Q & A (R) 130 minutes * * 1/2 As the song used to open and close this films says, "Don't double-cross the ones you love. Don't double-cross the ones you need." It's the story of an investigation of a killing by a police officer. Was it more than just an action taken in the line of duty and in self-defense? Well-written and directed by Sidney Lumet, the suspense is there and the characters are well-drawn. Timothy Hutton gives a less than convincing performance, but Nick Nolte does a nice job. R for language, violence, and sex.
QUACKERZ (PG) 77 minutes * The ducks on this tiny Chinese island are about to face both an invading flock of military mallards and a group of invading humans who want to capture the son of their emperor. Beautiful background animation, but a very complicated story that will lose most veiwers after about 15 minutes. There are also quite a few characters here that just aren't very likeable. PG for language and violence.
THE QUAKE (PG-13) 103 minutes * * 1/2 A little over a hundred years ago, there was an earthquake in Olso, Norway. Kristian (Kristoffer Joner) is certain that another major quake is about to happen, but no one else believes the signs that he shows them. Similar to other disaster films, but as far as human interest, the focus is almost entirely on Kristian and his family, which tightens the script up a little. PG-13 for violence and language.
QUANTUM HOOPS (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2 Cal Tech isn't really big on sports, but it IS about excellence. Their basketball record is about as bad as it gets, but they keep playing and keep trying. It's an interesting story, though David Duchovny's narration is less than exciting, though that's not really a surprise.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE (PG-13) 102 minutes * * 1/2 James Bond (Daniel Craig) is out for vengeance. Clearly angry and mistrustful, he is also strangely devoid of emotion through much of the film. In some ways, it's a more realistic approach to the character, but it's less entertaining. Director Marc Forster seems to have had the greater part of reshaping Bond in this direction as he as wonderful experience as a director of powerful dramas, but none with working on action/adventure films. This does end nicely, but most Bond fans will liekly be disappointed by this entry in the series. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
QUARANTINE (R) 85 minutes * * Photographed in the amateur home video style that is growing in popularity, this is the story of a small group of people who find themselves sealed in an apartment building. There's been a mysterious virus, and those who are exposed turn into flesh-eating zombies. Not really a new idea, though the way it begins does add a bit of interest. Based on the award winning Spanish film, "Rec". R for violence and language.
QUARANTINE 2: TERMINAL (R) 82 minutes * 1/2 Though this follows the first film, it's story parts from the original sequel [Rec] 2. Instead, a flight leaves Los Angeles, but before they get very far, the virus breaks out on board. They are forced to land and are kept in quarantine. Not very original, but at least the irritating camera work of the first film has been replaced with the more standard approach. R for violence, language, and sex.
THE QUARRY (R) 98 minutes * * 1/2 Looking to start over, David Martin (Bruno Bichir) is on his way to a new job as a minister in a small town. Stopping to help a man in need (Shea Whigham) has disastrous results. Now, an imposter is pretending to be a minister. But police chief Moore (Michael Shannon) is suspicious. A life built on lies is its own kind of prison, and forgiveness is sometimes elusive. Adapted from the book by Damon Galgut. R for violence and language.
QUARTET (PG-13) 92 minutes * * * The annual concert to celebrate the birthday of the classical composer, Verdi, hits some complications when Jean (Maggie Smith) arrives. Not only was she married to Reggie (Tom Courtenay) at one time, but she's a bit of a diva. Delightful performances by an extraordinarily talented cast that also includes Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, and Michael Gambon. PG-13 for language.
QUE LE DIJISTE A DIOS (NR) 83 minutes * * Contrived and shallow story about risking everything for love. The cast put their hearts into it and have fun with their roles, which makes it tolerable. The music by Juan Gabriel helps, keeping the story moving along and the energy high.
THE QUEEN (PG-13) 93 minutes * * * Helen Mirren delivers a stunning performance as Queen Elizabeth II in a story relating the events surrounding the death of Princess Diana. Mirren's performance is so near perfect that we tend to forget this isn't the queen herself. The script does a great job of navigating the ideas of how Diana's death affected the monarchy, despite their initial unwillingness to allow that change. That change also affected the relationship between the Queen and the Prime Minister. The film does struggle with two-dimensional characters in supporting roles, with the only possible exceptions being those of Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) and Robin Janvrin (Roger Allam). Mirren more than carries the film though, and makes it well worth watching. PG-13 for language.
QUEEN & COUNTRY (NR) 106 minutes * * * This sequel to "Hope and Glory" stands well on its own as the story of Bill Rohan's (Callum Turner) years in the British Army. It's a semi-autobiographical story from director John Boorman, and is a well-told story with a solid ensemble cast, making it well worth the wait (nearly 27 years).
QUEEN & SLIM (R) 125 minutes * * * It was a "routine" traffic stop, but it goes bad very quickly. Despite the fact that Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) barely know each other, they are now on the run together. While they are pursued by the law, there are those who support them and who help them. Very nice script and great work by both Turner-Smith and Kaluuya. R for violence, sex, and language.
QUEEN BEES (PG-13) 96 minutes * * * Life is getting a little more difficult for Helen (Ellen Burstyn). After she sets her kitchen on fire, she needs a place to stay. That ends up being a senior home, only on a temporary basis of coourse. Almost immediately, she runs afoul of the Queen Bees (Jane Curtin, Loretta Devine, Ann-Margret), and soon after, has to deal with the overtures of Dan (James Caan). Wonderful cast in a fun story. PG-13 for language.
QUEEN: DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NR) 115 minutes * * * This is the story of one of rock music's legendary bands. Queen pioneered the use of multi-track recording, and took it to levels that others still marvel at. They also are one of the few bands to ever play in stadiums, and Queen played in a number of them, to hundreds of thousands of fans at a time. The extenive documentary covers the formation of the group, their ups and downs, and offers insights into their successes and struggles. A must for fans, anyone with an interest in rock music history should be sure to see this.
QUEEN ELIZABETH'S SECRET AGENTS (NR) 156 minutes * * 1/2 Elizabeth I ruled for over 40 years. It was a time when Britain was not a stable place as far as politics. Rule of the country was often by violence. Elizabeth used the considerable talents of William and Robert Cecil, a father and son team who were experts at creating a team of spies who could help Elizabeth stay in power. Interviews with several historians recreate this turbulent time in British history.
QUEEN MARGOT (NR) 132 minutes * * * It's 1572 in France, and the house de Midici is planning a wedding. Young Margot (Isabelle Adjani) is to wed a non-Catholic young man in an attempt to smooth relations, but the opposite occurs. Paying attention to details, especially in the story, is essential here. It does get a little tiresome during the first hour, but the pace picks up nicely after that. Beautiful sets and costumes as one would expect.
QUEEN OF BLOOD (NR) 75 minutes BOMB The second of director Chris Alexander's films featuring the vampire Irina (Shauna Henry). Alexander apparently doesn't like dialogue, which may or may not be a good thing. It's difficult to tell, but considering there isn't much of a plot either... Basically, Irina kills pretty much everyone she meets, while a mysterious man in black tries to kill her. Even the scenes not filmed in slow motion are poorly paced.
QUEEN OF EARTH (NR) 87 minutes * * 1/2 Virginia (Katherine Waterston) and Catherine (Elizabeth Moss) have been friends since childhood. Spending time on this retreat together, they discover that friends sometimes drift apart, making that friendship difficult to maintain at best. A well-performed byt very unusual piece that leaves us with more questions than answers.
QUEEN OF GLORY (NR) 73 minutes * * 1/2 Her life is about to change, but not in the way Sarah (Nana Mensah expects. The affair she's having is leading her to dump her doctoral program and move to Ohio. Instead, her mother dies and leaves her a Christian bookstore in the old neighborhood where she was raised. She's being pulled in a number of directions and needs to find her center. It might not be what she thought it was.
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS (NR) 78 minutes * * 1/2 Adele (Valerie Donzelli)is having a crisis because her boyfriend dumped her. Her journey to healing isn't going to be an easy one. It is fun for us to watch though, filled with romantic missteps, humor, heartbreak, and much more.
QUEEN OF KATWE (PG) 118 minutes * * * Phiona (Medina Nalwanga) is not used to winning. Still, she is far from what you could call a quitter. The world of chess opens up new opportunities for her and her family. Though it will still not be an easy path to travel. The story feels a little too perfectly formulated, though it is a Disney movie aimed at a younger audience, which explains some of that. Nice work by the cast. PG for language.
QUEEN OF SPADES: THE DARK RITE (NR) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Four kids end up summoning the dangerous and evil Queen of Spades. One of them is already dead. Can they figure out how to stop her before she kills more? Special effects are kept fairly simple, and actually work well, and most of the suspense is accomplished through some creative use of music and timing. A good example of how to make effective use of a limited budget.
QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (R) 97 minutes * * 1/2 It was definitely a mistake to combine the second and third of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles books into one film. That being said, this does a nice job of setting the mood with music, lighting, sets, and acting. Stuart Townsend is a far more impressive Lestat than Tom Cruise, and Aaliyah is sheer perfection as Akasha. The problem with combining the two books is that far too much of the background is missing. Those who haven't read the books will most definitely be lost. The strength and power of some scenes is far less than it could have been simply because we don't hear enough. The narration helps cover a few of the missing pieces, but it's a little annoying that we have to have things explained. R for violence.
QUEEN OF THE DESERT (PG-13) * * * After 500 years, the Ottoman Empire is collapsing. The lands are being divided, but it's not an easy task. In the middle of this world, which also marks the early days of World War I, is Gertrude Bell (Nicole Kidman) An explorer and writer, the British Empire wants to use her as a spy, but her loyalties cannot be so narrowly defined. The story of a singularly remarkable woman, who received respect in the same manner she gave it, which was immense. PG-13 for nudity and language.
QUEEN OF THE SUN (NR) 78 minutes * * 1/2 The bees are disappearing, and there's no way to deny that if it continues, the balance of life could easily tip too far for us to recover. The biggest cause appears to be the creation of monocultures that the agricultural industry is so fond of because of how much more economical it makes the harvesting process. But moving away from that is likely to be the only way to regain the balance that nature so desperately needs. Even working to do that on a smaller scale can be a help. An informative and interesting documentary, and nice to see it offer such practical advice on how to help.
THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES (PG) 98 minutes * * * David Siegel is the owner of Westgate Resorts, the world's largest timeshare rental company. At one point, they were building the largest home in the United States, and money was rolling in. And then the financial crisis of 2008 happened. It's an interesting mix as both David and his wife Jackie have seen good times and bad, but they seem to have forgotten how to manage the bad times, and as finances begin to get more difficult, they don't seem to understand what many of the rest of us might see more clearly as we have less to manage. Somewhat of a reality movie, but a bio-documentary in some ways as well. PG for language.
QUEEN PIN (NR) 93 minutes 1/2 Rhanni (Jokisha Brown) decides to take over the drug business that her boyfriend had been running. She can be just as tough and ruthless, right? Maybe, but the budget is so low here that it looks like a gradeschool film project. Kudos to the actors for trying, but this just doesn't work. Written, produced and directed by GinX, who was also the music supervisor and responisble for casting.
QUEEN TO PLAY (NR) 98 minutes * * * 1/2 Helene (Sandrine Bonnaire) becomes fascinated with the game of chess. He humble beginnings and the reputation of the man she is learning from both prove to be hurdles to overcome, but she is finding that learning and trying is more rewarding than she ever thought possible. Kevin Kline is good here, but it's Bonnaire and her ability to show us so many sides of Helene, and the director's willingness to give her the time to do that, often without dialogue, that make this such a wonderful film to watch.
QUEENS OF PAIN (NR) 73 minutes * * 1/2 Life in New York City can be very fast paced and full of energy. These three women have another part of their lives that is also full of energy. They play roller derby. Suzy Hotrod, Evilicious, and Captain Smack Sparrow, are all part of the Gotham Roller Derby league. This documentary takes a look at what it means to be part of a roller derby league. A little more bout footage would have been nice, but this is a very good look at what it means to play this sport.
THE QUEST (PG-13) 90 minutes * The world's best fighters are summoned to a tournament... again... Not enough of the fight scenes, though they were all rather predictable anyway. The only character with much depth is Jean Claude Van Damme's, the rest are sketched out far too briefly and we don't care what happens to them. Roger Moore's small comic role is wasted on a film that doesn't seem to know what it means to be on a quest to begin with.
QUEST FOR CAMELOT (G) 76 minutes * * The list of actors who provide voices for this cartoon is rather impressive, with Gary Oldman, Jane Seymour, Bronson Pinchot, Frank Welker, John Gielgud, Don Rickles, and Eric Idle just to name a few. The music is fairly good too, though nothing outstanding. The problem is that the story is simply boring. The comical two-headed dragon, who provides much of the comic relief, doesn't make an appearance until 35 minutes into the film! Doubtful that the kids will want to watch this more than once, but the soundtrack will probably fare better.
QUEST FOR FIRE (R) 91 minutes * * * When a tribe loses their fire, they send three members out in search of a new source. They will brave many dangers as they work to bring back what their tribe needs in this prehistoric world. Gorgeous scenery, and a beautiful look at a primitive world where humans were on much the same level as any other part of nature. An Oscar winner for best make-up. R for sex and violence.
THE QUICK AND THE DEAD (R) 101 minutes * * 1/2 Sharon Stone ventures into the wild west to revenge the death of her father. Gene Hackman runs this forlorn town and the duel which gives the film its name. It's his way of eliminating his enemies. No surprises, but plenty of wonderful characters in this film from Sam Raimi. Exaggerated camera work and musical highlights that add emphasis to the action are sprinkled throughout the film, making it fun to watch, if nothing else. R for violence and language.
QUICK CHANGE (R) 84 minutes * 1/2 Bill Murray is fed up with New York. So he robs a bank in broad daylight with two accomplices, with plans for the three of them to go vacation in a place where people are more sane. The only problem is that they can't seem to get out of the city... Lots of cute little bits of New York City humor, but much of that will be lost on those who haven't spent time in the city. The ending is nice, but getting there is a bit of a chore, and that's not good when a film is as short as this. R for language.
QUICKSAND (NR) 83 minutes * It was supposed to be a short hike. One thing leads to another, and now Sofia (Carolina Guitan) and Josh (Allan Hawco) are both stuck in quicksand. Interestingly enough, they don't seem to sink very much despite all of their struggles. There are several logical flaws here, and since they were close to a divorce before this little adventure started, the idea that they might benefit from working together is a difficult one for them to act on. Neither of these characters are easy to like, which also makes the story less than appealing.
QUICKSILVER (PG) 102 minutes * * Once a rising star in the stock market arena, Jack (Kevin Bacon) now works for a bicycle delivery service. A second chance to climb to the top is about to present itself. It looks a little different, but will he shy away from it or give it a chance? Editing and direction give this an uneven feel. The film seems to rely on bicycle stunts to keep our interest instead of developing Jack's character more completely.
THE QUIET (R) 91 minutes * * 1/2 Nina's (Elisha Cuthbert) family is more than a little dysfunctional, and it gets worse when they take in Dot (Camilla Belle), recently an orphan, who is both deaf and mute, and who comes with a few secrets of her own. The music and photography both do a nice job of helping to create a mood that is slightly mysterious and suspenseful. The cast does a nice job here desite the story offering little in the way of surprises or all that much suspense. R for sex, violence, and language.
THE QUIET EARTH (R) 85 minutes * * 1/2 Zac (Bruno Lawrence) wakes up one morning to find himself alone. Not just alone in his room, but apparently alone in the world. The ending is interesting, which is expected given the obviously philosophical bent of the story, but it actually creates more questions than it answers. The modest budget works for the style of the story, though it also dates the film rather severely. Definitely though provoking, and a classic not to miss for science fiction fans. R for sex.
THE QUIET EPIDEMIC (NR) 98 minutes * * 1/2 Seen as a temporary condition, a young girl and a scientist are both diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Diseasse. Not temporary. The research results that proved it was a chronic condition were suppressed. An epidemic had begun, but science looked the other way.
THE QUIET GIRL (PG-13) 90 minutes * * * Not like her siblings, 9-year-old Cait (Catherine Clinch) is an extremely quiet child. It's a problem, especially at school. With her mother expecting another child, Cait is sent to live with distant relatives in the hope that a new environment might make a difference, though it's mostly about her not being the the way with so much about to be going on at home. Cait thrives in the new environment, coming out of her shell, and also learning a secret about her family. The ending leaves us with a question, but getting there is marvelous. PG-13 for language.
THE QUIET HOUR (NR) 83 minutes * * * Sarah (Dakota Blue Richards) and her brother are the only ones left in their family. They are trying not only to survive the continuing alien invasion, but other people who are scavenging for food and resources. Danger seems to lie around every corner. A simple, yet very effective story, though the ending resolves a little too easily.
THE QUIET ONES (PG-13) 94 minutes * 1/2 Experimentation on a young woman uncovers paranormal activity far beyond what they expected to discover. It sounds promising, and there are definitely some creepy moments, but the film hints at far more than it ends up delivering. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
A QUIET PASSION (PG-13) 119 minutes * * * The story of Emily Dickinson (Emma Bell/Cynthia Nixon), focusing on her middle and later years. We watch as she struggles with the way she saw religion and science changing, and with how romantic relatiioonships never seemed to come her way. Intellectual and well-spoken, but very critical of both others and herself, she was always looking for and working toward something better that always seemed to be just out of reach. A thoughtful film about a woman whose art was born out of her struggles and her questions. PG-13 for language and violence.
A QUIET PLACE (PG-13) 84 minutes * * 1/2 It's always been a good idea to stay quiet when monsters are around, but that's even more important when the monsters have super-sensative hearing. Good suspense and great sound effects, but there are definitely some holes in the logic of the story. PG-13 for violence.
A QUIET PLACE PART II (PG-13) 88 minutes * * The situation has not really improved. In fact, with their farm now destroyed, Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and her children venture into the unknown in search of civilization that may have survived the attack. They still must be very quiet. The story jumps around a lot and leaves us set up for Part III. The sound effects and suspense are just as good as they were in the first film. PG-13 for violence.
QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER (PG-13) 115 minutes * * 1/2 Matthew Quigley (Tom Selleck) is hired as a sharpshooter, but finds the real job description not to his liking. The Australian countryside is very interesting, though not what you'd necessarily call beautiful. Laura San Giacomo fares much better than Selleck, having more fun with her role while he stands around not quite sure of what to do. PG-13 for language and violence.
QUINCEANERA (R) 86 minutes * * * Magdalena (Emily Rios) is about to celebrate her 15th birthday. But what should be a wonderful family celebration is drastically altered by the discovery that she is pregnant. Kicked out of her house, she finds herself staying with her uncle and a gay cousin. Wonderful slice-of-life film that reminds us that many life lessons are learned where the road is not so smooth. Editing and pacing are a bit rough in a few spots, but this is still well worth a look. Winner of the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize. Filmed in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles, California. R for language and sex.
QUIZ (NR) 146 minutes * * * When the British came up with the new game show, "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire". they knew they had a hit. What they didn't expect was to have a British Army major cheating on the show. It became a serious scandal for the show. But did he really cheat? An intriguing story, very well played by the cast.
QUIZ SHOW (PG-13) 126 minutes * * 1/2 Shallow characters are this film's weakness as we listen to the story of how the trust of the American public was abused when a television game show was discovered to be rigged. John Turturro and Ralph Fiennes give fairly good performances, but this just never has the right "feel" to it, giving us too many scenes that come off staged and as though they were filmed with no rehearsal. The characters plod slowly along on their way to the inevitable conclusion, which takes far too long to reach. PG-13 for language.
THE RABBI'S CAT (NR) 82 minutes * * After eating the family parrot, the Rabbi's cat begins to speak. Of course, once able to speak, he now has questions, and while the Rabbi is wililng to teach, the cat is becoming more difficult to deal with. Much of the early dialogue is spiritually philosophical, but that tends to shift as the film goes along. The ending is a bit strange and there's a rather dramatic shift in animation style a little before that that is somewhat unsettling.
RABBIT HOLE (PG-13) 87 minutes * * * It's difficult to lose a child, and everyone processes it in their own way and at their own pace. Becca (Nicole Kidman) and her husband are struggling with their different methods of coping, and its driving a wedge between them. Love is important, and so is remembering... and life does go on... with or without you. Adapted from the play. PG-13 for language.
RACE (PG-13) 126 minutes * * * Sports bio-drama about the great Jesse Owens (Stephan James). The focus is on his college career at Ohio State, his preparation for the Olympics, and the racial and political challenges he faced in connection to that. It's good, but doesn't dwell for long on the unpleasant moments. They are noted, but glossed over in favor of a more positive tone for the film. PG-13 for violence and language.
RACE 2 (NR) 141 minutes * * The underworld of the Indian mafia in Turkey provides the backdrop for this action/adventure. Heavy with narration early on, which only adds to how overly long and drawn out this seems. There are a few good twists, but they tend to be overplayed. A better choice would be to watch the first one again as the story is a little better.
RACE THE SUN (PG) 96 minutes * 1/2 Halle Berry and Jim Belushi star in the story of a teacher in Hawaii who tries to provide incentives for kids with no hope. Realistic, in that everything doesn't work out perfectly, but this isn't strong enough to pull us all the way in. Berry and Belushi do alright, but the script lacks the intensity and depth it needs to succeed.
RACE TO WIN (NR) 77 minutes * 1/2 When Hannah's (Danielle Campbell) father dies, everything they have is at risk. It will all come down to a race she must not only find the courage to enter, but also win.
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Remake of "Escape to Witch Mountain" with AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig as the alien children who need to get back to their spaceship. Robb is very good here, and Dwayne Johnson hams it up fairly well, but the emphasis here is clearly on action and effects, and not the story. Ludwig's performance is robotic at best, and we get the feeling that this was a bit of a rush job to put together another film for actors who had a contractual obligation to the Disney studios. PG for violence and language.
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED (R) 107 minutes * * * Kym (Anne Hathaway) is back from rehab, just in time for her sister's wedding. As the hours go by, the tensions seem to increase exponentially. Director Jonathan Demme uses both imporvisational acting and hand-held cameras in some sequences to give the film a more realistic look, and it works quite well, drawing us in very quickly, and then relying on the superb acting talents of Hathaway and the rest of the cast to keep us there, which they do quite well. So, join the celebration, along with a few side trips to dysfuncational family land. R for language and sex.
RACING DREAMS (PG) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Three young racers, ages 11-13 who dream of racing in NASCAR... For right now, they are on their way to the World Karting Association's National Series. We follow them on this journey, which is critical in many ways, as placement will determine finances and possible sponsors to further their dreams. The film does a nice job of showing the pros and cons and how difficult it is for these young racers to decide what they're going to do. PG for language.
RACING FOR TIME (NR) 85 minutes * * 1/2 The girls in the Texas Correctional Prison for Youth are a tough bunch. But when one of the guards (Charles S. Dutton) spots how fast Vanessa (Yaya DaCosta) can run, he has an idea about how to give them individual inspiration as well as how to learn about teamwork. Nice cast that give heartfelt performances in an inspirational story.
RACING HEARTS (NR) 94 minutes * * * To pull off the deal of a lifetime, Colin (Jamie Dornan) will have to decide whether the price is really worth it. As the story progresses, it becomes more touching and romantic, especially thanks to a wonderful supporting cast that gives the story some very nice depth.
RACING STRIPES (PG) 94 minutes * * An abandoned baby zebra gets raised in Kentucky with horses and develops a love of and a talent for racing. Despite the use of big-name talent to do the voices for the animals (Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman, David Spade, Mandy Moore, Steve Harvey, Frankie Muiz, and Snoop Dogg), this never has much appeal. It's just another of those talking animal films for kids. Filmed in South Afria and rated PG for language.
RACING WITH THE MOON (PG) 106 minutes * * * There isn’t much time left before Henry (Sean Penn) and Nicky (Nicolas Cage) head off to serve with the Marines during World War II. True to form, Nicky gets into a little trouble and Henry is going to need to help fix things. Great work from Penn and Cage as well as Elizabeth McGovern. PG for sex and language.
RAD (PG) 87 minutes * * A very small town decides to put in a BMX racing track to draw in some outside money. It also inspires a young local (Bill Allen) to test his mettle against the well-known talents while also falling in love. The story isn't very inspired, but the cast does a good job with it.
RADICAL WOLFE (NR) 74 minutes * * * An exploration of author Tom Wolfe and his work. From the article he wrote for Esquire magazine that made him famous, to the books that made him a household name. Filled with interview clips from other authors and journalists, fans and critics. It's a well-rounded look at Wolfe and his impact on literature and society. Nicely done.
RADIO (PG) 104 minutes * * * The new coach of a South Carolina high school takes a young man with a learning disability under his wing. It's not an easy process as it will involve turning the attitudes of the team, the school, and the entire community to a new direction. The performances are solid, though not outstanding. It's the story that is so strong... about what can happen when attitudes really do change. Be sure to keep watching through the credits and you'll get a chance to see the real Radio and Coach Jones. PG for language.
RADIO DAYS (PG) 86 minutes * * * 1/2 Set in Rockaway Beach, New York in the early 1940s. It was a time when Radio was king. Mixed in with the life of a family and their experiences of listening to the radio are a series of vignettes with various radio personalities. Featuring an amazing cast, this does a wonderful job of recapturing the atmosphere of a time that, with each passing day, continues to grow more distant and difficult to remember or truly know.
RADIO FLYER (PG-13) 106 minutes * * * "History is all in the mind of the teller. Truth is in the telling." And so Mike (Tom Hanks) begins to tell his two sons a story from his childhood. It's a story of adventure, excitement, creativity, and imagination. It's about two brothers who are trying to be accepted into a new neighborhood. But there is a tragic side to the story as well, for part of it is also about abuse and the need to escape it. The Radio Flyer wagon becomes a symbol for escape, as do the images of wheels, flight, and even death. This is much more than a film about two boys trying to build something that can fly. It's a film about childhood and how we learn from our experiences. Elijah Wood and Joseph Mazzello play their parts with a wisdom and insight that goes far beyond their years. It's an incredible piece of filmmaking. PG-13 for language and subject matter.
RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH (R) 107 minutes * * 1/2 Like many Philip K. Dick novels that have made the transition to film, this is very wordy and philosophical. The conspiracy theory motif grows deeper and darker as the film progresses. More of a political philosophy story with some science fiction trappings than the other way around, and a little less interesting than it could have been if that was turned around. R for language and violence.
RADIO WARS (NR) 94 minutes * * A history of radio, from its invention, through struggles with how to present content and who has the rights to do that. Radio versus newspapers, AM versus FM, FM versus satellite, Sirius versus XM... It is interesting, but it does focus on the financial manipulation that occurs in the industry more than programming or artistry.
RADIOFLASH (NR) 99 minutes * * This is no normal power outage. Reese (Brighton Sharbino) and her dad (Dominic Monaghan) decide to head for her grandpa's (Will Patton) place. It seems like this is only the first part of a larger story. What's here is good, it's just very incomplete.
RADIOLAND MURDERS (PG) 103 minutes * 1/2 WBN is a new radio station that is struggling to get on the air on a night when everything seems to be going wrong. A disembodied voice, people that keep turning up dead... a movie that just never seems to hit the right note... Slapstick ala Marx brothers, but without the writing talent behind it. This is a George Lucas story that should have stayed in the files. Loads of acting talent that is completely wasted.
RADIUM GIRLS (NR) 99 minutes * * * It's the new wwonder element. Radium. It's being used for everything. When people start getting sick, no one wants to believe that it could be the radium. As the evidence mounts, and it becoomes more clear, a group of factory workers begin to advocate for more protection and safer conditions. At times, this has an almost documentary tone, and it works well to present the details while the other part of the story presents the more human side of things.
RAG DOLL (NR) 102 minutes * * Her life is filled with violence, and Nora (Shannon Murray) doesn't see a way out. Perhaps she can use that to her advantage. Training at a gym, she is encouraged to enter an MMA tournament. It could be the way out she has been looking for. The story works well, and the training and fight scenes are very good. The acting, on the other hand, is sorely lacking.
RAGAMUFFIN (PG-13) 133 minutes * * 1/2 The life story of Christian musician and recording artist Rich Mullins. The title comes from a book about the concept of God's grace and forgiveness and which became the name of Mullins' band. The film is heavy with narration and a little long, dwelling to a great extent on the issues he had with his father, in particular about feeling less love and acceptance than he needed. Emotional ending, but it would have been even stronger if the film had been shorter. PG-13 fo language.
RAGE (NR) 96 minutes * * 1/2 A behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry through the eyes of a young man doing interviews with various people. It's interesting to have the plot unfold in a sort of third person manner, but it's also a bit tedious as it comprises the entire film. It's also more than a little ridiculous to think that this many people would not only consent to do interviews with someone using a camera phone, but that they would come back and reveal so many intimate details. it's an interesting experiment, and clearly artistic, but not to most people's tastes. It would make a very good and possibly quite powerful stage play.
RAGE (2014) (NR) 90 minutes * * Kidnapping Paul Maguire's (Nicolas Cage) daughter was not a good idea. He may be a reformed criminal, but he's not that far out of the game. A standard performance from Cage, with a mixed bag in the supporting roles, where some are good, and others not so much. The bigger problem is the story full of holes and stereotypical characters they are asked to play.
THE RAGE: CARRIE 2 (R) 100 minutes * 1/2 A football player dumps his girlfriend and she commits suicide. But Rachel was her friend, and when she discovers that it's part of a bigger picture, she takes action. Oh, by the way, did we say that Rachel has telekinetic powers? It's a real stretch to bother tying this in with the first film. It's also sort of silly to have the humiliation that sets it all off happen at a party after the first game of the season instead of something really big, like the prom. And what an ending! Giving me a chill like I hadn't had in a good while, but then fading away to nothing. Despite all the problems, Emily Bergl does a fine job as Rachel and I suspect we'll see more of her. R for violence, language, and sex.
A RAGE IN HARLEM (R) 103 minutes * * Strange and uneven film about violence, greed, and love. There are some good scenes here, and fine performances by Gregory Hines, Forest Whitaker, Robin Givens, and Danny Glover. But there are also several scenes that are poorly done and the film falters because of it.
RAGNAROK (PG-13) 91 minutes * * What begins as a fun archaeological adventure to prove how far north the Vikings had been, turns into something else when they discover that a monster has lived for centuries. The twists and turns are fairly standard, but the acting and script work a little better than some monster/adventure films. Some of the story is a little less developed and could have used an extra few minutes. Beautiful scenery from Norway and Sweden. PG-13 for violence.
RAGS (NR) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Charlie (Max Schneider) works hard and has plenty of talent, but the right people aren't noticing. Then he runs into mega-star Kadee Worth (Keke Palmer). Plenty of catchy pop tunes sprinkled throughout this male version of a Cinderella story. Light entertainment for the fans of teen pop music and pop stars.
RAGTIME (R) 141 minutes * * * * Set in New York in the 1910s, Coalhouse (Howard E. Rollins Jr.) is doing well for himself as a piano player for a jazz band. His success is starting to bother some of the white folks, and they are going to make life difficult for Coalhouse and those who support him. Nominated for eight Academy awards, including song, score, costumes, and supporting roles for both Rollins and Elizabeth McGovern. It's a wonderful production that almost instantly transports us to another time and keeps us there until the very end. R for language, nudity, and violence.
THE RAID: REDEMPTION (R) 97 minutes * * A drug house raid that goes bad is the focus here, with a SWAT team having to fight their way out once they get inside. Lots of mixed martial arts fighting, but not all that much plot until late in the film. By then, we don't really care, though we're still enjoying most of the fight scenes. R for violence and language.
THE RAID 2 (R) 146 minutes * * Taking place shortly after the events of the first film, Rama (Iko Uwais) goes undercover in an attempt to bring down the entire syndicate, including the corrupt members of the police force. Packed with very violent fight sequences, which tend to overshadow the plot. It also doesn't help that this is so long. R for violence, sex, and language.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (PG) 115 minutes * * * * The ultimate adventure film, with loads of excitement and energy as we watch Harrison Ford travel the globe in search of the lost ark, encountering danger at every turn along the way. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas brought this to the big screen with the aid of Lawrence Kasdan's fine script and yet another inspiring soundtrack from John Williams. It's great fun no matter how many times you've seen it!
RAIDERS OF THE LOST SHARK (NR) 63 minutes BOMB Despite the creative title, this has nothing to do with the adventure film's storyline. Instead, we have a megalodon that is somehow released into a lake (or maybe it isn;t really a lake as that isn't very clear). After eating a few people in the water, it begins to fly and eat people on land until one of the characters blows it up. Coherent this is not. You've been warned!
RAIDERS! THE STORY OF THE GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE (NR) 90 minutes * * 1/2 They were eleven years old when they started, and they loved the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark". In fact, they loved it so much that they decided to do a shot-for-shot remake with their friends. Over the course of seven years, they worked on the film and completed all but one scene. Twenty years have gone by since they last worked on the film. They are determined to complete that one final scene. A fun look at the extent to which some people will go to pursue their dreams.
RAILROAD TIGERS (NR) 121 minutes * * * Ma Yuan (Jackie Chan) works on the railroad in China. He and his friends wage their own small war against the Japanese, who are trying to control the food supply. Lots of impressive, if occasionally unbelievable, train stunt work.
