The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Movie Minis
OPENING TODAY
“I’m Your Woman” B
Her husband brings home a baby boy that doesn’t belong to them and then someone comes looking for him, but she’s left to clean up his mess with the help of a few others. It’s a ’ 70s crime drama that shows growth in the characters and empowerment proving a source of love. Starring Rachel Brosnahan, Arinze Kene and Marsha Stephanie Blackburn. Directed by Julia Hart. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for violence and language. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 2 hours.
“The Midnight Sky” B+
A scientist alone at an Arctic research station tries desperately to contact a spacecraft that is returning from one of Jupiter’s previously undiscovered moons. The film feels both expansive and intimate with dual narrative tracks to keep it interesting. Starring George Clooney, Felicity Jones and Kyle Chandler. Directed by George Clooney. ( Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG- 13 for some bloody images and brief strong language. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 2 hours, 2 minutes.
“The Never List”
Review not available in time for publication. An overachieving 16- year- old tries to complete a list of challenges after a friend dies in an accident. Starring Fivel Stewart, Keiko Agena and Andrew Kai. Directed by Michelle Mower. Rated R for drug content, some language and sexual material. At Movie Tavern at Sandy Plains Village and Movie Tavern Horizon Village. 1 hour, 42 minutes.
“ON- GAKU: Our Sound” Review not available in time for publication. Three misfits decide to form a band to impress girls. Starring Shintaro Sakamoto, Ren Komai and Tomoya Maeno. Directed by Kenji Iwaisawa. Unrated. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts, Movie Tavern at Sandy Plains Village and Movie Tavern Horizon Village.
“Wild Mountain Thyme”
Review not available in time for publication. A farmer sets out to win her neighbor’s affections, but he seems oblivious to his admirer. Starring Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan and Jon Hamm. Directed by John Patrick Shanley. Rated PG- 13 for some thematic elements and suggestive comments. At metro theaters.
STILL SHOWING “All My Life”
Review not available in time for publication. A young couple plans their wedding in the wake of devastating news. Starring Jay Pharoah and Marielle Scott. Directed by Marc Meyers. Rated PG- 13 for brief language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 33 minutes.
“Billie” B
The documentary interweaves the singer’s epic tale with the life and death of a writer on whose mountain of recorded interviews the film is based. The film offers a dramatic narrative. Starring Billie Holiday, Directed by James Erskine. ( Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune) Unrated. At Landmark’s Midtown Arts. 1 hour, 36 minutes.
“Come Play” C+
A child with nonverbal autism who uses a communication app on his phone to speak finds a mysterious app that invites a skeletonoid creature into real life. It has a childlike perspective and in a normal year, it might be forgettable, but its message of finding human connection rings true right now. Starring Azhy Robertson, Gillian Jacobs and John Gallagher Jr.
Directed by Jacob Chase. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG- 13 for terror, frightening images and some language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 36 minutes.
“The Croods: A New Age”
C+The caveman nomads are back, this time discovering a pair of evolved bohemian homo sapiens who have the creature comforts of “privacy,” hygiene and simple machines. The film is a blend of smart, irreverent humor coupled with eye- popping, neon- Technicolor animation that moves fast and furious. Starring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds. Directed by Joel Crawford. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for peril, action and rude humor. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 35 minutes.
“Freaky” C
Through a mishap involving an ancient Aztec dagger, a high schooler and a serial killer switch bodies. It’s mildly amusing and proceeds as you might expect. Starring Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton and Celeste O’connor. Directed by Christopher Landon. ( Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for strong bloody horror violence, sexuality and coarse language throughout. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 41 minutes.
“Half Brothers” C
A Mexican man goes on a road trip to see his terminally ill father who abandoned him when he was a child only to find out he has a half- brother. It’s a fun comedy with some heart and intelligence, but there are some poor excuses for terrible behavior. Starring Luis Gerardo Mendez, Connor del Rio and Juan Pablo Espinosa. Directed by Luke Greenfield. ( Michael Ordona, Los Angeles Times) Rated PG- 13 for some violence and strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 36 minutes.
“Honest Thief” C+
A career bank robber attempts to come clean, but it goes awry and he’s framed for murder so he must go on the lam to prove his innocence. It’s formulaic and the story doesn’t make much sense, but it’s somewhat comforting during this time. Starring Liam Neeson, Kate Walsh and Robert Patrick. Directed by Mark Williams. ( Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated PG- 13 for strong violence, crude references and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour 39 minutes.
“The Last Vermeer” C
Dutch artist Han van Meegeren is wrapped up in a Nazi art investigation to try to figure out who sold and bought “Christ and the Adulteress” among Nazi officers. The film is built on layers of lies and information, but the script makes no effort to conceal or reveal information. Stars Guy Pearce, Claes Bang and Vicky Krieps. Directed by Dan Friedkin. ( Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for some language, violence and nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 57 minutes.
“Let Him Go” B
A retired sheriff and his wife leave their ranch in Montana to rescue their young grandson from a dangerous family in the Dakotas. The film takes on a greater heft than its more thriller- ish contours seem built to handle, but Diane Lane carries the additional weight with aplomb. Also starring Kevin Costner and Kayli Carter. Directed by Thomas Bezucha. ( Michael O’sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 54 minutes.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
BIn this adaptation of August Wilson’s play, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, the Southern singer hailed as “Mother of the Blues,” just wants to record her new album, but her ambitious trumpet player wants to tap into a newer, jazzier sound. The film is a feast of inspired talk that leaves an audience with no shortage of things to talk about. Starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman and Glynn Turman. Directed by George C. Wolfe. ( Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times) Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief violence. At The Springs Cinema & Taphouse and Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 34 minutes.
“Mank” B
Set in the 1940s, Screenwriter and social satirist Herman J. Mankiewicz scrambles to finish the first draft of a film that later will become “Citizen Kane.” The film’s limitation is a simple one: The script lacks wit; it wears its “Kane” influence heavily. Starring Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins. Directed by David Fincher. ( Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated R for some language. At The Springs Cinema & Taphouse and Landmark’s Midtown Art. 2 hours, 11 minutes.
“The Prom” C+
Broadway stars who are down on their luck shake up a small town as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to prom with her girlfriend. The material can be wildly uneven but can still go to work on your inner sap and Meryl Streep is, as always, fantastic. Also starring James Corden and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Ryan Murphy. ( Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG- 13 for thematic elements, suggestive and sexual references and language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 11 minutes.
“Tenet” C
An American agent slides back in time to ward off a global disaster. The film is sleek and noisy and the ideas could have been exploited more dynamically. Starring John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki. Directed by Christopher Nolan. ( Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune) Rated PG- 13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some suggestive references and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 31 minutes.
“True to the Game 2”
Review unavailable in time for publication. A journalist becomes the target of a criminal. Starring Erica Peeples, Vivica A. Fox and Andra Fuller. Directed by Jamal Hill. Rated R for sexual content, drug content, pervasive language, nudity and violence. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 33 minutes.
“Vanguard”
Review not available in time for publication. Members of a covert security company try to protect an accountant from the world’s deadliest mercenary organization. Starring Jackie Chan, Yang Yang and Ai Lun. Directed by Stanley Tong. Unrated. At AMC Sugarloaf Mills and AMC Southlake. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
“The War With Grandpa”
Review not available in time for publication. Grandpa moves in with the family and takes over Peter’s room, and Peter will stop at nothing to get his room back. But Grandpa won’t be ousted easily and it turns into war. Starring Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman and Oakes Fegley. Directed by Tim Hill. Rated PG for some thematic elements, rude humor and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 34 minutes.