It’s been 36 years since Tom Cruise first scrambled his jets in the action blockbuster “Top Gun.” The long-gestating sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” has finally arrived and, happily, these Navy pilots nearly reach mach 10. But, as Maverick says, “You don’t have time to think up there. You think, you’re dead.” Good advice for the audience, too. There are too many absurdities in the testosterone-fueled script, so just let them go and enjoy the amazing aerial stunt work. You’ll feel the need, the need for speed.
Fans of the Fox animated sitcom “Bob’s Burgers” may already be tuned in to the show’s goofy, offbeat sense of humor. Newbies, however, may find the feature-film musical comedy “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” to be low on calories. The family tries to solve a murder mystery while keeping their struggling business afloat. This is the sort of thing that works best in half-hour increments.
Strong performances from Haley Lu Richardson and Owen Teague propel the involving family drama, “Montana Story.” They play estranged siblings who, after not seeing one another for seven years, return to their family’s ranch in Montana when their abusive father falls into a coma. The reasons for the tensions between them gradually become apparent as they struggle with their grief and conflicted feelings. “Montana Story” is a smart, credible, and ultimately moving interpersonal drama.
“The Dreams of Rene Sendam” is a locally shot experimental film from Lawrence writer/director Joshua Nathan, now available on VOD. A troubled man’s dreams…or nightmares…complicate his personal relationships. While it doesn’t all work and is a bit too ambiguous for its own good, the extremely adult unrated drama “The Dreams of Rene Sendam” gets points for sheer ambition.