Cowboys And Aliens **½

Jon Favreau directed this Sci-Fi/Action/Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Adam Beach, Paul Dano, Noah Ringer, Keith Carradine, Clancy Brown, Ana de la Reguera, Abigail Spencer.  Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.

A film which crosses the classic Western with the alien-invasion movie in a blazingly original way:  a lone cowboy leads an uprising against a terror from beyond our world.

I have been eagerly waiting for this one but was disappointed when all was said and done. The Western is pretty much every cliched Western you've ever seen and so is the Sci-Fi part. But, putting them together doesn't make for twice as interesting. At least not in this case. Craig is good as the cowboy who can't remember who he is. Ford and Wilde are in parts that don't allow for much acting range. The film will provide some entertainment for a couple of hours but will be enjoyed more by Western fans than by those who like a good alien flick. The biggest screen and the best sound possible will add to your enjoyment. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 7/29/11

MetaCritic indicates CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE (68) is liked best by the national reviewers this week, followed by COWBOYS AND ALIENS (51), and THE SMURFS (35). I've seen two of the three and and found one of them to be very good. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My reviews of COWBOYS AND ALIENS(**½) and CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE (***½) will be available today (Friday) at 4:30 p.m. If you can't wait that long for reviews,  see below.

Rolling Stone review of  COWBOYS and ALIENS.
Variety review of  CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE.
The Globe And Mail review of  THE SMURFS.

Opening 7/29/11

For Wichita show times select a theatre at the end of each synopsis. For most other cities, select any theatre below a synopsis or review and enter other town/state below "Change Location", press enter. Next times, just press change. Friday times appear Wednesdays.

Cowboys And Aliens [PG-13] 1 hr. 58 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Adam Beach, Paul Dano, Noah Ringer, Keith Carradine, Clancy Brown, Ana de la Reguera, Abigail Spencer. Plot: a film which crosses the classic Western with the alien-invasion movie in a blazingly original way:  a lone cowboy leads an uprising against a terror from beyond our world. Showing at:  Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Crazy, Stupid, Love [PG-13] 1 hr. 58 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, John Carroll Lynch, Jonah Bobo, Analeigh Tipton, Josh Groban, Liza Lapira, Joey King. Plot: when a fortysomething, straight-laced man (Steve Carell)  learns that his wife, (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his "perfect" life quickly unravels. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Smurfs 2D, 3D [PG] 1 hr. 49 min. Family comedy Watch Preview Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, Anton Yelchin, Jonathan Winters, Katy Perry, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, George Lopez, Paul Reubens, John Oliver, Kenan Thompson, B.J. Novak, Jeff Foxworthy, Wolfgang Puck, Gary Basaraba, Tim Gunn. Plot: when the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours – right in the middle of Central Park. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 7/28/11

Derby Plaza - Winnie The Pooh, Cars 2, Horrible Bosses, Zookeeper

Movie Machine - Transformers, Cars 2

Northrock 14 -

Palace West - Judy Moody, Water For Elephants

Starlite Drive-In - 

Warren East 13th - Beginners, Super 8, Bridesmaids

Warren Old Town - Transformers 2D, Bad Teacher, Harry Potter 7.2 3D

Warren West 21st - Pirates Of The Caribbean, Cars 2 3D, Transformers 3D

Friends With Benefits ***½

Will Gluck directed this Romantic comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenberg, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson. Rated R for some violent content and brief sexuality. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.

A couple  (Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis) think it's going to be easy to add sex to their friendship. They soon discover, however, that getting physical really does lead to complications.

Finally, a romantic comedy with a great  cast; funny,  well written script; and characters you actually care about. I don't  understand why that's so hard to do but it sure hasn't been happening often the last few years, which is why this film is such a standout. The two leads are very believable and Kunis, especially, is fantastic. The supporting cast is top notch and adds an aura of believability to the proceedings. There's some use of profanity but nothing like we've been seeing of late in comedies. The nudity is very underplayed and shouldn't present a problem for most. The size of the screen won't matter but seeing this with a lot of others will add to your enjoyment.

Captain America: The First Avenger ***

Joe Johnston directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, Stanley Tucci. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action. Running time is two hours and five minutes.

A man (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.

This is a cut above average for the comic book films we've been blessed with as of late. Plenty of action but with some humor in a well written script. I liked placing the story during the WWII era which may make the film more interesting to an older audience. This is never going on your top ten list but it does entertain for a couple of hours. I saw the 3D version which is better than average in its effects, including a scene which made me jump back, a first for the new breed of 3D films. Still, I don't think you'll be missing anything if you choose the 2D version. The ending is rather abrupt but if you stay all the way through the credits you'll see  why, with a preview of next summer's sequel. 3D Theatres/Times. 2D Theatres/Times. 

Worthwhile (or not) 7/22/11

MetaCritic indicates BEGINNERS (81) is liked best by the national reviewers this week, followed by CAPTAIN AMERICA (66), and FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (61). These are all good scores which means you've got a good chance of liking which of them strikes your fancy.  I've seen two of the three and liked both of them. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My reviews of CAPTAIN AMERICA(***) and FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (***½) will be available today (Friday) at 4:30 p.m. If you can't wait that long for reviews,  see below.

