Ad Astra

A contemplative space adventure. See, here's the problem with a contemplative space adventure: it tends to be a lot of thinking, not much action--so when the action finally does come, the viewer has been lulled, if not to sleep, then at least into a state of quiescence that leaves him somewhat indifferent to the proceedings. That's a problem for any movie, let alone a big-budget space show like this one. It's all rather grim, which is not necessarily something that makes for an automatically bad movie, but is something that requires some extraordinary effort, some extra special part of the presentation to redeem that grimness. That never really shows up here. Instead, you just get Brad Pitt showing his age, Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland really showing their ages, a putative co-star (Liv
Tyler) who's barely there throughout, and a long, slow journey that ends mostly in disappointment (not to mention a bit of spaceflight absurdity). The trip to these stars simply does not shine.

Space Cowboys

I guess it's OK if the geezers get to go for a ride once in a while. It's all very predictable, but Eastwood, Jones, Garner, and Sutherland deliver performances you expect from seasoned professionals. If you've got nothing else to do, you could sit down and watch this one and not feel like the time's been wasted.

Mumford

Nice, quirky little story of a small-town psychologist who isn't exactly what he seems to be. Amusing and momentarily poignant. And it makes a pretty good case that psychotherapy isn't all it's cracked up to be, either.

Enemy Of The State

Surprisingly good. Lots of fun, and perhaps the first movie where Will Smith really made a case for himself as a true movie star.