“war”
Written and directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, this atypical war film follows the Navy's Seal Platoon during a disaster mission in Iraq.
From our review:
The “war” performance is evenly and convincing and restrained, except when an injured man screams in pain. However, “War” has no brilliantly staged bloodshed, and there is no award-worthy monologue. Instead, there is a deep, fundamental seriousness that can feel like it's rare in modern American films.
In the theater. Read the full review.
Shrugs more than intestinal punches.
“amateur”
Rami Marek stars as CIA cipherman Charlie for revenge after his wife was killed in this spice thriller directed by James Haws.
From our review:
“Amateur” is not interested in Bond-style comedy and instead chooses a dramatic beat worthy of the limits of revenge with her family's husband. However, this script (written by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli) promises a lot from the start and rarely backs up it. After a while, the narrow escape and Charlie's occasional high-tech support goccia repeats.
In the theater. Read the full review.
A retelling that wasn't necessary.
“The King of Kings”
Directed by Jang Sung Ho, this animated film tells the story of Jesus (Oscar Isaac), narrated by Charles Dickens (Kenneth Brana).
From our review:
My frustration comes from the feeling that the film is getting the pockets of potential patrons, or elsewhere. It feels purely adjusted to capitalize the audience, who feel a moral obligation to buy tickets for all the retellings of Jesus' life. This impression was unexpected to recommend after the film's return. The cute kids reel said they liked the movie and asked me to take out my phone and scan the QR code to buy someone else's ticket.
In the theater. Read the full review.
The firepower of the president.
“G20”
In the 20 Economic Summit group, US President Daniel Sutton (Viola Davis) must fight terrorists in this action flick directed by Patricia Liggen.
From our review:
The action spectacle “G20” offers an absurd fantasy. What if the US president was a hero of gunfighting and martial arts? “Air Force One” (1997) may be the UR text for this shameless Jingoistic Subgenre, but Viola Davis President Danielle Sutton raises the bar with extremely braveness.
Watch Prime Video. Read the full review.
What happens if the killer uses airdrop?
'Drop'
On his first date at a fancy restaurant, Violet (Megan Fahe) receives a threatening message on his phone in this thriller directed by Christopher Landon.
From our review:
Like a Jenga tower with half the pieces removed, the wobble script by Gillian Jacobs and Chris Roach delivers ridiculous growth in the moment. …That doesn't mean that “drop” is not interesting. Park your left brain at the door and enjoy the compilation of Ben Bauduin's flavours, Mark Spicer's glow, gliding images, and a simple chemistry between the two leads.
In the theater. Read the full review.
Open Road is an intimate comedy.
“Sacramento”
In this indie comedy directed by Michael Angarano, Ricky (Angalano) embarks on a road trip across California, scattering his father's ashes and tapping his friend Glenn (Michael Cera) along with him.
From our review:
Angalano's work stands well in itself. The central love buddy dynamics are familiar, but it also immerses in a sweet and playful touch. Angarano is the anchor here, and is just as charming as he is reckless. But it is also a valuable showcase for CERA.
In the theater. Read the full review.
The teacher becomes the student of the situation.
“teacher”
Director Farah Nabulsi's drama centers around Bassemme (Saleh Bakri), a Palestinian who teaches English at a school on the West Bank.
From our review:
In some respects, the film suffers from an understandable impulse to streamline. Naburushi uses the basem as a single fulcrum, which highlights elements of cleverly complex geopolitical conflict, allowing them to circumnavigate. However, teacher student bond stories, legal procedures, family tragedy, romance, and lure thrillers often take on one character.
In the theater. Read the full review.
A comedy about manners and manners.
“Not invited”
A confused elderly woman accidentally crashes a charming dinner, believing that the house is her own.
From our review:
The showbiz guy for “The Uninvited,” written and directed by Nadia Conners, appears to have been created for the explicit purpose of being laughed at. This is one of those self-hate Hollywood photos. The new one is its title hook.
In the theater. Read the full review.
Edited by Kerina Moore.
