Maleficent (2014)

Without Angelina Jolie, would there have been any reason to make, much less watch, “Maleficent,” the new, live-action take on the “Sleeping Beauty” evil lady turned dragon? Likely not. The star of “Tomb Raider” lords over this movie with absolute ease, dressed in black leather and horns, and makeup that makes her already sharp cheek bones seem as if razors. We’re quickly told the fairy tale story we all know is bunk, up is down, down is up, and Maleficent is the wronged and wounded fairy that is our hero, and villain, justified in her anger. She begins a graceful child with wings and love of nature who befriends a young human boy who will years later –- and after a grievous deed -– become a crazed Macbeth-type king (Sharlto Copley) with … well, honesty not much of a motive. Yeah, there’s the curse the baby Aurora thing, but it’s iffy up ’til then. Despite lots of busy useless narration. Script issue? I digress. Is anyone here for the script? Does it matter the climactic “true love’s kiss” is easily known and blasé? No. This is all for Jolie. Period. She’s breathing fire, and happily laughing evil. (Psst, Aurora is a side dish here.) B

The Smurfs (2011)

In the live-action/CGI hybrid “Smurfs” film, our Belgian-born heroes – blue, three apples high and each named for a character trait – are zapped to New York City, with evil wizard Garagmel in tow. There Papa, Smurfette, Brainy and – oh, you know what? Smurf this. I barely sat through the film, why bother with details. It took four screenwriters plus innumerable studio heads to drum up jokes about Smurfette as gang-banger, and toss the word “Smurf” into every sentence, and it’s from the director of “Scooby Doo.” Obnoxious even by kiddie fare standards. Record-breaking product placement. A New York so bland it could be the town I live in. Blah Smurf blah. Random thought: In all of New York, why must our heroes land in the arms of a white yuppie couple (Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays)? Be it “Alvin and the Chipmunks” or “Garfield,” “Marmaduke” or “Yogi Bear,” or even “The Muppets,” these pop culture throw-back affairs -- mostly based on older comic strips or cartoons -- play like a master class in the “Master Race.” So few people of color. Over-reaction? Prove me wrong. D+