The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Movie Minis
NEW THIS WEEK “ANTIM: The Final Truth”
Review not available in time for publication. A penniless village boy dreams of being his country’s biggest don, but the power goes to his head and he ruins relationships with his family and his lover. Starring Salman Khan, Aayush Sharma and Mahima Makwana. Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Unrated. At Regal Hollywood, Regal Medlock Crossing and AMC Southlake. 2 hours, 19 minutes.
“Bruised”
B
A mixed martial arts fighter who has left the sport is coaxed back into the ring after a brutal underground fight where she grabs the attention of a fight league promoter. The journey becomes personal when the son she gave up as an infant shows up on her doorstep. Some moments land with full force and others glance off unfortunately, but overall, there are promising signs for the burgeoning filmmaker. Starring Halle Berry, Stephen Henderson and Adam Canto. Directed by Halle Berry. (Michael Ordona, Los Angeles Times) Rated R for violence, some sexual content and nudity and pervasive language. Check listings for theaters. 2 hour, 12 minutes.
“C’mon, C’mon”
B+
A man is asked by his sister to take care of his nephew while she takes care of the boy’s father during a bipolar episode. The man and his nephew form a special bond. It is a purposeful, thoughtful film, structured along the classic lines of a hero’s quest. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann and Jaboukie Young-white. Directed by Mike Mills. Rated R for language. At AMC Phipps Plaza and Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
“Encanto”
B
All the children who live in the mountains of a charmed place called Encanto are blessed with a unique gift. All the children except Mirabel, but she may be the family’s last hope when she discovers that the magic is in danger. It’s a simple but resonant tale, but “Encanto” is charmed and charming film that just might offer a bit of healing too. Starring the voices of Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero and Diane Guerrero. Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some thematic elements and mild peril. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 39 minutes.
“A Holiday Chance”
Review not available in time for publication. Two sisters who are at odds must come together to save the family’s multi-million dollar film production company when it experiences some tragic events during the Christmas holidays. Starring Nafessa Williams, Sharon Leal and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Directed by Jamal Hill. Rated PG-13 for a suggestive reference and some strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 42 minutes.
“House of Gucci”
D+
This is the true story of the 1995 murder of fashion heir Maurizio Gucci by hitmen hired by his ex-wife. The film is overly long and the sin it’s most guilty of is taking itself too seriously. The costumes are fabulous though. Starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver and Jared Leto. Directed by Ridley Scott. (Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for some sexual content, language, brief nudity and violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 37 minutes.
“Licorice Pizza”
A
It’s 1973 in San Fernando Valley. A teenager becomes friends with a 20-something photographer’s assistant and together, they start companies, audition for films and get involved in political campaigns. This haze of wildly embellished tales and half-forgotten memories are pieced together for something that feels more concrete, more achingly, tangibly real, than just about any American movie this year. Starring Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman and Sean Penn. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. (Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times) Rated R for language, some drug use and sexual material. Check listings for theaters. 2 hours, 13 minutes.
“National Champions” Review not available in time for publication.
A few days before a college football national championship game, two players start a players’ strike saying they won’t compete until all student athletes are fairly compensated.
With only hours before kickoff, officials race to protect or destroy the collegiate athletics system. Starring Stephan James, J.K. Simmons and Alexander Ludwig. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh. Unrated. Check listings for theaters.
“Railway Heroes”
Review not available in time for publication. This film follows the railway workers who fought to defend their homes during the second Sino-japanese War. Starring Hanyu Zhang, Wei Fan and Vision Wei. Directed by Feng Yang. Unrated. At Regal Hollywood Stadium. 2 hours, 4 minutes.
“Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City”
Review not available in time for publication. A pharmaceutical company left a Midwestern town in ruins with evil below the surface that a group of survivors must work together to contain. Starring Kaya Scodelario, Hannah John-kamen and Robbie Amell. Directed by Johannes Roberts. Rated R for strong violence and gore and language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
STILL SHOWING “Belfast”
B
This is a personal memoir of growing up during the early years of The Troubles in Belfast’s civil war. The director bares his soul in this film, which richly rewards the audience willing to take this trip down memory lane. Starring Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench and Jamie Dornan. Directed by Kenneth Branagh. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for strong language and some violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 37 minutes.
“Clifford the Big Red Dog”
C
A girl adopts a regular-size dog but when she wakes up the next day, the pup has grown into the size of an elephant. Luckily, the computer animation behind the dog is relatively solid and the film holds together even though it is a bit of a mishmash. Starring Darby Camp, Jack Whitehall and Tony Hale. Directed by Walt Becker. (Kirsten Page-kirby, Washington Post) Rated PG for thematic elements, mild action and impolite humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 37 minutes.
