STILL SHOWING

“20th Century Women” B In the summer of 1979, a lodger at a rooming house in California tutors a young boy in the ways of music and sex to help him cope with messy relationships and map a path toward a workable adulthood. With its focus on broken families and heroic young protagnoists, it feels like a ‘70s Steven Spielberg movie, minus the special effects. Starring Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig and Lucas Jad Zumann. Directed by Mike Mills. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for sexual material, language, some nudity and brief drug use. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 58 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 15thcentury 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 Carmike 12 and Regal Mall of Georgia. 1 hour, 48 minutes. “The Bye Bye Man” D+ A college kid moves into a creepy house and discovers a mantra that he’s not supposed to say or he’ll be haunted by an evil spirit. The relatively modest budget shows in the special effects, which tend to be more funny than scary. Starring Lucien Laviscount, Doug Jones and Jenna Kanell. Directed by Stacy Title. (Stephanie Merry, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for terror, violence, bloody images, sexuality, partial nudity, some coarse language and teen drinking. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 36 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 Carmike 12. 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 Austell Stadium. 2 hours, 10 minutes. “Elle” B The film follows the life of a CEO of a French video game company before and after she is brutally raped. It’s carnally explicit, blood-soaked, politically incorrect and creatively lavish. Starring Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte and Charles Berling. Directed by Paul Verhoeven. In subtitled French. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for violence involving sexual assault, disturbing sexual content, some grisly images, brief graphic nudity and language. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 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 PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 18 minutes. “The Founder” B Ray Kroc was a salesman peddling milkshake mixers out of the trunk of his car when he happened upon the McDonald’s hamburger bar and knew it was the way to the top. There are moments where the film is uneven, with wonky staged archival footage, but the main character is fascinating. Starring Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch. Directed by John Lee Hancock. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 55 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 Mall of Georgia. 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. “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. “Live By Night” C+ The son of a Boston police captain takes over the rum-running trade on behalf of an Italian mob boss in order to take revenge on his Irish boss whom he blames for the death of their shared lady love. There are fascinating elements to the story, but it’s rote and unfocused. Starring Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana and Chris Cooper. Directed by Ben Affleck. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for strong violence, language throughout, and some sexuality/nudity. At AMC Phipps Plaza and AMC Stonecrest Mall. 2 hours, 8 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 characterdriven 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. “Monster Trucks” C+ A high school student discovers a giant, oil-guzzling monster at a junkyard and gives it refuge inside the metal body of a pickup he’s renovating. It comes down to a battle between the teen and the evil corporations who want to drill for oil. It’s not a deep story, but the special effects strike an admirable balance between cutesy and creepy. Starring Lucas Till, Jane Levy and Thomas Lennon. Directed by Chris Wedge. (Alan Zilberman, Washington Post) Rated PG for action, peril, brief scary images and some rude humor. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 2 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. “Office Christmas Party” C+ It’s a high-stakes Christmas party with a side plot about a wifi innovation that could save everyone’s jobs from the grinch of a boss. It’s utter baccanalia, but you’ll end up wishing for more flaming Christmas tree jousting and less setting up the internet server. Starring Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston and Olivia Munn. Directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, drug use and graphic nudity. At Carmike 12. 1 hour, 45 minutes. “Passengers” C While on a 120-year autopilot journey, one man awakes from his suspended animation early and ultimately decides to wake his dream girl and the ship starts to malfunction. What could be an intriguing premise with meaty themes to chew on just turns into sexy space fun times. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt and Michael Sheen. Directed by Morten Tyldum. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG13 for sexuality, nudity and action/ peril. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 56 minutes. “Patriots Day” C+ This is the story of the 2013 bombing at the Boston Marathon and the search for the men who planted the bombs. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t share anything new and could’ve used a more personal approach. Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman and J.K. Simmons. Directed by Peter Berg. (Rick Bentley, Fresno Bee) Rated R for violence, graphic images, drug use. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 10 minutes. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” C The first film in a planned series of stand-alone movies is about the suicide mission to steal the Death Star. It’s a long, slow journey to get to the action that happens in the last half-hour of the film. Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna and Ben Mendelsohn. Directed by Gareth Edwards. (Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald) Rated PG-13 for war violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 13 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 AMC North DeKalb and Landmark’s Midtown Art. 2 hours, 41 minutes. “Sing” C+ A koala stages a singing competition even though he doesn’t have the prize money to present. The animated film is full of well-known crowd-pleasers and prove to be an addictive combination for children and adults. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Taron Egerton. Directed by Garth Jennings. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some rude humor and mild peril. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 48 minutes. “Sleepless” Review not available in time for publication. An undercover Las Vegas police officer gets caught in a high stakes heist and when something goes wrong, they kidnap his son. He has one night to get him back. Starring Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan and Gabrielle Union. Directed by Baran bo Odar. Rated R for strong violence and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 35 minutes. “Split” B A man has created 23 personalities to cope with childhood abuse, but the darker proclivities have taken over and he kidnaps three young girls to satisfy those urges. It’s a mean and lean psycho-thriller with racheting tension. Starring James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy and Betty Buckley. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and behavior, violence and some language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 57 minutes. “Trolls” C+ The trolls continue to hide from the miserable bergen, a grumpy species who believe to achieve happiness they must eat trolls. Their sugarsmacked high can be infectious and the film finds its balance preaching the gospel of finding contentment in oneself. Starring Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick and Zooey Deschanel. Directed by Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some mild rude humor. At Carmike 12. 1 hour, 40 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. “Why Him?” D A daughter invites her parents to her college town to meet her boyfriend who does not make a good first impression. It’s a boorish film with a few giggles, but much of the comic potential deflates fast. Starring Bryan Cranston, James Franco and Zoey Deutch. Directed by John Hamburg. (Alan Zilberman, Washington Post) Rated R for coarse language, nudity, violence and crude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 51 minutes. “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” C+ The extreme athlete turned government operative recruits an all-new group of cohorts to recover a seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. The appeal of this film lies in its outlandish action, innovative stunt spectacle to the extreme, but many others parts are just cheesy. Starring Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen and Ruby Rose Skotchdopole. Directed by D.J. Caruso. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for extended sequence of gunplay and violent action, and for sexual material and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 50 minutes. — FROM STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES