Step Up: All In - C-

Rated PG-13, 112 minutes

The energetic but clumsy "Step Up: All In" is strictly for its fans

The "Step Up" film franchise began in 2006 with a then-unknown named Channing Tatum, who has since gone on to supestardom, while dance films continue to make money for its happy producers, one of whom is the well-known Adam Shankman of "Hairspray" and "Rock of Ages" fame. "Step Up: All In" is sort of an "all-stars" version in the series, yet much like the previous four installments, the dancing is dazzling, everything in between such as story and characters, are stiffer and clumsier than anything Kate Gosselin or Kirstie Alley could put together on "Dancing With the Stars." All-stars from previous "Step Up" films (including Ryan Guzman from "Step Up Revolution," Briana Evigan from Step Up 2: The Streets and Ryan Sevani as "Moose" who has appeared in all but the first film) come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers. If you're a fan of this film series and maybe a fan of the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance," then you're the one most likely to get a kick out of this film, while the rest of the non-dancing population won't see the appeal. The "Step Up" series in itself is an unlikely film franchise that just won't die, with die-hard fans who tend to come out regardless of when critics like me will likely trash the film. However, these films aren't made for people like me, they're made for the fans, and admittedly, the dance scenes pop with energy and excitement, and it's nice seeing the immensely likable Sevani, who has been this film franchise's saving grace, back in the saddle again. Forget about plot, story, characters and real life because you're likely not to find it here but then that shouldn't matter anyway. As Sevani (Moose) himself says midway through the film: "Does it always have to end in a big dance-off?" Why yes, yes it does, Moose, and "Step Up: All In" has plenty of those big dance-off's, and fans of the "Step Up" series will walk away happy until "Step Up 6: The Final Battle" arrives in a couple of years. If you're a fan of these types of movies, go for it. Otherwise, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is still in wide release.

Wes's Grade: C-

The Hundred-Foot Journey - B

Rated PG, 122 minutes

Charmingly predictable, "Hundred-Foot Journey" is still well-seasoned

Everyone loves a good underdog story, and when paired with delectable food, you seemingly can't go wrong. The plodding but pleasant and well-acted "The Hundred-Foot Journey" should please those looking for a good story, though watch out: it's likely (much like the similarly-themed "Chef") to make you hungry. Hassan Kadam (played by Manish Dayal) and his family are displaced from their native India. They settle in a small French town to open a restaurant, but once the ice-queen proprietress of the French restaurant across the street, Madame Mallory (played by Helen Mirren), catches wind of it, she gives them hell. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom ("Safe Haven," "Choclat"),"The Hundred-Foot Journey" is a charmingly calculated and modestly entertaining story that should appeal to foodies and non-foodies alike. The metaphors between food and life are a little simplistic and obvious (follow your heart, savor the moments etc.), but the film is so darn likable you'll walk away with a big smile and a growling stomach. Oscar-winner Mirren is as usual, stellar, in a surprisingly unsympathetic (and largely supporting, given her place in the ads for the film) role, and the film is ably carried by two unknowns, American TV actor Dayal and lovely French actress Charlotte Le Bon (seen in the recent bio pic "Yves Saint Laurent"), who are enchanting as the two rivals who also become lovers. Lovingly photographed on location in France and energetically scored by Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman of "Slumdog Millionaire" fame, "The Hundred-Foot Journey" is as pleasant and nice as those scrumptious Indian dishes that are whipped up in the film, which are as memorable as any of the performances in the film. You have a sense you know where this "Journey" will end up, but you can still savor the pleasant aroma of the film while it lasts. A predictable but enjoyable late-summer entry at the box-office, just eat before (and perhaps after) you see the movie.

Wes's Grade: B

Magic in the Moonlight - C

Rated PG-13, 97 minutes

Don't be fooled by Woody's latest: the pleasantly thin "Magic in the Moonlight

Prolific and acclaimed filmmaker Woody Allen churns out at least one film a year, and the last couple of years have mostly been magical, with his films "Midnight in Paris" and "Blue Jasmine" taking home Oscars for Allen's script and acting for Cate Blanchett's revelatory performance in "Jasmine." He isn't as lucky with his latest uneven but charming comedy "Magic in the Moonlight," which in spite of its likable performances, feels slight and forced.  Chinese conjuror Wei Ling Soo is a celebrated magician of his age, but real life is Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a grouchy and arrogant Englishman with a sky-high opinion of himself and an aversion to phony spiritualists' claims. On vacation, he tries to fool the alluring young clairvoyant Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) and her mother (Marcia Gay Harden) and the two somehow end up falling love. Directed and written by Allen, "Magic in the Moonlight" lacks the magic and enchantment of "Midnight in Paris" and is one of Allen's lesser efforts in his extensive catalogue. He certainly has a stellar cast to work with, and Oscar-winner Firth is great as the grouchy magician who meets his match in the lovely Stone, who is pleasant but miscast here (she's too young as a romantic interest for Firth). Being a period piece, the classic instrumental score, the sets and the costumes are all impeccable, and Allen continues to amaze technically as a filmmaker. However, the story is thin, uninvolving and only sporadically funny and the pleasant "Magic in the Moonlight," which is part comedy and part semi-fantasy, fails to find satisfaction in a rather paltry climax. I liked it, and while it's not as good or as funny as some of Allen's previous works, even mediocre Allen is still better than many filmmakers today.

