What movie should we see THIS WEEK? -12/2018
NEW THIS WEEK: "Aquaman," "Bumblebee," "The Favourite," "Mary Poppins Returns," "Mary Queen of Scots," "Second Act," "3 Godfathers" (1948), "Welcome to Marwen," "Zero"
An opinionated guide to what's playing
Aquaman
PG-13, 143 minutes. Some profanity, action violence, watery nonsense, major pecs.
Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman. Find out the origin story of the superhero as well as his battle for an underwater throne and Atlantis' beef with humans. Directed by James Wan ("Saw"), who gives in to bombast and too much CGI. It's no "Black Panther," sadly. At least Momoa is having fun. With Amber Heard, Julie Andrews, Dolph Lundgren, Dijmon Hounsou, Partrick Wilson and Willem Dafoe. Opened Friday. (C)
Backyard Wilderness
Not rated, 40 minutes. Frogs humping.
What is living behind your house? Take a closer look at the raccoons, birds, spotted salamanders and other critters dwelling nearby in a suburban northern neighborhood on a pond. Set-up documentary aimed at the elementary- and middle school-age viewers. Not bad if it's taken for what it is. Listen out for Tom Petty. (B)
Bohemian Rhapsody
PG-13, 134 minutes. Profanity, sexual content, thematic material, smoking.
Rami Maleck, Lucy Boynton. Freddie Mercury and his band rise to world-wide fame in this fun but by-the-numbers bio-pic. Just fine as long as the viewer does not know anything about Queen. Plays fast and loose with the truth and when songs were actually released. Director credit given to Bryan Singer ("Usual Suspects") even though he was let go of the project. Great songs, though. (B)
Bumblebee
PG-13, 113 minutes. Profanity, violence, scary special effects.
Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena. After landing in the middle of the American military during an exercise in the late '80s, an Autobot from outer-space (aka a "Transformer") hides out as a 1967 VW Beetle in junkyard until a teenage girl from the San Francisco Bay area takes the big ‘bot home. Action flick directed by Travis Knight ("Kubo and the Two Strings"). Opened Friday.
Creed II
PG-13, 130 minutes. Profanity, violence, blood galore.
Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone. In this overly long boxing melodrama, a champ must get past his reluctant trainer and wife's pregnancy before he can face Russian boxer Ivan Drago's mean son for a big bout. Does not wander far from its predictable script. With Dolph Lundgren and Phylicia Rashad. (C)
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
PG-13, 134 minutes. Violence, scary special effects.
Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp. In 1927, the magi-zoologist named Newt is trying to catch a freshly escaped villain in London while other fantastic stuff happens. Always-moving action-fantasy directed by David Yates ("Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them"). Jumpy and complicated, it requires knowledge of this world. With Zoë Kravitz and Jude Law. Written by J.K. Rowling, of "Harry Potter" fame. (C)
The Favourite
R, 119 minutes. Profanity, violence, nudity, sexual content, cat fights.
Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone. In this historical farce, two women in the court of eccentric Queen Anne jockey for power positions while wearing thick powder and wigs during the 18th century. Olivia Colman plays the crazed leader. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos ("The Lobster," "The Killing of a Sacred Deer"). Opened Friday.
Green Book
PG-13, 130 minutes. Profanity, violence, racial slurs.
Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen. At the dawn of the ‘60s, a white palooka from the Bronx drives a black pianist through the segregated South and they slowly learn to like each other. Predictable race drama directed by Peter Farrelly (“Dumb and Dumber”) is so-so. Hopefully it sends viewers to Pensacola pianist Don Shirley and revives interest. It takes its title from a travel book aimed at blacks during Jim Crow days. (C+)
The Grinch
PG, 90 minutes. Bathroom humor, rude jokes.
Voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Kenan Thompson. A grump living in a mountain cave with a dog name Max decides to steal a dumb reindeer and pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. After he rips off Christmas, the orphaned green guy goes on an apology tour. Say what? It took six directors to mess up this simple Seuss tale. Evidently none of them read the book. (C)
Instant Family
PG-13. 119 minutes. Profanity, violence, sexual humor, child endangerment.
Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne. Two house-flippers and anxious parent-wannabes jump in feet first when foster adoption hooks them up with three children, including a hard-headed teen. Directed by Sean Anders ("Daddy's Home"), who makes this pat Hollywood tale much funnier than it has a right to be. With Octavia Spencer, Margo Martindale, Isabela Moner and Tig Notaro, who are all in top form. Surprisingly entertaining. (B)
Mary Poppins Returns
Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda. In this sequel to the 1964 Disney classic, a magical and unpredictable nanny arrives in the nick of time to help out the Banks family during the pre-war 1930s in London. Fantasy directed as a musical by Rob Marshall ("Into the Woods," the de-Fosse version of "Chicago"). With Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury. Opened Friday.
