New Releases: March 13, 2015

1. Cinderella (Disney, 3,845 Theaters, 112 Minutes, Rated PG for mild thematic elements, Rotten Tomatoes: 86% Fresh [90 Reviews]):  As the father of a five-year old girl, I can’t tell you how many versions of this story I have seen. There’s the original Disney cartoon, which had two, yes, two sequels. There are at least five versions of the story in my daughter’s library. The Rogers and Hammerstein musical version which just ended its run on Broadway this year was my daughter’s first Broadway show. It has been the inspiration for films such as Ever After (a pretty straight forward version of the tale) and Ella Enchanted (which only borrowed elements from the legend). The character was a main character in Into The Woods. And the Disney Channel recently reran two modernizations of the fairy tale they produced, one from 2004 starring Hilary Duff, the other from 2008 starring Selena Gomez.

So, in other words, the Cinderella legend has appeared in pop culture a lot. It takes a lot to make a story that numerous generations know by heart feel fresh and new. This film has received great reviews and has an awesome cast. So maybe this one will put a new shine on those glass slippers.

Also, there is a new Frozen short before this film called Frozen Fever. That will be enough to sell tickets.

2. Run All Night (Warner Brothers, 3,171 Theaters,114 Minutes, Rated R for strong violence, language including sexual references, and some drug use, Rotten Tomatoes: 51%Fresh [45 Reviews]): Liam Neeson has been enjoying a late career upswing in the action genre–typically a style of movie that eschews older men for young hunks–thanks to he ability to sound threatening while addressing various and sundry lowlifes. So nice of him to give a big tough guy speech to Ed Harris for this one.

In this one, Neeson is on the other end of the revenge spectrum, as it is Harris that is seeking revenge against Neeson’s son for killing Harris’. Neeson and his son must run all night [TRUMPET FANFARE] in order to stay alive.

Eventually, Neeson’s cinematic luck is going to run out (if it hasn’t already). Could this be the film that ends his tough old man routine? Maybe, especially if he’s taken down by a girl wearing glass slippers.