Current attractions
The Accountant”: Chris (Ben Affleck), is a highfunctioning math savant on the autism spectrum. He appears to lead an unassuming, quiet life as an accountant, but In this twisty potboiler, Chris’ unique gifts allow him a lucrative side hustle. ½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) R, 2:08 American Pastoral”: Ewan McGregor directs and stars in this adaptation of a Philip Roth novel which tells the timeless story of a child pulling away from her parents, a journey here given a Rothian spin of Freudian psychology and cultural symbolism. But the film winds up being a relatively prosaic period piece of political upheaval, social dislocation and 1960s angst. Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Connelly also star. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) R 2:06 The Birth of a Nation”: Nate Parker makes a strong debut as director, co-writer and star of this drama about Nat Turner and his bloody 1831 slave rebellion. But the picture is unable to reach the lofty artistry it was striving for. Parker’s skillful performance, however, does trace the evolution of a radical whose ideas were molded by unthinkable dehumanization. ½ (Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press) R, 2:00 Deepwater Horizon”: If you want a serious exploration of the environmental, political and economic fallout from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster— the largest oil spill and worst ecological disaster in U.S. history — you should look elswhere. But this effects-driven action movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russell is alarmingly effective. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) PG-13, 1:47
Denial”: Rachel Weisz stars in this subdued interpretation of Deborah Lipstadt’s memoir “History on Trial: My Day in Court With a Holocaust Denier.” Lipstadt, a historian at Emory University, was sued for libel in 1996. The movie follows her years-long fight to defend the historical record. ½ (Stephanie Merry, Washington Post) PG-13, 1:50 Don’t Breathe”: The realistic setting and newsworthy themes are what make this spooky tale so bone-chilling. Three teen burglars live in a downtrodden Detroit wasteland where their lack of options makes them feel that home-invasion burglaries of the “haves” are justified. But they’ve underestimated their latest target. ½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) R, 1:28 Don’t Think Twice”: Writer-director Mike Birbiglia stars as Miles, a 36-year-old improv veteran who fears his big break happened without him. Meanwhile, he works with a troupe whose talented members all hunger for their own big breaks. ½ (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) R, 1:32 The Girl on the Train:” A fragile woman’s psyche goes off the rails in the gloomy, plodding nail biter in the manner of “Gone Girl” by way of “Memento.” Emily Blunt stars in this adaptation of Paula Hawkins’ best-selling novel. While it’s never a total train wreck, the mystery gets less and less compelling as the glossy voyeurism shatters into violence. (Karen D’Souza, Staff) R, 1:52 Hell or High Water”: This 21st-century Western, which plays like a Johnny Cash song come to life, has two pairs of central characters — bank robbing brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) and the Texas Rangers on their trail (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham). (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) R, 1:42 Jack Reacher: Never
Go Back”: TomCruise is once again Jack Reacher in this second big-screen adaptation from the bestselling Lee Child novels. When a paternity suit has been filed against him for child support for a sassy, sarcastic, eye-rolling teenage girl, Samantha (Danika Yarosh), DNA test or not, Reacher feels obligated to protect her when the bad guys target her to reach him. ½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG13, 1:58 Keeping Up With the Joneses”: Even a cast with genuinely funny people, like Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher, can’t keep “Keeping Up With the Joneses” from feeling tired, unfunny and unoriginal. A regular old suburban couple find themselves trying to keep up with their new, seemingly- perfect neighbors and end up embroiled in the world of international espionage. (Tony Hicks, Staff) PG-13, 1:41 Kevin Hart: What
Now?”: Comedy juggernaut Kevin Hart isn’t content to merely share the screen in buddy comedies. He wants to own the screen, as he does in this latest stand up comedy film. His unabashed embrace of his own vulnerabilities provides the base of his hilarious cultural commentary. ½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) R, 1:36 Kubo and the Two Strings”: “Kubo,” about a Japanese boy with samurai blood who accidentally raises two malevolent, ghostlike spirits, is both extraordinarily original and complex— and also pretty darn scary — even for a grown-up movie masquerading as a kiddie cartoon. Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) PG, 1:41 “The Magnificent Seven”: This remake of the 1960 John Sturges film, which was based on Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 classic “Seven Samurai,” follows the blueprint of a classic western. But it doesn’t offer a whole lot more than what we’ve seen. Denzel Washington provides his usual weighty presence and Chris Pratt offers comic relief. But you can see what’s coming a mile away. (Tony Hicks, Staff) PG-13, 2:12
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar
Children”: Tim Burton’s latest feature follows the template of its youngadult and comic-book predecessors: Young misfits find a home with others who are equally unusual and learn to use their unique powers as members of a team. We meet Miss Peregrine (Eva Green) through the eyes of Jake (Asa Butterfield) in a story that combines wickedly wry humor with enchanting steampunk spookiness.
½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service), PG13, 2:07 Ouija: Origin of Evil”: Though not original, this horror sequel delivers plenty of stylized thrills and chills. Adorable moppet Doris (Lulu Wilson) becomes a bit too close to a ghost named Marcus, thanks to the ouija board. Her single mom, Alice (Elisabeth Reaser), is simply too overworked and distracted to notice when her child becomes possessed by a demon.
½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG13, 1:39
Queen of Katwe”: Newcomer Madina Nalwanga stars as Phiona Mutesi in the inspiring true story of a girl raised in the slums of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda. Phiona’s prodigious gift for chess, despite a lack of formal education, raises her family out of poverty and abjection. Overcoming adversity is the truth here — chess is simply the vehicle for that story. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG 2:04
Snowden”: Oliver Stone explores the story of Edward Snowden, the former CIA and NSA computer genius who exposed government programs that spied not only on people in other countries but millions of Americans. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is convincing in the title role.
½ (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, and Tony Hicks, Staff), R, 2:18
Storks”: In this animated world, the old wives’ tale of storks delivering bouncing bundles of joy is real history, though things change after one becomes too attached to a baby. Junior the stork (Andy Samberg) and orphan Tulip (Katie Crown) bond through an adventure that concludes with a heartwarming message. ½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG, 1:29
Sully”: The conflict of Clint Eastwood’s film starring Tom Hanks in the title role is not the heartwarming true story of Captain Chesley Sullenberger’s forced landing on the Hudson River with 155 passengers aboard a US Airways flight; it’s the investigation and hearing that took place later. ½ (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG13, 1:36