“A Wrinkle in Time” (Fantasy: 1 hour, 50 minutes)

Starring: Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon

Director: Ava DuVernay

Rated: PG (Thematic elements, brief violence and moments of peril)

 

Movie Review: Based on a children’s series by the same name, “A Wrinkle in Time” is a waste of time. This fantasy boasts nice talents, but the acting is poor. Also, the story is a mediocre adventure.

To find their father, Dr. Jack Murry (Pine), who has been missing for years, Meg (Reid), Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) and their new friend, Calvin O’Keefe (Levi Miller), travel across the universe via the help of three interesting women, Mrs. Which (Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling).

Their mission will be challenging as The It (voice of David Oyelowo) is spreading through the universe. The It is an evil darkness that threatens even Earth.

The fantasy is not the energetic story one would like. It is lackluster material as it is presented by director Ava DuVernay (“Selma,” 2014). The story is only adventurous as a visual-clad movie. It is filled with plenty of computer-generated imagery, but those visuals are not enough to conceal bland acting and uninspiring characters. For those fans of the book by Madeleine L’Engle, this Disney adventure aimed at younger audiences is mild.

Grade: C- (Time one cannot get back.)

“The Strangers: Prey at Night” (Horror: 1 hour, 26 minutes)

Starring: Christina Hendricks, Bailee Madison, Martin Henderson and Lewis Pullman

Director: Johannes Roberts

Rated: R (Violence and terror throughout, gore and profanity)

 

Movie Review: “The Strangers” is a less than convincing tale.

For example, two teens go for a walk in a countryside camping area in the dark without their mobile phones. Most teens can barely go a restroom without their phones or watch a movie.

It is difficult to believe they and their parents would not have their cellular phones handy during a dangerous moment.

Mike (Henderson), Cindy (Hendricks) and their children, Luke (Pullman) and Kinsey (Madison), take a family trip to their aunt and uncle’s secluded, countryside trailer park. The family plans to spend some quality time with each other.

Their plans are interrupted by a visit from masked psychopaths.

The movie is appealing because it presents characters who appear authentic. They stay in a place that also appears real. They are a family vacationing in a mobile home park. The setting is unusual for horror, which mostly takes place in mansions or spacious homes. There, the screenplay varies from the 2008 “The Strangers” (Bryan Bertino).

That originality aside, the movie does fall prey to the typical slasher movie otherwise. The killers appear to be everywhere, and the plot conveniently creates situations where the players cannot call law-enforcement officials. The year is 2018 and mobile phones are always opportunely neutralized in horrors and thriller.

Grade:C+ (Entertaining, but they prey on your wallet.)

“The Hurricane Heist” (Action/Thriller: 1 hour, 42 minutes)

Starring: Toby Kebbell, Maggie Grace, Ryan Kwanten and Ralph Ineson

Director: Rob Cohen

Rated: PG-13 (Sequences of gun violence, action, destruction, language and some suggestive material)

 

Movie Review: The biggest heist is the money this movie lifts form your wallet. “Hurricane Heist” feels like a lightweight cable feature. The only element missing is flying sharks.

During a massive Category 5 hurricane, thieves, led by Agent Perkins (Ineson), attempt a massive heist. They plan to steal $600 million from a U.S. Department of Treasury facility.

As the hurricane approaches, a Treasury agent Casey (Grace), Meteorologist Dr. Will (Kebbell) and Will’s brother and former Marine, Breeze (Kwanten), make it their goal to stop the heist.

Special and visual effects are plentiful in this movie. They are key to the screenplay’s entire premise, yet they are not convincing. The storm affects characters unevenly. It always kills the bad guys at the most opportune time. Yes, this is convenient, but highly unlikely and illogical.

Grade: C- (A mere tropical depression.)

“Gringo” (Comedy/Crime: 1 hour, 51 minutes)

Starring: David Oyelowo, Joel Edgerton, Charlize Theron and Thandie Newton

Director: Nash Edgerton

Rated: R (Profanity, violence and sexual content)

 

Movie Review: “Gringo” is not half bad, which means it is not half good also. It is a comedy, where the humor works. However, the constant story twists and character shifts make it far from conclusive.

  It is a noir comedy. It is a dark story that features businessman Harold Soyinka (Oyelowo from 2014’s “Selma”) trying to survive in Mexico. He is kidnapped several times and his life is in constant danger. Meanwhile, he hopes his bosses (Edgerton) and Elaine Markinson (Theron) will come to his rescue. Until then, Soyinka sees the best and worst of Mexico.

Oyelowo is known for his dramatic turns. He does a good job with the comedy, but the story is all over the place. The plot twists and shifting alliances are interesting yet too plentiful.

Nash Edgerton directs the cast which includes his brother, Joel Edgerton. The cast provides entertainment, but their story tries too complicatedly to surprise.

Grade: C+ (The gringo provides laughs but his story is complicated.)

“Love, Simon” (Romantic Drama: 1 hour, 50 minutes)

Starring: Nick Ronbinson, Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel

Director: Greg Berlanti

Rated: PG-13 (Profanity, sexual references, thematic elements and violence)

 

Movie Review: “Love, Simon” is easy to love.

It is a romance that works as a drama and a comedy. Despite one’s sexuality, people just want to be happy. This movie makes it easy to be happy for a young man searching for acceptance and love.

Simon Spier (Robinson) is your typical student at Creekwood High. He has a great family, good friends and is relatively liked by all his classmates.

Simon has a major secret. He is gay. He worries about the consequences of coming out to his friends and family.

Simultaneously, he must come to terms with his undisclosed identity.

Nick Robinson plays torment well as Simon. The title character must make the life-changing situation, revealing his sexuality. Robinson plays Simon in a refined, enigmatic manner, one befitting a young man hiding something. The anxiety works to make the feature engaging.

Several cast members score. Logan Miller is a standout as the nerdy Martin, an obnoxious theater geek.

Also, the movie’s drama teacher Ms. Albright, played by Natasha Rothwell, provides plenty of comedy. She steals scenes with her — I am tired of these energetic, misbehaving young people — zestful yet snippy responses.

The movie adds a few comical scenes that appear out of place or are been-there-done-that features. These moments are not a distraction and take away little from the good that is “Love Simon.”

Ultimately, Director Greg Berlanti (“Life as We Know It,” 2010) and writers Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker make Becky Albertalli’s book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” a very entertaining screenplay. It works as a decent comedy for young adults and their families.

“Love, Simon” turns into a feel-good movie about inclusion., where one cheers for Simon.

Grade: B (Simon is easy to love.)