Film guide for box-office releases and ongoing movies
From news services
OPENING
‘12 Strong’: (R) (for war violence and language throughout) The previously untold story of a small U.S. Special Forces Unit that rode on horseback into Afghanistan to fight the Taliban and Al-Qaida shortly after the 9/11 attacks makes for an interesting and compelling war movie. Chris Hemsworth is strong in the leading role as the officer leading the group, though the film overall is not quite all that it could have been. (Mark Meszoros, The News-Herald) 2 hour, 10 minutes. Grade: **/*
CONTINUING
‘All the Money in the World’: (R) (for language, some violence, disturbing images and brief drug content) “All the Money in the World” has, with remarkably few signs of haste, accomplished its unenviable task of recasting Kevin Spacey’s role with Christopher Plummer. But was it worth the trouble? The film, about the 1973 kidnapping of the grandson of billionaire oil tycoon John Paul Getty (Plummer), is, for better and worse, every bit a Ridley Scott production: a solidly built, no-nonsense drama, largely without surprise. (Associated Press) 2 hours, 12 minutes. Grade: ***/
‘Coco’: (PG) (for thematic elements) Pixar’s latest offering, based on the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead, takes viewers into a fabulously colorful and entirely magical world while making profound observations about family relationships. A 12-year-old boy whose dreams of being a guitarist are forbidden by his family crosses over into the world of the dead where he meets generations of relatives and fantastical spirit animals in a thrilling and joyous vision (Associated Press) 1 hour, 45 minutes. Grade: ****
‘The Commuter’: (PG-13) (for some intense action/violence, and language) A big, explosive train derailment lights up the screen late in “The Commuter,” but this latest action vehicle for the almost-ageless Liam Neeson runs off the rails a bit earlier. After setting up an enjoyable mystery, the screenwriters fall back on one movie cliche after another as the film rumbles toward its destination. 1 hour, 44 minutes. Grade: **
‘The Disaster Artist’: (R) (for some sexuality/nudity and language throughout) James Franco’s comedy about the iconically bad film “The Room” is less about would-be auteur Tommy Wiseau than it is about Franco himself. He populates it with his show biz friends and there are moments of pure joy, but the joke underlying the whole thing is not enough to support a feature-length film. 1 hour, 43 minutes. Grade: \***/
‘Darkest Hour’: (PG-13) (for some thematic material) Gary Oldman embraces the task of playing Winston Churchill with almost palpable delight, bringing to life the British leader’s brilliance, large emotions and larger appetites. The historical drama in which he appears is just serviceable enough, falling back on an idealized notion of the English character that feels, in present circumstances, less nostalgic than downright reactionary. (The New York Times) 2 hours, 5 minutes. Grade: ***/
‘Downsizing’: (R) (for language including sexual references, some graphic nudity and drug use) Writer-director Alexander Payne, who’s known for small, character-driven films, goes really small in this wonderfully weird story about a family that joins a trend of shrinking themselves down to 5 inches tall. “Downsizing” not only reduces humanity’s footprint on the planet, but allows people to live a life of luxury for a fraction of the cost, but protagonist Paul (Matt Damon) discovers being reduced-size isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. (The Associated Press) 2 hours, 15 minutes. Grade: ***
‘Ferdinand’: (PG) (for rude humor, action and some thematic elements. This is a first-rate animated tale adapted from the beloved 1936 children’s book about a pacifist Spanish bull who just loves to sit around and sniff flowers. It’s often dark, sometimes whacky, but true to the heart of the book and beautifully brought to life in modern Spain.(The Associated Press) 1 hour, 47 minutes. ***
‘The Greatest Showman’: (PG) (for thematic elements including a brawl) What could possibly go wrong with telling the story of circus pioneer P.T. Barnum as a musical starring Hugh Jackman? Plenty, it turns out, as the contemporary music clashes with the story’s setting and time period. It’s still a big, shiny musical suitable for all but very young children, but it falls short of being a great show. (Mark Meszoros, News-Herald) 1 hour, 45 minutes. Grade: **/*
