Interstellar

Christopher Nolan has become the most consistent and engaging filmmaker in the business and "Interstellar" is the perfect reflection of that.  In today's world of sequels and reboots, Nolan has been able to coerce studio execs into funding big budget, innovative, and intellectually challenging epics.  This is the latest such film and it's a good one.  Matthew McConaughey stars as an astronaut who must save his family and the human race by trying to find a suitable planet to migrate to in another solar system.  He is great in the film as are the supporting performers including Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, and Michael Caine. The film tackles some heady concepts like interstellar space travel and relativity in a way that is accessible and interesting.  The only misstep is the film's climax which is a bit of a stretch in both concept and execution.  Nevertheless, this is a beautiful and challenging ride that is worthy of your time and money.

Bryce ***
Chase ***
Landon ***1/2
Logan ***

BANGERANG SCORE: ***

Big Hero 6

Due to Disney buying out Marvel some time ago, we figured it's about time for them to release a film based on a Marvel superhero team, right?  With "Big Hero 6," you get just about everything you'd expect from both a Disney film and a Marvel film, and that's a good thing.  This is a beautifully animated and very entertaining watch.  The best aspect of this film is clearly the two leads, especially Baymax.  He's both lovable and absolutely hilarious.  Where it unfortunately falters a little bit is it's narrative.  It's not quite as interesting and resonating as it makes itself out to be, and the rest of the Big Hero 6 team not only takes a backseat, but are rather dull and even annoying at times.  Nonetheless, this is a fine Disney flick that is sure to at least entertain most audiences.  It may not be on the same level as "Tangled" or "Frozen," but it holds it's own just fine.

Bryce **1/2
Chase ***
Landon **1/2
Logan ***

BANGERANG SCORE: **1/2

Draft Day

Kevin Costner returns to the world of sports movies in "Draft Day."  Like 2011's "Moneyball," this film follows the general manager of a professional sports franchise as he wheels and deals his way to a more competitive roster.  While not as good as that film, "Draft Day" does a solid job of giving us a peek behind the curtain of an NFL front office.  The strategy and tactics Costner's character uses to draft the players and trade the picks he wants are really fascinating.  The personal drama of his character is not nearly as interesting.  Jennifer Garner is shoe-horned into the film as a love interest and a subplot involving his mother and dead father is, at times, bizarre.  Even with those underwhelming distractions, this is a worth-while behind-the-scenes look into NFL draft day madness.

Bryce **1/2
Chase ***
Landon ***
Logan **1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: **1/2