ONE-MINUTE MOVIE CRITIC
★★★★ Superior | ★★★ Recommended | ★★ OK | ★ Time-waster | * Reviewed today | NR Not rated | See suntimes.com for full reviews
In a plot with more holes than a box of donuts, a detective (Chadwick Boseman) shuts down the bridges out of Manhattan to trap a duo of cop killers. The movie looks cheap and grimy, and the story has supposedly smart people doing really stupid things. (PG, 97 min.) —Richard Roeper
With brilliant, claustrophobically effective directing choices by Sam Mendes and strong, raw performances from leads Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay, this heart-stopping World War I drama is a unique viewing experience you won’t soon shake off. (R, 119 min.) —Richard Roeper
At times, I was intrigued and charmed by the bold choices, from the creative visuals to a decidedly adult subplot. Nearly as often, I was frustrated by the long stretches when Mister Rogers (Tom Hanks, perfectly cast) was missing from a Mister Rogers movie. (PG, 108 min.) —Richard Roeper
This recounting of the sexual harassment scandals at Fox News benefits from solid if unspectacular direction by Jay Roach and excellent performances by Charlize Theron (as Megyn Kelly), Nicole Kidman (as Gretchen Carlson) and Margot Robbie. (R, 108 min.) —Richard Roeper
Despite the earnest efforts of Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen and other talented stars — transformed into singing felines with creepy “digital fur technology” — this adaptation of the stage musical is a tedious and weird-looking exercise in self-indulgence. (PG, 109 min.) —Richard Roeper
Mark Ruffalo plays a real-life attorney who took on the case of a farmer convinced that toxic chemical waste from DuPont poisoned his cattle and his land. It’s a role squarely in Ruffalo’s comfort zone, and it’s no surprise he knocks if out of the park. (PG-13, 127 min.) —Richard Roeper
Christian Bale, playing hotheaded 1960s race car driver Kenny Miles, and Matt Damon, as the auto designer who hires him to help Ford compete at Le Mans, have a relaxed, sometimes very funny chemistry in this rip-roaring, heart-pounding action/drama. (PG-13, 152 min.) —Richard Roeper
An uplifting, true-hearted and worthy (if not equal) sequel to the 2013 mega-blockbuster, this beautifully animated film is sprinkled with good humor and filled with sister-power bonding moments. And there are more than a few trippy, New Age-y detours . (PG, 103 min.) —Richard Roeper
On balance, this is a formulaic biopic of the abolitionist Harriet Tubman. But thanks to director Kasi Lemmons and a powerful lead performance from Cynthia Erivo, the story comes to life as a crackling slice of historical fiction about a real-life action hero. (PG-13, 125 min.) —Richard Roeper
In 1940s Austria, a farmer is jailed for refusing to sign a loyalty oath to Hitler, as his wife and children suffer without him. This is a Terrence Malick film, so you can count on feeling dazzled by the imagery and impatient at the sheer deliberateness of it all. (PG-13, 180 min.) —Richard Roeper
Writer-director Taika Waititi delivers a timely, anti-hate fractured fairy tale AND turns in hilarious work as Adolf Hitler, imaginary friend to a 10-year-old German boy near the end of World War II. No, really. (PG-13, 108 min.) —Richard Roeper
A chilling character study portrays events in Gotham City that transformed a sad loner into a classic supervillain. With Joaquin Phoenix dominating the screen with his memorably creepy turn, “Joker” will cling to you like the aftermath of a realistic nightmare. (R, 122 min.) —Richard Roeper
Like “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” this funny, old-fashioned adventure puts teens into video game avatars that look like Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and others. There’s more than enough charm to overcome the occasional overlong action sequence. (PG-13, 123 min.) —Richard Roeper
A young lawyer (Michael B. Jordan) pours his heart and soul into exonerating an innocent man (Jamie Foxx). The fact-based legal thriller is one of the most predictable movies you’ll ever see, but that doesn’t mean it’s not inspirational and debate-provoking. (PG-13, 137 min.) —Richard Roeper
This crackling good, old-fashioned murder mystery is one of those movies where it looks like the immensely appealing cast — including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis and Chris Evans — had as much fun making the film as we have watching it. (PG-13, 131 min.) —Richard Roeper
In writer-director Greta Gerwig’s telling, it’s as if we’re meeting the March sisters for the very first time, and we’re swept away in a gorgeously filmed, wickedly funny, deeply moving and, yes, empowering story. This is one of my favorite movies of 2019. (PG, 135 min.) —Richard Roeper
One of the best movies of 2019, Bong Joon Ho’s story of a rich family and a poor one living parallel and drastically different lives in South Korea is a film of dramatic power, innovative comedy, romantic poetry and melancholy beauty. (R, 132 min.) —Richard Roeper
A man and woman on a first date end up on the run after a police encounter goes bad in one of the best and most important movies of the year. Filled with keenly observed social commentary, it also finds time for some comedic relief and a red-hot romance. (R, 132 min.) —Richard Roeper
The latest well-crafted gem from Clint Eastwood recalls the cop wannabe who was proven innocent after being named as a suspect in the 1996 Olympics bombing in Atlanta. Paul Walter Hauser delivers screen-commanding work as the title character. (R, 130 min.) —Richard Roeper
This computer-animated adventure benefits from the expert comic timing of Will Smith, providing the voice of a super-spy accidentally transformed into a pigeon. It’s terrific family entertainment, popping with bright colors. (PG, 101 min.) —Richard Roeper
Action-filled and plot-packed, Episode IX of the space opera saga features a surprise around nearly every corner. It rarely comes close to touching greatness, but it’s a solid, visually dazzling and warm-hearted victory for the Force of quality filmmaking. (PG-13, 141 min.) —Richard Roeper
Adam Sandler deserves an Oscar nomination for his work as a New York jeweler and gambling addict in a constant state of high anxiety. Kinetic, pulse-quickening and brutally intense, this is one of the most authentic deep-dives into gambling ever put on film. (R, 135 min.) —Richard Roeper