‘I, Tonya’: (R) (for pervasive language, violence, and some sexual content/nudity) The retelling of Olympic figure skating’s most lurid tabloid scandal turns out to be outrageously entertaining, a winking rollicking dark comedy both empathetic and pugnacious. Margot Robbie delivers her finest performance to date, playing disgraced skater Tonya Harding as a working-class insurgent in a glitzy and prim sport. (The Associated Press) 1 hour, 59 minutes. Grade: ***
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (PG-13) (for adventure action, suggestive content and some language) More than two decades after Robin Williams conquered that pesky board game, “Jumanji” has been resurrected with more and glossier stars (Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black), a comedy director and a “modern” twist. The result is a very sweet, and generally entertaining body swap lark with some nice messages about being, and believing in, yourself. (The Associated Press) 1 hour, 59 minutes. Grade: **/*
‘Justice League’: (PG-13) (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action) The future of the DC Extended Universe looks promising with this solid and satisfying adventure that teams Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher). Gadot owns the screen, as she did in “Wonder Woman” earlier this year, with charisma and superhero action chops. 1 hour, 59 minutes. Grade: ***
‘Murder on the Orient Express’: (PG-13) (for violence and thematic elements) Kenneth Branagh, who directs this latest adaptation of classic Agatha Christie murder mystery and stars as renowned detective Hercule Poirot, is the biggest reason the film is so enjoyable but by no means the only one. A stellar cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench and Penelope Cruz helps bring the colorful characters in this whodunit to life. 1 hour, 54 minutes. Grade: ***/*
‘Pitch Perfect 3′: (PG-13) (for crude and sexual content, language and some action) The cast, boasting standouts Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, may be delightful and the musical sequences shine, but after three go-rounds, this franchise’s premise is played out. The success of the first two movies means this final installment enjoyed a bigger budget, evidenced by glamorous European settings and the yacht explosion, but it’s all overkill for a story centered on the joy of music and the bonds of female friendship. (The Associated Press) 1 hour, 33 minutes. Grade: **
‘The Shape of Water’: (R) (for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence and language) This is the monster movie that Guillermo del Toro was born to make, a Cold War-era fairy tale that submerges you into his Technicolor imagination only to swell into a watery allegory for today. It won’t ever surprise you, swimming along exactly as you expect, but the flawless cast and lavish production make the voyage worthwhile. (The Associated Press) 2 hours, 3 minutes. Grade: ***
‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’: (PG-13) (for sequences of sci-fi action and violence) “The Last Jedi” looks like a work of fine science-fiction art, takes key characters to really conflicted places, revitalizes old action tropes such as lightsaber fights and wrecking big space vessels in imaginative new ways and even imbues all that Force nonsense with some solid spiritual wisdom. Writer/director Rian Johnson achieves a distinctive vision and a mature sense of narrative in a film that elevates the entire franchise. (Bob Strauss, SCNG) 2 hour, 32 minutes. Grade: ***/*
‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’: (R) (for violence, language throughout, and some sexual references) Frances McDormand delivers a blistering performance as a grieving mother searching for answers from what she sees as a lazy police force. There are no clear heroes here, and no clear villains, and needless to say, one should not expect to take away any easy lessons, either. Except perhaps this: there’s no better time than right now for a high-profile movie led by a meaty, complicated female character – and no better actress than McDormand to take it on. (The Associated Press) 1 hour, 55 minutes. ***/*
‘Wonder’: (PG) (for thematic elements, some mild language and bullying)This drama about a disfigured 10-year-old boy trying to fit in at school aims straight for the tear ducts but generally avoids falling into over-sentimentality. Jacob Trembley stars as fifth-grader Auggie while Julia Roberts is outstanding as his supportive mother. 1 hour, 53 minutes. Grade: ***
Rating system
G: All ages admitted
PG: Parental guidance suggested. All ages admitted
PG-13: Parental guidance suggested; not recommended for younger than 13
R: Restricted. Those younger than 17 not admitted unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