THE RAILWAY MAN (R) 109 minutes * * * 1/2 Eric's (Jeremy Irvine/Colin Firth) years in the war had a deep and dark effect on him. When he meets Patti (Nicole Kidman), his life is brighter and better for awhile, and then the flashbacks and dark moods set in again. Powerful and very personal story with solid performances from the whole ensemble. Adapted from the book by Eric Lomax. R for violence.
RAIN FALL (R) 107 minutes * * 1/2 Dirty deals that have been done by the Japanese government are detailed on a computer file that the Tokyo police, the Yakuza, and the CIA are all trying to get their hands on so that they can blackmail the government officials involved. John Rain (Kippei Shiina) wants it as well. Adapted from the novel by Barry Eisler. The story works fairly well, but Gary Oldman's overplayed role is more than a little distracting at times. R for violence and language.
RAIN MAN (R) 130 minutes * * * * The death of a parent is not something that most of us look forward to facing. Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) doesn't really care when his father dies. They never got along all that well, so his main interest is discovering what he will inherit. What he discovers is that the bulk of the estate, which is around three million dollars, is being held in trust for a brother he never knew he had. Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) was put in an institution when Charlie was very young. Now these two brothers will find each other, and much more. Cruise does a nice job here, but he is definitely overpowered by Hoffman's simply outstanding performance as Raymond. It's a story that cuts to the heart, and director Barry Levinson guides it along with the care and attention it deserves. R for language.
RAINBOW BRITE AND THE STAR STEALER (G) 80 minutes * * Rainbow Brite and her horse Starlight team up with Chris and his horse Onyx to stop the evil princess from stealing the planet Spectra, which is the source of all light in the universe. Lots of characters, but not really very much story, and the animation is mediocre.
THE RAINMAKER (PG-13) 129 minutes * * * Rudy (Matt Damon) is about to take the bar exam, and has begun working for one of Memphis' most crooked lawyers. Not to fear, he just so happens to have landed a case that could make him famous. Though this stretches the limits of believability early on in the film, it's an entertaining look at the honesty and integrity of a young lawyer. Danny DeVito has a fun part as Rudy's sidekick, and the film keeps us interested almost all the way through. Francis Ford Coppola has done a fine job (director/screenplay) bringing John Grisham's novel to the big screen. Filmed in Memphis and San Francisco. PG-13 for violence and language.
A RAINY DAY IN NEW YORK (PG-13) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Gatsby (Timothee Chalamet) just wants to take Ashleigh (Elle Fanning) to New York for the weekend. She has an interview to do, but that should only take an hour. Right. And the rain is the least of the problems. Fanning's character is an awkward fit, though the rest of the film works quite well. A little heavy with narration early on, but it does help establish Gatsby's frame of mind. It's also a familiar style for writer/director Woody Allen, though this is not one of his better films. PG-13 for language and nudity.
RAISE A GLASS TO LOVE (NR) 83 minutes * * She has dreamed of becoming a master sommelier for years, but has struggled to pass the final test. Jenna (Laura Osnes) also wants to work at her boyfriend’s high-end restaurant. Returning home to relax and study for the next exam, she meets Marcelo (Juan Pablo Di Pace), who has a different method for making wine, and whose effect on Jenna is unmistakable.
RAISE YOUR VOICE (PG) 101 minutes * * 1/2 How do you find your voice when it feels like life has crushed it out of you? That's the answer Terri (Hilary Duff) must discover in this musical story. No real surprises here, but there are a couple of nice supporting performances from Jason Ritter and Kat Dennings that add some strength to the film. PG for language.
RAISING ARIZONA (PG-13) 91 minutes * * * H.I. McDunnough (Nicolas Cage) never seems to be able to stay out of trouble for long. When he and his wife discover that they can't have children, what better way to get one that to take on of the Arizona quintuplets? Who needs five? And they only want one. Joel and Ethan Coen's dark and unusual sense of humor makes this a fun ride, and it's quite good from the technical side as well. For those who enjoy their humor a little on the strange side, this is a sure hit!
RAISING CAIN (R) 88 minutes * * It's a one-man show here, with John Lithgow playing the parts of twin brothers and various other characters throughout the film. There are a few nice twists and turns as one would expect from director Brian DePalma, but they don't add up to much at the end. Lithgow was not at his best here, and it's a bit much to ask him to carry the whole film.
RAISING HELEN (PG-13) 114 minutes * * 1/2 Helen (Kate Hudson) is the free spirit, whose career in the fashion industry is on the fast track. She soon discovers that there's more to life than she suspected and that some very young relatives are more important to her than she ever dreamed they would be. Hudson is a delight, as usual, displaying her talent for physical comedy as well as her ability to make us like her character. The story runs a bit long, especially considering that it doesn't say anything new, or any better than we've heard before. Nice supporting work from Joan Cusack and Hayden Panettiere. PG-13 for language.
RAISING JEFFREY DAHMER (R) 82 minutes * 1/2 A look at the life of Jeffrey Dahmer (or at least the last several years) through the eyes of his father. The suspicions were there (in this dramatized version), and he did try to get him help, but could he have done more? The story and the performances lack both the depth and the strength they need to be convicning, contantly reminding us that this is more of a possibility than a fact. R for language.
THE RAKE (NR) 74 minutes 1/2 Twenty years have passed since the death of their parents. Ben (Stephen Brodie/Joey Cipriano) and Ashley (Shenae Grimes-Beach/Alexa Nasatir) are together again to figure out exactly what happened that night and how it's connected to the local myth of "The Rake". There are some fairly good sound effects, but mediocre acting and a group of characters that are mostly not very likeable don't do this any favors.
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET (PG) 98 minutes * * * When Vanellope's (voiced by Sarah Silverman) game breaks, Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) sets out to help. (He was sort of the reason it broke.) A very fun look at the internet from the inside. The script is very clever and full of humor for all ages. The Disney princess bits are particularly funny. It's too bad the segment about the dark web is part of the story as there really isn't any need for the story to go to that level of "sinister". It really doesn't add anything that couldn't have been addressed by keeping the mood a little lighter. PG for violence and language.
RAMBO (R) 80 minutes * * 1/2 Fourth entry in the series with Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) working with a group of mercenaries to rescue some aid workers in Burma. It's a genocide war zone and the violence is definitely graphic and extreme. It isn't pretty, and it's what John Rambo is used to. The attempt to move back toward realism works well, though it's not always pleasant to watch. R for violence and language.
RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II (R) 92 minutes * * 1/2 Released from prison, Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is sent on a mission to Vietnam. Formula story that seems a little silly at times, but the action sequences have some flair. Not a bad follow-up to the first film, though a more serious approach would be nice. R for violence, language, and sex.
RAMBO: LAST BLOOD (R) 91 minutes * * Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) has been raising his niece, She wants to talk to her father, who left many years ago. Despite Rambo's counsel, she heads off to Mexico to find him, where she (of course) gets into serious trouble very quickly. Now Rambo is in Mexico, and it's not going to go well for people who get in his way. The story lacks imagination, but the action is well-paced and delivers what fans of the series expect... plenty of violent action. R for violence and language.
RAMBO III (R) 96 minutes * * Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is living and working in a monastery. OK, not for long... the typical far-fetched circumstances arise very quickly, and the bad guys still can't hit a barn with a bazooka. Plenty of action and a few touches of humor as well. All things considered, it isn't really a bad sequel. Not terrific, but fans of Stallone and Rambo will most likely enjoy it.
THE RAMEN GIRL (PG-13) 95 minutes * * 1/2 When her relationship falls apart, Abby (Brittany Murphy) finds herself stranded in Tokyo. She's fascinated by the chef at a local restaurant and how the food he serves seems to have a positive effect on people's lives. She wants to learn from him, but he's a less than gracious teacher. Murphy and Toshiyuki Nishida are interesting to watch here, in what is almost a fairytale about a girl who wants her luck to change, and once upon a time... it does. PG-13 for sex and language.
RAMONA AND BEEZUS (G) 97 minutes * * * Adapted from the Beverly Cleary novels, this is the story of Ramona Quimby (Joey King). Alternately adorable and mischievous, she is more than a handful for her parents and her sister to deal with. The story is a somewhat strange mix of family comedy and tragedy, romance and drama, but the cast do a superb job of taking it all in stride. It's just another day in the life of the Quimby household. And with a nice soundtrack as well, this is definitely a pleasant diversion for the whole family to enjoy. Also featuring Selena Gomez, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Josh Duhamel.
RAMPAGE (R) 80 minutes * 1/2 Bill (Brendan Fletcher) makes his own body armor and then goes on a killing rampage. From Uwe Boll, which will say enough to a number of people, though the production values here are a little better than most Boll films. The story is simple, straightforward, and very bloody, but the ending is more convoluted and confusing than it needs to be. R for violence and language.
RAMPAGE (2018) (PG-13) 100 minutes * * 1/2 A gorilla, wolf, and crocodile are exposed to a pathogen that mutates them into violent monsters. They go on a rampage and must be stopped. Lots of problems with the story here, with one of the bigger ones being why the wolf and crocodile are not only more monstrous in their appearance than the gorilla, but they are also much bigger... most of the time. Dwayne Johnson's lightly humorous touch makes this worth a look, but don't expect too much from the rest of the film. Loosely based on the video game. PG-13 for violence and language.
RAMPAGE: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (NR) 90 minutes * 1/2 A few years after his initial killing spree, Bill Williamson (Brendan Fletcher) is back. This time, he takes over a TV station to spread his message to the masses. It's a message about the conspiracy of the rich to protect themselves and destroy the poor. The conspiracy theory message gets more emphatic as it goes along.
RAMPAGE: PRESIDENT DOWN (NR) 02 minutes * 1/2 His conspiracy theories continue, and Bill Williamson (Brendan Fletcher) has decided that the best way to get his point across is to take down the president. The story definitely leans toward the extreme as far as conspiracy theory, but then it pulls back a little near the end. Fletcher is good here, but he doesn't have much real support as all of the other characters are very shallow.
RAMPART (R) 100 minutes * * * Woody Harrelson plays a violent, racist cop in Los Angeles. He's been videotaped beating a person of color, but he's convinced it's not a big deal and that what is happening is all a conspiracy to get rid of him. Great work by Harrelson, playing a character that we have little in the way of sympathy for. The ending is interesting, though perhaps not what you might expect. R for language, sex, and violence.
RAMS (R) 89 minutes * * * It's been 40 years since Gummi (Sigurour Sigurjonsson) and Kiddi (Theodor Juliusson) have spoken. But saving the ancestral lineage of the sheep they each have is going to take some cooperation. Nicely done. R for language and nudity.
RAN (R) 148 minutes * * * 1/2 An epic story of a warrior father who realizes too late that the one son he thinks to be a fool is the one who is the most loyal to him. Inspired performances, superb direction by Akira Kurosawa, and wonderful music and costumes (for which it won an Oscar).
RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE (NR) 77 minutes * * Todd (Jesse Williams) and Ezra (Jay Baruchel) have only modest success with the comic books they create. It would seem that they do have one particular fan though. He's replicating some of the more violent scenes from their work. Not a bad idea, but there just isn't much substance here.
RANDOM HEARTS (R) 128 minutes * * Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas star in this far-fetched romance. He's an internal affairs officer and she's a congresswoman. Their spouses die in a plane crash and it's discovered they were having an affair. So Ford and Thomas have one... not that this couldn't happen, but it's poorly written and neither one of them plays it well. Things do wrap up nicely at the end, but it's a long and tedious over-two-hour-wait to get there. R for language.
RANGE 15 (NR) 85 minutes 1/2 Five friends out partying discover (after a night in jail) that the zombie apocalyse has happened. They need to find their way across the country to Range 15, their old military base, and a safe haven. At least they hope it is. Filled with cameo appearances, bad jokes, rude and vulgar humor, and cheap effects.
RANGE RUNNERS (NR) 108 minutes * She runs. Mel (Celeste M. Cooper) has been a runner for years. She's on a long run on isolated trails. When two desperate men decide to steal her pack, it leaves her without food and medical supplies. None of the characters here are believable, though Cooper tries harder than anyone else.
RANGO (PG) 101 minutes * * * 1/2 Rango (voiced by Johnny Depp) finds himself in the desert, out of his element, and more than a little thirsty. Turns out he isn't the only one looking for water. There's a whole town that's trying to figure out where it all went. Danger lies around every corner, and friends are scarce, but Rango just might know how to save the day. Fabulous and incredibly detailed animation, and director Gore Verbinski has done a wonderful job of paying homage to and poking fun at the western genre of film. An Oscar winner for best animated feature, this is an unusual film, and one not to miss. PG for language.
RANSOM (R) 116 minutes * * * 1/2 Fast-paced and intense, with few of the story holes that plague so many other films. This is due, no doubt, to the direction of Ron Howard, who has a great feel for how to bring us to the sensitive side of every person involved in the story. There is a completeness about this film that we don't feel in most films. Mel Gibson and Rene Russo work well together, and have a fine supporting cast led by Gary Sinise, Delroy Lindo, and Dan Hedaya. James Horner's soundtrack is powerful. A wonderful piece of work and not to be missed. R for violence and language.
RAPID FIRE (R) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Jake (Brandon Lee) witnesses a murder and is placed under protective custody until the trial. Of course, that never works in the movies... Lee does a great job in the action segments of the film, but falls a little short of delivering the goods when it comes to sensitivity and drama. Kate Hodge does a wonderful job in a supporting role, and helps to even the film out as far as acting goes. Reasonable entertainment for the action crowd, but nothing outstanding.
RAPTOR RANCH (NR) 85 minutes BOMB A former cattle ranch is now being used to breed raptors, which, of course, end up escaping. As if that wasn't bad enough, the CGI effects, music, and acting are all just as bad as the idea for the "story".
RAPTURE PALOOZA (R) 79 minutes 1/2 Life after the rapture... it's kind of like what the Bible said, but not exactly. Rather idiotic comedy, though it's not not as offensive as some. R for language.
RARE OBJECTS (R) 116 minutes * * 1/2 Trying to start over, Jasmine (Purva Bedi) begins to work at an antique shop. She runs into Diana (Katie Holmes) who she previously met while in therapy. Jasmine will have choices to make about who her friends are and how much time to spend with them if she wants to stay on her feet. Holmes also wrote, directed, and produced this. It runs a little long, and gets a little distracted, but Bedit does a very nice job of keeping it on track. R for language.
RAT RACE (PG-13) 103 minutes * 1/2 The race is on! A randomly selected group of people have been chosen to race from Las Vegas to Silver City, New Mexico where there is a locker with $2 million dollars for the winner. Everything that could go wrong for everyone... does. It's a great cast, with Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Seth Green, John Cleese, Jon Lovitz, and many more. And I do like the little side bets that go on, but otherwise, the story is stale and takes far too long to get us to Silver City. The nice collection of songs used in the soundtrack might make the cd worth picking up, but I'd wait for the movie to TV. The commercial breaks will definitely help. PG-13 for language.
RATATOUILLE (G) 103 minutes * * * 1/2 Remy is a special rat... one who is willing to take a risk, do something different, and experience what life has to offer. He takes to heart the advice of his idol, Auguste Gusteau: "If you focus on what you left behind, you'll never be able to see what lies ahead." Wonderful animation highlights this charming story of friendship and living life to its fullest. There are a couple of spots that might be a bit scary for the youngest viewers, and it might be a little long for them as well. Another gem from Pixar.
RATCHET & CLANK (PG) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Ratchett wants nothing more than to be a Galactic Ranger, but his application was just turned down. What to do... nice animation, but just remember that this is based on a third-person shooter video game, so there's a fair amount of violence for the younger ones who might usually watch a PG film.
RATKING (NR) 88 minutes * * * The third of three mysteries featuring Italian detective Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell). In this one, a hgh profile kidnapping is Zen's latest challenge, but a new supervisor and complications in his love life are making just about everything difficult, including focusing on the case at hand. Very nice finish!
RATTER (R) 75 minutes 1/2 Emma's (Ashley Benson) stalker is using every web-connected device to watch everything she does. This plays a little like a found-footage film, which does have a scary feel to it for a few minutes. Ultimately though, we are not connected to Emma intimately, only vicariously, which makes this lose much of its impact. R for language and sex.
RAVAGE (NR) 81 minutes * 1/2 She was just taking some photos of nature when she decided to investigate the noise she heard. That's when Harper (Annabelle Dexter-Jones) saw something she shouldn't have. Fortunately, she's a very resourceful person, though a couple of mistakes make the ordeal a little longer. Told in flashback form and with quite a few gross effects that will keep horror fans interested. The ending isn't a crowd-pleaser though.
THE RAVEN (R) 103 minutes * * 1/2 Someone is committing crimes based on Edgar Allan Poe's stories. The police suspect that Poe (John Cusack) might be involved, but decide to enlist his help. Interesting horror/mystery mix with plenty of suspense. It's not one of Cusack's best performances, but the supporting cast do some very nice work that keeps this interesting. R for violence.
RAVENOUS (R) 97 minutes * 1/2 Boyd panics and freezes during a battle, but ends up behind enemy lines, capturing the command post. Now he's been assigned to Fort Spencer in California. It's a strange place where the legend of the Wendigo seems to have become reality. It is said that a man who eats the flesh of other men, absorbs their strength, but once begun, the cycle is hard to stop. Neat idea that is handled very poorly. Lots of two-dimensional characters and footage of the scenery in Mexico and Czechoslovakia, where the movie was filmed. R for violence and language.
THE RAVINE (R) 115 minutes * * It makes no sense. Why would Danny (Peter Facinelli) kill his wife and son and then himself? No one understands. The film follows Mitch (Eric Dane) and Carolyn (Teri Polo) as they struggle with trying to understand. It’s a story about grief, understanding, and forgiveness. There’s also a touch of the mystical and religious, which gets a little stronger toward the end. R for violence and language.
RAW (R) 87 minutes BOMB Eddie Murphy comedy "concert" that shows him at his best and worst, unfortunately a bit too much of the latter. His imitations of Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor are fantastic, but too much of the film is spent on jokes about women and sex. It just gets boring after awhile.
RAW (R) 93 minutes * * * Justine's (Garance Marillier) first year at veterinary school is rough. One of the more difficult moments is when she is forced to eat a piece of meat. As a strict vegetarian, it causes a bad reaction. But it alwo awakens something else deep within her. Something that is hungry. Macabre and grotesque, this pushes the edges of the acceptable more than once, yet does so clearly within the context of the story. It's not just to be rude or disgusting, but to show the violent and repulsive nature of what is happening to her. Definitely not a film for everyone, but well done. R for violence, sex, and language.
RAW DEAL (R) 102 minutes ½ Once an FBI agent, Mark Kaminski (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is now just a small-town sheriff. An old friend from the bureau (Darren McGavin) is now chief, and when his son is killed by the mob, he calls on Mark to help. It might be a chance to get back into the FBI, but it also just might be a raw deal.
RAW FAITH (NR) 88 minutes * * 1/2 An intimate look at the life of a Unitarian Universalist minister. The film covers two years in the life of Marilyn Sewell, using interview segments with memmbers of her family and congregation as well as extensive conversations with Marilyn. The content is very brave and at times may appear to be almost too personal, but that is who she is, and it's clear that she feels its important content for people to know.
RAY (PG-13) 145 minutes * * * 1/2 From the moment he hits the screen, Jamie Foxx has us mesmerized with an absolutely amazing performance as Ray Charles, jazz musician. Director Taylor Hackford shows us all sides of Charles, presenting a well-rounded picture, though it does come off a bit sensationalized in a few spots. There are numerous strong supporting performances here, and Jamie Foxx even sings a few of the songs himself, though most are recordings. This film, along with "Collateral" have gained Foxx the respect he's deserved for quite some time. PG-13 for language and sex.
RAY DONOVAN: THE MOVIE (NR) 98 minutes * * ½ Following the events in season seven of the television series, we start with Ray’s (Live Schreiber) dad on the run with papers that belong to the Sullivans. The Donovan family has a dark past, from which Ray and his brothers are unlikely to ever escape. And at the end of the day (or the film), Ray has blood on his hands… again. Filled with flashbacks to tie it in with the television series and provide context for those unfamiliar with it. The story works somewhat on its own, but much better if you’ve seen the series.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (PG) 95 minutes * * * Once upon a time, humans and dragons shared the world. The dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity from the Druun. Only one dragon remains, and it's up to Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) to find it, save the world, and reunite the tribes. A magical tale, filled with action and humor. PG for violence.
RAZE (R) 88 minutes * A sort of underground, female, gladiator set-up. Hand-to-hand combat to the death that is coerced by the promise of protection for their relatives as long as they participate. The violence here is raw and intense, and even a little difficult to watch at times. The ending is less than satisfactory, but too much of the film dwells on gratuitous violence and forgets that there at least should be a little bit of story. R for violence and language.
THE RAZOR'S EDGE (PG-13) 124 minutes * * Larry Darrell (Bill Murray) returns home from World War I a changed man. He had been carefree, living a life where he wanted for nothing. Now, the world has changed and he realizes that what he has means nothing, and he begins a search for what he truly wants, though discovering what that is will not be an easy journey. It will, in fact, be like walking a razor's edge. Great work by Murray. PG-13 for language, violence, and sex.
RAZOR'S RING (NR) 82 minutes 1/2 Kidnapped by a strange and violent couple, Scott (Wayne Casey) finds himself in even deeper trouble when all three of them are held captive by a group of modern day cannibals. The story is not all that great here, but the bigger problem is that the production values are so bad that we don't even have a chance to be disappointed by the story.
REACH ME (PG-13) 85 minutes * * * The story of a motivational book and the lives it touches. The story is all over the place for the first half of the film, but eventually settles down. The ending works well, wrapping up most of the stories in ways that make sense and interlace well with each other. The cast is fascinating, and worth watching all on its own. PG-13 for sex, violence, and language.
REACHING FOR THE MOON (NR) 108 minutes * * 1/2 Elizabeth (Miranda Otto) is looking for something to inspire her poetry. Visiting with a friend in Brazil, she finds not only inspiration, but a certain Brazilian architect with whom she falls in love. Though love and art are not always the most compatible pair. Based on the life of Elizabeth Bishop.
READ IT AND WEEP (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2 Jamie (Kay Panabaker) is just an ordinary high school girl... until her journal gets turned in by mistake for a writing contest. Now she's a bestselling author, but her friends are upset when they realize they are the ones she's talking about in the book. Cute Disney TV movie for the family with a bubbly performance from Panabaker.
THE READER (R) 116 minutes * * * The story of a young man who falls in love with an older woman who teaches him as he comes of age. But a few years later as he attends a trial for Nazi war criminals, Michael (David Kross) learns a terrible secret about this woman who asked him to read to her at the beginning of each of their meetings. A beautiful and tragic story that grows in power as the film progresses. An Oscar-winning performance by Kate Winslet, but solid work by the rest of the cast as well. R for sex.
THE READING ROOM (PG) 85 minutes * * 1/2 When his wife dies, William (James Earl Jones) fixes up an old building they own and turns it into a reading room to help educate some of the younger people in the neighborhood, to give them more opportunities for success in life. It's always a pleasure to watch Jones, and there are some good supporting performances here, especially by the younger members of the cast. Some of the other characters are a bit two-dimensional, and the story is a little thin in a few spots.
READY OK (NR) 87 minutes * 1/2 From a fairly young age, Josh (Lurie Poston) has had interests that that weren't what other boys were interested in. Now he wants to be on the cheerleading squad. It's not a bad story, but writer/director James Vasquez' script is rather lifeless. The performances are uneven as well, with Poston not doing that well, but a couple of the supporting roles are fairly good. Filmed in San Diego.
READY OR NOT (R) 91 minutes * * * Grace (Samara Weaving) and Alex (Mark O'Brien) are getting married. His is an old family, with a particularly unique tradition for when a new person joins their family. It can be rather deadly. A definite treat for those with a very macabre sense of humor with lots of bloody effects. R for violence and language.
READY PLAYER ONE (PG-13) 129 minutes * * * 1/2 It's far more than just another video game. The virtual reality world of Oasis is a place where anything can and does happen. When its creator dies, the race is on to find the easter egg he hid somewhere in the game. Half a trillion dollars and control of the Oasis hang in the balance. As with many Steven Spielberg films, this is packed with references to pop culture and the entertainment industry. It makes watching the film lots of fun if you get the references, less so if you don't, which can be a problem. Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke star, but are neither one all that strong, though the special effects are amazing. PG-13 for violence, nudity, and language.
READY, SET, BAG! (PG) 77 minutes * * 1/2 The National Grocer's Association Best Bagger Competition... where state champions get to go to Las Vegas to see who is the best bagger in the country. Yes, there really is a competition for this, and it's actually kind of fun to watch. An interesting look at another side of the grocery world. PG for language.
READY 2 DIE (NR) 76 minutes BOMB Three bank robbers try to stay away from the police and find a way to keep their loot. Basically, this is one long, poorly filmed and badly directed chase scene.
READY TO RUMBLE (PG-13) 100 minutes * * Gordie (David Arquette) and Shawn (Scott Caan) are wrestling fans, especially of Jimmy King. But King is on his way out... unless Gordie and Shawn can do something about it. Mildy humorous, this is mostly of interest for all the cameo appearances by WCW people. The low budget is evident and it should have been a bit shorter, but it's about what you'd expect from a comedy about wrestling. PG-13 for language, nudity, and violence.
READY TO WEAR (R) 127 minutes * * The world of high fashion comes under the scrutiny of director Robert Altman. As with most of Altman's films, it's always interesting to see all the cameo appearances as the film progresses. This story is a bit harder to follow than others though, and we feel disconnected as we struggle to reach the end. The ending does pack a unique punch, with a new version of the story of the empereor's new clothes parading before us as we listen to the Cranberries sing "You're So Pretty the Way You Are". R for language and nudity.
THE REAL CANCUN (R) 89 minutes BOMB As if reality TV isn't bad enough, the creators of MTV's "The Real World" decided to throw this one at us. Sixteen college age people spend a week in Cancun. Who'll have sex with who and when and where will it happen? Who cares? R for Sex and language.
THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN (NR) 108 minutes * * * An extensive bio-documentary about the amazingly talented Charlie Chaplin. Packed with footage from his films, there are also interviews with several of those who knew him. His personal life and his filmmaking career are both explored in depth. From the bottom to the top, and back to the bottom.
REAL GENIUS (PG) 105 minutes * 1/2 A group of high schoolers find out that their universoty level project is going to be used for evil purposes and set out to thwart that attempt. The story has some nice twists and turns, but the direction is weak and the cast a little stiff. PG for language.
THE REAL MAD MEN OF ADVERTISING (NR) 204 minutes * * * Beginning with the "Mad Men" television show and how it began to give a glimpse into the world of advertising, this documentary explores the history of advertising through the decades. Television changed the game. Prior to that, you could only hear or see still picture ads. With television, that all changed. A comprehensive look at advertising from the 1950s to the 1980s.
THE REAL MCCOY (PG-13) 100 minutes * * Kim Basinger is a cat burglar who wants to go straight, but has one last job to pull off. This is definitely one of her best performances, but it's one of Val Kilmer's worst. Far too unrealistic in spots, but still worth catching if you want to see Basinger at her best.
REAL MURDERS: AN AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERY (NR) 83 minutes * 1/2 Another entry in the series from the books by Charlaine Harris. It's a good story, but the acting and direction are a bit lacking, even for a TV movie.
REAL PLAYING GAME (R) 99 minutes * * Ten people who are both old and rich pay for the opportunity to play a game. Only one will survive, and they will be able to keep the younger avatar body that their mind currently inhabits. Nice set-up, and the game works fairly well, but the ending is far less than we'd hoped for. R for violence, language, and sex.
REAL STEEL (PG-13) 121 minutes * * 1/2 Robot boxinf is all the rage in this not-too-distant future. Charlie (Hugh Jackman) just never seems able to make it into the big leagues though. Taking care of his estranged son for the summer, he discovers that Max (Dakota Goyo) has his own drive and detrmination... and better luck at picking robots that can win. Very nice animation, and a story that's a little more emotional than you might expect, tapping into the underdog sport challenge quite nicely. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE REAL WOLFMAN (NR) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Documentary exploration of the violent attacks in Gevaudan, France. Over 100 people were killed. Most were women and children, and most bore evidence of claw and bite marks. The killings were never solved, but a new forensic team is about to investigate. It's an interesting look at how science and the supernatural can explore possibilities together.
REALITY (R) 107 minutes * * The reality show “Big Brother" is all the rage. Luciano (Aniello Arena) decides to audition for a part, but only after quite a bit of pressure from his children and the rest of his family and friends. Everyone is so sure that he’ll get the part, that Luciano believes it as well. But just where is the tipping point between dreams of what is possible and illusions of what will never be? The story is a little repetitive and the ending rather unusual, but Arena does a nice job with the role. R for language.
REALITY BITES (PG-13) 92 minutes * * * Lelaina (Winona Ryder) is doing a documentary on her friends and their search for meaning and role models. It's a strange little film, but Ryder and Ethan Hawke both do some great work. The home video style of filming used may irritate some viewers, but it adds to the "reality" of the film. PG-13 for language.
REAP WHAT YOU SEW (NR) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Aurora Teagarden's (Candace Cameron Bure) old friend Poppy (Jordana Largy) is back in town. She's had quite a bit of success online and is looking to continue that with an embroidery business in town. And then she turns up dead. Another entry in the mystery series from Hallmark.
REAPER (NR) 85 minutes * 1/2 Surviving his execution, the killer known as "The Reaper" (Mike Michaels) returns to his killing ways. Now, the criminals must figure out how to work together if they hope to survive. Not much suspense, and not much explanation, though the production quality is pretty good.
THE REAPER MAN (NR) 85 minutes 1/2 Grieving the loss of her husband after a home invastion gone bad, Jessica (Jesssica Jai Johnson) contacts Sheba (Tarsha Gibson) who might be able to bring her husband back. But the spirit she contacts about doing this deed has its own agenda. Some creepy moments, but a slow-moving script and really poor acting and direction don't give this much room to succeed.
THE REAPING (R) 93 minutes * Katherine Winter (Hilary Swank) investigates what others call "miracles" and provides the sciencetific explanations for what has happened. But the strange things that are happening in Haven, Louisianna, are proving difficult to explain. They seem to echo the ten Biblical plagues, but she isn't going to give up easily. Not a particularly suspenseful film, and the ending is rather anti-climactic, making this a rather boring film, despite quality performances by both Swank and AnnaSophia Robb. R for violence and language.
REAR WINDOW (NR) 112 minutes * * * * One of Alfred Hitchcock’s most memorable films, featuring James Stewart as a wheelchair-bound apartment dweller who spies what might be a murder while watching his neighbors through a pair of binoculars. Stewart’s earnest performance as well as the presence of Grace Kelly, make this stylish thriller a sure-fire classic mystery. Also featuring Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr, and Wendell Corey. Sit back and enjoy one of Hitchcock’s best. Are your drapes closed?
THE REASON I JUMP (NR) 78 minutes * * * As a teenager, Naoki Higashida wrote a book about his experiences as a non-speaking autistic person. This documentary uses that book as a basis to examine the lives of non-speaking autistic people around the world. The film tries to give us a sense of what that experience is like so we can better understand those for who this is how life is seen and heard and felt.
REASONABLE DOUBT (R) 80 minutes * * 1/2 When Mitch (Dominic Cooper) accidentally hits a pedestrian with his car, he panics and leaves the scene. The next day, he learns that someone else has been charged with the crime. Feeling guilty, he works to prove the man innocent... only to learn just how dark and twisted his life has become. Wonderfully atmospheric music, and the story is well-told and well-paced, even if it is also quite predictable. Nice ending. R for violence and language.
REBEL IN THE RYE (PG-13) 103 minutes * * * The story of J.D. Salinger's (Nicholas Hoult) life. Success came slowly, but when it did, it was huge. So huge that it overwhelmed him. What becomes clear is that, though he definitely wanted to be published and achieve that level of success, and a recognition of his skill, Salinger never really cared about anything other than writing stories that were true. Whether other people read them and enjoyed them was really not what he was concerned about. Very nice work by Hoult. PG-13 for language and violence.
THE REBELS OF PT-218 (NR) 85 minutes 1/2 The Allies are ready to hit the Axis powers from behind, but they need to clear the waters. That's no easy task with the German U-boats patrolling the area. It's an exciting story about a critical point during World War II. Excitement is not really what we have here. In the first place, the ship and the crew featured in the film are from a merchant marine ship, though they act like they're on a PT boat. Yhe story is filled with enough holes to sink a ship, including poor CGI animation, and bad acting.
REBIRTH (NR) 98 minutes * * * Ten year long look at five individuals whose lives were dramatically changed by the events of 9/11. At the same time we follow their stories, the film also leads us through the escavation and redevelopment of the site, the memorial services, and much more. The focus here is on New York and New Yorkers, with little mention of the other plane crashes on the same day. Powerful music, including instrumental pieces by Philip Glass, highlight a film about tragedy, grief, healing, and rebirth.
REBORN (NR) 73 minutes * 1/2 A baby in a morgue mysteriously comes back to life. The morgue attendant (Chaz Bono) takes the baby home, where it is raised by him and his mother. Sixteen years later, she wants to find her mother, and the power that brought her back to life is still burning inside her. There are a few fun bits here for fans of horror and filmmaking, but the story is pretty thin.
