'First Purge' opens two days ahead of 'Ant-Man and the Wasp'

MOVIES OPENING FRIDAY

Ant-Man and the Wasp (3-D/2-D)

Another Marvel Comics superhero adventure, set two years after the events of "Captain America, Civil War" and before the events of "Avengers: Infinity War." Scott Lang, aka Ant Man (Pail Rudd), now under house arrest in his modest San Francisco home after the events of "Civil War," is grappling with consequences of his choices as a superhero and a father. Approached by Hope van Dyne, aka Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Lang must once again don the Ant-Man suit and fight alongside Wasp. Their new mission leads to secret revelations from the past, as the dynamic duo finds itself in a battle against a powerful new enemy. Stan Lee, of course, has a cameo. Directed by Peyton Reed, who directed the 2015 "Ant-Man." Also making appearances: Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster, Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet van Dyne (wife of Pym, mother of Hope and the original Wasp), Randall Park as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jimmy Woo, Hannah John-Kamen as criminal Ava Foster/Ghost, Judy Greer as Lang's ex-wife Maggie; Bobby Cannavale as Paxton, the police officer engaged to Maggie; Walter Goggins as low-level criminal Sonny Burch; and Michael Pena as Luis, Lang's former cellmate.

PG-13: Sci-fi action violence -- Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17, Movies 16 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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MOVIES CONTINUING

Adrift

When avid sailors Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin) agree to sail their friends' boat 4,000 miles across the Pacific to California in 1983, in exchange for $10,000 and airline tickets home, neither anticipated sailing directly into a hurricane. Tami is knocked unconscious below deck. In the storm's aftermath, she awakens to find their boat in ruins and Richard badly injured and floating among debris. With no hope of rescue and a decreasing food supply, Tami must find the strength and determination to save them both. Stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the couple must navigate to Hawaii with no communication or navigation tools.

PG-13: Injury images, peril, language, brief drug use, partial nudity and thematic elements -- Movies 16.

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Book Club

A comedy about four successful women in their 60s. Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys men with no strings attached. Sharon (Candice Bergen) is still working through her decades-old divorce, and Carol's (Mary Steenburgen) marriage is in a slump after 35 years. The lives of these four lifelong friends are turned upside down after reading British author E.L. James controversial and erotic "Fifty Shades of Grey" for their book club, catapulting them into a series of outrageous life choices.

PG-13: Sex-related material and language — Movies 16.

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Deadpool 2

Kerns rating: Four stars

This sequel may not surpass the 2016 original, introducing Ryan Reynolds as the disguised Wade Wilson, a deeply disturbed and disfigured mutant mercenary with superhuman healing abilities and physical superpowers. But the writing and ensemble work sure comes close. Josh Brolin makes a great Cable, his second super villain this year -- Deadpool even snaps, "Zip it, Thanos" -- and look for a terrific performance by wonderful Zazie Beetz, who, as Domino, redefines "luck" as a superpower. In the midst of opening carnage, Deadpool insists this is a "family movie." Indeed, this time he is a merc with a heart. He initially wants to have a child with Vanessa (again, Morena Baccarin) and, when it becomes clear that won't happen -- and after several unsuccessful suicide attempts -- Deadpool recruits allies (called X-Force) to help him rescue misunderstood, 14-year-old mutant Russell, aka Fire Fist (Julian Dennison, abused at a school for mutants) from time-traveling Cable. Those who liked the original won't abandon ship.

R: Violence and language, sexual references and drug material — Premiere Cinemas, Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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The First Purge

In an effort to push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in an isolated community. They propose a "purge," making legal all crime, including murder, from midnight to noon. However, when the violence of the oppressors meets the rage of the marginalized, the contagion explodes out from the borders of trial cities, and spreads across the nation. This is the fourth "Purge" film, a prequel to "The Purge," 2013; "The Purge: Anarchy," 2014 and "The Purge: Election Year," 2016.

