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Showing posts from 2017

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

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With wife Charity (Michelle Williams) and two young children to support, the unemployed P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) has nowhere to go but up. Using his vivid imagination and energetic enthusiasm, Barnum's persistence leads to the founding of the sideshow museum that would eventually become the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. This tuneful, joyful and emotional spectacle is filled with

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

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While Resistance fighter Rey (Daisy Ridley) seeks help from self-exiled Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the First Order makes their move against the dwindling rebel forces. General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) leads her gallant group of fighters, including pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), against Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the evil empire. The fate of the future is at stake. The Star Wars saga is alive and thriving in another stratospheric adventure. Filled with action, thrills, human drama, awesome effects, twists and surprises, this epic tale is a fan pleaser that may even draw a whole new audience. It's just the kind of satisfying entertainment that

WONDER WHEEL

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In the Coney Island amusement park during the 1950s, the lives of four people are changed by circumstance. Ginny (Kate Winslet), a former actress who makes a living as a waitress in a clam house, and her carousel operator husband Humpty (Jim Belushi) get an unexpected visit from his estranged daughter Carolina (Juno Temple), who is on the run from her gangster husband and the mob after turning informant. Unhappy in her own marriage, Ginny turns to handsome lifeguard Mickey (Justin Timberlake), who has ambitions of becoming a playwright. Angst and turmoil are the order of the day. Solid performances can't overcome an anemic plot that's void of

COCO

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Although there has been a perplexing ban on music for generations in his family, young Miguel ( the voice of Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming a famous musician like his deceased idol Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). Thanks to a magical circumstance during the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead. Here he meets the happy-go-lucky Hector (Gael García Bernal), who guides him on a quest to discover his destiny. Mexican lore and culture spring to life in this dazzling and delightful animated spectacle. In the tradition of "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo", Disney/Pixar presents this family-themed adventure that both

JUSTICE LEAGUE

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Following the death of Superman/Clark Kent (Henry Cavill), chaos ensues. Batman/Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) seeks help from Wonder Woman/Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), The Flash/Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), Aquaman/Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg/Victor Stone (Ray Fisher). Centuries-old villain Steppenwolf (the voice of Ciarán Hinds) has returned to Earth looking to combine three hidden and guarded boxes of energy that will turn the planet into his world. The superheroes unite to save humanity. Plenty of action and an abundance of passable CGI effects make this a fast-paced matinee epic. The DC lineup is well-represented here, along with a few surprises to please the fans. The dark-edged style of director Zack Snyder ("Man of Steel") is certainly present, but he left this project after

SWEET VIRGINIA

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A triple murder in a small Alaskan town creates an atmosphere of fear. Elwood (Christopher Abbott), a stranger in town, checks into the motel run by former rodeo champ Sam (Jon Bernthal). Discovering they both have ties to Virginia, an uneasy friendship is formed. But the aftermath of the violent deaths leads to more trouble. This tense thriller is a gripping character study with bursts of violence. The killer and motive are revealed early, but the impact isn't diminished. The Black List screenplay by brothers Benjamin and Paul China is set in Virginia, which makes the title more significant. Director Jamie M. Dagg moved the location to a small Alaskan town, giving the film a

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

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A murder occurs on the Orient Express and famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is on the case. His suspects include all of his fellow passengers and the crew on board. When this train ride through Europe gets halted by an avalanche, Poirot has his hands full trying to unmask the killer. A stellar cast and lush scenery make this latest filming of Agatha Christie's 1934 novel an

THOR: RAGNAROK

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After a fight against the Goddess of Death Hela (Cate Blanchett), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) find themselves trapped on the planet Sakaar. Ruled by the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), gladiator battles are the main obsession. The imprisoned Thor is pitted against his old pal the Hulk/Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). The God of Thunder must find a way to survive and return to Asgard to save his beloved homeland from Hela. Some laughs, twists, surprises and good performances freshen up the familiar plot. Marvel is the master of

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

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Sergeant Adam Schumann (Miles Teller) returns home to his wife Saskia (Haley Bennett) and children after duty in Iraq. He and his buddies Solo (Beulah Koale) and Will (Joe Cole) struggle with post traumatic stress disorder while adjusting to changes in their civilian lives. Miles Teller's dominant performance drives this emotional drama. Based on the non-fiction book by David Finkel, this

ONLY THE BRAVE

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The true story of Arizona's Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of firefighters who gallantly battled the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) led his team from training through their certification as Hotshots to the fire they so bravely fought. Spectacular firefighting sequences heighten the emotional impact of this real-life story. As a longtime Arizona resident, this tragic event will forever live in my memory. Director Joseph Kosinski ("Oblivion") has crafted an unforgettable film that easily stands alongside "Backdraft". It more closely resembles

MARSHALL

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Working on cases for the NAACP, young lawyer Thurgood Marshall (Chadwick Boseman) travels to Connecticut to help defend African-American chauffeur Joseph Spell (Sterling K. Brown) against sexual assault and attempted murder charges by his wealthy married white socialite employer Eleanor Strubing (Kate Hudson). Ordered not to speak in court by Judge Foster (James Cromwell), Marshall must rely on first-time trial lawyer Samuel Friedman (Josh Gad). They work against prejudice to uncover the truth. This captivating real-life courtroom drama is

BLADE RUNNER 2049

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While hunting replicants in 2049, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling) uncovers a buried secret that could dangerously affect society. K's discovery puts him at odds with wealthy replicant manufacturer Niander Wallace (Jared Leto) and his lethal female assistant Luv (Sylvia Hoeks). It also compels him to find former blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who has been in hiding for thirty years. Director Denis Villeneuve's visual stunner deftly expands the "Blade Runner" universe. After 2016's "Arrival", Villeneuve continues to revitalize this genre. Without giving anything away, there is much here

AMERICAN MADE

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Commercial airline pilot Barry Seal (Tom Cruise), a hustler and daredevil who's been sneaking Cuban cigars into the country, is recruited by agent Monty 'Schafer' (Domhnall Gleeson) to fly covert missions to South America in a small plane for the CIA. Leaving his TWA job behind without

KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

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When Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and Merlin (Mark Strong) survive the destruction of Kingsman headquarters by a new enemy, they discover an ally in the Statesman - their secret US counterpart. They join leader Champ (Jeff Bridges) and his team to take down a criminal organization that's holding the world hostage with a cure for a lethal drug. Over-the-top performances and graphic comic book violence enhance the spy jinks of

AMERICAN ASSASSIN

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After his girlfriend dies in a terrorist attack, Mitch Rapp (Dylan O'Brien) is bent on wiping out his enemies all by himself. Reluctant at first, he is recruited by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) to join a black ops team headed by veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton). When attacks on military and civilian targets result in stolen bomb-making materials, the newly-trained team joins Turkish agent Annika (Shiva Negar) on a mission to

IT

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A supernatural force that preys on children descends on the small town of Derry every 27 years. When his little brother disappears, young Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher) and his friends in the Losers' Club go searching for his lost sibling during their 1989 summer vacation. Standing in the way are the school bullies and a sinister clown named Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård). Horror and a dash of humor keep this Goonies-style chiller afloat. Make no mistake, this violent adventure is

THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD

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An International Court of Justice trial to convict vicious dictator Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman) needs the testimony of notorious hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). Interpol agent Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung) has the dangerous job of getting Kincaid from England to the Hague trial. But there's a mole in her office and the only person she can trust is ex-boyfriend Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds), an expert bodyguard. The hitman and bodyguard are mortal enemies and must work together to overcome all of the obstacles in their way. Non-stop mayhem and witty banter give this familiar plot an entertaining lift. This movie rests squarely on the shoulders of its

LOGAN LUCKY

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Down on his luck and out of work, Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) and his equally unlucky one-armed brother Clyde (Adam Driver) attempt to put an end to the family curse by executing an intricate robbery during a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. They enlist the aid of their sister Mellie (Riley Keough) and explosives expert Joe Bang (Daniel Craig). One Problem: Bang is in prison and needs to be busted out. A complication for Jimmy is his need to be a part of his young daughter Sadie's (Farrah Mackenzie) life. His ex-wife Bobbie Jo (Katie Holmes) and her husband Moody (David Denman) are about to move away and take Sadie with them. Success at the raceway could turn things around. Steven Soderbergh returns to the director's chair with this entertaining and often-hilarious heist caper. This time around, he takes the casino-setting plot of his "Ocean's Eleven" series and

