STILL SHOWING

“Beauty and the Beast”

C+ The live-action take on the fairy tale stays true to the story of a beautiful girl falling for her captor, a beast. The film lacks a unique cinematic identity and it can’t decide between complete faithfulness to the original and story innovation. Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Luke Evans. Directed by Bill Condon. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some action violence, peril and frightening images. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 9 minutes.

“Before I Fall”

B A 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 PG13 for mature thematic content involving drinking, sexuality, bullying, some violent images, and language-all involving teens. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 39 minutes.

“The Boss Baby”

C+ A baby comes along, but he’s really an ambitious young executive trying to find out about a new product launch. It’s funny for adults, but it remains to be seen whether kids will get it. Starring the voices of Alec Baldwin, Jimmy Kimmel and Lisa Kudrow. Directed by Tom McGrath. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some mild rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 37 minutes.

“CHiPS”

C+ The pair of California Highway Patrol officers from the famous TV series from the 1970s and ’80s work an inside job heist, but the movie is really about their bonding brotherhood. It has its faults, but overall is a light comedy worth a watch. Starring Dax Shepard, Michael Pena and Adam Brody. Directed by Dax Shepard. Rated R for crude sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language, some violence and drug use. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 41 minutes.

“Fences”

B A black garbage collector is frustrated his baseball career is over while his wife patiently endures his big personality. The film, adapted from a Pulitzerwinning 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 Carmike 12. 2 hours, 18 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 Carmike 12. 1 hour, 31 minutes.

“Frantz”

A

woman mourns her fiance who has died in the war when she meets someone who knew him during the battles. The film has a beautiful stillness, making the audience feel we are there in the midst of their lives. Starring Paula Beer and Pierre Niney. Directed by Francois Ozon. In French and German with English subtitles. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including brief war violence. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 53 minutes.

“Get Out”

A

black 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.

“Ghost in the Shell”

C A woman is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier after she was saved from a crash, but then she finds out her life was not saved but stolen. There are interesting themes floating around in this film, but it all gets bogged down in aesthetics. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Michael Pitt. Directed by Rupert Sanders. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, suggestive content and some disturbing images. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 46 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 AMC Southlake. 1 hour 43 minutes.

“Hidden Figures”

B Three 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.

“John Wick: Chapter 2”

B The 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 Austell Stadium and AMC Southlake. 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 Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 19 minutes.

“Kong: Skull Island”

B A 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.

“The Lego Batman Movie”

A The hero made from building blocks is working to save Gotham City from the Joker. It’s done well with visual gags, puns, 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.

“Life”

C A six-member space crew finds life on Mars, but that life grows and begins to eat the humans. It’s unoriginal, throwing back too much to “Alien,” but it has its taut moments. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal and Rebecca Ferguson. Directed by Daniel Espinosa. (Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Rated R for strong language, sci-fi violence and terror. At metro theaters. 1 hours, 43 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.

“Moana”

B A young girl decides she must leave her island home to find the the demigod who can help save her people. Overall, it’s smart, funny, thoughtful and full of heart (and girl empowerment). Starring Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison. Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams and Don Hall. (Kristin Finan, Austin American-Statesman) Rated PG for for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements. At Carmike 12. 1 hour, 53 minutes.

“Moonlight”

A

boy 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 Carmike 12. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Power Rangers”

C+ The group of misfits who discover their new startling powers take on a gold monster who wants to steal the Earth’s life crystal. The film maintains the essence of its origins, but it errs on the side of goofy rather than gritty. Starring Elizabeth Banks, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston and R.J. Cyler, Dacre Montgomery. Directed by Dean Israelite. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, language, and for some crude humor. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 4 minutes.

“Rock Dog”

C A 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 Carmike 12. 1 hour, 20 minutes.

“The Sense of an Ending”

B A divorced retiree is leading a quiet life until a surprising letter forces him to face a pivotal episode in his life that his memory has dramatically distorted over time. It’s a cozy movie with an un-cozy message about the perils of resuscitating our past and the bigger risk of leaving them alone. Starring Jim Broadbent and Harriet Walter. Directed by Ritesh Batra. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic elements, a violent image, sexuality and brief strong obscenity. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 48 minutes.

“The Shack”

B A 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.

“T2 Trainspotting”

C+ Renton returns to Edinburgh where he reminisces the old days with the rest of the gang from the original film. It can’t escape its own memorializing and there’s no new ground for “T2” to tread. Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle. Directed by Danny Boyle. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for drug use, language throughout, strong sexual content, graphic nudity and some violence. At Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 57 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 Carmike 12. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“The Zookeeper’s Wife”

B During Nazi occupation, the zookeeper’s wife helps harbor Jewish families in her zoo and her home and ultimately help them escape. The film’s flaws are overlooked in the shadow of the moving performances and the clarifying power of empathy in the film. Starring Jessica Chastain, Daniel Bruhl and Johan Heldenbergh. Directed by Niki Caro. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images, violence, brief sexuality, nudity and smoking. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 4 minutes.