Wes's Grade: C

Into the Storm - C

Rated PG-13, 89 minutes

If you enjoy big (CG) storms, then throw yourself "Into the Storm"

Sarah Wayne Callies

Not to disappoint you, but Ian Ziering and those sharks from "Sharknado" do not cameo in the new action storm thriller "Into the Storm," a mildly entertaining "Twister" knockoff updated with the overused "found footage" premise that finds itself in so many movies today, but their presence would've probably made it more fun. The intensity of tornadoes is enjoyable, but everything in between is far less sturdy. In the span of a single day, the midwestern town of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes. The entire town is at the mercy of the erratic and deadly cyclones, even as storm trackers predict the worst is yet to come. Seen through the eyes and lenses of a brave few storm chasers and townspeople, it will show Mother Nature at her worst. Directed by Steven Quale ("Final Destination 5") and written by John Swetnam (writer of another film opening this week, "Step Up: All In"), the  strong CG visuals are palpable as they wreak havoc on the small town, but the cardboard characters and plotting are so weak the tornadoes blow them off course quickly, even with a largely unknown but talented cast: the lovely Sarah Wayne Callies (pictured above), best known from TV's "The Walking Dead" and British actor Richard Armitage from "The Hobbit" movies. The unoriginal storm chaser plot was used to better effect in the flawed but energetic 90's blockbuster "Twister," while the found-footage style premise is just downright annoying and often ridiculous, with a camera always in reach at pivotal moments; it's also rather useless to introduce us to the names of these characters when we don't care much about their lack of common sense (I'm being swept up in a tornado but I still need my camera!) or their inane ability to get that close to the twister and remained mostly unscathed. Thankfully, those huge tornadoes steal the show in "Into the Storm" as they're unleashed in considerable CG fury toward the townspeople, the cameras and the audience, providing much more satisfaction and less contrivance than the dumb story or people who inhabit it. Don't get me wrong, the silly "Sharknado" movies are about as stupid (and in a weird way, a lot of fun) as they get, but at least they don't take themselves as seriously as "Into the Storm" does, whose main lesson for its audience is: as long as you have a camera handy to film it all, everything will be just fine, right? If you're into it, go for it. If not, rent "Twister" for a better storm.

Wes's Grade: C

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - D

The Ninja Turtles are back!

Rated PG-13, 101 minutes

"TMNT" hollow, dumb action movie with Bay's influence

Dude, really. These aren't your Dad's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I don't mean that in a good way. The new action reboot "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is filled with a hollow energy, paint-by-numbers story and characters and is produced by "Transformers" titan Michael Bay, who casts a tall shadow over what has to be one of the dumbest family movies seen in some time. Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O'Neil (Megan Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save the city and unravel Shredder's diabolical plan. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman ("Wrath of the Titans"), this "TMNT," based on the Peter Laird original characters, lacks the spunk of the original series and has been given an earnest muscularity and mindless energy that feels dumbed down for a film geared for the young set; given the amount of pointless violence, it's all rather troubling, but unsurprising given Bay's involvement. Sure, the visuals and action do pop with energy, but outside of that, there's little going for it: an unoriginal story, cardboard characters and third-rate acting, wasting the talents of the lovely Fox, deserving of a Razzie-award nomination for her awful performance here, as well as solid character actor William Fichtner ("Prison Break"), playing a villain here. Worst of all is the generic storytelling an overly earnest tone that leaves it bereft of some the spirit and tongue-in-cheek humor of the original Turtles, which leaves it a shell of its former "TMNT" self. What you will find is Bay's obvious influence: a bad robot, lots of explosions, one real big car chase: in other words, loads of stupidity and a movie taking itself far, far too seriously. The original "TMNT" was all about fun, this "TMNT" seems intent on making considerable noise ala "Transformers" and sadly, many will buy into this. Even with decent box-office returns likely fueled by thirtysomething parents reliving their childhood, "TMNT" only underscores what a weak summer this has been for children's movies. My advice to families: stay home, rent any Pixar film, and you'll find much greater satisfaction than this dreck.

