In theaters this week
Published 8:39 am Friday, August 5, 2016
- Jennifer Garner appears in a scene from "Nine Lives."
Can’t decide what to see this weekend?
Bowling Green Daily News film critic Micheal Compton is here to tell you the best – and worst – now playing at your local cineplex.
Bad Moms (B)
A surprising mix of raunch and heart that proved to be a pleasant surprise and is much more enjoyable than the horrendous trailer led me to believe. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Finding Dory (B)
The sequel to “Finding Nemo” isn’t quite up to the original, but still full of wonder with a little bit of heart – even if it starts to get a little repetitive in the third act. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
Ghostbusters (B)
This new incarnation of the beloved 1984 comedy actually works thanks to a script the showcases the talents of its cast and some clever nods to the original.
Is the new “Ghostbusters” on the same level as the original? Certainly not. But it is still a film that stands quite well on its own merits. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party (not reviewed at this time)
(Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
Ice Age: Collision Course (not reviewed at this time)
(Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas)
Jason Bourne (C)
The latest entry in the Bourne franchise feels like it was pieced together with parts taken from better thrillers, a by the numbers excursion that left me very uninterested.
Technically it is a well made film, but that still doesn’t make it very good. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas, Franklin Drive-In)
The Legend of Tarzan (C)
This attempt to tweak some new life into an old tale does have a few things work in its favor, but ultimately it just doesn’t do enough to separate itself from the Tarzan pack – or the summer blockbuster pack. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
Lights Out (C-)
An intriguing idea quickly falls apart in “Lights Out,” the new horror film from David F. Sandberg.
It seems to rely way too much on the horror genre cliche handbook, which ultimately leaves the tension at a minimum when it should have been much more. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Nerve (not reviewed at this time)
(Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas)
Nine Lives (C-)
Kevin Spacey, Christopher Walken and director Barry Sonnenfeld lend their talents to this oddball family movie about an executive turned into a cat to help make him a better person.
Even with all the talent involved this is strictly kitty fare – a film that probably should have went straight to video. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
The Secret Life of Pets (B)
This animated film that builds off the idea of what pets are like when the owners are away. It is a fund film for the whole family, with a fully realized universe that left me with a big smile on my face throughout. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Star Trek Beyond (B-)
The third entry since the 2009 reboot doesn’t quite live up to the lofty standards of the previous two films, but it still manages to be a solid bit of summer escapism that will definitely please the fan base. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Suicide Squad (B-)
Both frustrating and engaging this is a mixed-bag entry into the DC Comics film universe.
It’s overstuffed with a rather conventional villain and story, yet it also manages to build up enough good will thanks to three standout performances from Margot Robbie, Will Smith, and Viola Davis. It’s a step in the right direction for DC but still a long way from being in the Marvel league. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
– For showtimes visit regmovies.com or fandango.com or marqueecinemas.com