KANSAS CITY, MO —
1) WORLD WAR Z (PG-13)
Paramount
RUSS
Brad Pitt stars in the big screen adaptation of the bestselling novel, “World War Z” yet another flick about a zombie apocalypse.
SHAWN
It just may be perceived as just another zombie flick but the novel the movie is based on is the bible of zombie text. But does the movie get an amen?
RUSS
Under the steady hand of director Marc Forster, it’s an unnerving and realistic drama that may appeal to people who normally don’t like horror movies.
SHAWN
I think Brad Pitt does that. And he’s solid in a movie I found much better the second time around.
RUSS
The gore is kept to a minimum, so the movie gets a PG-13 rating. Smart, somber and a bit messy, “World War Z” is more like “Contagion” than “The Evil Dead.” It may not be thrilling, but it’s thought provoking.
SHAWN
It isn’t thrilling at all. But works as a sophisticated think piece. The release is loaded with extras including a new unrated cut with intense footage not shown in theaters.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
2) THE BLING RING (R)
A24
RUSS
So what would you do to be like your cultural idol? In 2008, a group of affluent teenagers from the Hollywood Hills began burglarizing the homes of celebrities like Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom and Lindsay Lohan, making off with nearly $2 million in clothing, jewels and assorted loot.
SHAWN
“The Ring Bling” directed by Sofia Coppola is one of the best movies of the year. It’s a razor sharp examination of today’s youth and their YouTube like fascination with celebrity.
RUSS
In filmmaker Sophia Coppola’s comic drama “The Bling Ring,” Emma Watson leads the cast in this true story about vapid teens with no moral compass. It’s an unnerving look at the TMZ crowd that’s both funny and disturbing.
SHAWN
It’s not condemning or preachy. And it’s use of TMZ like footage, haunting pop and dazzling cinematography paint alluring but creepy depiction of the city of angels. Too bad this release is a bit light with the extras.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
3) THE EAST (PG-13)
Fox Searchlight Pictures
RUSS
The new queen of indie cinema might well be Brit Marling. The writer, actress and producer has made some very intriguing films over the last three years and “The East” is no exception. Marling plays a former FBI agent now working for a private intelligence firm that safeguards big business enterprises. She infiltrates an anarchist group called The East that is intent on exposing corporate crimes. Her interaction with the group causes her to reexamine her positions. Some elements of the movie don’t quite gel, but “The East” is a thoughtful social commentary.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: Did Not Screen
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