Mary Queen of Scots
R, 124 minutes. Some profanity, war violence, rape, sexual content, smoking.
Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie. British Queen Elizabeth I is not sure what to do when her feisty half-sister returns to her throne in a nearby country in this history costume drama. Directed by newcomer Josie Rourke. With Guy Pearce, David Tennant and Guy Rhys. Opened Friday.
Mortal Engines
PG-13, 128 minutes. Violence, action scenes, scary special effects.
Hera Hilmer, Robert Sheehan. After civilization has collapsed, the predatory, moving city of London is out for the kill and it’s up to a young woman to put a stop to it in the action-fantasy. Directed by newcomer Christian Rivers who puts all the recent sci-fi hits in a blender and pushes the mix button. Fans of the genre will love it while others scratch their heads. Co-produced and co-written by famed director Peter Jackson ("Lord of the Rings"). With Hugo Weaving and Jihae. (C+)
The Mule
R, 116 minutes. Profanity, bloody violence, sexuality, nudity, drug content.
Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper. Based on a true story, a charming horticulturalist who is getting up in years is the top drug-runner for a Mexican drug cartel until clock-watchers take over and don't like his laid-back style. Drama directed by Eastwood which never kicks into high gear. All build-up with no payoff. With Andy Garcia, Dianne Wiest, Laurence Fishburne and Michael Peña. (B-)
Once Upon A Deadpool
PG-13, 116 minutes. Profanity, violence, sexual content, drug material.
Ryan Reynolds, Fred Savage. In this remix of sorts, the smart-mouth anti-hero who has a hard time dying, tells the story of villain Cable as a bedtime story to the grown child from "A Princess Bride" (1987). A money-grab if there ever was one. Josh Brolin nearly steals the show as the bad guy from the future. (B-)
Ralph Breaks the Internet
PG, 112 minutes. Game violence, bathroom humor, inside jokes.
Voices of John C. Reilly, Sara Silverman. In this satire of everything from Disney to capitalism, two arcade-game characters must surf the internet to find a broken steering wheel. All sorts of misadventures ensue when they take off to figure out eBay. Most of the jokes are aimed at adults but the kids will love all the eye candy. (B)
Second Act
PG-13, 103 minutes. Profanity, sexual humor, tight dresses.
Jennifer Lopez, Leah Remini. Stuck at a dead-end job at a big-box store, a 40-year-old pads her online profile to land a cake job on Madison Avenue and has to fake it until she makes it. Comedy directed by Peter Segal ("Get Smart," "50 First Dates"). With Larry Miller, Treat Williams and Vanessa Hudgens. Opened Friday.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
PG, 100 minutes. Mild profanity, violence, thematic elements.
Voices of Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson. A young teen from a diverse background growing up in Brooklyn is thrown for a loop by his new superpowers as well as meeting crime-fighters from other dimensions. Straight-up fun animated action movie from a superhero you thought was done to death. Directed by three people: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman. With voices of Liev Schreiber, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin and Hailee Steinfeld. (B+)
3 Godfathers (1948)
Not rated, 106 minutes. Violence, child endangerment.
John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr. Way out West, a trio of cattle rustlers vow to get a newborn to New Jerusalem while they are being chased by a sheriff's posse and facing thirsting to death. One of John Ford’s lesser-known adventures is a remake. Worth seeing. Being shown as holiday celebration because it's set during the Christmas season. Can you spot the Jesus metaphor? Opens this weekend. (B)
Welcome to Marwen
PG-13, 116 minutes. Profanity, violence, war images, sexual content, animated dolls.
Steve Carell, Leslie Mann. Based on a true story, an artist has his memory beaten from him thanks to five thugs, but he recovers from his brutal attack by creating a fantasy World War II village with dolls. Directed by Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump"). Be sure to watch the excellent documentary "Marwencol," that inspired it. With Diane Krugers and Janelle Monáe. Opened Friday.
Zero
Not rated, 175 minutes. Thematic material, sexual content.
Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif. Born to a wealthy family and raised in an environment of affluence, a physically disabled short person named Bauua meets two women who change his life. Comedy-drama came from Bollywood. Subtitled. Opened Friday.
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