This week at the movies: Shailene Woodley tries to save the world; Sean Penn attempts the action hero thing; and Cybill Shepherd returns to the big screen for a Christian family film.
Insurgent
Shailene Woodley (echoing Jennifer Lawrence a la The Hunger Games) returns for the sequel to Divergent, a sci-fi dystopian action flick. This time, as a divergent rebel in a utilitarian society ruled by evil Kate Winslet, she’s found others like her, and discovers why the powers that be want to keep them from succeeding. Also starring: Naomi Watts.
Perfect For: You want some Hunger Games Lite and miss the Matrix.
What the Critics Say: Most sequels don’t improve on the original, and Divergent wasn’t amazing to start with. Diminished returns. Writes The Seattle Times: "Will someone please tell me what's going on?" And says Time Out: “The plot makes zero sense and Shailene Woodley's on-screen chemistry with scowling hunk Four (Theo James) is non-existent.”
Our Take: Nah.
Watch the Trailer:
The Gunman
A host of incredibly talented actors—including Oscar winners Sean Penn and Javier Bardem—as well as Idris Elba (The Wire), join forces for this action flick about an ex-hitman (Penn) on the run from both the authorities (Interpol) and the underground (gangs and hit squads) alike.
Perfect For: Fans of Taken.
What the Critics Say: The Gunman is a by-the-numbers action thriller, coming from the same director as Taken (which was not a very good series.) Writes Variety: “Sadly, Penn's veiny, sweat-glazed biceps are the most objectively impressive feature of this rote, humorless thriller, a distinctly unconvincing attempt to refashion the star ... as a middle-aged action hero in the Liam Neeson mold.” Writes The Onion’s AV Club: “The Gunman is too disorganized and sloppy to make sense as political commentary or to work on the most basic level as a globe-trotting chase thriller.”
Our Take: I don’t care how many middle-aged Oscar winners you put in one movie, it’s not going to make it any better.
Watch the Trailer:
Do You Believe?
We’re getting close to Easter, which means religious-themed movies are hitting some theaters. Like Crash for Christianity, Do You Believe? tries to weave 12 different people’s storylines into one movie about how they all come to believe—centered around a shaken-up local pastor. Starring Mira Sorvino, Cybill Shepherd (!!!)
Perfect For: Fans of Christian-themed films, including God’s Not Dead (same producers as Do You Believe?)
Our Take: The conclusion that everyone finds faith seems foregone, which doesn’t make for good drama.
Watch the Trailer:
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