3 Big Movies

“Rock the Kasbah” — The new war comedy from the director of “Good Morning, Vietnam” gives Bill Murray his Bill Murray-ist role in ages. Gone is the serious actor trying to make us forget his comic persona in movies like “St. Vincent” and “Hyde Park on Hudson.” In “Kasbah” it’s the full Murray, and it’s hard to imagine how intolerable the film would be without him.

Murray stars as a music promoter headed to Afghanistan along with his dubiously talented protegé (Zooey Deschanel). Once there, Murray’s character gets involved in a bullet-smuggling operation, cracks wise incessantly and discovers a villager (Leem Lubany) with a gorgeous voice. Local customs won’t let her sing, or even dance, in public, but she bravely appears on the country’s version of “American Idol” all the same.

“Rock the Kasbah” builds around that true kernel, but it’s Murray’s roadshow all the way. That means every other element in the film is treated shabbily. The supporting players have no depth (sorry, Kate Hudson). The screenplay lacks sociopolitical bite despite a quick nod to the so-called military-industrial complex. Even the soundtrack, which should be a fist-pumping anthem about the power of music to sway the culture, underwhelms.

The closing credits find Murray’s character haggling with an Afghan vendor, a throwaway moment that delivers the film’s biggest laughs. Those curious about the true story behind the talented Afghan singer played by Lubany should see “Afghan Star,” a 2009 documentary on the subject.

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“The Last Witch Hunter” — Vin Diesel’s 401(k) plan, better known as the “Fast and Furious” franchise, isn’t going away anytime soon. He’s still struggled to forge a career outside the role of Dominic Toretta in recent years. His latest attempt finds him playing an immortal witch hunter, battling to keep these evil creatures from taking out humanity. The special effects are likely the real stars here, even though the film boasts Michael Caine and Elijah Wood in supporting roles.

If “Witch Hunter” breaks Diesel’s “Furious” free streak, it’ll be a shock. The studio behind the movie didn’t let some film critics screen it ahead of its release, a key sign there’s little faith in the finished project.

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“Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” — Say what you will about found footage horror movies. They often turn a profit and rarely flood the screen with blood and gore. The fifth film in this unexpectedly popular franchise was supposed to hit theaters last year, but the disappointing receipts for the fourth chapter changed those plans.

The newest story is set in 2013 and follows a family connected to the clan that suffered through the hauntings found in the first four features. Once more, an old-school VHS camera comes into play, but the film promises to flesh out some of the mythology behind the saga in ways the previous installments only hinted at.

Alas, film critics were mostly kept at bay from seeing “Ghost Dimension” prior to deadlines. Take that as a warning that this franchise may be on its last legs.

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