Reel News: Week of March 13 — Cinderella, Run All Night, Wild Tales, Night at the Museum 3

Upcoming Theatrical Releases

Cinderella
Director: Kenneth Branagh
PG; 1 hr. 45 min.
Trailer

When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger in the woods. (Synopsis by Disney)

After a recent spat of trying to inject new life into their classic stories (with limited success), Disney finally got one right by sticking to the simplicity of the original story. The real secret is that the film brings back the charm of the fairy tale. See it.

Run All Night
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
R; 1 hr. 20 min.
Trailer

Mobster and hit man Jimmy Conlon has one night to figure out where his loyalties lie: with his estranged son, Mike, whose life is in danger, or his longtime best friend, mob boss Shawn Maguire, who wants Mike to pay for the death of his own son. (Synopsis by Warner Bros.)

You’ve seen this movie over and over again; Neeson makes threats, shoots guns, and drives a car fast. The drama is poorly-handled, and this one is quickly forgotten. Skip it.

Wild Tales
Director: Damián Szifron
R; 2 hr. 2 min.
Trailer

Inequality, injustice and the demands of the world we live in cause stress and depression for many people. Some of them, however, explode. This is a movie about those people. Vulnerable in the face of a reality that shifts and suddenly turns unpredictable, the characters of Wild Tales cross the thin line that divides civilization and barbarism. A lover’s betrayal, a return to the repressed past and the violence woven into everyday encounters drive the characters to madness as they cede to the undeniable pleasure of losing control. (Synopsis by Sony Classics)

This is actually a series of six shorter segments, but they all pack a punch. Offering deep, dark humor, this is a satire of the audience reflected on screen. See it.

Upcoming DVD Releases

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Director: Shawn Levy
PG; 1 hr. 30 min.
Trailer

Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever. (Synopsis by Fox)

No better or worse than the previous two films. There is a silly and dumb kind of entertainment here. The most poignant aspect is that this was one of the last films for both Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney. Rent it.