Special effects, cast shine in ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’
For “Transformers: The Last Knight,” the fifth entry in the franchise about monster-trucks-come-to-life, director Michael Bay goes dark, both thematically and visually.
Bay blends in a medieval backstory while also borrowing visuals from brooding superhero movies. The end result is a different kind of “Transformers” but not necessarily a better one. “The Last Knight” is still too long, too loud and too silly. But the cast members (Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Stanley Tucci) are game and the special effects are about as good as it gets. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Also New To VOD and Streaming
Our Souls At Night: Here’s a quiet, moving romance which centers on two Colorado neighbors (Robert Redford, Jane Fonda) who begin a tentative relationship after each of them loses their spouses. She makes the first move, attempting to establish a connection, and maximize the time she has left on earth. Early reviews have hailed the chemistry between long-time co-stars Fonda and Redford as electric. On Netflix
Hero: Fresh from “I’ll See You In My Dreams,” writer/director Brett Haley reteams with Sam Elliott for this finely observed character study of an over-the-hill actor whose cancer diagnosis forces him to re-evaluate his life. He strikes up a tentative romance with a much-younger comic (Laura Prepon), reaches out to his estranged daughter (Krysten Ritter) and looks for a final role to cement his legacy. Shot against the backdrop of Southern California bungalows and beaches, “Hero” is about a man making peace with his past. Like waves lapping the shore, it comes at you peacefully but powerfully. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Girl In The Box: Quakertown native Addison Timlin can credit the acclaimed 2016stunner “Little Sister” with putting her on the map. But she proves she’s no flash in the pan with a harrowing performance in this true-crime thriller about Colleen Stan, a 20-year old hitchhiker who was kidnapped and imprisoned in a wooden box for years by a couple who used her in their S&M fantasies. “Girl In The Box” is occasionally very difficult to watch but Timlin always exudes quiet strength. Even when Colleen isn’t allowed to speak, the actress communicates layers of emotion. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely
Hearts Club Band: One of the first jukebox musicals, this star-studded entry strings together more than 20 Beatles tunes to relate the saga of Billy Shears (Peter Frampton) and his bandmates (the Bee Gees) as they leave their smalltown behind to make it in the big city. Despite the endless supply of great songs, the movie is sabotaged by an inane screenplay which sends Shears and company off to battle mean Mr. Mustard and retrieve magical musical instruments. A few numbers are fun but time has not improved one of the biggest flops of the 1970s. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Modern Family - The Complete Eighth Season: Still funny after all these years, the fivetime-Emmy-winning series once again showcases the household hilarity of the close-knit Dunphy clan (Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson). From a Big Apple adventure to a strip club escapade to Cam’s (Eric Stonestreet) Halloween nightmare to Jay’s (Ed O’Neill ) decision to go into business with Phil (Ty Burrell), the show cooks up plenty of complications for the Dunphys to overcome together. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu Taken - Season One:
Hang on tight for this prequel to the film franchise starring Liam Neeson as the father with “a very particular set of skills.” On the show, Clive Standen stars as the Neeson character, a former Green Beret who becomes obsessed with vengeance after he fails to protect a loved one. Standen is recruited to join the CIA and begins to hone his skill set by taking out scores of thugs. The series won’t make you forget Neeson but action junkies will approve. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
For The Kids
The Magic School Bus Rides Again - Season
1: Ms. Frizzle’s kid sister Fiona (Kate McKinnon) takes the wheel at Walkerville Elementary, leading the class on wild adventures packed with science-fueled fun. All Aboard. On Netflix. Mune - Guardian Of The Moon: In this lovely animated adventure, a little creature named Mune has been selected to be guardian of the moon. When she’s tripped up on the job thanks to a vengeful ex-guardian, she must team up with the swaggering sun guardian as well as a headstrong little girl to rescue the sun and save the world. This fantasy is fast-moving and funny enough to charm the whole family. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Teen Title
Starship Troopers Traitor of Mars: For the latest chapter in the alien-bug-zapping series, Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) and Dizzy Flores (Dina Meyer) are back but its a mixed bag of tricks. Animated for no good reason except so the filmmakers can clog up the plot with even more CGI monsters, “Traitor of Mars” is sadly lacking in the human element. But if you want to see Johnny and his Troopers destroy hordes of giant spiders, this is the movie for you. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu