“Chips” “The Last Word”

C+ The pair of California Highway Patrol officers from the famous TV series from the 1970s and ’80s work an inside job heist, but the movie is really about their bonding brotherhood. It has its faults, but overall is a light comedy worth a watch. Starring Dax Shepard, Michael Pena and Adam Brody. Directed by Dax Shepard. Rated R for crude sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language, some violence and drug use. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 41 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE Way too sexually explicit for kids. Fine for older teens.

“Life”

C A six-member space crew finds life on Mars, but that life grows and begins to eat the humans. It’s unoriginal, throwing back too much to “Alien,” but it has its taut moments. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal and Rebecca Ferguson. Directed by Daniel Espinosa. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated R for strong language, sci-fi violence and terror. At metro theaters. 1 hours, 43 minutes.

“Personal Shopper”

B A woman’s twin brother dies and she stays at her job as a personal shopper for a celebrity hoping to hear from him from beyond. It’s a ghost story, but done with an elegant tension. Starring Kristen Stewart and Lars Eidinger. Directed by Olivier Assayas. (Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times) Rated R for some language, sexuality, nudity and a bloody violent image. At AMC Phipps Plaza and Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Power Rangers”

C+ The group of misfits who discover their new startling powers take on a gold monster who wants to steal the Earth’s life crystal. The film maintains the essence of its origins, but it errs on the side of goofy rather than gritty. Starring Elizabeth Banks, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston and R.J. Cyler, Dacre Montgomery. Directed by Dean Israelite. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, language, and for some crude humor. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 4 minutes.

“Raw”

A

group of first-year veterinary students are forced to eat animal organs as part of a hazing ritual when some of the students take a liking to “cannibalism.” The film is horrific, a weird and riotous iteration, shirking most generic conventions and the interpretation of cannibalism becomes a symbol of independence and freedom. Starring Garance Marillier, Ella Rumpf and Rabah Nait Oufella. Directed by Julia Ducournau. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for aberrant behavior, bloody and grisly images, strong sexuality, nudity, language and drug use/partying. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 39 minutes.

“Slamma Jamma”

Review not available in time for publication. After being wrongfully accused and sent to prison, a former basketball player prepares for the national slam dunk competition. Starring Chris Staples, Michael Irvin and Jose Canseco. Directed by Timothy A. Chey. Rated PG for thematic elements, some violence and language. At metro theaters.

“T2 Trainspotting”

C+ Renton returns to Edinburgh where he reminisces the old days with the rest of the gang from the original film. It can’t escape its own memorializing and there’s no new ground for “T2” to tread. Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle. Directed by Danny Boyle. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for drug use, language throughout, strong sexual content, graphic nudity and some violence. At Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 57 minutes.

“Wilson”

C A man reconnects with his ex-wife and attempts to connect with a teenage daughter he never knew. Based on a graphic novel, the film seems to settle for bland, indistinct flavors. Starring Woody Harrelson and Laura Dern. Directed by Craig Johnson. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 34 minutes.

“Beauty and the Beast”

C+ The live-action take on the fairy tale stays true to the story of a beautiful girl falling for her captor, a beast. The film lacks a unique cinematic identity and it can’t decide between complete faithfulness to the original and story innovation. Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Luke Evans. Directed by Bill Condon. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some action violence, peril and frightening images. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 9 minutes.

“Before I Fall”

B A high school girl relives the same Friday, over and over, preceding a dangerous car crash and each day, she learns to do something different to attempt to change the outcome. It’s cerebral and philosophical, and goes far beyond the shallow themes of most young adult thrillers. Starring Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage and Jennifer Beals. Directed by Ry Russo-Young. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content involving drinking, sexuality, bullying, some violent images, and language-all involving teens. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 39 minutes.

“A Dog’s Purpose”

C A stray puppy dies and is constantly reincarnated, but he’s always the same dog inside. The film, based on a book, has the emotional resonance of a novelty coffee table book. It’s adorable, but forgettable. Starring Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad and Bryce Gheisar. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for thematic elements and some peril. At metro theaters. 2 hours.

“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 Austell Stadium, Regal Town Center and Carmike 12. 2 hours, 18 minutes.

“Fist Fight”

C+ Two teachers at a failing high school face off with threats and a fist fight to try to keep their jobs. There is a theme of can’t-we-all-just-get-along, but everyone is really just going to see the face-off. Starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day and Tracy Morgan. Directed by Richie Keen. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated R for strong language throughout, sexual content/nudity and drug material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 31 minutes.

