WORTH SEEING
Which Movies to Watch This Weekend
Bill Nye: Science Guy: Bill Nye has transformed himself from zany kids show host to a passionate defender of science who makes his case with a sense of urgency. This documentary focuses mainly on his work regarding climate change, and some of the most intriguing sequences are his debates with creationist Ken Ham. There’s some personal material as well, including Nye’s fear of inheriting a debilitating disease and the effects of fame on his personal life. Not rated. 101 minutes. — Walter Addiego Lady Bird: Greta Gerwig’s debut as a solo writer-director is this unconventional comingof-age tale about an extroverted high school senior (Saoirse Ronan), clashing with her mother and wanting to leave her native Sacramento. This is a warm, good-hearted, intuitive movie that could be the start of an exceptional filmmaking career. Rated R. 94 minutes.
— Mick LaSalle
Three Billboards Outside
Ebbing, Missouri: Frances McDormand has one of her career-best showcases as a woman, mourning the murder of her daughter, who tries to prod the local police by renting three billboards criticizing them for their slow investigation. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the movie is both funny and sad, with brilliant performances by McDormand and by Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson as local policemen. Rated R. 115 minutes. — Mick LaSalle Murder on the Orient Express: This adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel has virtues that the original film lacks, including a more powerful opening, a stronger ending, a more engaging Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh, who also directed) and a powerhouse performance by Michelle Pfeiffer. It’s solid oldfashioned entertainment. Rated PG-13. 114 minutes. — Mick LaSalle