1) TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION (PG-13)
Paramount Pictures
RUSS:
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” was one of the biggest box office hits of the summer. It was also the most overblown, over-produced and overlong movie of the season.
The $165 million budget allowed director Michael Bay to splash the screen with all the extravagant 3-D spectacle his computer-generated imaging team could muster. While individual scenes are impressive, Bay has no idea of how to build momentum within a story arc, so the sensational special effects devolve into mind-numbing mayhem after about 20 minutes of action. Since the movie is 2 ½ hours long, that’s an awful lot of numbing.
Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci and Kelsey Grammer do what they can with the insipid script they’ve been given. But, who cares about a script? The reason to see a Transformers movie is to see the cool robots wreak massive destruction. On that count, at least, it delivers.
If you’re idea of entertainment is watching a Toys Are Us explode, then “Transformers: The Age of Extinction” may be the movie for you.
Shawn says, “It’s a movie about cars and trucks that turn into robots. What’s not to love? Over the top movie magic that makes no sense plot wise but totally satisfies in the entertainment department. Remember Transformers were toys for kids. Stop over thinking it and enjoy the fun.”
To me, a headache is no fun.
RUSS: 2 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
2) CHEF (R)
Open Road Films
RUSS:
“Chef” is a delightful and smart comedy written and directed by its star, Jon Favreau. He plays a culinary artist who loses his restaurant job and goes on a road trip with his young son in a food truck. The able supporting cast includes Dustin Hoffman, John Lequizamo and Sophia Vergara.
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