The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Movie Minis
NEW THIS WEEK “City of Lies”
Review not available in time for publication. This film follows the investigation into the murder of rap artist The Notorious B. I. G. and the L. A. police detective who spent nearly 20 years trying to solve the crime. Starring Johnny Depp, Forest Whitaker and Rockmond Dunbar. Directed by Brad Furman. Rated R for drug use, some violence and language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 52 minutes.
“Come True”
A
A teenager participates in a university sleep study and comes to a frightening discovery — her nightmares are coming true. The cinematography is excellent, moving from the captured ordinary world into the depths of shadowy of dream psyche. Starring Julia Sarah Stone, Landon Liboiron and Carlee Ryski. Directed by Anthony Scott Burns. ( Michael Ordona, Los Angeles Times) Unrated. At NCG Acworth. 1 hour, 45 minutes.
“The Courier”
C+
An English businessman is pressed into service as a spy to collect images of a high- ranking Soviet officer who has grown weary of the threat of nuclear war. Based on a true story, it zigs when it might zag, and the film becomes something much more dark, complex and moving. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessie Buckley and Rachel Brosnahan. Directed by Dominic Cooke. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG- 13 for violence, partial nudity, brief strong language and smoking throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 51 minutes.
“Dark Web: Cicada 3301”
Review not available in time for publication. A hacker discovers an online treasure hunt that could be a recruiting tool for a secret society that sends him and his friends dashing to locales around the city while outrunning aggressive NSA agents. Starring Jack Kesy, Ron Funches and Alan Ritchson. Directed by Alan Ritchson. Rated R. At Movie Tavern Horizon Village. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
“Dutch”
Review not available in time for publication. A man gains control of an African drug lord’s stolen heroin business and builds a drug empire on the East Coast, creating enemies who vow to take him down. Starring Lance Gross, Jeremy Meeks and Macy Gray. Directed by Preston Whitmore. Rated R for some drug use, language throughout, sexual references, nudity and violence. At Movie Tavern Horizon Village. 1 hour, 49 minutes.
“Lamb of God: The Concert Film”
Review not available in time for publication. New soloists and an orchestra perform Rob Gardner’s “Lamb of God.” Starring Katherine Thomas, Tyler Hardwick and Emily Moffat. Directed by Rob Gardner. Unrated. At GTC Merchants Walk. 1 hour, 30 minutes.
STILL SHOWING “Boogie”
CA basketball phenom living in Queens dreams of playing in the NBA, but must find a way to navigate his parents’ pressure to earn a scholarship to an elite college, a new girlfriend and on- court rivals. It’s a coming- ofage story that’s just rough and unformed enough to suggest the director has some growing up to do as a filmmaker. Starring Taylor Takahashi, Taylour Paige and Pamelyn Chee. Directed by Eddie Huang. ( Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and sexual references. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 29 minutes.
“Chaos Walking”
C+
In a dystopian world where all the females have disappeared, a man must protect a mysterious woman. Too frequently, the sci- fi bells and whistles overwhelm its quieter, more engrossing elements, making it hard to hear what the film really seems to be saying. Starring Daisy Ridley, Tom Holland and Mads Mikkelsen. Directed by Doug Liman. ( Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated PG- 13 for violence and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
“Come Play”
C+
A child with nonverbal autism who uses a communication app on his phone to speak finds a mysterious app
that invites a skeletonoid creature into real life. It has a childlike perspective and in a normal year, it might be forgettable, but its message of finding human connection rings true right now. Starring Azhy Robertson, Gillian Jacobs and John Gallagher Jr. Directed by Jacob Chase. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG- 13 for terror, frightening images and some language. At AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 36 minutes.
“Coming 2 America”
Review not available in time for publication. The new- crowned King Akeem and his trusted confidante embark on a new adventure that takes them from the royal country of Zamunda back to Queens, New York, where it all began. Starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones. Directed by Craig Brewer. Rated PG- 13 for crude and sexual content, language and drug content. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
“The Croods: A New Age”
C+The caveman nomads are back, this time discovering a pair of evolved bohemian homo sapiens who have the creature comforts of “privacy,” hygiene and simple machines. The film is a blend of smart, irreverent humor coupled with eye- popping, neon- Technicolor animation that moves fast and furious. Starring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds. Directed by Joel Crawford. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for peril, action and rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 35 minutes.
