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

The Amazing Spider-Man
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, and Dennis Leary
Synopsis: Way back in 2002, director Sam Raimi launched a “Spider-Man” trilogy with star Tobey Maguire. After a superb sequel in 2004 and a second, less superb, sequel in 2007, the series seemed to have run out of gas. But in Hollywood, everything that is old becomes new again. A mere five years after the last installment of the “Spider-Man” franchise, the world’s favorite web-slinger is back in action with a new cast, new director, and new take on the story. Many of the familiar pieces are still here. Peter Parker still likes taking pictures; he’s still a sort of social outcast; his uncle still dies; and he still inherits these strange powers he doesn’t know what to do with. But the trappings of the series have changed, the origin story has been tweaked, and director Mark Webb puts his own spin on the Spider-Man ethos. All of it comes together nicely, creating the kind of summer blockbuster we’ve come to expect in summer’s most reliable genre — superhero tales. By now, people are familiar with the Spider-Man origin. Raimi did a good job of bringing the Spider-Man legend to life in a trio of films. “The Amazing Spider-Man” doesn’t deviate a lot from the pattern of Raimi’s debut film in 2002, it just focuses on different characters. When Christopher Nolan sought to re-boot the Batman franchise in 2005, he offered a new take on the origin, giving more insight to Bruce Wayne, and offering a previously unseen villain. Webb does something similar with this re-boot of Spiderman. Instead of Mary Jane Watson, Parker’s love interest is Gwen Stacy. Instead of fighting familiar villains played out over the last decade, the film brings in Curt Connors’ The Lizard. It works to use the familiar pieces while creating a new Spider-Man legend and leaving room for future installments. There is some continuity in the writing too. Alvin Sargent, who co-wrote the screenplay for “Spiderman 2” and “Spiderman 3,” worked on the re-boot. He had help from James Vanderbilt and Steve Kloves, who spent the better part of a decade working on another mega franchise, the “Harry Potter” films. That team brings experience with the Spider-Man world, as well as all the trappings needed to form a multi-film franchise. And the new cast works too. Stone was one of the hottest actresses last summer, and she proves a strong choice as Peter Parker’s romantic foil here too. Field, a multiple Oscar winner, adds gravitas to the role of Aunt May, and Garfield does an excellent job in the role of Parker. He adds a unique aspect to the role and seems perfectly at home as the infamous superhero. Webb does a nice job pacing the film. He works hard to add more dynamic, organic touches to the world. There is still plenty of CGI action sequences, but it is the quieter interpersonal moments that help round the film into shape. “The Amazing Spider-Man” does everything you’d expect it to do and paves the way for a new set of adventures with a familiar, popular comic book hero. It’s not hard to imagine seeing a new crop of web-slinging adventures for years to come.
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of action and violence.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Magic Mike

Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Olivia Munn, and Cody Horn

Synopsis: Most people probably don’t think of full-length feature films about male strippers as ideal summer entertainment. That’s probably true. However, director Steven Soderbergh has never shied away from difficult or controversial subject matter. In star Channing Tatum, Soderbergh finds the ideal muse. Young and charismatic, Tatum is talented in the right ways to make this role work, and it draws off his own personal experience, which is a plus. But those that go into this expecting to see something light and fun akin to The Thunder From Down Under on the screen, think again. As always, Soderbergh paces the film in a painstaking manner, drawing out the story slowly. And, as is usually the case with his films, it features flawed characters going through peaks and valleys — OK, mostly valleys — throughout the nearly two-hour run time. This film has been billed and advertised like a fun party movie. The target audience has been mainly women, and that seems to have worked during opening weekend. And there is a certain fun, escapist element to the sequences on the stage. Tatum, as has been evident throughout his career, is a talented dancer and charismatic performer. He puts all those charms into his work on the stage as Magic Mike, sort of coming alive in a new way. Tatum also offers some depth and complexity to Mike during the quiet moments of the film, and shows the tension of his inner persona during Mike’s darker moments. That is the film that Soderbergh is most interested in telling. Much as he did when he shot a film with Adult Film performer Sasha Grey, Soderbergh wants to dig deep into these darker arenas and explore the erosion of the soul that happens for those that get caught up living them. The question just becomes, how much do you want to dwell in that world. For me, when it comes to “Magic Mike,” the answer was not long. Long before Mike figures out the flaws in his lifestyle and the lies he’s telling himself, the audience is aware and ready for some growth. Growth is slow in coming for these characters, and for many it never comes. While there is some note of hopefulness to be taken from Mike’s journey in the film, most of the other characters travel a downward path. They are content in their lifestyles, and unwilling or unable to make any changes. That makes for some truthful viewing, but also for some tough viewing. “Magic Mike” isn’t a hopeful or uplifting film. It’s a grim film that takes a look at people living shallow, unfulfilling lives. One note of praise for Soderbergh is that he doesn’t try to glorify the lifestyle or the people living it, such as was the case in “Rock of Ages.” Instead, he shines a light in these dark corners and lets the events play out in the way you’d expect. “Magic Mike” might be an honest, well-crafted tale, but it doesn’t make it any easier to watch. It’s a long, slow slog through difficult material with characters that you assume will be forever lost. There is doubtless some greater truth meant to be revealed through all this, I’m just not sure what it is.

Rating: R for pervasive sexual content, brief graphic nudity, language and some drug use. Enter with caution.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Moonrise Kingdom

Starring: Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Kara Hayward, and Jared Gilman

Synopsis: Wes Anderson films are an acquired taste. They are wildly inventive, usually quite funny, and something unique. Not everyone loves them. But for those that appreciate his cinematic style and vision, the films are a treat. I have always appreciated Anderson's work, even if I haven't always loved the films. There is something about the ironic style films are put together, the quiet comedic beats, and the way things are slightly unlike real life in the world of his films. They have a magical, beat-poet fairy tale quality to them. That is certainly true of his latest effort, "Moonrise Kingdom," which features some familiar players in unfamiliar roles. Murray is a great comedic talent, and he is at home in this kind of films. McDormand and Willis are equal to the challenge, and equally funny in the film. So, too, is Norton. I've not always been a Norton fan, but I loved what he did in this role. In fact, the whole story has a quirky quality that comes across as nothing short of charming. The real find in this film, however, are Hayward and Gilman. The two young actors have to carry a bulk of the story and slide into the rhythm of Anderon's dialogue and world, and both do exceptional work. The two form the heart of the story and create characters you want to root for. It's fair to say that "Moonrise Kingdom" is the best Wes Anderson film in a few years, and a cinematic treat. It's one of the most enjoyable films of 2012 so far.

Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and smoking.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, July 6 — "Savages"

Friday, July 13 — "Ice Age: Continental Drift"

Friday, July 20 — "The Dark Knight Rises"

Friday, July 27 — "The Watch," "Step Up Revolution"