The Mummy (2017)

An ancient Egyptian princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

The Mummy (2017)

An ancient Egyptian princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

Thoroughly derivative and superfluous attempt to establish another franchise based on the Universal horror classic (and somehow mistaking zombies for mummies); besides some splashy action and effects there's nothing much to be thrilled about.

State of Play (2009)

When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the congressman, his old college friend.

Solid direction and good cast don't quite make this more than a standard conspiracy thriller; the twist ending disappointingly disavaows any political implications made before.

Maltin**1/2: "Engrossing, well-cast thriller is also a paean to the dying newspaper business - but drops the ball at the finale, which simply isn't satisfying."

The Nice Guys (2016)

In 1970s Los Angeles, a mismatched pair of private eyes investigate a missing girl and the mysterious death of a porn star.

Entertaining, but superficial reimagination of a 70s buddy comedy thriller works well with period detail and Crowe and Gosling surprisingly are up to the task, but the plot is incoherent and not too interesting; Angourie Rice is the true star of the movie playing Gosling's astute daughter.

Man of Steel (2013)

Clark Kent, one of the last of an extinguished race disguised as an unremarkable human, is forced to reveal his identity when Earth is invaded by an army of survivors who threaten to bring the planet to the brink of destruction.

Good variation of the Superman saga thrills with great production and effects and a nicely assembled cast; alas, the final duel gives the term 'collateral damage' a whole new dimension.

Maltin**1/2: "...never quite soars, despite a promising start...the second half of the movie, a nonstop demolition derby that resembles a loud, raucous TRANSFORMERS movie and leaves its characters on the back burner. A good cast, led by the finely chiseled Cavill, can only do so much with this material."

The Water Diviner (2014)

An Australian man travels to Turkey after the Battle of Gallipoli to try and locate his three missing sons.

The movie tells an otherwise heart-wrenching story with great cinematography and a competent cast, but somehow doesn't manage to be as touching as it seeks to be.

Proof of Life (2000)

A woman hires a professional negotiator to obtain the release of her engineer husband, who has been kidnapped by anti-government guerrillas in South America.

Fairly routine thriller that works as actioner, but hardly offers anything beyond that.

Halliwell (no star): "A movie that fails to make an audience care for the people involved, for all its attempts to update Casablanca with its repressed romance and world-weary airs."

Maltin**1/2: "Entertaining if all-too-familiar soap-opera/thriller..."

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.

Old-fashioned seafarer tale is wonderfully produced and manages to enhance the genre with a highly realistic depiction of life on sea including the battles which are quite spectacular.

Halliwell***: "Handsome drama of derring-do on the high seas that brilliantly recreates the horrors of battle, as cannonballs splinter ships and crush limbs, but also finds time for quieter, reflective moments."

Maltin***: "Lavish adaptation...Heavier on atmosphere than on story, but Crowe is an ideal commander, the human element is nicely played, and the physical production is impressive."

Noah (2014)

Noah is chosen by his world's creator to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.

Idiosyncratic, risky and not fully successful artistic attempt to reinterpret the Biblical Flood narrative; it has great visuals, some moving moments and even suspense, but can also be plain silly - not that far advanced to Cecil B. DeMille's movies.

Maltin***: "Inventive expansion of the biblical tale...Disparate elements don't blend seamlessly - the rock creatures, known as Watchers, seem to come from a Ray Harryhausen picture - but there is much to admire. The building of the ark and the coming of the flood are truly impressive. Crowe has never been better, Hopkins adds an unexpected light touch as Methuselah, and Winstone is a formidable villain."