Opening Friday

The Farewell The Lion King Sea of Shadows She’s Just a Shadow Sword of Trust

Amazing Grace Held in limbo for decades by technical and legal issues, this Aretha Franklin concert documentary — shot in 1972 at a church in Los Angeles — testifies to the power of an artist at her peak. Then 29 and a mainstream star, Franklin was returning to her gospel roots, and her chill-inducing performances of songs such as “Mary Don’t You Weep” will put all viewers in touch with their higher power. Rated G. 87 minutes. — C. Meyer

Annabelle Comes Home The latest in the “Conjuring” series is a meticulously made, wellacted, small-scale horror movies, featuring three girls trapped in what slowly becomes a haunted house. It’s better than a routine genre movie. Rated R. 106 minutes.

— M. LaSalle

Avengers: Endgame It’s three hours long, and it’s not boring, and that’s saying a lot for this final installment of the Avengers series. The new film, in which the irrepressible gang decides to go back in time, brings the Marvel series to a satisfying close. Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth are particular standouts. Rated PG-13. 181 minutes. — M. LaSalle

The Art of Self-Defense Despite a slow patch near the beginning, this film, written and directed by Riley Stearns, is a thoughtful and penetrating dark comedy that deals with interesting issues. Jesse Eisenberg is superb as a mild-mannered guy who joins a karate class after having been attacked on a street at night. Rated R. 104 minutes.

— M. LaSalle

The Biggest Little Farm Absorbing, fascinating documentary about a city couple who chuck it all and buy an abandoned farm, but face constant struggle to realize their dream of a self-sustained biodiversity. A film with life lessons, as well as an implied commentary on modern agriculture and climate change. Rated PG. 91 minutes. — G. Allen Johnson

Booksmart Two best friends, smart kids who’ve spent four years studying, go on a tear in their last day before graduation, hoping to pack four years of missed experience into one great night. Thought it has some lags, it’s a fairly fun movie, directed by Olivia Wilde and written by four female screenwriters. Rated R. 102 minutes. — M. LaSalle