Star Trek: Beyond, 3.5 Stars

Chris Pine

I like most things Star Trek. This movie joins that list.  The story is wall-to-wall action, a little long, and only has one occasion when I couldn't figure out how Uhura and Sulu got to where they now were. The music continues to haunt. But the film has some dark scenes of violence that do not add to, and in fact detract from, the overall product.

The cast is (suitably) led by an excellent performance by Chris Pine (has he had substantive acting lessons since The Princess Diaries 2?) and also a surprisingly strong Sofia Boutella (Kingsman), who is rumoured to be joining the ongoing cast. Zachary Quinto (ST series) still fails to inspire (sorry Joss!). Karl Urban (Lord of the Rings) is delightfully dry and Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible series) shows a little more acting range and also co-wrote a pretty fine script. The late Anton Yelchin (ST) had started to develop his character well.

I'd see it again, probably more than once.

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, 2.5 Stars

Kristen Wiig

Well, it's Ghostbusters.

They do a nice job, keep it moving and it's an okay story.

The four key actors are wide-ranging in likability, talent and what they deliver: Melissa McCarthy (Spy) plays her usual role; I like Kristen Wiig (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) but either her role is badly written or she delivers it poorly (or both); Leslie Jones (with whom I'm not familiar) wasn't notable; but the pleasant surprise for me was Kate McKinnon (again whom I don't know) - she delivers her lines and plays her role with panache and is fun to watch.

I don't think I'd see it again and recommend that you wait til it's a rental.

EDITOR'S NOTE: About an hour after posting this, my daughter asked that the following be added:

***DO NOT wait for rental, since this movie was protested by Men's Rights Activists for the mere fact that the film is led by women.When a movie led by women tanks at the box office, studios see it as a sign that women can't carry a film. When a movie led by men tanks, they just consider it the occasional box office bomb.

It is also worth noting that sociological studies show that while women are fairly consistent in their reviews of films, regardless of the gender, race, or sexuality of the stars; men are more likely to give unfavourable reviews to films in which they do not see themselves properly represented (because God Forbid a film isn't about a straight white dude).

This becomes hugely problematic for the Hollywood ecosystem, as 80% of critics are men, so most people see unfavourable reviews for films led by anyone other than white men: whether it's women, people of colour, differently abled people, or members of the LGBT community. These less favourable reviews undeniably impact the box office.

But let's make another Mission Impossible movie where Tom Cruise runs a lot. Or another Bourne movie where Matt Damon punches people a lot.

My suggestion: if you really can't handle watching women kick ghost ass for a couple of hours, pay for the Ghostbusters ticket anyway and then sneak into the Star Trek theatre. 

The glass ceiling is thick. 

The Legend of Tarzan, 3 Stars

Alexander Skarsgard

I liked this movie (but it could have had less violence).

I grew up watching Johnny Weismuller (who apparently did 12 Tarzan films in the 1930's & 40's)*, so I'm a fan of the overall concept.  Alexander Skarsgard (whom I'm not familiar with) does an acceptable job in the lead role and Margot Robbie (About Time) is good as Jane. Samuel L. Jackson (the Marvel series) is very good providing some comic relief and Christoph Waltz (Spectre) is excellent as the dislikable villain.

The Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) is very well done and provides many animal scenes that support the legend. It was also enjoyable watching Tarzan swinging on the vines.

* (I'm not THAT old...)

Love & Friendship, 2 Stars

Kate Beckinsale

Well, the critics loved this and you might.  I didn't.

The story felt long and it was confusing trying to keep track of who was whom. I'm still not sure that Kate Beckinsale (Remember the Titans) can act and I didn't find the rest of the cast memorable. I included an extra 1/2 star for the beauty of the locations and the costumes.

If you liked Barry Lyndon (1975), you'll probably like this.  I didn't.