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“12 Strong”

Twelve men to into the rugged landscape of Afghanistan to fight the Taliban in the shadow of 9/11. Based on the book “Horse Soldiers,” it focuses on the personal reasons to go to war, but never delves deep enough to examine the larger involvement of the U.S. and those ramifications. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Pena. Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for war violence and language throughout. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“Den of Thieves”

There’s a violent robbery of an empty armored truck and a detective fingers the culprits. It’s too convoluted and audience members don’t want to invest in the characters. Starring Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber. Directed by Christian Gudegast. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated R for violence, language and some sexuality/nudity. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 20 minutes.

“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”

This film details the love affair between actress Gloria Grahame and actor Peter Turner before Grahame’s life starts to come to an end. It’s a fond farewell, but it should’ve spent more time illuminating her life rather than anticipating her death. Starring Annette Bening, Jamie Bell and Julie Walters. Directed by Paul McGuigan. (Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times) Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief nudity. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour 45 minutes.

“The Final Year”

The documentary focuses on foreign policy during President Obama’s last year in office. It’s depressing, but we have no idea how this film will be perceived in 10 years. Starring Barack Obama, John Kerry, Ben Rhodes and Samantha Power. Directed by Greg Barker. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Unrated. At Landmark’s Midtown Art. 1 hour, 29 minutes.

“Forever My Girl”

A country music star goes back to his hometown to find out he has a daughter and tries to reconnect with the lover he left at the altar. The uncomplicated romance doesn’t stray from the formula, but it will hit a sweet spot for those looking for a country music-tinged story. Starring Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe and Abby Ryder Fortson. Directed by Bethany Ashton Wolf. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for thematic elements including drinking, and for language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“Small Town Crime”

Review unavailable at time of publication. An ex-cop discovers the body of a young woman and becomes determined to find the killer while unwittingly putting his sister and best friend in danger. Starring John Hawkes and Octavia Spencer. Directed by Eshom and Ian Nelms. Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexual references. At Plaza Theatre. 1 hour, 31 minutes.

STILL SHOWING “A Bad Moms Christmas”

The moms of the moms from the first film come for the holidays and now there’s even more naughty mommies. The shoddily-made film seems to spring from a single inspirational scene. Starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn. Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and some drug use. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“All the Money in the World”

This is the story of the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Gettiy III, the 16-year-old grandson of billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. The film may not have that many surprises up its sleeve, but you will get your money’s worth. Starring Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer and Mark Wahlberg. Directed by Ridley Scott. (Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post) Rated R for strong language, some violence, disturbing images and brief drug use. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 12 minutes.

“Call Me By Your Name”

An American intern and an Italian teen find themselves attracted to one another over a summer in Italy while the American is working for the teen’s family. It’s a spellbinding, almost ecstatically beautiful movie that gains more heft and meaning in its final transcendent moments. Starring Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet and Michael Stuhlbarg. Directed by Luca Guadagnino. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated R for sexuality, nudity and some coarse language. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 12 minutes.

“Coco”

Centered on Dia de los Muertos, when families memorialize their ancestors, “Coco” tells the story of Miguel, who desperately wants his family to understand his passion for music. It’s not until he unearths the truth about his family history that they are able to understand why it’s so important to him. The film uses the vibrant colors and style of the holiday to spin an imaginative tale, while using the themes of family history, memory and legacy to create a tremendously moving story, with an important message about honoring one’s roots. With the voices of: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach and Renee Victor. Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for thematic elements. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 49 minutes.

“The Commuter”

A man loses his job and while on the train, he gets a proposal to find and do something to another passenger for $100,000. It’s a serviceable mystery, but derails when a conspiracy theory creeps in. Starring Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga and Sam Neill. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for some intense action/violence, and language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 44 minutes.

“Daddy’s Home 2”

The sequel brings the granddads in for the holidays. The film is deliriously silly and delightful, but also lacks the consistency of the first film. Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson and Jon Lithgow. Directed by Sean Anders. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for suggestive material and some language. At Picture Show at Merchants Exchange. 1 hour, 40 minutes.

