MOVIE MINIS

NOW PLAYING “A Monster Calls” B

A boy dealing with his mother’s cancer diagnosis goes to live with his grandmother and escapes through his imagination by listening to a yew tree tell tales. The film is memorable for its stunning imagery, but it’s a tear jerker. Starring Sigourney Weaver, Lewis MacDougall and Liam Neeson. Directed by J.A. Bayona. (Stephanie Merry, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for thematic content and some scary images. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 48 minutes.

“Silence” B

A man goes to Japan to save his mentor from the torture the Japanese who have renounced Christianity and made it a living hell for those believers. It can be a riveting and forceful film, but it feels more about abstractions than emotions. Starring Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson and Adam Driver. Directed by Martin Scorsese. (Rafer Guzman, Newsday) Rated R for some disturbing violent content. At Landmark’s Midtown Art and Tara Theatre. 2 hours, 41 minutes.

“Underworld: Blood Wars”

Review not available in time for publication. The vampire death dealer is back and is trying to stop the war between factions, even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice. Starring Kate Beckinsale, Theo James and Tobias Menzies. Directed by Anna Foerster. Rated R for strong bloody violence and some sexuality. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 31 minutes.

STILL SHOWING “The Accountant” C+

A high-functioning math savant has a lucrative side business as a forensic accountant for a few scary people and the government is working to uncover his identity. It’s more potboiler thriller than prestige picture, but it’s fun to watch Ben Affleck in this against-type performance. Also starring Anna Kendrick and Jon Bernthal. Directed by Gavin O’Connor. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for strong violence and language throughout. At Regal Town Center and Carmike 12. 2 hours, 8 minutes.

“Almost Christmas” C+

A father brings his children and their families back to the homeplace to celebrate the holidays and there are the standard holiday comedy moments. The film is a bit scattered, but it encompasses all the highs and lows that make the holidays what they are. Starring Danny Glover, Mo’Nique and Gabrielle Union. Directed by David E. Talbert. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, drug content and language. At Austell Stadium and AMC Stonecrest. 1 hour, 52 minutes.

“Arrival” A

linguistics professor is called to help translate communications between humans and the aliens that are hanging out above the earth. It’s stunningly photographed and is guaranteed to trigger panic attacks. Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hours, 56 minutes.

“Assassin’s Creed” C+

A death row inmate is hooked up to a machine which takes him back to 15th-century Spain so a modern-day researcher can search for the cure to violence. The script is at once far too complicated and extremely shallow. Starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and Michael K. Williams. Directed by Justin Kurzel. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, thematic elements and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 48 minutes.

“Boo! A Madea Halloween”

Review not available in time for publication. Madea fends off killers, paranormal poltergeists, ghouls and zombies on Halloween. Starring Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis and Patrice Lovely. Directed by Tyler Perry. Rated PG-13 for drug use and references, suggestive content, language, some horror images and thematic material. At Carmike 12. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Collateral Beauty” D

When a man’s child dies, he goes into a downward spiral and co-workers hire a theater company to rouse him from his depression. The film is obsessed with its own twists and inane mysticism, robs the meaning from the film. Starring Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet and Keira Knightley. Directed by David Frankel. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 37 minutes.

“Doctor Strange” A

Marvel Comics character Dr. Stephen Strange is an accomplished surgeon when an accident leaves his hands mangled and his attempts at unorthodox healing unlocks mystical powers. The script is perfectly balanced and moves from the intimate to the fantastical without pause. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams. Directed by Scott Derrickson. (Rick Bentley, Fresno Bee) Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action, violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” B+

A boy smuggles in beasts that are outlawed in the U.S. magical world, but the creatures prove useful just in time to battle a deadly force wreaking havoc on the cobblestone streets of New York. The film is transporting, but its themes are far from escapist — embrace, don’t suppress, one’s unique qualities. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Colin Farrell. Directed by David Yates. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for some fantasy action violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 13 minutes.