R: Violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use — Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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Gotti

The film, directed by Kevin Connolly, features John Travolta in the title role as it chronicles the three-decade reign of crime boss John Gotti, and his rise as the head of the Gambino organized crime family in New York City. But his life takes a tumultuous turn: tragedy, multiple trials and a prison sentence. Also starring are Spencer Lofranco as his son, John Jr., and Kelly Preston as loyal wife, Victoria. Stacy Keach co-stars as Aniello Dellacroce, the underboss of the Gambino family who mentored Gotti.

R: Graphic violence, strong language and some drug content — Movies 16.

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Hereditary

Kerns rating: Four stars

Director Ari Aster is influenced by a number of classics, most obviously Roman Polanski's 1968 "Rosemary's Baby." He deserves kudos for delivering an increasingly creepy, tension-packed and entertaining tale about a family never given an opportunity to escape its doom. The story is connected via a series of revealing tells, most of which must be kept secret so as not to become spoilers. Anchoring the film is another phenomenal performance by Toni Collette, cast as psychologically tortured artist Annie Graham. The ensemble is wonderful: Milly Shapiro as daughter Charlie, Alex Wolff as son Peter, Gabriel Byrne as husband Steve and Ann Dowd as a somewhat obvious Ruth Gordon-type, helping Annie deal with her grief. Annie reveals early that her recently deceased mother was a secretive, abusive spiritualist. When Steve keeps a grave desecration secret, one expects a return. To his credit, Aster sidesteps expectations, even as he provides strong hints throughout, most ignored by audiences. A character's allergy is foreshadowing, but nothing prepares audiences for that person's fate, or for an unseen, chilling wail the next morning. Annie is an artist reproducing her life in miniature dioramas, the creepiest revealing a non-mother nursing. That, however, is as close as Annie comes to a miniature open house. We do know the dead matriarch took Charlie under her wing, the same child who scissors the head off a dead bird in the school yard. Aster hints at haunted houses and possessive spirits before detouring toward his own supernatural endgame, complete with subtle warnings.

R: Violence, disturbing images, language, drug use and brief graphic nudity -- Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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Incredibles 2 (3-D/2-D)

Kerns rating: Three and one-half stars

Three months after Syndrome's defeat, the Parr family -- Bob/Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson), Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner) and Jack-Jack -- continue operating under their collective superhero identity, The Incredibles. They successfully prevent Underminer from robbing a bank -- but authorities are concerned about the level of damage. So the Super Relocation program is shut down, forcing superheroes to permanently adhere to secret identities. Elastigirl, assumed to be the least destructive, takes part in a publicity stunt to regain the general public's support, only to fall victim to a brain-washing villain. Bob and Lucius Best/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) also are brain-washed, so it will be up to the Parr children to save the day. Brad Bird again directs from his own script, and provides the voice for Edna Mode.

PG: Action sequences and brief mild language -- Premiere Cinemas (includes D-Box), Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (3-D/2-D)

Kerns rating: Three stars

Filmmaker J.A. Bayona is saddled with the most inconsistent installment, the fifth, in the series introduced by Steven Spielberg back in 1993. Three years after the Jurassic World theme park was abandoned -- three years after 2015 film "Jurassic World" -- Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) are convinced to return to the fictitious island of Isla Nublar, near Costa Rica, to rescue remaining dinosaurs from an active volcano. (B.D. Wong and Jeff Goldblum also briefly reprise their roles.) However, even as a contrived opening introduces beasts that are never again seen, audiences learn that a villain plans to profit from the beasts. The film takes its time getting started, with Owen and Claire convinced that rescued dinosaurs can be moved to a new island sanctuary, this time with no gawking visitors. Soon, a truth is revealed. There are some fun dinosaur pursuits and narrow escapes, but the beasts seem to be setting up the next sequel. Regardless, the CGI remains incredible, and that is what dinosaur fans are coming to see. Never mind the secret revealed about one character, and then just dropped from the story.