REBOUND (PG) 83 minutes * * * After losing his cool one too many times on the court, basketball coach Roy McCormick (Martin Lawrence) is given one last chance to stay in the league. He'll be coaching at his old middle school, which happens to have the worst record in the state. Of course, it's no real surprise that he's able to turn the team around and learn some valuable lessons. What is a surprise is that Lawrence does such a nice job here. Sure, it's a bit corny at times, but Lawrence plays it with a great deal of sincerity, and it works very well. The kids do a great job as well, with Tara Correa and Stephen Christopher Parker deserving special mention. A great film for families with children who enjoy sports. PG for language.
THE REBOUND (R) (2009) 87 minutes * * On the rebound from breaking up with her unfaithful husband, Sandy (Catherine Zeta-Jones) finds herself going out with her recently hired nanny, also known as the young guy next door. Despite a bit of a mismatch in casting, Zeta-Jones and Justin Bartha manage to make it work fairly well, though part of the problem is a script that just doesn't generate a great deal of depth to the characters. R for language and sex.
REC (R) 71 minutes * * 1/2 A television news reporter and her cameraman find themselves trapped along with the residents of an apartment building and a few firemen, whose evening shift they were covering for a news story. A virus has begun to infect the residents, with rather disasterous results. Remade as "Quarantine", but this clearly has a more realistic feeling and manages to create a little more suspense and terror in the process. R for violence and language.
REC 2 (R) 80 minutes * 1/2 The story of the first film continues, as a military team accompanied by a doctor enter the infected building. Adding the idea of demonic possession to the story really doesn't work all that well. The cast try hard, but it doesn't help. R for violence and language.
THE RECALL (R) 86 miunutes * * It was supposed to be a fun weekend trip with friends. They never expected that this would also be the weekend that aliens would invade the planet and start abducting people. Interesting, but the story wanders quite a bit and all that wandering makes the ending less believable. R for violence, language, and sex.
RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT (G) 76 minutes * * 1/2 School is out for the summer, but T.J.'s plans for summer fun have to change when all his friends go off to camp. When something strange starts happening at the school though, it's time to reassemble the gang and take care of the situation. The animation isn't all that good here, but it's a fun story that fans of the TV cartoon will most likely enjoy.
RECIPE FOR A PERFECT CHRISTMAS (NR) 87 minutes * * 1/2 J.J. (Carly Pope) just landed the new restaurant critic job at the hottest New York magazine. Alex (Bobby Cannavale) is trying to get his restaurant off the ground, and a great review would really improve his chances. But getting J.J. to stop in isn't going to be very easy. Christine Baranski is a treat to watch here, as J.J.'s meddlesome mother, and the film manages to make us smile more than a little, even though we know how it's all going to work out.
RECKLESS (R) 90 minutes * ½ A romance between a football player (Aidan Quinn) and a cheerleader (Daryl Hannah), but it’s not quite that easy as she comes from a family with money and he does not. There is conflict and passionate sex, and nothing we haven’t seen before and better. Quinn isn’t bad, but doesn’t have strong direction. R for sex.
THE RECKONING (R) 81 minutes * 1/2 Trying to figure out who killed his partner and why, Detective Green (Jonathan LaPaglia) uncovers a bloody trail of "justice". B-grade performances and production quality undermine a good story with a solid ending. R for language, violence, and sex.
THE RECKONING (2015) (NR) 86 minutes * * 1/2 In this final chapter of the trilogy adapted from the Beverly Lewis books, Katherine (Katie Leclerc) is faced with an unnerving reality when Daniel (Chad Connell) shows up. His "death" had set her life on a different course. Now, he wants her back, but that won't be an easy adjustment for her to make. The most romantic of the trilogy, but just as overly sweet and unrealistic as the others.
RECLAIM (R) 91 minutes * 1/2 A couple from the United States go to pick up their newly adopted daughter. Shortly after, she is kidnapped and they must pay even more than they already have. Of course it's a scam, but it feels more like we're the ones who were taken. Despite some quality cast members, the film is uninspired and lacks the tension you'd expect from this sort of story. R for language and violence.
RECOIL (R) 92 minutes * * Steve Austin stars as a Ryan Varrett, a vigilante whose latest victim becomes even more of a problem after his death. It turns out that the brother (Danny Trejo) isn't very happy about what happened and sets off a small war in the town. Austin is at home with the action, and there's plenty of it here. Serinda Swan's supporting role adds a touch of romance and works well to give us a glimpse of Varrett's softer side. R for violence and language.
RECON (NR) 92 minutes * Four American soldiers head off on a mission after witnessing their sergeant kill a civilian. They are being led by a local man, whose loyalties are unknown to them. It's not just that the characters are annoying, but the photography and editing are too. Adapted from the novel by Richard Bausch.
RECOUNT (NR) 112 minutes * * * The final moments of the 2000 presidential election in the United States were a close call. So close that a recount was needed for the votes in the state of Florida. The recount, and the lawsuits and appeals that followed, uncovered a very flawed election process, and cast a cloud of uncertainty and mistrust over the political process on both the state and federal levels. The film does a very nice job of incorporating actual newscast footage, making this feel much like a documentary at times.
RECOVERY (R) 78 minutes * That "Find My iPhone" app can come in very handy. But when it directs these three friends to a mysterious house, they discover that the people who live there, aren't very helpful or friendly... at all. Great music/sound effects, and a cheap ending. R for violence and language.
THE RECRUIT (PG-13) 110 minutes * * 1/2 Jams Clayton (Colin Farrell) is recruited by Walter Burke (Al Pacino) to become an agent for the CIA. Training is tough, but Clayton is determined. Bridget Moynahan provides the romantic interest as fellow trainee Layla Moore. As always, it's a pleasure to watch Pacino work. He takes charge of the scenes he's in, commanding your attention without even seeming to try. However, if you can't figure this story out long before it's over, than you either haven't seen many films or you weren't listening when Burke says that nothing is what it seems... PG-13 for violence and language.
RED (PG-13) 104 minutes * * * Life was going along so smoothly for awhile. But then Frank (Bruce Willis) finds himself to be the target of assassins. So, he gathers his friends, who are also former black-ops agents, to see if they can get to the bottom of what's going on. Quite entertaining adaptation of the graphic novel, with a delightful performance by Helen Mirren, who appears to be having a great deal of fun in a very atypical role. PG-13 for violence and language.
RED ARMY (PG) 80 minutes * * 1/2 A history of Russian hockey as it evolved after World War II. More than just a sport, it was also about politics and national pride. Change and struggle were part of the process, but the game became better for it. Of particular interest to hockey fans, but others are likely to find this interesting as well. PG for language.
RED CLIFF (R) 142 minutes * * * The story of the last days of the Han Dynasty in China and a battle that was waged by the warlord Cao Cao (Fengyi Zhang) of the north against the rest of the warlords in the country. Cao Cao's forces were impressive, but an ability to understand and use the weather and other forces of nature were on the side of those in the south, west, and east. Director John Woo strips away some of the more sentimental tellings of the story and places a greater emphasis on a more historically accurate version. R for violence.
RED CLOVER (R) 86 minutes 1/2 A St. Patrick's Day massacre left this small town with a horrific secret. But it would seem that the leprechaun has returned. The idea behind the story isn't a bad one, but the super low budget special effects really undermine the film... not that the script is much help either. R for violence.
RED CORNER (R) 116 minutes * 1/2 In modern day China, Jack Moore (Richard Gere) finds himself accused of a murder he didn't commit. Could it be because he was about to close a deal involving broadcasting rights for American television programming within China? Convoluted plot that makes little sense and gives us a plethora of two-dimensional characters about whom we care very little. The film has the right look, and Thomas Newman's soundtrack is nice, but the story rings hollow the whole way through. R for language, violence, and sex.
RED DAWN (PG-13) 109 minutes * * * World War III has begun, and a group of students in a small town in middle America are fighting back. The level of realism isn’t terribly high, but the film has a very good energy level, and the cast tries hard enough that it works better than it probably should. PG-13 for violence and language.
RED DAWN (2012) (PG-13) 88 minutes * 1/2 Darker and grittier than the 1984 film, this time the students are dealing with an invasion by North Korea. However, for all of the more realistic atmosphere created by the photography and sets, the story of how the students manage to be so effective in repelling the invasion is perhaps less believable than the original. PG-13 for violence and language.
RED DOG (PG) 87 minutes * * * Red Dog roamed the Australian Outback in search of his owner, and touched the lives of many people along the way. His story is both true and legendary. The script does have a somewhat humorous tone that doesn't really fit well. The ensemble cast works well together and helps make the humor less intrusive to a story that is both dramatic and sentimental. PG for language.
RED DOG TRUE BLUE (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2 When Michael (Jason Isaacs) takes his boys to see a movie, he doesn't realize that it's about the dog he had as a child. That's right, Red Dog, the legendary dog from Australia was his. The setup for the story is a little shaky, but once the story gets underway, it pulls us in and moves along well.
RED DRAGON (R) 119 minutes * * * Very well-done prequel to "Silence of the Lambs" that begins with the solving of the Hannibal Lecter case by Will Graham (Edward Norton). Graham retires from the FBI but is called back in on a particularly brutal case that both his skills and the strange mind of Lecter are needed to solve. It's a wonderful character study and well-performed by both Norton and Hopkins. The supporting cast is also quite strong, featuring the talents of Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Kietel, EMily Watson, Mary Louise Parker, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. A much stronger film than Hannibal, this actually leaves us wanting yet another prequel that would follow Graham's budding career and finish where this film begins. Graham has the gift (and curse) of being able to get inside the mind of a killer and Norton plays it supremely well. Danny Elfman's music is quite suspenseful and rather different than his other soundtracks. R for violence, language, and nudity.
RED DUST (R) 106 minutes * * * Amnesty is granted for those who admit the crimes they committed. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was put in place to hear these confessions, and to make sure they are accurate and complete. The truth can be difficult to hear, as well as to say. While this is Alex Mpondo's (Chiwetel Ejiofor) story, his memory is still faulty, and the confession is beginning to fill in the pieces. It's just one of many of the horrific stories that happened during the years of apartheid in South Africa. Nice work by Hilary Swank in a strong supporting role. R for violence and language.
RED EYE (PG-13) 77 minutes * * Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) is just trying to get home on a late flight after going to her grandmother's funeral. She never suspects that the man she keeps bumping into in the airport has kidnapped her father and will have him killed if she doesn't help him with an assassination plot. Cillian Murphy is creepy enough for this, and McAdams does fairly well, considering that the script is far from inventive and doesn't give either of them much to work with. At least it doesn't go on very long! PG-13 for violence and language.
RED EYE (2017) (NR) 70 minutes 1/2 In rural West Virginia, there's a story about a wild man who kills and eats humans. Four friends go out into the woods to find out more about this horrific legend, and to film what they discover. (of course.) Bad script and worse acting, though the soundtrack isn't too bad. The ending shows a little more creativity than the rest of the film, but it's not really enough to justify watching the rest.
RED FINGER (NR) 121 minutes * * The dysfunctions of a family become even more pronounced after a murder. Lies build upoin lies, but the truth will find a way to be told soon enough. The story is a little melodramatic, but still interesting, and Abe Hiroshi's performance anchors the film well.
RED HEAT (R) 100 minutes * * 1/2 A good cop who always seems to get in trouble is teamed with a Russian police officer who stops at nothing to get his job done. Jim Belushi and Arnold Schwarzenegger do reasonably good work here, but the villains are terrible. They look the part, but the story doesn't give us any real reason to get passionate about wanting them to be caught or punished. Without that energy, the film tends to drag. For those who watch credits, note the special salute from Schwarzenegger as the film is dedicated to the 2nd Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator... nice!
RED HILL (R) 93 minutes * * Shane Cooper (Ryan Kwanten) has just started his first day at work in the town of Red Hill. It's not going to be an easy first day. Good tension and suspense, and the twist is well played, though not really a surprise. What doesn't work so well is Cooper's almost super-human survival capabilities. R for violence and language.
RED HOOK SUMMER (R) 115 minutes * * Flik (Jules Brown) has to spend the summer with his grandfather. New York is a little different from Atlanta, and his grandfather's style of parenting is nothing like what Flik is used to either. As with many Spike Lee films, this is a very wordy script. The words actually seem to get in the way here, leaving little room for the actors to shape their characters, though many of them seem content to just read their lines. Lee has several points he wants to make here, about religions, honesty, and growing up, but rather than telling us a story, it feels more like a lecture read by a few different voices. R for violence and language.
RED ISLAND (NR) 77 minutes 1/2 Their relationship is struggling, so Hogn (George Daburas) goes on a trip with his girlfriend Amy (Alex Essoe) to an island to search for ancient artifacts. It would appear that they are not alone, and that something isn't happy with them being there. Really weak script and acting. The lighting and music set the tone very well, but the narration and the pacing keep ruining it.
RED JOAN (R) 96 minutes * * * Beginning with the arrest of Joan Stanley (Judi Dench), the film goes back through her life to retrace the steps that led her to be arrested for providing classified scientific information to the Soviest Union. Dench is, of coure, stellar in her portrayal of Joan, but Sophie Cookson, who plays the younger version of the character, is also quite good. Adapted from the book by Jennie Rooney. R for sex.
RED KNOT (NR) 76 minutes * * Antarctica isn't a typical honeymoon spot, But Peter (Vincent Kartheiser) and Chloe (Olivia Thirlby) decide that it would be a fun alternative. But Peter is actually thinking about something else, which he has not disclosed to her yet. It turns out that they don't know each other as well as they thought. Beautiful scenery, and an interesting place to set a story about a struggling relationship. It's not bad, but the story needed more time than we have here.
RED MIST (NR) 82 minutes * 1/2 Testing out some experimental drugs on a comatose patient goes horribly wrong. The medical student responsible, and her friends, are now being hunted down by the essence of their victim, who is now able to switch bodies thanks to their experimental treatment. The story focuses on the supernatural aspect rather than the scientific, which actually might have been not only more interesting, but potentially more scary as well. It also would have needed a better script, which it kind of does anyway.
RED OBSESSION (NR) 76 minutes * * 1/2 As wine prices began to rise, some investors found them to be too expensive, and they feared a "bubble" effect. But then a new market came over the horizon... China. The demand is unprecedented, and the prices are still rising. But for how long? An interesting look at a side of the wine business that receives far less attention.
RED PLANET (PG-13) 102 minutes * * 1/2 Colonization of Mars is esssential as we've polluted the Earth past the point of recovery. We've been sending algae to Mars in an effort to create an atmosphere, but it seems to have disappeared. Time to send some people to check it out. The story is definitely absorbing, despite a few flaws. It's unbearably slow in spots though, and takes far too long to reach the conclusion that we saw coming after the first 30 minutes. Graeme Revell's soundstrack is both inventive and exciting and well worth a listen. PG-13 for violence and language.
RED RIDING 1974 (NR) 103 minutes * * 1/2 A young journalist writing an article on the abduction and murder of a young girl, discovers a link between it and some earlier cases. Perhaps even more disturbing is the connection to those in power in the Yorkshire region known as West Riding. Solid mystery drama that begins a three-part series based on the novels by David Peace.
RED RIDING 1980 (NR) 94 minutes * * * The Yorkshire Ripper investigation has stalled, and a thirteenth girl has just been killed. Peter Hunter (Paddy Considine) is called in to take over. He quickly discovers that there is corruption in the department, but it runs even more deeply than he realizes. A stronger story than Red Riding 1974 helps this be just a bit better.
RED RIDING 1983 (NR) 101 minutes * * * Some of the cases are beginning to unravel. Someone who had earlier confessed is not recanting, and another who was just accused of a murder turns up dead under rather suspicious circumstances. Thankfully, one of the corrupt police in the department is beginning to have second thoughts about his part in what's going on. Nice conclusion to the trilogy of stories, though it does rely on your having seen the other two films.
RED RIDING HOOD (PG) 76 minutes * * Retelling of the old fairytale that benefits from a fresh look, allowing the children who are hearing the story to make it more interesting by being part of it. What is a bit awkward is the sometimes musical approach. It's not consistent and the material isn't all that good either. Morgan Thompson (who plays Red) does an admirable job and sings her own songs (as do Lainie Kazan and Joey Fatone). It's not their fault the material isn't what it needs to be. PG for language.
RED RIDING HOOD (2011) (PG-13) 95 minutes * * 1/2 An interesting re-crafting of the classic tale. Fun at times, and played with a slightly sinister sense of humor, but at times it feels rather forced. Nice work by Amanda Seyfried as "red", and we already knew that Gary Oldman does a great job as a bad guy. Ends well too! PG-13 for violence and sex.
RED RIVER ROAD (NR) 89 minutes * 1/2 This virus spreads through the internet, but it affects your ability to tell what's real from what isn't, with violent results. This family has retreated to their vacation home, that is very isolated. Internet access is everywhere though, and their two sons find a way to connect. But is the threat they have been warned about actually real? There's some good tension, but the story feels incomplete and the actins is weak.
RED ROAD (NR) 111 minutes * * Jackie's (Kate Dickie) job is to watch a particular area of her town through closed circuit cameras and help keep people safe. One day, she sees someone she never expected to see. Unresolved issues in her life lead her to contact this person. There is a voyeuristic appeal to this story, but the "reality" of the story is more sensitive than expected at first. It shifts the balance to a point where we tend to feel we may have seen too much, and that Jackie's motivations weren't understood very well despite how much we've seen.
RED ROCKET (R) 127 minutes * * 1/2 Returning home, Mikey (Simon Rex) expects a little more hospitality than he receives. Nothing elaborate, but it seems that no one is interested in having an ex-porn star in the neighborhood. Then he meets Strawberry (Suzanna Son) She's 17. It all looks great for awhile, but Mikey's luck never lasts for long. R for sex and language.
RED SCORPION (R) 100 minutes * 1/2 Dolph Lundgren plays the part of a Soviet officer sent to kill a rebel leader in Africa in this poorly scripted action film. Lundgren is never going to be nominated for an Oscar, but with scripts that seem to be afraid to use words with more than one syllable, no one stands a chance! Lundgren fans will want to see this, but there are only a few scenes with much to offer in the way of quality.
RED SHOES AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (PG) 84 minutes * * 1/2 An alternate version of the Snow White tale with the Fearless Seven turned into seven "short, chubby, and green" people who need the kiss of a princess to break the spell they are under. The same evil witch who cursed them is also upset with Snow White for stealing her magical red shoes. It's a very nice alternative version, but the pacing is a little awkward, and the ending feels like there's some of the story we still need to hear. PG for violence.
RED SKY (PG-13) 103 minutes * 1/2 Fighter pilot Butch Masters (Cam Gigandet) tries to regain his honor by leading a squadron on an unsanctioned mission. Far too many pieces of the story that aren't believable or are simpl just missing. The cast tries, but they just don't have enough to work with. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
RED SNOW (NR) 78 minutes * * Olivia (Dennice Cisneros) writes vampire fiction, though none of her work has been published yet. At a remote cabin near Christmastime, she hopes to get some inspiration for a story that will finally see publication. What she gets is an actual vampire who needs her help due to an injury. She's learning a lot about real vampires, but will it help her write a better story? Or will it just get her in trouble? It's a fun twist on the vempire genre, but the ending is a bit of a letdown. Nice, creative use of Christmas carols in the soundtrack.
RED SONJA: QUEEN OF PLAGUES (NR) 72 minutes * 1/2 It's an unusual choice to present this animated feature-length film as a motion comic. Especially when a story has the level of action and energy that this does, the motion comic format just doesn't convey the same strength. The dialogue is uneven, though that is less of a problem than the visual aspect.
RED SPARROW (R) 134 minutes * * * After an accident puts an end to her career as a ballerina, Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence) is recruited for the "Sparrow" program in Russian intelligence. The cast is strong, and it's a well thought out story, though it's a little stiff and overly obvious with its plan. The acting does a nice job of covering most of this, but it still plays a little too carefully inside the lines. The only real exception is the use of sex early on to try and shock the viewer. R for violence, sex, and language.
RED STATE (R) 82 minutes * * 1/2 An ultra fundamentalist preacher and his followers deal out their own version of God's justice. But too many people have gone missing, and when the ATF gets involved, its going to get messy. Early on, the story is actually quite intense, but the ending is really dry and matter-of-fact. Interesting to note that the cast credits are divided into groups called "sex", "religion" and "politics". It seems there might have been more to this film before the final version was released. R for violence, sex, and language.
RED STONE (NR) 93 minutes * 1/2 His latest assignment is to hunt down a teenager who witnessed a murder. Boon (Neal McDonough) isn't thrilled about it, and even less so the more he finds about about the situation that set up the assigment in the first place. Most of the characters have little appel. McDonough's has some, but he doesn't appear to be very invested in the character either.
RED TAILS (PG-13) 120 minutes * * * A squadron of African-American pilots in the Tuskegee program during World War II push the boundaries in all directions to show that they have the skills and dedication to get the job done. A bit "glossy" in its retelling, but exciting, and the cast is impressive, with Terence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Method Man, Ne-Yo, and Michael B. Jordan among others. PG-13 for violence.
THE RED TENT (NR) 169 minutes * * * Biblical drama relating the story of the twelve tribes of Israel. The perspective is a little different than most versions as it comes through the eyes of Jacob's only daughter, Dinah (Rebecca Ferguson). It's nice to see the story told from a different angle. Adapted from the novel by Anita Diamant.
THE RED TURTLE (PG) 77 minutes * * * A single sailor survives a shipwreck and finds himself stranded on an island. It's a place of beauty and wonder. But soon he is not satisfied, and he seeks to leave this paradise. The island is not convinced that this should happen. A simple and beautiful tale, with beautiful animation. PG for violence.
RED 2 (PG-13) 107 minutes * * * Moses (Bruce Willis) reluctantly reunites the team to track down a missing nuclear device. The script does a nice job of showing the characters' reticence in working together again, while at the same time highlighting how comfortable they are together. The humor is more overt than in the first film, making this a bit more of a comedy, though there is still plenty of action and intrigue. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE RED VIOLIN (NR) 125 minutes * * * There is a legend that talks about the last violin made by Nicolo Bussoti. It was to be for his son, but his son died in childbirth, as did Nicolo's wife, leaving him distraught. Now, the violin, which seems to have almost mystical powers, has reappeared and is being sold at auction. Many of those who have played it have been inspired to play better than ever before. But tragedy also seems to follow the violin and those who play it. It's a fascinating story, although the scattered flashbacks make the film a bit hard to follow.
RED: WEREWOLF HUNTER (NR) 87 minutes * 1/2 So it turns out that Little Red Riding Hood was real, and her family continues to hunt werewolves when they get out of control. When the youngest "Red" (Felicia Day) brings home a boyfriend who doesn't know what she does, he's in for a surprise. But he finds out a little too late, and now he's a werewolf. It's an interesting story idae, but the special effects aren't very good, and what we do see, we get to see repeated a number of times.
REDACTED (R) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Brian DePalma wrote and directed this look at the behavior of soldiers during the war in Iraq. The focus is on the rape and murder of a 15 year-old girl and the murder of her family. DePalma uses a pseudo-documentary style by showing us footage "taken" by one of the soldiers as part of his war journal. While there are ways in which this adds to the realism of the film, it also detracts as it provides an almost non-stop narration that we don't need to hear. The photographs of real casualties from the war at the end of the film have even more powerful statements to make and don't need narration. Filmed in Amman, Jordan. R for violence, language, and sex.
REDBELT (R) 95 minutes * * 1/2 Mixed martial arts instructor Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) stumbles into a deal that could mean a great deal of money, but it might also mean compromising his dedication to keeping the purity of his art. Nice work by Ejiofor, who gives us a performance that is both intense and laid-back. It's an interesting story, written and directed by David Mamet, and uses the martial arts scene more as a backdrop to the struggles of a man working to find a way out of his situation by remaining true to his spiritual and physical discipline. R for language.
REDCON-1 (NR) 112 minutes * 1/2 The mission is to enter the quarantine zone, find and extract a scientist whose experiments may have started all of this, and survive the experience. (Kind of sounds like a videogame.) There are some good characters here, but the story and the action scenes just aren't very good. Getting into a fistfight with a zombie makes no sense at all.
REDEEMER (NR) 85 minutes * * 1/2 To atone for his past work as a hitman for a druglord, Pardo (Marko Zaror) becomes a vigilante for those who find themselves in need of assistance. Violent, but some very nice fight scene work by Zaror.
REDEEMING LOVE (PG-13) 126 minutes * * 1/2 Angel (Abigail Cowen) trusts no one. Sold into prostitution as a child, she has no reason to believe that anyone could ever really care about her. Michael (Tom Lewis) isn't the same sort of man she usually meets. Things just might be a little different with him. Overly long and sentimental, but well-acted. Adapted from the book by Francine Rivers. PG-13 for language, sex, and violence.
REDEMPTION (R) 96 minutes * 1/2 Facing a military court-martial, Joey (Jason Statham) goes on the run in London's criminal world of shadows and deception. Taking on another identity and becoming an avenging angel allow him the chance to right some wrongs, but it doesn't seem to be enough. A bit too much of the soul-searching man looking for remeption, despite the title. It's not really Statham's strong suit, and when he's carrying the whole film, a little more action and a little less introspection would have been more effective. The alternative would have been for the supporting characters to have been stronger. R for violence, nudity, and language.
REDEMPTION DAY (R) 95 minutes * * 1/2 Brad (Gary Dourdan) has been having flashbacks from his days in combat. When his wife (Serinda Swan) gets an important archaeology gig in Morocco, everything looks great. And then she's abducted. The story oves slowly, spending a good deal of time building the characters. That works well, but the action sequences seem tired and boring. R for violence and language.
REDLINE (PG-13) 88 minutes * 1/2 Fast cars, gorgeous women, bored billionaires... the cars are great and there are some amazing stunts and crash sequences here, but there's no depth to the story. And not much in the way of acting either. This movie may best be known for Eddie Griffin's real-life crash that destroyed an Enzo Ferrari belonging to the film's producer. Griffin was unhurt, but the $1.2 million car was not so fortunate. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
REDLINE (2009) (NR) 98 minutes * * 1/2 The latest race is scheduled to take place on Roboworld, but the leaders there are determined not to allow the race to happen. Of course, that's never stopped the redline racers before. Animated version of the story with more of a science fiction angle. The animation is bright and slick and the pacing is brash and energetic. It makes for a visual treat, but the story is still pretty thin.
REDS (PG) 193 minutes * * * Lengthy retelling of the Communist revolution in Russia. The appeal is more for older viewers and those who enjoy history, though there’s a little bit of romantic interest/tension between John Reed (Warren Beatty) and Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton). Beatty won an Oscar for his direction, and the film also won Oscars for supporting actress and cinematography. R for language.
REDWOOD HIGHWAY (PG-13) 86 minutes * * 1/ Marie (Shirley Knight) doesn't like living in the retirement home. She decides that she's going to go back to Bend (Oregon), which is the place she loves the most. Getting there is going to be an adventure, and not just for her. Sweet and gentle drama. PG-13 for violence.
THE REDWOOD MASSACRE (NR) 80 minutes * It's been 20 years since the Redwood killings. And these five friends are about to discover that this trip was not a good idea. Great atmosphere, but the story and dialogue could use a lot of work. And the ending is both ridiculous and unsurprising.
THE REEF (G) 74 minutes * Also known as "Shark Bait", which might be more appropriate, though less appealing to the younger crowd. Unfortunately, the film doesn't really appeal to children either. Young Pi (voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr.) loses both of his parents in the first few minutes of the film and spends the bulk of the film training to defeat a mean shark for the right to court a pretty fish. How is this supposed to appeal to children? Nothing really harmful here, but it probably won't be one that you need to catch more than once.
THE REEF (2010) (R) 80 minutes * Guess what? It's another shark attack movie. Supposedly based on a true story where five people go on a boat trip and get stranded on a reef. They decide to swim for a piece of land that's about twelve miles away. The sharks aren;t terribly scary here, but the people aren't terribly smart either. Does that make this more realistic? Maybe. More entertaining? Definitely not. R for language and violence.
REEFER MADNESS (2004) (R) 103 minutes * * * Hilarious musical version of the classic 1936 anti-marijuana film, adapted from stage to screen by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, who wrote the stage version. Wonderfully campy performances that capture the spirit of the original, but take it a few steps farther. Kristen Bell and Christian Campbell star as the young couple torn apart by "reefer madness", with Alan Cumming as the government official who warns the town of the approaching epidemic. Other performances of note are Ana Gasteyer, John Kassir, Steven Weber, and Amy Spanger. Rememver, "When danger's near, exploit their fear!" R for sex and violence.
REEL INJUN (NR) 84 minutes * * * 1/2 So much of what we think we "know" about Native Americans comes from movies and television... and that often actually includes what Native Americans are expected to know about themselves. Powerful and important look at native people and their shared quest to be understood as the human beings... the people... that they are.
THE REF (R) 92 minutes * * * As a thief, Gus' (Denis Leary) life has become a comedy of errors, but he's not doing so bad as a marriage therapist. The film is a bit uneven in spots as it shifts from comedy to drama and back again, but Leary, Kevin Spacey, and Judy Davis do such a great job that we almost don't notice. Definitely an actor's film, and a good role for Leary.
REGARDING HENRY (PG-13) 105 minutes * * * 1/2 Henry Turner (Harrison Ford) is a lawyer who doesn't lose, regardless of the cost. He isn't always the most loving person to be around. But one evening, something happens that will change his life forever. And while he spends time recovering from a coma caused by a bullet wound, Henry finds that he has some choices to make. Ford's performance is one of subtleties, quiet, yet very intense. Annette Bening does a good job here too, with the only real problem being that Henry's recovery does seem to happen a bit too quickly. Otherwise, it's a fine piece of work from director Mike Nichols. PG-13 for language.
REGRESSION (R) 101 minutes * * 1/2 An abuse case turns into something more sinister when the involvement of a Satanic cult is suspected. Now, the difficulty will be to determine what is real and what is not. And whether to believe what you've discovered or something you've imagined. R for violence, sex, and language.
REHAB CABIN (NR) 76 minutes * * 1/2 Sometimes, a special opportunity arises. Former child star Amanda Campbell (Alexandra Stebbins) is a fan favorite of Chloe (Lacey Jeka) and Domenic (Scott Mandell). Her career has recently sunk to a new low, which they find very disappointing. Chloe has a plan for how to rehab Amanda and return her to greatness. Offbeat comedy that falters at the end, but is quite good until then.
REIGN OF ASSASSINS (R) 116 minutes * * * 1/2 Possession of the remains of Bodhi mean that your mastery of the art of Kung Fu will be exceeded by no one. Zeng Jing (Michelle Yeoh) defies her own clan, the Dark Stone, who are trying to retrieve the remains, and she takes them for herself. Eventually, she decides to return them to their rightful place. But both of these decisions pit her against her clan, who will not stop until she is dead. Much better character development and depth of story than most films in this genre, and Yeoh delivers one of her best performances. R for violence.
REIGN OF FIRE (PG-13) 97 minutes * * 1/2 So, the theory is that dragons ate themselves out of a food suppy and went into hibernation until they were disturbed by humans, which meant there was a food supply again. A few years later, the food supply is about to run out again. Not a terribly thrilling idea, but it could have made a good story. Note: "could have". There are some nice special effects as far as the dragons are concerned, but we still don't get to see them very much and several of the shots are repeated. Matthew McConaughey delivers a rather unusual but nice performance, but it just isn't enough to give this film the energy and excitement it needs. Filmed in Ireland. PG-13 for violence.
REIGN OVER ME (R) 121 minutes * * * When Alan (Don Cheadle) bumps into his old college roommate, he thinks it might be just what he needs... a good male friend to do some "guy" things with. It might even help his marriage. But Charlie (Adam Sandler) needs Alan even more desperately, and it will be a struggle for both of them to make this old friendship into something they can both benefit from. Cheadle delivers yet another Oscar-worthy performance here, but Sandler's is uneven. There are clearly some moments of brilliance. Unfortunately, there are also times when Sandler can't seem to help himself and brings in too much humor. It's still well worth a look, but not quite the powerful film it might have been. Filmed in New York City. R for language.
REINCARNATION (R) 93 minutes * * 1/2 When Sugiura (Yuka) gets a role in a horror film, her visions intensify. She believes that she is the reincarnation of a murder victim. And the film she's now acting in is replaying the crime. The sound effects and photography add to the suspense, which builds well. R for violence.
REINDEER GAMES (R) 95 minutes * * 1/2 Rudy's (Ben Affleck) cellmate has a female penpal who's going to meet him when he gets out. That's not exactly how things work out though, and now Rudy finds himself falling for the girl despite how her brother wants to use him in a robbery. There are quite a few twists and turns here, but they lay out fairly well. The ending is rather cheesy, but getting there is fun and exciting. Gary Sinise plays the villain well and it's really nice to see Isaac hayes and Clarence Williams III in a couple of supporting roles. Filmed in Prince George and Vancouver, British Columbia. R for violence, language, and sex.
A REINDEER'S JOURNEY (NR) 82 minutes * * * Nature documentary following the birth and early life of a reindeer in Lapland. The photography is stunning, and the film is masterfully narrated by Donald Sutherland.
REJOICE & SHOUT (PG) 113 minutes * * * The history of gospel music, beginning with the early spirituals, hymns, and four-part harmonies. A staple of African-American Christianity, it has evolved as the decades have passed, to include blues, swing, soul, and even rap and hip-hop. Packed with videos of wonderful historical recordings, it's both informative and entertaining. PG for language.
