Spiderman: Homecoming

Fortunately we got the actual origin story as a cameo in Captain America: Civil War so this film jumped in with that out of the way and becomes a "development story". Peter Parker is an over eager hero who just wants to help. He keeps getting brushed off by the big guys (Tony Stark) so he keeps pushing and pushing, until he gets in too deep. The fun part here is all the 2/3 well done stunts (swinging on a web that is just a bit too long so his feet drag on the ground) that show Parker is still learning. He is also not very good at making excuses for his absences, or coming up with the one liners that all superheroes have. He is just an teenager trying to be cool and figure himself out. Because of this ordinary guy portrayal, we really connect with Parker in a way that we never will with Thor or Captain America or Superman or...

4 stars (out of 5)

The Golden Cane Warrior

Indonesian martial arts has a different feel than Chinese or Korean. Here the guru of the Golden Cane house is dying and passes her "birthright" on to one of her students. However, the other students are not so happy. They take over the house and begin the hunt. The true Golden Cane warrior seeks help and trains so that she can restore her house to its original purpose.

3 stars (out of 5)

Baby Driver

Baby is a 20-something kid who has been the getaway driver for Kevin Spacey and his heist crews. Baby has tinnitus from a childhood traumatic event, so always has music playing. In fact, his driving requires a soundtrack to be good. Baby meets a girl, tries to get out of the game, gets pulled back in and has to save the girl. Definitely an action, race film, but also felt a bit like a 90's rom-com with a pinch of noir thrown it. I liked this. Different that everything else out this summer.

4 stars (out of 5)

Swiss Army Man

Weird. Paul Dano is stranded on an island about to die. Dead Danielle Radcliffe washes ashore. The love that Dano shows for a companion brings Radcliffe "back to life". Or rather, the body utilizes some functions to be useful, hence the title. This is well acted, and really a clever storyline. But weird. It is one of those films that has a point to make, but I am not sure what is was. It didn't really make me thinking about my identity, or my values, or life choices, etc., but was strangely entranced as I watched. I suppose I am not sure what to think about this.

4 stars ?? (out of 5)

Heartbreakers

Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt are a mother/daughter con team working on one last score. They are also in competition to show each other that they can manage things solo. Can't tell you how it ends because even I couldn't finish this...

1 star (out of 5)

Midnight Special

Remember The Happening? Sorry. Here a kid has special talent and can hear radio frequency. This entire movie is a road trip taking the kid from his cult upbringing to a field in the Florida panhandle. Surely something must happen along this road trip? No... oh, the kids eyes glow...

1 star (out of 5)

Shooter (Serial)

Apparently I am on a Ryan Phillippe kick. This 10 episode USA Network series reminded me of the plot of Personal by Lee Child, but apparently it is based on Point of Impact by Stephen Hunter. Point being, this seems to be a well worn plot. Bob Lee Swagger is the most decorated sniper in US Marine history. His friend asks him to help prevent an assassination attempt on the president, only to find he has been set up to take the fall for said attempt. Now he is on the run, using all his special training to find the real culprit and clear his name. Oh, and he can't trust anyone. Guilty Pleasure.

3 stars (out of 5)