WIND RIVER

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When local game tracker Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) discovers the body of a young woman in the icy wilderness on the remote Native American Reservation of Wind River, rookie FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) is sent in to investigate. Not used to the rough conditions of Wyoming's winter, Jane relies on Lambert's help in solving the mysterious death. An interesting story and well-developed characters lift this chiller to above-average. Director/writer Taylor Sheridan, who wrote "Hell or High Water" and "Sicario", has created another fascinating modern "western". What makes this movie standout is not so much the mystery, but the performances. Taking center stage is Jeremy Renner as the rugged tracker who is haunted by

THE DARK TOWER

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Young Jake Chambers' (Tom Taylor) nightmares about an otherworldly battle between good and evil are about to prove true. Walter O'Dim (Matthew McConaughey), a deadly sorcerer known as the Man in Black, seeks out Jake to complete his diabolical plan. The young Chambers is the key to destroying The Dark Tower, which binds time and space. Standing in the sorcerer's way is revenge-minded Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), the last Gunslinger. The fate of the universe is at stake. An anemic and predictable plot is the downfall of the first screen version of Stephen King's novel series. Even having not read the books, I can't imagine fans being happy with this abridged (only 95 minutes) and mediocre mix of

KIDNAP

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When her son Frankie (Sage Correa) is abducted from the park they are visiting, a frantic Karla Dyson (Halle Berry) will stop at nothing to save him. Without her cell phone, she takes off after the the kidnappers in a high-speed chase. Karla will rescue her child at all costs. Halle Berry's believably fierce performance and some outrageous chase sequences keep this mindless and mildly entertaining "B" movie from totally veering off the road. Throwing logic out the window, it's surprising that the tires on her minivan aren't

DETROIT

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During the 1967 race riots in Detroit, a police raid at the Algiers Motel results in the deaths of three African American men. Night watchman Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega) gets caught up in the escalating violence during a brutal interrogation led by a racist police officer (Will Poulter) that ends in tragedy. A striking dramatization blended with graphic newsreel footage makes this

ATOMIC BLONDE

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Near the end of the Cold War, deadly MI6 operative Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) is sent to a divided Berlin to retrieve a list of spies that all sides are after and to unveil a double agent. She also wants to find out who killed another British spy who had ties to her. Partnering with station chief David Percival (James McAvoy), Lorraine uses her unique set of skills to accomplish the mission. Wild action sequences mixed with high fashion keep this standard, but complicated spy plot from falling apart. The fun is in watching

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS

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Alpha, a futuristic city made up of thousands of different species from across the universe, is threatened by an unknown force. Commander Filitt (Clive Owen) sends government operatives Major Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Sergeant Laureline (Cara Delevingne) to the endangered city to identify and stop the menacing intruders. Complicating matters is the fact that womanizer Valerian is starting to fall for his beautiful partner. A colorful galaxy of fun for the eyes and ears that doesn't have much for the brain. But it's still worth a matinee for sci-fi lovers. Based on the French comics series "Valérian and Laureline", director/co-writer Luc Besson ("The Fifth Element") throws everything at the screen and some of it sticks. Out-of-this-world sets, characters, effects and 3D cover nicely for a

DUNKIRK (2017)

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When the Germans trapped hundreds of thousands of British and Allied forces on the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940, a desperate rescue attempt resulted in saving nearly 400,000 lives. The evacuation is presented in three interconnected parts. By land: British soldier Tommy (Fionn Whitehead) takes extreme measures with Gibson (Aneurin Barnard), Alex (Harry Styles) and others to return home safely. By sea: civilian Mr. Dawson (Mark Rylance), one of many taking their boats to save the besieged troops, heads across the English Channel with his son Peter (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Peter's friend George (Barry Keoghan). On their journey they pick up a scarred survivor (Cillian Murphy) who violently refuses to return to Dunkirk. By air: a handful of pilots lend support by trying to take down attacking Nazi planes. With his fuel running low, Farrier (Tom Hardy) keeps up the battle in the sky as long as possible. Director/writer Christopher Nolan masterfully revives the

