beyond the call of duty with courage and
heroism to repel the attackers and protect
the Americans stationed there. This is
their personal account of what happened
during the 13 hours of that now-infamous
attack. This movie stars John Krasinski,
James Badge Dale, David Denman, and
Pablo Schreiber.
THE FINEST HOURS
Not yet rated; likely PG-13 | In theaters 1/29
(2D, 3D, IMAX 3D) | Ok for kids 13+
This action-thriller tells the true story of the
greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.
On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive nor’easter struck New
England, pummeling the Eastern seaboard and
wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly
path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker
bound for Boston which was literally ripped in half,
trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking
stern. As the senior officer on board, first assistant
engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) realizes he must take
charge of the frightened crew and inspire the men to work
together. Meanwhile at the U.S. Coast Guard station in
Chatham, Massachusetts, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric
Bana) orders a daring rescue operation sending four men, led
by Coast Guard Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), out in
a wooden lifeboat with an ill-equipped engine and little means
of navigation to face frigid temperatures, 60-ft. waves, and
hurricane-force winds.
KUNG FU PANDA 3
PG for martial arts action and some mild rude humor | In theaters
1/29 | Ok for kids 5+
This third installment finds Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly
reappearing and the reunited duo traveling to a secret panda paradise
to meet scores of hilarious new characters. But when supernatural
villain Kai (J.K. Simmons) begins to sweep across China defeating all
the kung fu masters, Po (Jack Black) must do the impossible – learn
to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the
ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas! This film also features the voices of
Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu,
Bryan Cranston, and Kate Hudson.
NEW ON DVD/BLU-RAY
ROBO-DOG
Not rated | On DVD 1/5 | Ok for kids 5+
When Tyler’s furry best friend tragically dies, his inventor dad, Tom,
creates a new “Robo-Dog” out of spare parts and a techie “super
battery.” But Tom’s old boss, Mr. Willis, wants the battery for
himself and will stop at nothing to get
it! Robo-Dog must help his new
family save the day. This family
movie stars Patrick Muldoon,
Olivia d’Abo, and Wallace
Shawn.
THE FOREST
PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and images | In theaters 1/8 | Ok for kids 14+
Rising with terrifying grandeur at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan, the legendary
real-life Aokigahara Forest is the suspense-filled setting of this supernatural
thriller. A young American woman, Sara (Natalie Dormer, “Game of Thrones”),
journeys there in search of her twin sister, who has mysteriously disappeared. In
the company of expatriate Aiden (Taylor Kinney, “Chicago Fire”), Sara enters
“the suicide forest” being warned to “stay on the path.” Determined to discover
the truth about her sister’s fate, Sara must face the angry and tormented souls of
the dead that prey on anyone who dares come near them.
NORM OF THE NORTH
Not yet rated; likely PG | In theaters 1/15 | Ok for kids 6+
A polar bear of many words, Norm’s greatest gripe is simple: there’s no room
for tourists in the Arctic! When a maniacal developer threatens to build luxury
condos in his backyard, Norm (Rob Schneider) does what all normal polar bears
would do... he heads to New York City to stop it. With a cast of ragtag lemmings
at his side, Norm takes on the big apple, big business, and a big identity crisis to
save the day. Heather Graham, Bill Nighy, Ken Jeong, and Loretta Devine voice
characters in this animated comedy.
THE 5THWAVE
PG-13 for violence and destruction, some sci-fi thematic elements, language,
and brief teen partying | In theaters 1/15 | Ok for kids 13+
Set in the present day, this apocalyptic thriller centers on “waves” of increasingly
deadly alien attacks that leave Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and
distrust, 16-year-old Cassie (Chloe Grace Moretz) is on the run, desperately
trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal
“5th wave,” Cassie meets a young man who may become her final hope. Based
on the book by Rick Yancey, this movie also stars Nick Robinson, Liev Schreiber,
Alex Roe, Maria Bellow, and Ron Livingston.
THE NUT JOB 2
Not yet rated; likely PG | In theaters 1/15 | Ok for kids 6+
In the first movie, Surly the mischievous squirrel planned a heist to get into
his town’s biggest nut shop in order to help his pals in the park gather food to
survive the winter. What will happen next? Cal Brunker, who was a storyboard
artist on “Minions,” “Despicable Me,” and “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” directs
this sequel, with Jeff Dunham, Joe Pingue, and Rob Tinkler as voice talents.
RIDE ALONG 2
PG-13 for sequences of violence, sexual content, language, and some drug
material | In theaters 1/15 | Ok for kids 14+
Kevin Hart and Ice Cube lead the returning lineup of this sequel to the
blockbuster action-comedy that gave us 2014’s most popular comedy duo. As
his wedding day approaches, Ben (Hart) heads to Miami with his soon-to-be
brother-in-law James (Cube) to bring down a drug dealer who’s supplying the
dealers of Atlanta with product. Olivia Munn, Nadine Velazquez, Ken Jeong,
and Tyrese Gibson also star.
13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI
Not yet rated; likely PG-13 | In theaters 1/15 | Ok for kids 14+
This adaptation of Mitchell Zuckoff’s book centers on the true account of
the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the U.S. State
Department Special Mission Compound, along with nearby CIA station “The
Annex,” in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators went
LIFE
with
Even the Force can’t save it.
Coulda been a contender.
Something to talk about.
You want the truth? Great ick!
Wow! e stu dreams are made of.
By Jane Louise Boursaw
Jane Boursaw is an entertainment
writer specializing in family movies
and TV. For more information, email
her at
jboursaw@charter.net.
Movie
REVIEWS
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