Movie Reviews

With ‘Top Five,’ Chris Rock finds his voice — and his niche

In “Top Five,” Chris Rock plays Andre Allen; a comedian fighting to be taken seriously as he enters the next phase of his uber-successful Hollywood career. After launching the lucrative “Hammy the Bear” franchise, Allen is now attempting a dramatic epic about a Haitian slave uprising

‘Dumb and Dumber To’ is really high on stupid, but low on laughs

“Dumb and Dumber To” is a movie that seems to exist solely for those involved. This is a movie that was probably more fun to make than it is to watch, and it’s a bittersweet reminder for those of a certain age that the Clinton years are a long, long time ago.

‘Beyond the Lights’ is a film with a lot to say, but no idea how to say it

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “Beyond the Lights” wants to say something profound about pop stardom and identity, but it winds up mired in melodrama and cliches. There is a palatable chemistry between Mbatha-Raw and Parker, and both leads give strong performances, but the film can’t seem to avoid steering into movie-of-the-week territory.

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Stars:  Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci The challenge for this latest film in the Transformers series is not how it will do

‘Think Like a Man Too’

Stars: Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good, Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson, Romany Malco, Regina Hall, Dennis Haysbert, Terrence Jenkins, La La Anthony Hollywood has

‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’

Stars: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson Rejoice, parents with bored children who are looking for quality enterainment for their restless brood, How

’22 Jump Street’

Stars: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Nick Offerman Jonah Hill’s been on a nationwide apology tour for using a gay slur, so it’ll be

‘Belle’

Slaves had no value as human beings. So one would expect an African-British child born of a white Royal Navy captain who falls in love

‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’

A Million Ways to Die in the West Stars: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried This Western directed by and starring Seth MacFarlane

Angelina Jolie super scary in ‘Maleficent’

Maleficent Stars: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Imelda Staunton Angelina Jolie has the lock on evil. Even her cheekbones seem carved from granite. This

‘Blended’

Blended Stars: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Wendi McLendon-Covery, Terry Crews, Kevin Nealon, Shaquille O’Neal im (Adam Sandler) and Lauren (Drew Barrymore) are a single dad

‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’

Stars: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lawrence The X-Men tap the considerable skills of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to travel