“Fences” B

A black garbage collector is frustrated his baseball career is over while his wife patiently endures his big personality. The film, adapted from a Pulitzer-winning play, is a deft exploration of race and society through a personal story. Starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and Mykelti Williams. Directed by Denzel Washington. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 18 minutes.

“Hacksaw Ridge” B

A man who won’t touch a rifle due to his religious beliefs enlists as a medic in World War II and — despite refusing to fire — goes into the battlefield again and again to save “just one more” wounded man. The violence is difficult to process, but is effective and affecting. Starring Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer and Hugo Weaving. Directed by Mel Gibson. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence including grisly bloody images. At Regal Hollywood, Regal Mall of Georgia and Regal Georgian. 2 hours, 11 minutes.

“Hidden Figures” B

Three black women overcame gender and racial prejudices to provide significant contributions to the NASA program in the early 1960s. The film does a nice job of organizing and telling a complicated story, though sometimes the tone seems a bit light. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae and Kevin Costner. Directed by Theodore Melfi. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated PG for thematic elements and some languages. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 7 minutes.

“Inferno” C

The third film in the trilogy finds Professor Robert Langdon trying to decipher a coded image of Dante’s Inferno and link it to a billionaire bioengineer. The cast is great, but the twists in the story keep coming, at the expense of the plot’s structural integrity. Starring Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones and Irrfan Kahn. Directed by Ron Howard. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, disturbing images, some language, thematic elements and brief sensuality. At Carmike 12. 2 hours, 1 minute.

“Jackie” B+

This film spotlights Jackie Kennedy in the days following the assassination of her presidential husband. It’s an odd film, but a fascinating picture that stars a brilliantly cast and consistently compelling Natalie Portman. Also starring Peter Sarsgaard and Greta Gerwig. Directed by Pablo Larrain. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for brief strong violence and some language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 40 minutes.

“La La Land” B

Two people who can’t stop running into each other get together, but then realize they are being pulled in different directions. It’s a crowd-pleaser of a film with universal themes of love, loss and ambition. Starring Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling and John Legend. Directed by Damien Chazelle. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for some language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 8 minutes.

“Lion” B+

A little boy gets separated from his brother at the train station in Khandwa, gets adopted by an Australian couple and ultimately starts to search for his mother and brother who he barely remembers. The film is based on a true story with a message about the human need to always find and return home. Starring Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Garth Davis. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some sensuality. At metro theaters. 2 hours.

“Loving” B

Based on the famous 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case, the film stays away from the court drama and focuses on the quiet nature of the couple instead. It feels a bit underheated, but the actors provide enough fire to make it heartwarming. Starring Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga and Michael Shannon. Directed by Jeff Nichols. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements. At Regal Town Center and Carmike 10. 2 hours, 3 minutes.

“Manchester by the Sea” A

man is called back to his New England hometown to help deal with a crisis, which forces him to reconnect with his brother and a painful past. It’s a character-driven film that will leave you speechless and weepy. Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams and Kyle Chandler. Directed by Kenneth Lonergan. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for language throughout and some sexual content. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“Moana” B

A young girl decides she must leave her island home to find the the demigod who can help save her people. Overall, it’s smart, funny, thoughtful and full of heart (and girl empowerment). Starring Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison. Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams and Don Hall. (Kristin Finan, Austin American-Statesman) Rated PG for for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 53 minutes.

“Moonlight” A

boy copes with being bullied for his apparent homosexuality, which he keeps locked away from nearly everyone, including himself. The triptych of his life leaves us with a plaintive, perfect final shot of a man who has found a measure of peace. Starring Ashton Sanders and Andre Holland. Directed by Barry Jenkins. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for some sexuality, drug use, brief violence, and language throughout. At Landmark’s Midtown Art and Regal Hollywood Stadium. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Nocturnal Animals” C

A woman’s ex-husband sends her his new novel and as she reads it, the story about some rednecks taunting a family during their road trip plays out on the screen. Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. Directed by Tom Ford. (Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald) Rated R for vulgar language, violence, gore, nudity, sexual situations, rape, strong adult themes. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 57 minutes.