Opening 10/2/15

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.

Wednesday, 9/30

The Walk 2D/3D/IMAX 3D [PG] 2 hrs. 3 min.  Adventure/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale. Plot: only one man has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, he and his gang overcame long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan. Showing at: Warren West.

Friday, 10/2

The Martian 2D/3D [PG-13] 2 hr. 21 min. Adventure Drama Watch Preview Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Plot: during a manned mission to Mars, an Astronaut (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But he has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet, with help four years away. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Sicario [R] 2 hrs. 1 min. Action/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Victor Garber, Jon Bernthal. Plot: an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite government task force official (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 10/1/15

Movie Machine - The Visit
Palace West -  Sinister 2, Trainwreck, Fantastic Four, American Ultra, Max
Warren East 13th - MI5, Captive, Learning To Drive
Warren West 21st - 90 Minutes In Heaven, Straight Outta Compton, Vacation, Captive
Warren Old Town - The Perfect Guy, The Visit

The Intern ***

Nancy Meyers wrote and directed this Comedy/Drama. Watch Preview Cast: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Adam DeVine, Andrew Rannells, Linda Lavin, Christina Scherer, Celia Weston, JoJo Kushner, Zack Pearlman, Jason Orley, Nat Wolff. Rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and brief strong language. Running time is two hours and one minute.

A 70-year-old widower (Robert De Niro), discovers retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when he becomes an  intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by a young woman (Anne Hathaway).

This is an entertaining film, oriented mainly at women, but acceptable for couples in the thirty plus age group. It's a film whose every action is predictable and without twists or surprises. It's also a film with a first rate cast which makes it a pleasure to watch, even though you already know what's going to happen next. My one real quibble is its length. There's simply no reason for it to be two hours long. I can easily think of a couple of unnecessary sequences that should have been on the editing room floor, and that would have made the film pacing so much better. I don't think this will appeal at all to the usual teen/twenty crowd so you shouldn't have a problem getting to see it, but that also means you don't want to wait too long before you do.

There are no scenes after the credits begin. Screen size is unimportant. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 9/25/15

MetaCritic indicates Pawn Sacrifice (66) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Intern (51), and The Green Inferno (31). Evidently Hotel Transylvania 2 has not been screened as it has no score. I watched one of these and found it entertaining but think women will like it even more than I did. 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 9/25/15

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.

Everest 2D/3D expands its coverage this week after opening last week in Warren West only. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Green Inferno [R] 1 hr. 43 min. Horror/Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Lorenza Izzo, Ariel Levy, Daryl Sabara, Kirby Bliss Blanton. Plot: a group of student activists travel from New York City to the Amazon to save the rainforest, but soon discover that no good deed goes unpunished. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Hotel Transylvania 2 2D/3D [PG] 1 hr. 33 min. Animated Comedy Watch Preview Voices: Mel Brooks, Adam Sandler, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, Molly Shannon, Jon Lovitz, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Fran Drescher, Cee-Lo Green. Plot: the Drac pack is back for an all-new monster comedy adventure. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren West.

The Intern [PG-13] 1 hr. 52 min. Comedy/Drama Watch Preview Cast: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Adam DeVine, Andrew Rannells, Linda Lavin, Christina Scherer, Celia Weston, JoJo Kushner, Zack Pearlman, Jason Orley, Nat Wolff. Plot: a 70-year-old widower (Robert De Niro), discovering retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, becomes an  intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by a young woman (Anne Hathaway). Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Learning To Drive [R] 1 hr. 29 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Ben Kingsley, Patricia Clarkson, Jake Weber, Grace Gummer. Plot: a woman (Clarkson) whose husband is leaving her decides to learn to drive (from teacher Kingsley) so she can visit her daughter (Gummer) in college. Showing at: Warren East.

