It’s the weekend again, and that means Film Focus. Here’s Mike Laidman with what’s new in local theaters.
We were off air last week, and without Film Focus people were probably unsure of what to watch! Well, rest assured, I’m back and ready to share the secrets of cinema with you all.

Now, two weeks ago there wasn’t much going on, then last week exploded with both The Martian and Pan opening.

We’re going to take a look at last week’s The Martian this week, as it really is just that good! Starring Matt Damon and with director Ridley Scott at the helm, it’s a cracking space adventure. And without spoiling too much, there’s a lot of really accurate science within, as well.

The Transporter Refueled opens this week, and is a reboot of the series that really put Jason Statham on the map.

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Mike Laidman

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

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The Transporter Refueled (2015, Camille Delamarre)
A former mercenary takes on a sinister Russian kingpin.

The original Transporter series was energized by star Jason Statham. He isn’t here this time around, and it shows. But before we dive too deep, let’s take a look at what’s going on.

Frank Martin is a former special-ops mercenary, and living a less perilous life now. But when his father pays him a visit, their weekend takes a turn for the worse when Frank is engaged by cunning femme-fatale, Anna, and her three seductive sidekicks to orchestrate the bank heist of the century. Now, Frank must use his covert expertise to outrun a sinister Russian kingpin.

What was supposed to be a proper reboot is instead a handful of decent action sequences, though none living up to what Statham enjoyed before. A predictable plot and silliness abound, making The Transporter Refueled something that should be watched at home on the cheap, if indeed watched at all.

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The Martian (2015, Ridley Scott)
An astronaut is left stranded on Mars after a fierce storm.

The Martian is the story of an astronaut who, during a manned mission to Mars, is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But he has survived, and finds himself stranded and alone on a hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to survive and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

Along with Gravity, Interstellar, and now The Martian, it seems like Hollywood has finally wised up to the fact that a sci-fi film can be stuffed full of real science and still be good! And audiences are lapping it up. Along with these healthy servings of science, The Martian features a great performance from Matt Damon, inspired direction by Ridley Scott, excitement, suspense, even plenty of laughs.

If you are at all inspired by the potential of humans, and interested in the world beyond this tiny pale blue dot we call home, then you’ll undoubtedly like The Martian.