1. INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2:

This chilling sequel to the original “Insidious” from 2010 picks up just hours after the first one finished, so it makes good sense to rent or download that one first.   It’s the story of a family that is being haunted, beginning with their young son’s coma which appears to have supernatural implications.  Then comes the news, after changing locations, that “it isn’t your house that’s haunted …. It’s your son!”  The same cast headed by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne is back with a second installment that is very bit as scary as the first.  No slasher stuff here … just very scary storytelling! Rated 14A.

2. PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS:

Logan Lerman is back as the title character in this second of the Percy Jackson stories, based on the series of young adult novels.  The Golden Fleece, which hasn’t been sought in a movie since the Sinbad films of the ‘60s is part of the quest here, and of course, there are monsters with which to deal.  Excellent special effects, good action, and good entertainment for most age groups.  Rated PG.   

3. THE FAMILY:

I loved this offbeat story of a mobster who goes into the witness protection program with his family, and is moved to rural France.  Robert DeNiro is the husband, father, and Wiseguy who heads up the family that also includes a great turn by Michelle Pfieffer as the Mom, a couple of smart kids Belle and Warren, and characters that you will recognize from such great mob stories as The Sopranos, including Fat Willy who is played by Vincent Pastore who was Big Pussy on the HBO series.  Excellent fun, a little raw here and there, but easy to recommend! Rated 14A.

4A. CITY OF GOD (2002):

The mean streets of Rio de Janeiro are the setting for this film that had four Academy Award nominations including one for Best Director (Fernando Meirelles) telling the story of two boys who grow up with role models who are gangsters and worse.  One, as he reaches adulthood, becomes a major crime boss, walking on the wild side every day … the other, only slightly better, tries to become a voice of reason as a photographer.  Brutal, but realistic.  Ag well-made film.  Rated 18A.

4B. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1961):

Audrey Hepburn is superb as Holly Golightly, and George Peppard, years away from becoming Hannibal on “The A-Team” is the perfect gentleman in this classic film, a story of an intense writer named Paul Varjak (Peppard) who meets and falls for an amazing young woman, Holly (Hepburn) whom he meets in his apartment building.  Not without controversy, even back in ’61 it was argued that a “real” Japanese should have played Mr. Yunioshi, a neighbour in the building … not that there’s anything wrong with Mickey Rooney!  Rated PG.