Odeon, Dumfries
Mr Popper’s Penguins (PG) — A likeable family comedy with Jim Carrey inheriting a crate of penguins and finding a new meaning to family life. There’s the bonus of the indefatigable Angela Lansbury defying her 85 years.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (12A) — the latest in the money-spinning series that began in 1967 with Charlton Heston as an astronaut who lands on a planet where apes rule and humans drool.
The new film rewinds to the years that led to the big switch.
James Franco is the scientist researching a cure for Alzheimer’s disease who takes in a motherless chimp called Caesar who develops a remarkable level of intelligence.
He was part of an experimental programme led by scientist Brian Cox but things go belly-up when Caesar and his mates start planning a rebellion. This is a high tech reboot of a franchise that still has more to offer.
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries
Potiche (15) — If you have been watching the latest Orange ads recently you will be well aware of the delicious skit on French films with Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu. Now you can see the whole film with the correct subtitles.
It is a delightful frothy comedy based on a stage play where Deneuve throws off her familiar angst persona as the trophy wife of the tyrannical director of her late father’s umbrella factory.
When he is kidnapped by striking workers she takes over grief and life takes on a whole new meaning. Tonight only.
The Messenger (15) — Iraq veteran Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) and recovering alcoholic Captain Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) are the casualty notification team with the nasty job of breaking the bad news to bereaved families. They have different approaches and the reaction of parents, wives and families vary widely but the job has an effect on both with back stories that define their personalities. Beautifully acted, this is a sombre subject but a moving insight into the legacy of war. Tomorrow only.
Lonsdale, Annan
Captain America (12A) — This is a cracking wartime adventure with a patriotic weakling turned into action man with a star-spangled shield. By playing the story straight but with a twinkle in the eye, the Marvel comic book characters and situations leap into action, especially in the 3D version now at The Lonsdale.
Chris Evans captures the reckless daring adventurer perfectly and Hugo Weaving is a terrific baddy, the Red Skull, with a classic reveal moment.
Cowboys and Aliens (12A) — Daniel Craig is a gunslinger with a memory lapse in the town of Absolution in Arizona in 1873. The town is run by grumpy Harrison Ford as Woodrow Dolarhyde and strangers are taboo.
But there are strange goings-on, involving abductions by creatures from above – aka aliens. A hugely enjoyable maverick western with two top stars at their straight jawed best. The action sequences are surprisingly violent when the aliens finally face the six shooters.
The Inbetweeners: The Movie (15) — Four lads and four girls on holiday in Greece just about sums up this spin-off from the hit TV series. School’s out and Will, Joe, Jay and Blake head for sun and fun in Crete where they meet up with four girls. A perfect match you might say but these are the original sad saps heading for every embarrassing moment you can think of.
Mr Popper’s Penguins (U) — Jim Carrey upstaged by the birds.
Super 8 (12A) — Steven Spielberg-inspired alien adventure with echoes of ET. One of the best summer films.
The Smurfs Movie (U) — A nasty wizard sends the little blue Smurfs from their magical world into ours – well Central Park and they have adventures trying to get back.
