In the age of blockbuster franchises and repurposed intellectual property, it’s rare for a film based wholly on an original idea, whose concept wasn’t pulled from a preexisting source, to receive the big-budget treatment. A perfect storm of sorts is required – a combination of story and storyteller that can warrant nine figures without the crutch of already-extant exposure.

“Ad Astra” is just such a film. It’s a sci-fi epic, one that features the talented auteur James Gray in the director’s chair, working from a script Gray co-wrote with Ethan Gross. And Brad Pitt, one of Hollywood’s last movie stars, leads the way in an actual movie star-type role – something we haven’t seen a lot of from him in recent years.

It has all the trappings of big-time science fiction, but it uses those trappings to tell a much more intimate story. At its core, “Ad Astra” is a film about coming to terms with who we are, about understanding our choices and the motivations behind them. It’s about finding ways to let go of the past while holding onto the lessons we learned from it.

Recent years have seen a proliferation of cinematic subgenres that consist of “old person does X.” Sometimes it works – old guy action movies have become a personal favorite. Sometimes, however, it doesn’t – see the spate of old person comedies awash in hijinks and/or shenanigans. Those are occasionally OK, but for the most part, they tend to be dull, derivative or both, failing to do anything beyond lean on their thin premises and jab you in the ribs while suggestively waggling their eyebrows. 

Action sequel offers thin narrative and ludicrous violence

In a lot of ways, Jason Statham is a bit of a throwback.

Damon returns for fourth Jason Bourne film

The sheer number of films that come out each year can prove to be a bit overwhelming. There are so many, in fact, that it is inevitable that there will be occasional gaps in coverage simply put, it's really hard to see everything.

Will Smith's screen return has humor and heart

When I initially heard about 'Men in Black 3,' I didn't think much of it. It's summertime; of course there are going to be blockbuster sci-fi/action sequels. That's just how it works. But when I sat down to actually watch the movie, something obvious only just then occurred to me.

I have never reviewed a Will Smith movie.

His last film was 'Seven Pounds,' released in 2008 (well before my published film criticism began). Despite the fact that Will Smith is (I think) still considered one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, he hasn't opened a movie in four years.