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The World Before Your Feet

“Shaun of the Dead. Rated R. 92 minutes. — D. Lewis

Aquaman The latest “Justice League” spinoff is filled with awkward dialogue, a poorly conceived

visual-effects plan and a souland bladder-crushing 139minute run time. Jason Momoa returns as Aquaman, and Nicole Kidman and Willem Dafoe are among the Atlantis residents. Director James Wan has some decent land-based thrills, but this is a shallow-end DC movie. Rated PG-13. 139 minutes. — P. Hartlaub

At Eternity’s Gate An inspired and heartfelt performance by Willem Dafoe as Vincent van Gogh raises this movie far above the standard biopic. With Oscar Isaac as Paul Gauguin and Rupert Friend as Vincent’s brother, Theo. Directed by Julian Schnabel. Rated PG-13. 110 minutes. — W. Addiego

Bathtubs Over Broadway Amusing documentary about the hidden world of industrial musicals — live, elaborate productions put on by Broadway theatrical professionals meant as both pep rally and private entertainment at national corporate conventions. With Martin Short, Florence Henderson, Chita Rivera and David Letterman. Rated PG-13. 87 minutes.

— G. Allen Johnson

Beautiful Boy Drug addict stories are repetitious and hence, they tend to be undramatic. This one, based on the memoir by David Sheff, about his son’s struggle with addiction, is worse than most, in that the father (Steve Carell) becomes the sympathetic focus and the son (Timothee Chalamet) becomes the inadvertent object of the audience’s disdain. Rated R. 112 minutes.

— M. LaSalle

Becoming Astrid This Swedish-made biopic of “Pippi Longstocking” author Astrid Lindgren traces her tumultuous early life, in slow and loving detail, without ever getting to her years of achievement. It’s a bit of a slog, but benefits from Alba August’s lively performance in the title role. Not rated. 123 minutes. In Swedish with English subtitles.

— M. LaSalle

Ben Is Back Writerdirector Peter Hedges delivers an effective, surprising, gripping film about addiction, which compresses the action to a single day, in which a young man (Lucas Hedges) leaves rehab and goes home to see his mother (Julia Roberts). Rated R. 103 minutes. — M. LaSalle

Bird Box After an intense opening 20 minutes, this apocalyptic horror thriller, starring Sandra Bullock, confines itself to a single house and becomes mostly a dull chamber drama. It’s not worth the time. Directed by Susanne Bier. Rated R. 124 minutes. — M. LaSalle

Bitter Melon Intriguing, absorbing tragicomedy set in San Francisco’s Excelsior District by local writer-director H.P. Mendoza about a young gay man who visits his Filipino American family for Christmas and confronts the family’s dark undercurrent of domestic violence. The film changes tone in the second half, with several twists and turns. Not rated. 110 minutes.

— G. Allen Johnson

Bohemian Rhapsody Big and splashy, sentimental and not completely true, this is the biopic that Freddie Mercury deserved, an absorbing story about an outsider who was either going to be a weirdo or an artist, and so he became a very flamboyant artist. The soundtrack is full of Queen songs, and even if you’re not a big Queen fan, you’ll find they sound better in the movie than they do on the radio. Rated PG-13. 135 minutes. — M. LaSalle

Boy Erased This factbased story about a teenage boy who is put into gay conversion therapy doesn’t go to the depths of horror — it’s only a mildly dramatic story — but it’s well acted by a strong cast (Lucas Hedges,R. 114 minutes. Rated R. 115 minutes. — M. LaSalle

Bumblebee The latest installment in the “Transformers” series, about an alien robot that befriends an angst-ridden teenager, actually has wit, charm and likable characters. It’s as if the often unwatchable franchise has pleasantly mutated into a robotic version of “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” — and become a decent popcorn movie for the holidays. Rated PG-13. 114 minutes.