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES

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After a deadly confrontation with an army led by a crazed Colonel (Woody Harrelson) results in tragedy, ape leader Caesar (Andy Serkis) sets out in search of revenge. His quest uncovers the Colonel's encampment where captured apes are being used as slave labor for an unknown project. When the enemies meet, a battle ensues that could decide the future of both species and the planet. This third chapter in the rebooted series is the darkest and most emotional to date. Motion-capture performances bring the CGI characters to life with

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING

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With his first Avengers mission completed, Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) returns home to Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and possibly a normal life with friends and classmates. His attempts at becoming the friendly neighborhood superhero are clumsy at best. Closely monitored by Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and his right-hand man Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), Peter must find his way in the Avengers' universe. He gets his chance when new villain Vulture (Michael Keaton) threatens New York City. This refreshing new spin on the Spider-Man legend is fun and

BABY DRIVER

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Indebted to crime boss Doc (Kevin Spacey), music-loving Baby (Ansel Elgort) expertly drives the getaway car for robberies. After his debt is paid, Baby is coerced into driving for one last doomed heist. His life and the life of his girlfriend Debora (Lily James) are at stake. Edgar Wright, the genius director of films like "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz", is behind the wheel of this inventive cops-and-robbers tale. The bare-bones plot, written by Wright, takes a back seat to the songs from Baby's mix-tapes that

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT

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War is raging between humans and Transformers. With Optimus Prime missing, it's up to hunted inventor Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) to step in and help save mankind. Joined by Bumblebee and some friendly Autobots, Yeager seeks out the reason why they keep returning to Earth. Sir Edmund Burton (Anthony Hopkins), an authority on the history

CARS 3

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After years of being top dog, the legendary Lightning McQueen (the voice of Owen Wilson) is starting to show his age. With competition from newcomers like the aggressive Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer), McQueen must get back up to speed. Encouraged by his old friends in Radiator Springs, Lightning finds help in the form of his sponsor's new owner Sterling (Nathan Fillion) - a wealthy business car who has plans to turn him into a racing brand. Also on board is trainer Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo), who has dreams of her own. The race is on. Breathtaking race sequences, dazzling animation and familiar characters save "Cars 3" from

THE MUMMY (2017)

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American soldiers Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) and his pal Chris Vail (Jake Johnson), who steal rare artifacts while on missions in the Middle East, accidentally unearth an ancient tomb-like prison after a battle with insurgents. Unknowingly releasing evil Egyptian Princess Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella), Nick is now cursed to help her fulfill her terrifying destiny. With unexpected help from

WONDER WOMAN

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Diana (Gal Gadot), daughter of Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), has grown up on the island of Themyscira, where Amazons are trained to be warriors. Sheltered from training by her mother, she is secretly taught the art of combat by her aunt Antiope (Robin Wright). When hunted pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes near the island, Diana rescues him and learns about the raging war in the outside world. The warrior princess is determined to leave her island home with Trevor and seek out the Greek God of War Ares to kill him and put an end to World War I. "Wonder Woman" takes flight with bursts of action, strong lead performances and witty dialogue. A slow deliberate opening sheds light on the upbringing of this superhero. The peaceful island existence is soon shattered by

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES

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Looking to lift the curse of the Flying Dutchman from his father Will (Orlando Bloom), Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites) seeks the powerful and legendary Trident of Poseidon to accomplish this task. The only person capable of finding the Trident is Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), who needs it to save his own life. Ghostly anti-pirate Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) and his crew, inadvertently released from their watery grave by Jack, are out for revenge against Sparrow - who sent them to their doom. Also in the search is feisty astronomer Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), seeking answers to her origins. Hunted for various crimes,

ALIEN: COVENANT

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The spaceship Covenant, en route to a distant planet with a cargo of hibernating settlers, is forced to land on a nearby uncharted planet when an accident befalls the ship. The crew that includes Oram (Billy Crudup), Daniels (Katherine Waterston), Tennessee (Danny McBride), Lope (Demián Bichir), Karine (Carmen Ejogo), Ricks (Jussie Smollett), the android Walter (Michael Fassbender) and others are confronted with an unimaginable horror. They must fight for their lives in this alien world. Thrills, chills and buckets of gore add up to

