Reel News: Week of Jan. 15 — 13 Hours, Anomalisa, Hotel Transylvania 2, Norm of the North, Ride Along 2, The Martian

Upcoming Theatrical Releases

Norm of the North
Director: Trevor Wall
PG; 1 hr. 26 min.
Trailer

A polar bear of many words, Norm’s greatest gripe is simple: there is no room for tourists in the Arctic. But when a maniacal developer threatens to build luxury condos in his own backyard, Norm does what all normal polar bears would do…he heads to New York City to stop it. With a cast of ragtag lemmings at his side, Norm takes on the big apple, big business and a big identity crisis to save the day. (Synopsis by Lionsgate)

Coming from a studio on the low end of the animation game, this doesn’t look promising. The jokes don’t work and the shoehorned message is a little over the top. It’s safer to watch this at home if the little ones insist. Skip it.

Ride Along 2
Director: Tim Story
PG-13; 1 hr. 42 min.
Trailer

As his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who’s supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product. (Synopsis by Universal)

Even garbage has more self-respect than whatever this mess is trying to be. This makes Adam Sandler’s movies look like Shakespeare in comparison, and is a blatant attempt at a payday at the expense of literally everything else. Skip it.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Director: Michael Bay
R; 2 hrs. 22 min.
Trailer

An American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya as a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos. (Synopsis by Paramount)

Bay is probably the worst director you could pick to handle a complicated subject like the Benghazi attack. A heavy-handed take that overblows the heroic story with eye-rolling cliché. Rent it.

Anomalisa
Director: Charlie Kaufman
R; 1 hr. 30 min.
Trailer

A man crippled by the mundanity of his life experiences something out of the ordinary. (Synopsis by Starburns Industries)

Check out my review later this week on The Dagger.

Upcoming DVD Releases

The Martian
Director: Ridley Scott
PG-13; 2 hr. 14 min.
Trailer

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. (Synopsis by Fox)

Previously reviewed by The Dagger.

Hotel Transylvania 2
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
PG; 1 hr. 29 min.
Trailer

Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel. (Synopsis by Sony)

This movie is surprisingly likable and offers a decent storyline. The jokes are hit or miss, but it’s still enjoyable for the whole family, especially if you liked the first entry. See it.