Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Movie picks
Battle: Los Angeles (PG)
What were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. — Not reviewed
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*Bridesmaids (R)
In plenty of ways, the film sticks to a successful Apatow formula. The story structure is never so rigid that it won't allow room for freelancing a randomly (and hilariously) off-color conversation. The dialogue snaps with intelligence, and while belly laughs are the meat on the menu, there's a sentimental side. — Scott Renshaw
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (G)
A documentary film about the Chauvet Cave in southern France. — Not reviewed
Tinseltown
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (PG)
As he begins seventh grade, Greg and his older brother Rodrick must deal with their parents' misguided attempts to have them bond. — Not reviewed
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Fast Five (PG-13)
Maybe I'm just getting too old for this, but I'm tired of seeing people who do bad things still being championed as heroes merely because the bad they do isn't that bad. — MaryAnn Johanson
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Tinseltown
The Hangover Part II (R)
Generally, it feels exactly like a script that was thrown together quickly to capitalize on an unexpected success, duplicating the execution — and the flaws — of the first film that set the stage for this one. — Scott Renshaw
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Hanna (PG-13)
It seems depressingly ill-advised for director Joe Wright to even bother attempting this Femme Nikita foolishness at all. Yet there here goes. — Jonathan Kiefer
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Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (PG)
This sequel finds our heroine training with a mysterious covert group called the Sisters of the Hood. But, Red is forced to cut her training short when she gets an urgent call from Nicky Flippers. — Not reviewed
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Hop (PG)
A comedy about E.B., the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. — Not reviewed
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In a Better World (R)
There are countless subplots thrown in until the film, which inexplicably took the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar trophy in February, takes on the tone
of a really well-acted school assembly. — Justin Strout
Kimball's Peak Three
*Jane Eyre (PG-13)
Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel has been adapted into some form of motion picture at least once every decade since 1914. By being greater than the sum of its parts, this Jane Eyre should stay fresh — at least until the next one. — Jonathan Kiefer
Kimball's Peak Three
Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG)
Po is now living his dream as the Dragon Warrior. But Po's new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. — Not reviewed
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Limitless (PG-13)
Aspiring author Eddie Morra suffers from chronic writer's block, but his life changes instantly when an old friend introduces him to NZT. — Not reviewed
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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (PG-13)
The creative team seems to have learned little from the mistakes of the past, while adding new ones. The attempt to give main character Jack Sparrow a romantic subplot feels like a misunderstanding of the character's nature, and there's never a genuine spark between Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. — Scott Renshaw
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Prom (PG)
Several intersecting stories unfold at one high school as the big dance approaches.— Not reviewed
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*Rango (PG-13)
Rango isn't just a great feature-length cartoon: It's effortlessly the best movie of 2011 so far, and it's the best Western in ages. — MaryAnn Johanson
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Rio (G)
Blu think he's the last of his kind, but when he learns about another Macaw who lives in Rio de Janeiro, he heads to the faraway and exotic land to find Jewel, Blu's female counterpart. — Not reviewed
Chapel Hills 15
Scream 4 (R)
Sidney Prescott returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. Unfortunately Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface. — Not reviewed
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Something Borrowed (PG-13)
Rachel is a talented attorney at a top New York law firm, a generous and loyal friend and, unhappily, still single, until one night when she ends up in the bed of the guy she's had a crush on since law school. — Not reviewed
Chapel Hills 15
Soul Surfer (PG)
The true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and overcame all odds to become a champion again. — Not reviewed
Chapel Hills 15
Source Code (PG-13)
Where the whole endeavor could have been kinda sorta OK but not really all that great, it ends up being hugely distasteful, and idiotic for not even realizing it. — MaryAnn Johanson
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Sucker Punch (PG-13)
Those only interested in seeing attractive women in skimpy outfits kicking ass will find all they want in Sucker Punch. But those who want to see a movie that's actually good will instead leave just feeling like a sucker. — Dan Hudak
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*Thor (PG-13)
Thor shows that director Kenneth Branagh grasps these fundamental realities: He nails a unique tone, and he has a lead actor who understands how to play a god. — Scott Renshaw
Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Water for Elephants (PG-13)
During the Great Depression, Jacob, a penniless and recently-orphaned veterinary school student, parlays his expertise with animals into a job with a second-rate traveling circus. — Not reviewed
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*X-Men: First Class (PG-13)
It's not Shakespeare — silly inner fangirl — but, as breezy, thoughtful summer comic-book movies go, it's damn close. — MaryAnn Johanson
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
