‘Creed III’ tops the week’s fight card
Between Michael B. Jordan’s return to the ring and Jason Statham doing Jason Statham things, it’s all good news for movie lovers who love watching dudes punch other dudes. ⬤ This weekend, Jordan is back for another “Creed” film in the long-running “Rocky” boxing franchise – directing this time and starring opposite Jonathan Majors – while Statham reteams with his frequent collaborator, action director Guy Ritchie, for a globetrotting spy comedy with Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett and Hugh Grant.h Here’s a guide to new movies that will satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their streaming and on-demand debuts:
If you love the ‘Rocky’ movies: ‘Creed III’
Jordan finally has this two-fisted universe all to himself in the latest entry, where his former champ Adonis Creed is enjoying retirement when childhood friend Dame (Majors) shows up after finishing a two-decade jail sentence and wants help in getting a title shot. Dame’s underdog story takes a dark turn and frenemies battle it out in a well-crafted film that uses anime influence for its ring brawls and features yet another phenomenal antagonist turn from “Ant-Man” breakout Majors.
⬤ Where to watch: In theaters
If you’re a Michael Shannon completist: ‘A Little White Lie’
Kate Hudson stars as a literature professor doggedly trying to get a reclusive, J.D. Salinger-esque author to attend her college’s annual writers’ conference. Michael Shannon plays the guy who finally shows up, an awkward handyman whose appearance sparks gossip, a missing-persons investigation and the arrival of another dude (Zach Braff) claiming to be the mysterious scribe. Sadly, the art-house comedy wastes an intriguing premise and an oddball Shannon performance.
⬤ Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Google Play
If you’re all about creepy kid movies: ‘Children of the Corn’
The latest horror film based on the Stephen King short story is a brutally forgettable outing that has barely anything to do with the source material other than killer children and corn stalks. Elena Kampouris plays a teen girl facing down a group of youngsters who target the adults in a Nebraska town after they’re possessed by a demon living in the corn fields. The only thing that works is Kate Moyer as the leader of the murderous kid brood and the most evil 12-year-old ever.
⬤ Where to watch: In theaters
If you dig Jason Statham’s comedy side: ‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’
Statham stars as an English superspy tracking down a stolen weapons technology with a crack team of operatives (including Plaza), an undercover mission that involves recruiting a clueless A-list Hollywood actor (Hartnett) to get close to a powerful arms dealer (a very hammy Grant). It’s a breezy but middling affair that seems more interested in setting up a franchise than anything, though Statham and Plaza hatch a fun chemistry while bickering at each other.
⬤ Where to watch: In theaters
If you like thrillers from Down Under: ‘Transfusion’
Sam Worthington is tearing up the box office in “Avatar: The Way of Water” but you can see his regular, non-blue face in this solid Australian action drama. Still haunted by the death of his wife, a former special-forces sniper (Worthington) reunites with an old friend (Matt Nable), is talked into doing one last mission to help protect his troubled son (Edward Carmody), and runs afoul of powerful criminals.
⬤ Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon
If you’ve ever given side-eye to your nanny: ‘Spoonful of Sugar’
College student Millicent (Morgan Saylor) is hired by an uptight author (Kat Foster) to look after her sickly boy Johnny (Danilo Crovetti), who doesn’t talk and is allergic to pretty much everything. But Mary Poppins she ain’t: When not bonding with the kid, Millicent microdoses with LSD and has crazy sexual visions of horned dudes as well as Johnny’s often shirtless carpenter dad (Myko Olivier). The trippy horror movie sort of meanders until it finally starts digging into the family’s own dark secrets.
⬤ Where to watch: Shudder