“Baywatch” “Alien: Covenant” “Graduation” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

D+ The big screen take on the ’90s TV show has the lifeguards patrolling the bay while sniffing out a supplier of a new drug on the beach. Though it can be fun when it’s poking fun at its origins, it’s poorly edited and terribly written. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron and Priyanka Chopra. Directed by Seth Gordon. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language throughout, crude sexual content, and graphic nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 56 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE This is fine for teens but too raunchy for kid audiences.

“Buena Vista Social Club: Adios”

C This sequel reintroduces many of the major musicians from the first film and explores modern-day Havana. It could’ve been an affecting reunion, as well as a refresher course on the musical genre, but the inattentive, meandering style makes it hard to put put the footage together. Starring Omara Portuondo and Gilberto “Papi” Oviedo. Directed by Lucy Walker. (Alan Zilberman, Washington Post) Rated PG for mature thematic material and smoking (cigars, naturally). At Landmark’s Midtown Art and AMC Sugarloaf Mills. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki”

A

fighter in Helsinki poised for the bout of his life begins to fall in love and his attention is anywhere but the ring. The dilemma is not an original one, but the treatment it’s given makes it seem like it is. Starring Jarkko Lahti, Oona Airola and Eero Milonoff. Directed by Juho Kuosmanen. (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) Not rated. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 33 minutes.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”

C+ Capt. Jack Sparrow is being chased by a young man trying to save his father from a sea curse in this fifth film in the series. The film isn’t much different than the previous ones; there are some funny moments mixed with other scenes that leave the production high and dry. Starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush and Kaya Scodelario. Directors: Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg. (Rick Bentley, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for action scenes, suggestive content. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 15 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE This aquatic action-adventure is fine for older kids and teens but too violent and scary for younger kids.

“The Wedding Plan”

C+ A marriage-obsessed ultra-Orthodox woman is still single at the age of 32 and goes to big lengths to secure a husband. Events feel scattered in time and characters who haven’t been properly introduced suddenly become important. Starring Noa Koler and Oz Zehavi. Directed by Rama Burshtein. In Hebrew with subtitles. (Mark Jenkins, Washington Post) Rated PG for thematic elements. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 50 minutes. C+ It’s the year 2014 and a new crew is aboard the Covenant when they hear a mysterious radio transmission and decide to make their way to the planet where Prometheus met its doom. The film is maddeningly uneven, and mostly steals from other “Alien” films. Starring Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston and Billy Crudup. Directed by Ridley Scott. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/nudity. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 3 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.

“The Boss Baby”

C+ A baby comes along, but he’s really an ambitious young executive trying to find out about a new product launch. It’s funny for adults, but it remains to be seen whether kids will get it. Starring the voices of Alec Baldwin, Jimmy Kimmel and Lisa Kudrow. Directed by Tom McGrath. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some mild rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 37 minutes.

“Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary”

B The documentary maps out the jazz saxophonist’s life and career using archival footage and home movies along with more recent interviews from bandmates and musical peers. But it’s the music, not the testimonials, that make the movie. Starring John Coltrane, Denzel Washington and Carlos Santana. Directed John Scheinfeld. (Pat Padua, Washington Post) Unrated but contains some disturbing archival footage. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 39 minutes.

“The Circle”

B A young woman goes to work at a tech company and becomes the first person ever to wear a body camera, allowing her life to become “transparent.” It’s a plea for the preservation and sanctification of privacy, but it’s nicely constructed. Starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks and Patton Oswalt. Directed by James Ponsoldt. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated PG-13 for a sexual situation, brief strong language and some thematic elements including drug use. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul”

D The family takes a road trip where the mother wants them to reconnect without the use of devices, but the children have other ideas. It’s supposed to be a raucous family adventure, but it’s instead a dirge of unfunny scatological material. Starring Jason Drucker, Charlie Wright and Alicia Silverstone. Directed by David Bowers. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 30 minutes.

“Everything, Everything”

D+ A girl has Severe Combine Immunodeficiency and can’t leave her house for fear of dying from a common cold and the boy next door strike up a texting relationship and the viewer can probably guess what happens next. The young actors have charisma, but that only goes so far in a film that’s sterile and so wildly far-fetched. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Starring Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson. Directed by Stella Meghie. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief sensuality. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 36 minutes.

“The Fate of the Furious”

C+ The freelance international driver is called out of retirement once again because he’s such a great driver. The film doesn’t achieve anything new for the franchise and even seems to downshift a bit, but it’s still fun. Starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Charlize Theron. Directed by F. Gary Gray. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of violence and destruction, suggestive content, and language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 16 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 Regal Atlantic Station, Austell Stadium and AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Ghost in the Shell”

C A woman is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier after she was saved from a crash, but then she finds out her life was not saved but stolen. There are interesting themes floating around in this film, but it all gets bogged down in aesthetics. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Michael Pitt. Directed by Rupert Sanders. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, suggestive content and some disturbing images. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 46 minutes.