SNATCHED

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After her boyfriend breaks up with her just before their non-refundable exotic vacation, Emily Middleton (Amy Schumer) cons her mother Linda (Goldie Hawn) into going along for some fun and relaxation. But their good times in Ecuador end when the pair are kidnapped and held for ransom in Colombia. Frantic attempts to escape ensue. Boisterous humor and good chemistry between the two stars give this predictable comedy an entertaining boost. There's nothing here you haven't seen before, but the teaming of Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn is

KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD

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Raised in a brothel after his royal parents are murdered by his treacherous uncle Vortigern (Jude Law), Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) grows up streetwise and unaware of his roots. He is forced to face his legacy when he pulls the legendary sword from the stone. Seeking his rightful place on England's throne, Arthur joins the Resistance while learning to embrace the power of Excalibur. Striking visuals and a dynamic lead performance can't save this muddled origins story of the

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2

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Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (the voice of Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (the voice of Vin Diesel) are busy battling a gigantic monster to save valuable batteries for Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), the leader of the Sovereign race. In return, Ayesha will release Gamora's estranged sister Nebula (Karen Gillan). But Rocket steals the batteries and the Guardians find themselves being pursued across the galaxy by the Sovereign and their hired hunter Yondu (Michael Rooker), who raised Peter from a young boy. While on the run, the Guardians encounter Ego (Kurt Russell), who claims to be Peter's real father. Life is about to get complicated and a new threat to the galaxy awaits. The Guardians return in grand style with explosive

THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS

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While on his honeymoon with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in Cuba, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is forced into helping cyberterrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron) in her mad attempt to hold world leaders accountable for their actions. With the threat of nuclear destruction, it's up to Dom's crew to find him and put an end to Cipher's plan. High-speed chases fuel another frenetic entry in this indestructible series. If you're searching for intricate plotting and award-worthy performances, look elsewhere. This is nothing more than

COLOSSAL

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Thrown out by her boyfriend (Dan Stevens) for being an alcoholic and out of work, Gloria (Anne Hathaway) heads back to her family's small-town home for a change in life. She becomes a waitress at her childhood friend Oscar's (Jason Sudeikis) bar and spends the after-hours drinking with Oscar  and his buddies Garth (Tim Blake Nelson) and Joel (Austin Stowell). One day, she awakens with a hangover to news reports that a giant creature has attacked Seoul. This monster appears each night at the same time, makes weird gestures and disappears in a cloud of lightning. Gloria soon realizes that the creature is

GIFTED

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Frank Adler (Chris Evans) struggles to make a living as a boat repairman in Florida while raising his young niece Mary (Mckenna Grace), who was left in his care after his sister committed suicide. Mary is a strong-willed child prodigy with uncanny mathematical skills that she inherited from her mother. When her first-grade teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate) discovers her abilities, it isn't long before a normal school life disintegrates. Frank's estranged mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) learns about

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE

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Before the start of World War II in Poland, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh)and his wife Antonina (Jessica Chastain) have a good life as the caretakers of the Warsaw Zoo. When the Nazis invade their country, the heroic couple risk everything to save their animals and the lives of people trapped in the Warsaw Ghetto. Standing in their way is

THE BOSS BABY

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The arrival of a bossy baby brother (the voice of Alec Baldwin) upsets the perfect life young Tim (Miles Christopher Bakshi) has with his mom (Lisa Kudrow) and dad (Jimmy Kimmel). This newborn family member talks, wears a suit and carries a briefcase. Is it Tim's imagination or is this really happening? The Boss Baby has an agenda. He was sent by the heavenly Babycorp to stop a plot by Puppyco, where both parents work, to take affection away from babies. Now the brothers must