PG-13: Science-fiction violence and peril -- Premiere Cinemas (includes IMAX and D-Box), Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 (includes XD), Movies 16 (includes XD) and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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Life of the Party

Kerns rating: Two stars

Melissa McCarthy might rethink working with husband Ben Falcone. Their most recent flop ranges between predictable made-for-TV storytelling and a cinematic party pooper. The opening finds Dan (Matt Walsh) wanting a quickie divorce from Deanna (McCarthy) so he can marry Marcie (Julie Bowen), a realtor who convinced him he can sell the family home and keep all  profit because he kept it in his name. (Yeah, right.) Deanna, who dropped out decades ago, opts to return to college. She winds up being daughter Maddie's (Molly Gordon) classmate and sorority sister. Awkward. McCarthy also is quick to engage in sexual liaisons on campus; never mind the age difference. Positives are few: a plot twist and a throw-away line about combined math skills. Blink and you'll miss them. Consider, also, that McCarthy appears to be taking only one class, in which her oral presentation becomes boring slapstick. Parties outnumber classes at this school, and even a pop star's performance is limited to one song, presumably for the soundtrack.

PG-13: Sexual material, drug content and partying — Movies 16.

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Ocean's 8

A heist comedy directed by Gary Ross as a spinoff from Steven Soderbergh's "Oceans's trilogy. It stars Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, estranged sister of Danny Ocean (George Clooney). Inspired by Danny, Debbie devoted her years in prison to planning a huge robbery. Upon her release, she partners with Lou Miller (Cate Blanchett) and, together, they recruit a crew of specialists: Amita (Mindy Kaling), the jeweler; street con Constance (Awkwafina); Tammy (Sarah Paulson), a suburban mom with skills; the hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna); and fashion designer Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter). Debbie's plan is to rob the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala in New York City, and she also has her eyes on a diamond necklace valued at more than $150 million, expected to be worn at the gala by celebrity Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway). Matt Damon and Carl Reiner reprise their roles. Also on screen: 20 more actors, professional tennis players and marquee names in the fashion industry making cameo appearances, including Katie Holmes, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner and fashion journalist Derek Blasberg.

PG-13: Language, drug use and some suggestive content -- Premiere Cinemas, Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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Rampage (3-D/2-D)

Kerns rating: Two stars

Dwayne Johnson has fun transforming science fiction into live action cartoons -- here, fighting a gigantic gorilla (his buddy, George), as well as an enormous wolf and crocodile. On the roof of a skyscraper, he decides to climb into a helicopter with no tail and "glide" down the building amid the rubble to the street when the building is leveled. Emerging, of course, without a scratch. Jeffrey Dean Morgan provides smiles as a southern FBI agent who comes around to Johnson's way of thinking. Feel free to turn off your brain and go with the flow.

PG-13: Violence, action and destruction, brief language and crude gestures — Movies 16 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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Sanju

East Indian biographical film directed by Rajkumar Hirani and starring Ranbir Kapoor as Indian actor Sanjay Dutt. Coming from a family of cinematic legends, Dutt's life is followed through three stages: his drug addiction, love affairs and the phase of his life spent in prison. In Hindi with English subtitles.

Not rated -- Movies 16.

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Sicario: Day of the Soldado

Kerns rating: Four and one-half stars

Returning for this tense and timely sequel are screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, along with co-stars Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro. Stefano Sollima impresses when asked to replace departing director Denis Villeneuve. The brutal action drama opens with the discovery that Mexico's drug cartels have begun smuggling terrorists across the United States border. The CIA assigns Matt Graver (Brolin) and former undercover operative Alejandro Gillick (del Toro) to eliminate the problem. Their strategy finds them kidnapping Isabela Reyes (Isabela Moner), the daughter of a drug cartel kingpin, in a false flag operation designed to increase tensions and incite war between rival cartels. However, the mission goes awry when it is discovered by the Mexican government, prompting Graver to view Reyes as collateral damage and order her death. Tension increases as del Toro's character refuses to kill the hostage he helped kidnap, and a new hunt begins. This is must-see cinema, despite its mildly disappointing ending.

R: Strong violence, bloody images, and language — Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse and Tinseltown 17.

