Movies & Features

Neither the pick of the litter nor the runt, Megan Leavey, about a Marine and her dog, feels closer to a formulaic feel-good Hollywood story than its based-on-a-true-story disclaimer might indicate. While never as deeply moving as it wants to be, Leavey has a lead performance that, at moments, overcomes some of the script’s structural weaknesses.

A film that’s part gothic romance, part murder mystery, and part pastoral coming-of-age, My Cousin Rachel is just what a film of its genre and intentions ought to be. For making us question hundreds of years' worth of literary tropes, it merits viewing.

It's a movie both the DC franchise and fans of superhero action desperately needed: an un-boring origin story where nearly everything works and a woman saves the world. The 'WW' on the posters stands less for Wonder Woman, however, and more for 'World War,' as this war genre pic has loads to say about humanity's violent, disagreeable ways, including how we haven't gone beyond the reach of redemption.

Despite an excess of toilet humor (literally. The villain is named Professor Poopypants and he rides around in a giant commode), there's no denying Captain Underpants has the charisma and gumption necessary to rescue itself from becoming another lowbrow summer outing. Kids will find plenty to laugh at, and even adults may crack a smile.

It's been six years since we last saw Jack Sparrow wobble his way across a well-swabbed deck. Absence has not made our hearts grow any fonder to this very predictable remake.

Despite a touching story of redemption, Champion is frequently interrupted by a bloated soundtrack which robs the film of any emotional reward. The result is a movie that can barely shift out of neutral, much less take viewers on a winning ride.

This over-the-top-stupid installment in the Wimpy Kid saga lacks any of the fleeting charm of earlier films. If watching a self-centered, clueless family act wildly irresponsible is your jam, by all means go. Just remember that's 90 minutes of your life you'll never get back.

A sweet bit of romantic fluff. It's The Boy in the Bubble meets The Fault in Our Stars, but our young sweethearts are adorable in a wholesome kind of way and their story is charming—as long as you don't think about it too hard.

Stealing elements from Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, this latest spin on the King Arthur legend is a fairly impressive spectacle that somehow still fails to fascinate.

Prepare to be entertained: Peter Quill and his motley crew are back to save the galaxy (again) in this lighthearted romp through space and time. The plot is simplistic at best, but when the emotional pay-off comes I bet you'll tear up all the same. This is a fun night out for almost anyone.

The Circle is an engrossing premise, but fails to deliver in the small moments.

Beautifully filmed documentary Born in China takes you halfway around the world without leaving your seat, bringing you up close and personal with pandas, snow leopards, golden snub-nosed monkeys, chirus, and more. Disneynature has achieved a film that the whole family can enjoy without fear or hesitation.

A consciousness-raiser about the extermination of Armenians at the outset of World War I, The Promise is a noble effort that has some moving moments but doesn't come together in a way that generates an emotional response equal to the atrocities it depicts.

The Lost City of Z (that’s “Zed” for you Americans!) was well-acted, without great flaw in its technical elements or even direction. But fails to justify the necessity of its own existence. 

The eighth film in the Fast and the Furious franchise keeps the series on cruise control, for better or worse. This latest entry should satisfy core fans, while those not already sold on the series may find the one-upping of big stunts and car chases overblown.

Tiny nuggets of wisdom abound in this low-stakes heist flick about three broke geezers who attempt to rob their local bank as a final huzzah before their houses get foreclosed and their health deteriorates too far. A fun but simple genre flick.

Its pleasures are mild, but the latest Smurfs movie—the third film in the franchise—aims to entertain younger viewers without torturing older kids and adults who might get dragged along to the theater. On that score, it mostly succeeds. The story is formulaic but surprising in providing a sweetly moving finale.

The latest entry from Pure Flix Entertainment, The Case for Christ breaks the mold of Christian films, delivering a rich and compelling narrative along with the steadfast message of Christ's love.

Heartwarming, sassy, and funny, Gifted has it all: Family drama, a cute kid, tough life questions, even a one-eyed cat. It's a story about intelligent people who don't always make smart choices. Bonus: you're likely to leave the theater smarter than you came. How many movies do that?

If not for a committed performance from Alec Baldwin, The Boss Baby would probably be languishing in a $1 DVD bin at Walmart. The film isn’t completely devoid of laughs, but they run out long before the credits roll.