movies

In the Dark with Melanie Dishman: Put another dime in the jukebox

Taron Egerton in Rocketman

Rocketman

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell

Directed by: Dexter Fletcher

Rated: R

 

Coincidences abound in this fantastical take on the meteoric rise of Elton John despite his many personal struggles. Director Dexter Fletcher recently stepped in to finish “Bohemian Rhapsody,” for which Rami Malek just won the Oscar for his portrayal of another flamboyant rocker, Freddie Mercury. 

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In the Dark - Enjoying this film is no vice

Amy Adams and Christian Bale star in McKay’s ‘Vice’

Adam McKay likes taking those pesky parts of history we tend to forget and turn them into movies lest we forget why we are where we are today. Take “The Big Short” about the house lending meltdown of 2008. We don’t like to remember there were some who sounded the alarm bell about what was happening in plain sight and then it happened, sending the economy spiraling with it. 

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Classic Movie Nights have returned

Classic Movie Nights have returned to the Jefferson Theatre after months of renovations. 

The city of Beaumont welcomed back the popular event with a showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Saturday, Oct. 26. 

Movies begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Various concessions are available and tickets are $5. 

“Frida” will be played Nov. 2 followed by “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on Nov. 9

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World War II drama pits leading men against each other

While this doesn’t have the emotional gut punch of “Munich,” it’s a solid companion piece for similar subject matter in its factual account about the capture of Adolf Eichmann, the SS officer largely responsible for Hitler’s “Final Solution,” which led to the deaths of over 6 million Jews during WWII.

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In the Dark: McKinnon still the best, even when playing second fiddle

Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon in Susanna Fogel's The Spy Who Dumped Me

‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’

Starring: Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon

Directed by: Susanna Fogel

Rated: R

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In the Dark: Here we go again - with love

The stars of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’

Starring: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried

Directed by: Ol Parker

Rated: PG-13

Here we go with the feel-good movie of the summer. It’s a sugary sequel to “Mamma Mia,” which managed to gross over $600 million world-wide in 2008. This second verse is poised to do it again with a lot of talent in front and behind the camera making it all come together for a definite chick flick pleaser.

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In the Dark: Action movie takes The Rock to new heights

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson stars in Skyscraper

‘Skyscraper’

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell

Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Rated: PG-13

Ours is not to question why, but to just sit back and be entertained. As silly and preposterous as this new action film is, it is still highly entertaining, and that’s what summer movies are all about.

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In the Dark: Clear winners and losers as summer heats up

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson stars in Skyscraper

Halfway through the summer movie season, there are clear winners and losers at the box office and with critics. Superheroes and dinosaurs are at the top, but there, is a plethora of movies that have underperformed in what is already a season that has offered less to movie fans.

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In the Dark: Still incredible nearly 15 years later

Incredibles 2 cast photo

‘Incredibles 2’

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed by: Brad Bird

Rated: PG

In the pantheon of animated studios, Pixar remains the best, not only for the high-quality graphics, but for the storylines and characters as well. It’s been almost 15 years since the first “Incredibles” premiered in 2004. It was a huge hit then and outshined such luminaries as “Toy Story 2” and “Shrek.” So my only complaint about this movie is why did it take so long to get here?

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In the Dark: A story of love interrupted and rekindled

Rachel Wesiz, Rachel McAdams and Alessandro Nivola in Disobedience

‘Disobedience’

Starring: Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams

Directed by: Sebastian Lelio

Rated: R

Earlier this year, director Sebastian Lelio’s “A Fantastic Woman” took home the Best Foreign Film Oscar, and he’s in the midst of remaking “Gloria” with Julianne Moore taking on the iconic Gena Rowlands role. Somewhere in between, he managed to direct and write (along with Rebecca Lenkiewicz) this adaptation of Naomi Alderman’s novel.

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