New movies in theaters this week include “Star Trek Beyond,” “Ice Age: Collision Course,” Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie,” and the horror flick “Lights Out.” Let’s take a closer look at the new movies in theaters this week.
STAR TREK BEYOND
Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence | In Theaters 7/22 (2D, IMAX) | Ok for Kids 13+ | Paramount | Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels
“Star Trek Beyond” hits theaters as the franchise celebrates 50 years this year. Yes, 50 years! It doesn’t seem that long ago since William Shatner first donned the Starfleet uniform as commander of the Starship Enterprise. Now Chris Pine is carrying the role into the future, along with Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Karl Urban (Bones), Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Sulu) and Anton Yelchin (Chekov).
In this installment, the story revolves around the Enterprise being attacked by a powerful, unstoppable wave of unknown aliens, leaving the crew stranded on a new planet where they find themselves in conflict with a new ruthless enemy. Which is basically the plot of every Star Trek movie and TV episode, but somehow they manage to make it fresh and new every time. Directed by Justin Lin, this movie also stars Bruce Greenwood, Idris Elba and Sofia Boutella.
ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE
Rated PG for mild rude humor and some action/peril | In Theaters 7/22 | Ok for Kids 6+ | 20th Century Fox | Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels
This installment of the popular franchise finds Scrat STILL on that epic pursuit of the elusive acorn. This time it catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a journey to exotic new lands, encountering a host of colorful new characters along the way.
Directed by Mike Thurmeier, this movie features the voices of returning cast members Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Keke Palmer, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Lopez. Joining the herd are Stephanie Beatriz, Adam DeVine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Jessie J, Nick Offerman, Melissa Rauch, Michael Strahan and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
LIGHTS OUT
Rated PG-13 for terror throughout, violence, including disturbing images, some thematic material and brief drug content | In Theaters 7/22 | Ok for Kids 14+ | New Line/Warner Bros. | Reel Preview: 3 of 5 Reels
From producer James Wan (“The Conjuring”) comes a tale of an unknown terror that lurks in the dark. When Rebecca left home, she thought she left her childhood fears behind. Growing up, she was never really sure of what was and wasn’t real when the lights went out. Now her little brother, Martin, is experiencing the same unexplained and terrifying events that had once tested her sanity and threatened her safety.
A frightening entity with a mysterious attachment to their mother, Sophie, has reemerged. But this time, as Rebecca gets closer to unlocking the truth, there is no denying that all their lives are in danger … once the lights go out. Directed by David F. Sandberg, this thriller stars Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Billy Burke and Maria Bello.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE
Rated R for language, including sexual references and some drug use | In Theaters 7/22 | Ok for Kids 17+ | Fox Searchlight | Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels
Appropriate for their big screen debut, Edina and Patsy (Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley) are still oozing glitz and glamour, living the high life they are accustomed to; shopping, drinking and clubbing their way around London’s trendiest hotspots. Blamed for a major incident at an uber fashionable launch party, they become entangled in a media storm and are relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS – RED CARPET PREMIERE IN MANHATTAN
Fleeing penniless to the glamorous playground of the super-rich, the French Riviera, they hatch a plan to make their escape permanent and live the high life forever more! Directed by Mandie Fletcher, Jennifer Saunders wrote the screenplay for this fun comedy.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Jane Boursaw is the film critic and editor-in-chief of Reel Life With Jane. Images in this feature used courtesy of the studios and distributors.
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