“Gifted”

C A man puts his prodigy niece in public school and all of a sudden, her real father and grandmother show up as well as a dream adoptive couple. It was intended as sincere, but turns out a contrived mashup of earth-shaking algorithms and nerve-wracking custody battles. Starring Chris Evans, McKenna Grace and Octavia Spencer. Directed by Marc Webb. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 41 minutes.

“Going in Style”

B Three former steel workers plan a bank heist after their pension disappears during a buyout. It’s not a laugh out loud comedy, but it will make you smile the whole way through. Starring Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin and Ann-Margret. Directed by Zach Braff. (Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated PG-13 for drug content, language and some suggestive material. At GTC Park 12 and Regal Hamilton Mill. 1 hour, 36 minutes. B+ A man hunts for his daughter’s attacker for revenge. The film has a brooding feel and anti-glamorous visuals, but in terms of sociopolitical drama, it’s worth the effort. Starring Adrian Titieni, Maria-Victoria Dragus and Lia Bugnar. Directed by Cristian Mungiu. In subtitled Romanian. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for some language. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 2 hours, 7 minutes. A The guardians are back to protect the Anulax batteries from an alien starbeast. There’s a lot of humor resulting from efforts to look cool and family is the theme, which manages to evoke genuine, deep feelings. Starring Chris Pratt, Bradley Coooper, Zoe Saldana and Vin Diesel. Directed by James Gunn. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and brief suggestive content. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 17 minutes.

“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”

C This well-known story revolves mostly around the themes of friendship and male companionship with Arthur’s desire to protect his friends and loved ones. The film’s rapid editing makes it hard to tell the effecting story and leaves it with muddled timelines and mushy details. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Jude Law. Directed by Guy Ritchie. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some suggestive content and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 6 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 Austell Stadium, Picture Show at Merchants Exchange and AMC Southlake. 2 hours.

“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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“Logan”

B+ The mutant with retractable claws is hoping to help himself and his mentor escape the 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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“The Lost City of Z”

B+ This film adaptation retraces the steps of English explorer Percy Fawcett who mapped the uncharted depths of the Amazon in the early 20th century. The heartfelt and riveting portrayal of the explorer etches a delicate picture under the colorful and wild portrait of Fawcett. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller. Directed by James Gray. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, brief strong language and some nudity. At GTC Merchants Walk. 2 hours, 21 minutes.

“The Lovers”

C+ A married couple who each have their own lovers are reminded why they fell in love with each other. While there are many times the film feels stiff, the warm performances make the emotions at hand come to life. Starring Debra Winger, Tracy Letts and Aiden Gillen. Directed by Azazel Jacobs. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for sexuality and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 34 minutes.

“Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer”

B A man with an investment idea pushes his idea on everyone to the point of annoyance, but a stroke of luck could bring about a change. Richard Gere’s performance is maddening, but it works. Also starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lior Ashkenazi, Michael Sheen and Dan Stevens. Directed by Joseph Cedar. (Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Inquirer) Rated R for some language. At metro theaters. 1 hours, 57 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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 2 hours, 4 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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 2 hours, 12 minutes.

“Smurfs: The Lost Village”

D+ While the Smurfs try to prevent Gargamel from capturing them to turn them into gold, Smurfette goes on a journey of self-discovery. The movie has some imaginative pleasures, but the movie ends up like a kind of family-friendly psychedelic trip. Starring voices of Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson and Jack McBrayer. Directed by Kelly Asbury. (Pat Padua, Washington Post) Rated PG for mild action, rude humor and a color palette offensive to the eye. At Regal Hollywood Stadium, Regal Town Center and AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 21 minutes.

“Snatched”

D+ A mother and daughter are on vacation in Ecuador when they get kidnapped and then set off on an unlikely journey while trying to escape their captors. The film feels like a rough sketch of a movie rather than a fleshed-out, joke-dense script. Starring Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn and Ike Barinholtz. Directed by Jonathan Levine. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for crude sexual content, brief nudity, and language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 31 minutes.

“Their Finest”

B+ A woman is hired as a scriptwriter for the British ministry’s propoganda films when they realize their films need a “woman’s touch.” The film is genial and engaging with a fine sense of humor and makes blending the comic with the serious look simpler than it is. Starring Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin. Directed by Lone Scherfig. (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) Rated R for some language and a scene of sexuality. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Unforgettable”

C+ A woman barely coping with the end of her marriage becomes overtaken with jealousy when her ex-husband becomes engaged and brings the new woman into the life of their daughter. It’s tawdry and sometimes cheesy, but outlandishly entertaining. Starring Katherine Heigl, Rosario Dawson and Geoff Stults. Directed by Denise Di Novi. Rated R for sexual content, violence, some language and brief partial nudity. At AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 41 minutes.

“The Wall”

B It’s 2007 in Iraq and two Army men are following up after an attack and end up wounded and talking to the sniper when they try to radio for help. The film is smart, tense and provocative. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena. Directed by Doug Liman. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for coarse language and some war violence. At Regal Town Center. 1 hour, 30 minutes. — FROM STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES