STILL SHOWING “Hell or High Water”

“Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie”

B Edina and Patsy reunite and create an international incident while trying to snag a big model for Eddie’s flagging PR firm. It’s a needed dose of escapism with these two lovable and wickedly funny dames. Starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. Directed by Mandie Fletcher. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use. At Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 30 minutes.

“Anthropoid”

A This film is based on the true story of “Operation Anthropoid,” the code name for the Czechoslovakian operatives’ mission to assassinate a SS officer. It’s a slow-burning thriller that often feels more like a character study. Starring Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan. Directed by Sean Ellis. (Christopher Kompanek , Washington Post) Rated R for violence and some disturbing images. At metro theaters. 2 hours.

“Bad Moms”

C A trio of moms band together to take a hiatus from the responsibilities of motherhood. The problem with the film isn’t the concept or the message about the struggle to raise good people, it’s the execution. Starring Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell. Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for sexual material, full frontal nudity, language throughout, and drug and alcohol content. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 41 minutes.

“Ben-Hur”

C+ This is a remake of the story of two brothers at odds during the time of Jesus Christ in Roman-dominated Jerusalem. It’s surprisingly noncampy, but for some this might be the film’s ultimate flaw, that it takes the material too seriously. Starring Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell and Rodrigo Santoro. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and disturbing images. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 4 minutes.

“The BFG”

B The Big Friendly Giant spirits away a precocious orphan to his Giant Country. The BFG must protect his charge from child-hungry giants. The book adaptation hit homes in spots with wistful emotion and a softness to the dramatic arc of the film. Starring Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill and Penelope Wilton. Directed by Steven Spielberg. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for action/peril, some scary moments and brief rude humor. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 57 minutes.

“Cafe Society”

C A New Yorker in the 1930s goes to Hollywood to try to make it big and ends up falling in love. It’s meant to be a comedic yet poignant story, but it just mostly feels a little tired. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart and Steve Carell. Directed by Woody Allen. (Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times) Rated PG-13 for some violence, a drug reference, suggestive material and smoking. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 36 minutes.

“Captain America: Civil War”

B+ Stark and Rogers collide over a global initiative to place superpowered vigilantes under international control. The irresistibly entertaining film is witty and complex as well as exciting and moving. Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of violence, action and mayhem. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 2 hours, 26 minutes.

“Central Intelligence”

C A CIA agent drags a high school acquaintance into a “top-secret case” and there are shots fired and the duo is on the run. It’s a chase movie that goes nowhere and from which there is no escape. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Amy Ryan. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated PG-13 for crude and suggestive humor, some nudity, action violence and brief strong language. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange and AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 54 minutes.

“Don’t Think Twice”

B A small-time troupe of New York City performers are trying to make it big in the comedy world. The comedy is painfully honest and deathly funny and each role is relatable. Starring Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs and Mike Birbiglia. Directed by Mike Birbiglia. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune Minneapolis) Rated R for language and some drug use. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 32 minutes.

“Finding Dory”

B+ Nemo and his dad work to help Dory find her longlost parents who she barely remembers. The animation is spectacular and it’s impressive how the film celebrates those who are differently-abled. Starring the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks and Ed O’Neill. Directed by Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Services) Rated PG for mild thematic elements. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 40 minutes.

“Florence Foster Jenkins”

D A wealthy older woman launched an amateur singing career in the 1940s, but no one dared tell her she had a distinct lack of talent. The film twists itself into a moral conundrum — it’s OK to laugh at her because she’s terrible, but not in a mean way. Starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg. Directed by Stephen Frears. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG13 for brief suggestive material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Ghostbusters”

B This reboot with female characters shares the same story as the original — fighting ghosts in comic ways. It’s hilarious, spooky and manages to capture the irreverent fun of the original. Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. Directed by Paul Feig. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for supernatural action and some crude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 56 minutes. A Two Texas rangers are on the trail of a pair of bank robbing brothers in this post-recession Western. It eschews allegory for direct confrontation with the issues of the day, foreclosure, poverty, gun violence. Starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges. Directed by David Mackenzie. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for some strong violence, language throughout and brief sexuality. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 42 minutes.

“Ice Age: Collision Course”

D As the wooly mammoths prepare to marry off their daughter, the ancient animals also must find magnetic crystals to use to set an asteroid off course. This installment is a perfunctory, watered-down film. Starring Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo. Directed by Mike Thurmeier and Galen T. Chu. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for mild rude humor and some action/ peril. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 34 minutes.

“Indignation”

B+ A straight-A student heads off to college and finds himself in a relationship with a bright and curious girl who’s several sexual laps ahead of him. Based on a Philip Roth novel, the film is beautifully acted and the tone is witty and grave. Starring Logan Lerman and Sarah Gadon. Directed by James Schamus. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for sexual content and some language. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Jason Bourne”

B Jason Bourne returns to crack a hacking of files about operations and plans for total, invasive national surveillance. There’s a tightly controlled sense of chaos that rides the line of anarchy. Starring Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones and Alicia Vikander. Directed by Paul Greengrass. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 3 minutes.

“Kubo and the Two Strings”

A

young Japanese boy who lost his eye to the supernatural Moon King takes a journey to find truth. The animated film feels like a gorgeously illustrated Japanese fable with gloriously crafted images serving strong narrative points. Starring the voices of Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron and Ralph Fiennes. Directed by Travis Knight. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated PG for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 41 minutes.

“The Legend of Tarzan”

C+ John Clayton is sent back into Tarzan mode when his wife is kidnapped by his enemy. It’s likely the best version we’ve seen of this story, but Alexander Skarsgard lacks feeling and a sense of humor in the role, which is the film’s biggest flaw. Also starring Margot Robbie and Christoph Waltz. Directed by David Yates. (Tony Hicks, Mercury News) Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, some sensuality and brief rude dialogue. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 49 minutes.

“Lights Out”

B Mom has a ghostly friend and the kids try to fight the demon that terrorizes their mother and threatens their lives. It’s smart and stripped down and will make you scared of the dark. Starring Teresa Palmer, Maria Bello and Gabriel Bateman. Directed by David F. Sandberg. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for terror throughout, violence including disturbing images, some thematic material and brief drug content. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 21 minutes.

“Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World”

B This documentary examines everything from hackers to internet rehab to online harassment. It hops from topic to topic and it can leave the viewer searching for a clear thesis but leaves us with a celebration of something that can’t be found online. Starring Elon Musk, Lawrence Krauss and Kevin Mitnick. Directed by Werner Herzog. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some thematic elements. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 38 minutes.

“Nerve”

C+ A teenager gets caught up in an online game where she tackles her life one dare at a time, which escalates dangerously. It builds to a climax, but starts to lose its grip at the end. Starring Emma Roberts, Dave Franco and Juliette Lewis. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving dangerous and risky behavior, some sexual content, language, drug content, drinking and nudity, all involving teens. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 36 minutes.

“Nine Lives”

Review not available in time for publication. A daredevil billionaire gets into an accident and becomes trapped inside the body of a cat. Starring Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Garner. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. Rated PG for thematic elements, language and some rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 27 minutes.

“Now You See Me 2”

C The four magicians are abducted to help a tech entrepreneur steal a computer chip. Many questions aren’t answered, but it’s almost sinfully fun, assuming you have a taste for selfindulgently logic-free hedonism. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo and Woody Harrelson. Directed by Jon M. Chu. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for violence and some coarse language. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 55 minutes.

“Our Little Sister”

A Three sisters travel to their father’s funeral in a small town and invite their half-sister to come and live with them. The film deepens without the audience noticing it and effortlessly takes them inside the dilemmas of these intertwined lives. Starring Haruka Ayase, Masami Nagasawa and Suzu Hirose. Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. In Japanese with English subtitles. (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) Rated PG for thematic elements and brief language. At Tara Theatre. 2 hours, 6 minutes.

“Pete’s Dragon”

B+ A boy is orphaned and lives with a dragon in the Pacific Northwest forest until he’s discovered by other. This is a remake of a 1977 film, and the first third is magic. The second half is more conventional. Starring Oakes Fegley, Robert Redford and Bryce Dallas Howard. Directed by David Lowery. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG for action, peril and brief language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Sausage Party”

C+ An animated sausage and his busty bun girlfriend dream of the time they are chosen by the gods (grocery store shoppers) to go to the Great Beyond. It’s a raunchy animaged film with sex talk, swearing and every offensive ethnic stereotype in the grocery store. Starring Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig and Michael Cera. Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for strong crude sexual content, pervasive language, and drug use. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 29 minutes.

“Secret Life of Pets”

C+ Katie’s mutt is unhappy when she brings a new dog home, but they bond after becoming separated from the pack during a walk. It’s a cute and funny film, but there’s not much going on, thematically or emotionally below the surface. Starring Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart and Jenny Slate. Directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for action and some rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 30 minutes.

“The Shallows”

C+ A med student goes surfing alone and is stalked by a great white shark. It’s a splash of cheesiness, but it’s just silly enough to be the perfect summer thriller. Starring Blake Lively, Oscar Jaenada and Brett Cullen. Directed by Jaume ColletSerra. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for bloody images, intense sequences of peril, and brief strong language. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 27 minutes.

“Star Trek Beyond”

B The crew of The Enterprise fights nemesis Krall during an alien warrior race. It’s fun, you care about the people and the effects look elegant and interesting. Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban. Directed by Justin Lin. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 2 minutes.

“Suicide Squad”

C+ A squad of villains fight terrorist “meta-humans,” as superheroes are known. For all the promise of wild and wacky weirdness, it feels somehow smaller in scale than the color pop-art posters promise. Starring Will Smith, Margo Robbie and Jared Leto. Directed by David Ayer. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“War Dogs”

D+ Two old friends create a make-shift company selling arms to the U.S. government and ultimately land a contract supplying the Afghan military with ammo. The film promises rollicking bromance but it never has the nerve to challenge the audience. Starring Jonah Hill, Miles Teller and Ana de Armas. Directed by Todd Phillips. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for language throughout, drug use and some sexual references. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 54 minutes. — FROM STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES