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“The Last Word”

CA woman wants to control her reputation after she dies so she hires the obit writer only to find out all of her acquaintances thinks she’s horrible. The character is inconsistent and thin, and the film wastes the talent of an Oscar-winning star. Starring Shirley MacLaine, Amanda Seyfried and Anne Heche. Directed by Mark Pellington. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for language. At Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 47 minutes.

“Kong: Skull Island”

BA motley crew gets a military escort to an unknown island to check it out before the Russians do and find Kong defending the island against prehistoric monsters. The film is sumptuous and full of color as well as a constantly moving camera and visual jokes and puns punctuate the action. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson and John Goodman. Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for brief strong language. At metro theaters. 2 hours. PARENTS GUIDE This is fine for teens and should be OK for older kids, but it’s very violent — mostly CGI stuff with Kong.

“My Life as a Zucchini”

BA boy’s mother suddenly dies and he’s sent to an orphanage, where he meets a compassionate cop who becomes like a surrogate dad. The stop-motion works beautifully here with a simple and winning story, striking that peculiar mood only stop-motion can create. Starring voices of Estelle Hennard, Michel Vuillermoz and Raul Ribera. Directed by Claude Barras. (Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and suggestive material. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 6 minutes.

“The Ottoman Lieutenant”

D+An American nurse goes to Turkey to deliver medical supplies and gets tugged between a doctor and a lieutenant in the Ottoman army. There are a few moments of genuine suspense, but the film seems content with hackneyed romance and soaring strings. Starring Michiel Huisman, Hera Hilmar and Josh Hartnett. Directed by Joseph Ruben. (Stephanie Merry, Washington Post) Rated R for some war violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 49 minutes.

“Before I Fall”

BA high school girl relives the same Friday, over and over, preceding a dangerous car crash and each day, she learns to do something different to attempt to change the outcome. It’s cerebral and philosophical, and goes far beyond the shallow themes of most young adult thrillers. Starring Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage and Jennifer Beals. Directed by Ry Russo-Young. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content involving drinking, sexuality, bullying, some violent images, and language-all involving teens. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 39 minutes.

“A Dog’s Purpose”

CA stray puppy dies and is constantly reincarnated, but he’s always the same dog inside. The film, based on a book, has the emotional resonance of a novelty coffee table book. It’s adorable, but forgettable. Starring Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad and Bryce Gheisar. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for thematic elements and some peril. At metro theaters. 2 hours.

“Fences”

BA black garbage collector is frustrated his baseball career is over while his wife patiently endures his big personality. The film, adapted from a Pulitzer-winning play, is a deft exploration of race and society through a personal story. Starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and Mykelti Williams. Directed by Denzel Washington. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 18 minutes.

“Fifty Shades Darker”

CThe submissive woman is reunited with her dominant partner to explore their relationship further. The plot is fairly mundane and the sex is pretty tame. Starring Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan and Marcia Gay Harden. Directed by James Foley. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for strong erotic sexual content, some graphic nudity, and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 58 minutes.

“Fist Fight”

C+Two teachers at a failing high school face off with threats and a fist fight to try to keep their jobs. There is a theme of can’t-we-all-just-get-along, but everyone is really just going to see the face-off. Starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day and Tracy Morgan. Directed by Richie Keen. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated R for strong language throughout, sexual content/nudity and drug material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 31 minutes.

“The Founder”

BRay Kroc was a salesman peddling milkshake mixers out of the trunk of his car when he happened upon the McDonald’s hamburger bar and knew it was the way to the top. There are moments where the film is uneven, with wonky staged archival footage, but the main character is fascinating. Starring Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch. Directed by John Lee Hancock. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Carmike 10. 1 hour, 55 minutes.

