KANSAS CITY, Mo.— Four movies; two matches. Entertainment reporters Russ Simmons and Shawn Edwards give their popcorn bag reviews for these four new films:
1) THE MAZE RUNNER (PG-13)
20th Century Fox
RUSS:
The latest post-apocalyptic dystopian teen novel to be adapted to the big screen has teens forced to survive in an elaborate maze. It’s derivative, but well directed and involving. The fresh-faced newcomers on both sides of the camera deliver.
SHAWN
Please. Yes, the talent is fresh but everything else is stale.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 2 Popcorn Bags
2) THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU (R)
Warner Brothers
RUSS:
Insufferable siblings reunite after their father’s death and quirky hijinks ensue in the comic drama, “This Is Where I Leave You.” The hit-and-miss humor is derived from raunchy behavior, but the sharp cast gives this obvious and familiar tale a big boost.
SHAWN
On paper the idea of the Jewish tradition of sitting Shiva doesn’t sound fun but TIWILY is fantastic.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
3) TUSK (R)
A24
RUSS
Attempts to blend humor and horror misfire in Kevin Smith’s tone-deaf oddity, “Tusk.” Michael Parks is great as a psycho adventurer, but an unnamed Hollywood superstar under heavy makeup is completely out of place. In spite of some terrific acting and occasionally imaginative dialogue, “Tusk” bites.
SHAWN
Oddly unentertaining. And wildly uneven.
RUSS: 2 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 2 Popcorn Bags
4) A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES (R)
Universal
RUSS
Liam Neeson proves that middle-aged men can still kick some backside in the dark & sleazy thriller, “A Walk Among the Tombstones.” He’s a private detective after psycho kidnappers. It’s gripping, but you may want to take a shower afterward.
SHAWN
It’s dark and intense. At first it all all seems like your usual Liam Neeson movie until you realize that it wants to be “Seven.”
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
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