Film Reviews July 24, 2016

Here is a summary of the films reviewed on today's show:

The specter of the original Ghostbusters haunts the remake and the new film isn’t an instant classic. However, the new Ghostbusters does accomplish what it sets out to do: concoct a fun mix of comedy and supernatural action that reintroduces the series to a younger generation.

The BFG has some great looking imagery but it’s just not very entertaining. The movie is unlikely to hold the attention of children or their parents because it fails so fundamentally with its storytelling.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is an acceptable summer comedy. It recalls the “one crazy summer” movies the 1980s and it has many of the same appeals as titles like Caddyshack and The Great Outdoors. Mike and Dave is not nearly as funny as those pictures but it is amusing enough to merit a recommendation.

The Purge: Election Year is a flawed movie but it is also an effective piece of action filmmaking and a relatively smart political allegory. This is something all too rare in the theatrical market place: an entertaining movie that actually has something provocative to say.

Chi-Raq is an uneven picture but its irregularness is key to why it is unique. The film is heavy handed but it also has a sense of humor and the passion of its message and the ambition of its ideas make this an impressive piece of work.

You can find full text of every review in the Sounds of Cinema Review Archive.