"Tomb Raider" Review by Tim Hellman

'TOMB RAIDER': Three Stars (Out of Five)

An action-adventure based on the popular 2013 video game, of the same name (both the game and the film are reboots of earlier hit series). The movie tells of the adventures of Lara Croft, now played by Alicia Vikander, as she struggles to solve the mystery of her father's sudden disappearance, 7-years earlier. The movie costars Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu and Kristin Scott Thomas. It was directed by Roar Uthaug, and it was scripted by Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Alastair Siddons and Evan Daugherty. The film has received mixed reviews from critics, but it's a huge hit at the international Box Office. I thought it was OK.

The story begins seven years after the disappearance of the successful archaeologist Lord Richard Croft (West). His daughter, Lara (Vikander), has still not accepted that he's likely dead, and she's now living a very carefree and wild life. Richard's business partner, Ana Miller (Scott Thomas), bails Lara out of jail, and convinces her to accept her inheritance. Lara reluctantly agrees, and upon doing so, she discovers Richard's last known whereabouts: off the coast of Japan, searching for a mythical tomb. Her fist 'tomb raiding adventure' begins, in search of her missing father.

The movie looks, and sounds, a lot more exciting than it actually is. Vikander is fantastic in the lead, and the visuals are stunning, but the film is still mostly just a bore. At least for me it was, but I'm getting more and more tired of most of Hollywood's big budget 'potential blockbuster' action movies. Some are really good, and I definitely still love a good exciting action flick (I grew-up on them), but this is not one of the especially good ones. Hopefully the first sequel is much better. I do think it's probably just as good as the Angelina Jolie films are though (although I don't remember much about them anymore).

"Jason Bourne" Review by Tim Hellman

'JASON BOURNE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

The fifth installment in the blockbuster spy thriller series, once again starring Matt Damon (as the title character). Damon returns to his most popular role; 9 years after he last played the part (in 'THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM'). Bourne is (once again) on the run from the CIA, after he comes out of hiding to help an old friend. He then searches for more clues, about his mysterious past (which seem to be never ending). Paul Greengrass returned to direct the movie (for the third time), and he also co-wrote the script (for the first time); with his longtime editor Christopher Rouse (a first-time screenwriter). The film costars Alicia Vikander, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Cassel and Julia Stiles (returning to her role for the forth time). The movie is entertaining enough, but it still struggles to live up to it's classic predecessors.

Jason Bourne (Damon), and his former CIA coworker Nicky Parsons (Stiles), have been in hiding for nearly a decade. Bourne has been keeping busy, and paying the bills, by competing in illegal fights (far away from society). Nicky has recently teamed up with a government 'whistle blower', named Christian Dassault (Vinzenz Kiefer). She's also drawn unwanted (deadly) attention to herself, by hacking into classified CIA data; including info on operation Treadstone (the program that she and Bourne were involved in). Bourne also comes out of hiding, to help her. He quickly learns that there's more secret information, about his past, that he doesn't know yet. The director of the CIA (Jones), and his protege (Vikander), desperately try to stop Bourne, from exposing more classified information (that they can't risk getting out).

The movie is (once again) very aptly directed, by Greengrass; his script could have used a little more work though. Damon (once again) makes an awesome action hero; even if he utters almost no dialogue in the entire movie. Vikander is strikingly beautiful (once again), and she gives a scene-stealing performance in it (as well). The movie is definitely entertaining, slightly engaging, and (without a doubt) action-packed. It does feel (somewhat) unnecessary though, and it's definitely not as good as the first three films in the franchise; it is better than 'THE BOURNE LEGACY' (at least) though.