SUPERMAN RETURNS ★★★

(Comcast Movie Collections: Family Movie Night) Not a reinvention like “Batman Begins,” but a respectful renewal of the Superman franchise, from director/co-writer Bryan Singer (“The X-Men”). Brandon Routh has the right mix of focus and blandness to step into the supershoes, and Kevin Spacey makes a good, mean Lex Luthor. Singer’s hero-worship stalls the momentum, though; the film’s generally thrilling without being a grand slam. (PG-13; runs through Aug. 6)

INDEPENDENCE DAY ★★★

(Comcast Movie Collections: Family Movie Night) It plays like an entire movie studio dropped on your head. Aliens in massive flying saucers aim to clobber us, and President Bill Pullman must lead the resistance, which includes scientist Jeff Goldblum and fighter pilot Will Smith. Imagine Cecil B. DeMille directing “War of the Worlds,” and you’ve got the picture. (PG-13; runs through July 30)

SPACE COWBOYS ★★½

(Comcast Movie Collections: Selected Directors: Clint Eastwood) Geezers in zero gravity. Eastwood stars as an astronaut who comes out of retirement with former teammates Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, and Donald Sutherland because they are the only ones who remember the antique technology necessary to fix up This Old Space Station. The heroics kick in, but, like the astronauts, it all takes a while to get going. (PG-13; runs
through 2029)