Pawn Sacrifice [PG-13] 1 hr. 56 min. Biographical drama Watch Preview Cast: Tobey Maguire, Peter Sarsgaard, Liev Schreiber, Lily Rabe. Plot: chronicles Bobby Fischer's (Maguire) terrifying struggles with genius and madness, and the rise and fall of a kid from Brooklyn who captured the imagination of the world. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 9/24/15

Movie Machine - Pixels, Minions, Inside Out
Palace West -  Hitman: Agent 47, The Gift, Paper Towns, San Andreas, Spu
Warren East 13th - Trainwreck, Straight Outta Compton, Transformer Refueled, Ant-Man, No Escape, Man From U.N.C.L.E., Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos, 90 Minutes In Heaven
Warren West 21st - No Escape, Sinister 2, Jurassic World, Transporter Refueled, Ant-Man, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
Warren Old Town - Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Black Mass ***½

Scott Cooper directed this Biographical Drama. Watch Preview. Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Joel Edgerton, Johnny Depp, Julianne Nicholson, Kevin Bacon. Rated R for brutal violence, language throughout, some sexual references and brief drug use. Running time is two hours and two minutes.

An FBI Agent (Joel Edgerton) persuades an Irish mobster (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate the Italian mob.

This is Depp's film all the way and he does an exceptional job in his role as the Irish, Chicago, mobster who got the F.B.I. to look the other way as he expanded his organization. Those who follow the news closely will already be familiar with this story, which the film fleshes out with detail. I found Depp very believable as Whitey Bulger, accurately portraying him as a vicious psychopath. Edgerton is very good as his F.B.I. boyhood friend, who tried his very best to protect him. The rest of the cast is just along for the ride, even Cumberbatch who portrays Bolger's brother plays no significant role. Those who are squeamish about violence should consider passing on this one, but anyone who enjoys  well written and performed drama should consider this a must see.

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

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials **½

Wes Ball directed this Sci-Fi Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Aidan Gillen, Dylan O'Brien, Giancarlo Esposito, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of violence and action, some thematic elements, substance use and language. Running time is two hours and eleven minutes.

The Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles.

There's a lot of action in this film but almost no plot progression, and to make things worse, when we finally reach the end, we're right back where we started. To compound all that, the film is unnecessarily long, making for a slow slog for those interested in a story as well as action. Production values are fine as is the cast. But other than being exposed to a new variety of zombie, I expect you'll leave the theatre feeling you've just spent two hours and gotten nothing in return.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 9/18/15

MetaCritic indicates Grandma (78) is the top ranking film this week, followed by Black Mass (68), Everest (63), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (43), and Captive (40). I watched two of these and found one to be excellent and the other action-filled but plotless. 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 9/18/15

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.

Black Mass [R] 2 hrs. 2 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Joel Edgerton, Johnny Depp. Plot: an FBI Agent (Joel Edgerton) persuades an Irish mobster (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate the Italian mob. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Captive [PG-13] 1 hr. 37 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: David Oyelowo, Kate Mara, Leonor Varela, Michael K. Williams, Mimi Rogers. Plot: a single mother struggling with drug addiction is  taken hostage in her own apartment by a man on the run from the law for breaking out of jail and murdering the judge assigned to his case. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Everest 3D/IMAX 3D [PG-13] 2 hrs. 1 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa, Thomas M. Wright. Plot: documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Showing at: Warren West.

Grandma [R] 1 hr. 19 min. Drama Watch Preview Cast: Elizabeth Peña, Judy Greer, Julia Garner, Laverne Cox, Lily Tomlin, Marcia Gay Harden, Nat Wolff. Plot: just after breaking up with her girlfriend, a woman's  (Lily Tomlin) granddaughter unexpectedly shows up needing $600 for an abortion. They spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets. Showing at: Warren East.

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials [PG-13] 2 hrs. 11 min. Sci-Fi Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Aidan Gillen, Dylan O'Brien, Giancarlo Esposito, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Plot: the Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Leaving 9/17/15

Movie Machine - Transporter Refueled
Palace West -  Magic Mike XXL, Terminator Genisys
Warren East 13th - Mr. Holmes, Mistress America, Inside Out, Hitman-Agent 47. The Gift, Sinister 2
Warren West 21st - Inside Out, Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Gift, Wolf Totem IMAX
Warren Old Town - Transporter Refueled, Vacation, Man From U.N.C.L.E., No Escape

The Visit *

M. Night Shyamalan directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie, Olivia DeJonge. Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including terror, violence and some nudity, and for brief language. Running time is one hour and thirty-four minutes.