— D. Lewis

Burning Master filmmaker Lee Chang-dong assails South Korea’s image-obsessed culture in an intriguing but ultimately frustrating tale of a young rural wannabe writer caught in the strange orbit of a Gatsby-like rich guy and his girlfriend, a onetime schoolmate of the writer with whom he is in love. It’s at times absorbing, but the intentionally obtuse second half leads to an ending that satisfies no one, especially after 2½ hours. Not rated. 148 minutes. — G. Allen Johnson

Can You Ever Forgive

Me? Melissa McCarthy is terrific in this real-life story of the writer Lee Israel, who, after the collapse of her literary career, found a lucrative second career as the forger of letters by historical people. Directed by Marielle Heller, it’s a film of wit and atmosphere and about the most twisted rags-to-riches story you could ever hope to see. Rated R. 106 minutes. — M. LaSalle

Capernaum Programmed, slick and maudlin neo-neorealist film about the mean streets of Beirut. With a gripping lead performance by 14-year-old Zain Al Rafeea, a Syrian refugee; his energy recalls JeanPierre Leaud in Truffaut’s “The 400 Blows.” The filmmakers have not made a call to action, but a calling card for themselves. Rated R. 123 minutes. Reviewed by Carlos Valladares

Creed II The sequel to the 2015 “Creed” doesn’t have the newness of its predecessor, but it does show that the characters and relationships established in the earlier movie will be good for the long haul. This is an entertaining Rocky-type film, with young Adonis Creed fighting the son of the man who killed his father in the ring. Rated PG-13. 130 minutes.

— M. LaSalle

Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger

Ailes This documentary provides an extensive laundry list of the shortcomings and culpability of the late GOP political consultant and media maven Roger Ailes. It’s good to have a critical accounting of his role in modern American politics, but most of what we see here has been reported elsewhere, and this film seems aimed at rallying the troops. Not rated. 107 minutes.

— W. Addiego

Dumplin’ In modern America, you’re nothing if you’re not a victim. And so, we get “Dumplin’,” a movie about an obese high school girl (Danielle Macdonald) who is verbally abused by her fellow students. Typical of the movie, which is conscientious and inoffensive, but also sentimental and bland, the mother is hardly a villain. She’s normal enough to be played by Jennifer Aniston, who spends most of the movie on the receiving end of her daughter’s hostility. Rated PG-13. 116 minutes. — M. LaSalle

The Favourite Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are brilliant in this comedy-drama set during the reign of Queen

Anne. Brilliantly directed by Yorgos Lanthimos on the knife edge between farce and drama, historical truth and anachronism. Rated R. 119 minutes.

— M. LaSalle Free Solo Thrilling, vertigo-inducing documentary that chronicles Alex Honnold’s quest to scale the 3,000-foot vertical rock face of Yosemite’s El Capitan — with just his hands and feet — no ropes. It’s never been done; will he be the first? The photography is incredible, as is its subject. Rated PG-13. 100 minutes.

— G. Allen Johnson Green Book Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali are ideally paired as an Italian American driver and an African American pianist on a concert tour through the deep South in 1962. Mortensen completely transforms and is probably on his way to an Oscar nomination. Rated PG-13. 130 minutes. — M. LaSalle The Grinch The makers of “Minions” and the “Despicable Me” movies find a consistent offbeat humor in this “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” adaptation, while retaining the sneaky emotional core. But the uneven new film highlights the greatest problem of any big screen Seuss reimagination: It’s very hard to turn this 69page picture book into a feature-length movie. Rated PG. 86 minutes. — P. Hartlaub The House That Jack Built The latest from writer-director Lars von Trier is more of the same — long-winded, disgusting, utterly worthless, misogynistic garbage, about a guy going around murdering women. Two and a half hours of this. Rated R. 152 minutes.

— M. LaSalle Instant Family This disarmingly effective dramedy, about a couple who become foster parents, manages to do a tricky tap dance: It’s often cutesy in the way of “The Brady Bunch,” yet it’s also not afraid to wade into some complex territory about foster care. This is a funny-serious, family-friendly movie about a weighty subject, and somehow it works. Rated PG-13. 118

minutes.

