By Tony Beal

IN THEATERS
Superman
As he comes into his own as a hero, Kal-El faces the struggles of being a symbol for good while staying close to his grounded life.

It’s hard not to like James Gunn’s latest, particularly with how perfectly cast his actors are. Each one finds just the right mix of lovable, cool or hateable personalities that fall right in step with the comic book characters we all remember. The story itself feels like the best version of a mini-comic arc. Following a sort of week-in-the-life structure that’s well balanced with humor and heart. There were times the movie leaned a bit too heavily on humor, partially caused by Gunn’s direction. If I could give it one criticism it would be in Gunn’s vision. This movie begs for more classical and nuanced photography, not the constant movement and over the top camerawork. But, the cast is too enjoyable and the script is exciting enough from both a personal story standpoint & a greater universe standpoint to dislike the film. It’s the first DC attempt since the original Aquaman that feels like it understood the source material while also serving as a good moviegoing experience.

Jurassic World Rebirth
To find a cure for many of the world’s diseases, a group of mercenaries head into a dino-infested island to secure DNA samples while surviving the elements.
Sometimes, you can tell when a movie is made to make a release date while also taking advantage of a popular IP. The screenplay was obviously written quickly based on how padded out the final product is. It includes an entirely useless subplot centered around a family that if you removed from the movie nothing would change. While several major aspects are underused including a new mutant dinosaur that simply seems to come and go. Unfortunately, you can even feel that lack of effort from what should be an amazing cast of actors. Gareth Edwards portrays little to none of his distinct documentary-like nature from his previous movies, likely stemming from the rushed nature of the movie. DP, John Mathieson provides us with some of his most disappointing work of his career. How much can you expect from a script premise that begins with a Snickers’ wrapper. There’s no thought or care to be found in film craft here, just dinosaurs and annoying humans.

F1
A former racing star who never was, is asked to help revive his former teammate’s collapsing Formula One team.

The combination of complex craft and simple storytelling found in Joseph Kosinski’s way of filmmaking is what makes his movies so enjoyable. “F1” is packed with a cast that fill each of their roles perfectly. From Brad Pitt’s zen-like Sonny Hayes to Damson Idris’ arrogant but devoted Joshua and Javier Bardem’s likable but no B.S. Ruben. But of course, this is a racing movie and none of that matters if the track scenes aren’t brilliant. Fortunately for us, Kosinski and DP Claudio Miranda show true artistic prowess with a terrific level of realism that make the audience feel like the characters are flying. There have been many racing movies in the past and the film could have easily come and gone with little more than a sputter in filmography history. Instead we were given a reminder of how something familiar can still feel new in the right hands.

28 Years Later
A young man faces the reality of his infection ridden world to save those he loves.

Danny Boyle & Alex Garland smartly don’t go for a repeat of past plots in the return to the world they made 23 years ago. Rather, they present something of an epic nature versus nurture and coming to terms with death. It’s as tragic as it is thrilling, the duo pull no punches in how sudden things can go sideways regardless of how well you believe you are prepared. Still, like Days, the script asks viewer to see hope in the face of destruction. Alfie Williams is a revelation in a cast filled A-listers that are still giving their all. Finding a balance between innocence and having to grow up too fast. To top it all off, there is some of the most stunning photography of any film I’ve seen this year.

COMING SOON
August 1
The Naked Gun
The Bad Guys 2
Harvest (Limited)

August 8
Weapons
Freakier Friday

August 15
Nobody 2
Americana
Witchboard
Jimmy and Stiggs

August 22
Honey Don’t
Spitsville
Trust
Eden
Grand Prix Of Europe
Ne Zha 2
Afterburn
Highest 2 Lowest (Limited)
Lurker (Limited)

August 29
Caught Stealing
The Toxic Avenger
The Roses
Jaws Re-Release