The Wedding Ringer **

Jeremy Garelick co-wrote and directed this Comedy. Watch Preview. Cast: Cloris Leachman, Jenifer Lewis, Kevin Hart, Olivia Thirlby, Mimi Rogers, Josh Gad, Ken Howard, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting. Rated R for crude and sexual content, language throughout, some drug use and brief graphic nudity. Running time is one hour and forty-one minutes.

A socially awkward groom-to-be (Josh Gad) is referred to the owner (Kevin Hart) of a company that provides flattering best men for socially challenged guys in need.

I'm not a Keven Hart fan. His style of humor, fast/loud talking, generally leaves me cold. But this time he's been reined in slightly. I don't know why or how, but I appreciate it. This film was slightly better than I'd expected. I actually laughed a few times at the sight gags. The rest of the cast is fine, with Gad being note perfect in his role as a social misfit. I don't think older viewers will be overly impressed with this film but younger viewers should enjoy it.

There are two short clips at the very end of the credits but they're hardly worth waiting for. Screen size is relatively unimportant. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 1/16/15

MetaCritic indicates Foxcatcher (82) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Paddington (77), American Sniper (73), Blackhat (49), Spare Parts (46) and The Wedding Ringer (30).  I saw two of these and found one of them slightly better than expected and the other not quite as good as hoped for. What I am positive about is the ratings this week will have no relationship to attendance figures. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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

Opening 1/16/15

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.

American Sniper [R] 2 hrs. 14 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Sienna Miller, Bradley Coope. Plot: the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history comes home to his family and discovers he can't leave the war behind. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West

Blackhat [R] 2 hrs. 13 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Viola Davis, Tang Wei, Chris Hemsworth, Wang Leehom. Plot: a furloughed convict and his American and Chinese partners hunt a high-level cybercrime network. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West

Foxcatcher [R] 2 hrs. 14 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Steve Carell, Sienna Miller, Vanessa Redgrave, Channing Tatum, Anthony Michael Hall. Plot: the story of the unlikely and ultimately tragic relationship between an eccentric multi-millionaire and two champion wrestlers. Showing at: Warren East

Paddington [PG] 1 hr. 35 min. Family Drama Watch Preview Cast: Jim Broadbent, Nicole Kidman, Ben Whishaw, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville. Plot: the story of the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) who travels to the city in search of a home. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West

Spare Parts [PG-13] 1 hr. 55 min. Family Drama Watch Preview Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Marisa Tomei, George Lopez, Esai Morales, Jose Julian, Alessandra Rosaldo, Carlos Pena, David Del Rio, Oscar Gutierrez, Alexa PenaVega. Plot: a true life story about four Hispanic high school students who form a robotics club that goes up against MIT. Showing at: Warren East

The Wedding Ringer [R] 1 hr. 41 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Cloris Leachman, Jenifer Lewis, Kevin Hart, Olivia Thirlby, Mimi Rogers, Josh Gad, Ken Howard, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting. Plot: a socially awkward groom-to-be (Josh Gad) is referred to the owner (Kevin Hart) of a company that provides flattering best men for socially challenged guys in need. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West

Leaving 1/15/15

Movie Machine - Woman In Black 2, Annie, Hobbit 3
Palace West - The Equalizer, Guardians Of The Galaxy
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the season
Warren East 13th - Big Eyes, The Gambler, Big Hero 6, Exodus, Penguins Of Madagascar, Interstellar, Horrible Bosses 2
Warren West 21st - Big Eyes, The Gambler, Annie, Horrible Bosses 2, Penguins Of Madagascar, Exodus, Hobbit 3 3D
Warren Old Town - Woman In Black 2, Unbroken, Hobbit 3

Taken 3 **

Olivier Megaton directed this Action/Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Famke Janssen, Liam Neeson, Dougray Scott, Forest Whitaker, Maggie Grace, Leland Orser, Sam Spruell. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for brief strong language. Running time is one hour and forty-nine minutes.

An ex-covert operative's (Neeson), reconciliation with his ex-wife (Janssen) is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered. Framed for the crime, he must use his "particular set of skills," to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice, and protect the only thing that matters to him now – his daughter (Grace).

There is a fair amount of action in this third rendition of the Taken franchise, but thrills are lacking. This appears to be a series that has simply run out of steam. In the first two films Neeson was trying to rescue someone, first his daughter and second his ex-wife. This time around he's trying to rescue himself from a jail cell, and that isn't as exciting. Production values and cast are all fine, it's just the plot that falls short. Action fans will be entertained but others will not find this a 'must see'.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A larger screen is preferable for an action film. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 1/9/15

MetaCritic indicates Selma (90) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Inherent Vice (82) and Taken 3 (30).  I saw Taken 3 and while certainly not great it will be satisfying for action fans. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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

Opening 1/9/15

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.