— D. Lewis

Kusama: Infinity Fascinating documentary portrait of a fascinating avant-garde artist — Japan’s Yayoi Kusama, now 89 and that nation’s most successful living artist. The film depicts the difficult years she experienced from World War II-era Japan to the 1960s art scene in New York. Not rated. 80 minutes.

— G. Allen Johnson

Maria by Callas This is a terrific documentary, especially for people already familiar with Callas’ work and career. It brings together previously unseen interview footage and more familiar performance footage for an impressionist look at Callas, that brings us closer to life as she experienced it. Rated PG. 116 minutes.

— M. LaSalle Mary Poppins Returns She returns, but she’s different this time. She’s Emily Blunt and looks worried. And the songs she sings are pretty lousy. Still, if you don’t mind weak songs and a clinically depressed Mary Poppins, this one has things to offer — great visuals and Lin-Manuel Miranda as a jolly lamplighter. PG. 130 minutes — M. LaSalle Mirai Japanese animated fantasy about a 4-year-old boy whose backyard garden magically allows him to travel back in time. Not reviewed. Rated PG. 100 minutes. Mortal Engines This sci-fi fantasy, about predator cities that roam the Earth gobbling up resources, is a reasonably entertaining trifle, though it’s so overstuffed with subplots that the film almost consumes itself. Rated PG-13. 128 minutes. — D. Lewis

The Mule Clint Eastwood directed, and stars in, this crime drama about a 90-yearold American World War II veteran caught transporting cocaine for a Mexican drug cartel. Also with Bradley Cooper. Not reviewed. Rated R. 116 minutes.

Museo This stylishly executed heist movie uses a real-life art theft in Mexico City as the starting point for a tall tale that gets more surreal with each passing frame. It’s impressive, thoughtprovoking filmmaking. Not rated. 128 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

— D. Lewis

The Nutcracker and the

Four Realms Spectacular to look at but not exactly suspenseful, Disney’s ballet-inspired fantasy adventure takes the Victorian-era Clara (Mackenzie Foy) to a fantastical world where she and the Nutcracker (Jayden Fowara-Knight) battle to save the Four Realms from sinister Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren). With Keira Knightly, Morgan Freeman and Misty Copeland. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom and Joe Johnston. Rated PG. 99 minutes. — C. Bauer

The Old Man & the

Gun Robert Redford, in what he says will be his final role, goes out strong, in this story about an old crook who can’t stop robbing banks. The role calls upon some of Redford’s most characteristic qualities — his breeziness, edginess and air of mystery. Rated PG-13. 93 minutes.

— M. LaSalle

Once Upon a Deadpool This is a version of the R-rated “Deadpool 2” recut to achieve a PG-13 rating. Not reviewed. Rated PG-13. 118 minutes. People’s Republic of Desire Equally fascinating, sad and scary, this documentary takes a deep dive into the vapid world of live-streaming in China, where otherwise unremarkable people perform on the webcam to attract fans — and become high-paid superstars. Not rated. 95 minutes. In Mandarin with English subtitles. — D. Lewis

The Quake There may be more agitation going on inside the stressedout hero of this Norwegian action drama than in the film’s long-delayed eruption of special effects. A geologist frets about a calamitous earthquake that he alone foresees, then tries to save his family from the catastrophe that’s bringing down the city of Oslo. The film too often falls back on conventional story mechanics. The big special effects sequence is good but quite brief. Rated PG-13. 106 minutes. In Norwegian with English subtitles.