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Solo: A Star Wars Story (3-D/2-D)

Kerns rating: Three and one-half stars

The cast often elevates predictable writing and direction from Ron Howard, who evidently still was re-thinking characters and action while blocking scenes. This cannot measure up to past favorites "The Empire Strikes Back," prequel "Rogue One" or even the recent "Star Wars, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi." Fans will be happier if they just walk in expecting light-hearted action. Really, the only things writer Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jonathan had to pull off were introducing Han to Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian, showing the Millenium Falcon changing hands in a card game and revealing the Falcon making the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs, right?. Alden Ehrenreich grows on viewers as the younger Han, and, while Donald Glover is well cast as Lando, the film does a better job of revealing a friendship develop between Han and Chewie. "Solo"certainly does not rank among the best, but works just fine as popcorn entertainment.

PG-13: Sci-fi action/violence — Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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Superfly

A remake of the 1972 blaxploitation crime drama directed by Gordon Parks Jr., starring Ron O'Neal and best known for the music by Curtis Mayfield. The new film stars Trevor Jackson as Atlanta cocaine dealer Youngblood Priest, who wants to quit after one last job. He plans to double cross personal drug supplier Scatter (Michael Kenneth Williams) and instead work a deal directly with Esai Morales, head of a Mexican cartel. Written by Alex Tse, the film is directed by former videographer Director X.

R: Violence and language, strong sexuality, nudity, and drug content — Tinseltown 17.

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Tag

Kerns rating: Two stars

Five men, friends since age 9, stay young playing a children's game. Never mind the marriages, divorces, romantic regrets or demanding jobs requiring moves. As years pass, the annual game becomes not funnier, but more violent. Players plan vacations, travel cross-country, conceive disguises, commit crimes and suffer injuries, all in hopes of telling an elusive friend, "You're it." First-time director Jeff Tomsic delivers only inconsistent laughs despite a committed cast. Jeremy Renner is considered psychopathic by friends pursuing him. He never has been caught; but his planned May wedding makes him vulnerable in the eyes of best friends he did not even invite. Chasing him are an obsessive Ed Helms with a secret, executive Jon Hamm, lonely stoner Jake Johnson and (standup comic) Hannibal Buress. Providing support: Leslie Bibb as Renner's fiancee, and Isla Bibb as Helms' excessive wife. Their game provides more pain than fun, with butt-punching and broken bones deemed acceptable if leading to a group hug.

R: Language, crude sexual content, drug use and brief nudity -- Premiere Cinemas and Tinseltown 17.

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Uncle Drew

A sports comedy featuring former professional basketball players. Former manager Dax (played by Lil Rey Howery) is desperate to form a team and win the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem. He stumbles upon legendary Uncle Drew (Kyrie Irving) and convinces him to return to the basketball court. A road trip follows as the two try to prove that other older, retired players have not lost necessary skills. Uncle Drew's old squad includes Big Fella (Shaquille O'Neal), now running a martial arts dojo; Preacher (Chris Webber), a church minister; Lights (Reggie Miller), assumed to be legally blind; Boots (Nate Robinson), found in a retirement home; and Betty Lou (Lisa Leslie), Preacher's wife. Making cameos are retired NBA greats Earl Monroe, Chris Mullin, Bill Walton, George Gervin, Steve Nash, David Robinson, Jerry West and Dikembe Mutombo.

PG-13: Suggestive material, language and brief nudity — Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse and Tinseltown 17.

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Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Kerns rating: Four and one-half stars

A documentary about the late Fred Rogers, who died at 74 in 2003. An ordained minister, he was displeased with the way television and TV advertising manipulated children. Despite his lack of television industry experience, he began developing low-budget programs, and his star rose in part because he treated children with respect, never talking down to them. Filmmaker Morgan Neville uses archival recordings and contemporary interviews to examine the life and guiding philosophy of Rogers, remembered as host of popular children's television show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." The film shows Rogers' now famous testimony before a U.S. Senate committee, advocating a need for continued government funding for children's television. One can sense Rogers' nervousness, even as he makes his points. Those curious about the documentary's lack of a G rating discover that Rogers also found it important to use his program to define racism, assassination and the concept of death in ways that children could understand. An honest look at the legacy of a television pioneer whose work enriched generations.

PG-13: Some thematic elements and language — Premiere Cinemas.

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Ratings, from one to five stars, and reviews are by A-J Media film critic William Kerns.