Reel News: 3 Days to Kill, Pompeii, Ender’s Game

Upcoming Theatrical Releases

3 Days to Kill
Director: McG
PG-13; 105 mins.
Trailer

In this heart pounding action-thriller, Kevin Costner is a dangerous international spy, who is determined to give up his high stakes life to finally build a closer relationship with his estranged wife and daughter, whom he’s previously kept at arm’s length to keep out of danger. But first, he must complete one last mission- even if it means juggling the two toughest assignments yet: hunting down the world’s most ruthless terrorist and looking after his teenage daughter for the first time in ten years while his wife is out of town. (Synopsis by Relativity)

The only way this is going to work is if McG (…not his real name) can pull off the delicate balance of comedy and action. There is an accepted level of ridiculousness in the plot. We’re not asking for Shakespeare. But if you are going to use that level of silly as a jumping off point, you’d better commit to it. It’s most likely going to be a less-entertaining “Charlie’s Angels.” Skip it.

Pompeii
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
PG-13; 102 mins.
Trailer

Set in 79 A.D., Pompeii tells the epic story of Milo (Kit Harington), a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning), the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him. (Synopsis by Sony)

Anderson has the pedigree to make this an absolute crap-fest. The trailer looks like little more than a mash-up of every Roman movie ever made plus a volcano. File this as “Twister” with fire. Skip it.

Previous DVD Releases

Ender’s Game
Director: Gavin Hood
PG-13; 113 mins.
Trailer

In the near future, a hostile alien race (called the Formics) have attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley), all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best young children to find the future Mazer. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy, but strategically brilliant boy is pulled out of his school to join the elite. Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly and easily masters increasingly difficult war games, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained by Graff as the military’s next great hope, resulting in his promotion to Command School. Once there, he’s trained by Mazer Rackham, himself, to lead his fellow soldiers into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race. (Synopsis by Summit)

Previously reviewed by The Dagger.

Upcoming DVD Releases

None of note.