre experience adds nothing to the film. On top of that, it's mostly a downer and not likely to thrust you into the Christmas spirit. On the positive side, the length is about right and the ending is a little more upbeat. About the only people who will be pleased with this effort are the four cast leads who can take their no doubt substantial checks and buy some really nice gifts for their families and friends. There are better pictures coming...wait for them.
Worthwhile (or not), 12/4/09
Here's MetaCritic's numerical rank of this week's films (xx/100 - the higher the number, the better the critics liked the film). You know you're in for a good weekend when two of the four movies weren't screened for the reviewers by the distributors, telling you the critics are going to hate the films and the distributors hope to get your money before you learn how bad the films are. Brothers is the strongest of the other two although it certainly didn't entice me to see it and Everybody's Fine has a stellar cast trapped in a Hallmark plot.
xx Armored,
63 Brothers,
40 Everybody's Fine,
xx Transylmania
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 EVERYBODY'S FINE will be posted after 4:30 pm.
xx Armored,
63 Brothers,
40 Everybody's Fine,
xx Transylmania
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 EVERYBODY'S FINE will be posted after 4:30 pm.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Opening, 12/4/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
ARMORED [PG-13] 1 hr. 28 min. Action/Thriller Trailer Cast: Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne, Skeet Ulrich, Amaury Nolasco, Andre Jamal Kinney, Milo Ventimiglia, Fred Ward, Columbus Short. Plot: a crew at an armored transport security firm embark on the ultimate heist... against their own company. Armed with a seemingly fool-proof plan, the men plan on making off with a fortune with harm to none, but the plan quickly unravels and all bets are off. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
BROTHERS [R] 1 hr. 50 min. War/Drama Trailer Cast: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Bailee Madison, Taylor Geare, Patrick Flueger, Sam Shepard, Mare Winningham, Clifton Collins Jr., Josh Berry. Plot: when a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home—with consequences that will shake the foundation of the entire family. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
EVERYBODY'S FINE [PG-13] 1 hr. 35 min. Comedy/Drama Trailer Cast: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell. Plot: a widower embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children only to discover their lives are far from perfect. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
TRANSYLMANIA [R] 1 hr. 35 min. Comedy/Horror Trailer Cast: Patrick Cavanaugh, James DeBello, Tony Denman, Paul H. Kim, Jennifer Lyons, Oren Skoog, Irena A. Hoffman, David Steinberg, Musetta Vander, Natalie Garza, Nicole Garza. Plot: a wacky horror spoof, vampire action-adventure, and naughty college comedy features a motley group of college students embarking on the wildest, sexiest, most outrageous semester abroad ever at Razvan University. Showing at: Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.
Leaving, 12/3/09
Derby Plaza - nothing
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, Couple's Retreat, This Is It, Where The Wild Things Are
Palace West - 9, Whip It
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Couple's Retreat, Pirate Radio
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Fourth Kind
Movie Machine - nothing
Northrock 14 - Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, Couple's Retreat, This Is It, Where The Wild Things Are
Palace West - 9, Whip It
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Couple's Retreat, Pirate Radio
Warren Old Town - nothing
Warren West 21st - Fourth Kind
Monday, November 23, 2009
Opening, 11/25/09
For show times select your theatre under the SHOWIMES AT: header in the left column.
BOONDOCK SAINTS II: ALL SAINTS DAY [R] 1 hr. 58 min. Crime/Thriller Trailer Cast: Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery, Clifton Collins, Julie Benz, Judd Nelson, Robert Cochrane Marley Jr., Brian Mahoney, David Ferry, David Della Rocco, Peter Fonda, Billy Connolly. Plot: the highly-anticipated sequel to indie cult classic, "The Boondock Saints." The film is a tough saga of fraternal twins, the MacManus brothers who two have been in deep hiding in the quiet valleys of Ireland, far removed from their former lives or modern technologies. When word comes that a priest has been killed in Boston, they return to bring justice to the killers. Showing at: Warren East.
AN EDUCATION [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour, Matthew Beard, Sally Hawkins. Plot: a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s London, who becomes involved with a playboy nearly twice her age. Showing at: Warren East.
THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX [PG] 1 hr. 27 min. Animated/Family Trailer Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Jarvis Cocker. Plot: film based on the best selling children's book by Roald Dahl (author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach"). Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
NINJA ASSASSIN [R] 1 hr. 39 min. Action Trailer Cast: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Sho Kosugi, Rick Yune. Plot: a trained killer and a Europol agent become entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
OLD DOGS [PG] 1 hr. 28 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Ella Bleu Travolta, Lori Loughlin, Matt Dillon. Plot: two best friends -- one unlucky-in-love divorcee and the other a fun-loving bachelor -- have their lives turned upside down when they're unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
AN EDUCATION [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Drama Trailer Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour, Matthew Beard, Sally Hawkins. Plot: a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s London, who becomes involved with a playboy nearly twice her age. Showing at: Warren East.
THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX [PG] 1 hr. 27 min. Animated/Family Trailer Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Jarvis Cocker. Plot: film based on the best selling children's book by Roald Dahl (author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach"). Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
NINJA ASSASSIN [R] 1 hr. 39 min. Action Trailer Cast: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Sho Kosugi, Rick Yune. Plot: a trained killer and a Europol agent become entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
OLD DOGS [PG] 1 hr. 28 min. Comedy Trailer Cast: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Ella Bleu Travolta, Lori Loughlin, Matt Dillon. Plot: two best friends -- one unlucky-in-love divorcee and the other a fun-loving bachelor -- have their lives turned upside down when they're unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.
Leaving, 11/24/09
Derby Plaza -
Movie Machine - Where The Wild Things Are, Astro Boy
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - The Informant, Time Traveler's Wife, The Proposal
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Paranormal Activity, Law Abiding Citizen, The Fourth Kind, The Box
Warren Old Town - Law Abiding Citizen, Men Who Stare At Goats
Warren West 21st - Amelia, Paranormal Activity, The Box
Movie Machine - Where The Wild Things Are, Astro Boy
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - The Informant, Time Traveler's Wife, The Proposal
Starlite Drive-In - Closed for the Winter
Warren East 13th - Paranormal Activity, Law Abiding Citizen, The Fourth Kind, The Box
Warren Old Town - Law Abiding Citizen, Men Who Stare At Goats
Warren West 21st - Amelia, Paranormal Activity, The Box
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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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