This week at the movies…Kevin Costner is in a sports movie; a mirror haunts a family; and a couple of cute blue birds go to the Amazon.
Draft Day
A Moneyball for football, director Ivan Reitman (of Ghostbusters, Twins, No Strings Attached fame) helms this flick about the NFL draft, starring Kevin Costner as the general manager for the failing Cleveland Browns, who is looking to roll the dice on a couple of draft picks that may make or break his career (and the team). He’s up against the oily owner, played by Frank Langella, and the irascible coach (Denis Leary), but aided by his girlfriend, who also holds the team’s purse strings (Jennifer Garner).
Perfect For: Fans of sports dramas, Costner, and Moneyball.
What the Critics Say: Well-made, a little by-the-numbers, but enjoyable. Writes the Hollywood Reporter: “An entirely conventional serio-comic sports world melodrama that pushes its buttons with undeniable professional finesse.”
Our Take: It looks like it goes down smooth.
Oculus
A brother and sister reunite to try and solve the mystery of what happened to their family when a haunted mirror seemed to possess their parents and kill them. It’s part Paranormal Activity, part Exorcist, all scary.
Perfect For: You’re a weirdo who pays money to be scared.
What the Critics Say: This might actually be a good movie. We say that because many critics have actually seen the movie (most horror flicks don’t even bother screening for critics), and they have given it a thumbs up, including the Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Oculus is not just a howling good horror film. It's a terrific film by any standard - a smart, character-driven, original hair-raiser that creeped the socks off me with no cheap scares.”
Our Take: You’ll hold our hand, right?
Rio 2
Little out there for kids right now, but Rio 2 looks all kinds of adorables. Blu and Jewel, two blue macaws (Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg), take flight to the Amazon, where they meet up with Blu’s dad, the stern father figure played by (Andy Garcia). The zany cast of characters is voiced by Tracy Morgan, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, Bruno Mars, and Janelle Monáe.
Perfect For: Parents with wee ones.
What the Critics Say: Cute enough, but no Pixar movie. The New York Post: "Rio 2" is not what I would call Amazon prime, but it's got enough silly songs and daffy critters to keep the little ones happy.”
Our Take: Will probably have to see this immediately after Ocular to sleep again.
