MOVIE MINIS

NOW PLAYING “Black Panther”

AThe king of Wakanda has to figure out how to decide how he’s going to aid in the liberation of black people throughout the world while also protecting his country. It’s a superhero film that is exhilarating, beautiful and genuinely moving. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o. Directed by Ryan Coogler. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 14 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE Great for older kids and teens, but too action-filled for very small children.

“Detective Chinatown 2”

C The detective duo is back, this time in NYC to find the perpetrator of a series of ritualistic murders. The special effects are first rate, but the script blasts through reams of plot. Starring Baoqiang Wang, Liu Haoran and Natasha Liu Bordizzo. Directed by Cheng Sicheng. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated R for brief language. At Regal Hollywood 24, AMC Sugarloaf Mills and AMC Southlake. 2 hours, 1 minute.

“Early Man”

B+ Caveman Dug and his sidekick hatch a plan to save their valley from Lord Nooth who is threatening to move in in a winner-take-all soccer match. The animated film combines weirdly funny comedy with a sweet story about what it means to depend on others. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston and Maisie Williams. Directed by Nick Park. (Rick Bentley, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for rude humor and some action. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 29 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE Fine for kids of all ages.

“The Female Brain”

Review unavailable at time of publication. A neuroscientist is studying the biochemistry of the female brain with three couples as subjects when her own synapses start to fire when a handsome new subject joins her study. Starring Whitney Cummings, Alysia Reiner and Cecily Strong. Directed by Whitney Cummings. Not rated. At AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 38 minutes.

“Happy End”

C+ An elderly man is looking for help from his family in ending his life and finds that his 13-year-old sociopathic granddaughter may be willing to help. The film signals a return of form for the director, who here favors the vinegary outlook on life. Starring Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Fantine Harduin. Directed by Michael Haneke. In French with subtitles. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for sexuality, strong language, disturbing thematic material and violence. At The Springs Cinema & Taphouse. 1 hour, 47 minutes.

STILL SHOWING “12 Strong”

C+ Twelve men go into the rugged landscape of Afghanistan to fight the Taliban in the shadow of 9/11. Based on the book “Horse Soldiers,” it focuses on the personal reasons to go to war, but never delves deep enough to examine the larger involvement of the U.S. and those ramifications. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Pena. Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for war violence and language throughout. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“The 15:17 to Paris”

C While backpacking in Europe, three American men tackle a man on a train who had many guns and was threatening passengers. The real life heroes play themselves, but the amateur performances aren’t the biggest problem. The script doesn’t know where to focus and much is spent on meaningless scenes of sightseeing in Europe. Starring Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler and Jenna Fischer. Directed by Clint Eastwood. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 on appeal for bloody images, violence, some suggestive material, drug references and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 34 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 metro theaters. 2 hours, 12 minutes.

“Coco”

A Centered 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.