“The Father”
B+
An 80- year- old is defiantly living alone and his grip on reality is unraveling. Sometimes the film unfolds like a psychological thriller and the unpredictable environment isn’t just confusing, but outright deceitful at times. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman and Imogen Poots. Directed by Florian Zeller. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG- 13 for some strong language and thematic material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 37 minutes.
“I Still Believe”
Review not available in time for publication. The true story of Christian music star Jeremy Camp and his journey. Starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson and Shania Twain. Directed by Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin. Rated PG for thematic material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 55 minutes.
“Jathi Ratnalu”
Review not available in time for publication. Three prisoners are released and they have a plan, but things take a turn and a twist. Starring Naveen Polishetty, Rajsekhar Aningi and Vennela Kishore. Directed by Anudeep K. V. Unrated. At the Springs Cinema & Taphouse and NCG Peachtree Corners. 45 minutes.
“Judas and the Black Messiah”
B+This biopic is a portrait of Fred Hampton, the Black Panther Party deputy chairman, and an examination of FBI informant William O’neal who was integral to their surveillance and murder of Hampton. The dual focus and stylish cinematic approach makes a film that is at once rousing, maddening and desperately tragic. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield and Dominique Fishback. Directed by Shaka King. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violence and pervasive language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 6 minutes.
“Land”
B
A woman who is battling demons needs to be alone and takes to the wilderness to heal. It doesn’t quite fit the solo female survival thriller it initially sounds like, but it’s a resonant reminder of the importance of friendship in any and all forms. Starring Robin Wright, Demian Bichir and Kim Dickens. Directed
by Robin Wright. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Services) Rated PG- 13 for thematic content, brief strong language and partial nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 29 minutes.
“The Little Things”
BA deputy from a rural county in California heads to L. A. to pick up evidence and is convinced to take a look at a crime scene, which he decides is connected to an unsolved case from his past. The script unfolds efficiently and stylishly but withholds answers. Starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto. Directed by John Lee Hancock. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violent/ disturbing images, language and full nudity. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 7 minutes.
“Long Weekend”
C
A weekend courtship leads to unexpected revelations between a young man and woman who harbor deep secrets. The sentiments feel authentic, but the ludicrous plot, filled with holes, doesn’t do the emotional aspects of the story any service. Starring Finn Wittrock, Zoe Chao and Damon Wayans Jr. Directed by Steve Basilone. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 31 minutes.
“The Marksman”
C
A widowed rancher tries to protect a Hispanic woman and her son from a Mexican drug cartel when they cross the border in front of his truck. The film lacks the lean, zippy action and twisty plots of other thrillers and its politics are muddied at best. Starring Liam Neeson, Katheryn Winnick and Juan Pablo Raba. Directed by Robert Lorenz. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG- 13 for brief strong language, violence, some bloody images. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
“Minari”
B
A couple relocates to the Ozarks from California to give it a go growing Korean vegetables while working in a nearby chicken plant. The plot follows a tried- and- true formula, but it never seems to feel predictable or stale. Starring Steven Yeun, Yeri Han and Will Patton. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung. ( Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG- 13 for some thematic elements and a rude gesture. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 55 minutes.
“Monster Hunter”
Review not available in time for publication. Soldiers are transported to another world where powerful monsters rule and a lieutenant teams up with a mysterious hunter to fight back and survive. Starring Milla Jovovich, Ron Perlman and Tony Jaa. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. Rated PG- 13 for violence throughout and sequences of creature action. At AMC Parkway Pointe and NCG Snellville. 1 hour, 43 minutes.
“Nomadland”
A
A widow takes off across the country to work as a season migrant laborer. It’s a visually lush, emotionally complex journey. Starring Frances Mcdormand, David Strathaim and Linda May. Directed by Chloe Zhao. ( Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated R for full nudity. At the Springs Cinema & Taphouse, Landmark’s Midtown Art and GTC Merchants Walk. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
“Raya and the Last Dragon” B+
A warrior princess is on a quest to unite five scattered pieces of a magical, broken gemstone that would save the world. The story, told with cheeky humor and heart, has an overarching theme of sacrifice that is a powerful one. Starring the voices of Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina and Izaac Wang. Directed by Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada. ( Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated PG for some violence, action and thematic elements. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 48 minutes.