It’s the weekend again, and that means Film Focus. Here’s Mike Laidman with what’s new in local theaters.
This week, the cult classic Ghostbusters makes a controversial comeback with an all new cast, and then next week, it’s time for some serious action as Jason Statham steps back into his role in Mechanic: Resurrection.


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Mike Laidman

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

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Ghostbusters (2016, Paul Feig)
Paranormal enthusiasts band together to stop a ghostly threat.

Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of new characters - one of the most controversial movie moves in years, in fact.

It’s been over thirty years since the original Ghostbusters took the world by storm, and now we finally have a fresh take to the supernatural comedy. Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth bring their power to the silver screen, ready to save the world following a ghost invasion of Manhattan.

Despite the uproar and cries of disappointment from many following the revealing of the female cast, there is, and never was, anything to worry about.

Even if the movie can’t help but pale somewhat in comparison to the classic original, it does a very impressive job of standing on its own. If you enjoy a good comedy, and aren’t afraid of some wacky ghosts, then Ghostbusters is your ticket to a fun night out.

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Mechanic: Resurrection (2016, Dennis Gansel)
Arthur Bishop travels the globe to complete 3 assassinations.

Next week, Jason Statham is back as Arthur Bishop in the sequel to 2011’s The Mechanic.

The most dangerous hitman in the world, Bishop thought he had put his murderous past behind him when his most formidable foe kidnaps the love of his life. Now he is forced to travel the globe to complete three impossible assassinations, and do what he does best - make them look like accidents.

The Mechanic was a showcase for Statham’s incredible action skills, but was short on plot and riddled with action-movie cliches. Thus far, things are looking pretty much the same for the sequel. This is the sort of movie where you check your brain at the door and just enjoy the stunts. But at the tail end of summer, sometimes you just can’t ask for much more. More substantial fare is right around the corner.