Roger Ebert review of  BEGINNERS.
The New York Times review of  CAPTAIN AMERICA.
Chicago Tribune review of  FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS.

Opening 7/22/11

For Wichita show times select a theatre at the end of each synopsis. For most other cities, select any theatre below a synopsis or review and enter other town/state below "Change Location", press enter. Next times, just press change. Friday times appear Wednesdays.

Beginners [R] 1 hr. 30 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Cosmo. Plot: following the death of his wife of 45 years, a man (Plummer) comes out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life, much to the surprise of his son (McGregor), who also has a developing romance (Laurent) . Showing at:  Warren East.

Captain America: The First Avenger [PG-13] 2 hrs. 4 min. Action Watch Preview Cast: Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, Stanley Tucci. Plot: a man (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Friends With Benefits [R] 1 hr. 50 min. Romantic comedy Watch Preview Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenberg, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson. Plot: a couple  (Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis) think it's going to be easy to add sex to their friendship. They soon discover, however, that getting physical really does lead to complications. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 7/21/11

Derby Plaza - Cars 2 3D

Movie Machine - nothing

Northrock 14 -

Palace West - Jumping The Broom, Madea's Big Happy Family, Something Borrowed

Starlite Drive-In - 

Warren East 13th - Green Lantern, X-Men: First Class, Mr. Popper's Penguins, Monte Carlo

Warren Old Town - Transformers 3D, Zookeeper

Warren West 21st - Hangover 2, Bridesmaids, Green Lantern

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2; 2D, 3D, Imax 3D ***½

David Yates directed this  Fantasy/Adventure. Watch Preview Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright, Kelly Macdonald. Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images. Running time is two hours and ten minutes.

The epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the Wizarding world escalates into an all-out war as Harry, Hermione and Ron battle to the death with Lord Voldemort.

It's taken us eight films to reach this point but this final installment was well worth the wait. I've watched all the previous films but I can't say I remember them all. Which is to say, you'll  enjoy this film whether you're a rabid fan or a casual observer. The time passed relatively quickly, the effects were very good and this film resolved the story nicely. I saw it in Imax 3D but I think you'll be fine as long as you can see it on the largest possible screen with good sound. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. Imax 3D times.

Worthwhile (or not) 7/15/11

MetaCritic indicates HARRY POTTER 7.2 (87) is the best of the week, followed by BUCK (76), and WINNIE THE POOH (73) in last place. These are all good scores but there's  no real doubt which pic will get the biggest boxoffice.  BUCK will probably be around for the least time so I wouldn't wait too long to see it. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My review of HARRY POTTER 7.2(***½) is available now on site.

Roger Ebert review of  Buck.
The New York Times review of HARRY POTTER 7.2
USA Today review of WINNIE THE POOH.

Opening 7/15/11

For Wichita show times select a theatre at the end of each synopsis. For most other cities, select any theatre below a synopsis or review and enter other town/state below "Change Location", press enter. Next times, just press change. Friday times appear Wednesdays.

Buck [PG] 1 hr. 29 min. Documentary Watch Preview Cast: Buck Brannaman. Plot: follows Brannaman,  a  real-life "horse-whisperer," who eschews violence and teaches people to communicate with their horses through instinct, not punishment. Showing at: Warren East.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 2D, 3D, Imax 3D [PG-13] 2 hr. 10 min. Fantasy/Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright, Kelly Macdonald. Plot: the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the Wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Winnie The Pooh [G] 1 hr. 10 min. Animated Watch Preview Voices of: Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny, Travis Oates, Bud Luckey, Jack Boulter, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Wyatt Hall, Huell Howser, John Cleese (Narrator). Plot: this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical "bear of very little brain" and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo—and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren West.

Leaving 7/14/11

Derby Plaza - Bad Teacher

Movie Machine - Monte Carlo, Mr. Popper's Penguins

Northrock 14 -

Palace West - Priest

Starlite Drive-In - 

Warren East 13th - Tree Of Life

Warren Old Town - Larry Crowne, Cars 2

Warren West 21st - Monte Carlo, Mr. Popper's Penguins

Horrible Bosses **

Seth Gordon  directed this Comedy. Watch Preview (red band) Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland, Julie Bowen, Jamie Foxx. Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material. Running time is one hour and forty minutes.

Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), feel the need to get rid of their intolerable bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston) into dust. With the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a  seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their bosses...permanently.

