Wednesday, August 8 2012, 03:45 PM MDT
Recommended Films: June 29 - July 5, 2012
Reviews of Films showing in Salt Lake City this week
by Ryan Painter
Mainstream
1. The Avengers (PG-13)
2. Prometheus (R)
3. Brave (PG)
4. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13)
5. Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13)
Family
1. Brave (PG)
2. Madagascar (PG)
3. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (PG)
4. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG)
5. Chimpanzee (G)
Art House
1. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13)
2. Moonrise Kingdom (PG-13)
3. Safety Not Gauranteed (R)
4. Your Sister’s Sister (R)
5. Bernie (PG-13)
People Like Us
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Alex Kurtzman
Starring • Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Pfeiffer
Rated • PG-13
Recommended to • Those looking for a generic feel-good film for grown-up audiences.
Following the death of his father Sam (Chris Pine) is given a shaving kit filled with $150,000 and a note from his father asking him to deliver it to a woman that he has never met.
“People Like Us” is a by-the-numbers family drama where secrets are discovered and family members are forced to reassess the way they see the world. It ‘s better than a Lifetime movie but writer-turned-director Alex Kurtzman‘s (T.V.’s “Fringe,” “Transformers”) debut fails to rise above its generic story despite the efforts of its amicable cast that along with Pine includes Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer and Olivia Wilde.
Magic Mike
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Steven Soderbergh
Starring • Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey
Rated • R
Recommended to • Those looking for a film that is caught somewhere between “Showgirls” and “Boogie Nights.”
Magic Mike (Channing Tatum), a seasoned male stripper, takes deadbeat Adam “The Kid” (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and teaches him how to succeed in life by taking off your clothes.
Director Steven Soderbergh manages to make “Magic Mike” slightly better than you’d expect, but its hardly the sort of film that I’d recommend to anyone that isn’t enchanted by the idea of seeing Tatum, Pettyfer, Mathew McConaughey or their cohorts take it off. Yes, there’s some sort of entertainment in watching McConaughey parody his public persona, but is it enough to justify the price of admission? Not for me.
Ted
3 out of 5 Stars
Director • Seth MacFarlane
Starring • Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane
Rated • R
Recommended to • Those looking for an uncensored live-action version of “Family Guy.”
John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) was a lonely little boy who wished that his teddy bear, Ted, were alive. His wish came true. A couple decades later John’s relationship with his girlfriend, Lori (Mila Kunis), is threatened by Ted’s womanizing and drug use.
If you like Seth MacFarlane the odds are you’ve already bought your tickets to see “Ted” this weekend. If you’re like me, someone who finds him to be intermittently funny, I can only say that “Ted” was better than I expected (particularly if believe 1980’s “Flash Gordon” to be the ultimate so-bad-its-good film). Its extremely vulgar, wants to offend and does so by taking shots at everyone. If that’s not your thing you’ll want to avoid “Ted” at all costs.
Your Sister’s Sister
3.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Lynn Shelton
Starring • Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt
Rated • R
Recommended to • Fans of Shelton’s and Duplass’ previous film “Humpday” and other above-average mumblecore films.
Jack (Mark Duplass) hasn’t been the same since his brother died so his best friend, Iris (Emily Blunt), invites him to stay at her family’s remote cabin unaware that her sister, Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), is already staying there.
Director/writer Lynn Shelton has a unique grasp on the complexities of modern relationships. Thankfully she’s also able to avoid coming across as pretentious or self-deluded. “Your Sister’s Sister” doesn’t transcend its indie-film status, but for those that enjoy low-key dramas it work quite well.
Lola Versus
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Daryl Wein
Starring • Greta Gerwig, Zoe Lister Jones and Hamish Linklater
Rated • R
Recommended to • Greta Gerwig diehards.
When her boyfriend calls of their wedding Lola (Greta Gerwig) looks to distract herself from her impending 30th birthday by indulging in her newfound freedom.
“Lola Versus” is a technically well-made film that looks to reinvent the romantic comedy genre for younger and more hip audiences. It is meant to be an honest and unapologetic look into the life of a modern woman in crisis. But, despite the efforts of Gerwig, the film simply isn’t all that compelling or revealing. I waited for an epiphany that never came.
(Copyright 2012 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)
by Ryan Painter
Mainstream
1. The Avengers (PG-13)
2. Prometheus (R)
3. Brave (PG)
4. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13)
5. Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13)
Family
1. Brave (PG)
2. Madagascar (PG)
3. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (PG)
4. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG)
5. Chimpanzee (G)
Art House
1. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13)
2. Moonrise Kingdom (PG-13)
3. Safety Not Gauranteed (R)
4. Your Sister’s Sister (R)
5. Bernie (PG-13)
People Like Us
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Alex Kurtzman
Starring • Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Pfeiffer
Rated • PG-13
Recommended to • Those looking for a generic feel-good film for grown-up audiences.
Following the death of his father Sam (Chris Pine) is given a shaving kit filled with $150,000 and a note from his father asking him to deliver it to a woman that he has never met.
“People Like Us” is a by-the-numbers family drama where secrets are discovered and family members are forced to reassess the way they see the world. It ‘s better than a Lifetime movie but writer-turned-director Alex Kurtzman‘s (T.V.’s “Fringe,” “Transformers”) debut fails to rise above its generic story despite the efforts of its amicable cast that along with Pine includes Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer and Olivia Wilde.
Magic Mike
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Steven Soderbergh
Starring • Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey
Rated • R
Recommended to • Those looking for a film that is caught somewhere between “Showgirls” and “Boogie Nights.”
Magic Mike (Channing Tatum), a seasoned male stripper, takes deadbeat Adam “The Kid” (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and teaches him how to succeed in life by taking off your clothes.
Director Steven Soderbergh manages to make “Magic Mike” slightly better than you’d expect, but its hardly the sort of film that I’d recommend to anyone that isn’t enchanted by the idea of seeing Tatum, Pettyfer, Mathew McConaughey or their cohorts take it off. Yes, there’s some sort of entertainment in watching McConaughey parody his public persona, but is it enough to justify the price of admission? Not for me.
Ted
3 out of 5 Stars
Director • Seth MacFarlane
Starring • Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane
Rated • R
Recommended to • Those looking for an uncensored live-action version of “Family Guy.”
John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) was a lonely little boy who wished that his teddy bear, Ted, were alive. His wish came true. A couple decades later John’s relationship with his girlfriend, Lori (Mila Kunis), is threatened by Ted’s womanizing and drug use.
If you like Seth MacFarlane the odds are you’ve already bought your tickets to see “Ted” this weekend. If you’re like me, someone who finds him to be intermittently funny, I can only say that “Ted” was better than I expected (particularly if believe 1980’s “Flash Gordon” to be the ultimate so-bad-its-good film). Its extremely vulgar, wants to offend and does so by taking shots at everyone. If that’s not your thing you’ll want to avoid “Ted” at all costs.
Your Sister’s Sister
3.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Lynn Shelton
Starring • Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt
Rated • R
Recommended to • Fans of Shelton’s and Duplass’ previous film “Humpday” and other above-average mumblecore films.
Jack (Mark Duplass) hasn’t been the same since his brother died so his best friend, Iris (Emily Blunt), invites him to stay at her family’s remote cabin unaware that her sister, Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), is already staying there.
Director/writer Lynn Shelton has a unique grasp on the complexities of modern relationships. Thankfully she’s also able to avoid coming across as pretentious or self-deluded. “Your Sister’s Sister” doesn’t transcend its indie-film status, but for those that enjoy low-key dramas it work quite well.
Lola Versus
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director • Daryl Wein
Starring • Greta Gerwig, Zoe Lister Jones and Hamish Linklater
Rated • R
Recommended to • Greta Gerwig diehards.
When her boyfriend calls of their wedding Lola (Greta Gerwig) looks to distract herself from her impending 30th birthday by indulging in her newfound freedom.
“Lola Versus” is a technically well-made film that looks to reinvent the romantic comedy genre for younger and more hip audiences. It is meant to be an honest and unapologetic look into the life of a modern woman in crisis. But, despite the efforts of Gerwig, the film simply isn’t all that compelling or revealing. I waited for an epiphany that never came.
(Copyright 2012 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)
