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Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams in “Game Night” (Warner Bros. photo)
“Game Night” (R) – Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star as Max and Annie, an ultracompetitive and sweet couple who host a regular game night with their circle of friends – snappy duo Michelle and Kevin (Kylie Bunbury and Lamorne Morris), Ryan (Billy Magnussen) with date Sarah (Sharon Horgan) and Max’s bigger, better, realer brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler). The sibling rivalry is not subtle, and Brooks decides to one-up the game by hosting an interactive mystery experience at his swanky pad. It’s all fun and games until there’s an assault and kidnapping. When Brooks is dragged away in real life, Max and Annie go off the board to track him down and solve the mystery. This clever action comedy didn’t get the credit it deserved in theaters, and it makes a great watch for your gathering of friends, competitive or no.
“Red Sparrow” (R) – Sporting a nifty Russian accent, Jennifer Lawrence stars as prima ballerina Dominika Egorova, who must find a new means of survival for herself and her sick mother after suffering an injury. She is lured into a sordid job by her uncle Ivan (Matthias Schoenaerts), a Russian Intelligence officer, in exchange for medical care for Mama. Things go unexpectedly murderous, and she is faced with a very narrow choice between death and attending a specialized boot camp for sexual superweapons dubbed “Sparrows.” When she is tasked with finding the contact of a CIA operative (Joel Edgerton), she faces an existential crisis pitting the person she was against the incredibly powerful weapon she has become.
“Early Man” (PG) – Directed by Nick Park (of “Wallace and Gromit” fame), this delightful little stop-motion animation venture stars Eddie Redmayne as Dug, an above-average prehistoric man whose tribe lives a quiet existence hunting rabbits in The Valley. More technologically advanced Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) interrupts this idyllic reverie with his Bronze Age war elephants, and through a hilarious accidental interchange, Dug is dropped into the middle of a soccer game in Nooth’s city. A challenge is made and accepted that Dug’s tribe will play Nooth’s ringers with the promise that if Dug wins, his valley will be spared.
“15:17 to Paris” (PG-13) – In August 2015, a man on a train from Amsterdam to Paris opened fire on his fellow passengers. He was subdued by an international hodgepodge of heroes after his gun jammed, and this is the true story of three of them, who play themselves: Americans Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos. Director Clint Eastwood clearly believes in the story, and he should: These men performed outstanding acts of bravery and character, but unfortunately, it’s critically apparent that they are not actors, and it’s a real bummer, because what a great story.
New TV Releases
“Call the Midwife” Season 7
“Famous in Love” Season 1
“Little Women” (miniseries)
“The Loud House: It Gets Louder” Season 1, Volume 2
(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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