Movie Review: Star Trek Beyond (2016) *Just Beyond Mediocre*

Star Trek: Beyond is the 13^th film to spin out of Gene Roddenberry’s original series, which began-hard to believe-over 50 years ago.  The film is a change of tone with a new writer in Simon Pegg (who also plays Scotty) and a new director in Fast & the Furious’ Justin Lin taking over for JJ Abrams.  The last installment, 2013’s Star Trek: Into Darkness, was deeply divisive, but Beyond came out in the back half of a deeply disappointing summer to fairly good reviews and did well enough that a fourth installment with Chris Pine & Zachary Quinto’s new crew is already scheduled.  Despite all that, this was the first Star Trek film I didn’t see in the theaters on opening weekend since Star Trek VI.  I didn’t see it in the theaters at all.  I never felt excited by anything I’d seen.  The first trailer, featuring the Beastie Boys “Sabotage” blaring over what looked nothing like Trek really put me off (though if I knew the song was going to be a major plot point I probably would still be putting off seeing the film).  Mild spoilers below.

Pete’s Dragon Blu Ray Release Date and Special Features

Walt Disney Home Entertainment has announced the Blu-ray release of director David Lowery’s Pete’s Dragon (2016), a reimagining of Disney’s cherished 2012 original that centers on an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon. The new family film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Oona Laurence and Isiah Whitlock Jr., and arrives on Blu-ray on November 29th.

Families will be captivated by this magical movie followed by never-before-seen bonus features, including a revealing look at director David Lowery’s personal diary kept during the filming of Pete’s Dragon, the design process behind the lovable dragon Elliot, deleted scenes, a tour of the film’s breathtaking production location of New Zealand, audio commentary by filmmakers and actors and hilarious bloopers.

Pete’s Dragon stars Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World) as Grace, a forest ranger in the Pacific Northwest who happens upon 10-year-old Pete, played by Oakes Fegley (This is Where I Leave You). Oona Laurence (Southpaw) is Natalie, the 11-year-old daughter of Jack, a lumber-mill owner played by Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games). Karl Urban (Star Trek) is Jack’s bumbling brother Gavin and Oscar-winner Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) portrays Mr. Meacham, an old wood carver who delights the local children with tales of a fierce dragon.

The film is directed by David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) from a screenplay by Lowery & Toby Halbrooks based on a screenplay by Malcolm Marmorstein and produced by Jim Whitaker, p.g.a. (The Finest Hours), with Barrie M. Osborne (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) serving as executive producer.

Writer/director Lowery reveals, “I look back on childhood as an adventure, and I wanted to capture that on screen in the smallest—but also the biggest—way.” The big—the creation of an irresistible 24-foot tall, green, furry dragon that can breathe fire and turn invisible—is brilliantly tackled by the team at the Academy Award-winning visual effects company Weta Digital (The Hobbit films and The Lord of the Rings trilogy). But it’s the small moments between characters that so beautifully convey the film’s powerful message: the importance of friendship, family and finding one’s place in the world.

Pete’s Dragon is presented in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround. Extras include:

In Theaters This Week (7/22/2016) – Star Trek: Beyond, Lights Out, Ice Age

Each Thursday we look at what is going to be coming out in theaters this weekend, show you the trailers for the big releases, predict the box office winner and just generally give you enough of a carrot to pull you through the rest of the work week.  July 22nd brings the 13th StarTrek installment: Star Trek Beyond, a well-reviewed horror thriller in Lights Out, and the 75th Ice Age movie (it feels like 75, ok?)

Trailer Time: Star Trek Beyond Trailer #4 (2016) *Things Could Get Messy*

Paramount has released the final trailer for Star Trek: Beyond (Star Trek XIII), which will open in theaters this weekend.  Each one of the four trailers has gotten progressively better, so combined with pretty positive reviews, I’m looking forward to spending some more time with Kirk & Co.  As a side not, JJ Abrams (no word on if he’s directing or continuing in a producer role) has confirmed Star Trek XIV will see the return of George Kirk (Chris Hemsworth).  That will be a bit of a trick since he died in the first few minutes of Abram’s reboot.  But, hey, it’s Star Trek.  What’s a little time travel when it’s family?  Star Trek: Beyond opens July 22, 2016.

My Favorite Scene: The Bourne Supremacy (2004) *Moscow Motor Mayhem*

We are now two weeks away from the fifth entry in the Bourne series: Jason Bourne.  The film marks the return of Matt Damon to the title role and director of films two and three: Paul Greengrass.  Most likely, this will be the last Damon Bourne film.  We’re looking at the first three entries in the series in this column leading up to the film (because really why submit yourself to The Bourne Legacy?).  Last week we looked at The Bourne Identity, this week we taken on it’s sequel: 2004′ The Bourne Supremacy.