“Get Out”

Ablack man goes to dinner at his white girlfriend’s house and suddenly feels like he went from predator to prey. The film and its heightened scenario forces the audience to confront uncomfortable truths here. Starring Daniel Kaluuye, Allison Williams and Bradley Whitford. Directed by Jordan Peele. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violence, bloody images, and language including sexual references. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“The Great Wall”

C+Hordes of slobbering reptilian hyenas with T-Rex heads arrive at The Great Wall of China via meteor and it takes armies to fight them off. There’s lots of fun, but after the impressive initial display, it goes a bit downhill with silly schemes. Starring Matt Damon, Tian Jing and Pedro Pascal. Directed by Zhang Yimou. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy action violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour 43 minutes.

“Hidden Figures”

BThree black women overcame gender and racial prejudices to provide significant contributions to the NASA program in the early 1960s. The film does a nice job of organizing and telling a complicated story, though sometimes the tone seems a bit light. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae and Kevin Costner. Directed by Theodore Melfi. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated PG for thematic elements and some languages. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 7 minutes.

“I Am Not Your Negro”

AThe film is based on 30 pages of a manuscript written by James Baldwin about his three friends, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. The result is a contemporary film that is a psychological examination of a nation. Starring James Baldwin and Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by Raoul Peck. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for disturbing violent images, thematic material, language and brief nudity. At Landmark’s Midtown Art and Regal Atlantic Station. 1 hour, 35 minutes.

“John Wick: Chapter 2”

BThe hitman is forced out of retirement to keep a former associate from seizing control of an international assassins’ guild. The film stumbles in its plotting, but the surreal violence in the art exhibit is delicious. Starring Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane and Ruby Rose. Directed by Chad Stahelski. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for strong violence throughout, some language and brief nudity. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 2 minutes.

“Kedi”

Review not available in time for publication. The documentary is about the hundreds of thousands of cats that roam Istanbul freely and the impact they have on everyone they touch. Starring Bulent Ustun. Directed by Ceyda Torun. Not rated. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Landmark’s Midtown

“La La Land”

B Two people who can’t stop running into each other get together, but then realize they are being pulled in different directions. It’s a crowd-pleaser of a film with universal themes of love, loss and ambition. Starring Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling and John Legend. Directed by Damien Chazelle. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for some language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 8 minutes.

“The Lego Batman Movie”

AThe hero made from building blocks is working to save Gotham City from the Joker. It’s wordplay and one-liners. It’s hysterical and very lovable. Starring Will Arnett, Ralph Fiennes and Michael Cera. Directed by Chris McKay. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for rude humor and some action. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“Lion”

B+A little boy gets separated from his brother at the train station in Khandwa, gets adopted by an Australian couple and ultimately starts to search for his mother and brother who he barely remembers. The film is based on a true story with a message about the human need to always find and return home. Starring Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Garth Davis. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some sensuality. At metro theaters. 2 hours.

“Logan”

B+The mutant with retractable claws is hoping to help himself and his mentor escapethe raiding parties when Wolverine is offered a big payment to transport a young girl to a distant location. The somber chapter in this series offers deep character studies and high-impact action sequences. Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Boyd Holbrook. Directed by James Mangold. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for brutal violence, profanity and brief nudity. In English and Spanish. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“Manchester by the Sea”

Aman is called back to his New England hometown to help deal with a crisis, which forces him to reconnect with his brother and a painful past. It’s a characterdriven film that will leave you speechless and weepy. Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams and Kyle Chandler. Directed by Kenneth Lonergan. (Colin Covert, Star Tribune-Minneapolis) Rated R for language throughout and some sexual content. At AMC Mansell Crossing and Carmike 10. 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“Moonlight”

Aboy copes with being bullied for his apparent homosexuality, which he keeps locked away from nearly everyone, including himself. The triptych of his life leaves us with a plaintive, perfect final shot of a man who has found a measure of peace. Starring Ashton Sanders and Andre Holland. Directed by Barry Jenkins. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for some sexuality, drug use, brief violence, and language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Rock Dog”

CA sheep-herding dog just wants to play music so he runs away to the city to do it. It’s a fine film with a few great tunes, but it doesn’t inspire any passion. Starring Luke Wilson, Eddie Izzard and J.K. Simmons. Directed by Ash Brannon. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for action and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 20 minutes.

