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Hear my "live" reports at 7:50 AM on Saturdays, at 0850 on Sundays
and on opening nights of major theater in St. Louis, plus on
selected editions of The John Carney Show
Watch for my pod casts on the opening page at KMOX.Com
The Hi Pointe Theater has reopend
Our town's last great single screen theater
Now showing "Finding Amanda"
4 Stars
NEW PIXAR FILM "WALL-E" A BONFIDE SMASH!!
5 Stars!!
"HANCOCK" NOT WHAT YOU EXPECT
3 Stars
New films:
Wall - E 5 Stars (A must see!)
Wanted 3 Stars
Hancock 3 Stars
Kit Kitteridge: An American Girl 4 Stars
Box Office for the Holiday Weekend
1) Hancock $68.0 million
2) Wall - E $37.0 million
3) Wanted $32.0 million
4) Get Smart $12.0 million
5) Kit Kitteridge $9.0 million
6) Kung Fu Panda $7.8 million
7) The Incredible Hulk $4.5 million
8) Indiana Jones $3.3 million
9) The Love Guru $2.7 million
10) Sex and the City $2.5 million
THE REMAINING MUNY 2008 SEASON LINE-UP
July 7-13 MY FAIR LADY
July 14-20 THE MUNY'S 90TH SPECTACULAR
July 21-27 MISS SAIGON
July 28-August 3 MY ONE AND ONLY
August 4-10 FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Movie schedules and times:
www.wehrenberg.com
www.amctheaters.com
www.landmarktheaters.com
Movies:
Wall - E 5 Stars! G
Disney's Pixar division has successfully reinvented the art of animation, and now with the release of Wall-E, they have in many respects reinvented the art of storytelling. Wall-E is so fresh, inventive and lovingly simple it will endear itself to almost all who see it in ways few films can, animated or non-animated. Wall-E is a small robot left behind on earth to clean up after our planet was abandoned 700 years ago because it had become uninhabitable due to overall polution and unimaiginable levels of trash. A monster retail corporation known as Buy n Large (who seem partially responsible for the Earth's condition themselves) has arranged a fleet of large spaceship cruisers who have taken earthlings far out into the Universe to await the time when Earth becomes inhabitable again. The earth refugees are pampered & fat, and the space crusiers are luxurious out-of-this-world vessels where passengers never even have to stand up to do anything. They are in a constant state of blissful (and ignorant) repose. The biggest of the space cruisers is the Axiom. It sends down a small robot named Eve (Extra-terrestrial Vegetarian Evaluator) to check our Earth to see if there's sign of vegetarian life which would serve as an indicator that life on Earth may be possible again. Wall-E and Eve meet, so to speak, and our discarded little robot will never be the same. Wall-E is a landmark event in filmmaking. It will warm your heart, entertain you, dazzle you with its visual perspectives and send you home thinking about love, life and the world we inhabit. You've never seen anything quite like it.
Hancock 3 Stars PG - 13 (Opens July 2)
Will Smith plays a superhero in Los Angeles who's also an alcoholic and social misfit in Hancock, a film whose marketing is somewhat misleading. Purportedly the story of the superhero's efforts at redemption with the help of a PR man and his wife (he meets the PR guy when he saves him from being hit by a frieght train) the film's script takes a sharp move towards science fiction and even a kind of spiritualism, and one could argue that those elements don't really fit in an action film meant to benefit off the marquee value of Smith's name. Will does a credible job playing Hancock - the special effects are impressive, but not the best. Jason Bateman plays the PR specialist and Charlize Theron is his wife. It may be about a superhero, but it isn't a supermovie. But any film with Will Smith in the lead role has some value. He's a very good actor.
Get Smart 3 Stars PG-13
If the new movie version of the popular TV series from 1965 to 1970, "Get Smart," isn't anything else, it is inconsistent. Steve Carell is probably the best actor/comedian in Hollywood to cast in the Don Adams role, but he's hampered by a needlessly complicated storyline that takes itself far too seriously and is much too complicated. Anne Hathaway in the Barbara Feldon role as agent 99 is too pretty for the part and the interactions between her and Carell in the film have no spark at all. There are moments of really hilarious sight gags and laughs, and a good supporting cast including Alan Arkin as the Chief. But there are also too many stretches that are just boring. Still, if you loved the TV series, then you probably should see this film. You just may be a little disappointed.
The Love Guru 2 Stars PG-13
Mike Myers is laying the biggest bomb at the box office of his career this weekend. His new film "The Love Guru" was supposed to do in the $21 million range - it now looks like it will do a paltry $14 million - which is probably less than he was paid to do the film. Not exactly Austin Powers kind of success. Myers stars as an American youngster left at the gates of an Indian ashram as a small boy where he is raised by a guru played to hilarious effect by Ben Kingsley doing his cross-eyed routine. Myers character eventually becomes a kind of self-proclaimed self-help and spiritual expert in the United States. He even gets involved in pro sports and a quest for the Stanley Cup. There are a lot of potty jokes and uninspired dumbness, but the film lasts under one hour and 30 minutes, so I suppose it's bearable. The question is, why would anyone pay to submit themselves to such torture? Also in the cast are Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba. Inspired by a workshop project when he was with SNL, this is Myer's worst movie ever.