Wes's Grade: D

Guardians of the Galaxy - B

Rated PG-13, 121 minutes

Action-packed "Guardians" a solid thrill ride

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill

The summer of 2014 hasn't been cinematically top-notch, in terms of both quality and box-office, but that may change with the arrival of the latest Marvel Comics film and thrill ride "Guardians of the Galaxy" and a distant cousin to "The Avengers" series. The ambitious film, filled with many characters and plot points that only fans of the comic books will truly understand, to those of us non-comic book fans it's still an enjoyable, often funny ride. "Guardians" is about brash adventurer Peter Quill (a bulked-up Chris Pratt) finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan (Lee Pace), a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits-Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), a gun-toting raccoon, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) to fight against Ronan. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he rally with his new pals to fight for the galaxy's fate. Directed and written by James Gunn ("Slither"), the action-comic-fantasy "Guardians of the Galaxy" may be the film you (and most fan boys) have been waiting for all summer, and might invigorate the rather stale movie box-office as of late. It's a comic-book paradise, but this time filled with some ragtag characters that provide a little levity along this fast-paced ride. Technically speaking, the visuals and action are the most memorable part of the film, and "Guardians" keeps rolling along even if you don't quite understand its comic book source and meaning, and fortunately Gunn also fills with some nice humorous touches to help you forget that. If you're unfamiliar with the "Guardian" stories and characters (as I was), then you're best to not make a big deal of it and just go with it; the ensemble cast, including Pratt, is mostly a treat, with Cooper getting most of the best lines as the talking raccoon, while Diesel's voice is inspired casting as the humanoid tree. However, outside of the "Guardians" group it's less successful, with Pace in particularly lacking power as the chief bad guy, while there are talented actors oddly cast in smallish roles or cameos (Djimon Hounsou, Benicio Del Toro, Glenn Close, John C. Reilly among others) that seem more like stunt casting choices than adding any real value to the film. "Guardians of the Galaxy" is terrific fun for fan boys and non-fan boys alike and it's certainly better than anything related to "Transformers" as of late (I'm looking at you, Michael Bay), though really it's just a warm-up for the next "Avengers" film next summer, which is superior to this film. Still, it's a worthy "Marvel" entry, and worth seeing for one last big box-office hurrah this summer.

Wes's Grade: B

Get On Up - C+

Rated PG-13, 138 minutes

"Get On Up" filled with energy even if skims the surface of Brown's life

Chadwick Boseman as James Brown

"Get On Up" is the new bio film of legendary rock and soul singer James Brown, and much like Brown himself, the movie is flawed but has considerable energy and some good moves. It's a rather tame look and not as substantive as it could've been, though certainly entertaining. The film chronicles the life of Brown (Chadwick Boseman, who also played Jackie Robinson last year in "42") from his rough early childhood in the South to his rise as one of rock's most iconic figures in the 60s and 70s. Directed by Tate Taylor of "The Help" and co-written by brother Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, who penned this summer's Tom Cruise sci-fi movie "Edge of Tomorrow," it's an enjoyable, "warts-and-all" look at a colorful, iconic figure, though it seems to only skim the surface of some of Brown's and some of his problems, including drug use, legal problems and his relationship issues. Boseman is terrific as Brown, capturing Brown's look, energy and mannerisms, though Tate is wise to use Brown's singing voice of much of the film. However, there are a couple of central flaws with "Get on Up," in that it could've used a stronger director than Taylor. Much like Brown himself on stage, the movie jumps around considerably from the different stages of Brown's life, from his childhood to early teens to mid career to late life, and which provides a slightly uneven, shallow focus that doesn't provide enough depth to the movie. Second, and more problematic, is that it "breaks the fourth wall" by having Brown often address the audience, always a tricky move that is more of an annoyance and distraction here that doesn't work with the narrative. "Get On Up," though grounded by Boseman's believable performance as Brown, has a strong supporting cast, including Oscar-nominee Viola Davis as his mother, Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer, both from Taylor's "The Help" except this time they're underused, particularly Davis's small role as Brown's mother: her reappearance later in the movie is very awkwardly staged; Dan Aykroyd as Brown's agent Ben Bart, singer Jill Scott as one of his wives and in one of the film's stronger performances, "True Blood's" Nelsan Ellis as Brown's close friend, bandmate and confidant, Bobby Byrd - and though portrayed as a central character - the film doesn't give enough credit to Byrd for the significant part he played in launching Brown's career. "Get On Up" lacks insight into many of these characters and especially into Brown's personal problems, so it would come as no surprise the highlight of the movie is the concert sequences or whenever Brown is on stage or preparing for concerts. "Get On Up" is an entertaining look at Brown's life, but it could've benefited from a better script and perhaps a different director, who could've provided more edge to such an iconic figure.

Wes's Grade: C+