It’s the weekend again, and that means Film Focus. Here’s Mike Laidman with what’s new in local theaters.


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Big things happening this weekend. Big, big things. It’s time for the DC Universe to take off the gloves and take it’s first big swing back at Marvel.

Sure, Wonder Woman did wonderful things earlier this year, but it didn’t have the same weight on its shoulders that Justice League does, as it tries the right the wrongs brought about by both Batman vs. Superman and Suicide Squad.

Then, it’s on to A Family Man, featuring Gerard Butler in his second release in as many months this year.

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Mike Laidman

Welcome to another edition of Film Focus. I’m Mike Laidman.

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Justice League (2017, Zack Snyder)
Batman gathers a group of heroes to take on a great foe.

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of superheroes to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes--Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash - it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

There has been a lot of pressure on Justice League to deliver after what have mostly been sub-par entries by DC, and with Marvel killing it with every new release, it was really seeming like only one universe was getting the treatment it deserved.

Well, it looks like Justice League is going to go a long way towards righting wrongs, and should follow more closely in the footsteps of Wonder Woman’s success.

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A Family Man (2017, Mark Williams)
A headhunter finds his work and family lives clashing.

As the boss of a Chicago-based headhunter prepares to retire, Dane Jensen squares off against his rival to take over the company. But when Dane’s 10-year-old son, Ryan, is diagnosed with cancer, his professional and personal priorities begin to clash.

It’s safe to say that even if you’re not looking for a superhero movie, you’re likely better off seeing Justice League than A Family Man. It’s too formulaic, too contrived, and too cliched to present a viewing experience worthy of its heavy themes.

To be fair, the actors do what they can with the limited writing, but there’s only so much they can wring out of uninspiring words. And there are some truths about corporate greed and absentee parenting buried in there somewhere, but they’re too convoluted, and too predictable, to really matter.