I had high hopes for this film but found it disappointing.  The plot is supposed to be funny because the three guys do such stupid things, but they acted so stupidly I was put off and unamused. Charlie Day's character specifically, is about as annoying as I've suffered through in some time. Bateman and Sudeikis aren't as bad and are occasionally humorous. Aniston will certainly change her screen image with this role although she does well with what she has to work with, even though her dialogue is as crude as anything I've seen on screen without an X rating. Farrell is almost unrecognizable with his terrible comb over. Spacey, Sutherland and Foxx are fine. Bowen is completely wasted which is a shame for such a fine actress. With a better written script this had the potential to be so much better, and actually funny. Too bad. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 7/8/11

MetaCritic indicates HORRIBLE BOSSES (48) is the best of the week, followed by ZOOKEEPER (33) in last place. Those are low scores, telling you this isn't a banner week no matter what the boxoffice figures say. But, you need to be saving your money for Harry next weekend, anyway.  Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My review of HORRIBLE BOSSES(**) will be available at 4:30 pm today (Friday).

Rolling Stone review of HORRIBLE BOSSES.
The New York Times review of ZOOKEEPER.

Opening 7/8/11

For Wichita show times select a theatre at the end of each synopsis. For most other cities, select any theatre below a synopsis or review and enter other town/state below "Change Location", press enter. Next times, just press change. Friday times appear Wednesdays.

Horrible Bosses [R] 1 hr. 38 min. Comedy Watch Preview (red band) Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland, Julie Bowen, Jamie Foxx. Plot:  Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), feel the need to get rid of their intolerable bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston) into dust. With the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a  seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their bosses...permanently. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Northrock 14, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Zookeeper [PG] 1 hr. 41 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, Joe Rogen, Ken Jeong, Cher, Nick Nolte, Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone, Judd Apatow, Jon Favreau, Maya Rudolph, Faizon Love. Plot: the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo love their kindhearted caretaker, Griffin Keyes (Kevin James). He decides the only way to get a girl in his life is to find a more glamorous job. The animals decide to reveal their biggest secret: they can talk, and teach him the rules of courtship - animal style. Showing at: Derby Plaza, Movie Machine, Northrock 14, Starlite Drive-In,  Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 7/7/11

Derby Plaza - Mr. Popper's Penguins, Super 8, Green Lantern

Movie Machine - Super 8, Kung Fu Panda 2
Northrock 14 -
Palace West - Rango, Lincoln Lawyer
Starlite Drive-In - 

Warren East 13th - Hangover 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, Pirates Of The Caribbean 4
Warren Old Town - Green Lantern, Super 8, Hangover 2
Warren West 21st - Kung Fu Panda 2, X-Men: First Class

Larry Crowne **½

Tom Hanks co-wrote, directed and stars in this Comedy/Drama. Watch Preview Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Wilmer Valderrama, Pam Grier, Rami Malek, George Takei, Grace Gummer, Rita Wilson, Jon Seda. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual content. Running time is one hour and thirty-nine minutes.

A dramatic comedy about how the hard knocks from today's recession inspire one everyday guy to undergo a personal reinvention. He goes back to school, meets a hot teacher, and since he's divorced and she will be shortly, nature takes over.

This is an amiable film with actors we enjoy in a lightweight plot leading to an obvious conclusion.  It's a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half but you'll forget about it almost as soon as you're out the door. Hanks and Roberts are as good as you expect them to be. Mbatha-Raw (she starred in Undercovers) and Valderrama (you'll hardly recognize him as Fes from The 70's Show) make a nice support team. Women will find the romance more attractive than will men but it is a good date movie although I think it will appeal more to older audiences..Any size screen will do. Theatres/Times.

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon **

Michael Bay directed this Sci-Fi Action film. Watch Preview Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Ken Jeong, Patrick Dempsey, Alan Tudyk, John Turturro, Leonard Nimoy. Rated PG-13 for intense prolonged sequences of sci-fi action violence, mayhem and destruction, and for language, some sexuality and innuendo. Running time is two hours and thirty-seven minutes.

A mysterious event from Earth's past threatens to bring a war to Earth so big the Transformers alone will not be able to save us.

If you want to see the real difference between what adults and children enjoy, attend this film with grandchildren as I did. They loved it and I thought it was inane and stupid. It's a good thirty minutes too long and nothing really happens in it except the Transformers tear up everything in sight and Shia LaBeouf screams a lot. There is the fact that Huntington-Whitely, who displays no acting ability whatsoever, does have the ability to roll around on the ground, slide on floors and participate in all kinds of action without ever getting her white jacket even slightly smudged. Amazing! Plainly put, this is all action with only the barest hint of a plot. If that sounds  good, the CGI effects are very good and this is the best 3D I've seen in a non-animated film. A big screen and good sound are essential if you expect to get anything at all out of your investment. 2D Theatres/Times, 3D Theatres/Times, Imax Times.

Worthwhile (or not), 7/1/2011

MetaCritic indicates TRANSFORMERS 3 (42) and MONTE CARLO (42) are tied for the best of the week, followed by LARRY CROWNE (41) in last place. Those are low scores, telling you this isn't a banner week no matter what the boxoffice figures say. How you will feel about those scores will depend on your age as these three are aimed at very different audiences. Check out the MetaCritic website for additional comments on each film.

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

My review of TRANSFORMERS 3 (**) is on site now and LARRY CROWNE (**½) will be available at 4:30 pm today (Friday).