MOVIE MINIS

NOW PLAYING “The Commuter” C

A man loses his job and while on the train, he gets a proposal to find and do something to another passenger for $100,000. It’s a serviceable mystery, but derails when a conspiracy theory creeps in. Starring Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga and Sam Neill. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for some intense action/violence, and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“Paddington 2” B+

The cuddly bear wants to buy a pop-up book for his aunt and takes odd jobs to afford it, but is accused when it is stolen by a villain. It leans heavily on a simplistic message, but it’s stunning to look at and is a charmer from the beginning. Starring Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson. Directed by Paul King. (Stephanie Merry, Washington Post) Rated PG but contains some action and mild rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Phantom Thread” A

A dressmaker in 1950s London woes his latest muse, not realizing the strength she has buried beneath her naive and coltish ways. It’s a film that’s a kind of puzzle that’s both frustrating and joyful to put together. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“The Post” B+

The Washington Post scrambles to get their hands on the Pentagon Papers after a U.S. military analyst releases them to the New York Times and the government wins an injunction against stories being printed. There are many plot points, but it never feels too slow or too rushed and the two stars shine in this film. Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Bob Odenkirk. Directed by Steven Spielberg. (Cary Darling, Houston Chronicle) Rated PG-13 for language and brief war violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 56 minutes.

“Proud Mary”

Review not available in time for publication. A hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston has her life turned around when she meets a young boy when a professional hit goes bad. Starring Taraji P. Henson and Danny Glover. Directed by Babk Najafi. Rated R for violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 28 minutes.

STILL SHOWING “A Bad Moms Christmas” D+

The moms of the moms from the first film come for the holidays and now there’s even more naughty mommies. The shoddily-made film seems to spring from a single inspirational scene. Starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn. Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and some drug use. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“All the Money in the World” B

This is the story of the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Gettiy III, the 16-year-old grandson of billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. The film may not have that many surprises up its sleeve, but you will get your money’s worth. Starring Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer and Mark Wahlberg. Directed by Ridley Scott. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for strong language, some violence, disturbing images and brief drug use. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 12 minutes.

“Call Me By Your Name” A

An American intern and an Italian teen find themselves attracted to one another over a summer in Italy while the American is working for the teen’s family. It’s a spellbinding, almost ecstatically beautiful movie that gains more heft and meaning in its final transcendent moments. Starring Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet and Michael Stuhlbarg. Directed by Luca Guadagnino. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated R for sexuality, nudity and some coarse language. At AMC Dine-In Buckhead, Lefont Sandy Springs and Landmark’s Midtown Art. 2 hours, 12 minutes.

“Coco”

ACentered on Dia de los Muertos, when families memorialize their ancestors, “Coco” tells the story of Miguel, who desperately wants his family to understand his passion for music. It’s not until he unearths the truth about his family history that they are able to understand why it’s so important to him. The film uses the vibrant colors and style of the holiday to spin an imaginative tale, while using the themes of family history, memory and legacy to create a tremendously moving story, with an important message about honoring one’s roots. With the voices of: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach and Renee Victor. Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for thematic elements. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 49 minutes.

“Daddy’s Home 2”

C+

The sequel brings the granddads in for the holidays. The film is deliriously silly and delightful, but also lacks the consistency of the first film. Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson and Jon Lithgow. Directed by Sean Anders. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for suggestive material and some language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 40 minutes.

“Darkest Hour”

AA biopic about Winston Churchill that starts in May 1940 when the war is already underway in Europe. It is handsomely filmed, intelligently written and accented with just a dash of outright hokum. It ends the year with a crowd-pleasing bow. Starring Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James. Directed by Joe Wright. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic material. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 5 minutes.

