The Dog Days of Summer -- at the Movies . . .

We usually think of the 'dog days of summer' as referring to the hot, humid weather.  However, I'm thinking of two movie dogs -- 'Jurassic World' and 'Magic Mike XXL' -- this summer.  They both fall somewhere on the quality scale from merely mediocre to perfectly dreadful.

'Jurassic World'
The latest movie in the 'Jurassic' series that started with Steven Spielberg's 'Jurassic Park' based on a Michael Crichton novel.  Spielberg directed the first two movies in the series and moved on to producing the third and fourth (this one) installments.  Crichton wisely left the building after the first two.

Banner for 'Jurassic World'

Despite setting box office records, 'Jurassic World' is mediocre at best.  It's burdened with too many villains, too many species of dinosaurs and a very confusing plot.  Chris Pratt is actually quite good as the velociraptor whisperer, but Bryce Dallas Howard is totally unconvincing as the operations manager of the new theme park, Jurassic World, and the indifferent aunt of two young troublemakers.  The failure to provide a coherent sense of organization for the Jurassic World enterprise leaves the viewer in a complete fog regarding who's working in what capacity for whom.  Ultimately, the dinosaurs seem to be in charge while the humans struggle for power (maybe it's a metaphor for our government in Washington).

In any event, the special effects are all-powerful.  Spring for the IMAX and 3D if you're into that sort of thing.  Otherwise, just stay out of the multiplex or pick a really hot, humid day and go for the air-conditioning.

'Magic Mike XXL'
'Magic Mike XXL' is the sequel to 'Magic Mike', the 2012 movie about a band of male strippers that was saved by Matthew McConaughey's savvy, sleazy performance as the leader of the group of 'male entertainers' in Tampa, FL. 

Banner for 'Magic Mike XXL'.

The sequel has a salacious title, but little more to recommend it.  The script is virtually incoherent, jumping from scene to scene with no apparent logic.  It strains to find situations for its male 'entertainers' to strip and while those bodies are sometimes beautiful they are seldom photographed with adequate or interesting lighting.  Channing Tatum, wasted in the title role, seems to be working out some unexplained and uninteresting grudges with the other strippers.

Jada Pickett Smith, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Banks and Amber Heard play (with varying degrees of success) the women the guys meet on their way to an annual male strippers convention in Myrtle Beach, where they supposedly rock the rafters.  It's loud and flashy and dull and exploitative.  Don't even go to this one for the air conditioning.