Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Movie picks
Films recommended by our reviewers are indicated by an *.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G)
After surviving the sinking of their cruise ship, Alvin, Simon and Theodore must survive on a Polynesian island.— Not reviewed
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Arthur Christmas (PG)
An animated holiday comedy featuring the voices of James McAvoy (as the younger son of Santa Claus), Hugh Laurie (Santa's eldest son) and Jim Broadbent (Santa).— Not reviewed
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Cars 2 (G)
It felt like Pixar promised us that it would remain grounded in something more vital than the sparkle and speed of contemporary computer-generated movie-making. But with Cars 2, it feels as though that promise has been broken.— Scott Renshaw
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Courageous (PG-13)
Four cops tackle fatherhood, raising life's big questions and challenges.— Not reviewed
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*The Descendants (R)
The film is an almost dirge-like story about grief, but so much more than that. George Clooney plays Matt King, a Hawaiian real-estate baron; it's a triumph for all, especially the audience. — Justin Strout
Hollywood Interquest, Kimball's Peak Three, Tinseltown
Dolphin Tale (PG)
Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail. This is the amazing true story of a brave dolphin and the compassionate strangers who banded together to save her life.— Not reviewed
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*Footloose (PG-13)
The fidelity with which this film attempts to reproduce the original is something rarely seen in contemporary remakes. And by virtue of doing very little that's different, it does a whole lot right.— Scott Renshaw
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Happy Feet Two (PG)
Weirdness, as Rango proved, isn't, of course, an automatic deal-breaker when it comes to animated features. But nothing here coheres in a meaningful way. It's all a big pile of crazy, with no one scooping up after it. — Scott Renshaw
Carmike 10
The Help (PG-13)
Set in Mississippi in the '60s, a Southern society girl returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends' lives upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent Southern families.— Not reviewed
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*Hugo (PG)
Hugo is about both the dreamers and the keepers, and a masterful clarion call for new ones like them, from a man (Martin Scorsese) who's been both. It's a deeply personal animated film that doesn't preach, and a majestic love letter to the cinema. — Justin Strout
Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Ides of March (R)
George Clooney tries to add directing flair, but many of his choices feel showy. Ryan Gosling's usual taciturn presence on-screen becomes problematic.— Scott Renshaw
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J. Edgar (R)
Clint Eastwood directs Leonardo DiCaprio as one of America's most polarizing figures. — Scott Renshaw
Cinemark 16
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (PG-13)
A bomb destroys the Kremlin and the IMF is blamed. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team must unravel the conspiracy. — Not reviewed
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Cinemark 16 IMAX, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
*Moneyball (R)
Brad Pitt in a baseball movie for people who don't think they like baseball movies. — Scott Renshaw
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*The Muppets (PG)
When dealing with something like The Muppets, nostalgia certainly plays into one's response. But there's the nostalgia that comes from simply trotting out a bunch of characters and saying, "Hey, remember them?" and then there's showing such a deep respect for your source material that you allow another generation to fall in love with them for the exact same reason the previous generation did.— Scott Renshaw
Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
New Year's Eve (PG-13)
The ball drops. And unfortunately, everyone involved in the making of this movie was not beneath it. — Scott Renshaw
Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
Paranormal Activity 3 (R)
Two sisters try to make sense of the supernatural events they experienced as children. — Not reviewed
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Puss in Boots (PG)
Puss in Boots takes arguably the best part of the last two Shrek movies, stretches it as thin as can be, and leaves us hating cats. — Dan Hudak
Chapel Hills 15, Picture Show
Real Steel (PG-13)
Hugh Jackman, set in the near-future, where the sport of boxing has gone hi-tech. — Not reviewed
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Sherlock Holmes: A Game ofShadows (PG-13)
Guy Ritchie's latest installment is fun, witty and, perhaps most shocking of all, occasionally restrained. It's more satisfying than its predecessor.— Scott Renshaw
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
The Sitter (R)
Jonah Hill has a wild night to remember when he agrees to babysit three challenging kids. — Not reviewed
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Tinseltown
The Smurfs (PG)
A hybrid live-action and animated family comedy. When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the Smurfs out of their village, they're forced through a portal and into our world. They must find a way home. — Not reviewed
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Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (PG)
Marissa Cortez Wilson's world turns upside down when the Timekeeper threatens to take over the planet and she is called back into action by the OSS. — Not reviewed
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*Tower Heist (PG-13)
I'm truly stunned by how much I love Tower Heist. But delightedly so. Seriously, see this movie and ask yourself why more big, silly entertainments can't be this smart.— MaryAnn Johanson
Chapel Hills 15, Picture Show
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (PG-13)
Bella and Edward, plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child. — Not reviewed
Carmike 10, Chapel Hills 15, Cinemark 16, Hollywood Interquest, Tinseltown
*Young Adult (R)
Young Adult is as much a triumph for its makers as it is for its star. Charlize Theron is a marvel to watch. — Justin Strout
Kimball's Peak Three, Tinseltown