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

CThe first film in a planned series of stand-alone movies is about the suicide mission to steal the Death Star. It’s a long, slow journey to get to the action that happens in the last half-hour of the film. Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna and Ben Mendelsohn. Directed by Gareth Edwards. (Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald) Rated PG-13 for war violence. At Regal Hollywood Stadium. 2 hours, 13 minutes.

“The Salesman”

B+A man puts his own need for retribution ahead of his wife’s needs after she is beaten in their Tehran apartment. The acting is wonderful, but the film depicts an especially haunting depiction of one woman’s adversities in a country and marriage that may not have her best interests at heart. Starring Taraneh Alidoosti and Shahab Hosseini. Directed by Asghar Farhadi. In Persian, English and French with English subtitles. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements and a brief bloody image. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 2 hours, 5 minutes.

“The Shack”

BA man’s depression is exacerbated by the abduction of his daughter when he meets up with a trio of groovy spiritual leaders in a tropical wooded paradise. The dialogue is written with the finesse of a self-help book, but there are some nuggets of wisdom. Starring Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer and Avraham Aviv Alush. Directed by Stuart Hazeldine. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic material including some violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 12 minutes.

“Sing”

C+A koala stages a singing competition even though he doesn’t have the prize money to present. The animated film is full of well-known crowd-pleasers and prove to be an addictive combination for children and adults. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Taron Egerton. Directed by Garth Jennings. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some rude humor and mild peril. At Austell Stadium and Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 48 minutes.

“Sleepless”

Review not available in time for publication. An undercover Las Vegas police officer gets caught in a high stakes heist and when something goes wrong, they kidnap his son. He has one night to get him back. Starring Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan and Gabrielle Union. Directed by Baran bo Odar. Rated R for strong violence and language. At AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 35 minutes.

“Split”

BA man has created 23 personalities to cope with childhood abuse, but the darker proclivities have taken over and he kidnaps three young girls to satisfy those urges. It’s a mean and lean psychothriller with racheting tension. Starring James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy and Betty Buckley. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and behavior, violence and some language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 57 minutes.

“Table 19”

BA maid of honor breaks up with the groom’s brother and is relegated to the table where the bride put guests she didn’t really want to invite. It’s never less than pleasant, but it’s a bit disappointing and forgettable. Starring Anna Kendrick, Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson. Directed by Jeffrey Blitz. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, drug use, language and some brief nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 27 minutes.

“Toni Erdmann”

Adaughter receives a visit from her recently retired music teacher father and when they decide to part ways, he reappears as another “character” and the daughter finally realizes she needs to allow her father to be the crackpot he was born to be. It’s a story about a profoundly complicated relationship and a uniquely bracing black comedy of unusual depth of feeling. Starring Peter Simonischek and Sandra Huller. Directed by Maren Ade. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug use. At Tara Theatre. 2 hours, 42 minutes.

“A United Kingdom”

C+An heir to the throne falls in love with a white commoner and their marriage is protested from the beginning. The acting is superb, but distracted editing doesn’t do the film any favors. Starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike. Directed by Amma Assante and Steven Hall. (Stephanie Merry, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for some strong language, including racial epithets, and a scene of sensuality. At Landmark’s Midtown Art, AMC Barrett Commons and GTC Merchants Walk. 1 hour, 51 minutes.

“XXX: Return of Xander Cage”

C+The extreme athlete turned government operative recruits an all-new group of cohorts to recover a seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. The appeal of this film lies in its outlandish action, innovative stunt spectacle to the extreme, but many others parts are just cheesy. Starring Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen and Ruby Rose Skotchdopole. Directed by D.J. Caruso. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for extended sequence of gunplay and violent action, and for sexual material and language. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange and Carmike 12. 1 hour, 50 minutes.