KANSAS CITY, Mo —
1) PHILOMENA (PG-13)
The Weinstein Company
RUSS: Judi Dench and Steve Coogan are terrific in “Philomena,” the true story of an elderly Irish woman who travels to the US to find the child she bore out of wedlock decades earlier. Irish Catholic nuns took the boy from her at the time and gave him to an American family for adoption. It’s a touching and bittersweet crowd-pleaser.
Shawn says, “It’s realistic and achingly beautiful. The acting is phenomenal and directing solid. A bit of a downer but exceptional movie.”
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
2) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (PG)
20th Century Fox
RUSS: Ben Stiller’s update of James Thurber’s classic short story about the ultimate daydreamer, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” starts off beautifully but loses steam in the third act. This beautifully produced comic fable is peppered with effective moments, but it never quite gels.
SHAWN
Shawn says, “‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ has it’s moments. Arguably not enough.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
3) BLACK NATIVITY (PG)
Fox Searchlight
RUSS: “Black Nativity” is a musical soap opera liberally adapted from Langston Hughes’ stage classic. It’s pretty corny, but the songs and the performances from a star-studded cast carry the day.
Shawn says, “The music is powerful but the script is weak. Stellar cast, but unfortunately not much to work with.”
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bag
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
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