JASON BOURNE

JASON BOURNE: After success with the original trilogy, I suppose a fourth outing seemed like the natural thing to do, although beating a dead horse is not high on my list.  I found this script a little weak and full of some holes.  However, I will admit action abounds with car chases, explosions, well choreographed fight scenes  and all the trappings of the Bourne franchise.   So if you're a fan of this genre, you will enjoy this outing thoroughly.  Matt Damon returns as that CIA amnesiac who is still wondering about his identity and with able help from Julia Stiles and later, Alicia Vikander, he uncovers the truth.  Out to thwart him at every turn is Tommy Lee Jones as a ruthless CIA director along with  a marvelously mean Vincent Cassal  as an assassin known simply as Asset.  In the technical department I can't recall when a film score had such relentless drive. which added to the excitement greatly. Global trotting is also in the mix, from London to Las Vegas and you won't be bored with the scenery.   So, all in all, a fun summer film despite a few flaws.

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (THE MOVIE)

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (THE MOVIE):  If you're a fan of this long running BBC series about the trials and tribulations of those two wonderful drug-induced, hard-smoking, always shopping, best friends, this should be right up your alley. But be forewarned, if you are not a fan, this may well go right over your head. Reprising their television roles are Jennifer Saunders as Edina Monsoon and Joanna Lumley as Patsy Stone, and with the cast of usual characters (Edina's daughter Saffron and her Mom)  we also have a ton of cameos including Kate Moss and Stella McCartney adding to the merriment.  The fact is there are almost too many cameos (mostly British fashion industry) and the film suffers a bit from over-kill.   But a couple are worth noting.... Barry Humphries (Dame Edna, as well), Jon Hamm, and (the best joke in the film) Joan Collins. The plot is fairly simple.  Through an accident of fate (at London's Fashion Week),  Edina and Pats are on the run, avoiding the police and ending up in Cannes.  The usual outrageous costumes abound and some of the gags are funny but as I said, it gets to be a little over the top. Still, if this is your cup of tea, enjoy it!

GHOSTBUSTERS

GHOSTBUSTERS:  This female reboot of what some call a classic, works for the most part.  The zingers and one-liners come a mile-a-minute and for a change, they weren't all used in the coming attractions for the film but saved for the film itself.  With  Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon as the fearless foursome and able help from Chris Hemsworth in a surprisingly comedic role as there "receptionist," Kevin. The plot of course, involves all sorts of malevolent creatures up to no good.  Cameos abound and I won't tell you about them lest it ruin the fun. (I also must point out, that little bonuses are inserted throughout the closing credits, so don't bolt from your seat to fast.)  This film will undoubtedly be compared to the original and for my money, it's just as good.  Slick, CGI dominates some of the scenes, particularly the finale in Times Square.  No messages except perhaps a reference to true friendship and that's nice.   So bring on the remakes. How about an all girl version of "The Magnificent Seven?"   Well, maybe not that one.   But this one is a romp and worth the time, if you need some laughs.

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS:  It seems that a new animated film is released every week and as a rule, I am wary of them.   Call it "Sickofcelanemia."  Before you attack, I know, I know; it's a tasteless pun on a serious condition.  But, back to the matter at hand; when I say wary I really mean I wait for the reviews.  Well, the reviews are in, and they are right.  This is a first-rate, laugh-out-loud, breeze of a movie with a talented cast of voices including Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet, Ellie Kemper, Albert Brooks and Dana Carvey.  A bit slow getting started, we meet Max (C.K.) who is leading an idyllic New York life until his owner brings home a stray, Duke (Stonestreet) They do not get along and are soon in big trouble.  It seems in the New York sewers live all  sorts of unwanted throw-away pets whose ring leader is a furry and ferocious bunny named Snowball voiced brilliantly by Kevin Hart.  When Max and Duke fall in with this crowd, their neighbor pets set out to find them.  Adventure and some wonderful original humor ensues.  Kids are gonna love this and I left the theater smiling, all wariness a think of the past.

THE BFG

THE BFG:  Take a book by Roald Dahl,  add a helping of Steven Spielberg, a splash of Disney enchantment, a brilliant motion-capture performance by Academy Award winner Mark Rylance  and you have the makings of an all-time classic.  And while it has all of that going for it, it sadly falls short a bit. Just a bit.  Perhaps it is just TOO nice, which is certainly not the fault of  newcomer Ruby Barnhill who portrays 10-year old Sophie, the kidnapping victim of the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) She is snatched because she has seen the giant and he is afraid she will tell the world.  At any rate, it is worth a visit and technically it is flawless, in scene after scene whether the giant is capturing dreams or simply cloaking himself to blend in with the scenery of nighttime London.  It's cinema magic. . I must mention there are other giants in the land with names like Bloodbottler, Butcherboy and Fleshlumpeater.  As you can imagine they are not so nice and always on the lookout  for a tasty meal of "Human Beans." All of which is essential to the plot, a plot that even involves the Queen of England (a wonderful Penelope Wilton from"Downton Abbey) and a comical scene that rivals "Blazing Saddles" in the flatulence department.  While I think, younger children will be bored with all of this, older ones will be thrilled as was I.  Enchantment can be gigantic.

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN:   There have been enumerable filmings of the Tarzan saga but this is by far the best. Starring Alexander Skarsgard in the title role, he brings a very nuanced Tarzan to the screen, full of foibles and fears; a Tarzan for today.  There is a lot going on in this rebooting (and it does take its time getting started.) At the outset Tarzan, (now known as John Clayton, the earl of Greystoke) is married to his wife Jane (Margot Robbie, holding her own) and living in England.  An invitation from King  Leopold of Belgium to return to the Congo is rebuffed until an American (Samuel L. Jackson) convinces Tarzan that some atrocities are afoot in his native land and need his attention.  And as the story unfolds, we meet the villain of the piece (Christoph Waltz, at his dependable baddest) as an emissary of the king bent on securing diamonds and Tarzans demise.  When Jane is kidnapped becoming a pawn in the goings-on, Tarzan will have to save her.  So, we are in for adventure, romance, thrilling vistas, and some moral teachings along the way. This film also contains the best animal CGI I have ever seen.  This is real first-rate movie making.   A perfect Summer blockbuster.