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“I Can Only Imagine”

Review not available in time for publication. This is the unknown true story behind MercyMe’s chart-topping song. Starring Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins and Cloris Leachman. Directed by Jon and Andrew Erwin. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including some violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Loveless”

B+ A boy whose parents are in a loveless marriage runs away after finding out they want to send him to a boarding school. This is difficult viewing, but it will stick with you because of its exceptional intensity. Starring Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin and Matvey Novikov. Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev. In Russian with English subtitles. (Walter Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated R for strong sexuality, graphic nudity, language and a brief disturbing image. At The Springs Cinema & Taphouse. 2 hours, 7 minutes.

“Love, Simon”

C+ A gay teen doesn’t fear coming out so much as he resents the need to do so and ends up in a situation of deceiving friends after a series of anonymous emails reveal his status to a needy nerd. The film is well made and likable, but just a little bland. Starring Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford and Alexandra Shipp. Directed by Greg Berlanti. (Mark Jenkins, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexual references, strong language and teen partying. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 49 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE A truly wonderful, warm and heartwarming story of embracing oneself fully. Mature themes about sex and drinking feel authentic to teenage life — a story of tolerance and love that is appropriate for teens and older kids.

“Oh Lucy!”

B A Japanese woman goes to the U.S. with her sister to find her niece and has wild American adventures. It’s a journey of self-discovery and this later-in-life coming-of-age story is more honest than most. Starring Shinobu Terajima, Josh Hartnett and Kaori Momoi. Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi. In Japanese and English with some subtitles. (Kristen Page-Kirby, Washington Post) Unrated but contains drug use and sex. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 36 minutes.

“7 Days in Entebbe”

B Terrorists hijacked an Air France airliner in 1976 and the hostages were rescued by Israeli commandos. So much of the movie is spent anticipating the ending, but the rescue operation is marred by an odd sequence editing. Starring Rosamund Pike, Daniel Bruhl and Lior Ashkenazi. Directed by Jose Padilha. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated PG-13 for violence, some thematic material, drug use, smoking and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 47 minutes.

“Tomb Raider”

C+ Lara Croft returns in this video game-based film, where she discovers her long-lost father’s passion for dangerous treasure hunting. There’s not much plot, but that’s OK for its form, which mimics the video game and this one is a fresh, modern and grounded approach. Starring Alicia Vikander, Dominic West and Walton Goggins. Directed by Roar Uthaug. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and for some language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 58 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE Too violent for younger kids but fine for older kids and teens.

STILL SHOWING “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 Regal Cherokee and AMC Classic Newnan. 1 hour, 34 minutes.

“Annihilation”

B A group of women scientists head to a jungle to figure out why a shimmering energetic border has appeared and seemingly swallowed three different groups of military men who have been there on missions. The female-driven sci-fi is deeply challenging and singularly adventurous. Starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Oscar Isaac. Directed by Alex Garland. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality. At metro theaters. 2 hours.

“Black Panther”

A The 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.

“Call Me By Your Name”

AAn 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 Classic Mansell. 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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 49 minutes.

“The Commuter”

CA 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 Picture Show at Merchants Exchange and AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“Darkest Hour”

Abiopic 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 PG13 for some mature thematic material. At Tara Theatre and AMC Classic Mansell Crossing. 2 hours, 5 minutes.

“Den of Thieves”

D+ There’s a violent robbery of an empty armored truck and a detective fingers the culprits. It’s too convoluted and audience members don’t want to invest in the characters. Starring Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber. Directed by Christian Gudegast. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated R for violence, language and some sexuality/nudity. At Austell Stadium and AMC Southlake. 2 hours, 20 minutes.

“Fifty Shades Freed”

Review not available in time for publication. In the third installment of this series, Christian and Ana begin their life as newlyweds, but new threats could jeopardize their marriage. Starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. Directed by James Foley. Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 45 minutes.

“Game Night”

C+ What’s supposed to be a pretend kidnapping mystery turns real and the game night players have until midnight to figure it out. There are some fun parts, like when the locations look like board games, but the script eventually begins to unravel. Starring Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler and Jesse Plemons. Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein. Rick Bentley, Tribune News Service) Rated R for action scenes, sexual references, language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 40 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.

“Gringo”

DAn American businessman attempts to survive a dangerous place as he crosses from citizen to criminal in Mexico and tangles with drug lords, mercenaries and the DEA. The film has a great cast, but their characters are weak and the script is lamebrained with much kill-happy bloodshed. Starring Joel Edgerton, Amanda Seyfried and Charlize Theron. Directed by Nash Edgerton. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for language throughout, violence and sexual content. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Hostiles”

BIn 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 AMC Classic Newnan. 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“Hurricane Heist”

Review not available in time for publication. A hurricane is coming and a few criminals are using the weather to try to steal $600 million from a U.S. mint facility but their plans go awry. The treasury agent who has the code they need seeks the help of a meteorologist to save the day. Starring Maggie Grace, Tony Kebbell and Ryan Kwanten. Directed by Rob Cohen. Rated PG-13 for sequences of gun violence, action, destruction, language and some suggestive material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

BFour 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.

“Lady Bird”

AA 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 Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 33 minutes.

From staff and news services