New movies in theaters this week feature Judi Dench in a colorful scarf, Vince Vaughn on a wild business trip, and Hugh Jackman with a bunch of robots. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s opening wide in theaters.
THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
PG for some language and suggestive comments | In Theaters 3/6 | Ok for Kids 9+ | Fox Searchlight | Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels | Fox Searchlight | Facebook
“The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), but it’s taking up a lot of his time, considering his upcoming marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tena Desae). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig).
Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship and Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets.
CHAPPIE
R for violence, language and brief nudity | In Theaters 3/6 (2D, IMAX) | Ok for Kids 17+ | Columbia, Sony | Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels | Chappie | Facebook
Neill Blomkamp knows how to make an edgy sci-fi movie. He did it with 2009’s “District 9,” 2013’s “Elysium” and this week’s “Chappie.” The story takes place in the near future, where an oppressive mechanized police force keep crime in check.
But now the people are fighting back, and one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, becoming the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. As powerful, destructive forces start to see Chappie as a danger to mankind and order, they will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and ensure that Chappie is the last of his kind.
Excellent special effects and a cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Dev Patel and Sharlto Copley make this one to see.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
R for some strong risque sexual content/graphic nudity, and for language and drug use | In Theaters 3/6 | Ok for Kids 17+ | 20th Century Fox | Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels | Unfinished Business | Facebook | Twitter
A hard-working small business owner (Vince Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what begins as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every imaginable – and unimaginable – way, including unplanned stops at a massive sex fetish event and a global economic summit.
KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN
R for language throughout | In Theaters 3/6 | Ok for Kids 17+ | Alchemy | Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels | Free Heineken | Facebook
In 1983, a group of childhood friends pulled off the crime of the century: kidnapping one of the richest men in the world, the heir to the Heineken beer empire (Anthony Hopkins).
READ: Melanie Votaw’s Review of “Kidnapping Mr. Heineken”
The shocking capture — by gunpoint in broad daylight on the streets of Amsterdam — resulted in the largest ransom ever paid. It was truly the perfect crime … until they got away with it.
Ryan Kwanten, Sam Worthington and Jim Sturgess also star in this movie directed by Daniel Alfredson, who helmed “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest.”
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.
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