Now Playing

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

Late Night
Starring: Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow, Hugh Dancy, and Reid Scott
Synopsis: This comedy got a limited run beginning June 7 and expanded nationwide last week. It's a comedy starring Thompson and Kaling, and written by Kaling set in the world of late night TV. This seems like a winning combination, and summer is usually a time when comedies soar. But this one didn't in terms of Box Office. Likely that's because it's not what you're expecting. Kaling was a writer and producer on "The Office," and then went on to create and star in "The Mindy Project." Based on those, you'd be forgiven for going into this film expecting a certain kind of style. This movie doesn't feel like those shows, and that might throw some folks off. In addition, it's a bit more of an understated kind of comedy, and not the sort of style you usually expect to see from the more over-the-top fare released during the summer. That being said, Kaling is a good storyteller, writer and performer, and she brings all that to "Late Night." This is a strong cast, and a good showcase for Emma Thompson in the lead. This was a movie that didn't go who I expected, and that ended up still being a treat. If you're expecting some big laughs, this probably won't have it. But if you're looking for a delightful and well-acted story, this is one of the better offerings in a Spring and Summer that has often under whelmed.
Rating: R for language throughout and some sexual references
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Men in Black: International
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kumail Nanjiani, and Rafe Spall
Synopsis: This latest sequel to "Men in Black" comes seven years after "Men in Black III," and is a re-boot of the franchise. It got a plum summer spot, and being headlined by Hemsworth and Thompson seemed promising. After all, the pair were great at bringing comedy and action drama to the screen in "Thor: Ragnarok." So I was hoping to see that with "Men in Black," a franchise that could use a shot in the arm. Instead, what we get from this film written by Matt Holloway and Art Marcum, and directed by F. Gary Gray, is a by the numbers action blockbuster. It has stars and an easy-to-follow story. It has potential, but never tries too hard to be original or creative. The shame of it is with the talented leads and format, there was great potential for some humor and indelible characters. Sadly, we don't get that here. This, much like the rest of what we've seen since the beginning of May, feels like a paint by numbers summer blockbuster. It's there. It's entertaining enough, but it's not memorable or compelling.
Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi action, some language and suggestive material.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Murder Mystery
Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Luke Evans
About: This comedy from Netflix features Sandler and Aniston as a married couple that are looking to get that spark. So on their 15th anniversary, they decide to head to Europe. Along the way they meet a rich bachelor (Evans) who invites them on a special yacht trip. There things go off the rails, and they soon find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery where they appear to be the prime suspects. And hilarity ensues, or at least that's the hope. It's been eight years since Sandler and Aniston shared the screen in "Just Go With It," and where that movie had some originality and charm, this one seems to borrow from cliches and better films. It's not that it's bad, but rather that it feels dull and predictable. The jokes are telegraphed, as is most of the plot. And the characters aren't that robust or interesting, while the performances feel like people just playing out the string. This is fine, and likely gives about 90 minutes of summer diversion, but it's hardly the kind of original programming that's going to give Netflix a leg up.
Rating:  PG-13 for violence/bloody images, crude sexual content, and language.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, June 21: "Child's Play," "Toy Story 4," "Anna"
Friday, June 28: "Yesterday," "Annabelle Comes Home"