RELATIVE STRANGER (NR) 87 minutes * * A former football star returns home after a few years to find that his daughter hates him, and that his brother is now dating his ex-wife. He knows he's made mistake, but sincerely wants to try and make amends. The onl yperson who seems willing to forgive him is his mother. Forgiveness isn't easy, but neither is starting over. The story isn't all that bad here, but the cast never seems to really connect with it, and the direction is stiff and awkward at times.
RELAXER (NR) 90 minutes 1/2 When a friend challenges him to beat level 256 on Pacman, Abbie (Joshua Burge) can't get up off the couch until he completes it. For anything. While the idea of how a person could survive if they can never leave their couch is not without interest or humor, the story here fails to address a number of issues. And in trying to be both funny and interesting, it instead gets confused and lost somewhere along the way.
RELENTLESS (R) 88 minutes * * 1/2 Buck Taylor's (Judd Nelson) dad was the perfect cop. But Buck isn't doing so well. In fact, he's sort of switched sides. The cast does as well as can be expected with a script that gives away all of it's potential surprises in the first few minutes. We needed to hear a little more about what went on in Buck's mind, but if that was written, it ended up on the cutting room floor.
THE RELIANT (PG-13) 111 minutes 1/2 The collapse of the American economy leads to violent riots. As Rick's (Kevin Sorbo) family is preparing to head to safety, they are attacked. Now, the kids have to fend for themselves with little more than a few Bible verses. Believability just doesn't even figure into this story. The dialogue is overly simple, with a handy Bible verse for almost every scene, and story logic that fails at every turn. PG-13 for violence.
THE RELIC (R) 105 minutes * 1/2 For as much action as takes place, this is an incredibly slow-paced horror film. Director Peter Hyams has done a good job with the action sequences, but cutting 10 minutes out of this would have really helped. There are some nice special effects courtesy of Stan Winston, but the story wanders all over the place without the energy it needs to keep us interested. R for violence and language.
RELIC (2020) (R) 84 minutes * * Kay (Emily Mortimer) is used to her mother's (Robyn Nevin) increasing struggles with dementia. Sam (Bella Heeathcote) wonders if it might pass on down to her. But Edna's recent bout seems to involve something much more sinister. Something that might be in the house. The story is sloppy, but the acting and effects go a long way to making up for it. R for violence and language.
RELIGULOUS (R) 98 minutes * * Is religion detrimental to society? This is the question Bill Maher asks us to think about. Maher is a skeptic, but the film does little to effectively encourage others to be skeptics. Those who have their doubts, will have them reaffirmed and those who believe in the importance of religion, probably aren't going to watch this film anyway. Best moment in the film: A US Senator chuckling as he says "You don't have to pass an IQ test to be in the senate"... and then realizing what he just said... R for language.
THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST (R) 122 mminutes * * * Changez (Riz Ahmed) is a young Pakistani professor on the rise. His future is looking bright... until militant Islamic fundamentalists attack the United States on September 11, 2001. Adapted from the novel by Mohsin Hamid, it's a look at Changez's struggle to balance his dreams and his identity when outside pressures start pushing in ways that no one would have anticipated. Nicely acted and thought-provoking. R for language, violence, and sex.
THE REMAINING (PG-13) 83 minutes * Skylar's (Alexa PenaVega) wedding seems to be going off without a hitch, or at least nothing all that unusual. And then it seems as though the world is about to end... literally. The performances are OK, but there's far too much jerky camera work, and the story has only one note to beat. PG-13 for violence.
THE REMAINS (NR) 91 minutes * * Having recently lost his wife, John (Todd Lowe) and his three children move into a new home. Well, it's actually an old home. An old home with a strange chest in the attic. Sets, music, and sound effects all set the mood nicely, but the story is stale, despite being able to pull off a couple of good scares.
THE REMAINS OF THE DAY (PG) 131 minutes * * * * An aging mansion about to be demolished is purchased by an American millionaire. Over the course of the film we take trips back in time to events surrounding his earlier trips to this once distinguished house. Emma Thompson is spectacular, as is Anthony Hopkins, in this story of a house and those who lived within. PG for language.
REMEMBER (R) 88 minutes * * Zev (Christopher Plummer) has forgotten many things. What he has remembered is the mission he needs to complete. He needs to find the person responsible for the death of his family. The officer who was at Auschwitz who must be brought to justice. The story is a little too obviosuly a set-up, but Plummer does a very nice job with the character. R for violence and language.
REMEMBER ME (PG-13) 106 minutes * * * Tyler's (Robert Pattinson) brother killed himself. Ally's (Emilie de Ravin) mother was murdered. What begins as an awkward meeting with a hidden agenda, soon develops into something else, though not without other pretenses. Two families, each living, loving, learning, grieving, and struggling to move on with their lives, even though it hurts. The ending is powerful, though the energy does stall a little at a couple of points in the film. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
REMEMBER ME (2014) (NR) 168 minutes * * * Tom (Michael Palin) has been looking forward to moving into the residential care facility for some time. But the day he moves in, there's a violent death. And he may be the only witness. This mystery from the BBC gets more dark and scary as it goes along. Very nice ending, and solid, impressive work by the cast.
REMEMBER SUNDAY (NR) 96 minutes * * 1/2 Gus (Zachary Levi) has lost his short-term memory due to a brain aneurysm. Every day is new, which is both a blessing and a curse. When he falls in love with Molly (Alexis Bledel), he's at a loss as to what to do, since he knows that the next day, he won't remember her. Sentimental love story with work from Levi, Bledel, and the rest of the cast.
REMEMBER THE TITANS (PG) 107 minutes * * * Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) has been hired as the new coach for the football team. It's an effort to integrate schools, but asking two teams that have been segregated by race to integrate, cooperate, and win... well, it isn't going to be easy. The film is well cast with many nice supporting performances including that of young Hayden Panettiere. Football fans will probably enjoy the film a bit more than others, but the story is constructed to sweep you along and lift you up whether you like football or not. It's about teamwork, and living through the tough times. PG for violence and language.
REMEMORY (PG-13) 107 minutes * * * An amazing new piece of equipment has the ability to record and play back a person's memories. Even those memories they are unable to recall at will. When the inventor is found dead, and the machine goes missing, the search is on for the truth. Nicely done suspense/thriller with solid work by the cast. PG-13 for violence and language.
REMINISCENCE (PG-13) 110 minutes * * * In a future where the present is a nightmare, Nick (Hugh Jackman) and Emily (Thandiwe Newton) deal in memories. Specifically, in allowing people to relive moments from their past. The past can be addictive, and Nick finds himself caught in someone else's memories. A dark, science fiction noir film. Good work by Jackman. The looping nature of the story is a little frustrating, but it does work. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
REMO WILLIAMS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS (PG-13) 116 minutes * * * 1/2 Remo (Fred Ward) is the enforcer of the 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not get away with it". He considers professional assassination to be the highest form of public service. Adapted from the novel by Richard Sapir and Warren Murphy, this is one of those adventure films that should have spawned several sequels, but it just never happened. If you enjoy films in the spy/adventure genre, this is one not to miss.
REMOVAL (R) 86 minutes * 1/2 After witnessing the suicide of a friend, Eric (Billy Burke) has been off of work for awhile. He works for a carpet and floor cleaning company. Now that he's back, he's been asked to clean a very large, gothic house... by himself... and it will take all night. He's still having hallucinations, but the home owner is insisting that he stay and complete the job. The film goes out of its way to misdirect your suspiciions, which pretty much tells you what will happen. Bad ending too. R for violence and language.
RENAISSANCE MAN (PG-13) 124 minutes * * * Bill Rago (Danny DeVito) finds himself teaching a small group of military rejects during their stint in boot camp. We get to know and care about these characters very quickly due to an extremely well-written script, and the fine performances by everyone concerned, make this a film that will be hard to forget. A fine piece of work, a bit overly dramatic at times, but it does a good job of making the point that "the choices we make dictate the life we lead." PG-13 for language.
RENDEL (NR) 101 minutes * 1/2 A superhero in Finland takes on the criminal organization, VALA. The visual style of the film is quite impressive, but the dialogue is less so, though some of it may well be lost in translation. The fight choreography doesn't need any translation, but it clearly falls far short of what it needs to be.
THE RENDEZVOUS (PG-13) 89 minutes * 1/2 Rachel's (Stana Katic) brother may have found the missing Dead Sea Scroll. Said to bring about the end of days, she finds herself working with an Arab-American State Department agent to retrieve it. There are still a few other questions that need to be answered, but they are not the only people who want to find it. This tries to be an adventurous film with a little romance and humor. The script just doesn't sell it well, and the actors don't have the chemistry to make it work. PG-13 for violence and language.
RENDITION (R) 114 minutes * * * Extreme rendition... moving a suspected terrorist to a prison outside the United States for interrogation... without filling out the paperwork that is usually required. After a bombing where an American is killed, Anwar (Omar Metwally) is picked up for extreme rendition. At first we are sure he is innocent, but he can't (or won't) explain why there is a record of phone calls from a known terrorist on his cell phone. The timeline of events in the film is a bit difficult to follow, but the questions it asks are powerful. Also starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Meryl Streep. R for violence and language.
RENEGADES (R) 102 minutes * * * Buster (Kiefer Sutherland) is a police officer who has become less than law abiding, though there is still a sense of dedication to his job. Hank (Lou Diamond Phillips), though clearly a renegade in the past, has begun to gain a deeper sense of self and destiny. The possibilities for these characters are endless, but the story we see here doesn't offer us much. Sutherland and Phillips work well together, but they are too strong for the script. The dialogue holds them back and we see them struggle with it. Jami Gertz does a nice job too, though her character is limited as well. Michael Kamen's music is a highlight and there is plenty of action, it's just that too much of it rings hollow when the actors are so much stronger than the script.
RENFIELD (R) 87 minutes * * Having had the same job for years, Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) has grown more than a little tired of serving Dracula (Nicolas Cage). But getting away from the Count is no easy task. Cage once again fills the screen, and when he isn't, Awkwafina is. It doesn't leave much room for Hoult to work, but he does very well with the space he's given. R for violence and language.
RENOIR (R) 108 minutes * * 1/2 The later years of Renoir's life, focusing on a time when one of his sons returns from war and falls in love with one of his father's models. The film is uneven, with the characters barely able to tolerate one another, which constrasts with the beautiful photography and scenery that often reminds us of some of Renoir's paintings. It's difficult to focus on the beauty when the characters are so intent on distracting us. R for nudity and language.
RENT (PG-13) 129 minutes * * * Though this is definitely a bit less powerful than the stage presentation, there's still strength here that shouldn't be missed. The music has both artistic and emotional messages and the cast does a fine job portraying that. The weakness lies in the overall presentation. The film seems to make the same scene transitions as the stage production and it doesn't work as well. Without even realizing it, we tend to forgive a little when watching a stage production. We understand that set pieces have to be moved and that we're watching this "live". With a film, we expect things to be a bit more seamless, and a bit more dialogue and character development here would have gone a long way toward making this film a stronger production. PG-13 for language and brief nudity.
RENT-A-PAL (NR) 104 minutes * * 1/2 Living with his mother who has dementia, David (Brian Landis Folkins) struggles to connect with others. He's been using a video dating service, but hasn't been having any luck. Then he stumbles across a videotape called "Rent-a-Pal". Andy (Wil Wheaton) promises to be a friend. He is quite a good friend it seems, but there's something unusual and a bit sinister about this tape and about Andy. Really nice work by Folkins, though the more sinister nature of the idea isn't developed as well as it could have been.
THE RENTAL (R) 84 minutes * 1/2 It was supposed to be a weekend away to relax. Instead, everything seems to be "off" just a little. And then it gets worse. As with many films in this genre, we have too little time to get to know or like the characters, which means that we tend not to care all that much when bad things start happening to them. The end of the film does provide an interesting alternative, but it's not enough. R for violence, language, and sex.
REPENTANCE (R) 91 minutes * * When Tommy (Anthony Mackie) takes on Angel (Forest Whitaker) as a client, he has no idea of how deep the problems run. The acting is solid, and the tension is very good at times, but the story gets preoccupied with the kidnapping and torture aspect, ignoring the deeper issues. We're left with characters that are shallow and not as interesting. R for violence and language.
THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS (R) 84 minutes * * 1/2 The man who runs Chinatown has a problem on his hands. It's his hit man, who turns against him. It seems the hit man's replacements can't take care of the job for their boss either. Lots of action and some fairly good stuntwork, though this is filled with the typically far-fetched material for this genre. Plenty of nasty-looking bad guys and a fine performance from Mira Sorvino as a forger help this have an appeal that carries it through to the end. R for violence and language.
THE REPLACEMENTS (PG-13) 109 minutes * * 1/2 During the last few weeks of the season, the pro football players have decided to go on strike. Replacements are hired to play until an agreement can be reached. It's a chance to play, an opportunity to be noticed, a possibility for those who are willing to give it their all. Gene Hackman gives his typically solid performance as the replacement coach, but the real stars are some of the supporting characters. It's a fun film for those who enjoy the sport. PG-13 for violence and language.
REPLICAS (PG-13) 93 minutes * * * Working on a way to transfer the consciousness of a human being into a synthetic body, William Foster (Keanu Reeves) is stuck. The experiments are failing and time is running out. When his family is killed in a car crash, his work flips into high gear as he has a limited amount of time to bring them back. He has to find a way. The story isn;t all that original, and Reeves' performance hits the same single note it usually does. But some of the supporting roles are quite good, and the finish feels both eerie and wonderful at the same time. PG-13 for violence and sex.
REPO MEN (R) 105 minutes * * * One of the wonderful things about the future is that you won't have to wait for an organ transplant. It's available immediately and the payment plan is easy. Just be sure you don't fall behind on those payments or the repo men will pay you a visit. Jake (Forest Whitaker) and Remy (Jude Law) work as a team, but when Remy finds himself of the receiving end of a transplant, his feelings about his job begin to change. The ending is both tragic, and rather frightening if you consider the possibilities. Adapted from the novel, "The Reposession Mambo" by Eric Garcia. R for violence, sex, and language.
REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA (R) 92 minutes * * 1/2 It's a future where organ failures are commonplace and organ transplants are controlled by Geneco. They are still expensive, but Geneco is willing to work out a payment plan. The problem is that if your account is overdue, the organs are... reposessed! Campy horror fun, described by a character within the film as "goth opera, blood saga". Infused with a macabre sense of humor and featuring offbeat performances by Paul Sorvino, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton, and Anthony Stewart Head. The gem here is Alexa Vega, whose tragic character Shilo is in need of a transplant herself, and whose father is the repo man, though she doesn't know it. Not for every taste, but if you're interested in something more unique, this might fit the bill. R for violence, language, and sex.
REPOSSESSED (PG-13) 81 minutes BOMB Sometimes spoofs miss the mark and this is one of those times. Linda Blair and Leslie Nielsen star in this attempt to parody "The Exorcist". Weak humor and a poor script give this film little chance right from the start and it seems to grow more desperate as it goes along.
REPRISAL (R) 86 minutes * * When the bank he works at is robbed, Jacob (Frank Grillo) feels he has to do something. His Neighbor (Bruce Willis) just happens to be an ex-cop with lots of connections and lots of savvy, which is going to come in handy as they figure out how to catch Gabriel (Johnathon Schaech). There are some good scenes and an interesting story, but nothing all that exciting. And none of the characters have much depth. R for violence and language.
REPRISE (R) 98 minutes * * Two friends with aspirations of being authors find themselves on different paths as one is successful and the other is not. Both find themselves obsessed in different ways, by the pursuit of love, by the pursuit of success, and neither can quite understand the other as well once their paths move apart. Difficult to follow in spots, with an almost dreamlike quality that is harhsly interrupted all too often by narration. R for sex and language.
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (NR) 97 minutes * * * 1/2 Stunning second feature from director Darren Aronofsky that takes us deep into the world of Harry (Jared Leto), his mother, girlfriend, and best friend, as they each pursue their dreams. With destructive determination, they pursue their dreams, and we find ourselves horribly fascinated, as we watch their demise. Jennifer Connolly gives the best performance of her career to this point, with Leto and Ellen Burstyn giving near flawless performances as well. Marlon Wayans rounds out the four tragic characters with a nice performance of his own. Aronofsky's style is powerful and the material he has chosen with both this film and "Pi" is thought-provoking to say the least.
THE REQUIN (R) 86 minutes * Taking a vacation to recover from the loss of an infant, Jaelyn (Alicia Silverstone) and Kyle (James Tupper) choose a beautiful seaside resort in Vietnam. A terrible storm sets their cottage adrift and then, of course, there are sharks. There is also a good deal of over-acting by Silverstone, and some really bad CGI effects. R for language and violence.
THE RESCUE (PG) 93 minutes * 1/2 Military brats rescue their fathers from a prison in North Korea. Bruce Broughton's music adds some flair and the acting isn't TOO terrible. The story is... well, there just isn't much of one.
RESCUE DAWN (PG-13) 121 minutes * * Based on the experiences of Lt. Dieter Dengler, whose plane went down in Laos during the early part of the Vietnam War. Christian Bale plays the part of Dengler and the film focuses on his time in a small prison camp and eventual rescue. The story tends to drag and Dengler seems to be the only person who has a sense of normality... which tends to undermine the believability of the story. PG-13 for violence.
RESCUE ME (PG-13) 96 minutes * Guy is infatuated with girl, girl gets kidnapped by idiots, boy saves girl. Michael Dudikoff makes a move away from his action films to star in this nearly worthless piece of fluff alongside Ami Dolenz. You may be crying "Rescue me!" yourself before the end.
THE RESCUERS (G) 76 minutes * * * ½ When a young girl is kidnapped by treasure hunters, two mice from the Rescue Aid Society have their work cut out for them as they work to find and rescue her before it’s too late. Not one of Disney’s more popular films, but it’s quite good and well worth a look.
THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER (G) 74 minutes * * * 1/2 Long-awaited sequel to the adventures of Bernard and Bianca has them travelling to Australia to help a young boy. The story is what wins the most points here, with plenty of excitement but nothing too scary. The amount of computer generated animation is a bit disheartening, but it's still well done.
RESERVATION ROAD (R) 94 minutes * * When Ethan's (Joaquin Phoenix) son is killed in a tragic accident, he struggles to understand and becomes even more frustrated in his grief as the police seem incapable of finding out who is responsible. Turning to lawyers who might be able to help, he has no idea that Dwight (Mark Ruffalo) is actually the person responsible. With his own guilt weighing more heavily every day, Dwight is struggling with what choice to make. Good performances, but a heavy-handed approach to the story makes this a bit difficult to believe. R for language.
THE RESIDENT (R) 83 minutes * 1/2 The rent was definitely too good to be true. That should have made Juliet (Hilary Swank) think a little longer about renting the apartment Now the owner is obsessively stalking her through all of the secret passages in the building. Swank manages to lend a little credibility to the film with her performance, but the story is so thin, predictable, and almost ridiculous, that it still doesn't matter that much. R for violence, language, and sex.
RESIDENT EVIL (R) 93 minutes * The world's economy is primarily controlled by one huge corporation that is involved in genetic research, viral weaponry, and the military. An item is stolen from a lab and a virus is released in the main building. The computer takes over the building and a team is being sent in to shut it down and regain control of the building, hoping to discover what went wrong and how security was breached. Early on, this appears to be an interesting sci-fi/action film, but it doesn't take long for it to degenerate to little more than a high-tech zombie film. It does look nice, but there's not much in the way of substance after the first 20 minutes. R for violence and language.
RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE (R) 90 minutes * 1/2 Alice (Milla Jovovich) manages to break into Umbrella Corporation headquarters and cause a substantial amount of damage. Now she's on the way to Arcadia, to see if anyone has made it to the virus free zone. But Arcadia isn't what she'd imagined, and once again, she finds herself with a small band of survivors, fighting for their lives against the millions of undead. A few nice special effects, but the story is getting old, and much like the videogame, appears to have no end. R for violence and language.
RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE (R) 87 minutes 1/2 The virus gets out of the lab and into the general public, the corporation releases Nemesis to "clean up" the situation. Lots of action, but not much in the way of story. Thanks to the photography and costumes, this has a great look, but it rings far too hollow and quickly becomes boring. Some of the fight scenes are edited in a way that removes much of the excitement as well. R for violence, language, and nudity.
RESIDENT EVIL: DAMNATION (R) 94 minutes * 1/2 Agent Kennedy goes against orders to try and destroy some biological weapons. Mixed quality CGI animation, far too much of which relies heavily on in-your-face 3D effects. There are also too many sequences that look like they were lifted right out of the video game. Not much creativity or originality here. Just go play the game. R for violence.
RESIDENT EVIL: DEGENERATION (R) 93 minutes * 1/2 The WilPharma corporation has a vaccine that can prevent people from coming down with the virus. TerraSave says that's a lie, and when an airplane with infected people crashes, a new "outbreak" begins. Now the two groups will have to prove whose interests they really support. Based more directly on the videogame than other entries in the series, and the first one to be animated rather than live action. It's also less a zombie horror film and more a science fiction technology horror film. Fans of the game are likely to enjoy this more than others, especially those who are expecting more zombie action. R for violence.
RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION (R) 88 minutes * 1/2 The virus continues to spread and has now killed almost all life. Staying on the move is the only way to survive. Alice (Milla Jovovich) holds the key to survival, but at what cost? The action and effects are reasonably good, and the cast does a fair job. It's just that there's barely enough story for the film... and yet they let us know that there will be another one to follow. R for violence, language, and nudity.
RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION (R) 82 minutes * * 1/2 Alice (Milla Jovovich) finds herself back at Umbrella Central. Ada Wong (Bingbing Li) and Wesker (Shawn Roberts) are going to help her, but breaking out of Umbrella isn't easy. This entry in the series feels much more like a video game than some, with a little less plot and more of a sense of levels that must be worked through. Surprisingly, it works well, and answers some questions that were still lingering from earlier films. And, of course, it sets us up for another sequel. R for violence.
RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER (R) 98 minutes * * 1/2 This starts out with a five and a half minute recap of the previous films. It's such a cursory look, that if you aren't already familiar with the series, it isn't really helpful. And if you are, it isn't really necessary. And so, humanity is almost gone. The Hive will be where Alice's (Milla Jovovich) small band of heroes takes on the Umbrella Corporation in the "final" battle, trying to stop them once and for all. It would be a fitting end to the series, except it leaves room for the next chapter. "Final" never really means the end apparently. R for violence.
RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA (R) 93 minutes * * A death merchant is about to release a deadly virus in New York. Redfield (voiced by Kevin Dorman) calls on Leon Kennedy (voiced by Matthew Mercer) and Rebecca Chambers (voiced by Erin Cahill) for help. Great animation and very well choreographed fight scenes, but the story gets lost in all of the action. R for violence.
RESIDENT EVIL: WELCOME TO RACOON CITY (R) 99 minutes * * Thanks to the departure of the Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a town that is dying. Even worse, something evil lies beneath the city. It will soon surface, and things will never be the same. This film is a beginning of a reboot of the series, pulling material from the first two video games as well as the first film, to tell a similar story. It has a little more of that video game style in the way it introduces the different levels of zombies. R for violence and language.
RESISTANCE (NR) 85 minutes * * 1/2 It's 1944, and England has just been invaded by Germany. The female residents of a small village in Wales wake up one morning to discover that their husbands are all gone. To resist or cooperate. Neither choice is ideal, and both come with consequences. Very good, but slow moving and melancholy drama. Adapted from the book by Owen Sheers.
RESISTANCE (2020) (R) 117 minutes * 1/2 The story of Marcel Marceau's (Jesse Eisenberg) work to get children from France to Switzerland during World War II. Eisenberg is very much miscast here, though the film isn't written very well either. There are a few moments that are well done, but not all that many. R for violence.
THE RESISTANCE FIGHTER (NR) 106 minutes * * * Near the end of World War II, the Polish resistance was still fighting German occupation. They were also beginning to realize that the Allies were going to let Poland be taken by the Soviets at the end of the war. Well-told war story with plenty of drama and suspense.
RESOLUTION SONG (NR) 84 minutes * 1/2 The healing that eventually happens after a tragedy takes place at different times for each of us. Levi (Cedric L. Williams) is running ahead of the rest of his family, which is creating tensions among the rest of them. The script is stiff and manipulative, never helping us get to know the characters very well, so if feels like their reactions aren't genuine.
RESPECT (PG-13) 139 minutes * * * 1/2 The story of Aretha Franklin (Skye Dakota Turner/Jennifer Hudson). Though her parents were separated and she lived with her father, her mother's death profoundly affected young Aretha. Despite some initial success, all under heavy influence from her father, She struggled to find the passion behind the music that would eventually make her a star. Absolutely wonderful performance by Hudson. PG-13 for language and violence.
THE REST OF US (NR) 75 minutes * * 1/2 When Craig dies unexpectedly, his past wife and daughter (Heather Graham and Sophie Nelisse) have to deal with his current wife and daughter (Jodi Balfour and Abigail Pniowsky). Both women are struggling with raising their daughters as wellas with their feelings for Craig and what that means as they sort out their lives with him no longer part of the picture. Good characters that are well-acted, but the story is a bit shallow. The sequence late in the film between Aster and Talulah is among the best in the film, but only begins to show some of the depth we needed to see in the rest of the film.
RESTLESS (NR) 181 minutes * * 1/2 Sometimes parents have secrets that may surprise you. Ruth (Michelle Dockery) learns that her mother was a spy, and that she's actually still in hiding. An in-depth spy thriller, with lots of intrigue, though the energy level remains rather low throughout the film. The pacing does pick up near the end. A very nice role for Charlotte Rampling. Adapted from the book by William Boyd.
RESTLESS SPIRITS (NR) 93 minutes * * * Katie doesn't want to be spending the summer at her grandmother's. But when she takes up a dare to go into the haunted woods, she finds a bit more than expected. It seems that there are some real ghosts there, and they could use her help. A heartwarming story that is very well made in all aspects. It does move a little slowly at times, but it's a film that is both entertaining and educational and one that families will enjoy watching together.
RESTORATION (NR) 86 minutes * 1/2 While renovating their home, Rebecca (Emily O'Brien) and Todd (Adrian Gaeta) inadvertently disturb a very angry spirit. To release it from what keeps it in their house, they will need to uncover its truth, which is easier said than done. Reasonably good suspense, but the story really doesn't go very deep.
RESTRAINT (R) 88 minutes * 1/2 On the run, Ron (Travis Fimmel) and Dale (Teresa Palmer) find a great place to hide out. But the old mansion isn't abandoned, and the agoraphobic resident has some issues of his own. Drags quite a bit, but there isn't really much room for this story to move. R for violence, sex, and language.
RESTREPO (R) 91 minutes * * 1/2 It's one of the most dangerous posts in the United States military. There are occasionally a few peaceful moments in this area of Afghanistan, but there are times every day when the people here will be fired on. It will change you. This is the story of the establishment of the Restrepo outpost, which changed the military dynamic in the region, but which was far from an easy task. R for language and violence.
RESULTS (R) 101 minutes * * 1/2 Trevor (Guy Pearce) runs an up-and-coming personal training facility, and Kat (Cobie Smulders) is one of his star trainers. A wealthy new client begins to pursue her on a romantic level, which creates all kinds of problems. The story wanders, as does the quality of the script, giving us some delightful moments, but others that leave a great deal to be desired. The appeal of the characters helps, but not enough to move this past the plus side of mediocre. R for language and sex.
RESURRECTING THE CHAMP (PG-13) 109 minutes * * 1/2 Erik Kernan Jr. (Josh Hartnett) is a sports writer who is struggling to find his voice. Everything he writes seems dry and mechanical. When he stumbles across a former boxing champ who is now homeless, he is able to write a story with heart and compassion. But is Bob Satterfield (Samuel L. Jackson) really who he says he is? What does it mean if he isn't? Definitely an interesting story though there are clearly some gaps in logic. Hartnett does reasonably well here as he has a strong supporting cast that also includes Kathryn Morris, Alan Alda and David Paymer. PG-13 for language and violence.
RESURRECTION (R) 100 minutes * * Everything in her life is structured and in a specific order. One day, Margaret (Rebecca Hall) catches a fleeting glimpse of a man from her past. The order she has created begins to collapse. It's slow at first, but it won't take long for everything to come crashing down. Hall is good here, and Tim Roth gives a fine supporting performance. The script is adequate, but doesn't have the edge it needs. R for violence, sex, and language.
THE RESURRECTION OF CHARLES MANSON (NR) 73 minutes * 1/2 Auditioning for a role she desperately wants, Tianna (Katherine Hughes) and her boyfriend go to the desert to film her audition and have a romantic weekend. They soon find themselves trapped by a small cult who believe that they can resurrect Charles Manson with a human sacrifice. Frank Grillo plays the cult leader (not very convincingly), and his son Remy Grillo directs. Not a great script, but this also just seems incomplete.
THE RESURRECTION OF GAVIN STONE (PG) 87 minutes * * Gavin (Brett Dalton) was a big thing on TV when he was a child. Those days are long gone. In trouble and assigned to community service, he ends up helping out at a local church. He works his way into being part of the annual Passion Play production... where he learns much more than he thought possible. Formulaic and sentimental, but it still works fairly well, thanks to Dalton's charm. PG for violence.
RETALIATION (R) 93 minutes * * * Working on a crew that is demolishing a church is bringing back memories for Malky (Orlando Bloom). Sexually abused by a priest when he was younger, Malky has never really dealt with the trauma. But now, in additon to the work on the church reminding him, he learns that the priest who abused him is back in town. A powerful story with a very strong performance from Bloom. R for violence, sex, and language.
THE RETIREMENT PLAN (R) 99 minutes * * * Early retirement wasn't what Matt (Nicolas Cage) really wanted. He was very good at his job. Now that his daughter (Ashley Greene Khoury) is in trouble, it's a good thing he hasn't lost his touch. It seems that there's a missing hard drive that Ashley might have, that some very bad people want very much. It's a sort of spy thriller with a good dose of humor, but still very violent. It's all in a day's work for Matt. (Or for that matter, for Cage...) R for violence and language.
RETREAT (R) 86 minutes * 1/2 Spending time at an island retreat, Martin (Cillian Murphy) and Kate (Thandie Newton) are hoping it will help their marriage. But when a stranger shows up on the island, their lives take a dangerous turn. Believability is stretched pretty thin here, with quite a few bits that just don't make much sense. The ending does have a bit of a nice twist, but its too late to help the story very much. R for violence and language.
RETREAT TO YOU (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2 Abby (Emilie Ullerup) never really wanted to go on this retreat. And then she runs into Sean (Peter Mooney). They used to date when they were in high school, and there are still some unresolved issues around that. A fun character for Ullerup, and nice supporting work by Meghan Heffern.
THE RETRIEVAL (R) 90 minutes * * 1/2 Will (Ashton Sanders) workds for a gang of bounty hunters during the U.S. Civil War. As a boy, he seems trustworthy, and slaves who are on the run or who have found freedom have no idea that will is working for the other side. But Will has a lesson to learn, and the price will be very high. Nice work by the cast. The pacing of the story is uneven though, making the film seem longer than it is. R for violence.
THE RETURN (PG-13) 80 minutes * 1/2 Sarah Michelle Gellar wanders through this film with little emotion, though the lackluster, predictable script is clearly at fault. Returning to the town of her childhood, Joanna (Gellar) is haunted by visions of violence that are, at least in part, memories. A longer film might have answered some of the questions more clearly, but the visions seem to be more important than the characters, so we never care about Joanna enough to be bothered by the incomplete story. PG-13 for violence and language.
THE RETURN OF MARTIN GUERRE (NR) 110 minutes * * * Well-designed but slow-paced adaptation of the novel by Janet Lewis. Set in 16th century France, the story is that of a man returning to his village after years of being away during a war. But the people in the village who knew him as a younger man are convinced that he's an imposter. The story grows more intriguing as it moves along.
THE RETURN OF TANYA TUCKER (R) 103 minutes * * * Despite the influence her music had on others, Tanya Tucker's star had begun to fade. For Brandi Carlisle, that was not only a crime, but a challenge. The two of them met, a bond began to form, and a project began to take shape. The success the project had was beyond what either of them had expected, yet exactly what they had dared to dream possible. Rough, raw, powerful, and inspiring. R for language.
RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (R) 86 minutes * 1/2 A warehouse accident results in the dead being reanimated in this humorous zombie horror film. The soundtrack is probably the best part of this, but at least it's clear that being scary is on an equal level with being funny here. R for violence, language, and nudity.
RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD PART II (R) 85 minutes 1/2 Not a sequel to the classic George Romero film, but the comedy of the same title. This time, a cannister with a zombie in it falls off a truck and some kids open it up, releasing its occupant to eat more brains and so on and so on. Of special note is the appearance of Forrest Ackerman as one of the zombies.
RETURN TO CRANFORD (NR) 174 minutes * * 1/2 The continued story of Miss Matty (Judi Dench) and the community of Cranford. This sequel to the original miniseries has the community learning that the railroad may not com to their community after all. But life goes on, and there are other ways to work together and other things that will make Cranford a wonderful place to life and raise a family. Based on the stories of Elisabeth Gaskell.
