Screening Room: “Robocop,” “About Last Night,” “Winter’s Tale”

1. ROBOCOP (PG-13)
Sony Pictures

RUSS
Remakes are the order of the day, with “Robocop” at the top of the list. Joel Kinnaman steps into the boots worn in 1987 by Peter Weller, and the results are a bit, well…mechanical.

SHAWN
The original was sort of a cult classic. This new version works in the way that you loved your first car but now you have keys to a brand new luxury sports car. You cool now but lacking in charm.

RUSS
While it lacks the humor and satiric edge of the original, the new “Robocop” offers enough mayhem and sharp special effects to please undemanding action fans.

SHAWN
I really liked Samuel L. Jackson who adds much needed energy. He steals the movie. Overall a watchable action flick that will never be guilty of out smarting its audience.

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags

2. ABOUT LAST NIGHT (R)
Sony Pictures

RUSS
“About Last Night” is a remake of the 1986 Rob Lowe-Demi Moore romantic comedy. Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant star in this nutty and very raunchy R-rated tale.

SHAWN
And this majorly funny romantic comedy which is a celebration of life, love and relationships has nothing in common with the original except the title.

RUSS
The movie works as well as it does because of the steamroller, ‘take-no-prisoners’ comic timing of Hart and Hall. They attack the script like WWE wrestlers, pummeling out the laughs.

SHAWN
Kevin Hart and Regina Hall are the funniest on screen couple in a very long time. Their chemistry is beyond scientific explanation and comedic timing more precise than a brand new Swiss watch. Overall a very entertaining movie for the grown and sexy!

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags

3) WINTER’S TALE (PG-13)
Warner Brothers

RUSS:
“Winter’s Tale” is a supernatural romance set in Edwardian New York, starring Colin Farrell and Russell Crowe. This peculiar fantasy walks a knife’s edge between sentimentality and downright campiness.

SHAWN
This romantic fantasy is downright awful.

RUSS
If you can keep from rolling your eyes at some of the film’s ridiculous elements, “Winter’s Tale” could prove oddly entertaining.

SHAWN
Calling this movie ridiculous is being extremely nice. Nothing works. Nothing about it is logical. And nothing about it is good.

RUSS: 2 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 0 Popcorn Bags

4) THE PAST (PG-13)
Sony Pictures Classics

RUSS
“The Past” is the latest drama from Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, best known for “A Separation.” Like it’s terrific predecessor, “The Past” presents thorny moral conundrums as good people struggle to make the right decisions based on their limited perspectives. It’s a thoughtful and worthwhile film.

RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags

5) GLORIA (R)
Roadside Attractions

RUSS
“Gloria” is a smart and well-acted character study from Chile, about the romantic struggles of folks of a certain age. It’s very slow moving and meandering, but a strong performance from Paulina Garcia gives it a boost. Be prepared for full frontal nudity from folks on the edge of elderly.

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags

ALSO OPENING THIS WEEK: “Endless Love” is a remake of the popular 1981 Brooke Shields soap opera.