Films opening this week
“12 Strong” (R): A factbased drama about the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after the 9/11terrorist attacks, which tries to take down the Taliban with help from with an Afghan warlord. With Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and William Fichtner. Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig. “Den of Thieves” (R):
An elite unit of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department attempts to prevent a heist at the Federal Reserve Bank, where millions of dollars are taken out of circulation daily and destroyed. With Gerard Butler, Jordan Bridges and Pablo Schreiber. Cowritten and directed by Christian Gudegast.
“The Final Year” (Unrated): A documentary look at Barack Obama’s foreignpolicy team during his final year in office. With John Kerry, Samantha Power and Ben Rhodes. Directed by Greg Barker. In limited release.
“Forever My Girl” (PG): After leaving his bride-tobe at the altar years earlier when his first hit single came out, a country music star returns to his hometown and rekindles the romance. With Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe and John Benjamin Hickey. Written and directed by Bethany
Ashton Wolf.
“Small Town Crime” (R): When an alcoholic ex-cop finds the body of a young woman, he vows to hunt down her killer as an act of self-redemption. With John Hawkes, Octavia Spencer and Robert Forster. Written and directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms. In limited release.
Expanding
“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (R): A romance heats up between a young actor and the veteran Hollywood film-noir leading lady Gloria Grahame. With Jamie Bell, Annette Bening and Julie Walters. Directed by Paul McGuigan. “Hostiles” (R): In 1892, an Army captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne war chief and his family from a prison through dangerous territory to their tribal homeland. With Christian Bale, Wes Studi and Rosamund Pike. Co-written and directed by Scott Cooper.
“Phantom Thread” (R): In 1950s London, a renowned dressmaker’s fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman who becomes his muse and lover. With Daniel DayLewis, Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.