A brother (Oxenbould) and sister (DeJonge) are sent to their grandparents' remote Pennsylvania farm by their mother (Hahn) for a weeklong trip, but discover the elderly couple (Dunagan, McRobbie) are deeply disturbed, making their chances of getting back home grow smaller every day.

The burning question this film asks is, "why on earth are film companies still giving Shyamalan money to make movies?"  The cast is fine as are the production values, but there are so few thrills in this film it quickly becomes a tedious bore. Oh, there are little oddities throughout, but nothing that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There is a Shyamalan twist at the end, but by then you're so disinterested it makes no difference. About the only people I can recommend this to are those suffering from insomnia, and I'm sure there are less painful ways to solve that problem.

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

Worthwhile (or not) 9/11/15

MetaCritic indicates Wolf Totem (54) is the top ranking film this week, followed by The Visit (51), with The Perfect Guy and 90 Minutes In Heaven both being unrated (never a good sign). I watched one of these and liked it even less than did the national critics. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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

Opening 9/11/15

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.

90 Minutes In Heaven [PG-13] 2 hrs. 1 min. Religious Drama Watch Preview Cast: Hayden Christensen, Kate Bosworth, Dwight Yoakam, Michael W. Smith, Fred Dalton Thompson, Jason Kennedy, Elizabeth Hunter. Plot: a man is brought back to life after having been declared dead. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

The Perfect Guy [PG-13] 1 hr. 40 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy, Kathryn Morris, Charles S. Dutton, Rutina Wesley. Plot: after a painful breakup, a woman (Sanaa Lathan) jumps into a passionate relationship with a charming stranger (Michael Ealy). When her ex-boyfriend (Morris Chestnut) resurfaces in her life she has to figure out who she should trust and who she should fear. Showing at: Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

The Visit [PG-13] 1 hr. 34 min. Thriller Watch Preview Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie, Olivia DeJonge. Plot: a brother and sister are sent to their grandparents' remote Pennsylvania farm for a weeklong trip but discover that the elderly couple is involved in something deeply disturbing, making their chances of getting back home grow smaller every day. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Wolf Totem [PG-13] IMAX Only 2 hrs. 1 min.Adventure drama Watch Preview Cast: Feng Shaofeng, Shawn Dou, Ankhnyam Ragchaa, Yin Zhuseng, Basen Zhabu. Plot: a young Beijing student is sent to live among the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia. Showing at: Warren West.

Leaving 9/10/15

Movie Machine - nothing.
Palace West -  nothing
Warren East 13th - Ricki And The Flash, Jurassic World, Pixels, Vacation, We Are Your Friends
Warren West 21st - Minions, We Are Your Friends, Hitaman-Agent 47, Transporter Refueled IMAX
Warren Old Town - Southpaw

The Transporter Refueled **

Camille Delamarre directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Ray Stevenson, Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol, Radivoje Bukvic, Gabriella Wright, Anatole Taubman, Tatiana Pajkovic. Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, sexual material, some language, a drug reference and thematic elements. Running time is one hour and thirty-six minutes.

A former special-ops mercenary (Ed Skrein) is engaged by a cunning femme-fatale (Loan Chabanol) and her three seductive sidekicks to orchestrate a bank heist designed to destroy their former employer.

Let's get right to the point. Ed Skrein is no Jason Statham, who starred first in this series. He isn't even in the league of Chris Vance, who plays the role in the TV series. As soon as that becomes obvious, and it doesn't take long, it's all downhill from there. The rest of the cast is fine and the scenery is interesting, but the plot is pure potboiler. There is plenty of action, so fans of that genre will be satisfied but the plot is pure manipulation, which will leave those who enjoy a good story disenchanted. This is clearly a European production and as such lacks the oomph of a major American film. Obviously, this is meant to be the first in a series, although it's not good enough to justify one. I watched the IMAX version which displays all the action nicely, but still, there's that nagging problem of a miscast lead and a dull plot.

There are no additional scenes once the credits begin. A larger screen will emphasize the action. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.

A Walk In The Woods **½

 Ken Kwapis directed this Adventure/Comedy. Watch Preview .Cast: Emma Thompson, Nick Nolte, Robert Redford, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal, Mary Steenburgen. Rated R for language and some sexual references. Running time is one hour and forty-four minutes.

A celebrated travel writer (Robert Redford) challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail, accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek (Nick Nolte). Now they're about to find out when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins.

This was an unexpected, pleasant surprise. At first glance this doesn't look like it has much going for it. But Redford and Nolte are very good in their roles, the scenery is fantastic, and the music is even pleasant (for a change). The rest of the cast is only seen briefly and don't add much to the story. There are several laughs along the way along with some adventure, but basically this is about two men, past their prime, trying to push themselves to the limit. Nolte looks and sounds bad, but the years haven't diminished his acting skills and he adds a lot to the story. I don't see younger audiences flocking to this but older patrons should find this to be an enjoyable couple of hours at the movies.

There are no additional scenes after the credits begin. A large screen is preferred. Theatres/Times.

Worthwhile (or not) 9/4/15

MetaCritic indicates Mistress America (75) is the top ranking film this week,  followed by A Walk In The Woods (51), and The Transformer Refueled (35). The was no rating for Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos. I watched two of these and and was in general agreement with the national critics. For national reviews take the link to the MetaCritic website for each film by clicking on the titles above.

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

Opening 9/2,4/15

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.

Wednesday 9/2

A Walk In The Woods [R] 1 hr. 44 min. Adventure/Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Emma Thompson, Nick Nolte, Robert Redford, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal, Mary Steenburgen. Plot: a celebrated travel writer (Robert Redford) challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail, accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek (Nick Nolte). Now they're about to find out  when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins. Showing at: Warren East, Warren West.

Friday 9/4

Inside Out [PG] 1 hr. 42 min. Animated film Disney Reissue Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East.

Mistress America [R] 1 hr. 26 min. Comedy Watch Preview Cast: Greta Gerwig, Lola Kirke, Matthew Shear, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, Heather Lind, Michael Chernus. Plot: a lonely college freshman (Kirke) is taken in by her soon-to-be stepsister (Gerwig) and seduced by her alluringly mad schemes. Showing at: Warren East.

Southpaw [R] 2 hrs, 4 min. Sports Drama Reissue Showing at: Warren Old Town.

The Transporter Refueled 2D/IMAX 2D [PG-13] 1 hr. 36 min. Action film Watch Preview Cast: Ray Stevenson, Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol, Radivoje Bukvic, Gabriella Wright, Anatole Taubman, Tatiana Pajkovic. Plot: a former special-ops mercenary (Ed Skrein) is engaged by a cunning femme-fatale (Loan Chabanol), and her three seductive sidekicks to orchestrate the bank heist of the century. Showing at: Movie Machine, Warren East, Warren Old Town, Warren West.

Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos [PG-13] 1 hr. 28 min. Animated film Watch Preview Voices: Bruno Bichir, Maite Perroni, Omar Chaparro, Ninel Conde, Carlos Espejel.  Plot:  the egg-cellent animated (Huevo Cartoon) series finally cracks the U.S. big screen. In Spanish. Showing at: Warren East.

Leaving 9/1,3/15

Movie Machine - 9/1: nothing; 9/3: Hitman: Agent 47, Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Palace West -  9/1: nothing; 9/3: The Gallows, Pitch Perfect 2
Warren East 13th - 9/1: End Of Tour, Fantastic Four; 9/3: American Ultra
Warren West 21st - 9/1: Ricki And The Flash; 9/3: Fantastic Four
Warren Old Town - 9/1: nothing; 9/3: American Ultra, Hitman: Agent 47