Ant-Man (2015)

Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Nicely entertaining Marvel superhero drama well-made on a somewhat smaller scale than similar projects; it helps, and the star cast seem to be enjoying the fun.

The China Syndrome (1979)

A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.

From memory: Solid, if a bit old-fashioned political thriller; suspenseful with a good ensemble, and it manages to deliver its message.

Halliwell***: "Topical thriller-with-a-moral, absorbingly done in the old style but perhaps in the end a shade too hysterical and self-congratulatory."

Maltin****: "Heartpounding drama...is as much a probe of television news as it is a story of nuclear power - and it scores bullseye on both fronts. There is no music score; story tension propels film by itself, along with solid performances by Fonda...,Douglas, and especially Lemmon as dedicated plant exec."

And So It Goes (2014)

A self-absorbed realtor enlists the help of his neighbor when he's suddenly left in charge of the granddaughter he never knew existed until his estranged son drops her off at his home.

Very light, feelgood family comedy is mainly watchable for the two lead stars' performances.

The Jewel of the Nile (1985)

When Joan Wilder is abducted while on a trip along the Nile, her boyfriend, Jack Colton, and pal Ralph rush to rescue her and retrieve a fabled jewel.

A sequel quite in line with the original and still entertaining, but simply not addings anything new too the formula.

Halliwell*: "Moderate sequel to Romancing the Stone; plenty of action, but dull spots in between." 

Maltin**: "Contrived "high adventure"...can't capture charm of original, because the characters are set - and character change (particularly Turner's) is what made the first movie fun. Some good stunts and funny lines, but it all rings hollow."

Romancing the Stone (1984)

A mousy romance novelist sets off for Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure hunting for treasure with a mercenary rogue.

Lively and entertaining adventure spoof, sparked by some good chemistry between Tuner and Douglas.

Halliwell*: "Spoof adventure thriller which takes too long to get going and then it finds nowhere to go. But commercial..."

Maltin***: "Very likable high-adventure hokum...Silly story never stops moving - with some terrific action and stunts - but it's Turner's enormously appealing performance that really makes the film worthwhile."

Last Vegas (2013)

 

 

Four friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.

 

Likable, but unremarkable comedy, obviously made for its elderly star cast to have an easy ride. 

Maltin**1/2: "Raunchy senior-citizen jokes abound, but some of the gags are pretty funny and the stars seem to be having a good time."

Basic Instinct (1992)

A violent, suspended police detective investigates a brutal murder, in which a manipulative and seductive woman could be involved.

Over-the-top  sex & crime thriller effectively makes you forget the nonsensical plot and creates an overcharged lurid atmosphere, a bit like Vertigo on acid.

Halliwell*: "Overheated, overlong melodramatic thriller with an implausible plot that requires its audience to accept that Michael Douglas is irresistibly attractive to bisexual women. But the skill and pace of the direction makes one regret that they were not exercised on better material."

Maltin***: "In-your-face sex thriller...Audacious, erotic, and larger-than-life - with an ending that falls short of real satisfaction."

Beyond the Reach (2014)

A high-rolling corporate shark and his impoverished young guide play the most dangerous game during a hunting trip in the Mojave Desert.

Effective, modern variation of The Most Dangerous Game has some great landscape photography, and Michael Douglas is good as the Donald Trump-like madman millionaire, but the ending is highly disappointing.

The Sentinel (2006)

A Secret Service agent is framed as the mole in an assassination attempt on the President.

Standard, but professionally made thriller with a good star cast, which manages to maintain suspense to the end.

Maltin**1/2: "Slick action-thriller is lively and entertaining until a crucial moment three-quarters of the way through, when it goes flat and credibility becomes a serious issue."

Solitary Man (2009)

A car magnate watches his personal and professional life hit the skids because of his business and romantic indiscretions.

Basically a well-played and produced tragicomedy (or rather just a touch humour) about a quite unnerving and disagreeable character.

Maltin***: "Provocative character study of a louse, played with charismatic bravado by Douglas, who's surrounded by good actors in similarly three-dimensional roles."