Social/political commentary can be a tricky thing to explore in movies. Done with some skill, horror can be the perfect genre to explore it. They tend to “get away” with more within the safe confines of a genre movie. The first Purge movie was a terrific premise in search of a movie. It was an instant hit, while becoming almost universally hated by audiences who felt they were victims of an elaborate bait and switch. The Purge was basically a home invasion thriller with a cool, sci-fi premise used at times, as little more than window dressing. The Purge: Anarchy blessed …

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X-Men: Days of Future Past is an energetic blast of summer entertainment. Smart,
engaging, and filled with eye-popping action and a surprisingly emotional story,
it’s a superhero movie done right. An all-star cast along with some clever
action and a few nifty new twists makes X-Men the most enjoyable superhero movie
of 2014 so far.

Wolverine (a buff, restrained Hugh Jackman) must go back in time to prevent
Raven/Mystique (alluring mega-star Jennifer Lawrence) from killing mutant-hating
dwarf Bolliver Traak. Her actions bring about the rise of the sentinels and the end
of mankind/mutant kind. The future is one of those desolate …

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Jack Ryan is something of a reboot/prequel to the classic spy movies based on the novels of Tom Clancy and his famous protagonist Jack Ryan. This is a fun no-frills spy thriller with some sleek action scenes and chases and a solid story. The acting is also good with Kenneth Branagh a stand out as a slimy Russian baddie. Branagh also directed and has become quite the accomplished director as well as a tremendous actor. Chris Pine (toning down the smarm from his James T Kirk role in the new Star Trek movies) stars as Ryan. He’s an idealistic young man …

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