FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD
O.K. Potter fans, this one's for you! "The Crimes of Grindelwald" is the second of five planned films in the "Fantastic Beasts" series. Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne is back as quirky magizoologist Newt Scamander. A platinum Johnny Depp brings the evil as the villain in the title role. And the always fine Jude Law enters as the young Professor Dumbledore. Can Scamander and Dumbledore bring down Grindelwald? This wizarding world is obviously intriguing, and the special effects are well done, but here's my problem with the film. It's just plain confusing. Too many characters, no clear path. I'll have to see it again, to get a grip on it. And that shouldn't be the case.
Warner Bros. - Rated PG-13
WIDOWS
Want to talk pedigree? "Widows" is by the Oscar-winning director of "Twelve Years A Slave" (Steve McQueen) and the writer of "Gone Girl" (Gillian Flynn). Plus it stars Oscar-winner Viola Davis. Throw in Liam Neeson for a bonus as her ringleader husband. He certainly knows his way around a movie like this. But unlike most heist movies, it's female driven. When hubby dies along with his partners (Not a spoiler, given the title), Davis gathers the widows together to pull off one last heist to pay off their debts. It's all set against the backdrop of a contemporary corrupt Chicago. Davis is terrific, and there's a twist I guarantee you won't see coming. "Get Out" star Daniel Kaluuya is downright scary. Good film!
20th Century Fox - Rated R
INSTANT FAMILY
Mark Wahlberg and Rose Bryne decide to grow an "Instant Family," taking in three siblings through the foster system. Guess what. Parenthood is not that easy! Can they go the distance to adoption? This one's gonna surprise you. It's funny, but also touching and certainly one of the better films Wahlberg's made in awhile. ("Fixer Upper" fans, the couple renovates homes, and there's a nod to the show) "Instant Family" is from the director of his "Daddy's Home" movies, which go for big laughs. This one is more authentic. In fact, it's based on director's own true family story. I think you'll like it.
Paramount Pictures - Rated PG-13
THE FRONT RUNNER
"The Front Runner" is about the alleged extramarital affair that brought down presidential candidate Gary Hart in 1988. We all remember the boat 'Monkey Business' and that infamous photo. Hugh Jackman plays Hart with his own undeniable charisma. The film by Jason Reitman is most interesting when Hart deals with his wife, played well by Vera Farmiga. Unfortunately the story is told from the point of view of the press, newly emboldened after Watergate (haven't we had enough of the press in "Spotlight" and "The Post?") We never get Reitman's version of what actually happened with Donna Rice behind closed doors, and we never see that photo! So it's a good film, but could have been far more enticing.
Showing exclusively at AMC Northpark.
Columbia Pictures - Rated R
