New in Theaters (Both showing at Durango Stadium 9)
Monsters University. (In standard format and digital 3-D with surcharge)
Pixar’s prequel to 2001’s “Monster’s University” is neither a bold return to form nor another misfire following “Brave” and “Cars 2,” but a charming, colorful coming-of-age tale that would be a less qualified success for all but Pixar. The profusion of sequels is indeed dismaying for a studio that so frequently has prized originality. But this is nevertheless pleasant, amiably animated family entertainment. Our expert “scarers” to be – the wisecracking pipsqueak Mike Wazowski (the perfectly paired Billy Crystal) and the burly James B. Sullivan (John Goodman) – are college freshmen with high aspirations in Monster University’s prestigious Scare Program. Wazowski is a lime green ball of wide-eyed idealism, a bookworm oblivious to his total lack of fright-inducing menace. Sully is a naturally talented legacy, a lazy jock and son of a famous scarer. Director Dan Scanlon, a veteran Pixar storyboard artist, populates the collegiate life with rich detail and sly but not forced references. The film ultimately makes a surprisingly sharp lesson on the hard truths of limited talent: Giftedness remains a continuing Pixar theme. Rated G. 103 minutes. HHH out of four.
Jake Coyle, AP Entertainment Writer
World War Z. (In standard format and digital 3-D with surcharge.)
Might there be a real zombie apocalypse one day? The way zombies have invaded our pop culture the last several years, it’s maybe a bit less implausible than it once was. What IS increasingly quite plausible, alas, is a global pandemic, and “World War Z,” the long-awaited Brad Pitt thriller, cleverly melds that real-life threat into the more fanciful zombie premise. Talk about more bang for your buck: Once you’ve settled back into your seat after a good snarling zombie chase, there’s nothing like the thought of a SARS outbreak to get the blood racing again. Despite the much-discussed production delays and budget overruns, this movie, based on the 2006 novel by Max Brooks (son of Mel), is pretty much what you’d want in a summer blockbuster: scary but not-too-gross zombies, a journey to exotic locales, a few excellent action scenes, and did we mention Pitt? As Gerry Lane, a former U.N. investigator called upon to save the planet, Pitt is a calm, intelligent presence amid the insanity. The most impressive scene is at the beginning, as the streets of Philadelphia are suddenly overrun by packs of wild, raging zombies. For an hour, the action is swift: North Korea, Israel, a harrowing plane crash. The final act takes place on a dramatically smaller scale, and at a slower pace. Oh, a reminder: Turn off those cellphones. After all, it’s not just your movie-going partner you’ll annoy here. Cellphones also happen to awaken zombies. Consider yourself warned. PG-13 for intense frightening zombie sequences, violence and disturbing images. 116 minutes. HHH out of four.
Jocelyn Noveck, AP National Writer
Still Showing
Durango Stadium 9
(Next to Durango Mall, 247-9799, www.allentheatresinc.com)
Man of Steel. (In standard format and digital 3-D with surcharge.) The latest re-telling of the Superman story didn’t wow critics, but the fans can’t stay away. Rated PG-13.
This is the End. Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill and Danny McBride play themselves in a comedy about the world ending and how the rich and famous might handle it. Rated R.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist. (Wednesday only.) A young Pakistani man is chasing corporate success on Wall Street. He finds himself embroiled in a conflict between his American Dream, a hostage crisis, and the enduring call of his family’s homeland. Rated R.
Now You See Me. A group of super magicians keep pulling off bank heists while they’re on stage, much to the chagrin of a confused FBI. Rated PG-13.
Fast and Furious 6. More high-adrenaline street racing. One would think audiences should know what to expect by now. Rated PG-13.
Star Trek Into Darkness. (In standard format and digital 3-D with surcharge.) Another prequel wherein a young Kirk (Chris Pine) goes on an intergalactic manhunt to stop a bad guy. He would go on to do this many times. Rated PG-13.
Back Space Theatre
(1120 Main Ave., 259-7940, www.thebackspacetheatre.org)
The End of Love. Having not seen the film, I borrow a snippet from film critic Peter Sobczynski: “Simply put, this is one of the craziest films to come along in a while and I can confidently say that anyone who sees it will either hail it is some kind of crackpot masterpiece or dismiss it as one of the silliest damn things they’ve ever seen. Either way, those planning on seeing it should make sure that the multiplex floor is clean because their jaws, if not their entire bodies, are likely to resting down there for much of the running time.” Rated PG-13.
Gaslight Cinema
(102 Fifth St. Next to the railroad depot, 247-8133, www.allentheatresinc.com)
Man of Steel. See above. Rated PG-13.
The Quartet. At a home for retired musicians, the annual concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents. Rated PG-13.
Mud. Two teen boys befriend a fugitive (Matthew McConaughey) and help him evade the law and find his gal (Reese Witherspoon). Rated PG-13.
Ted Holteen and The Associated Press