— W. Addiego Ralph Breaks the Internet The sequel to “Wreck-It Ralph” is a structural mess, but also inspired in the moment. Ralph and Vanellope (John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman) return and explore a much bigger world, thanks to a WiFi plug-in at their arcade. The story team has a good idea what worked in the first film and gives us more of that, in a much bigger playing field. Rated PG. 112 minutes. — P. Hartlaub Roma Writer-director Alfonso Cuaron’s memoir of his childhood, as seen through the eyes of a beloved domestic servant, makes up for an almost stagnant narrative — and a nearsoporific first hour — through inspired virtuoso filmmaking of the highest order and a story that livens up, somewhat, in its second half. Rated R. 135 minutes. — M. LaSalle Searching for Ingmar Bergman Excellent, personal look at the Swedish master’s life and career by the respected German filmmaker Margarethe von Trotta, who uses film clips, behind-the-scenes footage, Bergman home movies, interviews with Bergman’s collaborators (including actress Liv Ullmann), Bergman’s children and modern filmmakers influenced by him to gain insight into the man and his films. Not rated. 99 minutes.

— G. Allen Johnson Second Act Jennifer Lopez is back as a working-class woman who gets a job as a high-priced consultant, in this standard Lopez movie that milks cliches and yet capitalizes on Lopez’s strengths and meaning as an actress. Strictly for fans. PG-13. 103 minutes. — M. LaSalle Shirkers Sandi Tan’s documentary is an appealing and idiosyncratic film about how a young female in conservative 1990s Singapore finds an artistic channel for her rebellious impulses, only to see the fruits of her labor vanish into thin air. Pure rage would be a justified response, and there is anger here, to be sure. But Tan has gained some distance from the events she depicts, and the movie has a full share of offbeat humor. Not rated. 96 minutes. — W. Addiego Shoplifters This Japanese gem concerns an odd assortment of grifters who live happily together in a cramped, dilapidated residence — until fate intervenes. It’s both a gentle examination of what makes a family tick and a harsh dissection of Japan’s faltering social landscape. Rated R. 121 minutes. In Japanese with English subtitles.

— D. Lewis Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse What a pleasure to get blindsided by “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” The brazen new action-adventure, with six Spider-people from different dimensions, is everything we should want from both our superhero movies and animated films, with bold visuals, and a story that supports its dozen-plus central characters. Rated PG. 112 minutes.

— P. Hartlaub A Star Is Born The first half is glorious; the second, a little slow, a little muddled. Yet somehow flaws don’t matter. This fourth version of the old showbiz story is enormously appealing and represents a success for Bradley Cooper, who wrote, directed and stars, and a triumph for Lady Gaga, who owns the movie from beginning to end. Rated R. 135 minutes. — M. LaSalle

Swimming With Men A British comedy-drama about a man suffering a midlife crisis who joins an all-male synchronized swim team. With Rob Brydon and Rupert Graves. Directed by Oliver Parker. Not reviewed. Not rated. 96 minutes.

Tea With the Dames This documentary is a genuine tonic, allowing us to spend time with four eminent and witty veterans of Britain’s film and stage scene: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright. They have excellent stories to tell, and their conversational exchanges are a delight. The movie was directed by Roger Michell. Not rated. 84 minutes. — W. Addiego Venom Lightweight but enjoyable, this latest in the endless Marvel series is the superhero movie for people who hate superhero movies, an entry with a healthy disrespect for the phone. Starring Tom Hardy. Rated PG-13. 112 minutes.

— M. LaSalle Vox Lux In “Vox Lux,” director Brady Corbet has made an insidious little masterpiece, one that uses modern techniques and a modern visual lexicon to show you everything that’s absolutely dead within modernity. Natalie Portman plays a deeply troubled pop star dealing with the fallout from an act of terrible violence that took place when she was young. Rated R. 110 minutes.

— M. LaSalle Welcome to Marwen Steve Carell stars as the real-life Mark Hogancamp, who survived a brutal assault that left him with little memory. Eventually he finds an outlet in creating a village of dolls and enacting a World War II fantasy (half the movie is animated). Carell and director Robert Zemeckis can’t quite soften the creep factor of Hogancamp’s fantasies and his relationship with women, and the film is ultimately an awkward experience. Rated PG-13. 116 minutes.

— G. Allen Johnson Widows Director Steve McQueen sucks every bit of life out of this heist story, about four women who team up to pull off a complicated robbery. Ostentatious filmmaking and lackluster performances stop this film cold. Rated R. 128 minutes.

— M. LaSalle