Movies in Brief »

■ The following capsule reviews of recent releases, long runs and revivals come from various wire services, as noted:

RATINGS: G — Suitable for all ages. PG — Parental guidance recommended. PG-13 — Parental guidance strongly suggested. R — Restricted; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by adult. 17 — No children under 17.

★ ★ ★ ★ Excellent

★ ★ Fair ★ Poor

21 Bridges

★ ★ ★

Good

Action. An embattled NYPD detective is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy. “21 Bridges” is a routine cop thriller. And there are worse things you can do with your time than watch Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller and J.K. Simmons for an hour and a half. (R for violence and language throughout) ★★ (Mick Lasalle, Hearst Newspapers)

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Drama. Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” doesn’t solve the mystery of Mister Rogers. But it does gives you a lift. It sends you out of the movie feeling as if you’ve spent time with Fred Rogers and that you have definitely benefited from the contact. (PG for some strong thematic material, a brief fight, and some mild language) ★★★ (M.L.)

Charlie’s Angels

Action. When a young systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie’s Angels are called into action. As a movie, “Charlie’s Angels” has serious problems, but the new Angels trio is promising and shows there’s life yet in the old formula. (PG-13 for action/violence, language and some suggestive material) ★★ (Mick Lasalle, Hearst Newspapers)

Doctor Sleep

Thriller. Years following the events of “The Shining,” a now-adult Dan Torrance meets a young girl with similar powers as he tries to protect her from a cult known as The True Knot who prey on children with powers to remain immortal. Director Mike Flanagan takes more than 2 1⁄2 hours to tell a tale that has little depth. (R for disturbing and violent content, some bloody images, language, nudity and drug use) ★ (G.A.J.)

Ford v Ferrari

Drama. American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver

Ken Miles (Christian Bale) battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. “Ford v Ferrari” is what it promises to be, a blast from the past. “Ford v Ferrari” pays tribute to big thinking and chance taking; to men who don’t wear suits, but coveralls; who are in-the-moment enough to release into ecstasy while hurtling around a track at 200 miles per hour in a tin can. (PG-13 for some language and peril) ★★★★ (M.L.) Highest Rating

Frankie

Drama. Three generations grapple with a life-changing experience during one day of a vacation in Sintra, Portugal. All the characters are lost in their preoccupations and in a film set over the course of a single day, they meander around, lie in bed, get lost on lonely trails and mope in corners. “Frankie” never takes a risk, never explores the characters’ problems in any meaningful way; it feels all surface. It becomes somewhat pleasantly watchable because the muddled script and dangling storylines are delivered and explored by truly charismatic actors who can, at least for awhile, breathe life into something where none existed. (PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual material) ★★ (G.A.J.)

Frozen II

Animated. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom. Though it competes against the exalted memory of its predecessor, “Frozen II” is a lovely thing, a feast for the eyes with touching moments that sneak up and work their magic, even when we don’t know why or how. (PG for action/peril and some thematic elements) ★★★ (M.L.)

The Gift

Documentary. Creative essay documentary inspired by Lewis Hyde’s book “The Gift.” Chronicling giftbased cultures around the world and challenging the logic of global capitalism, the film inspires the question: is life about getting or giving?

The Good Liar

Drama. Career con artist Roy Courtnay (Ian Mckellen) can hardly believe his luck when he meets wellto-do widow Betty Mcleish (Helen Mirren) online. Just the promise of Ian Mckellen and Helen Mirren sharing the screen was enough to recommend “The Good Liar.” But it’s even better than that. This is a movie with detours and convolutions, featuring turns and even emotional shadings that can’t quite be anticipated. (R for some strong violence, and for language and brief nudity) ★★★ (M.L.)

Harriet

Drama. The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s (Cynthia Erivo) escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. At times, “Harriet” is a little too romantic — never quite schmaltzy — but it feels like a movie perhaps a bit more than it should. Still, it’s effective and, at times, moving, and it has a major asset in Erivo. (PG-13 for thematic content throughout, violent material and language including racial epithets) ★★★ (M.L.)

Honey Boy

Drama. Shia Labeouf’s feature screenwriting debut is the semiautobiographical tale of a young actor’s stormy childhood and early adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father (played by Labeouf) and deal with his mental health. (R for pervasive language, some sexual material and drug use)

Jojo Rabbit

Comedy. A lonely German boy talks to his imaginary friend—adolf Hitler— at the height of World War II, while he discovers his mother (Scarlett Johansson) hiding a Jewish girl in their house. The movie offers a fresh take on familiar material, and the benefit is that we don’t know where it’s going. (PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, violence and language) ★★★ (M.L.)

Knives Out

Mystery. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate in this all-star whodunnit. (PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material)

Last Christmas

Comedy. A woman (Emilia Clarke) with a history of bad decisions, and who works as a department store elf, finds romance with a charming suitor (Henry Golding). (PG-13 for language and sexual content) ★★ (M.L.)

Midway

Drama. The Battle of Midway, a clash between the American fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy, marked a pivotal turning point in the Pacific Theater during World War II. “Midway” has awkward dialogue and an atmosphere that seems a bit too 2019, but for a time, the movie’s high stakes make up for that. (PG13 for sequences of war violence and related images, language and smoking) ★★ (M.L.)

Motherless Brooklyn

Drama. Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, the crime drama follows Lionel Essrog (directorscreenwriter Edward Norton), a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette’s syndrome, as he ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). (R for language throughout including some sexual references, brief drug use, and violence) ★ (M.L.)

Pain and Glory

Drama. A film director (Antonio Banderas) reflects on the choices he’s made in life as past and present come crashing down around him, in this semi-autobiographical drama from Pedro Almodovar. (R for drug use, some graphic nudity and language) ★★★★ (M.L.) Highest Rating

Parasite

Comedy-thriller. Bong Joon-ho’s (“The Host,” “Snowpiercer”) latest is a dark comedy thriller that follows a young man from a poor family who begins to tutor a rich family’s daughter, only to start to infiltrate their personal lives. “Parasite” is Bong Joon-ho’s latest masterpiece and the best film I’ve seen so far this year. (R for language, some violence and sexual content) ★★★★ (G.A.J.)

Playing with Fire

Comedy. A crew of rugged firefighters meet their match when attempting to rescue three rambunctious kids. (PG for rude humor, some suggestive material and mild peril)

Queen & Slim

Drama. A young black couple’s first date takes an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over. (R for violence, some strong sexuality, nudity, pervasive language, and brief drug use)

The Report

Drama. Idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver), tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA’S post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, uncovers shocking secrets. Also stars Annette Bening as Sen. Dianne Feinstein. (R for some scenes of inhumane treatment and torture, and language) ★★★ (M.L.)