New Movies This Week – Avengers: Age of Ultron, Far From the Madding Crowd

New in Theaters May 1 2015 Collage

At long last, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” flies to the big screen this week! Based on the overseas box office numbers ($201.2 million at this writing), count on this latest installment to the Marvel franchise to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.

For classic lit fans, Thomas Hardy’s “Far From the Madding Crowd” brings love, passion and perseverance to moviegoers. Here’s a sneak peek at new movies opening wide in theaters this week.

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction, and for some suggestive comments | In Theaters 5/1 (2D, 3D) | Ok for Kids 13+ | Disney, Marvel | Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels | Avengers: Age of Ultron | FacebookTwitter

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Marvel’s Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) | Jay Maidment Photo

This epic follow-up to the biggest superhero movie of all time finds Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) trying to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program.

But things go awry and Earth’s mightiest heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance.

When the villainous Ultron (James Spader) emerges, it’s up to The Avengers to stop him, as uneasy alliances form. Along with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), the team reassembles to defeat the terrifying techno-villain. Along the way, they encounter two powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Pietro Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and meet an old friend in a new form known as Vision (Paul Bettany).

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

PG-13 for some sexuality and violence | In Theaters 5/1 | Ok for Kids 13+ | Fox Searchlight | Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels | Far From the Madding Crowd | Facebook

Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, this romantic drama is directed by Thomas Vinterberg and follows the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her fetching willfulness; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor.

This timeless story of Bathsheba’s choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love – as well as the ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance.

JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Images in this feature used courtesy of the studios and distributors.

Comments

One response to “New Movies This Week – Avengers: Age of Ultron, Far From the Madding Crowd”

  1. Trish Stone Avatar

    Thanks for sharing these reviews Jane! I didn’t enjoy Avengers as much as I was hoping for but that ould just be because I was expecting too much from it.

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