JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON
STARS IN "BLACKKKLANSMAN."
“BlacKkKlansman”
Spike Lee returns with a vengeance with his dramatization of Ron Stallworth’s memoir about how he infiltrated the KKK as an African-American when he was an undercover cop in Colorado Springs. While the trailer makes the film seem like a comedic lark, it’s actually a serious examination of the country’s racial divide. Rated R. Playing throughout Houston.
“BuyBust”
Philippine films have been gaining traction in the U.S. on the festival circuit, and this slow-burn action film could whip up interest among the multiplexgoers, too. Set over one long, rainy night in a drug-infested Manila shantytown, this film focuses on two squads of cops trying to fight their way out against both criminals and residents. In Tagalog, Filipino and English with English subtitles. Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston.
“Crazy Rich Asians”
Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel, set amid the glitz and glam of Singapore’s elite, has been turned into a film that Hollywood has high hopes can both resuscitate interest in rom-coms and mainstream films with largely Asian casts. Constance Wu (“Fresh Off the Boat”) and newcomer Henry Golding star as the couple at the heart of the story.
Rated PG-13. Opens Wednesday throughout Houston.
“Filmworker”
Tony Zierra’s documentary goes behind the scenes of master director Stanley Kubrick to view the world through the eyes of Kubrick’s longtime right-hand man, Leon Vitali. Unrated. Playing at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
“The Island”
Bo Huang stars in this Chinese fantasy-comedy-drama about an everyday guy whose only concerns are winning both the lottery and the heart of his office crush. In Mandarin with English subtitles.
Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston.
“The Meg”
Every summer brings a shark movie. Remember “47 Meters Down” last year? Or “The Shallows” in 2016? Now comes “The Meg,” a giant-shark movie featuring a 70-foot, prehistoric Carcharodon Megalodon (hence the movie’s name).
Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston.
“Never Goin’ Back”
Texas director Augustine Frizzell’s lauded indie comedic drama — a hit at both Sundance and SXSW — chronicles two teenage Dallas waitresses in their quest to spend a few days on the beach in Galveston to get away from their workaday lives and low-life friends. Maia Mitchell, Camila Morrone and “SNL” cast member Kyle Mooney star.
Rated R. Playing at Edwards Greenway Grand Palace, Houston.
“Puzzle”
Kelly Macdonald (“Boardwalk Empire”) is getting lots of praise for her performance in this small film about a woman who becomes deeply involved in the world of jigsaw puzzles. Irrfan Khan co-stars.
Rated R. Playing at Landmark River Oaks, Houston.
“Slender Man”
The fictional scary character, who started as an internet creation but then moved into the real world in tragic ways, now has his own horror movie.
Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston.