My View: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) PG-13 When we last left Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), things were in dire straits. Smaug the dragon (Benedict Cumberbatch) had been awakened and released into the world. Gandalf had been imprisoned, and the dwarves had been separated. Now, Bilbo and the gang will have to fight off Smaug and a number of combatants from acquiring a massive fortune and keep Middle-Earth free. This isn't a bad film - it's quite enjoyable, but it doesn't match the scope or punch of the Lord of the Rings films. The film never gives you the big emotional moment you want from a finale, and there are too many "video game" like action sequences. I did enjoy the 3-D effects, and the battle sequences are spectacular (Better, more descriptive word?). There is a great scene involving some larger than life animals that make the film fun to watch. I just wanted more from the film. My Rating: Bargain Matinee The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Website
Indiefest: Foxcatcher (2014) R Mark (Channing Tatum) and Doug Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) are both Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestlers. Mark is struggling to make a living, and when the wealthy heir to the Du Pont fortune, John du Pont (Steve Carell), calls him out of the blue to train on his estate, it seems like a godsend. What should have been a great experience, quickly turns bad and could have disastrous results. One of the best films of the year! Unbelievable performances by the three main cast members. Many are talking about Carell's performance as the weirdly creepy du Pont, and it's a great performance, but I loved Channing Tatum as the slow-witted, easily controlled Mark. I think it's the best Tatum has ever done and shows he has great range. Not to be outdone, Ruffalo is amazing as the older, much savvier Doug. The film slowly builds tension to the final outcome. A fascinating look at how power and money can overwhelm common sense and can corrupt even the best intentions. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again Foxcatcher Website
My View: Night at the Museum: The Secret of the Tomb (2014) PG The Tablet of Ahkmenrah, which brings all the museum exhibits to life at night, is slowly losing its power. Larry (Ben Stiller) with the help of his son Nicky (Skyler Gisondo), take Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Jedidiah the cowboy (Owen Wilson), Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher), Octavius (Steve Coogan), Sacagawea (Mizuo Peck) and Dexter the Capuchin monkey to London to try and restore its powers. This film will probably be the last of the series, and they should have stopped after the second one. This film feels very tired, the actors seem to be just going through the motions and the jokes are all repeats from the other two films. There is a scene near the end of the film with the late Robin Williams that will make some audience members shed a tear or two. But it's not worth sitting through to get to that moment. My Rating: Cable Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Website
Forgotten Film: Christmas in Connecticut (1945) Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck) is the most famous food writer in the country, writing about her idyllic life on her farm as she creates some of the most amazing meals while taking care of her husband and child. The problem is Elizabeth is single and lives in a small New York apartment, where the most she does in preparing a meal is dial for takeout. Her publisher has decided to give a returning war hero a Christmas he will never forget, one at Elizabeth Lane’s country farm. Stanwyck’s character was loosely based on a real magazine writer, Gladys Taber, who lived on a farm in Connecticut. This is a warm and funny movie with Stanwyck at her best. The film has a great supporting cast, and it’s one of the better Christmas films out there. My Rating: Full Price Christmas in Connecticut Website
Weird Credits: From the credits of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb: Laa prosthetics makeup FX
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near you: Cake (2014) Claire (Jennifer Aniston) investigates a suicide of a member of her support group. As she delves into the woman's life, she begins to tackle demons of her own. Many critics are saying that Aniston will get an Oscar nomination for her gritty but humorous portrayal. Cake Info
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My View: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) PG-13 Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and the dwarves continue with the quest to defend Erebor, their home, from the Dragon Smaug. This film moves at a much brisker pace then the first Hobbit film, and the action sequences are quite enjoyable and well staged. I loved Evangeline Lily as Tauriel, a new character who is a fierce, butt-kicking elf with an attitude. She does the action sequences with gusto and flair, making her character very believable. It is also nice to see Orlando Bloom return as the elf warrior, Legolas. The scenes with the Dragon Smaug are fun to watch, and Benedict Cumberbatch does an outstanding job as the voice of the Dragon. This film is worth seeing in 3-D as the many action sequences use the medium to its full effect. I will warn you that the film is 161 minutes long, so pack a lunch. My Rating: Full Price The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Website
Indiefest: The Armstrong Lie (2013) R A documentary that covers seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and focuses on the accusations that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs and then lied about it. Filmmaker Alex Gibney was given complete access to Armstrong’s 2009 comeback attempt at winning an 8th Tour, and he developed a rapport with Armstrong that continues to present day. The film is a fascinating look at a man so driven to be the best, he was willing to do anything to get to the top and then fought dirty to stay there. Armstrong is shown to be a man whom you support, or you are considered the enemy, and the film really brings this across. This film gets much more in depth with the subject than the famous Oprah interview did and shows us a man trying to own up to his past downfalls. My Rating: Bargain Matinee The Armstrong Lie Website
Forgotten Film: Zero Effect (1998) R Darryl Zero (Bill Pullman) is the world’s greatest detective. There's just one problem - Darryl won’t leave his apartment for anything. So he hires Steve (Ben Stiller) to be his right-hand man who manages any activity that requires going out into the world. The two are hired to investigate a blackmailing case, and, as the case widens, they get involved in a 20 year old mystery. Pullman, in one of his best acting jobs, is brilliant as the odd Darryl. Stiller works well with Pullman and is able to convey his wonder for his boss. The film starts out as a comedy, but it’s a really a fine, well thought out detective film with a very quirky lead character. It has a lot of twists and turns in the plot to make it a fun film to experience. My Rating: Full Price Zero Effect website
In Memory of Ed Wood ( A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): The Legend of Hercules (2014) It’s never a good sign when the lead actor in the film, in this case, Kellan Lutz, says only two lines in the 2 min 15 second trailer. And, this film is directed by Renny Harlin, who hasn’t directed a good film since the 90’s. The Legend of Hercules Website
In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray): Fast & Furious 6 (2013) PG-13 I surprisingly like this film, mostly because the guys in the Furious gang are portrayed as super heroes. It’s a fun action-filled ride with big stunts and fast cars, plus, the longest runway the world has ever seen. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Fast & Furious 6 Webstite
Weird Credits: From the credits of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Horse makeup
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: One Chance (2013) PG-13 The true story of a shy, bullied shop-worker who sings amateur opera at night. He tries out for “Britain’s Got Talent” and gets on the show. One Chance Info
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