Chile Pages,
SMALLFOOT
The Bigfoot legend is turned on its head in this animated story about a Yeti (voiced by Channing Tatum) convinced that humans, known as the mythical “Smallfoot,” are real. His suspicions are confirmed when he encounters a Smallfoot, a former TV personality (James Corden), and attempts to present evidence of his discovery to the Smallfoot Evidentiary Society (led by a scientist voiced by Zendaya). Danny DeVito, Common, and LeBron James also provide voicework. Rated PG. 96 minutes. Screens in 2D only at Regal Stadium 14. (Not reviewed)
A STAR IS BORN
Big, gorgeous, and packed with terrific music and charismatic star power, this fourth edition of one of Hollywood’s most enduring origin stories starts off so well that its momentum almost carries it through a somewhat more labored finish. Lady Gaga rediscovers her inner Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in creating the title character, Ally, a big-hearted aspiring singer who captures the heart of Jackson Maine, a country-rock superstar played soulfully by Bradley Cooper (who also co-wrote and directed). The tale, best remembered in the classic 1950 Judy Garland version, is familiar, tracking the opposite trajectories of the two stars — one blazing upward, one blazing out. Cooper’s pacing gets a little choppy, as if he’s afraid of being caught in a linear narrative, but for the most part the film is assured and effective. The supporting cast is stocked with sometimes-surprising choices, like Andrew Dice Clay as Ally’s dad and Dave Chappelle as Jackson’s friend. Sam Elliott is reliably gravelly as Jackson’s much older brother. But the revelation is Lady Gaga, who nails the wide-eyed kid drawn into the world of superstardom, finding love and tragedy along the way. Rated PG. 96 minutes. Screens in 2D at Regal Stadium 14; Violet Crown. (Jonathan Richards)
TEA WITH THE DAMES
This documentary invites viewers to enjoy a spot of tea with four of the United Kingdom’s most esteemed actresses: Dames Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, and Maggie Smith. The four longtime friends sit together and casually shoot the breeze and share insights into their crafts and careers. Audiences can enjoy an intimate glimpse of this conversation courtesy of director Roger Michell (Notting Hill). Not rated. 84 minutes. The Screen. (Not reviewed)
VENOM
Spider-Man’s nemesis Venom is a bulletproof version of Spidey with a long tongue and an appetite for live flesh. But director Ruben Fleischer offers a surprisingly well-crafted B-movie, and actors Tom Hardy and Michelle Williams class the joint up. Hardy plays Eddie Brock, a journalist who investigates the research going on at the Life Foundation. When the company’s founder (Riz Ahmed) strikes back, Brock loses his job and girlfriend (Williams). He learns that the foundation is experimenting on an alien, which grafts itself to his body, granting him superpowers and a nasty disposition. From there, he must satiate the alien’s appetite, get revenge, and somehow also save the world. The action and effects are well done, but the movie works best when it leans into absurdist humor reminiscent of the 1980s work of John Carpenter and Sam Raimi. Rated PG-13. 112 minutes. Screens in 2D at Regal Stadium 14. (Robert Ker)