Passengers

Let's get one bias out of the way right now:  I would happily watch a movie in which Jennifer Lawrence sat and read the phone book.  For my taste, she's one of the most talented and appealing young actresses working today.

Add to that the fact that Passengers is an SF film, and I was always going to head to the cinema to catch it.  I also quite like Chris Pratt, so I was triply likely to see and like this one.

Indeed, I did enjoy it, troubling aspects and all.  If you've already read reviews of the film, you probably know its deeply disturbing part.  If not, you'll recognize it when it occurs, and I expect you will be very much troubled by it, as I was.  I'm also not at all sure that I buy Lawrence's character's acceptance of the troubling part.  (Avoiding spoilers is a pain.)

That said, I bought it enough, and enjoyed the rest of the movie enough, that I think it's worth your time and money.  I ended up quite happy to have seen Passengers but also disturbed by it.  

The Magnificent Seven: exactly what I wanted it to be

Good take on the classic plot?  Check.

Denzel Washington being his bad-ass yet ultimately sympathetic self?  Check.

Stunning shots of people on horseback riding across wonderful plains, mountains looming in the background?  Check.

Add a diverse cast, Chris Pratt managing to deliver both comic relief and some intensity when appropriate, and a plucky group of villagers, and you have exactly the movie I had hoped to see.

If you know this story, nothing in the movie will surprise you, but as long as surprises aren't what you're seeking, you'll be happy.  If you aren't familiar with the underlying plot, you probably still won't be surprised, but you will also enjoy the ride.

If you like westerns, this story, or action-packed ensemble flicks, go see The Magnificent Seven.

Jurassic World

is a big fun way to spend two hours provided you check all knowledge of science at the door and never require anyone in the film to behave sensibly.  Seriously.  You have to be willing to jump on this ride and let it work its magic on you.

Really, you go for the dinosaurs.

Nothing about them is quite right:  not the names, not the science, not their behavior, nothing.  Nonetheless, dinosaurs are so inherently awesome that watching them on the big screen is a huge amount of fun.

Chris Pratt turns in a suitably swaggering performance but adds a little sensitivity from time to time; this role will cement his status as a leading man.

Bryce Dallas Howard, the female lead, by contrast, was simply awful, proof (as if we needed it) that the fact that you're pretty has nothing to do with whether you can act.

If you've seen the trailer, you know the plot.  Hell, if you think hard for three seconds, you know the plot.  That doesn't matter.  As I said, you go for the dinosaurs.

I enjoyed the movie, and I recommend it with the huge caveat above.