Turbo

Family Faire:  Turbo (2013)  PG   Theo (Ryan Reynolds) dreams of being the best race car driver in the world, just like his hero, five-time Indianapolis 500 champ Guy Gagne. There is just one problem Theo is an ordinary garden snail. Theo’s life changes when, by accident, he gets sucked into the supercharger of a drag racer and his DNA mixes with nitrous oxide, which results in a snail with super speed. Now, Theo can live up to his nickname, Turbo, and make his dreams come alive.  This is a movie that kids will love since it's is filled with bright colors, lots of movement and likeable characters. Adults may find the storyline a little too simplistic and not engaging.  The story drags in places , and it seemed to move at a snail’s pace, taking forever to get to the Indy 500. Ryan Reynolds doesn’t bring a lot to the character of Turbo , but I did enjoy Samuel L. Jackson as the racing snail, Whiplash and Paul Giamatti as Turbo’s reluctant and always cautious, Chet.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Turbo Website

                                                            

My View:  Red 2  (2013)  PG-13   Your favorite retired black-ops are back. Frank (Bruce Willis) is just trying to fit in and live the normal life with his girlfriend, Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) when he is notified by Victoria (Helen Mirren) that Interpol is on the hunt for him. To clear his name, he gets the gang back together on a quest to hunt down a missing portable nuclear device.  I really enjoyed the first film, Red (2010), but this one wasn’t as much fun. In the first film, we didn’t know any of the characters, so some of the joy of the film was getting to know their quirks and their specialties. Also, the first film seems much more tongue-in-cheek.  It's a fun film, and, any time you get to see Helen Mirren shoot a big gun, it’s a win. The film has lots of huge explosions, shoot outs and some really cool fight sequences with a new member of the team, Korean martial artist, Byung-hun Lee. I will say I missed Ernest Borgnine, who sadly died before this film was made.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee    Red 2 Website

My View:  The Conjuring  (2013)  R   The Perron family (Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston) is being terrorized by a mysterious presence in their old family farmhouse, so they bring in Paranormal Investigators, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) to get rid of the entity. This case may be bigger, though, than anyone ever thought.  This is a damn scary film that is firmly situated in the true horror genre. It takes a while for things to really start happening, but once they do, watch out because there are a lot of things that go bump in the night. The dialogue is a little clunky and occasionally funny as the film is set in the early 1970’s. Overall, this is a scary film that delivers truly frightful, intense scenes. The film does ask you to believe that the Paranormal Investigators are the real deal, but it’s just a little price to pay for such a fun ride.   My Rating: Full Price    The Conjuring Website

My View:  R.I.P.D.  (2013)  PG-13  Detective Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) is killed in a shootout and discovers that there is a whole other dimension inhabited by the spirit world. Now Nick works for the R.I.P.D – the Rest in Peace Department, the police force of the undead. Partnered with Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges), Nick has to stop evil spirits from taking over the living world.  This film went downhill almost from the start as a chase scene goes on with some of the worst CGI special effects that I have ever seen.  Every one of the characters in this film seemed be inspired by 1950’s cartoons, and bad ones at that.  Bridges performance is especially disappointing as he has decided to go over the top with his cowboy accent and bigger than life facial expressions.  Reynolds looks as if he wishes he was in another movie and the usually reliable Kevin Bacon, playing Nick’s best friend, just never connects with his character or the audience. Thirty minutes into this film, I was looking at my watch, hoping that this film was almost done.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t.  My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   R.I.P.D. Website

Indiefest:  Fruitvale Station  (2013) This is the true story of the last day in the life of Oscar (Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year old man who was killed by transit cops in the Bay area of California one New Year’s morning. This film will make you angry and sad at the same time.  The cast is astonishing, led by Jordan’s breathtaking performance as Oscar. The film was shot in documentary style at most of the actual locations, which allows you to get inside the world of Oscar. The film is heartbreaking from the beginning where we see the actual camera phone footage of Oscar’s death. This is one of those films you will walk out of and immediately start talking about it. This is one of my must see smaller films of the summer, and you shouldn't miss it.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Fruitvale Station Website

Indiefest:  Crystal Fairy  (2013) Jamie (Michael Cera) and his friends are traveling through Chile when they encounter a woman (Gaby Hoffmann) who calls herself, Crystal Fairy. The gang, with Crystal in tow, embark on a quest to find a psychotropic cactus that they plan on eating while on a beach. It’s a trip they never will forget. Cera’s character, Jamie, is extremely unlikeable as he is all about his needs and wishes and doesn't  about other people.  Cera definitely does a good job projecting that selfish attitude. Hoffman is the main reason to see this film, though, as she is perfect in the role of the always talking, sometimes maddening, self-proclaimed Crystal Fairy. This film doesn’t quite hit the mark, but the performances are worthy, just as long as you don’t partake of the psychotropic cactus.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Crystal Fairy Info

Forgotten Film:  Tumbleweeds  (1999)   PG-13   Mary Jo Walker (Janet McTeer) is a single mother who usually picks the wrong man to get involved with. When things get messy, Mary Jo’s instinct is to run. Ava (Kimberly J. Brown) is her long suffering daughter who has gotten used to moving to new towns and starting life over. When Mary Jo once again gets involved with the wrong man, Ava, must take a stand and get her mother to face her fears. This is a moving drama that relies on the great chemistry between McTeer and Brown. Mary Jo is one of those characters whom you just wish would grow up a little, especially since her bad decisions affect her daughter so deeply. This is an interesting, smart film with excellent performances.  My Rating:  Full Price    Tumbleweeds Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Red 2:  Origami services provided by

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Prince Avalanche  (2013) Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch star in this film about two highway road workers who, while working in an isolated area, talk about their life and loves. The trailer is very funny, and the film is directed by David Gordon Green, who gave us Pineapple Express (2008).   Prince Avalanche Website

Until Next Time!