“Dune” B+
A young man, training in mind control, travels to a dangerous planet to help take over spice-mining operations and his psychic connections to the people there indicate he may be their messiah. This is not an adventure romp laced with humor, but it is approached with almost religious reverence, creating an intoxicatingly mysterious and immersive world. Starring Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Fergson and Oscar Isaac. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG13 for some disturbing images, sequences of strong violence and suggestive material. At Regal Atlantic Station and Tara Theatre.
2 hours, 35 minutes.
“Eternals” C+the
ancient aliens who have secretly been on earth for 7,000 years now much come out of the shadows and defend the planet against the Deviants. It’s a dense, heavy fantasy that asks the audience to suspend their irony addiction for two-and-a-half hours, which is perhaps too tall an order. Starring Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Kit Harrington. Directed by Chloe Zhao. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for fantasy violence and action, brief sexuality and some language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 37 minutes.
“The French Dispatch”
C
An editor’s funeral provides the frame for a collection of stories in the (fictional) Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun magazine. There are some charming conceits, but this film strands every sort of good and great actor in the cinematic equivalent of a design meeting. Starring Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody and Tilda Swinton. Directed by Wes Anderson. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for language, graphic nudity and some sexual references. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 1 hour, 47 minutes.
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” D+
A single mom inherits her father’s farm and when she travels there, she finds all sorts of mysterious artifacts and ghost-hunting gear. This project is so dedicated to the original that it’s cringeworthy yet it doesn’t manage to capture the essence of what made that supernatural slacker comedy appealing at the time. Starring Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace. Directed by Jason Reitman. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for supernatural action and some suggestive references. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 4 minutes.
“India Sweets and Spices”
C+
The daughter of Indian immigrants who are wealthy invites grocery store owners to a party at her parents’ but doesn’t realize it will cause a minor scandal. The world in this film feels very real, ably communicating its occasionally frustrating and deceptively complex contours. Starring Sophia Ali, Manisha Koirala and Adil Hussain. Directed by Geeta Malik. (Kristen Page-kirby, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual material and brief drug references. At The Springs Cinema & Taphouse and Aurora Cineplex. 1 hour, 41 minutes.
“Julia” B
The documentary looks at the late cookbook author and food-tv pioneer’s life and influence on American cuisine and culture. The film is great fun in watching people who knew and loved her reminisce. Starring Julia Child. Directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West. (Emily Heil, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements, sexual reference, brief strong language. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts, AMC Ave. Forsyth and AMC Sugarloaf Mills. 1 hour, 35 minutes.
“King Richard” B+
The father of the Williams tennis sisters fends off local gangs and disapproving neighbors before taking the girls to the country clubs and assuring them they had every right to be there. The film isn’t perfect — it’s overlong and repetitive, but Will Smith refuses to conceal the father’s darkness which is there simmering just under the blustery bravado. Also starring Aunjanue Ellis and Saniyya Sidney. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for brief drug references, a sexual reference, some violence and strong language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 26 minutes.
“The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis”
Review not available in time for publication. This biopic follows the creator of “The Chronicles of Narnia” from the death of his mother when he was 9 through the trenches of World War I to Oxford University where his beliefs were changed. Starring Max Mclean, Nicholas Ralph and Eddie Ray Martin. Directed by Norman Stone. Unrated. At Real Arbor Place and Regal Avalon. 1 hour, 13 minutes.
“My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission”
Review not available in time for publication. Japan’s heroes must track down the mastermind behind a deadly chemical attack. Starring the voices of Tetsu Inada, Yuki Kaji and Kenta Miyake. Directed by Kenji Nagasaki. Rated PG-13 for bloody images, violent material and some language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 minutes.
“No Time To Die”
B
James Bond is trying to retire in Jamaica but the gig finds him and he is back into a world he thought he left behind. The script is often delightfully light and saucy and the film is a beautifully shot and epic adventure. Starring Daniel Craig, Rami Malek and Lea Seydoux. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, brief strong language, some disturbing images and some suggestive material. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 43 minutes.
“Spencer”
B
Princess Diana Spencer is staying at the queen’s Christmas retreat in 1991, where she is stressed from her husband’s infidelity and the strains of tradition and obligation. For better or for worse, the film conveys the feeling of living in a rarefied, indifferent world that doesn’t seem to value independent women. Starring Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall and Jack Farthing. Directed by Pablo Larrain. (Hau Chu, Washington Post) Rated R for some language. At Plaza Theatre. 1 hour, 51 minutes.
“Venom: Let There Be Carnage”
C+
The character springs into action when notorious serial killer Cletus Kasady transforms into the evil Carnage. The sequel doesn’t have that sense of joyful discovery and gleeful mischief that the first film did, because it’s obviously now a comedy on purpose. Starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams and Naomie Harris. Directed by Andy Serkis. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for disturbing material, action, intense sequences of violence, some strong language and suggestive references. At Regal Mall of Georgia and AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 37 minutes.