Highlights of the AFI Festival

Following are capsule reviews of a selection of today’s screenings in the American Film Institute Los Angeles International Film Festival at the Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza Cinemas:

‘Never Say Die’

New Zealand. 1988, 104 minutes 7 p.m. This is no more than the usual two lovers-on-the-run car-chase thriller, spiced up with comic paranoia, interracial lovers, a tongue-in-cheek attitude toward violence, progressive jibes against the CIA and American big business, zingy seacoast scenery and a few welcome twists and jolts. But New Zealander Geoff Murphy (“Utu”) is a contemporary action director in a league with Spielberg, George (“Mad Max”) Miller, James Cameron, and John McTiernan; he keeps this wildly kinetic movie sizzling and popping, bouncing and roaring all the way. Settle in, undemandingly, for the ride--and you should have a good time. RECOMMENDED.