The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Movie Minis
NEW THIS WEEK “Courageous Legacy” Review not available in time for publication.
Four law enforcement officers encounter tragedy and they are left wrestling with their hopes, fears, faith and fathering. This is a faith-based drama. Starring Ken Bevel, Robert Amaya, Kevin Downes and Ben Davies. Directed by Alex Kendrick. Unrated. At metro theaters.
“Dear Evan Hansen”
D+An isolated kid is seen as the friend of a boy who commits suicide and when assumptions and lies tumble out of control, it’s likely to blow up in everyone’s faces. There’s much wrong with this film, to start, the fact that the star is too told to play a teenager. Starring Ben Platt, Amy Adams and Julianne Moore. Directed by Stephen Chbosky. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for some suggestive references, brief strong language, suicide and thematic material. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 17 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE: OK for older kids and teens.
“Guimoon: The Lightless Door” Review not available in time for publication.
A mass murder took place in a community center and while exploring the building, a paranormal investigator discovers a door to another world. Starring Kim Kang-woo and Kim Sohye. Directed by Sim Deok-geun. Unrated. At Regal Atlantic Station. 1 hour, 25 minutes.
STILL SHOWING “Black Widow”
BThis Avengers film offers some back story to the Marvel spy who is being pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to harm her. It has the look and feel of a globe-trotting spy thriller, but it isn’t afraid to puncture some of the “Avengers” mythology. Starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh and David Harbour. Directed by Cate Shortland. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 fo intense sequences of violence/action, some language and thematic material. At Regal Hollywood, Regal Cherokee and Regal Mall of Georgia. 2 hours, 13 minutes.
“Blue Bayou”
BAn Asian man who was adopted when he was a child faces deportation when it is discovered his citizenship status was never properly filed and he stands to lose his family. This is a tale of intergenerational traumas and personal redemptions that is an emotionally complicated yet ultimately cathartic viewing experience. Starring Linh Dan Pham and Justin Chon. Directed by Justin Chon. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for some violence and language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 59 minutes.
“Candyman”
B+
A painter struggling to find new inspiration creates a mirrored piece inspired by the scary tale of the Candyman at Cabrini-green and the art world soon is rocked by a series of grizzly murders. This film builds on the horrors imagined by the original, and is a genuinely terrifying and artful film that speaks to the current moment. Starring Yahya Abdul-mateen II, Teyonah Parris and Nathan Stewart-jarrett. Directed by Nia Dacosta. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language, bloody horror violence and some sexual references. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 31 minutes.
“The Card Counter”
B
An ex-military interrogator turned gambler teams up with two others while traveling the country and is haunted by the guilt of his past decisions. It can be a dull movie to watch, but it does have a crafty, haunting power. Starring Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish and Tye Sheridan. Directed by Paul Shrader. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated R for some disturbing violence, graphic nudity, coarse language and brief sexuality. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 49 minutes.
“Chal Mera Putt 2”
Review not available in time for publication. Two undocumented people have a friendship and love while facing challenges. Starring Amrinder Gill, Simi Chahal and Nasir Chinyoti. Directed by Janjot Singh. Unrated. At Regal Medlock Crossing. 2 hours, 4 minutes.
“Copshop” C+
A con man is trying to hide from the mobsters he double-crossed and gets himself deliberately arrested, but the mob hit man ultimately joins him in the clink and a small-town policewoman is caught in the middle. There’s no reinvention of the genre here, but there’s some style, finesse and even fun at times. Starring Gerard Butler, Frank Grillo and Toby Huss. Directed by Joe Carnahan. (Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for strong, bloody violence and pervasive crude language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
“Cry Macho”
C
A man down on his luck takes on an assignment to drive to Mexico and kidnap his boss’s son who is being abused by the man’s ex-wife. The film feels overly familiar and the supporting cast is overdrawn. Starring Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam and Eduardo Minett. Directed by Clint Eastwood. (Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
“Don’t Breathe 2”
Review unavailable in time for publication. Set years in the future, Norman has lived in solace until his past sins catch up to him. Starring Stephen Lang, Brendan Sexton III and Madelyn Grace. Directed by Rodo Sayagues Mendez. Rated R for strong bloody violence, language and gruesome images. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 38 minutes.
“Dream Horse”
B
A woman simply coexisting convinces her husband to buy a thoroughbred mare and then also convinces others in the town to invest in her horse with the intent to breed a champion racehorse. There’s enough good humor and just a dash of vinegar to temper the tone from becoming too treacly or sentimental, though the triumphant moments are incredibly effective and moving. Starring Toni Collette, Owen Teale and Damian Lewis. Directed by Euros Lyn. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for language and thematic elements. At Movie Tavern at Sandy Plains Village. 1 hour, 53 minutes.
“Escape Room: Tournament of Champions”
C+
The one who escaped in the original is going after the organization that runs the games that killed her friends, but she ends up on a subway car with a bunch of people who have participated in escape rooms before and it’s a tournament of champions. This sequel uses a mosaic of tropes and formula familiarity as a shorthand to keep the film pared down to the basics of what exactly makes it tick. Starring Taylor Russell, Logan Miller and Indya Moore. Directed by Adam Robitel. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for violence, terror/peril and strong language. At Regal
Arbor Place. 1 hour, 28 minutes.
“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
B
This is the story of the groundbreaking televangelist and the wife of charismatic preacher Jim Bakker, following her from her life of poverty to Christian stardom. The film has a specific perspective and it doesn’t stop and dwell on certain things that don’t have to do with Tammy Faye Bakker herself. Starring Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield and Cherry Jones. Directed by Michael Showalter. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sexual content and drug abuse. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 6 minutes.