“The Disaster Artist” B+

This film is about the making of what became a cult hit, but started out as possible the worst movie ever called “The Room.” The intentionally funny film is a celebration of effort and follow-through. Starring James Franco, Dave Franco and Seth Rogen. Directed by James Franco. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/ nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Downsizing”

A“Cellular reduction” can safely shrink humans to the size of Barbie dolls, staving off their ruinous impact on vanishing resources so one family explores the option. The rewards are rich and revelatory in a film that doesn’t soft-pedal the woes facing the planet. Starring Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig and Christoph Waltz. Directed by Alexander Payne. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated R for profanity including sexual references, some graphic nudity and drug use. At metro theaters. 1 hours, 15 minutes.

“Father Figures”

FTwo brothers set off to search for their father, but end up getting an earful from all their mother’s exes. The bromantic comedy is laced with a cutesy, insidious streak of sexism, homophobia and racism. Starring Ed Helms, Owen Wilson and Glenn Close. Directed by Lawrence Sher. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language and sexual references throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 53 minutes.

“Ferdinand”

CA peaceful bull and his friend realize they are being sent to the “chop shop” if they don’t perform for the matador so they hatch an escape plan. Based on the beloved children’s book, the film contains resonant messages about prioritizing gentleness and love over competition and violence, but the rest of the story filler is mostly forgettable. Starring John Cena, Kate McKinnon and Jeremy Sisto. Directed by Carlos Saldanha. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for rude humor, action and some thematic elements. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 46 minutes.

“The Greatest Showman” D+

The story follows the rise of circus impresario Phineas Taylor Barnum as he risks it all, turning his museum of oddities into a live freak show. It’s a profoundly confused and muddled film, with a story that’s at once too thin and too busy. Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams. Directed by Michael Gracey. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for thematic elements including a brawl. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 45 minutes.

“Hostiles” B

In this Western, an Army captain must accompany an ailing chief back to his homeland despite their hate for each other. The performances are excellent and what the audience sees will surprise. Starring Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike and Wes Studi. Directed by Scott Cooper. (Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times) Rated R for strong violence and language. At Regal Town Center, AMC Colonial and Regal Mall of Georgia . 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“Insidious: The Last Key”

Review unavailable at time of publication. In the fourth installment of this series, parapsychologist Elise Rainier faces her scariest haunting yet — in her own home. Starring Lin Shaye and Angus Sampson. Directed by Adam Robitel. Rated PG-13 for disturbing cinematic content, violence and terror and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” B

Four kids find an antique video game — the original game has evolved — and are accidentally beamed into the game’s jungle as their digital alter egos. It’s the characters in this follow-up, not the convoluted plot or digital magic, that make it such fun. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart. Directed Jake Kasdan. (Jane Horwitz, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for adventure action, suggestive material and some crude language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 58 minutes.

“Justice League” D+

The superheroes all get together to stop a space monster from getting the three thingamajigs he needs to end the world. There’s a blur of horrible CGI that never lets up and the action is insane and impossible to follow. Starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot and Ezra Miller. Directed by Zack Snyder. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 1 minute.

“Lady Bird” A

A self-consciously eccentric teen is trying to find herself in a Catholic high school. It puts equal weight on the dark parts as it does the joyous, euphoric moments. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts. Directed by Greta Gerwig. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language, sexual content, brief graphic nudity and teen partying. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 33 minutes.

“Molly’s Game” C

Instead of going to law school like her parents wish, a young woman becomes an assistant to a guy running a high stakes poker game and moves it from a dark club to a luxury hotel suite. Legal troubles abound. Jessica Chastain is incredible, but the story is inflated with an importance it doesn’t deserve. Starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner. Directed by Aaron Sorkin. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated R for language, drug content and some violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 20 minutes.

“Murder on the Orient Express” B

A murder happens aboard a sleeper train. Based on Agatha Christie’s mystery novel, the film starts out with a pop and a fizz, but grows darker and ultimately cold to the touch. Starring Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp and Judi Dench. Directed by Kenneth Branagh. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for violence and thematic elements. At Regal Hollywood 24, Austell Stadium and Regal Cherokee. 1 hour, 54 minutes.