Don't Mess With the Zohan 2 Stars PG-13
Adam Sandler plays a legendary, indistrucible Israeli commando and secret agent who gets burned out on his career of killing and sneaks off to New York City to pursue his not so top secret dream of becoming a hair stylist who pleasures his elderly female clientel with more than a hair style. Lots of former SNL cast members are in this film, there are tons of commercial plugs and the movie is based on the struggle between Israel and Palestine, although it's careful to be an equal opportunity offender. The movie is full of sterotypes and crudeness. John Turturro and Dave Matthews are also in this eclectic cast. My advice - don't mess with this movie.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Stars PG
The voice of the irrepressible Jack Black is a Panda who wants to be a Kung Fu master in order to save an ancient village in...what else...Kung Fu Panda. Actually, Black's very unlikely character is thrust into that role when he is chosen by Kung Fu Master Shifu. Up to that point, he had been working with his father in their noodle and soup restaurant.This martial arts animated film from Dreamworks is the tops in technical expertise and vocal casting. Be sure to see a digital print if you can. It really makes a difference. In addition to Jack Black, the voices you will hear includes those of Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu , Angelina Jolie and Ian McShane, among others. This is truly a fine film for the family. There's action, comedy and a valuable lesson in life. Really terrific entertainment for you and the kids.
Sex and the City 3 Stars R
There's a good reason guys should take their wifes or a girl friend to see "Sex and the City." Sure, it's a bondfide chick flick, but hey, you just might learn something as each of the ladies comes from a different but relatively honest point of view. The movie version of the popular show is written and directed by Michael Patrick King, who did a major share of the television series. At about two hours and 25 minutes, it's obvious King didn't edit the film as sharply as he could. But this female bonding epic about women with evidently unlimited credit card lines is flashy, sexy, has great production values and is funny, but not as enjoyably comic as it could have been. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattral, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon are much the same as they are in the series, only more so. The movie has a lot of elements about aging and family issues, not to mention what can happen when wedding planning gets out of hand. The drama in this film is well done, but also sometimes overdone. Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson plays a young lady from St. Louis who meets Parker's character and becomes her personal assistant. It's a nice touch to provide a little generational contrast and Hudson adds some sincere sweetness to the cast. The supporting cast does what they're supposed to do - show up and stay out of the way. Does all end well? Well, let's put it this way - How many guys do you think would not want to marry Sarah Jessica Parker?
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 3 Stars PG - 13
It has been almost two decades since the last Indiana Jones movie, and the famous film franchise clearly has lost some of it's inventiveness, creativity and really sharp humor. That said, the movie is still fun and has advanced smartly in the last 19 years in the special effects department. Harrison Ford looked tentative to me, as if that old Indiana Jones panache had lost some of its momentum since the last film. This new Jones epic takes place in 1957 in the midst of the Cold War when fighting the Commies was a national obsession. The Russians are after the legendary Crystal Skull of Akator and all the magical powers it contains. Leading the Russians is Cate Blanchett in the least challenging role she has had in a long time. Joining Indiana on a quest for the Skull and the opportunity to save his mother is Shia LeBeouf who plays a Marlan Brando type biker who is never without his trusty pocket comb to keep his ducktail hair cut in perfect order. Karen Allen returns to the series as LeBeouf's mother who needs rescuing amidst the quest for the Skull. A strong British supporting casts includes John Hurt, Jim Broadbent and Ray Winstone. There are some big surprises in this new effort, a fast beginning in which Indy survives an Atomic blast and a nice action-packed wrap up with some warm personal story touches. However, the middle of the film slows to a painful pace that really affects the overall enjoyment of the picture. Overall, a worthy effort but not quite what we were expecting. Still, it's nice to have Indy back.
What Happens In Vegas 2 Stars PG - 13
Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz headline this screwball relationship comedy about two dissimilar New Yorkers who fly off to Las Vegas to salve some personal wounds, meet each other, get drunk, party on, get married and by the way, also win $3 million at a slot machine. He pulled the handle, but it was her quarter. Hence we have the crux of this formula comedy as the two try to see if, despite their major differences, they can make it as a couple back home primarily to settle the question of who gets what of the 3 big ones. A strong supporting cast lends a semblance of credibility and there's plenty of energy in the film, but not much validity. It could be enjoyable, depending on your mood.
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Iron Man 4 Stars PG - 13
Robert Downey Jr., AKA the comeback kid, does what few actors can do successfully, and that is take an action comic book figure and turn him into a character of emotional depth and personal credibility. Downey plays a billionaire business man into arms manufacturing, as well as other fabulously successful ventures, who gets captured by Afghan terrorists and is forced to rethink his life and what he does in it. Hence, we have the "birth" of Iron Man! This is a script that stretches credibility, but in Downey's capable hands (and robo suit) it becomes a delight to experience both on dramatic terms and on a just plain fun, fantasy basis. It's an eyeful. Cast includes Jeff Bridges as the heavy and Gwyneth Paltrow as Miss Pepper Potts, Downey's faithful girl Friday, and in a possible future film, the rest of the week too. Simply stated, "Iron Man" is Marvel-lous!
Rep Mainstage Season Announcement 2008/2009
Frost/Nixon
This Wonderful Life
The Miracle Worker
Emma
Saint Joan
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Off-Ramp
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
The Little Dog Laughed
TBA
Studio
3 Shows TBA
Fox Theater Subscription Season Announcement 2008/2009
The Color Purple
Legally Blonde
Spring Awakening
Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy
A Chorus Line
Mary Poppins
Fox Theater Non-Subscription Season Announcement 2008/2009
Sweeny Todd
Cats
Stomp
Hairspray
Riverdance
Rent
The Phantom Of The Opera
Any questions? Write me at harry.hamm@cbsradio.com |
