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

The Purge: Anarchy
Starring: Frank Grillo, Zack Gilford, Kiele Sanchez, and Michael K. Williams
Synopsis: This is the follow-up to the successful film from last summer, "The Purge." This continues the world and the idea introduced in "The Purge." It's set in the future where the New Founding Fathers, in an effort to re-make America, created a night where all crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours. It's a fascinating concept that yields a lot of possible directions in creating a new horror franchise. I doubt this will be the last of these films to make its way to the theater. What I liked about the second film — and chronicled in an earlier blog post — is the way it continues to explore larger social and political themes. This film does that a lot more than the first one, while at the same time delivering all the beats you'd expect from a film like this. The actors do well here, and writer-director James DeMonaco delivers all you'd expect from this kind of movie. This is the rare horror movie that rises above the conventions of the genre, and does it well. I can only hope that the excellent Michael K. Williams has a bigger role in the third film.
Rating: R for strong disturbing violence, and for language. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Sex Tape
Starring: Jason Segel, Cameron Diaz, Ellie Kemper, Rob Corddry, and Rob Lowe
Synopsis: Chemistry is the hardest thing about comedies. It’s the one thing you can’t really fake, and it makes a big different in how the jokes and story land. A good comedy has chemistry between its leads that augments every joke and beat. Bad ones can’t cover up the lack of chemistry. That’s just one of the takeaways from “Sex Tape,” the latest summer comedy. This one features Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz, co-stars of “Bad Teacher,” reunited with their “Bad Teacher” director, Jake Kasdan. The result is possibly the funniest film of the summer. It also continues what’s been a great 2014 for Diaz, who shined in the pre-summer comedy “The Other Woman,” released in April, and again here with Segel in “Sex Tape.” This has been a great summer for over-the-top comedies, and “Sex Tape” might be the best of the lot so far. These kind of films aren’t really about the story. Sure, having an interesting and unique story is important, but it’s not the point. The point is the characters, how they appeal to the audience and how the crazy sequences of events lands. That’s what separates a good comedy from an average, OK or poor one. That’s where “Sex Tape” nails it. The introduction establishes the characters, and their easy rapport together. The film uses the early sequences to drop the hints needed to set up the story as it goes, but it’s also about building the world. Kasdan has a knack for comedies. He previously directed Segel and Diaz in “Bad Teacher,” using their chemistry and natural rapport to elevate a mediocre story. The story and the set up is better here, so he’s able to get more comedy out of it. Segel is a talented performer who has a great feel for this kind of comedy. He and his writing partner, Nicholas Stoller, beefed up the original script for this film, and you can see those touches. He has a great feel for the material, the story and his character, and that shows through his performance. In Diaz, Segel has a great screen partner. They both commit to even the wildest parts of this story, and that really help sells it and bring out the comedy. There are a lot of amusing beats, and the way they play off each other is great. The film has some good supporting players as well. Lowe offers a funny and fun turn as a buttoned up CEO with a wild side, while Rob Corddry and Ellie Kemper add a funny dimension as Annie and Jay’s best friends. Best of all, this is a movie that doesn’t drag out. “Sex Tape” clocks in at 90 minutes, keeping the story moving and the jokes flowing from beginning to end. It’s a wild premise, but the actors make it work and get the most out of it.
Rating: R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, July 25 — "Lucy," "Wish I Was Here," "Hercules"