NEW FILMS “The Lears”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
Texas director Robert Rodriguez shot this manga-based action film, about a young woman who has to save the world, in Austin. Rosa Salazar is Alita, and she’s supported by Mahershala Ali, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly and Ed Skrein.
Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston.
“Anandi Gopal”
One of India’s first female physicians, Anandi Gopalrao Joshi, is the subject of this biopic.
Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston.
“Bisbee ’17”
Director Robert Greene merges a documentary approach with the Western to convey the story of what happened in an Arizona town 100 years ago when more than 1000 immigrant miners were rounded up, put in cattle cars and left to die. Rated PG. Playing Sunday at 14 Pews, Houston.
“Donnybrook”
Frank Grillo — from “Kingdom,” “Wolf Warrior 2” and a couple of “Purge” movies — doesn’t seem to even look at a script unless it has some major brawling. So it makes perfect sense he stars in this drama about a bare-knuckle fighter. Jamie Bell co-stars. It took home a top prize at Austin’s Fantastic Fest.
Rated R. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston; Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra, Katy
“Extreme Job”
What happens when a friedchicken restaurant set up by cops as a sting operation becomes the hottest place to eat in town? That’s the premise for this South Korean comedy. Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston.
“Fall in Love at First Kiss”
Also titled “Sealed With a Kiss,” this Mandarin-language romcom poor Muslim young man trying to make it as a rapper. Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston; Cinemark Memorial City, Houston.
“Happy Death Day 2U”
Here’s the sequel to the horror film “Happy Death Day” that’s set two years after the events in the original.
Rated R. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston.
“Horn From the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story”
Documentary about Chicago blues musician Paul Butterfield, whose Paul Butterfield Blues Band helped popularize the blues with rock audiences in the mid-’60s.
Unrated. Playing Saturday at 14 Pews, Houston.
“Isn’t It Romantic?”
Director Todd Strauss-Schulson knows his big, dumb comedies — he directed “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” and “Zombies and Cheerleaders” after all — and now he’s corralled Rebel Wilson, Priyanka Chopra and a Hemsworth brother for this comedy about a woman who finds herself trapped inside a rom-com.
Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston. Bruce Dern, Anthony Michael Hall and Sean Astin headline a comedy about a wealthy man who summons his family for a meeting where he drops some big news.
Unrated. Playing at Studio Movie Grill, Pearland.
“Lords of Chaos”
Scandinavia is known for its hard-driving black metal scene and this ’90s-set drama about a young man who gets involved in the subculture has been making lots of noise on the festival circuit. Rory Culkin and Jack Kilmer star.
Rated R. Playing at Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra, Katy.
“Mirai”
The acclaimed anime film from director Mamoru Hosoda tells the story of a boy who can travel through time to meet his relatives from various eras. It’s nominated for an Oscar in the animated feature category and is returning to theaters for a one-day engagement on Monday only.
Rated PG. Playing Monday at Regal Edwards Marq’E 23, Houston.
“Monrovia, Indiana”
Noted documentarian Frederick Wiseman (“National Gallery”) travels to rural America in the aftermath of the 2016 election to take the pulse of the people.
Unrated. Playing at 14 Pews, Houston.