Take Two

Kristen Scott Thomas (“Tomb Raider”) stars in “Military Wives,” a gentle comedy based on a true story about the spouses of British soldiers who try to cope with their husbands’ absence by forming a choir. It’s directed by Peter Cattaneo, best known for “The Full Monty.”

“Paradise Hills” marks the filmmaking debut of celebrated Spanish photographer and designer Alice Waddington. Emma Robers (“The Hunt”) stars in this sci-fi thriller about a remote island where uncontrollable young women are sent to be reprogrammed into the perfect bride.

“Sorry We Missed You” is a working class kitchen sink drama from British filmmaker Ken Loach (“I, Daniel Blake”). The plot involves the modern gig economy in Britain and the difficulties faced by one debt-ridden family.

“Sword of Trust” stars Marc Maron (TV’s “GLOW”), Jillian Bell (“Brittany Runs a Marathon”) and Michaela Watkins (“The Way Back”). This broad ensemble comedy is about the efforts of several people to sell a sword that may prove that the South won the Civil War. It’s the latest from director Lynn Shelton (“Outside In”).

Since our local theaters are still temporarily closed, this week’s “Take Two” focuses on a new film now playing on HBO. Hugh Jackman (“The Greatest Showman”) and Allison Janney (“I, Tonya”) star in “Bad Education,” a bizarre true story about school district corruption.

Brian Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) and Kevin Hart (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”) star in “The Upside,” and Americanized remake of the French film, “The Intouchables.” The cast also includes Nicole Kidman (“Bombshell”) and was directed by Neil Burger (“Divergent”).

“Big Time Adolescence” is a new Hulu comedy. Pete Davidson of “Saturday Night Live” fame stars as an irresponsible and immature man in his twenties whose best friend is an impressionable teen.

Jacob Tremblay (“Room”) leads a cast of youngsters in the raunchy, R-rated comedy, “Good Boys,” now available to screen on HBO. The supporting cast includes Lil Rel Howery (“Get Out”), Will Forte (“Booksmart”) and Retta (TV’s “Good Girls”).

Since our local cinemas are temporarily closed, this week’s episode focuses on a movie new to HBO. “The Kitchen” is a drama set in the 1970s about three women who take over mob in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen when their husbands wind up in jail. It has been adapted from the DC/Vertigo comic book series. […]

Due to the fact that our local cinemas are temporarily closed, Russ and Susan give their reviews of a new action thriller now screening on HBO. “Anna” is the latest from filmmaker Luc Besson (“Lucy”) about a supermodel/female assassin played by newcomer Sasha Luss. The supporting cast includes Helen Mirren (“The Queen”). Luke Evans (“Beauty […]

An Oscar nominee for Best International Film this year, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is a French period drama about forbidden love. Noémie Merlant (“Return of the Hero”) and Adèle Haenel (“BPM”) star in this costume opus set in 1760.

“The Call of the Wild” is at least the eighth screen adaptation of Jack London’s famous adventure novel. Harrison Ford (“Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens”) stars in this new version directed by Chris Sanders (“How to Train Your Dragon”).

Issa Rae (HBO’s “Insecure”) and LaKeith Stanfield (“Uncut Gems”) star in the romantic drama, “The Photograph,” written and directed by Stella Meghie (“The Weekend”). The story focuses on the relationship between a museum curator and a journalist that develops when the curator finds a mysterious photo of her late mother that sends her on a […]

The Jury Prize winner at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, “Les Miserables” is NOT based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel. It’s set in contemporary France in the same place where the action of Hugo’s novel unfolded 150 years earlier.

Will Smith (“Aladdin”) and Martin Lawrence (“Big Momma’s House”) reunite for the first time in 17 years in the third entry in the “Bad Boys” franchise, “Bad Boys for Life.”

In the decadent gangster comedy “The Gentlemen,” Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club”) stars as an American expat in London running a lucrative marijuana business. Things get tricky when he tries to cash out. The latest R-rated action flick from Guy Ritchie (“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”) also stars Charlie Hunnam (“Papillon”), Michele Dockery (“Downton […]

Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “Skyfall”) obtained the story for his WWI epic “1917” from stories told to him by his grandfather. Opting to employ a single “point of view” shot for the entire film, Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins (“Bladerunner 2049”) create an immersive atmosphere.

Comedian Adam Sandler (“Murder Mystery”) takes a dramatic turn in “Uncut Gems,” a violent character study about a New York jeweler with a gambling addiction. This arthouse thriller was written and directed by the Safdie Brothers (“Good Time”).

Oscar winners Charlize Theron (“Atomic Blonde”) and Nicole Kidman (“Boy Erased”) play Fox News anchors Megan Kelly and Gretchen Carlson in “Bombshell,” a drama about sexual harassment at the cable giant. Margot Robbie (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) plays a fictional role as a naive reporter and John Lithgow (“Late Night”) portrays the late […]

Director Clint Eastwood (“The Mule”) focuses on a controversial true story about a sad sack hero of Atlanta’s 1996 Olympics. Paul Walter Hauser (“I, Tonya”) plays Richard Jewell, a security guard and wannabe cop who became a suspect in the deadly Centennial Park bombing. Sam Rockwell (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), Kathy Bates (“Misery”), Jon […]

In the social drama “Dark Waters,” Mark Ruffalo (“Avengers: Endgame”) stars as real-life corporate lawyer Robert Bilott who waged a 20-year war with chemical giant DuPont. The company was accused of knowingly poisoning the people of a small West Virginia town with chemicals that leaked from its plant that manufactured Teflon. The cast also includes […]

First-time filmmaker Melina Matsoukas has taken an original script by Lena Waith (“Dear White People”) and turned it into a harrowing road movie that deals with contemporary racism. Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out”) and newcomer Jodi Turner-Smith star as a couple who go on the run after a horrible incident occurs while they’re on their first […]

“Knives Out” is a whodunit written and directed by Rian Johnson (“Looper”), that features an all-star cast that includes Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans and Christopher Plummer.

Although it’s being marketed as a biopic about legendary children’s TV icon Fred Rogers, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is really about a single incident in the life of a journalist and his encounters with the genial PBS host. Tom Hanks (“The Post”) portrays Rogers and Matthew Rhys (TV’s “The Americans”) plays a writer […]

Director Martin Scorsese (“The Departed”) brings his considerable talents to his latest project, a Netflix release also seen in theaters. “The Irishman” stars Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull”), Al Pacino (“The Godfather”) and Joe Pesci (“Goodfellas”) in the tale of a truck driver (and hitman) who serves as a go-between linking the mob and the […]