Current attractions
“Before I Fall: This young-adult thriller delves deeply beneath the surface. As in the plot of “Groundhog Day,” our protagonist Samantha (Zoey Deutch) must relive the same Friday over and over, which happens to be the day of a car crash. It is also Valentine’s Day when the entire school celebrates with “val-ograms” deliveries that factor in to each student’s popularity quotient. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG-13, 1:39 “A Dog’s Purpose”: Dennis Quaid stars in the story about a gentle, thoughtful dog who, through being reincarnated through decades, explores the meaning of his own life. Though sweet at times, it’s also emotionally manipulative and overly syrupy. ½ (Tony Hicks, Staff), PG, 2:00
“Fences”: Troy Maxson used to be a star of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Now he’s a lowly garbage man whose wish is one day getting to drive the truck. Directed by and starring Denzel Washington, this haunting if flawed film is based on August Wilson’s 10-part play cycle depicting 20th-century African-American life. Karen D’Souza, Staff) PG-13, 1:18
“Fist Fight”: A feud between two high school teachers — Mr. Campbell (Charlie Day), and Mr. Strickland (Ice Cube) — leads to a threat of an after-school showdown. This is a rope-a-dopey farce that stings like a B-movie.
½ (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) R, 1:31
“The Founder”: We first meet Kroc in 1954, wearily hawking milkshake machines. But when he hears about a restaurant in San Bernardino that has become an overnight sensation, he makes a long drive west to meet Richard and Maurice McDonald.
½ (Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times) PG-13, 1:55 “Get Out”: There’s no escape from the real monster lurking in “Get Out.” Jordan Peele’s terrifying, socially charged thriller examines the ugly truths hiding beneath the lie of a post-racial America. Millennial waif Rose (Alison Williams), who is white, has no idea her pastoral hometown might be a hotbed of bigotry, or she’d never bring her black boyfriend Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) home to meet the parents, right? (Karen D’Souza, Staff) R, 2:10 “Hidden Figures”: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae play gifted real-life mathematicians who are not only dealing with how to help the United States battle the Soviet Union in the space race, but how to exist as black women in a mostly white male environment at NASA in 1961. ½ (Tony Hicks, Staff) PG, 2:07 “I Am Not Your Negro”: As directed by Raoul Peck, this mesmerizing cinematic experience uses not just words but sound, music and visuals to create a film essay that’s powerfully relevant today, even though its Baldwin) subject died (writer almost James30 years ago. Fromit’s opening, Peck makes important connections between the past and the present. Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) PG-13, 1:33 “John Wick: Chapter 2”: Keanu Reeves returns as the title character, brewing up more Wickian magic while speaking mostly in monosyllables. Like its predecessor, “Chapter 2” is a ballet of violence, and the visuals are surreal. Reeves portrays the autopilot assassin with a haunted despondency. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) R 2:02
“Kong: Skull Island: A reboot of the classic story works swell when we deal with the giant ape, whose character has developed since the last time we saw him on the big screen. But the humans? They’re hardly necessary and have very littte to add to the film, which is a waste of a good cast. ½ (Tony Hicks, Staff). PG-13, I:58.
“La La Land”: Damien Chazelle’s movie musical is a valentine to the breezy glamour of classic Hollywood. Starring Ryan Gosling as Sebastian, a sullen jazz pianist reduced to playing 1980s remixes, and Emma Stone as Mia, a wannabe actress barista, this whimsical picture mixes the cynicism of the now with the allure of the past. (Karen D’Souza, Staff) PG13, 2:08
“Land of Mine”: This fascinating and largely unknown story takes place at the end of the World War II, when German prisoners — most of them teenagers — were sent to the Danish coast to clear land mines. The ethical dilemma of sending boys to do men’s work is felt most strongly by a hard-bitten sergeant named Rasmussen (Roland Moller). Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) R, 1:41 “The LEGO Batman Movie”: Here is a hilarious, farcical and loving look at Batman, with spectacular visual effects and a story that never slows down and is just plain fun. Will Arnett is perfect, playing an over-the-top version of the Caped Crusader. ½ (Tony Hicks, Staff) PG, 1:30. “Lion”: This real-life tale, based on a memoir by Saroo Brierley, would warm the heart of a stone. Brierley, a native of India, got profoundly lost at the age of 5. He was adopted by an Australian couple but was able, more than 25 years later, to find and reunite with his birth mother via the use of Google Earth software. ½ (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) PG-13, 1:58
“Logan”: The clawed mutant Wolverine finally gets to slash through the constraints of a kid-friendly PG-13 rating, and the result is bloody, vicious fun. When asked to take Laura (Dafne Keen), a curious, quiet 11-year-old, to a safe haven, Logan refuses. Then some mean-looking dudes come looking for the girl, and the vaguely depressing movie suddenly roars to life.
(Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald) R, 2:15
“Paterson”: Adam Driver plays a bus driver named Paterson, who lives in Paterson, New Jersey. In his free time, he writes poetry. The movie unfolds over seven days— each one much like the day before. Imagine “Groundhog Day,” but with Bill Murray’s prickly frustration replaced by Driver’s soulful reserve.
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times) R, 1:50 “The Salesman”: Exquisite mysteries are solved in Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s latest film. Emad and Rana (Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidootsi) are a sophisticated acting couple who are staging a production of “Death of a Salesman.” After Rana is assaulted, their contemporary Persian marriage falls prey to all the ills the Islamic theocracy can inspire. ½ (Bob Strauss, Daily News, Los Angeles) PG-13, 2:05
“The Shack”: The childhood of Mack (Sam Worthington) was scarred by violence, and later his youngest daughter was abducted and killed. No wonder he thinks of God as wrathful and judgmental. While deeply depressed, Mack gets an invitation to spend a weekend at the Oregon shack where his daughter was likely killed. There, he’s greeted by a trio of spiritual teachers. Octavia Spencer also stars.
Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG-13, 2:12
“Split”: In this powerful psycho-thriller, Kevin (James McAvoy) meets his match in Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), a teen who happens to be with his two chosen victims when they’re kidnapped. But Casey manages to stay calm while drawing upon lessons learned during family hunting trips. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) PG-13, 1:57
“Table 19”: While never less than pleasant, this romantic comedy is disappointing and forgettable. Anna Kendrick plays Eloise, a maid of honor who has been stripped of her duties because she and the bride’s brother have broken up. So, for the reception, she’s exiled to the dreaded “table 19,” where the bride has put the guests she didn’t really want. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) PG-13, 1:27 “A United Kingdom”: Based on a true story, this romantic drama grows more remarkable by the minute. Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) face overwhelming barriers when they fall in love in 1947 London. That’s because Ruth is a Briton, while Khama is a handsome and charismatic African who is also a prince of his native country. ½ (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) PG-13, 1:51