THE MUMMY 3D

THE MUMMY 3D:  Yes, it's another reboot (or re-imagining) of this classic monster pic.  This time we have Tom Cruise as the star and the mummy is a woman.  While most of the earlier genre tended toward chills and scares, this fits firmly into the action/adventure slot, perhaps because Mr. Cruise was on board. (Can you say "Mission Impossible: The Mummy"?) At any rate, it does have that going for it along with a few jolts and the supporting cast is talented and easy on the eyes.  Unfortunately, the narrative is so farfetched that it borders on the ridiculous. (We have Russell Crowe playing a character called Jekyll who ultimately turns into Hyde.)  It all becomes just a bit too much.
This is the first in a series of planned reboots of monster flicks under the "Dark Universe" banner from Universal Pictures.  (The Creature From the Black Lagoon, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man and The Invisible Man are in store) Let's hope they do better next time around. Where is Boris Karloff when you need him!

WONDER WOMAN

WONDER WOMAN:  Part Greek mythology, part "Raiders of the Lost Ark," Gal Gadot plays the title role in this telling of how it all began.  She started out as Diana, Princess of the Amazons, trained to be a warrior.  Upon rescuing a crashed American pilot, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), she learns of the conflict (WWI) in the outside world far from her island paradise. Determined that it is the work of one of the Gods, she convinced Steve to take her with him and we soon find them in London and then the trenches of Belgium.  And the story unfolds. The two stars have a likeable chemistry and at times the film almost seems like a "screw-ball" comedy of the 30's (which is not a bad thing.)  The banter between them is fresh and new but too far and few between. One of the faults of this outing is the length (2 hrs, 21 mins) It could have use a merciless editor to pick up the pace.
The performances are fine (a nice ensemble of character actors fills out the cast) and there is the requisite orgy of CGI effects in the last battle scene but, all in all, it turns out to be just another in the long line of super-hero flicks.  Hey,  Summer is coming and there will be more.  I will also say that young viewers will have a little trouble following the plot so best take them to something else.   For fans of the genre, this will do, for now.   And Wonder Woman will be back in "The Justice League" this November.

PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES 3D

PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES 3D: The fifth and perhaps final installment in this franchise, (although there is a hint of another, if you stay through the credits) finds our "hero" in hot water once again (although the water is decidedly cold and salty).   Johnny Depp continues to amaze and amuse in this outing as Captain Jack Sparrow, this time pitted against the ghost of an old nemesis, the evil Captain Salazar played with relish and gusto by the wonderful Javier Bardem.  And of course, Geoffrey Rush is along for the ride, still being cantankerous.  That being said, the film has none of the brio of some previous installments although it tries not to sink.  Along the way there are a couple of brilliant bits...(a rotating guillotine is fun) and there is a subplot about the son of the Orland Bloom character from the first film, trying to remove the curse on his father that has doomed him to the "flying Dutchman."  If all of this seems rather convoluted, it is and it is rather long as well. Fans will love it but at times, it seemed that Mr. Depp was relying too much on earlier sthitck.  I will give you one spoiler alert......Paul McCartney makes a brief appearance as Uncle Jack.  (I tell you this because I think it's more fun to know it is him than to see his name go by in the crawl at the end.)   I chose the 3D format to enhance the ride...and I must say good old CGI didn't let me down.... I fact, some  of the film would be banal were it not for that extra dimension.  So see it, if you wish....but the first one is still the best!  Rent it instead.

SNATCHED

SNATCHED:  Touted as a film for the Mother's Day weekend, this bit of froth stars Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn as mother and daughter.  When she is dumped by her boyfriend on the eve of their planned vacation, Emily (Schumer) persuades her mother Linda (Hawn) to accompany her on a South American jaunt.  The two, being polar opposites, soon find themselves at odds and knee-deep in adventure.  Yes, kidnapping is involved (thus, the title.) In lesser roles, but memorable, we have the wonderful Wanda Sykes, along with Joan Cusack (with not a word spoken) and Christopher Meloni both filling their own funny shoes.  While the dialog is crude at times and may offend some, you will still laugh. There is also a bit of comic bloodshed.  I did think it tried a little too hard to pull at your heart strings toward the end.....but hey, it's meant for Mother's day.  So there had to be a happy ending.

THE DINNER

THE DINNER:  Billed as a psychological drama, it is certainly that and then some.  Richard Gere plays Stan Lohman, a popular congressman running for governor.  He and his wife Katelyn (Rebecca Hall) invite his estranged younger brother, Paul (Steve Coogan) and his wife Claire (Laura Linney) to join them for dinner at a fashionable restaurant and so the stage is set for a tense evening.  While the two brothers are virtually strangers to each other, their 16 year old sons are friends and throughout the evening (in a series of flashbacks) we learn that the teens have committed a horrible crime, a crime only known to some of the parents.  While this film is a bit hard to follow at times (as well as hard to take), it is worth the visit only for the master class in acting given by this cast.  This may not suit every taste in cinema, but I found it fascination although I will say, I though the ending was rather abrupt and equally unsatisfying.  Still, all in all, I'm glad I saw it (the food served at this dinner is beautiful to behold) and the film offers a king-size portion of food for thought .

THE CIRCLE

THE CIRCLE:  This modern day "thriller" stars Emma Watson as a young woman who seems headed for success when she lands a job at a high tech company called 'The Circle.'  With encouragement from her boss (Tom Hanks) she rises in the ranks but soon (well, not too soon) discovers  a nefarious agenda afoot.  In retrospect, this film has "Big Brother is Watching you" written all over it...And that's okay, BUT, it is tedious at times i.e. downright boring. Ms Watson continues to grow as a young leading lady with a bright future and Hanks plays with (and against) type in a small but pivotal role. If I had to sum this film up in one word.... Upsetting.  It makes you think about the future of cyberspace and how it can be used...Or is it already being used?  I'll have to ponder this one for a while.  It was a real love/hate experience.

BORN IN CHINA

BORN IN CHINA:  First of all, I am a sucker for a good nature documentary and when it's done by Disney, I'm in heaven.  This latest offering (they always come out on Earth Day) doesn't disappoint in the least. This is a visually stunning look at three animal family in the China that you and I may never see. From the frigid mountains of the snow leopard to the bamboo forest of the panda and the golden monkey, this is mesmerizing. It is funny.  It is sad.  It is thrilling. And we follow them through all of the seasons and see what hardships and joys these animals experience.  Along the way we meet all sorts of other creatures...elk, cranes, villainous wolves and birds and even a butterfly or two. While it is not the best of this Disney series (Next year..."Dolphins") it will hold your interest for the beauty of the landscape, not to mention a baby panda who  keeps falling down.... And  Kudos to John Krasinski for his wonderful narrative skills.  He helps to make the film what it is.....A joy!