Inherent Vice [R] 2 hrs. 28 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, Owen Wilson, Martin Short, Katherine Waterston, Joanna Newson. Plot: private eye Doc Sportello's (Phoenix) ex-old lady suddenly shows up with a story about her current billionaire boyfriend, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap the billionaire and throw him in a loony bin. Showing at: Warren East.

Selma [PG-13] 2 hrs. 8 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Tim Roth, Tom Wilkinson, Giovanni Ribisi, Martin Sheen, Oprah Winfrey, Alessandro Nivola, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo, Common , Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint. Plot:chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Taken 3 [PG-13] 1 hr. 49 min. Action/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Famke Janssen, Liam Neeson, Dougray Scott, Forest Whitaker, Maggie Grace, Leland Orser, Sam Spruell. Plot: an ex-covert operative's (Neeson), reconciliation with his ex-wife is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered. Framed for the crime, he must use his "particular set of skills," to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice, and protect the only thing that matters to him now – his daughter. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Imitation Game [PG-13] 1 hr. 54 min. also starts a run at Warren West.

Leaving 1/8/15

Movie Machine - Unbroken
Palace West - nothing
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the season
Warren East 13th - Birdman
Warren West 21st - Interstellar
Warren Old Town - The Gambler, Night At The Museum 3

Worthwhile (or not) 1/2/15

MetaCritic indicates The Woman In Black 2: Angel Of Death (49) is the top ranking film this week, because it's the only new film this week. I don't consider horror films entertaining so I didn't watch it.  For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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

Opening 1/2/15

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.

Woman In Black 2: Angel Of Death [PG-13] 1 hr. 38 min. Horror Watch Preview Cast: Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox. Plot: when a group of orphaned children are forced to move from their home in London, caretakers (Phoebe Fox) and (Helen McCrory) bring everyone to the desolate and eerie British countryside and it isn't long before they starts to sense this house is not what it seems. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 1/1/15

Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - The Best Of Me, Boxtrolls, John Wick
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the season
Warren East 13th - Top Five, Hobbit 3 HFR 3D
Warren West 21st - Top Five
Warren Old Town - Exodus: Gods And Kings

Into The Woods **½

Rob Marshall directed this Musical. Watch Preview. Cast: Tracey Ullman, Frances de la Tour, Johnny Depp, Lucy Punch, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, Simon Russell Beale, Tammy Blanchard, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski. Rated PG for thematic elements, fantasy action and peril, and some suggestive material. Running time is two hours and four minutes.

A musical which follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

You see the description of this film and you think, 'a great holiday film for the kiddies'. Well, think again. Remember, this is the composer of Sweeney Todd  before you haul the little dears to the cinema. I like musicals but this would never be one of my favorites. Only the title song will stick for more than a few minutes in your mind and I'll bet you can't remember any of its lyrics other than the opening three. Production values are good and the cast is great.  You rarely hear most of them sing so that is novel in itself, and the fact they all sing very well is surprising. But the story is not the 'happily ever after' you're expecting which makes me wonder why the studio decided to release it during the Christmas season. Musicals and Sondheim fans will find this a 'must see'. But families looking for happy, wholesome fare should think twice.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. A large screen would be preferable. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 12/25/14

MetaCritic indicates The Imitation Game (72) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Into The Woods (71), Big Eyes (62), Unbroken (59) and The Gambler (55). I saw one of these and thought it fine but with some reservations  For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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

Opening 12/25/2014

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.

Big Eyes [PG-13] 1 hr. 46 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Danny Huston, Jason Schwartzman, Terence Stamp, Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Krysten Ritter. Plot: based on the true story of Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz), and his wife Margaret (Amy Adams), who was one of the most successful painters of the 1950s and early 1960s. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.
 
The Gambler [R] 1 hr. 52 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: John Goodman, Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams. Plot: an English professor and  high-stakes gambler (Mark Wahlberg) bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Imitation Game [PG-13] 1 hr. 54 min. Biographical Drama Watch Preview Cast: Keira Knightley, Allen Leech, Mark Strong, Charles Dance, Matthew Goode, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew Beard, Rory Kinnear. Plot: based  on the life of Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII. Showing at: Warren East.

Into The Woods [PG] 2 hrs. 5 min. Musical Watch Preview Cast: Tracey Ullman, Frances de la Tour, Johnny Depp, Lucy Punch, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, Simon Russell Beale, Tammy Blanchard, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski. Plot: a musical which follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Unbroken [PG-13] 2 hrs. 17 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Garrett Hedlund, Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Finn Wittrock, Miyavi. Plot: follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII—only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West. 