GHOST IN THE SHELL

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Supposedly saved from a terrible crash, Major (Scarlett Johansson) is a human who has been cyber-enhanced to be the perfect soldier. Part of the Section 9 task force in the near future, Major seeks to stop a terrorist who is killing employees of Hanka Robotics and is capable of hacking people's minds to control them. While on this mission, she uncovers lies about her past and must find the truth before others are hurt. Stunning visuals don't compensate for the

T2 TRAINSPOTTING

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Away from home for twenty years, Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to reconnect and make amends for past misdeeds with old friends Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Spud, hooked on heroin, entertains thoughts of becoming a writer after attempting suicide. Sick Boy, a cocaine addict, is operating a failing pub while using his girlfriend Veronika (Anjela Nedyalkova) for blackmailing sexual activities. Begbie, serving a 25-year prison sentence, escapes to seek revenge against Mark. Age hasn't mellowed the former buddies and changes are in store before

LIFE

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Six scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a single-celled organism in a soil sample from Mars. What starts as joy at finding proof of life beyond Earth soon turns to terror when the tentacled entity, which they have named "Calvin", becomes dangerous. A fight for survival begins. Stellar effects and a fine cast make this outer space chiller a quality popcorn flick. It's a passable clone of "Alien". This isn't a spoiler, since the trailer makes the plot perfectly clear. After a slow start that gets all of the scientific facts of space station living out of the way, director Daniel Espinosa ("Safe House") cuts right to the chase. Many jumps, scares and a fair amount of

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

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Only true love can save a young prince (Dan Stevens), cursed to live life in his castle as a beast. When Belle (Emma Watson) arrives at the castle to save her imprisoned father (Kevin Kline), the Beast releases him in exchange for her. Over time, she becomes fond of the hideous creature and his enchanted staff. When the villagers attack, led by Belle's unwanted suitor Gaston (Luke Evans), she must make a life-changing decision. While 1991's cartoon classic (the first animated feature to be nominated in the Academy Awards' Best Picture category) is still the winner, this new version is absolutely charming. This time around, real people ably take the place of their two-dimensional counterparts - with an assist from some fabulous CG effects. Director Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls") paints a mesmerizing picture that's filled with lavish sets and costumes, colorful characters and unforgettable music.

KONG: SKULL ISLAND

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An expedition to an uncharted South Pacific island during the final days of the Vietnam War in the early 1970s has catastrophic results. Scientists Bill Randa (John Goodman) and Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins), war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), British tracker James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) and a military escort commanded by Lt. Col. Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) find themselves fighting for survival in a land of dangerous creatures dominated by the gigantic ape Kong. Their only help comes from

LOGAN

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In the near future on the Mexican border, a boozing and worn-out Logan (Hugh Jackman) makes a living as a chauffeur while caring for the ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) with the help of albino mutant Caliban (Stephen Merchant). When a desperate woman (Elizabeth Rodriguez) convinces Logan to help a pursued young mutant (Dafne Keen), Wolverine is drawn into the battle against the evil Dr. Zander Rice (Richard E. Grant) and his ruthless head of security Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrook). The survival of the mutant population depends on the outcome of the race to reach a safe haven. The darkest and arguably the best of the Wolverine adventures is an emotional journey that's marked by bursts of bloody violence. It has been reported that this is Hugh Jackman's

GET OUT

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Interracial couple Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams) take their dating to the next level: a weekend getaway to meet her parents. The rural estate of Missy (Catherine Keener) and Dean (Bradley Whitford) seems peaceful and they appear to welcome him into their family. But some startling discoveries give Chris a sense of danger and the need to get out. Heightened suspense and a gripping story make this a top-grade thriller. First-time director Jordan Peele, comedy partner of Keegan-Michael Key, proves with this movie that he can give up his day job. He also wrote this film, which takes the horror genre to a new level. Peele has much to say about society and race with an

THE GREAT WALL

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Hunted European mercenaries William Garin (Matt Damon) and Pero Tovar (Pedro Pascal), searching for black powder, are taken prisoner at the Great Wall of China by the military Nameless Order. They get caught up in the battle to defend the country from an army of supernatural creatures. Massive sets, lavish costumes, outstanding special effects and a cast of thousands can't keep this wannabe epic fantasy from tumbling down. With a budget of $135 million, this is the most expensive film shot mostly in China and the first