RETURN TO HALLOWEENTOWN (PG) 97 minutes * * Fourth installment in what was a somewhat entertaining series of Disney TV movies about a young witch and her adventures. Sara Paxton takes over the role of Marnie Piper in this film, and just doesn't have the same innocent appeal of Kimberly J. Brown. Debbie Reynolds character sees less screen time as well. It would seem that we aren't the only ones who are a bit tired of the idea at this point. PG for violence.
RETURN TO HORROR HIGH (R) 92 minutes 1/2 Crippen High School was the site of several murders. Five years later, a film company decides to make a movie about those killings at the now-closed school. Oh yes, the killer was never caught and the killings have started again. Not that we really are given any reason to care. Laughably bad.
RETURN TO HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (NR) 75 minutes * Gorefest horror film that barely resembles the 1999 "House on Haunted Hill" that it's a sequel to. There are loads of flashback sequences, which are rarely a good sign. The effects are gruesome enough, but the story barely holds together enough for the characters to get into the house and begin to separate from one another so that the ghosts can kill them. (Because ghosts are much like serial killers and they wait until you're alone so they can pick you off one at a time.) Not rated because they didn't want to bother, but it's no worse than any other R-rated splatter film.
RETURN TO ME (PG) 110 minutes * * * Minnie Driver shines in this story of a girl who finds new life, a new heart, and a new love. When Bob's (David Duchovny) wife dies in a car accident, it takes him awhile to get over it. When he does, he finds himself falling in love with Grace, who received his wife's heart as a transplant. The mystical elements here are weak and Duchovny's performance is rather emotionless. Still, Bonnie Hunt's directorial debut is quite solid, and she had the sense to take a role in the film where she excels. In fact, she and James Belushi are major highlights of the film. Filmed in Chicago and Rome. PG for language.
RETURN TO NEVERLAND (G) 65 minutes * * 1/2 Faith, trust, and pixie dust... it's all you need! Sequel to the classic Peter Pan, this might have been better as a straight to video project since that's what it feels like. The animations is pretty good. Lots of bright colors and fairly simple, but better quality than "The Lion King". The music is sorely lacking except for the song, "I'll Try" by Jonatha Brooke, which is used three times. Most of the younger crowd will enjoy this and the scary scenes aren't drawn out and are frequently followed by some humor to help lighten the mood.
RETURN TO NIM'S ISLAND (PG) 87 minutes * * 1/2 Bindi Irwin takes up where Abigail Breslin left off with this next chapter about Nim's adventures, being an adaptation of Wendy Orr's book, "Nim at Sea". Beautiful nature photography highlights this fun preteen adventure. Nice work by Irwin. PG for violence and language.
RETURN TO OZ (PG) 108 minutes * * 1/2 Dorothy )Fairuza Balk) finds herself called back to Oz when the magic that holds Oz together is at risk of being destroyed. Adapted from the book "Ozma of Oz", which worked a little better than this does. There are some good effects, but the story just doesn't have the strength or energy it needs. PG for violence.
RETURN TO SENDER (NR) 88 minutes * * After being raped, a woman decides to confront her attacker to confront her own fears and understand more clearly what happened. The script is not particularly strong here, though Rosamund Pike does a fine job in the lead, and Camryn Manheim and Nick Nolte deliver strong supporting performances.
RETURN TO SLEEPAWAY CAMP (R) 82 minutes BOMB Fifth entry in one of the less memorable horror film series. Bad acting, a poor script, and nothing remotely scary. Even fans of the series may find this entry boring. R for violence, language, and sex.
RETURN TO SNOWY RIVER (PG) 95 minutes * * * Jim Craig (Tom Burlinson) is back to start his ranch with a hundred horses, and to claim Jessica (Sigrid Thornton) as his bride. Of course there are some difficulties, and the story really offers little in the way of surprises, but it does give us some gorgeous scenery. As with its predecessor, the bigger the screen you can see this on, the more impressive it will be. This sequel does have a few editing problems that detract from the beauty, but it's still a nice, family film that is a pleasure to watch.
RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON (PG-13) 98 minutes * Rather ridiculous sequel where the baby from the first film is rescued only to end up stranded on another tropical island with a baby girl and her mother. The two grow up and experience exactly what you'd expect... in a PG-13 variety anyway. The music and photography are nice, but why clutter up the beautiful scenery with the rest of this muck?
REUBEN, REUBEN (R) 97 minutes * * * ½ A poet by profession, Gowan (Tom Conti) is also a number of other things, none of which are good. His career and life are on a downhill slide, though he has recently been inspired to change that, but recognizes that it’s probably too late anyway. Not a particularly uplifting story, but true to the character and well-played by Conti, who received an Oscar nomination for his work. R for sex.
>a name="7156">REUNION (NR) 90 minutes * 1/2 When her grandparents die, Ellie (Emma Draper) returns home to deal with the estate. She discovers her mother (Julia Ormond) is already there, beginning to take care of things. They haven't spoken in some time, and being together again brings back some very unsettling memories. There's plenty of creepiness and gross effects toward the end... if you make it through the earlier parts of the film which just aren't all that interesting, despite being important to understanding what happens at the end.
REUNION MASSACRE (NR) 56 minutes BOMB It might be just what she needs, so Breana (Breana Mitchell) accepts the class reunion invitation. All that's waiting for her is a killer who is obsessed with her. Not a bad story idea, but the script drags terribly and is full of dead spots with no energy. Most of the performances are lacking in energy as well.
REV (R) 88 minutes * * With one strike too many against him, Mikey (Francesco Filice) has little choice but to work for the police. He'll be going undercover to try and break a car theft ring that is also dealing in drugs. Te story is a good one, with a nice, if somewhat predictable, twist near the end. Supporting performances are mostly good as well, though Viveca A. Fox doesn't do very well. The biggest problem the film has is Filice, who is not particularly good, especially in a ledading role. R for language and violence.
THE REVENANT (R) 146 minutes * * * Left for dead after being mauled by a bear, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) must not only survive in the wilderness, but find his way back to civilization. Frequently intense, and some will find that uncomfortable to watch. The pacing is fairly good for the length, keeping us interested throughout, though trimming a little would not have been a bad thing. The scenery and cinematography are gorgeous, and the film is worth watching for that alone. R for violence, sex, and language.
REVENGE (R) 120 minutes * * 1/2 Flyboy Kevin Costner retires and falls in love with his friend's wife. Predictable and slow-moving tale of lovers torn apart and friends who can't get along. Costner fans may find it interesting, and I always enjoy Anthony Quinn, but the pacing almost lulls you to sleep.
REVENGE (2017) (R) 105 minutes * 1/2 She was just a plaything for part of their trip, but these three men are about to learn how wrong they were to ever think of Jen (Matilda Lutz) as something like that. They also learn that leaving her for dead was a fatal mistake on their part. More than a little unrealistic, but the men in question are broadly drawn and easy to dislike, which is the point of the story. R for violence, sex, and language.
REVENGE FOR JOLLY (R) 77 minutes * Upset about the death of his dog, Harry (Brian Petsos) is determined to uncover what happened and get revenge. Dark comedy, but the humor here is too subtle and the actors are let down by a script that assumes this idea will work. There are a few moments where it does, but not nearly enough. R for language.
REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR (PG-1) 85 minutes * * 1/2 The EV1 was supposed to be the car of the future. When it died, many thought the idea of the electric car was dead as well. But that wasn't the end of the story, though the rebirth of the electric car would face a rather unexpected challenge as the economy hit a major slump. Entertaining and informative documentary. PG-13 for language.
REVENGE OF THE GREEN DRAGONS (R) 89 minutes * * 1/2 The Green Dragons.. the strongest of the Asian drug syndicates in New York. The are also deeply involved in illegal immigration. But the more powerful you are, the more others want to find a way to take you down. The story covers a great deal of material. Drugs, illegal immigreation, family connections, rivalry, and revenge, with a focus on Sonny's (Justin Chon) story. That fous works well as a cornerstone, but we needed a little more time to hear more of the story. R for violence, sex, and language.
REVENGE OF THE NERDS (R) 87 minutes * ½ The title pretty much says it all. A few nerds decide that it’s time to fight back against the bullying they’ve been experiencing. The cast is good, but the script lacks imagination and creativity. R for sex and language.
REVENGE OF THE NERDS II: NERDS IN PARADISE (PG-13) 92 minutes * 1/2 The nerds are back, and headed to a convention in Florida. The same things happen all over again, so if you saw the first one, you don't need to bother.
REVENGE OF THE NINJA (R) 85 minutes * * Trying to start over in the United States after his family is killed, Cho (Sho Kosugi) is still dealing with problems. The betrayal of a friend sets him up in a fight for his life. The story just isn’t very impressive, though the fight scenes are well done. Cho’s son is played by Kane Kosugi, who is Sho’s son in real life. R for violence, language, and nudity.
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (R) 109 minutes * * * 1/2 This is the story of Claus Von Bulow, who was accused of attempting to murder his wife. Jeremy Irons won an Oscar for his performance in this incredibly well-written and twisting tale of reversals. You do need to pay attention throughout the film, but that shouldn't be a problem. It's far from boring and well acted by all, and Mark Isham's music draws you in from the moment the film begins.
THE REVISIONARIES (NR) 81 minutes * * 1/2 The Texas State Board of Education has a large influence over high school textbooks all across the country. For quite some time now, the board has been very conservative. When Dan McLeroy became chair, that conservative direction became even more pronounced. Interesting, and a little frightening to think that any small group, be they conservative or liberal, could have that much influence over the educational material that finds its way into almost every high school in the whole country.
REVOLT (R) 83 minutes * * It's the end of humanity, and an unlikely pair are making the last stand against the invading aliens. Lee Pace and Berenice Marlohe are good here, but the action and special effects are very repetitive. The twist that comes late in the film seems to be a little unrealistic with how long it takes to develop since we were suspicious early on. R for violence.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD (R) 112 minutes * * * Life isn't going the way that April (Kate Winslet) would have liked, and definitely not how she planned. Her life with Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) in the suburbs isn't bad, but it feels like a dead end. But dreams are slippery things and can become distorted if you try to hold on too tightly. Powerful drama with wonderful performances. Even though these characters are difficult to like, we still feel sympathy for the way in which they feel lost and trapped. Adapted from Richard Yates' novel. R for language and sex.
REVOLVER (R) 97 minutes * * 1/2 Jake (Jason Statham), now out of prison and learning some very important lessons about himself and about life. While on the one hand an action film, this is also very cerebral. It's an interesting mix. The narration is more than a little confusing at times, though by the end of the film, we find that it was more helpful than we thought, much like what Jake learns about himself and being in prison. While this is unlikely to be on your favorite films list, it may well be one that remains with you for awhile. R for violence and language.
REWIND (NR) 82 minutes * * * Sasha Neulinger remembers the constant presence of a video camera in his childhood. As he explores those recordings, he begins to assemble a picture of his childhood that lies behind those videos. A picture of abuse. It's abuse that is deeply embedded in his extended family. A brave and powerful documentary.
REWIND THIS (NR) 88 minutes * * * The history of video... as in videoTAPE. It's also the history of the film industry. VHS allowed smaller, imdependent films of all kinds to find an audience and a market in ways that had never been possible. It meant that suddenly, there was a demand for first dozens, and eventually hundreds more films to be made each year. A wonderful, nostalgic look at the industry for some, and an informative look at film history for others.
THE REWRITE (NR) 103 minutes * * * Keith (Hugh Grant) is in a writing slump, so he gets a temporary job teaching a class on screenwriting. Holly (Marisa Tomei) is a single mom trying to expand her horizons by taking a few classes at the university. Grant and Tomei don't seem all that interested here, but the supporting roles for Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons and a few others are quite good and make this worth a look.
RHINESTONE (PG) 109 minutes * * * It was her dream to make it big, but Jake (Dolly Parton) finds herself in a very bad contract with a low-life, though he does give her the possibility to get out of her contract. She just has to figure out how to turn Nick (Sylvester Stallone) into a singer. If you’re willing to accept the unusual pairing of the leads here, and Stallone’s bad singing… that’s all part of the fun.
RHYMES WITH BANANA (NR) 92 minutes * * Z (Zosia Mamet) and G (Jee Young Han) just want to be actresses. They aren't doing to well at achieving that goal. Maybe their new neighbor is a talent agent. Maybe they should kidnap him and force him to represent them. (No one said they were thinking very clearly.) Weird, but also sweet and playful.
THE RHYTHM SECTION (R) 104 minutes * * * There is a good deal of grief for Stephanie (Blake Lively) to process when her family is killed in a plane crash. Part of that process will be to deal with those who were responsible for planning the "accident". Dealing with them is going to take some training, because to deal with these people, anger and passion aren;t enough. Lively does a very nice job here, and the supporting cast works well. Adapted from the novel by Mark Burnell. One of the taglines used for the film is "Witness the birth of an assassin". "Birth of an Assassin" would have been a much better fit as a title for the film. R for violence, sex, and language.
RIBBONS (NR) 88 minutes 1/2 Viincent (Patrick Hickman) and Rachel (Haidyn Harvey) are in the early stages of their relationship when they cross paths with her psychotic stepfather. But Kenny (Brian Krause) isn't the only danger they face. The script is mechanical and plodding, which makes the mediocre performances seem worse than they are.
RICH GIRL (R) 93 minutes 1/2 A 21-year-old rich girl decides to go it on her own without her father and his money, but doesn't realize how large her father's sphere of influence really is. It's an uninspired formula story with cardboard performances by everyone.
RICH HILL (NR) 89 minutes * * In one of the many impoverished small towns in the United States, three boys are trying to grow up. Very much a slice-of-life look at the boys and their surroundings, with no real direction. There also doesn't seem to be much hope for two of the three. That may be realistic, but it doesn't do much to keep us interested in watching. Filmed in Rich Hill, Missouri.
RICH IN LOVE (PG-13) 102 minutes * * * Lucille (Kathryn Erbe) was having a perfect life... until one summer it decided to fall apart. She struggles to hold her life and her dreams together, but the more she tries, the worse things seem to get. It's an absorbing story of a South Carolina family that is struggling against change even while it is happening to them. Yet, even while dealing with issues that would tear other families apart, the Odoms retain the idea that family is important. It's a beautiful film about relationships from director Bruce Beresford, with wonderful southern scenery, and a gentle soundtrack from Georges Delerue. PG-13 for language.
THE RICH MAN'S WIFE (R) 90 minutes * 1/2 Not much to distinguish this film from others. John Frizzell provides a nice soundtrack, with a theme by James Newton Howard that helps keep us in suspense when we need to be, but the mediocre story just never really catches our attention. Halle Berry isn't strong enough to carry a film like this. R for language and violence.
RICHARD JEWELL (R) 125 minutes * * * 1/2 Always trying to be the best law officer he could be, Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) sometimes took his job a little too seriously for those who worked around him. That dedication landed him in trouble more than once. But his style and persistence uncovered a backpack bomb at Olypmic Park in 1996. After a brief moment of publicity as a hero, Richard soon found himself the number one suspect. Hauser is quite good here, and Sam Rockwell and Kathy Bates give very strong supporting performances. Billy Ray's script does a remarkable job of balancing a story that is equal parts inspiring and frustrating while at the same time offering moments with just enough levity to reduce the tension. A fine film that is definitely worthy or more recognition than it received. R for language and violence.
RICHARD PRYOR… HERE AND NOW (R) 93 minutes ½ A stand-up comedy routine from comedian Richard Pryor. It gets more rude and vulgar as it goes along, though he does manage to work in some very obvious remarks about avoiding drugs and alcohol. This is not one of his better routines, but fans will still enjoy it. R for language.
RICHARD PRYOR: OMIT THE LOGIC (R) 81 minutes * * * Documentary look at the life and comedy of Richard Pryor. His was a life full of extremes. A comedian who not only pushed the boundaries, but broke right through them. It's not something that very many people can do. R for language.
RICHARD THE LIONHEART (R) 96 minutes * 1/2 Richard (Greg Chandler Maness) must pass three tests before coming into his own and earning the right to lead his people against France. The plot vastly oversimplifies and confuses the actual history, but the worst part is how the script and acting make the film drag so much early on. The soundtrack is fairly good and sets and costumes are fine, but not enough to get this up to a mediocre mark. R for violence and sex.
RICHARD III (R) 101 minutes * * Shakespeare's classic story of one man's rise to the top through killing and how it proves to be fatal in the end. The World War II imagery takes over a bit too much at times, but the balance is effective through most of the film. Despite the exquisite sets and striking costumes, the film somehow misses the mark with Ian McKellan's performance as Richard III. Direction is probably the culprit, but this is still worth a look as a modernization of the classic drama.
RICHIE RICH (PG) 90 minutes * * Though this is a little more violent than the comic, it's a little less than Macauley Culkin was used to in the "Home Alone" films. He's a rich kid who doesn't seem to have any real friends at first, but when the chips are down, his true friends surface and they all save the day.
RICKI AND THE FLASH (PG-13) 97 minutes * * * Ricki (Meryl Streep) gave up everything for her dream of being a musician. Now, she's returning home. There are plenty of wounds to heal, and the cost will once again be high. The script paints the characters in rather broad strokes, but thanks to a talented cast and some very nice cinematography by Declan Quinn, facial expressions and body language manage to let us see a more complete picture. Nice to see Merly and her daughter Mamie Gummer working together. PG-13 for sex and language.
RICKSHAW GIRL (NR) 99 minutes * * * With her father ill and unable to pay his debts, Naima (Novera Rahman) knows that she has to help. Her options are limited. A bittersweet story of love and perseverance.
RICKY (NR) 96 minutes * * 1/2 A single mom, Katie (Alexandra Lamy) and her daughter Lisa (Melusine Mayance) are getting along just fine. When Paco comes into their lives, things begin to change. Not the least of which is the arrival of Ricky. He's a rather unique baby as it soon becomes evident. And he's much more than Katie can handle. The ending is a bit strange, but getting there is definitely memorable.
RICOCHET (R) 98 minutes * * A bold and innovative cop who is on the rise in the political arena has both his career and his life put in jeopardy by a felon he caught who has now escaped. John Lithgow plays a great psychotic, but Denzel Washington lacks the presence needed here. R for sex, violence, and language.
RIDDICK (R) 123 minutes * * The further adventures of Riddick on an alien planet. The high-tech gear and weaponry includes a number of great ideas, but the special effects fall a little short of showing them off. The backgrounds also tend to look like the paintings they are instead of real landscapes. There's also quite a bit of repetitive action that could have been trimmed to tighten up the story. This is clearly just another chapter in the story, with an ending that clearly begs for more of the story to be told. R for violence, language, and sex.
THE RIDDLE (PG-13) 115 minutes * * 1/2 An old manuscript of Charles Dickens is discovered. It is titled, "The Riddle". But when the woman who found it turns up dead, it's up to Mike (Vinnie Jones) to solve both the riddle and the murder. The detours into narration by Dickens become a bit distracting after awhile, though they might have proven very effective if used only a couple of times. Nice directorial debut from Brendan Foley, who also wrote and produced this literary murder mystery. PG-13 for violence, language, and sex.
RIDDLED WITH DECEIT (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2 A rare and very valuable emerald brooch has resurfaced. Ownership is clear, but not everyone is happy about that. Jeff Jackson (Jesse Metcalfe) is called in to provide some extra security. A well-done mystery with some nice twists and turns. Adapted from the "Martha's Vineyard Mystery" series of books by Philip R. Craig.
RIDE (R) 88 minutes * * 1/2 Jackie (Helen Hunt) is a writer, and her son wants to be one too. But at the moment, he's decided to take a break and head out to California to surf. Jackie decides to head west and do the same. It's not clear if writing or editing are to blame, but the supporting characters, which seem to be a strong part of the story, just seem to disappear near the end of the film. Hunt wrote and directed this, and her character is the focus, but the depth those other characters added needed to be carried through to the end. R for language.
RIDE ALONG (PG-13) 94 minutes * * Ben (Kevin Hart) wants to marry Angela (Tika Sumpter). Now that he's been accepted into the police academt, things are really looking up. But her brother (Ice Cube) is less impressed and decides to put Ben through his own training, taking him out for the day to experience the less glamourous side of police work. Hart is a little over the top, and we've seen this plot numerous times before, but it still manages to bring in a few laughs. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
RIDE ALONG 2 (PG-13) 97 minutes * * Ben (Kevin Hart) may be about to get married, but he also wants another chance to prove himself to his friend and almost brother-in-law James (Ice Cube). They are soon on their way to Miami to take down a drug dealer. No better or worse (or much different) than the first. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
RIDE LIKE A GIRL (PG) 93 minutes * * * The Melbourne Cup is the most sought after horse-racing championship in the world. It is the most difficult two-mile track in the sport. This is the story of Michelle Payne (Teresa Palmer), the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. It is even more remarkable for having happened after a serious accident. Well-told story that does a very nice job of mixing race footage in with the personal story. PG for language.
RIDE ON (NR) 121 minutes * * 1/2 There have been better days for Lao (Jackie Chan). It's grown difficult to pay the bills, and he struggles with some of the stunt work he does, which used to come so easily. His stunt horse has always been his best friend, but that may soon come to an end as well. The film is a bit of an homage to Chan's career as well as that of many people and animals who have done stunt work in the movies. It's a bittersweet story for fans of Chan, as it is clear that he's not able to do stunts at the same level he did many years ago, but it's also clear that he still loves the work.
RIDE THE EAGLE (NR) 85 minutes * * * Leif's (Jake Johnson) mother (Susan Sarandon) left a long time ago to join a cult. They never reconnected. Leif learns of her death and that she has left him a cabin. But there are some conditions. A list of things that Leif must do before the cabin is his. A bitterswet story of love and grief, with a little bit of humor.
RIDE WITH THE DEVIL (R) 134 minutes * * This Civil War film follows two young men from Missouri, who choose to fight with the Confederacy after one of their fathers is killed by Union soldiers. But war isn't easy, and they are forced to make choices and try to find answers to questions about life, death, and loyalty. The story tends to wander and lose direction a few times, though the larger problem is Tobey Maguire. His performance is clearly not as strong as that of Skeet Ulrich, and one wonders how much better the film would have been if they had switched roles. R for violence.
RIDE YOUR WAVE (NR) 92 minutes * * * Minato (voiced by Ryota Katayose) and Hinako (voiced by Rina Kawaei) were a perfect couple. A firefighter and a ssurfer, they both loved adventure. But when he dies, she can't bear to live without him. Somehow, whenever she sings and there is water nearby, she can see him and talk to him. But how long will that last? A tender and magical tale of love and loss, and what it means to ride the waves of life.
THE RIDER (R) 96 minutes * * * Though not a documentary, it's not far off. Brady Jandreau plays the part of Brady Blackburn, an up and coming rodeo star whose career is abruptly ended when he's bucked from a horse. It's what actually happened to Jandreau, and he had to learn how to live a life where riding a horse could not happen without serious risk of death. A gentle and sensitive film, showing a side of rodeo life we don't usually get to see. R for language.
RIDERS OF JUSTICE (NR) 112 minutes * * * It looked like an accident, but the members of the biker gang, Riders of Justice, are going to escape prosecution because the main witness was killed in the "accident". Markus' (Mads Mikkelsen) wife was also killed. Otto (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) knows a few things about statistics and probability, and he was on the train at the time of the accident. Working with Markus, the two attempt to bring the killers to justice. Of course, justice is not always easy to achieve, and often comes with hidden costs. Very well-written, with great work by the cast.
RIDGE RUNNERS (NR) 75 minutes * 1/2 Human trafficking often seems like a big city problem, but as Detective Willow (Jennica Schwartzman) discovers, it can happen anywhere. It's an emotional story, but the script is surprisingly dry, and the cast act like they're reading their lines off the cue cards.
RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES (PG) 104 minutes * * * Estranged for many years, a father travels to China to film a folk opera for his dying son. But the actor who played the lead is now in prison, longing to see his own son. A gentle and thoughtful film about fatherhood and family from director Zhang Yimou. PG for language.
RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS (PG-13) 123 minutes * * * 1/2 Beverly Donofrio (Drew Barrymore), her life has been far from perfect, but there have definitely been some golden moments along the way. The way we handle the situations that arise in our lives is what makes us who we are, and Bev has done a pretty good job when you look at the big picture. So has Drew. It's marvelous to see how much of her heart Drew puts into this, and to watch her mature along with her character through the course of the film. She has grown as an actress and as a person, and it's a privilege to see a piece of that as it happens. Brittany Murphy's supporting performance plays well next to her, and the adaptation of the real Beverly Donofrio's book to the screen is directed with an understanding touch by the talented Penny Marshall. PG-13 for language.
RIDING THE BULLET ((R) 94 minutes * * 1/2 Alan's (Jonathan Jackson) mom is in the hospital. As he makes his way across the country to see her, his memories and fears take vivid shape. "The Bullet" of the title, is the rollercoaster he could never bring himself to ride when he was younger, but it also serves as a metaphor for life. Adapted from a short story by Stephen King, this reflects much of his own life as well. His own fear of roller coasters and his own relationships to his mother and father are all here. The film has a bit of a dreamlike quality to it, with little diversions into horror, but never all that far. In fact, it never really takes us quite far enough, choosing instead to ride a line between drama and horror, between the sentimental and the suspenseful. We never get the thrill of the first drop, or the fear that we're going to fly off the track. It's a pretty tame ride after all. R for violence, language, and nudity.
THE RIG (R) 90 minutes 1/2 A hurricane is coming, and as if that wasn't bad enough, the people on this oil rig are going to have to deal with a sea creature that has boarded the rig and is killing them off one by one. Too bad it looks remarkably like the "Creature From the Black Lagoon". Don't say you weren't warned. R for violence, language, and sex.
RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR (R) 88 minutes * * 1/2 Lexi (Mary McCormack) leaves for work in downtown Los Angeles and Brad (Rory Cochrane) stays at home. Neither realizes what is about to happen. Moments later, three bombs hit Los Angeles, and the toxic cloud that rises in the air after the explosion will force them and many others to make choices they never thought they would have to face. Nice tension and good performances by McCormack and Cochrane, though the script and direction seem to fade in strength after the first 3- minutes or so. Filmed in Los Angeles. R for language and violence.
THE RIGHT KIND OF WRONG (R) 93 minutes * * * It's a wonderful thing to fall in love, but Leo (Ryan Kwanten) has the misfortune of falling in love with a girl who is about to get married to someone else. Cute story and witty (if a little crass) script, with fun supporting performances by Catherine O'Hara and Will Sasso, and a nice soundtrack. R for sex and language.
THE RIGHT ONE (R) 90 minutes * * * Suffering from writer's block, Sara (Cleopatra Coleman) is willing to look just about anywhere for inspiration. That's when she stumbles across the enigmatic and unusual Godfrey (Nick Thune). He changes his appearance and personality like a chameleon. He is coping with a personal tragedy in his own unique way. When he finds out that Sara is using him for inspiration for her writing, he disappears. Great characters in a sensitive story about coping with tragedy. R for language and sex.
THE RIGHT STUFF (PG) 193 minutes * * * * The birth and early years of America's space program are chronicled in this film adaptation of Tom Wolfe's book. It's long, but never boring, as we watch a stellar cast (Dennis Quaid, Sam Shepard, Jeff Goldblum, Ed Harris and many more) bring the story to life. A bit overplayed at times, but that's part of what helps to draw us in and keep us watching.
RIGHTEOUS KILL (R) 96 minutes * * 1/2 He's a good cop who has grown tired of watching the bad guys go free, so he starts to take care of things on his own. When he's assigned to the case to uncover this vigiante killer, it becomes increasingly difficult to continue his activities and keep anyone from finding out his secret... especially his partner. Despite the amazing talents of Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, who star in this film, the script offers little in the way of suspense or real drama. It's too easy to figure out what's going on, leaving us with little to do besides watching a couple of great actors who deserved a better script. R for violence, language, and sex.
RIGHTEOUS THIEVES (R) 88 minutes * * It's a big job, but Annabel (Lisa Vidal) has assembled a very talented team. The objective is to steal four paintings that were previously stolen by the Nazis during World War II. They will then be delivered to a museum. It will be dangerous work, but it's the right thing to do. The story feels repititious and is less exciting than it should be, given the topic. R for language.
THE RING (PG-13) 107 minutes * * * Nice, creepy story that starts out nicely with the telling of the legend about a videotape that you die a week after watching. Definitely suspenseful, but also filled with macabre humor both in the story and in the style. It does leave a few things unexplained, but the twist near the end is very nice and young David Dorfman does a very nice job making it a little more creepy. Adapted from the book by Koji Suzuki. PG-13 for violence and gross special effects.
RING AROUND THE ROSIE (R) 84 minutes 1/2 Muddled mess of a horror/suspense film with a number of creepy sequences, but also with a boring and confused story and poor acting. Not much in the way of props or sets either... they must have spent all of the money on the photography. R for violence and language.
A RING BY SPRING (NR) 84 minutes * 1/2 It was just a harmless prediction, but this particular fortune-teller's predictions for her two friends were right on target. So, Caryn (Rachel Boston) is expecting hers to come true as well. That means that she should be getting an engagement ring by the time spring rolls around. It's not going to work quite like she expects it to. Boston is fine, but the supporting roles are better.
A RING FOR CHRISTMAS (NR) 84 minutes * 1/2 Financing has gotten a little tight for Angie (Liliana Tandon). A phone call changes that in an instant. She learns that a trust fund is all hers... as long as she gets married by Christmas. Can she find someone to marry her that quickly?
RING OF FIRE (NR) 88 minutes * * 1/2 June Carter's (Jewel Kilcher) musical career was already on the rise before she met Johnny Cash (Matt Ross), but together, they reached amazing heights. It was a difficult road though, as Johnny's addictions took a heavy toll. The emphasis here is on the music and the emotions, with many parts of the story treated lightly if at all, and most of the supporting characters have little to say. Nice work by Jewel, and Ross does a good job as well.
THE RING TWO (PG-13) 103 minutes * * Rachel and Aidan have moved to a new town to get away from the curse of the ring, but even after burning a copy of the tape she finds, it only seems to be getting worse. There's a nice, creepy bit part by Sissy Spacek, but the film spends too much time trying to explain the questions raised in the first film and not enough time trying to scare us. PG-13 for language and violence.
THE RINGER (PG-13) 87 minutes * * Steve (Johnny Knoxville) needs money, and so does his uncle. So they decide to run a scam at the special olympics, with Steve pretending to be a mentally challenged partticipant. This does somehow manage to handle the subject matter with some sensitivity, which is a bit of a surprise from Knoxville. Unfortunately it also takes a bit of the life out of the story. There is some nice work by several mentally and/or physically challeneged people who play a variety of roles in the film. Knoxville mentioned in an interview that he learned quite a bit while making this film, including how inferior his own athletic abilities were in comparison to those of so many of the special olympics participants. PG-13 for language.
RINGMASTER (R) 86 minutes BOMB And just whose bad idea was it to make a film about two groups of people on their way to be on a Jerry Springer show? Boring and contrived... just like it's inspiration. The sole point of interest here is the over-sexed performance of Jaime Pressly, who will undoubtedly land a few other roles thanks to her performance here. R for sex and language.
RINGS (PG-13) 97 minutes * * To save her boyfriend, Julia (Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz) watches the tape, becoming part of the ever-widening circle of those who have seen it and spread the curse. But she digs deeper than others have, and discovers another story on the tape that others have missed. Suspenseful and interesting, but if you haven't seen the other films in the series, this won't make much sense. PG-13 for violence and sex.
RIO (G) 87 minutes * * 1/2 Blu (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) was captured as a young macaw. In love and willing to try anything, he takes off on an adventure with Jewel (voiced by Anne Hathaway). It's going to mean that he needs to learn how to fly... which is more difficult than he thought. Bright and colorful animation, but the story involves quite a bit of danger and numerous chase scenes. The music isn't what it needs to be, though there are a couple of good songs that help somewhat.
RIO 2 (G) 93 minutes * * When Blu and Jewel learn that there might be other blue macaws in the wild, they are off to the Amazon to see if they can find them. It's an adventure that will change their lives. Quite a bit of humor here is likely to be beyond the younger viewers, though sure to entertain the adults. Plenty of stellar talent here, including not just Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway, but also Kristin Chenoweth, Miguel Ferrer, Jamie Foxx, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Leslie Mann, Bruno Mars, Sergio Mendez, Rita Moreno, Tracy Morgan, and Will.i.am. Most of them are returning from the first film, but it really isn't necessary for an animated film to feature so many people who are well-known to the camera.
RIO I LOVE YOU (R) 98 minutes * * 1/2 Ten short films about Rio de Janeiro and love. They are loosely connected as the idea is more about showing the diverse nature of the city as part of its appeal. Some segments are better than others, but the bigger problem is the lack of anything that really ties them together. The city as a setting just isn't really enough, except perhaps for those who already love Rio. R for language and sex.
THE RIOT ACT (PG-13) 98 minutes * * * A wonderfully moody period piece, telling a story of murder, vengeance, and justice. Great work by the cast. In his feature film debut, writer/director Devon Parks has told a mysterious and fascinating story that is well worth a look. Nicely done! PG-13 for violence.
THE RIOT CLUB (R) 96 minutes * * An infamous and secretive club at Oxford recruits two first-year students. But after one of their pranks goes bad, the club and all of its members are about to have everything come crashing down around them. Based on the play "Posh". Not bad, but not much to help us connect with or care about these characters. R for language, violence, and sex.