Leaving 12/24/14

Movie Machine - nothing
Palace West - The Judge, Book Of Life
Starlite Drive-In - closed for the season
Warren East 13th - PK
Warren West 21st - Theory Of Everything, Dumb And Dumber To, St.Vincent, The Hobbit 3D
Warren Old Town - Horrible Bosses 2, The Hobbit 3D, Mockingjay Pt 1, Exodus 3D

Annie **½

Will Gluck co-wrote and directed this Comedy/Musical. Watch Preview. Cast: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, David Zayas, Quvenzhané Wallis. Rated PG for some mild language and rude humor. Running time is one hour and fifty-eight minutes.

A new, contemporary vision about a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014.

What you think about this film will depend on whether you're considering it on its own or comparing it to the 1982 version. If you're comparing it to the Albert Finney, Carol Burnett version, this one isn't even close. The 1982 film had a slew of memorable songs and first rate acting. This version has new songs you'll never remember and actors, while good, who are out of place. Foxx is fine as the male lead and Wallis is cute and effective as Annie. But Diaz is too strident to be really effective and Byrne. a fine actress, is simply miscast in this role. If you want to consider this film as a family oriented social commentary with a few nondescript songs and a little laughter thrown in, then it has its moments and is mildly enjoyable. Kids should enjoy it. My wife watched this with me and enjoyed it more than I did (she would probably give it a higher rating).

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.

Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb **½

Shawn Levy directed  this Comedy/Adventure. Watch Preview. Cast: Robin Williams, Ben Kingsley, Steve Coogan, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Rebel Wilson, Dan Stevens. Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language. Running time is one hour and thirty-seven minutes.

Another adventure-filled Night At the Museum, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.

This (and possibly Annie) is the family film for the Christmas season. The kids will get much more excited about this than will their parents. It's really the same story once again with a few new characters plus a visit to London, but if you've seen either of the first two you've already seen the plot. I find it hard to believe Dan Stevens left Downton Abby to be Sir Lancelot in this but at least it does give us a last look at Mickey Rooney and Robin Williams, and it was nice to see Dick Van Dyke again, if only briefly. The cast and CGI effects are fine and it's a real pleasure to see a film less than two hours long.

There are some additional scenes once the final credits begin but nothing you really need to see. A large screen will enhance the impact of the special effects. Theatres/Times.

The Hobbit: The Battle Of Five Armies **½

Peter Jackson directed this Fantasy Adventure. Watch Preview. Cast: Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman, Stephen Fry, Jed Brophy, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, Billy Connolly, James Nesbitt, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Ken Stott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Graham McTavish, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lilly, Richard Armitage. Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images. Running time is two hours and twenty-four minutes.

The third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece by J.R.R. Tolkien.

This isn't a film I'm going to remember for long. It's very well made, has spectacular computer graphics and a very competent and talented cast. What it lacks is a story. That's to be expected since Jackson has turned a relatively small novel into three epic sized films; you've already seem most of the plot in the earlier releases. It's been long enough since the last one that I found myself struggling to remember just who the characters were. That turned out to be not much of a problem since the only thing you need to know is this is a bunch who really likes to fight. And fight they do, for two and a half hours. Tolkien fans and those who really, really like screen violence should find this a film to see. The rest will find this forgettable as soon as you leave the theatre. I saw this in 3D IMAX and found the screen quality excellent, as usual.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. If you're going to see this it should definitely be on a large screen. 2D Theatres/Times. 3D Theatres/Times. HFR 3D Times. 3D IMAX Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 12/19/14

MetaCritic indicates Wild (75) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Hobbit: Battle Of Five Armies (59), Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (45) and Annie (31). I saw three of these and found them all just so-so.  For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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

Opening 12/17, 19/14

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.

Wednesday 12/17/14

The Hobbit: The Battle Of Five Armies [PG-13] 2D/3D/IMAX 3D 2 hrs. 24 min. Fantasy Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman, Stephen Fry, Jed Brophy, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, Billy Connolly, James Nesbitt, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Ken Stott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Graham McTavish, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lilly, Richard Armitage. Plot: the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece by J.R.R. Tolkien. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Friday 12/19/14

Annie [PG]  1 hr. 59 min. Comedy/Musical Watch Preview Cast: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, David Zayas, Quvenzhané Wallis. Plot: a new, contemporary vision about a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb [PG] 1 hr. 40 min. Comedy/Adventure Watch Preview Cast: Robin Williams, Ben Kingsley, Steve Coogan, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Rebel Wilson, Dan Stevens. Plot: another adventure-filled Night At the Museum, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

PK [NR] 2hrs. 33 min. Fantasy/Drama Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma. Plot: an Indian comedy about a stranger in a city, who asks questions no one has asked before. Showing at: Warren East.

Wild [R] 1 hr. 55 min. Biographical Drama Watch Preview Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffmann. Plot: a woman (Witherspoon) undertakes a 1,100-mile solo hike as a way to recover from a recent catastrophe. Showing at: Warren East.