Now Playing

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

A Million Ways to Die in the West
Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Amanda Seyfried, and Liam Neeson
About: MacFarlane, the writer/director/star of "Ted" and the creator of "Family Guy" is back, this time with a western. This is very much in the spirit of Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles," with plenty of humor, cultural observations, laughs, and fun. I loved "Ted," and was surprised by how compelling I thought it was. It's not the kind of movie — or the style of humor — that's for everyone, and the same could be said of "A Million Ways to Die in the West." It's not family-friendly humor, either. There is plenty of R-rated material here, and a lot of hilarious observations about everything from Western culture, to history, and even Christianity. It's all a big target for MacFarlane, and with this movie most of it lands right on the mark. He co-wrote and directed this movie, as well, and shows he has a knack of this kind of comedy. It hasn't been a big hit in the theaters so far, but I have a feeling this is the kind of movie that will find its way to cable and be on a rotation there for the next 20 years. Harris, Theron, Seyfried, Ribisi, Silverman, and Neeson are all great in the movie. It has some fun cameo performances and special guest appearances that add to the fun, only one of which has been given away in trailers and ads for the movie. This is the kind of breezy, hilarious, and cerebral comedy that makes summer fun. If this is the summer of comedies, "A Million Ways in the West" might end up being the crown jewel.
Rated: R for strong crude and sexual content, language throughout, some violence and drug material. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

The Fault in Our Stars
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, and Willem Dafoe
About: In his play “Julius Caesar” William Shakespeare — through one of his characters — makes a powerful statement about the role men play in the way of the world. Cassius, when talking to Brutus about Julius Caesar, and why they must act, says “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” The meaning being that fate doesn’t make the world the way it is, men do. It was a call for Brutus to take responsibility and act. While that’s a valid point when it comes to politics, there are times when the fault lies in our stars. Author John Green recognized that in writing his novel, “The Fault in Our Stars.” That work is the inspiration of the movie of the same name that opened on June 6. While a sad story from the outset, “The Fault in Our Stars” is also inspirational in the way it sees the world, and our response to powers beyond our control. Hazel Grace Lancaster (Woodley) was dealt a rough hand. At 13 she got cancer, and she became so sick she nearly died. In fact, her parents — Frannie (Dern) and Michael (Trammell) — gave her permission to let go; to end her suffering. But a funny thing happened — the medicine kicked in an Hazel pulled through. Now 17, she is still very sick, still in constant pain but still alive. Her parents push her to have a life, to make friends and go out in the world. But Hazel knows her clock is winding down, and she’s afraid to engage the world and leave it disappointed. Augustus Waters (Elgort) was dealt a similarly unfair hand, but he took it in a different direction. The cancer took his leg, but it couldn’t take his zest for life or his sense of humor. Augustus sees the world in a different way, and that outlook on life can’t help but inspire Hazel. In each other, Augustus and Hazel find something special and rare. And despite their unfair hand and their ticking clock, they find a reason to invest in and live life to the fullest. We all know kids aren’t supposed to get cancer. They’re not supposed to get sick and die. They’re not supposed to be outlived by their parents and friends. But that’s not the world we live in. We have a notion that life is supposed to be fair — it’s something society talks about even though all the evidence points to the contrary. In the Scriptures, Jesus says, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45 NIV) Life is unfair. Bad things happen to good people. Sometimes the fault lies in our stars, not in ourselves. “The Fault in Our Stars” accepts this as a given. It isn’t interested in debating that point, rather in the exploration of how we respond. Life is also a gift. It’s meant to be lived and appreciated, no matter how short a time we get. There is a great beauty in “The Fault in Our Stars.” Yes, it’s a sad story. Those familiar with the book will know there is no conventional happy ending for Augustus and Hazel. There can’t be. But that doesn’t mean their story is without beauty, hope or inspiration. It has all those. Director Josh Boone does a great job of bringing this story to life. He doesn’t exploit the emotional bits, but rather shows the raw, emotional nature of life. And in Woodley and Elgort he finds two beautiful performances that bring this story — and these inspiring characters — to life in a powerful way. “The Fault in Our Stars” isn’t a typical summer blockbuster, and it’s not the typical young adult story adapted to film, but it’s a beautiful and powerful gift. It is a movie that is inspiring and life affirming. It is built around powerful performances and a powerful story that isn’t afraid to explore the tough times in life and overcome them with a will to embrace the beauty and gift that life brings with it. Some might call “The Fault in Our Stars” a story of death and disease, but it’s really a story of life. It’s about what it means to live life to the fullest and appreciate all the people in our lives — and our moments with them — for the gift that they are. And that’s something worth celebrating.
Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, June 13 — "22 Jump Street," "How to Train Your Dragon 2"

Friday, June 20 — "Think Like A Man Too," "Jersey Boys," "The Rover"

Friday, June 27 — "Transformers: Age of Extinction," "Snow Piercer"