Interestingly, “Rush” has much to say about the things that drive men to compete. The film relates the real-life story of the 1976 Formula One rivalry between English driver James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Austrian racer Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl). The film is loaded with drama both because of the racing backdrop and because Hunt and Lauda are presented as polar opposites. Hunt is depicted as a fast-living playboy who delights in the attention that racing affords him. 

In “World’s End,” Pegg stars as Gary King, a substance-abusing, middle-aged man whose adult life has not lived up to his teenage dreams. One of Gary’s greatest regrets is that he and his pals failed to complete the Golden Mile pub crawl in their hometown of Newton Haven. Although Gary’s old friends, who are now largely estranged, have settled into typical adult lives, he convinces them that they should relive their glory days and attempt to complete the crawl. 

Each of Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible” films has had a different director, and the latest to take the helm is Brad Bird, a man who made his name with the animated hits “The Iron Giant,” “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles.” If Bird had difficulty transitioning from cartoons to the real world, it isn’t apparent on screen. “Ghost Protocol” is a fast-paced, exciting thriller that’s as entertaining as any of its predecessors.