“Get Out”

A

black man goes to dinner at his white girlfriend’s house and suddenly feels like he went from predator to prey. The film and its heightened scenario forces the audience to confront uncomfortable truths here. Starring Daniel Kaluuye, Allison Williams and Bradley Whitford. Directed by Jordan Peele. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violence, bloody images, and language including sexual references. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 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.

“John Wick: Chapter 2”

B The hitman is forced out of retirement to keep a former associate from seizing control of an international assassins’ guild. The film stumbles in its plotting, but the surreal violence in the art exhibit is delicious. Starring Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane and Ruby Rose. Directed by Chad Stahelski. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for strong violence throughout, some language and brief nudity. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 2 minutes.

“Kedi”

Review not available in time for publication. The documentary is about the hundreds of thousands of cats that roam Istanbul freely and the impact they have on everyone they touch. Starring Bulent Ustun. Directed by Ceyda Torun. Not rated. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 19 minutes.

“Kong: Skull Island”

B A motley crew gets a military escort to an unknown island to check it out before the Russians do and find Kong defending the island against prehistoric monsters. The film is sumptuous and full of color as well as a constantly moving camera and visual jokes and puns punctuate the action. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson and John Goodman. Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for brief strong language. At metro theaters. 2 hours.

“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. C A woman wants to control her reputation after she dies so she hires the obit writer only to find out all of her acquaintances thinks she’s horrible. The character is inconsistent and thin, and the film wastes the talent of an Oscar-winning star. Starring Shirley MacLaine, Amanda Seyfried and Anne Heche. Directed by Mark Pellington. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for language. At Lefont Sandy Springs, Tara Theatre and AMC Mansell Crossing. 1 hour, 47 minutes.

“The Lego Batman Movie”

A The hero made from building blocks is working to save Gotham City from the Joker. It’s done well with visual gags, puns, wordplay and one-liners. It’s hysterical and very lovable. Starring Will Arnett, Ralph Fiennes and Michael Cera. Directed by Chris McKay. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for rude humor and some action. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 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.

“Logan”

B+ The mutant with retractable claws is hoping to help himself and his mentor escapethe raiding parties when Wolverine is offered a big payment to transport a young girl to a distant location. The somber chapter in this series offers deep character studies and high-impact action sequences. Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Boyd Holbrook. Directed by James Mangold. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for brutal violence, profanity and brief nudity. In English and Spanish. 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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange and Carmike 12. 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 Regal Town Center. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Rings”

D A woman becomes worried when her boyfriend begins to explore the mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after viewing it. The film never manages a single sequence of sustained tension or a frisson of genuine terror. Starring Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz and Alex Roe. Directed by J. Javier Gutierrez. (Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times) Rated PG-13 for violence/terror, thematic elements, some sexuality and brief drug material. At Carmike 12. 1 hour,

“Rock Dog”

C A sheep-herding dog just wants to play music so he runs away to the city to do it. It’s a fine film with a few great tunes, but it doesn’t inspire any passion. Starring Luke Wilson, Eddie Izzard and J.K. Simmons. Directed by Ash Brannon. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for action and language. At Regal Arbor Place and Regal Snellville Oaks. 1 hour, 20 minutes.

“The Sense of an Ending”

B A divorced retiree is leading a quiet life until a surprising letter forces him to face a pivotal episode in his life that his memory has dramatically distorted over time. It’s a cozy movie with an un-cozy message about the perils of resuscitating our past and the bigger risk of leaving them alone. Starring Jim Broadbent and Harriet Walter. Directed by Ritesh Batra. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic elements, a violent image, sexuality and brief strong obscenity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 48 minutes.

“The Shack”

B A man’s depression is exacerbated by the abduction of his daughter when he meets up with a trio of groovy spiritual leaders in a tropical wooded paradise. The dialogue is written with the finesse of a self-help book, but there are some nuggets of wisdom. Starring Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer and Avraham Aviv Alush. Directed by Stuart Hazeldine. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic material including some violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 12 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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 48 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.

“Table 19”

B A maid of honor breaks up with the groom’s brother and is relegated to the table where the bride put guests she didn’t really want to invite. It’s never less than pleasant, but it’s a bit disappointing and forgettable. Starring Anna Kendrick, Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson. Directed by Jeffrey Blitz. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, drug use, language and some brief nudity. At Regal Town Center. 1 hour, 27 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 Carmike 12. 1 hour, 50 minutes.