RIOT GIRLS (NR) 76 minutes * 1/2 A disease wipes out the adult population. Despite this new circumstance, there are social structures that remain in place. Some of those structures must be fought against. There's lots of energy here, but the story is a little too simple, with characters that just don't have much depth. Lots of potential here, just not very much gets realized.
RIP: A REMIX MANIFESTO (NR) 82 minutes * * 1/2 Ripping and sampling music... is it legal? Is it ethical? What does it mean for the future of music? With a particularly close look at "Girl Talk", these are some of the questions explored in this documentary. The landscape of the entertainment industry has already changed, and the companies who still run the largest part of the business are scrambling to catch some of the stray pieces before they get too big.
RIP IN TIME (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2 It's one thing when her son finds a man (Niall Matter) hiding in their barn. Yet another thing when he claims to be from 1787. Sarah (Torrey DeVitto) isn't sure what to think about him. He does have a certain innocent appeal though. A fun story, but there are a few inconsistencies. Despite them, it still works fairly well.
R.I.P.D. (PG-13) 88 minutes * 1/2 When Nick (Ryan Reynolds) is killed by his partner, he ends up with an opportunity to work with the R.I.P.D. and balance the scales of justice. Trying far too hard to be light and humorous just makes this look like a bad rip-off of "Men in Black". The script is not as sharp and clever though, and taking a darker and more sinister direction probably would have worked much better. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
THE RIPPER UNTOLD (NR) 78 minutes * 1/2 Inspector Rees (Phil Molloy) has a murder to solve. And then another. And another. Working with the medical examiner (Jonathan Hansler) he tries to unravel the mystery. The obviously low budget hurts this, but it tries hard, and does well at recreating some of the background of what happened in Whitechapel so many years ago. An interesting twist at the end definitely helps the film a little as it proposes another option for a solution to the still unsolved murders.
RIPPLE EFFECT (R) 79 minutes * * * Fifteen years ago, Amer (Phillippe Caland) hit a man with his car, a man who is now in a wheelchair. As his own life skids out of control, Amer looks for a way to understand, and to be forgiven. It's not only that our lives affect others, sometimes in ways which we may never know, but we also "create our own universe" with the ways we react and the attitudes we have. Sensitive and thought-provoking film with a fine cast led by Caland and Forest Whitaker. R for language.
RISE (NR) 97 minutes * * 1/2 Accused of rape, Will (Nathan Wilson) finds himself in jail, with his life ruined. Maintaining his innocence, he strikes up a friendship with Jimmy (Martin Sacks), who has an impressive criminal career. His appeal is against the odds, but there's still a chance. Never give up hope. A little too short to try and cover as many subplots as there are here, but it tries hard.
RISE: BLOOD HUNTER (R) 90 minutes * * 1/2 While doing some investigation for a story she's writing, Sadie (Lucy Liu) gets in over her head and ends up being turned into a vampire. Now she wants revenge on those who turned her. The writing is a bit weak in spots, and some of the supporting performances are less than convincing, but Liu makes up for a great deal of it. R for language, violence, and sex.
RISE OF THE FELLOWSHIP (NR) 92 minutes * Randall (Justin Moe) and his friends are going to try to win the Lord of the Rings video game championship. In the process, they will learn many lessons. Hopefully one of them will be how to do a better job of acting in their next film. Though to be fair, the script and direction are no better. Gamers may have fun with the idea and a few of the jokes, but most everyone else will not.
RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER (R) 108 minutes * 1/2 It's one brawl after another in the first of a series of films about Carlton Leach (Ricci Harnett) and the criminal underworld in Essex, England. Most of the plot is narrated between fights, and sometimes during them. R for violence, language, and sex.
RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS (NR) 101 minutes * * This is the story of how it all began. How Tucker (Terry Stone), Tate (Craig Fairbrass), and Rolfe (Roland Manookin) formed a partnership with Maloney (Vinnie Jones) to create their own "company". It's a fragile partnership, with plenty of short tempers and violent outbursts. The fifth film in the series.
RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER PART II (R) 107 minutes * * The continuing saga of British underworld kingpin Carlton Leach (Ricci Harnett). There's a good deal less brawling in this entry than in the first, which leaves a little more time for there to actually be some plot. That's a good thing. R for language, violence, and sex.
RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: THE HEIST (NR) 81 minutes * * The fourth film in the brutally violent British crime series, this is the second in the overall story. Pat Tate (Craig Fairbrass) is out of prison and set on revenge, but ends up being involved in a massive drug deal set up by Terry (Andrew Loveday). The deal doesn't go as planned, and the situation keeps getting worse for Tate. Also known as "Rise of the Footsoldier: Marbella"
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (PG) 88 minutes * * * 1/2 Santa has a feeling that something is wrong, and so he sends out a call to the other Guardians, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and The Sandman (my favorite). But it's going to take a little something extra to make sure Pitch doesn't succeed with his plan. Perhaps Jack Frost can make the difference. Wonderful animation highlights this very entertaining and magical story, resulting in a film that is often breathtaking in its beauty. There are a few spots that are rather scary and violent for the younger ones in the crowd, resulting in the PG rating.
THE RISE OF THE KRAYS (R) 106 minutes * * 1/2 London in the 1960s. This was when twin brothers Reggie (Kevin Leslie) and Ronnie (Simon Cotton) reigned the criminal world with a violence that was both brutal and psychotic. It's pretty clear cut in this version that Ronnie is the less stable of the tow, not that Reggie couldn't be just as violent, but he was a little less psychotic. As you might expect from the title, this is the beginning of the story, with the rest told in "The Fall of the Krays". Nice work by Leslie and Cotton, but almost all of the other characters are paper thin. R for violence, language, and sex.
RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (PG-13) 97 minutes * * 1/2 This prequel to the apes series focuses on the research and development of the drug that ends up dramatically increasing the intellectual development of the chimps. Fans of the series are likely to enjoy this backstory, and the special effects and animation are wonderful, except for the times when the apes swing quickly through the scenery. Nice addition to the series, and an important piece that was missing from the earlier series. PG-13 for violence.
RISEN (PG-13) 101 minutes * * 1/2 The story of the resurrection of Jesus (Cliff Curtis) as told through the eyes of a Roman Tribune (Joseph Fiennes) who is tasked with finding the missing body. The slightly different angle of looking at the story is interesting, and Fiennes delivers a solid performance. PG-13 for violence.
RISING FROM ASHES (NR) 75 minutes * * * Competing in the Olympics is always a challenge. The first Rwandan National Cycling Team faced even greater challenges than most. This is their story. A story of struggle, challenge, passion and hope.
THE RISING HAWK (NR) 120 minutes * * * Struggling to maintain their freedom in the face of the Mongol Empire, a small village would appear to have little chance of survival. Zakhar's (Robert Patrick) two sons look to change these odds, especially as they also face the treachery of a nearby village that is built around a culture of violence. A strong story and well-choreographed fight scenes make this well worth a look.
RISING SUN (R) 126 minutes * * * Wesley Snipes and Sean Connery work well together in this story of Japanese and American rival companies. The murder of a girl brings their talents together, but the story is definitely told from a western bias. Michael Crichton co-wrote the screenplay from his novel, and it does unfold nicely, slowly drawing us into the story. R for violence and language.
RISING WOLF (NR) 97 minutes * * 1/2 Aria (Charlotte Best) has no idea why she has been kidnapped and placed in an elevator. Slowly, the clues begin to take shape. Information about where she is, who her father really is, and why this is happening to her. Hint: It might take a couple of viewings to catch everything. Very nice effects and pacing, though it can be a bit difficult to follow.
RISKY BUSINESS (R) 95 minutes * * ½ While the parents are away, Joel (Tom Cruise) is going to play. Cruise’s performance is shallow, though his character is as well, so it manages to work. The best part of the film is the photography, which is often almost abstract and occasionally doesn’t seem to fit the story. Tangerine Dream’s soundtrack fits that style as well, but the story is more mundane. R for sex and language.
THE RITE (PG-13) 110 minutes * * 1/2 He was only really going to seminary to get away from home and a dead end career. When Michael (Colin O'Donoghue) is chosen to become an exorcist in training, he is full of doubt, not the least of which is about whether there really is a devil, hell, heaven, or even God. The story delves quite nicely into the theological, without becoming too confusing, but ends a bit too cheaply and quickly, more concerned with delivering some action and suspense at the expense of a stronger and deeper story. PG-13 for violence and language.
RITE OF THE SHAMAN (NR) 65 minutes * Kai (Tyrell Oberle) faces a difficult time. In response to the loss of his father and grandfather, he has become mute. Caring for his ailing mother takes up much of his time. That pressure, plus problems with bullying at school threaten to lead him down a dark path. Can he follow the path of light that his grandfather taught him, or will he end up in the dark> The acting isn't the greatest, but the bigger problem is how quickly the film resolves and without very much character development.
RITES OF SPRING (NR) 76 minutes * A kidnapping scheme runs afoul of a strange creature that has been feasting on local females each spring for years. It's not necessarily a bad idea, but after trying to figure out where the story is going and what this creature is... the film just ends. And it's not in a place that makes much sense.
THE RITUAL KILLER (NR) 86 minutes * 1/2 Detective Boyd (Cole Hauser) is ready to retire, when a case crosses his desk that seems like it might give him a real chance to balance the scales. It's an unusual case, involving the ancient African black magic called "Muti". The story is tired and familiar, and even the presence of Morgan Freeman doesn't really add much to the mix.
THE RIVER (PG-13) 121 minutes * * * With a bank threatening foreclosure, Tom (Mel Gibson) and Mae Garvey (Sissy Spacek) are doing everything they can think of to hold onto the family farm. The frequent flooding isn't helping their efforts. The story doesn't flow very evenly, but there are some great scenes and it works well overall.
THE RIVER MURDERS (R) 89 minutes * * 1/2 As the body count begins to rise, the only common element to the series of murders is detective Jack Verdon (Ray Liotta). The motive is still unclear, and that will perhaps be the key. Nicely woven story, but the acting never rises very far above mediocre, though the ending is good and manages to strike a deeper chord than much of the film. R for violence, language, and nudity.
A RIVER OF SKULLS (R) 97 minutes 1/2 It's pretty clear what to expect when you see that writer, producer, director Suza Lambert Bowser also did the set, wardrobe, and original music. Both the soundtrack and the sound qualilty are pretty bad. Not that the dialogue is much better. R for violence and sex.
THE RIVER RAT (PG) 92 minutes * * * Billy (Tommy Lee Jones) has served his time, though it was for a crime he didn't commit. It's still hanging over his head, and all he wants to do is move on and work on his relationship with his daughter (Martha Plimpton). Plimpton's first major role is one in which she shines. It's a nice role for Jones too, and one he seems to feel very comfortable playing.
RIVER RUNS RED (NR) 90 minutes * 1/2 When two police officers cover up a shooting and walk free, the victim's father takes justice into his own hands. The story isn't bad, though clearly far from original. The dialogue is very weak though, and the photography and editing are very poor. Taye Diggs, George Lopez, and John Cusack make this look much better than it is.
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT (PG) 118 minutes * * * 1/2 Two brothers, their father, and the wild Montana river that runs through their lives. The Montana of the boys' childhood is a land that is wild and strong, but it has its soft side as well. It's a wonderful place to be raised and to learn what life has to offer. The film does move slowly, but time seems to stand still in these Montana hills. We feel calmed and refreshed, and perhaps a little wiser for having listened to this story. There are some places in the film that are a bit less polished, and Robert Redford gets carried away with how much narration he does in spots, but otherwise, this is a beautiful and powerful film that can best be summarized by a quote from the final moments, "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." PG for language, violence, and nudity.
THE RIVER WILD (PG-13) 107 minutes * * 1/2 Meryl Streep stars in this story of a woman who takes her son and husband on a rafting trip. The idea is that it will strengthen the family, but along the way they have to deal with a couple of guys who would just as soon see them all dead. The excitement here is mostly thanks to Streep's superlative acting. The camerawork is poor, though the Jerry Goldsmith tries to make up for it with his soundtrack. An adequate thriller, but nothing outstanding.
RIVER WILD (2023) (PG-13) 86 minutes * A white-water rafting trip with friends turns deadly when one of those friends turns out to be a killer. A re-working of the 1994 film, which wasn't all that great either. The cast here features Adam Brody ad Leighton Meester, who try hard, but receive little in the way of help from the script, direction, or story logic. PG-13 for violence and language.
RIVERWORLD (NR) 88 minutes * * 1/2 People of all times and places are coming back from death, to life on a new world. But why? It doesn't seem like any sort of afterlife that anyone has heard about. And not everyone here thinks that this world of endless river is the best idea. The mixture of elements from history and the future is interesting and fun, but the production values are a little on the cheap side.
THE RIZEN (NR) 99 minutes BOMB The Arms Race is on, and NATO and the Allied Forces are doiung occult research to get ahead. (Similar to what the Nazi's did during World War II.) What they've managed to release is dangerous and uncontrollable. One woman (Laura Swift) is their only hope. The acting and script are so stiff and boring that it's difficult to even tell if the story might have ever had any merit.
THE ROAD (R) 104 minutes * * * A man (Viggo Mortensen) and a boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee) travel along the road in a post-apocalyptic world. It's a dark and depressing story and film. The boy embodies and expresses hope, but it's an unsettling hope because the circumstances offer next to nothing in support of that idea. It's a bleak look at a possible future, though there is that tiny sliver of hope. Adapted from the book by Cormac McCarthy. R for violence and language.
THE ROAD DANCE (NR) 110 minutes * * * Living in the Outer Hebrides just a few short years before World War I, Kirsty's (Hermione Corfield) life is not an easy one. It's about to take an even more tragic turn. The love of a young man, who has enlisted in the military will add a bittersweet note to her life as it mixes with the tragic.
ROAD HARD (NR) 88 minutes * * Things aren't going well for Bruce (Adam Carolla). The divorce was not cheap, and thanks to the cancellation of his show, he's back on the road doing stand-up comedy. It's a lot of Carolla here, since he not only has the lead role, but wrote and directed this too. So, if you like him, this is fun. Otherwise, not so much.
THE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS (NR) 88 minutes * 1/2 It's supposed to be the perfect Christmas wedding in Aspen, Colorado. But Claire (Jennifer Grey) gets detoured to Omaha. As she slowly makes her way to Aspen, it's one problem after another until she meets Tom (Clark Gregg) and his daughter. Jennifer Grey doesn't do well at all here, though the script doesn't give her much to work with. The troubles she encounters during her trip seem to be intended to be more humorous than they come across, but the rest of the story isn't that funny anyway, so it wouldn't fit well if it were played that way.
ROAD TO CHRISTMAS (NR) 84 minutes * * 1/2 Maggie (Jessy Schram) is a talented and innovative TV producer. But corporate wants something more traditional this year, so they want the host's son (Chad Michael Murray) to bring in some pre-recorded segments. It's going to be the perfect mix of traditional and unique, even with a couple of wrenches thrown into the process.
THE ROAD TO ELDORADO (PG) 81 minutes * * 1/2 Miguel and Tulio not only manage to stumble across a map to the fabled Eldorado, but discover that the map is genuine. The story is a bit thin, almost moving too quickly when our heroes arive in Eldorado. We never get to know all that much about them, so it's difficult to care very much. Lots of bright colors and nicely done animation, but it's unlikely that most kids will want to watch this repeatedly. The songs are by Elton John and Tim Rice, but sound too much like copies of music from "The Lion King" with less memorable lyrics. Featuring the voices of Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branaugh, and Rosie Perez, and rated PG for violence.
ROAD TO PALOMA (R) 86 minutes * * After Wolf (Jason Momoa) avenges the death of his mother, he finds himself on the run. Revenge comes at a cost, and sometimes it's higher than expected. This starts well, but the inevitable end becomes obvious early on, and has a negative effect on the pacing for the rest of the film. R for language, sex, and violence.
ROAD TO PERDITION (R) 112 minutes * * * Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is a man who provides for his family. Things are going fine until his son decides to tag along one time to see what his father does. Only then does he realize that his father kills people for a living. Now his dad has to try and protect him while trying to get out of the business. The trouble is, it's a road that makes changing directions almost impossible. Hanks does a very nice job here and there are some strong supporting performances from Paul Newman, Stanley Tucci, Jude Law, and others. The story does move a bit slowly at first, taking a bit too much time to lay out the initial ideas, but it moves well toward the end. Based on the graphic novel, and rated R for violence and language.
ROAD TO PERTH (NR) 80 minutes * * * It comes as a surprise to Alex (Tommy O'Brien), but when he proposes to his girlfriend, she says "no". At a bit of a loss, he goes ahead and travels to Melbourne, Australiaon the trip the two of them were going to take together. His path crosses that of Ronnie (Hannah Lehmann), who is on a journey of her own. So, for a while at least, they willtravel together. An interesting ending.
THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE (R) 117 minutes * * 1/2 Bizarre piece of work from director Alan Parker, about the sanitarium at Battle Creek, Michigan where people go to get healthy. Will and Eleanor Lightbody (Matt Broderick and Bridget Fonda) have come here to improve their health... or maybe they aren't unhealthy after all... An interesting cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, Lara Flynn Boyle, Dana Carvey, John Cusack, and Colm Meaney.
ROAD TRIP (R) 88 minutes * John and Tiffany have dated since childhood. Now they're in college and he's being tempted with other relationships. A videotape is made of him and another girl and it's been sent to his girlfriend by mistake. Time for a road trip to retrieve it. Typical teen sex comedy with not much in the way of talent, laughs, or story. R for language and nudity.
ROAD TRIP: BEER PONG (R) 93 minutes 1/2 The title pretty much tells the story here, so expectations should be pretty low. And the movie doesn't do anything to make it better. The story, such as it is, revolves around a beer pong championship. Not that we really care. R for language and sex.
ROAD TRIP ROMANCE (NR) 83 minutes * * ½ Trying to get home for her sister’s bachelorette party, Margo (Natalie Hall) is experiencing one misfortune after another. Alden (Corey Sevier) is having similar issues trying to get home for his father’s retirement party. To add a little excitement to the story, it turns out that Margo and Alden were high school classmates who constantly competed with each other. Maybe they can find a different sort of common ground this time around.
THE ROAD WARRIOR (R) 91 minutes * * * Although this is a sequel to “Mad Max”, it stands quite well on its own. In a post-apocalyptic world (based in Australia), Max (Mel Gibson), a creative and skilled survivor, helps a community survive a threat from a violent band of criminals who want to steal their fuel. Packed with impressive stunts and action sequences, it’s an epic action/adventure film that should not be missed. R for violence, sex, and language.
ROAD WARS (NR) 86 minutes * 1/2 A group of zombie apocalypse survivors are in the wastelands trying to stay alive and maybe find a cure. Despite having a few interesting moments, the story tends to skip right past them, apparently unaware that they should have been developed more. It also ends rather abruptly, leaving lots of questions unanswered.
THE ROAD WITHIN (R) 97 minutes * * * Vincent (Robert Sheehan) isn't thrilled about entering the care clinic, but it may help with his Tourette Syndrome. Then he gets the bright idea to take a road trip with two of the other residents... his extremely OCD roommate, and a girl suffering from anorexia. We face many journeys in life, and one of the most important is the one inside, which we must make on our own... though a little company doesn't hurt. Great work by the cast! R for language and sex.
ROADHOUSE (R) 109 minutes * * 1/2 Although the number one lesson Dalton (Patrick Swayze) swears by is that you can't win a fight unless you stay cool, he sure doesn't seem to live by it. This brawlfest comes off better than some, mostly due to the appeal and moderately good acting talents of Swayze. Ben Gazzara, Sam Elliott, and Kathleen Willhoite have good character roles too, but the film is unimaginative at best, though that's probably not a surprise.
ROADHOUSE ROMANCE (NR) 86 minutes * * 1/2 Coming back home after her tour in the military, Callie (Lauren Alaina) soon discovers that things have changed in her old hometown. What's more important though is the TV director (Tyler Hynes) who is stuck in town for awhile. There's something about to happen that neither one of them expected.
ROADIE (R) 92 minutes * * A roadie for Blue Oyster Cult for 26 years, Jimmy (Ron Eldard) is now out of work. He heads home, but facing the truth of what's happened isn't easy for him, especially when old friends and old memories are getting in the way. Nice work by Eldard. The script is a bit rough in places, and the energy of the story falters, leaving us feeling like we should have grown closer to these characters, but it just doesn't happen. R for language.
ROADKILL (NR) 87 minutes 1/2 College kids doing a roadtrip reunion end up offending some local Irish people and start getting killed by a giant bird. No, I'm not kidding. Would have worked better as an episode of a TV horror anthology series.
ROADKILL (2020) (NR) 223 minutes * * * His star is rising. Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie) is on the way up in the world of British politics. There are a few skeletons in his closet though, and some of them are starting to rattle. As most can tell you, it's not really the skeletons, but how you handle them that matters. Laurence handles them deftly, as Laurie does with this role.
ROADRUNNER: A FILM ABOUT ANTHONY BOURDAIN (R) 117 minutes * * * A chef, an author, and a TV show host. Each role was one that he grew into, learning as he went. His style was authemtic, and that's what captured the hearts of his followers. His choice to die by suicide was frustrating to those close to him, though not altogether surprising. Still, it is tragic that one who had so much to offer chose to end that possibility. R for language.
ROB B. HOOD (NR) 132 minutes * * A couple of burglars get in way over their heads when they decide to do a job with another friend and help out a mob boss by kidnapping a baby. The highlights here are, of course, a couple of fun sequences with Jackie Chan fighting in close quarters and using everything at hand as a weapon. The film tends to drag quite a bit though, and isn't all that humorous.
ROB ROY (R) 132 minutes * * 1/2 Overly long retelling of the story of legendary Scottish figure, Rob Roy MacGregor. It takes a long time for these characters to take shape for us, and there's little to keep our interest aside from the beautiful scenery. Liam Neeson does a fine job, but this is a film that many may find less appealing than they might hope. Filmed in Scotland. R for violence.
ROB THE MOB (R) 100 minutes * * * Tommy (Michael Pitt) and Rosie (Nina Arianda) are having a tough time making ends meet. A brash idea begins to take shape. Mobsters can't have guns in their places of business as it would be their downfall with the law. So, what if you rob them at gunpoint? It works well until they uncover an additional piece of information and get in over their heads. Great work by Arianda and a classy ending. R for language and sex.
THE ROBBER (NR) 97 minutes * 1/2 Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) loved to run. Unfortunately, he also developed an almost compulsive need to rob banks. The piece of his life that we see here, tells us very little about him. Starting, as it does, with his impending release from prison, we get no real sense of motivation or back story. Adapted from the novel by Martin Prinz, based on actual events.
ROBERT (NR) 92 minutes * 1/2 Another creepy doll horror film. The first half of the film moves very slowly as the stage is set. There are a few creepy moments after that, but it actually remains almost as slow-moving in the second half. There just isn't much imagination here, and that carries through all the way to the end.
ROBERT AND THE TOYMAKER (NR) 85 minutes * Third in the "Robert the creepy doll" series, this is actually a prequel, telling the story of Robert's creator, who not only shaped him, but gave him life. A book that the Nazi's were after holds the secret, but when they kill Robert's creator, they get much more than they expected. The direction the story takes is very similar to the "Puppet Master" series, which is more fun because of the characters of the various puppets.
ROBERT THE BRUCE (NR) 117 minutes * *
Robert the Burce (Angus MacFadyen) was dedicated to Scotland being a free country. The time was ripe for such a move on a larger political scale, but trust and cooperation between the clans was scarce and desperately needed if the effort was to succeed. Losing battle after battle, Robert soon finds himself out of favor and with a bounty on his head. But time will tell what makes a man king. The ending isn't as strong as it could have been, but part of that is because so much time is spent on Robert's recovery that could have been spent on more of the larger history.
ROBIN HOOD (2010) (PG-13) 132 minutes * * *
Robin (Russell Crowe), a member of Richard the Lionheart's troops, is returning from the crusade. But the king dies in battle, and now the kingdom is to be ruled by Richard's younger brother John (Oscar Isaac), who is deceitful and corrupt. it's time for Robin and his friends to find their allies and fight against those who would oppress the people and their beloved England. A gritty and darker version of the story than we usually see. Or actually, pre-story, as these are the events that lead up to the stories of Robin Hood with which we are so familiar. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
ROBIN HOOD (2018) (PG-13) 105 minutes * * *
This re-imagining of the tale of Robin Hood pairs Robin (Taron Egerton) with Little John (Jamie Foxx) as they share the goal of taking down the sheriff of Nottingham (Ben Mendelsohn). Well-paced adventure with plenty of action. It's a darker version of the story than we usually see, but it works well. PG-13 for violence and language.
ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS (PG-13) 99 minutes * 1/2
Typical Mel Brooks fare, with only a few bright spots that make us laugh. It's mostly a boring time inbetween the sight gags and comic lines, though there are a couple of cute cameo appearances.
ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (PG-13) 137 minutes * * *
Outstanding work by the supporting cast in this rather lengthy version of the story of Robin Hood. Some of the sets here are quite beautiful while others are very appropriately mysterious. Good work! A few liberties have been taken with the story, but it's entertaining and easy to tell that the cast enjoyed making it too. Kevin Costner doesn't seem that interested at times, but despite that, it's a fun outing. PG-13 for violence and nudity.
ROBIN HOOD: THE GHOST OF SHERWOOD (R) 112 minutes BOMB
The cheap costumes are obvious from the beginning, but the bigger problems are the poorly written script and the stiff acting. The first half of the film plods along without much incident. Then, there's a little bit of trouble, and Marian (Ramona Kuen) ends up turning Robin Martin Thon) and several of his merry band into zombies. The story seems to be more than a little improvised as it goes along, but not by people who are very good at improvisation. R for violence.
ROBIN WILLIAMS: COME INSIDE MY MIND (NR) 114 minutes * * *
An extensive look at the life and career of talented comedian Robin Williams. Packed with clips from his performances both on screen and on stage, and rememberances from his famiily, friends, and fellow comedians. An extraordinary look at an extraordinary person.
ROBO CROC (NR) 84 minutes *
When a secret military payload crashes at Adventure Land, the nanobots take up residence in one of their crocodiles, and slowly turning it into a robotic killing machine. What's worse, this new robotic croc is not only smarter than the average crocodile, but smarter than most of the humans as well. Yes, it is about as ridiculous as you'd expect.
ROBO-DOG: AIRBORNE (G) 85 minutes * 1/2
Robo-Dog loses his memory and ends up with another family. Silly, but harmless, and it serves as OK entertainment for the 4-7 age crowd if that's what you're looking for.
ROBOCOP (R) 96 minutes * * *
He's part man and part machine, and the future of law enforecment. Peter Weller stars as Alex Murphy, a police office who returns from near death as a cyborg. Weller's stiff, yet sympathetic performance is complimented by a wonderfully evil performance from Kurtwood Smith as the villain. Special effects makeup by Rob Bottin.
ROBOCOP (2014) (PG-13) 110 minutes * * 1/2
Big name cast for this updated version of the sci-fi thriller that includes Gary Oldman, Michael Keation, Jay Baruchel, Samuel L. Jackson, Jackie Earle Haley, and more. The special effects are very good, and the story takes a little more time to explore the melding of human and machine and how it affects Murphy. That said, the ending is less impressive, and shifts the focus of the story, making it weaker than it should be. PG-13 for violence and language.
ROBOCOP II (R) 110 minutes * * * 1/2
More action, more violence, and more villains than the first film. The story for this doesn't rely on your having seen the first film either, which is kind of nice. The idea is that the company responsible for making Robocop has gone bad and decides to replace him with a new unit that is better... in their opinion. Great special effects, music, and editing, and how about the fantastic job done by those 57 stunt people! R for violence and language.
ROBOCOP 3 (PG-13) 96 minutes * 1/2
Robocop joins the little people, whose land is about to be taken away by a bi corporation. Boring take on a story we've seen over and over. What we don't get to see the original Robocop, whose place has been taken by Robert Burke. Filmed two years earlier than it was released, hard to tell why they waited.
ROBOT & FRANK (PG-13) 80 mminutes * * *
Frank's (Frank Langella) getting up there in years, so his son decides to get him a personal assistant robot. At first, Frank is annoyed, but then he begins to find some rather creative uses for his new companion. Wonderful work by Langella in a story that is both charminng and bittersweet. Peter Sarsgaard provides the voice of the robot. Pg-13 for language.
ROBOT OVERLORDS (PG-13) 83 minutes * * 1/2
When the robots invaded earth, it only took eleven days for them to take over. They are studying the planet and have only one rule that must be obeyed... stay inside. An interesting idea, though the ending is overly simple and convenient. The story focuses on one family, which makes it more personal and easier to tell, but also ignores some of the complications that the idea presents since it's supposed to be a rather large event. PG-13 for violence and language.
ROBOT REVOLUTION (NR) 79 minutes BOMB
A cop and her android partner fight zombies. Not sure what makes that a robot revolution, but then again, the script doesn't make much sense anyway. Bad dialogue and bad editing, which isn't to say that the acting is any good, because it isn't.
ROBOT WARS (NR) 90 minutes BOMB
They managed to steal the weapon they were after, but now this small crew is on the run. The future looks bleak and dangerous. Sets and props aren't bad considering the low budget, but script, direction, and acting are pretty bad. And then there's that annoying, first-person photography.
ROBOTS (PG) 84 minutes * * 1/2
Rodney Copperbottom has a dream, but he just can't get the support he needs. He won't quit trying though. Despite this, the story quits trying fairly early on. What we do have is a delightful collection of one-liners and brief comic sketches done by animated robots. Robin Williams is his typically wild comic self, but there are bits for just about everyone. Still, it doesn't really make for a great movie by the time we reach the end. PG for language.
ROBOTS (2023) (R) 89 minutes * * 1/2
Technology has improved to the point that robot doubles of peope are possible. They are also illegal. That's not going to be stopping Elaine (Shailene Woodley) and Charles (Jack Whitehall). He's going to be using his double to set up sexual relationships. She's using hers to get expensive presents. Then their robots decide to run away to Mexico together. Based on the short story, "The Robot Who Looked Like Me" by Robert Sheckley. R for language and sex.
THE ROCK (R) 131 minutes * * *
Packed with exciting chase scenes, explosions, and other tense
moments, this is not for the faint of heart. Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage work well together and have a terrific supporting cast that give this film the depth it needs. Believability is stretched a bit far at times, but the tension is kept at such a high level throughout the film in spite of that fact. Impressive and exciting and not to be missed! R for violence and language.
ROCK-A-DOODLE (G) 63 minutes * * 1/2
Glen Campbell does the voice for this story of Chanticleer, a rooster who learns the importance of friends. Mediocre animation and a surprisingly boring story make this one that the kids probably won't be that interested in watching.
ROCK DOG (PG) 81 minutes * *
When a radio falls (literally) into Bodi's hands, he takes it as a sign that he's supposed to pursue his dream of being a musician. With the focus of the story so clearly on music, the songs needed to be better than they are. Otherwise, it's a cute story, based on the graphic novel, "Tibetan Rock Dog". Featuring the voice talents of Luke Wilson, Eddie Izzard, J.K. Simmons, Mae Whitman, Matt Dillon, and Sam Elliott among others. PG for language and violence.
ROCK DOG 3: BATTLE THE BEAT (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2
Bodi has no interest in musical talent shows. But when he learns that the current contestants don't know Angus Scattergood is, he has to do something to share his knowledge of the greatest rock star ever. Meanwhile, back home, a few of the sheep and wolves are tired of everyone getting along and are looking for something more exciting. Good sequel with a nice soundtrack.
ROCK DOG 2: ROCK AROUND THE PARK (NR) 86 minutes * * 1/2
Bodi and his bandmates get an opportunity they can't refuse. It's a shot at the big time, but it will come with a heavy pricetag. A clever script that frequently mixes in song lyrics. The soundtrack is quite a bit better than the first film.
ROCK JOCKS (NR) 87 minutes * 1/2
Asteroids approach the earth on a regular basis. Thanks to a secret security team, teh world remains safe. Although if you saw the crew, you might wonder just how safe we really are. Clearly low-budget, though that fits well with the idea of the story, since the rock jocks are about to lose more of their already low funding. There are some bits of this that really click, though a few too many that just don't.
ROCK 'N ROLL STARSHIP (Not Rated) 72 minutes BOMB
Incredible low-budget and low-talent production that attempts to strike a similar chord to that of "Spaceballs"... and fails. Really pathetic costumes and props and the script isn't much better. If you really want to notice the difference some talent can make, watch "El Mariachi", which only cost about $2,000 more than this to make!
ROCK OF AGES (PG-13) 117 minutes * * *
Big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway production. It's the story of two people pursuing their dreams of success in the music business, and falling in and out of love. Tom Cruise plays the role of Stacee Jaxx quite well, and Julianne Hough is very good as star-crossed Sherrie Christian. It carries much of the feel of the stage production, but misses some of the energy that only happens with a live production of a story like this. PG-13 for sex and language.
ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS (R) 81 minutes *
Supposedly cured of the mental condition that created a second personality who was a psychotic killer, Peter (Luke Macfarlane)heads back to the old family home. Not such a good idea. It looks like "Aaron" will be showing up again, sooner rather than later. Terribly over-acted by Michael Madsen and Jennifer Titus. Macfarlane isn't bad here, but the fialogue and direction let him down. R for violence, language, and nudity.
ROCK PAPER SCISSORS (2021) (NR) 93 minutes * *
Moving from Los Angeles to a small midwest town is not Kelvin's (Vahe Sevani) idea of a great time. He quickly finds himself on the outside of all social circles, and makes friends with some other misfits. Their game of choice is... rock paper scissors. The tournaments are intense. The story takes itself very seriously, which we have a hard time doing. There is, at least, some character appeal.
ROCK SCHOOL (R) 90 minutes * * 1/2
The Paul Green School of Rock Music teaches 10-17 year-olds how to become rock stars. His methods are a bit unorthodox and extreme at times, but the results are impressive. It's an interesting look at a music performance school that is... less traditional. R for language.
ROCK STAR (R) 100 minutes * *
Chris (Mark Wahlberg) always wanted to be a rock star. He finally gets his chance and finds out that in many ways, it's not quite what he imagined. Wahlberg does a nice job, as does Jennifer Aniston, but the characters here are extremely two-dimensional. The story itself could actually get a bit farther if the characters themselves didn't hold it back. Steel Dragon, the band created for the film, plays their own songs. R for language and sex.
ROCK THE KASBAH (R) 102 minutes * *1/2
Richie Lanz (Bill Murray) is a music promoter who has seen better days. He's currently stuck in Kabul, Afghanistan, but he's just found an amazing singer. There are a few cultural hurdles to try and negotiate. The massage is sound and strong, and still manages to come through quite clearly despite the light-hearted approach. R for language, sex, and violence.
THE ROCKER (PG-13) 98 minutes * * 1/2
Fish (Riann Wilson) is a drummer for a rock band that made it big... without him. Twenty years later, he's helping his nephew out by playing drums for his band at the prom. But maybe something bigger lies in store for them, especially when people get a look at their rehearsals... Funny and sometimes touching story with great music and nice fresh performances by Wilson, Emma Stone, Josh Gad, and Teddy Geiger. PG-13 for language and nudity.
THE ROCKET (NR) 92 minutes * * 1/2
A boy supposedly cursed with bad luck sets about to prove everyone wrong by building a fireworks rocket that will win the annual contest. Really nice work by all of the younger members of the cast.
THE ROCKET LIST (PG-13) 82 minutes * 1/2
An asteroid is about to collide with the earth. Survival is not really an option. As might be expected, many people are taking what little time is left to check things off of their bucket lists. Some are going as far as to film themselves doing bucket list items to send into space as a record of human life on the planet. The film is heavily improvised in an attempt to make it feel more real. That's also true of the style of photography. Both of those aspects make getting to the end of the film a little tedious, which is unfortunate, because the ending is very nice.
ROCKET SCIENCE (R) 97 minutes * * 1/2
Hal (Reece Thompson) seems an unlikely candidate for the debate team. He stutters and stammers and would be the first to tell you that it wasn't his idea. But Ginny (Anna Kendrick) asked him, and he has a crush on her, so he tries. Quirky, cute coming of age story with plenty of life-truth nuggets scattered throughout the film. We don't really need the narration, though the voice seems to be coming from director Jeffrey Blitz, who also used to have problems with stuttering. R for sex and language.
THE ROCKETEER (PG) 104 minutes * * * *
It's Los Angeles in 1938 and Cliff and Peevy (Alan Arkin) have just had a run of bad luck at their airfield that is going to cost them a lot of money. But wait, what's that bundle stuck under the airplane seat? Could it be a jet propulsion system for a person to wear on their back? Might it be a way to make some money? But what about the original owner, the FBI, and the Nazis, who all want to have it for themselves? Fun, exciting adventure film for young and old, with a well-written story, terrific music, and great special effects. Bill Campbell does a wonderful job as Cliff, the good old hometown boy who finds himself in the role of a hero. PG for violence.
ROCKETMAN (PG) 88 minutes * 1/2
Mercifully short live-action feature from Disney with only a few laughs. We follow bumbling and inept Fred Randall (Harland Williams) as he becomes an astronaut, ruins most everything he touches, but ends up saving the mission and the lives of his fellow astronauts. Williams is no Don Knotts, and this film has little to offer aside from a few minor chuckles. PG for language.
ROCKETMAN (2019) 115 minutes * * *
The story of Elton John's (Taron Egerton) career, from his childhood into his later years. A musical prodigy and creative genius, all of his energy was poured into the music he created. All of his passion, his frustration, and everything else is here, presented in a dramatic musical fantasy that is also a showcase of his music. The music is wonderful, but the photography and Egerton's performance are what give this a special edge. R for language and sex.
ROCKNROLLA (R) 109 minutes * * 1/2
Writer/director Guy Ritchie delivers another convoluted story of stolen money with an assortment of people trying to get their hands on it while others try to stop them. It's a crazy ride, but not as much fun as "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" or "Snatch", two other Ritchie projects. This seems too much like a reworking of a now-tired idea, though Gerard Butler throws himself int othe lead role with gusto. R for language, violence, and sex.
ROCKULA (PG-13) 85 minutes * *
Cursed to watch his true love die every 22 years because he failed to save her the first time, Rockula (Dean Cameron) is determined to break the chain of events this time around. Being a rock star makes things interesting for him as well. The music is actually fairly good and this looks to have been a fun film to work on. Toni Basil, Thomas Dolby, and Bo Diddley are here and Cameron, Basil, and Tawny Fere all perform their own songs.
ROCKY BALBOA (PG) 97 minutes * * 1/2
Another comeback for Rocky, this one prompted by a computer simulation fight between Rocky and the current world champ that projects Rocky to be the winner. Fairly good entry in the series with some very nice scenes between Rocky and his son (Milo Ventimiglia). The film ends well, with a rousing, 10 round bout that does a nice job of bringing us to the edge of our seats. PG for violence and language.
ROCKY V (PG-13) 100 minutes * 1/2
Rocky has hit the bottom. Things couldn't be much worse. With no money and little support, he has to fight his way up from the bottom again. Unfortunately, his opponent, Tommy Gunn, is just another cardbard machine. Apollo Creed has been Rocky's only real challenge over the years, because he's the only other fighter who felt the need to fight from the heart. Most of the acting is atrocious, looking as if the scripts were picked up the night before filming for the first time. And Bill Conti's music comes across far too staged to support the film the way it needs to. PG-13 for violence and language.
ROCKY IV (PG) 86 minutes * 1/2
A battle of East and West as Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) fights Drago (Dolph Lundgren), the powerhouse from Russia. No surprises, and the training scenes continue to be one of the most energetic and inspirational parts of the film. The split screen during the fight is annoying and doesn't really help us see anything extra. PG for violence and language.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS (NR) 84 minutes * * 1/2
Trying to get away from a high profile breakup, Sarah (Lindy Booth) head's off to her uncle's ranch. Graham (Kristoffer Poloha) wants a break from his hectic life and a chance to research his next acting role. It's a gentle and well-written holiday romance from Hallmark, with nice work by the cast.
ROCKY III (PG) 95 minutes * * * ½
After winning the title bout, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) lets himself go and loses a fight to Clubber Lang (Mr. T). With the help of his former nemesis Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), he will be back in shape in no time, ready to take Lang down during a rematch. Very nice dramatic sequences here, and Bill Conti’s music is right on the mark. This is a little more emotional film than the others in the series as far as letting us see that side of the characters more deeply. PG for violence.
RODEO & JULIET (NR) 86 minutes *
City girl goes to the country and falls in love with a horse. Yes, Rodeo is a horse, not a person. Very poorly written story with lots of inconsistencies and gaps in logic.
RODEO GIRL (PG) 101 minutes * 1/2
There are quite a few low-budget "girl and her horse" films, and this is not one of the better ones. Poor dialogue inbetween scenes that have no dialogue at all. PG for violence.
ROGER & ME (R) 85 minutes * * *
Michael Moore's cynical and satirical documentary about the town of Flint, Michigan and the effects of General Motors plant closures on the people in and around the town. Moore's efforts are definitely inclined toward picking on GM, but they do give him quite a bit to work with. The "Roger" in the title refers to Roger Smith, a GM executive Moore sets out to interview. R for language and violence.
ROGER DODGER (R) 101 minutes * * *
Roger (Campbell Scott) has been having an affair with his boss. But now Joyce (Isabella Rossellini) is tired of the affair and puts an end to it, but Roger just can't accept it. To make matters worse, his nephew has dropped by to get advice on how to pick up women. This is a bit talky at times, the negative and chauvenistic Roger rings true. Scott delivers the best performance of his career to this point, with a character that is far more complicated than anything he's done before. R for language and sex.
ROGER WATERS: THE WALL (R) 126 minutes * * *
More than just a concert film, though it is very much that as well. This is also a film about Waters and his father and grandfather, who both died in wars. It's about honoring the dead, mourning their loss, and working toward a world where war is a thing of the past. The movement between concert and biographical footage works well, but even more biographical information would have been helpful. R language, nudity, and violence.
ROGUE (R) 88 minutes *
Giant crocodile terrorizes a group of tourists. Do I really need to say more? The crocodile animatronics and special effects are reasonably good and Radha Mitchell and Michael Vartan do their best, it's just such a tired idea. R for violence and language.
ROGUE (2020) (R) 100 minutes *
Leading a team of mercenaries, O'Hara (Megan Fox) runs into trouble. Her team is now stranded in hostile territory. Lots of poor choices made by the characters, which means that someone didn't do much, if any, research before writing the script. These are not the choices a team of mercenaries would have made. Lots of guns and animal attacks, but really poor CGI effects with the lions. R for violence and language.
ROGUE AGENT (NR) 113 minutes * * *
First and foremost, Robert Freegard (James Norton) was a con man. Masquerading as an agent of MI-5, he would intimidate women into going into hiding as a way of kidnapping them. When he begins to set the trap for Alice (Gemma Arterton), he has no idea that she will be able to turn the tables on him. Well-done thriller.
ROGUE HOSTAGE (NR) 88 minutes * *
Kyle (Tyrese Gibson) works for Child Protective Services, and is just making a routine stop when he finds himself in the middle of a hostage situation. His background as a Marine will serve him well, but he will have to get past some personal trauma. The performances here are almost all very lifeless and low energy. Most of the story is painted with very broad strokes and details are only given a few times. Not very well written, but a nice cast that also includes John Malkovich and Michael Jai White.
ROGUE ONE (PG-13) 126 minutes * * 1/2
Nice work filling in some of the missing details that had existed between parts three and four of the Star Wars series. That also means that this is not a film that works well by itself. The story deals with rebels plotting to steal the plans for the Death Star so they can figure out a way to destroy it. The dialogue is weak in a number of scenes, but fans of the series are still likely to enjoy this, and there's just enough humor to help make it a little more fun. PG-13 for violence.
ROGUE RIVER (R) 74 minutes *
Needing help when she finds herself stranded, Mara (Michelle Page) ends up at the home of Jon and Lea. They aren't going to let her go. Strangely serene ending that just doesn't fit with the rest of the film, though the acting is bad enough that we're mostly just happy the end happens so soon. R for violence, sex, and language.
ROGUE WARFARE (R) 94 minutes *
There's a new terrorist group that has formed in the Middle East. An elite team of military personel from several countries (who have all of two minutes to get to know each other and start working as a team) are put together to take down the new group's leader (Essam Ferris). Several uninteresting, lengthy, monotone speeches by this new leader are featured, detailing his philosophy and plans. It's not narration, but it might be worse. A cliffhanger ending. Are you ready for the sequel? R for violence and language.
ROGUE WARFARE 2: THE HUNT (R) 95 minutes *
The team goes back into action to retrieve their leader, Daniel (Will Yun Lee), who was captured on their first mission. Paper-thin story that is less than convincing. At least it's no worse than the first film. R for violence and language.
ROGUE WARFARE 3: DEATH OF A NATION (R) 91 minutes *
With Daniel (Will Yun Lee) rescued by his team, the Supreme Leader (Essam Ferris) comes up with a new plan to terrorize the world. Mostly he just seems to be terrorizing the team though. Back into action our intrepid heroes must go, facing pretty much the same problems as before, both in the story and from the filmmaking aspect. R for violence and language.
ROISE & FRANK (NR) 81 minutes * * *
Roise (Brid Ni Neachtain) has been grieving the loss of her husband for a couple of years. The unusual behavior of a stray dog that shows up has her convinced thta he's the reincarnation of her husband. And what if he was? A charming and sweet story.
ROLE MODELS (R) 95 minutes * *
Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) push energy drinks. But after really messing up one day at a high school presentation, they are sentenced to 150 hours of community service, and find themselves serving as mentors to troubled youth. Eventually, we get the sentimental point of the film, but it's one we've heard many times before. R for language and sex.
ROLL BOUNCE (PG-13) 107 minutes * * 1/2
Xavier (Bow Wow) loves to skate, and he's good at it too. But the local rink just closed and with his mother's recent death, he has to do more work around the house. But there's this rink on the other side of town... Nothing really remarkable here, but it's a fun trip back to the 1970s with some nice roller skating and a nice supporting performance from Jurnee Smollett. PG-13 for language.
ROLLERBALL (2002) (PG-13) 93 minutes *
Remake of the 1975 action film that wasn't terribly great to begin with. The story is slightly different, but not by much. The best scenes are still the ones on the track, while the rest of the story is rather boring. The game itself is an interesting mix of hockey and championship wrestling on roller skates. The costumes are the highlight, but even those are hardly worth sitting through the whole film. R for violence and language.
ROLLING THUNDER REVUE (NR) 136 minutes * * *
The story of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue. In 1975, Dylan assembled and headlined an amazing group of musicians that toured the country. Each location's event included different musicians and different songs, which made presenting the event as well as attending it, a unique experience. Part concert film, part documentary, part social history. It's a fascinating look at a piece of musical and cultural history.
ROLLOVER (R) 112 minutes * *
With Kris Kristofferson and Jane Fonda featured in the advertising for this film, you might think it would be a romance. You would be mistaken. More of a political intrigue film, it’s about an organization in the Middle East trying to disrupt the world’s economy. It’s interesting, but dry, and the bigger problem is that there just doesn’t seem to be much that can be done about it. R for sex, violence, and language.
ROMA (R) 129 minutes * * * 1/2
Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio) works as a maid and nanny for a middle-class family in Mexico City. This look at a year in her life follows not only what happens specifically to her, but also to the family she works for and the community in which they live. It's a marvelous piece of work, often very subtle in what it says. Director Alfonso Cuaron won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his direction. R for nudity and language.
ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. (PG-13) 115 minutes * * *
Roman (Denzel Washington) is a somewhat eccentric defense attorney. His partner handles court appearances, leaving Roman to deal with research and preparation, which suits him just fine. But now, his partner is unable to continue, and Roman feels compelled to step up. That is not going to happen easily, and Roman is about to face tests on several fronts that run the risk of breaking him. A great character study and a fine performance by Washington. The story sets up a little too quickly and not completely convincing us, which reduces the effectiveness of the ending. PG-13 for language and violence.
ROMAN POLANSKI: WANTED AND DESIRED (NR) 96 minutes * * *
Polanski was already a well-respected, and well-known director when he was accused of taking advantage of a young girl. This documentary retraces his life before and after the incident, working to shed light on a man who had no choice but to leave the United States, but who was welcomed with open arms on the other side of the ocean. Informative and diplomatically presented look at the life and times of this talented director.
ROMANCE & CIGARETTES (R) 96 minutes * * * 1/2
A somewhat unusual musical, with James Gandolfini and Susan Sarandon as a couple whose marriage is faltering. Nick (Gandolfini) has strayed into an affair with Tula (Kate Winslet), but still loves Kitty (Sarandon), who might forgive him. John Turturro wrote and directed this film, which is both rough and tender, as well as funny, romantic, and, as noted before, a bit unusual. The amasing cast also features Steve Buscemi, Mandy Moore, Mary-Louise Parker, Bobby Cannavale, and Christopher Walken. R for language and sex.
ROMANCE IN STYLE (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2
Ella (Jaicy Elliot) has aspiration to be a fashion designer for plus size women, Derek (Benjamin Hollingsworth) is a magazine publisher. He needs to learn, and she's the teacher he needs. They are two rising stars, and they'll be even brighter together. A nice message and well-delivered.
ROMANCE IN THE AIR (NR) 80 minutes * * 1/2
Taking a break from work wasn't her idea, but Eden (Cindy Busby) doesn't really have a choice about it. She goes to her parents' cabin at Lake Tahoe, and bumps into an old friend. He might be something more than a friend, but the timing is going to be a challenge.
ROMANCE TO THE RESCUE (NR) 86 minutes * *
She needs a well-trained dog, and fast. Kyra (Andrea Brooks) gets herself into a corner trying to impress someone who checks off all of the boxes on her list. What she isn't noticing is how Kevin (Marcus Rosner) has fallen for her. Not much chemistry between Brooks and Rosner, but the supporting performances by Lucie Guest and Benjamin Charles Watson help.
ROMANCING THE STONE (PG) 103 minutes * * ½
Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) finds herself in possession of a treasure map that some not-so-nice people want. They have her sister, and are suggesting a trade. Jack Colton (Michael Douglas) is willing to help. It all seems like it could be straight out of one of the novels Joan writes. Light-hearted adventure film that pokes a little fun at both romance novels and some adventure films. It comes off a little too light, but Turner and Douglas make it work better than it should. PG for violence, sex, and language.
ROMANTIC COMEDY (PG) 100 minutes * *
When they’re on stage, Jason (Dudley Moore) and Phoebe (Mary Steenburgen) have perfect timing. That’s not so true in their lives off stage. The title says it all, but this just isn’t as funny or charming as it needs to be. It feels a little stale and tired. Adapted from the play by Bernard Slade, and with a nice soundtrack from Marvin Hamlisch.
THE ROMANTICS (PG-13) 91 minutes * *
A group of friends gather for the wedding of two of their members. But a past relationship between the groom-to-be and the maid of honor threatens to get in the way. A talented cast, with Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Katie Holmes, Elijah Wood, and more, but the script isn't particularly exciting and the story tends to drag because of it. PG-13 for sex and language.
ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS (NR) 74 minutes * * *
Angelique (Isabelle Carre) and Jean-Rene (Benoit Poelvoorde) have a similar problem. They are both extremely shy. As a cholocate maker and a chocolatier respectively, their paths cross, and though awkward at best, and fraught with mistakes, a romance begins. A bit silly at first, but the charm of the story and the characters soon win us over.
ROMEO AND JULIET (R) 138 minutes * * * 1/2
Director Franco Zeffirelli still has the best version of this
Shakespearean classic on film. Olivia Hussey is perfect as Juliet and the film sweeps us along at a grand pace, catching us up in the story and sweeping along to its tragic climax. This is one of those films that it's very hard to stop watching once you start, thanks to a director, editor, and cinematographer who know how to paint a nearly seamless film.
ROMEO & JULIET (2013) (PG-13) 110 minutes * * *
Interesting variation on the classic Shakespearean tale that has a light, lively, and energetic pace. The production quality is very high, with lavish sets and costumes. The acting is quite good as well, though Paul Giamatti just doesn't quite fit here. PG-13 for violence.
ROMEO + JULIET (PG-13) 113 minutes * * 1/2
Visually and musically stunning from the very beginning! One of the problems with this film is that the style of humor used in a number of sequences doesn't really fit. Shakespeare definitely had humor, but much of this just doesn't fit. Leonardo DiCaprio also seems to have a great deal of trouble with the Shakespearean language. Strange that they didn't modernize that as well. Still, this is refreshing and unique and worth watching if you're curious. PG-13 for language and violence.
ROMEO MUST DIE (R) 111 minutes * *
Big land deals are going down and the atmosphere is becoming rather tense between the blacks and the group from Hong Kong. The idea that people within the organizations are corrupt is no big surprise and we wait in anticipation of seeing the bad guys get what's coming to them. The action sequences are reasonably good, but the story is so stale that we're hardly able to enjoy them. Delroy Lindo is capable of much better than this film shows. And Jet Li and Aaliyah are featured as the rather mismatched "Romeo and Juliet" of the film. R for violence and language.
ROMEOS (NR) 96 minutes * * 1/2
Lukas (Rick Okon) may have found the love he's looking for. But Fabio (Maximilian Befort) doesn't know that Lukas is trans-gendered and in the pre-operative transitional stage. Loving someone means understanding and accepting them as well, and both Lukas and Fabio will have to decide if that's true for them.
ROMULUS, MY FATHER (R) 101 minutes * *
Adapted from Raimond Gaita's memoir, this recounts his early life and how his father struggled to maintain a stable home for Raimond with a mother whose free spirit was both magical and maddening. The film feels somewhat disconnected in several spots as it skips through Raimond's life. Very nice performances by Eric Bana and young Kodi Smit-McPhee. Filmed in Victoria, Australia. R for sex, violence, and language.
ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION (R) 88 minutes * * 1/2
Light, fun look at the life of two girls who have made themselves at home in the valley. Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow are fun to watch as they skip through this film with little regard for anything except how they look. Too bad the script doesn't have the same energy and bright quality. Nice little cynical classmate role for Janeane Garafalo. Should be a bigger hit on video than in the theaters and the soundtrack is a must! R for language.
THE RON CLARK STORY (NR) 89 minutes * *
Ron Clark (Matthew Perry) moves from small-town North Carolina to teach in one of the toughest classrooms in Harlem. It's an inspirational story about dedication and teaching. Perry's performance is less than inspirational, and some of the side stories that could add depth are cut to fit into the standard TV movie length. It's a little disappointing as it undercuts the power of the film in general. Not rated, includes some violence and foul language.
RONIN (R) 115 minutes * * 1/2
A team of specialists is assembled for the purpose of retrieving a briefcase. The best sequences here are the car chases, which are among the best since "The French Connection". However, most of the story happens too quickly and with so little explanation that we have a hard time being interested. We care little for the characters, though there is a feeling of reality to the film. Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno do a fine job, but the film has little else to offer. R for violence and language.
RON'S GONE WRONG (PG) 100 minutes * * *
The world's very first Bubble Bot is about to be unveiled. Using an algorithm for friendship, it is supposed to be everything you'll ever need. But when middle-schooler Barney (voiced by Jack Dylan Grazer) gets his B-Bot Ron (voiced by Zach Galifianakis)... something isn't quite right. Very nice animation and a fun story. PG for language.
THE ROOFTOP (NR) 116 minutes * * *
Living mostly on the rooftops of the city, Gao (Jay Chou) and his friends live a wonderful life. But when he falls in love, he'll be forced to take a look at the rest of the city and learn how diffierent it can be. A fun, brightly-colored, light-hearted, Taiwanese musical comedy.
THE ROOKIE (R) 117 minutes * *
Plenty of action and some good, suspenseful music, but the acting is poor and the story is the same old thing. It's nice to see Raul Julia and Sonia Braga together on screen, but Clint Eastwood sometimes stretches himself a bit thin by being on both sides of the camera. Seeing this on the TV screen shrinks a few of the problems, but it's still not one of Eastwood's better efforts. R for violence, language, and sexual innuendo.
THE ROOKIE (2002) (G) 122 minutes * * *
Jimmy (Dennis Quaid) didn't make it to the big leagues when he was younger, but he may get a second chance. But what will he do if they really want him? It's a nice story about the importance of pursuing your dreams, but it moves a little slowly. Quaid does a nice job, but we need a little more from the supporting characters and a few less repeated pitches. It's not a bad baseball film, there are just too many others that are better.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (PG) 98 minutes
* 1/2
Thomas Ian Nicholas gets a chance to play in the big
leagues when his fastball reaches outlandish speeds
in this sports fantasy film for kids. Way too many
scenes of Chicago Cubs fans here, but that's just
another sign of first-time director Daniel Stern's
inexperience. Amy Morton, who plays Nicholas' mother
is the star attraction here, earning at least half
the rating for this film all by herself.
THE ROOM (R) 97 minutes BOMB
Everything is going well for Johhny (Tommy Wiseau), until his fiancee decides to leave him for his best friend. No, there's nothing wrong with your eyes. Some scenes are a little out of focus because writer/producer/director/actor Wiseau used both 35mm film and video to shoot the film and didn't always check the focus. He also went through three entire film crews over the course of the six months it took to make the film. What's a little surprising is that the cast didn't all quit, though most of them never thought the film would actually be seen by anyone. Famous on the midnight circuit as a film to make fun of, this is one of those films that is so bad it's... no, really, it's just bad. R for sex, language and violence.
ROOM (2015) (R) 113 minutes * * * 1/2
A powerful and intense story with a stunning performance by young Jacob Tremblay. His character embodies the resilience of children. The story hints at many things rather than explaining them outright. Sometimes that is more than enough, but at other times it glosses over moments and information that would have added depth to our understanding. Adapted from the book by Emma Donaghue, which was inspired by the Josef Fritzl case, but not really based on it. There are striking similarities to other, similar cases of kidnapping and confinement. R for language.
THE ROOM (2019) (NR) 95 minutes * 1/2
What they discover in their new house is, at first, a blessing. There's a room in their house that gives Matt (Kevin Janssens) and Kate (Olga Kurylenko) anything they want. What seems too good to be true is just that. There is a catch to the wishes that the room grants. The problem is that once the catch is revealed, they aren't very creative about what would still be possible for them to do. There's a twist later in the film, but it feels forced and doesn't work well.
ROOM FOR RENT (NR) 79 minutes * 1/2
As it turns out, Joyce's (Lin Shaye) recently deceased husband not only didn't leave her with any savings, but with a past due debt. Stumbling on some information about starting a bed and breakfast, she has an idea. In no time at all, she's not only opened her doors to those in need of a place to stay, but she's become obsessed with one of her guests. Shaye's performance is a little over the top, and the ending feels incomplete. The script doesn't really give us much suspense, though there is some creepiness to the story.
ROOM 6 (NR) 88 minutes * *
Amy's (Christine Taylor) fear of hospitals hits an all-time high when her boyfriend ends up in a hospital that doesn't exist and where demons walk the halls. Several creepy moments and a few decent scares in this horror film despite the presence of Jerry O'Connell, which makes us want to laugh. Nice work by young Chloe Moretz.
ROOM 237 (NR) 100 minutes * *
Director Rodney Ascher's critical look at Stanley Kubrick's film, "The Shining". As with any critial analysis, it is interpretation through the eyes of the critic. That doesn't make it correct or incorrect, just an interpretation. Even the artist, author, creator of a work is sometimes surprised at how their work is anaylzed, interpreted, and critiqued versus their original intent. So, while there are bits here that are undoubtedly right on the money, there are others that are interesting more from the angle of a conspiracy theorist. Take it for what it's worth.
THE ROOMMATE (PG-13) 87 minutes * 1/2
Having a room to herself has been nice for Sara (Minka Kelly), though losing her sister was rather traumatic. Now she's at college, and her new roommate seems nice... at first. Sara quickly discovers that her roommate is more than a little obsessive... about her! it's a tired script, with little in the way of imagination or creativity, but the acting isn't too bad, and manages to offset the bad script a little bit. PG-13 for violence, sex, and language.
ROOMMATE WANTED (R) 81 minutes 1/2
Two roommates who don't particularly get along, find their situation getting worse when an opportunity arises. For us to care about the outcome of the fight, we need to find something likeable about at least one of the girls, and the story makes that rather difficult. Not that the ending is worth waiting for... because it isn't. R for violence, sex, and language.
ROOMMATES (PG) 105 minutes * * *
Rocky (Peter Falk) takes his grandson in when his parents die. Years later it's Michael's turn as his grandfather now needs him. Living with someone else is a constant compromise, even when you love them. But Rocky and Michael discover that it's worth all the hassles. Aside from a few slow spots early on, this is a great film. Falk and D.B. Sweeney work well together as does their supporting cast. PG for language.
ROOT OF THE PROBLEM (NR) 94 minutes * 1/2
Expecting money from an inheritance, Paul (Sergio Di Zio) is more than a little disappointed when the inheritance turns out to be a plant. But this is a special plant. An actual money tree. Having lots of money can be a good thing, but not if you allow yourself to lose sight of what's really important. Overly simplified story and lots of two-dimensional acting. The Christian message comes through strong near the end of the film.
ROSE HILL (PG) 99 minutes * * *
Mary Rose has grown up as an orphan. Found by four boys, themselves orphans, who are very protective of her, they move west and establish their home. It's the story of an unlikely family and the bonds that love fashions whether there is a blood tie or not. The entire cast does a wonderful job, giving the production the depth it needs to endear itself to us. Rose Hill and the family who lives there, a special place and a story you'll continue to think about. PG for violence.
THE ROSE MAKER (NR) 90 minutes * * * 1/2
Eve Vernet's (Catherine Frot) rose business is struggling. Her assistant hires three workers who cost nothing as they are in rehabilitation. It's a last ditch effort, and it may not work. Then again... A charming story with a wonderful cast.
ROSEMARY'S BABY (NR) 168 minutes * *
Rosemary (Zoe Saldana) is going to have a baby, and her neighbors just may be more interested in it than they should be. Updated version of the 1968 horror film adapted from Ira Levin's novel, with some very nice work by Saldana, but the rest of the cast is less impressive. The extra thirty minutes in this version doesn't really add anything, though it doesn't really seem overly long either.
ROSETTA (R) 93 minutes * * 1/2
She's a tough "almost" street kid, determined to make it on her own. Disgusted with her mother, and unwilling to trust anyone, Rosetta's (Emilie Dequenne) life is not going to be easy. Depressing throughout, though there is always just enough hope, and there's just something about this character, and Dequenne's performance, that has us wanting life to work out better for her. R for language.
ROSEWATER (R) 98 minutes * * *
When Maziar Bahari (Gael Garcia Bernal) goes to Iran to report on the election, he knows there are risks, but he never expects to be detained and interrogated as a spy. An intense story, adapted from Bahari's book, with a very strong performance from Bernal. R for language and violence.
ROSEWOOD (R) 138 minutes * * * 1/2
Set in 1922-23, this is the story of the events that took place in Florida, where a young white woman of very questionable reputation falsely accuses an unnamed black man of raping her. The events her accusation set in motion are shocking and devastating to the small black community nearby. This is a powerful film. Predictable, but intense, with a lesson we all need to learn. Ving Rhames does a great job as Mann, the stranger in town, and Jon Voigt plays John Wright, a white man who plays both sides of the fence. R for violence and language.
ROSEWOOD LANE (R) 88 minutes * 1/2
Returning to her father's house after his death, Dr. Sonny Blake (Rose McGowan) is quickly made aware of how "different" the paperboy is. Creepy, but the film relies far too heavily on noise scares. And it makes no sense at all that she gets a cat to keep her company, when it's extremely clear that the paperboy really doesn't like dogs. The cast is good, but the story keeps repeating itself and when the twist comes near the end, we've lost interest. R for violence.
ROSWELL (NR) 95 minutes * * * 1/2
Kyle MacLachlan and Martin Sheen star in this TV movie that is by far the best retelling of the UFO incident that occurred in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. Earnestly told story that capture our attention from the very beginning. MacLachlan and Sheen both give great performances that make this one of the more memorable TV productions of the last few years. You may not believe, but give yourself the chance to consider!
ROUGH NIGHT (R) 94 minutes * 1/2
About to get married, Jess (Scarlett Johansson) and a few of her friends celebrate her upcoming marriage. Lots of craziness and problematic behavior ensues. Problematic, because Jess is running for a political office. Problematic, because they just killed someone. Problematic, because this is all supposed to be funny. And it just isn't. Instead, it's an awkward mix of slapstick and drama. R for sex and language.
ROUNDERS (R) 114 minutes * *
Mike (Matt Damon) is a gambler who just can't stay away from the game. Even when he loses it all in an attempt to win the big game. He quits for awhile, but comes back in with stakes that are even higher. The voice-over narration is less than appealing and the film seems to drag in a number of spots. Damon is a bit too "boyish" for the lead here,though Edward Norton does a fine job as his best friend, "Worm", and Famke Jansen's supporting role as Petra is worthy of note as well. Most won't find this a particularly appealing film, nor is it one with much to make it memorable. R for language and violence.
ROUTE 666 (R) 86 minutes *
Jack (Lou Diamond Phillips) is sent to bring in Rabbit (Steven Williams), who doesn't seem to trust the witness protection program. The mob is going to try to stop them as they make their way back to Los Angeles, but they won't be on the main road, and the mob won't be the only thing they have to worry about. Williams' character is more than a little annoying, but Lori Petty goes a long way toward making up for that. Still, this is more of an extended episode for a show like "Tales From the Crypt". R for violence and language.
THE ROVER (R) 97 minutes * * 1/2
In the desolate Australian outback, after a worldwide economic collapse, a man pursues those who stole his car. A stark and depressing look at justice and vengeance in a world where few remain and fewer still seem to care. What comes up a little lacking is our ability to care very much what happens to Eric (Guy Pearce), and so we watch, but aren;t overly concerned with what happens. R for language and violence.
ROW 19 (NR) 75 minutes * 1/2
The only survivor of a plane crash when she was seven years old, Katerina (Svetlana Ivanova) is now on a night flight with her own daughter. And then the plane runs into a bad storm. The story moves back and forth between reality and imagination a little too frequently. The soundtrack is good, but the script feels as though it's stuck.
ROXANNE (PG) 111 minutes * * 1/2
The classic love triangle dilemma is portrayed in this up-to-date version of the story of Cyrano de Bergerac. This time around, it is C.D. Bales (Steve Martin) who has the nose, the wit, the romantic skills, and the love for a girl. Of course, she's in love with the new fireman in town... the one who is somewhat less than skilled at the art of romance. The mix of comic and dramatic scenes is a bit off and we come away from this not sorry we've seen it, but not that excited about it either.