“Darkest Hour”

A biopic about Winston Churchill that starts in May 1940 when the war is already underway in Europe.

It is handsomely filmed, intelligently written and accented with just a dash of outright hokum. It ends the year with a crowd-pleasing bow. Starring Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James. Directed by Joe Wright. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated PG13 for some mature thematic material. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 5 minutes.

“The Disaster Artist”

This film is about the making of what became a cult hit, but started out as possible the worst movie ever called “The Room.” The intentionally funny film is a celebration of effort and follow-through. Starring James Franco, Dave Franco and Seth Rogen. Directed by James Franco. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/ nudity. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Downsizing”

“Cellular reduction” can safely shrink humans to the size of Barbie dolls, staving off their ruinous impact on vanishing resources so one family explores the option. The rewards are rich and revelatory in a film that doesn’t soft-pedal the woes facing the planet. Starring Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig and Christoph Waltz. Directed by Alexander Payne. (Ann Hornaday, Washington Post) Rated R for profanity including sexual references, some graphic nudity and drug use. At AMC Southlake. 1 hours, 15 minutes.

“Ferdinand”

A peaceful bull and his friend realize they are being sent to the “chop shop” if they don’t perform for the matador so they hatch an escape plan. Based on the beloved children’s book, the film contains resonant messages about prioritizing gentleness and love over competition and violence, but the rest of the story filler is mostly forgettable. Starring John Cena, Kate McKinnon and Jeremy Sisto. Directed by Carlos Saldanha. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for rude humor, action and some thematic elements. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 46 minutes.

“The Greatest Showman”

The story follows the rise of circus impresario Phineas Taylor Barnum as he risks it all, turning his museum of oddities into a live freak show. It’s a profoundly confused and muddled film, with a story that’s at once too thin and too busy. Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams. Directed by Michael Gracey. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG for thematic elements including a brawl. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 45 minutes.

“Hostiles”

In this Western, an Army captain must accompany an ailing chief back to his homeland despite their hate for each other. The performances are excellent and what the audience sees will surprise. Starring Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike and Wes Studi. Directed by Scott Cooper. (Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times) Rated R for strong violence and language. At Regal Town Center, AMC Colonial and Regal Mall of Georgia. 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“Insidious: The Last Key”

Review unavailable at time of publication. In the fourth installment of this series, parapsychologist Elise Rainier faces her scariest haunting yet — in her own home. Starring Lin Shaye and Angus Sampson. Directed by Adam Robitel. Rated PG-13 for disturbing cinematic content, violence and terror and brief strong language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

Four kids find an antique video game — the original game has evolved — and are accidentally beamed into the game’s jungle as their digital alter egos. It’s the characters in this follow-up, not the convoluted plot or digital magic, that make it such fun. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart. Directed Jake Kasdan. (Jane Horwitz, Washington Post) Rated PG-13 for adventure action, suggestive material and some crude language. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 58 minutes.

“Justice League”

The superheroes all get together to stop a space monster from getting the three thingamajigs he needs to end the world. There’s a blur of horrible CGI that never lets up and the action is insane and impossible to follow. Starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot and Ezra Miller. Directed by Zack Snyder. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action. At Regal Arbor Place and Austell Stadium. 2 hours, 1 minute.

“Lady Bird”

self-consciously eccentric teen is trying to find herself in a Catholic high school. It puts equal weight on the dark parts as it does the joyous, euphoric moments. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts. Directed by Greta Gerwig. (Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service) Rated R for language, sexual content, brief graphic nudity and teen partying. At metro theaters. 1 hour, 33 minutes.

“Molly’s Game”

Instead of going to law school like her parents wish, a young woman becomes an assistant to a guy running a high stakes poker game and moves it from a dark club to a luxury hotel suite. Legal troubles abound. Jessica Chastain is incredible, but the story is inflated with an importance it doesn’t deserve. Starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner. Directed by Aaron Sorkin. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) Rated R for language, drug content and some violence. At metro theaters. 2 hours, 20 minutes.