Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

 

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares for battle with the First Order.

Competently produced and highly entertaining continuation of the Star Wars saga, again proof that the recent productions are superior to the previous trilogies concerning characters and character development, - and diversity; Daisy Ridley's Rey is arguably the series' most agreeable hero.

On rewatching:  Although visually stunning in some sequences, this episode is in fact more generic and less entertaining on a second watch.

King Kong (2005)

In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to the mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with leading lady Ann Darrow.

A remake of a classic movie that is worthy to be compared with the original and adds its own magic with a capable cast, top-of-the art effects and some nice new touches to the famous story

Maltin***1/2: "A rare remake that reinvents the original film while honoring it at the same time. Jackson pulls us into a world of wonder, both on Skull and Manhattan Island, and takes us on a long but thrilling adventure that's hard to beat."

Mowgli (2018)

A human child raised by wolves must face off against a menacing tiger named Shere Khan, as well as his own origins.

Quite similar to Disney's 2016 version in making and style, combining excellent CGI animation with performing actors, this adaptation is much darker and tougher in tone with a more complex, if not confusing plot.

Black Panther (2018)

T'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.

Although it grandly delivers all the goods of a superhero comic adaptation, the makers even more successfuly create an uplifting African myth and contrast it it with the realities of our current world.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares for battle with the First Order.

Competently produced and highly entertaining continuation of the Star Wars saga, again proof that the recent productions are superior to the previous trilogies concerning characters and character development, - and diversity; Daisy Ridley's Rey is arguably the series' most agreeable hero.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind.

Great final act to the Planet of the Apes trilogy with the usual excellence in production and effects, this time showing obvious political allusions and an unabashed (and welcome) sympathy for the apes.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom.

Fresh and new entry to the series, standard entertainment worth a view.

On renewed viewing: More enjoyable than I remember, has wonderful effects and makes you root for the apes.

Maltin**1/2: "Reinvention of the PLANET OF THE APES starts out so well it seems a shame it winds up like a cheesy monster movie of the 50s, with 21st-century visual effects. Everything we see seems absolutely real, including Caesar, played in performance-capture by Serkis. Screenplay is rife with references to the 1968 movie and its sequels."

Brighton Rock (2010)

In 1964 the enforcer of a Brighton gang, murders a man, who has himself killed the gang leader, then a young waitress who witnessed the gang's activity, to keep an eye on her.

Stylish and wonderfully photographed in a Noir style in some great set pieces the movie can't quite convince with its shoddy hoodlums (you never really see what their actual business is), and the protagonist's motives are hardly comprehensible.

Maltin**: "Sometimes affecting but too often clinical revision of Graham Greene's 1938 novel...Mirren steals the show as the girl's wordly employer. Writer-director Joffe manages to appropriate many film noir tropes but the leading characters are so off-putting it's to no avail."

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

In the wake of a disaster that changed the world, the growing and genetically evolving apes find themselves at a critical point with the human race.

Accurate continuation of the sage with great set pieces and effects, but the story drags along without suspense till the predictable finale finally gets started.

On second viewing: still agree with my first impression; though quite entertaining after all. 

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises as the First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Successful rejuvenation of the Star Wars saga marrying its original antics with a modern view and a great, likable cast of new young heroes.