ROXY HUNTER AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MOODY GHOST (NR) 92 minutes * * 1/2
Aria Wallace stars as 9-year-old Roxy, a precocious young girl who loves to solve mysteries. She's just moved to a new town and the house they are living in has a mysterious history. It's nothing that Roxy can't figure out though. Fun mystery adventure aimed at the 6-10 year old crowd, but the rest of the family should have fun as well. Not rated, but suitable for families.
ROXY HUNTER AND THE MYTH OF THE MERMAID (NR) 91 minutes * *
Roxy (Aria Wallace) needs a great story to win the $300 prize. She's not sure what to write about until a mysterious young woman shows up. Maybe she's a mermaid. The story here isn't as creative as teh others in the series, though the performances are about the same.
ROXY HUNTER AND THE SECRET OF THE SHAMAN (NR) 89 minutes * * 1/2
Roxy (Aria Wallace) suspects that the homeless man she is seeing in town is more than he appears to be. Is he a shaman in disguise? Leave it to Roxy to uncover the secret and have some fun along the way. Another in the series of family-friendly mystery adventures.
ROXY THE MOVIE (NR) 92 minutes * * 1/2
For die-hard fans of Frank Zappa, and those who enjoy great jazz/rock. This is a companion piece to Zappa's "Live at the Roxy" album from 1973, featuring, as the album did, various performances from the three days that Zappa and the Mothers of Invention played there. A real treat for fans.
A ROYAL AFFAIR (R) 134 minutes * * * 1/2
It's the dawn of the enlightenment, but not everyone is ready for the changes that lie ahead. Denmark has been delaying many of the changes, but that may not last for long. But sometimes, change at this level comes at a steep price, and there are people who get caught in the middle. Wonderful sets and costumes and a story that doesn't let you go as it moves back and forth with the struggle for control of Denmark and its future. R for sex and language.
A ROYAL CHRISTMAS (NR) 83 minutes * * ½
Emily’s (Lacey Chabert) boyfriend has been keeping a secret. He’s a prince. An actual, royal prince. Now, she’s headed off to France to accompany him home for Christmas. That also means meeting his mother, the queen (Jane Seymour), who is none too thrilled about him spending time, let alone getting seriously involved with someone so far below his station. Royal holiday family fare from Hallmark.
A ROYAL CHRISTMAS CRUSH (NR) 82 minutes * * 1/2
It's a dream come true, to help her uncle work on the Royal Ice Hotel. Ava (Katie Cassidy) is excited. She wasn't expecting to meet a prince, let alone fall in love with him. (And he with her.) There will be a rather large bump in the road to their relationship, but it's a Hallmark film, so at the last minute, it will all work out in favor of romance.
A ROYAL CORGI CHRISTMAS (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2
A talented dog trainer, Cecily (Hunter King) is hired by the prince to train the unruly corgi he just gave the queen. Of course, Cecily will end up falling in love with the prince (Jordan Renzo). There are a couple of wrinkles, but it will all work out in the end, and with a nice dose of charm from King.
ROYAL HEARTS (NR) 83 minutes * *
Kelly (Cindy Busby) has always wanted a more refined life. When her father unexpectedly discovers that he's king of a small country, her wish comes true. He's not all that excited by the idea, but she loves it. Now, if she can just decide between the handsome king of a neighboring country and the equally appealing stablehand. Predictable light romance from Hallmark.
THE ROYAL HOTEL (R) 87 minutes * *
Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick) are just interested in earning some money and having a little adventure. Working at a pub in a remote location in Australia seems like a good idea... until they start to deal with some of the locals. Some of them are a little on the rough side. The story spirals out of control to its unsurprising ending. R for language and sex.
ROYAL MATCHMAKER (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2
Her matchmaking business has been doing well, but Kate (Joy Lenz) has just moved into the big time. A king has just asked for her to find a match for his son, the prince (Will Kemp). Of course it doesn;t take long for her to fall in love with the prince herself. How will it all work out? It's a Hallmark film, which should give you a clue.
THE ROYAL NANNY (NR) 83 minutes * * 1/2
The royal family is in potential danger. MI5 is working on keeping them safe, and they decide that an undercover operation would be in order. Claire (Rachel Skarsten) will serve as an undercover nanny. She dooesn't feel that she's the person for the job, but saying no is not an option. Keeping the royal family safe is not her only charge. She also will have to resist the charms of Prince Colin (Dan Jeannotte).
ROYAL NEW YEAR'S EVE (NR) 83 minutes * *
Working for a well-known fashion magazine, Caitlyn (Jessy Schram) dreams of having her designs become part of a new line. What she never expected was to have a prince fall in love with her. The characters here are a bit overly Stereotyped and shallow, even for a Hallmark movie.
A ROYAL NIGHT OUT (PG-13) 93 minutes * * *
It's 1945. VE Day. Everyone is celebrating the peace after the war. Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and Margaret (Bel Powley) want to do that as well, but as princesses, it takes a little extra work to convince the King and Queen to let them. Gadon and Powley are delightful in this charming story. PG-13 for sex.
A ROYAL RUNAWAY ROMANCE (NR) 84 minutes * *
Having fallen in love with the man who painted her portrait, Princess Amelia (Philippa Northeast) wants to travel to the US to see him again. She manages to get her chance to do that, but is forced to have a bodyguard in tow at all times. Maybe he's the one she should be with... This starts out well, but the story wears thin rather quickly.
THE ROYAL TENNENBAUMS (R) 103 minutes * * 1/2
Bizarre little film, providing a chronicle of the lives of the highly dysfunctional members of Royal Tennenbaum's family. Royal has been away for quite some time and decides that this would be a good time to drop back in, claiming that his life is about to end as a way to initiate the contact. The cast is terrific, with Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ben Stiller, just to name a few. Offbeat, and with it's humor a bit on the darker side, this somehow manages to be touching at the same time. R for language.
A ROYAL WINTER (NR) 84 minutes * * 1/2
Looking at what will likely be a very busy life with little time for fun, especially if she lands the job at the law firm, Maggie (Merritt Patterson) decides to take one last vacation with a friend. As luck would have it, she meets a prince and they fall in love. No surprise here. That's a pretty normal way for a Hallmark movie to go.
ROYALLY EVER AFTER (NR) 93 minutes * * 1/2
Sara (Fiona Gubelmann) and Danny (Torrance Coombs) are in love. But when she learns that he's actually a prince, she also learns how complicated the life of royalty can be. And Prince Daniel's family is not looking very kindly on their potential union. Cute royal romance from Hallmark.
ROYALLY WRAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS (NR) 84 minutes * * 1/2
The Kingdom of Veronia runs a charitable foundation that needs a new director. Lindsay (Jen Lilley) currently runs the foundation's New York operations. She's been called to the kingdom to see if she's a fit for the job of overseeing the entire foundation. Then she meets the prince (Brendan Fehr). And this is a Hallmark film, so what's going to happen next is pretty obvious.
RUBBER (R) 78 minutes * *
It's the story of a tire. But not just any tire. This one is a killer. Very offbeat and not without some quirky appeal. Still, the film is heavy with insider jokes about movie production that risk even further limiting its appeal. R for violence and language.
RUBEN BRANDT, COLLECTOR (R) 90 minutes * * *
Haunted by unusual nightmares, psychotherapist Ruben Brandt wonders what would happen if he had these pieces of art. Would the nightmares stop? Since four of his patients are very talented thieves, perhaps they could help him acquire them and test his theory. The animation is unusual and sometimes distracts us from the story. But there are several amazing scenes, including the Little Red Riding Hood sequence, and it's a great story overall. R for nudity and violence.
RUBY (R) 103 minutes * *
There are definitely some interesting ideas in this story of Jack Ruby and the assassination of JFK, but the dialogue is terrible. Danny Aiello does what he can, and manages to make it watchable, but it's still tough going. Johanna Ray assembled a nice cast and John Scott's soundtrack has the right mood, but it still falls short because it's just so poorly written.
RUBY GILLMAN: TEENAGE KRAKEN (PG) 83 minutes * * 1/2
Ruby (voiced by Lana Condor) is just a teenager, going through all of the typical teenager things... except she's also a kraken. How can she be both? Cute characters, but the story just isn't as strong as it needs to be. The focus is scattered between teen issues, an evil mermaid, and a monster-chasing sea captain, moving awkwardly between them and struggling to find a good balance. PG for violence and language.
RUBY HERRING MYSTERIES: HER LAST BREATH (NR) 84 minutes * *
Ruby (Taylor Cole) and Jake (Stephen Huszar) find themselves working on another case together. This time, they think they have the mystery of a car accident solved and then new evidence causes them to re-think their earlier conclusion.
RUBY HERRING MYSTERIES: PREDICTION MURDER (NR) 86 minutes * *
Ruby (Taylor Cole) has been promoted to the crime beat at the news station. In her latest adventure with Jake (Stephen Huszar) they tackle a cold case involving a psychic.
RUBY HERRING MYSTERIES: SILENT WITNESS (NR) 88 minutes * *
In the wrong place at the right time, Ruby (Taylor Cole) finds herself in the middle of a mystery. She's a consumer news reporter, but she's got a knack for investigative work. Along with Detective Killian (Stephen Huszar), she might just solve the case. The chemistry between the leads is a little weak, but otherwise a standard Hallmark mystery.
RUBY SPARKS (R) 100 minutes * * * 1/2
Calvin (Paul Dano) wrote a great novel, but as he begins to work on a second, he quickly gets writer's block. He has a dream one night about a girl, and begins to write. When she appears in the real world, it creates an interesting set of problems. Whatever he writes, she does. Zoe Kazan does a remarkable job here, bringing the character that she actually wrote to life, with both humor and empathy. R for language and sex.
RUDDERLESS (R) 99 minutes * * *
When Sam's (Billy Crudup) son is killed, he quickly sinks into depression. In the process of cleaning and reorganizing, he discovers that his son was more musically talented than he was aware of. What begins as a simple part of the grieving process, turns into something much larger, much more complicated, and perhaps even more important. Wonderful cast, and great work by director and co-writer William H. Macy. R for language.
RUDE AWAKENING (R) 97 minutes * * 1/2
After twenty years in a South American commune, Jesus (Cheech Marin) and Freddy (Eric Roberts) discover that some things remain the same. Light-hearted look at the 1960s and the desire of that generation to change the world. If you know 60s culture and the references, you'll probably find this a fun film, otherwise, you'll probably be a little bored. R for language.
RUDO Y CURSI (R) 96 minutes * *
Brothers who love soccer, Beto (Diego Luna) and Tato (Gael Garcia Bernal) often don't get along. And, despite their talent for the game, they each have other desires that hold stronger sway over their lives. Their chance to make a career of professional soccer will not be easy. The tension and competition between the two is uneven. Sometimes quite passionate, and on occasion rather comical, but finally, a bit difficult to believe. R for language and sex.
RUDY (PG) 109 minutes * * * 1/2
From the writing and directing team that gave us "Hoosiers", comes the story of a boy who wanted to play football at Notre Dame. With less-than-superb athletic or academic ability, Rudy makes it on the basis of determination and sincerity. A nice message, and based on a real incident. Sean Astin plays the part well and Jerry Goldsmith's music moves us at just the right times. A fine film for one and all.
RUFFIAN (NR) 86 minutes * * 1/2
Ruffian was on track to be an even better race horse than Secretariat. But sometimes life unfolds in ways we don't expect. Nice work with script and acting that make this a slightly better than average TV movie, though its still guilty of the emotional pull that comes across a little stronger without commercial breaks... so make sure the tissues are close.
RUGRATS GO WILD (PG) 74 minutes * *
A notch below the previous two Rugrats movies, this one teams the lovable babies up with the Wild Thornberries for a combined adventure that probably won't excite the fans of either series. The Rugrats and theie families get lost at sea and end up on an island where the Thornberries are doing research. Ho hum...
RUGRATS IN PARIS (G) 72 minutes * * 1/2
Chucky wants a mom and he and everyone else tag along with Mr. Pickles, who has to go to Paris to fix Reptar, which is being used in a stage show. Fairly standard Rugrats fare, with the best lines going to Phil and Lil. It's a bit disappointing that there's so much of an emphasis on needing to have a mother. Not that a maternal role model and/or caretaker isn't important, but some children don't have that and need to be supported (as in The Tigger Movie) rather than made to feel incomplete.
THE RUGRATS MOVIE (G) 75 minutes * * 1/2
A cute story in this first feature film from the Nickelodeon cartoon. The twins Phil and Lil still come off the best as Tommy learns "sponsitility" with the arrival of his new baby brother. The animation is what unnerves us. The style may be an attempt to give us the perspective of babies, but the "in-your-face" jerky approach has a dizzying effect at times on the big screen and should've been toned down a bit. This is definitely one that the kids will like better than the adults, who may find it hard to sit through.
RUIN ME (NR) 83 minutes * 1/2
The Slasher Sleepout is an extreme, horror movie based, outdoor, escape room experience. Of course, things are going to get out of control and dangerous, with survival being the goal in ways they never expected. It will also challenge their understanding of what is real and what is not. The setup is interesting, but the direction seems to move this into a standard slasher film genre, and the story lacks anything clever or memorable.
THE RUINS (R) 88 minutes *
Visiting some Mayan ruins that are off the beaten path sounds like an exciting opportunity. But there's a reason these ruins aren't on the maps for tourists... something about... the flesh-eating plants perhaps? Scott Smith adapted his book to the screen, but there just isn't much material here. Jena Malone is here, which is one of the extremely few good things about the film. R for violence, language, and sex.
RULES DON'T APPLY (PG-13) 122 minutes * * *
Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty) was eccentric and unusual. This is the story of an interaction he might have had with one of his drivers and one of his contract actresses. As they get closer to Hughes, which was truly a rare cae, their way of thinking is stretched beyond what they thought possible. The story takes awhile to get its footing, but eventually it does, and ends with a flourish. Fine work by the cast. PG-13 for sex and language.
RULES OF ATTRACTION (R) 106 minutes * *
Why are you attracted to someone? Sex appeal is both strange and fleeting. Being on drugs of various sorts tends to twist things even more. There is some nice camera work and editing here, but the characters are so unlikeable that it's hard to get very involved in the story. As well, this almost seems to be a test project, trying out some different styles of presentation yet never able to decide what works best. The story suffers and seems to run out of energy at several points along the way. R for sex, language, and drug use.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (R) 119 minutes * * 1/2
It was supposed to be a simple mission. But when the crowd becomes violent and snipers are killing his men, Col. Terry Childers (Samuel L. Jackson) orders his men to fire on the crowd. It's another case of government coverup and whether or not a good officer's character will win in the end. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones fit well in these parts, but it's a tired story that seems relieved when it reaches the end. R for violence and language.
THE RUM DIARY (R) 115 minutes * * *
Another of Hunter S. Thompson's works is brought to life by the inimitable Johnny Depp. Though Thompson wrote this with both lead characters as parts of himself, Depp grabs hold with both hands and makes the Kemp character all Thompson. For the film, it works quite well, and any other way would likely have been more confusing. And, since Depp seems to be able to "channel" Thompson at will, it works quite well. R for sex and language.
RUMBA (NR) 73 minutes * * *
Dom (Dominique Abel) and Fiona (Fiona Gordon) love to dance the rumba. One day, they are in a traffic accident. It leaves Dom with no memory and Fiona without a leg. Their life circumstances continue to go from bad to worse, as they lose their teaching jobs, and then their house. Hilarious and tragic, with some amazing dance sequences and a French slapstick comedy that reminds us of Charlie Chaplin and Monty Python... no, really!
RUMBLE (PG) 87 minutes * * 1/2
There's not much time left for Winnie (voiced by Geraldine Viswanathan) to save her dad's stadium. And since their star wrestler just left, the only one left is Steve (voiced by Will Arnett). In most bouts, Steve is the loser, so he's not one to draw a crowd. Maybe Winnie can work with him to change that. It's not going to be easy. If you enjoy wrestling and monsters... that's what this film has plenty of, along with a little humor, a little sentimentality, and some very nice animation. PG for violence and language.
RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (R) 82 minutes * *
Bad boy bikers from the Bronx are causing trouble for the owner of a small market. Lucky for her that Jackie Chan happens to be a friend! As with most of Chan's films, it's fun to watch and full of inventive martial arts moves, though the story is rather weak. R for language and violence.
RUMBLEFISH (R) 89 minutes * * *
Life was easier when Rusty’s (Matt Dillon) older brother (Mickey Rourke) was running the gang. Everything seems to be falling apart now. Not just with the gang, but at home too. Rusty is going through the motions. Adapted from the book by S.E. Hinton and with a stellar cast that also features Diane Lane, Nicholas Cage, and Diana Scarwid. R for violence, sex, and language.
RUMOR HAS IT... (PG-13) 93 minutes * * *
THere are quite a few film industry and California in-jokes here, but then again, this is a movie about the "real" story behind the movie "The Graduate". You know, that family from Pasadena where there was that girl who was about to get married but she disappeared and... It's a well-played story with delightful performances from both Jennifer Aniston and Shirley MacLaine as well as some solid supporting work from Mark Ruffalo, Kevin Costner, and Richard Jenkins. It's light-hearted fun, though there is a point. Rob Reiner's direction handles both well and we come away from this with a smile on our face and a tear or two as well. PG-13 for language and sexuality.
RUN (R) 88 minutes * *
This is the story of how one man, insane with the power he holds over a town, gets bent out of shape when his son is killed in a fight. He puts the blame on Charlie Farrow (Patrick Dempsey) who just happens to be passing through town, but no one will come to his defense because they're too scared. Dempsey is likeable enough, but how can a person be so unlucky in a situation like this yet have so much luck in avoiding bullets? It's a fast-paced thriller that holds little for us in the way of suspense and relies too heavily on Dempsey's charm to pull it off. R for language and violence.
RUN ALL NIGHT (R) 109 minutes * * *
With one night to decide where his loyalties lie, Jimmy (Liam Neeson) faces a difficult choice between his estranged son and his long-time friend. The role is not a stretch for Neeson, and while the larger supporting roles are fine, most of the smaller roles are so flat and lifeless they seem unnecessary. Good pacing, and Neeson can do this sort of role with his eyes closed. Most of his fans won't be disappointed with this, though it's definitely not his best work. R for violence and language.
RUN AND JUMP (NR) 97 minutes * * 1/2
Conor (Edward MacLiam) has a stroke that has the residual effect of changing his personality. He's at home now, trying to fit in, and being studied by a doctor from the United States at the same time. There are lots of different relationships and family dynamics to deal with. Well-acted, but the story tends to skip around and lose focus.
RUN FATBOY RUN (PG-13) 91 minutes * * 1/2
He ran from the altar, leaving his pregnant bride alone and more than a little frustrated. Now he's decided to run again. But this time, Dennis (Simon Pegg) is running in a marathon, to show his dedication and try to convince Libby (Thandie Newton) that he's a changed man. Pegg co-wrote this fun romantic comedy. Filmed in London. PG-13 for language and nudity.
RUN GRANNY RUN (NR) 75 minutes * * *
Doris "Granny D" Haddock was 90 years old when she decided to run for the U.S. Senate... this fun documentary follows the course of a determined woman who feels quite strongly about the importance of politicians not accepting money from special interest groups. It's an inspiring story, and a challenge. If Granny D can do it, so could you or I! It's definitely something to think about!
RUN THE RACE (PG) 96 minutes * *
The future looks great for Zach (Tanner Stine). He's a star football player with a great season ahead of him. But then things turn, first for him, and then for his brother. A nursing intern will help him see where he really needs to turn for help. It's a strong Christian message, but it isn't there for the whole film, which feels inconsistent. PG for language.
RUN THE TIDE (PG-13) 94 minutes * * 1/2
Rey (Taylor Lautner) just wants what's best for his little brother. When their mother is released from prison, Rey takes Oliver (Nico Cristou) to the coast. But running away isn't really going to fix the problem Rey has with his mother. Good character drama, though a little more than most of the cast can really manage. PG-13 for language and sex.
RUN WITH THE HUNTED (NR) 88 minutes * *
Determined to protect his friend, Oscar (Mitchell Paulsen) ends up killing her father. His only recourse is to run. It puts him on a dangerous and violent path, especially when he starts working for Birdie (Ron Perlman). Not the best ending, and it looks like some of the story is missing (aside from the fifteen year jump we already know about).
RUNAWAY BRIDE (PG) 109 minutes * * *
Why mess with success? Garry Marshall directed Richard Gere and Julia Roberts so well in "Pretty Woman" that this reunion was a fairly safe bet. Marshall knows how to direct Roberts, keeping the camera on her face where her expressions can be the focus, and Gere approaches this new character with a bit of maturity, charm, and good natured amusement that fit it well. The story itself doesn't really surprise us, but the chemistry between them is good and the pacing is near perfection. Nice supporting roles from Joan Cusack and Hector Elizondo too! PG for language.
RUNAWAY JURY (PG-13) 123 minutes * * *
Raskin Fitch (Gene Hackman) is the best at his job, which is helping the defense pick a jury that can be turned in their favor. It may not prove to be so easy this time... The plot twists here are nicely hidden to us (unless you've already read the book by John Grisham). John Cusack and Gene Hackman both deliver strong performances, as does Rachel Weisz. Dustin Hoffman gets a bit lost here, but his role is really only a supporting one as the story is really about Cusack and Hackman matching wits against each other. PG-13 for language.
RUNAWAY TRAIN (R) 108 minutes * * *
The title pretty much tells us the plot, with two escaped convicts (Jon Voigt and Eric Roberts) trapped with a railway worker (Rebecca DeMornay) on a runaway train. It's a very violent and bloody film, especially early on, but the acting and the tension the situation creates are very good.
THE RUNAWAYS (R) 99 minutes * * 1/2
It was a time when girls weren't supposed to play rock and roll music. But these girls were as tough as nails and learned very quickly how to give the crowd something that they'd never seen. Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart), Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), Lita Ford (Scout Taylor-Compton) and Sandy West (Stella Maeve). When Cherie can't take it anymore, it's Joan who picks things up and makes the new band even more successful. The film is rough and raw, much like the band and the music, which makes it a nice fit. It's too bad that we don't get to hear even more of the music, but nice to hear Stewart and Fanning doing their own singing. Adapted from the book, "Neon Angel" by Cherie Currie. R for language and sex.
THE RUNDOWN (PG-13) 97 minutes * * 1/2
Plenty of action and nice bits of humor throughout this fun film featuring "The Rock". Great stuntwork and fun to watch. "The Rock" shows here that he definitely knows how to entertain. The PG-13 is for violence, so even younger fans of "The Rock" can enjoy this.
THE RUNNER (R) 83 minutes * *
Working to build his career based on a positive response to the BP oil disaster, Congressman Colin Price (Nicolas Cage) gets caught up in a sex scandal. Can he weather this storm as well? For some reason, Cage attempts an accent here, which just doesn't work, and is more annoying than anything else. The bigger problem is that despite what the plot might suggest, the characters and the story remain shallow and not all that interesting. R for language and sex.
RUNNER RUNNER (R) 86 minutes * * *
Richie (Justin Timberlake) has figured out how to break an online poker game. So he takes his skills to the top, but finds much more corruption than he could have even imagined. Nice twists and turns, some of which aren't really a surprise, but a few of them work pretty well. Timberlake does a nice job, able to be convincing both as a victim, and as someone who can play hardball when he has to. R for language and sex.
THE RUNNING MAN (R) 94 minutes * *
Arnold Schwarznegger is framed for murder and ends up on a reality show where he must run for his life. The comic lines don't fit here and miss the satirical intent of the book. There are actually a number of changes from the Stephen King book from which this is taken, none of which really help. Richard Dawson's portrayal of the game show host is fun to watch. Other interesting people here... Mick Fleetwood and Dweezil Zappa.
RUNNING SCARED (R) 106 minutes * * ½
Julio Gonzalez (Jimmy Smits) is a cocaine dealer. Lately, he has been smuggling large amounts of it into Chicago. He has big plans to control the drug scene on Chicago, but two of Chicago’s finest stand in his way. (They are also more than a little strange.) Danny (Billy Crystal) and Ray (Gregory Hines) keep us laughing through much of the film, but the dramatic scenes are less than convincing. Smits performance as the villain gives this film more depth and power than Crystal and Hines, and is really the best part of the film.
RUNNING SCARED (2006) (R) 114 minutes * * 1/2
Highly energetic and involved story with Paul Walker as a man in trouble with both the mob and the law when a gun he's supposed to have concealed turns up elsewhere. Numerous subplots and twists in the story mean that you need to pay attention here or you'll be lost. Walker continues to improve as an actor and does a nice job here, though there are some solid supporting performances as well. Another nice soundtrack from Mark Isham as well. R for violence, language, and sex.
RUNNING WITH SCISSORS (R) 116 minutes * * * 1/2
Film adaptation of Augusten Burroughs' memoir, detailing his unusual upbringing as part of his mother's therapist's family. The film maintains a darkly humorous edge, in part to cope with the potentially frightening aspects of the story. Despite his mother's tenuous grasp on reality and his father's abandonment, the therapist's family is even worse. Yet somehow, he manages to find a way to hold on and make it through. Amazing performances from Joseph Cross, Annette Bening, Jill Clayburgh, Evan Rachel Wood, Joseph Fiennes, and Brian Cox along with powerful direction from Ryan Murphy, who also adapted the screenplay. It's an unusual and very memorable story. R for language, sex, and violence.
RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL (R) 94 minutes * *
There are many stops along the way for a shipment of cocaine that travels from Colombia to the United States. Somewhere along the way, it's being overcut. The Cook (Nicolas Cage) and The Man (Laurence Fishburne) have been sent to follow a shipment and figure out where the trouble is. They're also going to have to keep away from the feds, who are close on their trail. The film also features Leslie Bibb, Cole Hauser, Clifton Collins Jr., Barry Pepper, and Adam Goldberg. Much of their talents are wasted though, with a dull story that sets up nicely, but doesn't follow through. R for violence, sex, and language.
RUSH (R) 113 minutes * 1/2
Slice-of-life film about two undercover narcotics agents (Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh) who run the risk of becoming drug addicts to maintain their cover. The problem is that once you start taking the drugs, your judgement is impaired. The look and feel of the film are gritty enough, but the story just falls flat. R for sex, violence, and language.
RUSH (2013) (R) 113 minutes * * * ½
Intense drama, retelling the story of the great rivalry between Formula One race car drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl). While Hunt is well-liked, a very skilled driver, and more of a playboy, Lauda is more of a perfectionist, insensitive, and wins more often than not. Their rivalry spurs them to keep reaching higher and risking more, in a sport that is less than forgiving to those who make mistakes. Ron Howard’s talented direction manages to make this drama feel like a documentary, a memoir, and an homage, as well as an exciting racing film. Nice work! R for sex and language.
RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE (NR) 104 minutes * * *
Documentary with performance footage of one of rock music's more influential bands. Considering that the members of Rush are consistently ranked as among the most proficient musicians by their peers, it's interesting that they aren't more popular, but they do have their fan base, and their performance and recording career has had a longer run than most bands.
RUSH HOUR (PG-13) 92 minutes * * 1/2
James Carter is a cop whose ways are a bit unorthodox, like that's a surprise from Chris Tucker! As a punishment for his most recent exploits (he thinks it's a special assignment) he's asked to babysit a cop that the FBI wants out of their way (Jackie Chan). A slightly different setup, but this is still another "Lethal Weapon" clone. Mildly entertaining, Tucker still runs a bit too much at the mouth and makes us wish there were more scenes of Chan's thoroughly entertaining and inventive brand of martial arts. Chan and Tucker do work well together, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see another film with this team. PG-13 for violence and language.
RUSH HOUR 2 (PG-13) 84 minutes * * *
Fun sequel that has Carter (Chris Tucker) on vacation in Hong Kong, ending up in the middle of one of Lee's (Jackie Chan) cases. Appropriately evil villains, good action sequences, and plenty of humor make this a sequel that is well worth watching. Pacing here is better than in the first film, and then there are those hilarious outtakes at the end! PG-13 for language and violence.
RUSH HOUR 3 (PG-13) 82 minutes *
Even fans of the first two films in this series might find this a little disappointing. While there is plenty of action, the editing and photography are sloppy. The script seems to have been done in a hurry and perhaps re-written in spots to try and add what was missing. What's missing is everything that made the other two films work as well as they did. PG-13 for violence and language.
RUSHLIGHTS (R) 92 minutes * 1/2
When her roommate dies from an overdose, Sarah (Haley Webb), with some encouragement from her boyfriend (Josh Henderson) decides to impersonate her to cash in on the inheritance. Though there are some interesting twists and turns to the story, it gets more and more implausible as it moves along. The acting is very stiff, though the script is far from creative or exciting either. R for violence, language, and sex.
RUSHMORE (R) 89 minutes * * *
This is no ordinary "coming of age" film. Max (Jason Schwartzman) is a
strange kid. He's 15 years old and very talented, though he finds schoolwork unimportant. His crush on a school teacher at the academy, turns into war with a local businessman who also likes her. The focus here is not simply on Max, who is experiencing puberty at full force. Instead, we find a story that reminds us that we're always "coming of age". It's just a different age, with different pressures, because life is a process and a journey. Writer/director Wes Anderson has given us a quality film. R for language.
THE RUSSELL GIRL (PG) 94 minutes * * 1/2
as she faces some serious medical news, Sarah Russell (Amber Tamblyn) heads back home. But there are some issues from her past that will need to be resolved now that she is physically closer to them. Packed with heavy emotions, it's a well-written story, though it ends a little abruptly.
RUSSELL MADNESS (PG) 88 minutes * 1/2
A family inherits an old wrestling arena and adopts Russell, who becomes a championship wrestling dog. Silly stuff for the preteen crowd. Fun, but the effects aren't very good. PG for language.
THE RUSSIA HOUSE (R) 117 minutes * * *
John LeCarre's novel translates into a fine film that will leave you wondering if the people sitting next to you might not be spies... Sean Connery was no doubt feeling much like he might have when working on one of those old James Bond films. Not as much in the way of fancy gadgets, but plenty of suspense, a beautiful girl, friends who may or may not be trusted, and locations all over the world. London, Moscow, Leningrad, Lisbon, Vancouver... and beautiful scenery in every location. It does start a little slowly, but builds very well. For those who love espionage, this is a sure bet!
RUST (PG) 91 minutes * * 1/2
James Moore (Corbin Bernsen) left town to become a minister. Now he's back, experiencing a personal crisis of faith and wondering why so many bad things happen in the world. What he discovers is that part of his inward journey to find the answers he's looking for, will involve finding out the truth behind a recent tragedy in the town. Bernsen is a bit too involved here, serving as star, writer, director, and producer, and clearly could have benefited from involving some other talent. The script is thin and much of the direction a bit too pointed, lacking some of the subtlety and finesse that would have added some depth to the story and the performances. That said, it fares better than many other projects where people have taken on so many roles. PG for language.
RUST AND BONE (R) 116 minutes * * *
Starting over can prove difficult. Alain (Matthias Schoenaerts) is beginning again in a new place with his son. Soon after he meets Stephanie (Marion Cotillard), she has an accident that will reshape her life as well. The characters here are very well-drawn and well-acted, giving this drama an intensity that draws us in. These are flawed characters (as the title suggests), who are trying to live well, and love well, no matter how hard that can sometimes be. R for sex, language, and violence.
RUST CREEK (R) 104 minutes * *
On her way to a job interview, Sawyer (Hermione Corfield) gets lost. Her "help" comes in the form of two locals with very bad intentions. Now, she has to stay away from them and find her way through the woods to get some real help. The acting is good, but most of the characters are shallow, and the story is more than a little difficult to believe. R for violence and language.
RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY (PG) 87 minutes * *
A character from an old, black and white western finds himself in a modern western movie. Though there is clearly humor here, there is also a good story that gets a little lost. It's a light-hearted fantasy/western, with Tom Berenger, Marilu Henner, Andy Griffith, and Fernando Rey.
RUTHLESS PEOPLE (R) 90 minutes * * *
Slimy Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) wanted to get rid of his wife (Bette Midler) anyway. Now, it would seem that two people who were not happy with a business transaction may have done him a favor. Ken (Judge Reinhold) and Sandy (Helen Slater) have kidnapped her and are holding her for ransom. But Sam doesn't want her back. Funny story, and DeVito and Midler both play this well. R for sex, language, and violence.
RV (PG) 93 minutes * *
And you thought YOUR vacation in an RV was bad! Bob Munro (Robin Williams) has to cancel his family's Hawaiian vacation because of his job, and rents an RV to take them to Colorado where he's supposed to make a presentation at a meeting. Of course, not only does he not tell them the real reason why they're in an RV, but every other possible thing goes wrong as well. Williams' performance is less than exciting, but there are funny bits throughout. The supporting performances of Cheryl Hines, JoJo, Josh Hutcherson, Jeff Daniels, and Kristin Chenoweth go a long way to helping this be entertaining. PG for language.
RYDE (NR) 81 minutes *
It was bound to happen. Just because you get the name of the driver doesn't mean that they don't have some nefarious plans for you. This starts off well, but quickly loses our interest. There's no real suspense, and the killings are random, repetitious, and lack imagination.