“F9: The Fast Saga”
B
The younger brother resurfaces and Dom must deal with the sins of his past while working with his crew to stop a world-shattering plot. Ridiculous set-pieces take this film to new heights, but it’s the meta moments and the willingness to dive into the past in a real way that make this movie innovative within its own formula. Starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Charlize Theron. Directed by Justin Lin. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, action and language. At Regal Hollywood Stadium. 2 hours, 25 minutes.
“Free Guy”
C
A background character in a video game steps outside of his code when he spots a comely player walking past his place of employment. It’s an easy, breezy riff on video game culture that’s sure to delight avid gamers, but it’s a bit too smug and glib. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer and Joe Keery. Directed by Shawn Levy. (Katie
Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for language, crude/suggestive references, strong fantasy violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 55 minutes.
“The Green Knight”
B+ A knight goes on a quest to behead a giant green stranger in the forest. There’s an astonishing variety of natural and human-made light to help tell the story, and there’s a lot here, either on the surface or bubbling beneath it. Starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander and Joel Edgerton. Directed by David Lowery. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for graphic nudity, violence and some sexuality. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 2 hours, 5 minutes.
“Jungle Cruise”
C
A British plant scientist searching the Brazilian jungle for a legendary tree that possesses healing powers hires an Amazon riverboat skipper to guide her and some curses may show up. This is an untaxing, big-budget summer popcorn movie for the whole family. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Bunt and Edgar Ramiraz. Directed by Jaume Collet-serra. (Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for adventure violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 7 minutes.
“Malignant”
B A woman is having shocking visions which turn into terrifying realities. Just as the script becomes tedious, everything comes together and goes gleefully over-the-top. Starring Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson and George Young. Directed by James Wan. (Adam Graham, Detroit News) Rated R for strong horror violence, language and gruesome images. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 51 minutes.
“My Name is Pauli Murray” B+
This documentary explores a woman who had significant influence on Ruth Bader Ginsburg as well as sitting in the whites-only section of a bug 15 years before Rosa Parks. The film brings an original and precise lens to everything from discrimination (she was gay and gender nonconforming) to the foundational values that animated her extraordinary life and career. Starring Patricia Bell-scott, Dolores Chandler and Brittney Cooper. Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for disturbing/violent images and thematic elements. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 1 hour, 31 minutes.
“Old”
C+
A family visits a secluded beach that somehow causes them to age rapidly. While the movie is intriguing and creepy, the ending does not pay off. Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Vicky Krieps and Rufus Sewell. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. (Chris Hewitt, Star Tribune) Rated PG-13 for disturbing images, brief strong language, partial nudity, strong violence and suggestive content. At Regal Medlock Crossing and Regal Mall of Georgia. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
“Paw Patrol: The Movie”
C+
The pups head to Adventure City when the mayor steals the election and they are sure chaos is going to break out. It is a better movie than it needs to be, with some neat visuals, an outstanding score and is well told. Starring the voices of Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin and Ron Pardo. Directed by Cal Brunker. (Kristen Page Kirby, Washington Post) Rated G. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 25 minutes.
“Respect”
B
This is a cinematic portraiture of the soulful singer from an early age to adulthood, revisiting the hardships and expected triumphs. The film is too run-of-the-mill to qualify as a great film, but it’s a platform for the lead actress’s prodigious gifts. Starring Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker and Marlon Wayans. Directed by Liesl Tommy. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for racial epithets, mature thematic content, violence, smoking, strong language, suggestive material. At Austell Stadium and GTC Merchants Walk. 2 hours, 25 minutes.
“Shang-chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”
B
A young Asian American man has ties to a shadowy crime organization and has to come to terms with his past while embracing his destiny as a superhero. Starring Simu Lu, Awkwafina and Fala Chen. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 12 minutes.
“Space Jam: A New Legacy”
C
A basketball star and his young son are trapped in a digital space and they need the Looney Toons’ help to get to victory, and ultimately home. In the end, the sequel is a smoother, less grating experience than the first one. Starring Lebron James, Don Cheadle and Cedric Joe. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG for some language and some cartoon violence. At Movie Tavern at Sandy Plains Village. 1 hour, 55 minutes.
“The Suicide Squad” B
The gang gets back together, this time to infiltrate a South American island nation, which was just taken over in a military coup. They are tasked with destroying a former Nazi experimentation site, where an extra-terrestrial beast is rumored to live. It’s not often a comic book flick will have you critiquing Reagan-era politics while also enjoying the lizard-brain pleasures of a creature feature smash-em-up. Starring Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena. Directed by James Gunn. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for drug use, brief graphic nudity, language throughout, some sexual references, strong violence and gore. At Regal Hollywood Stadium. 2 hours, 12 minutes.
“Thalalvii” Review not available in time for publication.
This is the story of East Indian politician and actress J. Jayalalithaa. Starring Kangana Ranaut, Arvind Swamy and Bhagyshree. Directed by A.L. Vijay. Unrated. At Regal Medlock Crossing. 2 hours, 10 minutes.
“Un rescate de huevitos”
Review not available in time for publication. In this animated film, a rooster and his fowl partner take a trip to the Condo to recover their stolen eggs from a group of Russian goons. Starring the voices of Bruno Bichir, Maine Perroni and Angelica Vale. Directed by Gabriel Riva Palacio Alatriste. Rated PG for rude material and action. At Regal Hollywood Stadium. 1 hour, 28 minutes.