This week at the movies there’s something for everyone: fanboys, kids, and serious movie types.
Dracula Untold
Somewhere, someone has decreed that all antiheros and superheroes must have their origin stories told. Now, it is Dracula’s turn. As it turns out, Dracula wasn’t always an ugly and evil vampire in Transylvania. Nope, he used to be a devilishly handsome man with long, dark locks, as embodied by the handsome Welsh actor Luke Evans. As it turns out, he only goes to the dark side to save his family and village.
Perfect For: Those who would like an amalgamation of the 300 movies crossed with superhero tales. You liked those, you might like this. Or so the studio hopes.
What The Critics Say: A collective, “meh.” Writes the A.V. Club: “Neither the Dracula we need nor the one we deserve.” Entertainment Weekly says: “It works neither as a sweeping historical epic nor as an action-horror hybrid.”
Our Take: As pretty as Luke Evans is, he’s not that pretty. A rental.
Watch the Trailer:
The Judge
With an all-star cast, including Robert Duvall as the title character, Robert Downey Jr. as his son, and Billy Bob Thornton, Vera Farmiga and Vincent D'Onofrio, The Judge seems to be prime Oscar bait. The story is about a very stern judge who is on trial for murder after hitting a long-sworn enemy with his car. The son, now a premier defense attorney, comes to defend his father, with whom he doesn’t have the best relationship. Can you say drama with a capital “D”?
Perfect For: You like courtroom dramas and family dramas. And capital “A” acting.
What the Critics Say: Convoluted and predictable plot, but really, really good performances despite all that. The Arizona Republic: “These are superb actors, and watching them go at it is far more rewarding than sifting through the predictable tale their characters are mired in.” The Associated Press: “If The Judge proves anything, it's that talented, likable actors like Downey, Duvall, D'Onofrio and Farmiga can keep a mediocre movie humming.”
Our Take: It could work for a Sunday matinee. Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall are worth at least that much.
Watch the Trailer:
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Physical comedy isn’t “in” anymore—not like it was when Jerry Lewis was a huge star. But Steve Carell is a master at physical, slapstick comedy, and gets to put it to good use in this Disney adaptation of this well-known kid’s book. The title character is the 11-year old Alexander, who has the worst of all possible days (for instance, he sets a girl’s homework notebook on fire, and then stuff in the classroom catches on fire). It turns out his klutziness is catching, and then the entire family has the worst of all bad days. Also starring Jennifer Garner, Dylan Minnette, and Bella Thorne.
Perfect For: The whole family and/or fans of Steve Carell.
What the Critics Say: It’s pretty good for a family friendly Disney flick. Writes USA Today: “A pleasant, entertaining way to spend just under 90 minutes, particularly if accompanied by children.” And says the Washington Post: “Even the bathroom humor is forgivable when the end result is a crowd-pleasing comedy and a surprisingly entertaining treat for the whole family.”
Our Take: Could be a cute way to spend an evening, and really, what could be wrong with two hours of Steve Carell?
Watch the Trailer:
