“The Wolverine” (PG-13) **** This action film has everything: talons that emerge from knuckles; instant healing (for a while); Hugh Jackman shirtless and ripped; martial arts fights between humans, whatever Jackman is and even a transformer; and especially the screen…
Mike at the Movies
Mike at the Movies
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“Despicable Me 2” (PG) **** Watching this franchise without laughing is a wasted enterprise. There are just too many charming parts for it to escape causing laughter and smiles. Steve Carell as Gru and Kirsten Wiig as Lucy, the rookie…
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“The Heat” (R) **** Finally, a summer comedy that’s actually funny. Going in, with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, you know the chances are good for some laughs and, though it starts slowly, the pace quickens, the gags multiply and…
Mike at the Movies
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“Mud” (PG-13) **** Everyone involved with this film played it straight: no gimmicks, no out-of-character surprises, no phony emotional rants or pulls at heartstrings for effect. Just good, old-fashioned honest drama with a core theme that still resonates: romance vs.…
Mike at the Movies
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“Star Trek Into Darkness” (PG-13) ★★★★ Most viewers of this movie may recall that it is, like other recent Star Trek films, a prequel. Spock, Kirk, Sulu and Scotty are all much younger than when we first came to know…
Mike at the Movies
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“The Great Gatsby” (PG-13) ***** The novel is short, the movie is long, but the film does what it is supposed to do and more. It tells the complex story of Jay Gatsby and adds depth and context to it…
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“The Sapphires” (PG-13) **** It’s the usual girl singers’ story: Get together at a local hall, be heard, get recruited for something bigger and hit the big time. The difference in this film is that the girls are all Australian…
Mike at the Movies
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“Olympus Has Fallen” (R) *** For those of you who love the capital city, stay at home because a lot of D.C. gets destroyed in this thriller. The targets are the White House and the president of the United States,…
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“Dead Man Down” (R) *** Revenge is not necessarily sweet. As someone in this film remarks, “You’ve found that, when it’s over, it won’t mend your heart.” Everybody in this decent revenge film wants revenge: Victor (Colin Farrell), Beatrice (Noomi…
Mike at the Movies
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“Quartet” (PG-13) ***** Hey, kids! Ignore the fact that all the cast members are over 80 and the setting is a retirement home for musicians. This movie is not a drag. Allow your folks to take you to this great…