“Alien: Covenant”

It’s the year 2014 and a new crew is aboard the Covenant when they hear a mysterious radio transmission and decide to make their way to the planet where Prometheus met its doom. The film is maddeningly uneven, and mostly steals from other “Alien” films. Starring Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston and Billy Crudup. Directed by Ridley Scott. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/nudity. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 3 minutes.

“Baywatch”

The big screen take on the ’90s TV show has the lifeguards patrolling the bay while sniffing out a supplier of a new drug on the beach. Though it can be fun when it’s poking fun at its origins, it’s poorly edited and terribly written. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron and Priyanka Chopra. Directed by Seth Gordon. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language throughout, crude sexual content, and graphic nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 56 minutes. PARENTS GUIDE This is fine for teens but too raunchy for kid audiences.

“Beauty and the Beast”

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 The documentary maps out the jazz saxophonist’s life and career using archival footage and home movies along with more recent interviews from bandmates and musical peers. But it’s the music, not the testimonials, that make the movie. Starring John Coltrane, Denzel Washington and Carlos Santana. Directed John Scheinfeld. (Pat Padua, Washington Post) Unrated but contains some disturbing archival footage. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 39 minutes.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul”

The family takes a road trip where the mother wants them to reconnect without the use of devices, but the children have other ideas. It’s supposed to be a raucous family adventure, but it’s instead a dirge of unfunny scatological material. Starring Jason Drucker, Charlie Wright and Alicia Silverstone. Directed by David Bowers. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for some rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 30 minutes.

“Everything, Everything”

A girl has Severe Combine Immunodeficiency and can’t leave her house for fear of dying from a common cold and the boy next door strike up a texting relationship and the viewer can probably guess what happens next. The young actors have charisma, but that only goes so far in a film that’s sterile and so wildly far-fetched. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Starring Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson. Directed by Stella Meghie. A man puts his prodigy niece in public school and all of a sudden, her real father and grandmother show up as well as a dream adoptive couple. It was intended as sincere, but turns out a contrived mashup of earth-shaking algorithms and nerve-wracking custody battles. Starring Chris Evans, McKenna Grace and Octavia Spencer. Directed by Marc Webb. (Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive material. At AMC Classic Mansell and Regal Town Center. 1 hour, 41 minutes.

”Going in Style”

Three former steel workers plan a bank heist after their pension disappears during a buyout. It’s not a laugh out loud comedy, but it will make you smile the whole way through. Starring Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin and Ann-Margret. Directed by Zach Braff. (Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated PG-13 for drug content, language and some suggestive material. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 36 minutes.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

The guardians are back to protect the Anulax batteries from an alien starbeast. There’s a lot of humor resulting from efforts to look cool and family is the theme, which manages to evoke genuine, deep feelings. Starring Chris Pratt, Bradley Coooper, Zoe Saldana A married couple who each have their own lovers are reminded why they fell in love with each other. While there are many times the film feels stiff, the warm performances make the emotions at hand come to life. Starring Debra Winger, Tracy Letts and Aiden Gillen. Directed by Azazel Jacobs. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for sexuality and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 34 minutes.

“Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer”

A man with an investment idea pushes his idea on everyone to the point of annoyance, but a stroke of luck could bring about a change. Richard Gere’s performance is maddening, but it works. Also starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lior Ashkenazi, Michael Sheen and Dan Stevens. Directed by Joseph Cedar. (Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Inquirer) Rated R for some language. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hours, 57 minutes.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”

Capt. Jack Sparrow is being chased by a young man trying to save his father from a sea curse in this fifth film in the series. The film It’s 2007 in Iraq and two Army men are following up after an attack and end up wounded and talking to the sniper when they try to radio for help. The film is smart, tense and provocative. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena. Directed by Doug Liman. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for coarse language and some war violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 30 minutes.

“The Wedding Plan”

A marriage-obsessed ultra-Orthodox woman is still single at the age of 32 and goes to big lengths to secure a husband. Events feel scattered in time and characters who haven’t been properly introduced suddenly become important. Starring Noa Koler and Oz Zehavi. Directed by Rama Burshtein. In Hebrew with subtitles. (Mark Jenkins, Washington Post) Rated PG for thematic elements. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Their Finest”

A woman is hired as a scriptwriter for the British ministry’s propoganda films when they realize their films need a “woman’s touch.” The film is genial and engaging with a fine sense of humor and makes blending the comic with the serious look simpler than it is. Starring Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin. Directed by Lone Scherfig. (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) Rated R for some language and a scene of sexuality. At Lefont Sandy Springs and Tara Theatre. 1 hour, 50 minutes.