“The Call of the Wild” is at least the ninth adaptation of the classic Jack London novel about the adventures of a dog named Buck, set during the Yukon Gold Rush iof the 1890s. Harrison Ford plays John Thornton, the gruff prospector who becomes one of Buck’s multiple masters. It’s a rousing story and Ford’s presence is a big help, but the filmmakers use unconvincing computer-generated imagery to create all the animals and most of the environment. This approach undermines London’s story, giving “The Call of the Wild” has a sheen of artificiality when it should be a celebration of the natural world. The under 10 set may enjoy it, but for the rest of us, this dog has no bite.   If you think your boss is bad, check out “The Assistant.” Julia Garner, best known from her role as the hillbilly gangster Ruth Langmore from Netflix’s “Ozark,” shows her range in an excellent performance as Julia, an exploited gofer for a nasty, unseen film executive. Any resemblance to Harvey Weinstein may or may not be coincidental. This slice-of-life character study takes place over one grueling day as Julia, a recent college grad pining to break into the film…

“Downhill” is an American remake of “Force Majeure,” a critically acclaimed Swedish film from 2014. Will Farrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus star in the story of a family on a ski vacation in the Alps. Their marriage is strained to the breaking point when Ferrell’s character engages in an act of cowardice during an avalanche. There are few laughs in this version that seems a bit watered down from the original. Louis-Dreyfus gives a strong, believable performance, though. However, her efforts can’t keep this 85-minute movie from seeming longer than it is. “Downhill” is not a bad film by any means but just doesn’t live up to its potential. It’s a bunny slope version of “Force Majeure.”   Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’re offered the romantic drama, “The Photograph.” Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield star in the story of a romance sparked by a photo that sends a woman on a quest of discovery. Rae plays a museum curator whose path crosses with journalist Stanfield when she seeks answers about her mother’s life. Do these actors have chemistry? You bet. This romance is grounded in reality and manages to avoid many of the pitfalls that commonly haunt romantic dramas.…

Margot Robbie’s bat-swinging performance as the Joker’s girlfriend Harley Quinn was probably the best thing about 2016’s comic book movie, “Suicide Squad.” Her character takes center stage in the latest entry in the extended DC Universe, “Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).” Essentially an R-rated girl gang movie, “Birds of Prey” is about the efforts of Harley and a group of female vigilantes to save a girl who swallowed a diamond from evil Gotham City crime lord, Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor.   “Deadpool” seems to be the obvious inspiration for this broad action comedy, so “Birds of Prey” is irreverent, rude and, tongue-in-cheek with plenty of violence played for laughs. A little of this cheeky attitude goes a long way, but Robbie has created a memorable character. Her bat-swinging doesn’t hit a homer but produces a solid double.   The French film “Les Miserables” that won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival is not based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, but it shares some that’s classic’s social themes. This harrowing contemporary film is a semi-autobiographical story based on incidents in the life of filmmaker Ladj Ly (LAHGE Lee), demonstrating that some…

Actress Sophia Lillis from the recent “It” films, moves from dealing with a scary clown to encountering a scary witch in the horror fantasy, “Gretel & Hansel,” based on the classic Brothers Grimm story. Gretel leads her little brother into the dark forest in search of sustenance only to meet up with a wretched enchantress, played by Alice Krige, best known as the diabolical Borg queen from the Star Trek franchise. Are you suffering from insomnia? Try ”Gretel & Hansel.” It’s the cinematic equivalent of Ambien but requires no prescription.   For something a bit more lively, try Blake Lively. She, Jude Law and Sterling K. Brown lead an impressive cast in the action drama, “The Rhythm Section,” based on Mark Burnell’s novel. Lively plays a woman who tries to uncover the dark truth behind an airplane crash that resulted in the death of her family members. When it becomes clear that the crash was intentional, she sets out on a dangerous mission to find the culprits. Oh, and Law trains her to be an assassin. All of the shaky camera work in the world can’t make this story seem realistic.   Also opening this week, “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana”…

“The Turning” is the latest in a long string of movies based on Henry James’ classic ghost story, “The Turn of the Screw.” Mackenzie Davis plays a nanny who attempts to protect two children from evil spirits. Ambiguity isn’t necessarily a fault, but “The Turning” is so vague and disjointed that it plays like a reel of film was accidentally edited out. Check out the classic 1961 Deborah Kerr version, “The Innocents” instead.   Filmmaker Guy Ritchie returns to familiar territory with the violent gangster epic, “The Gentlemen.” Matthew McConaughey plays an expat American in London who gets into trouble when he tries to extract himself from his lucrative marijuana business. “The Gentlemen” is cheeky and gimmicky, but should be a decadent guilty pleasure for many.   Alfre Woodard gives a riveting performance in the earnest social drama, “Clemency,” the winner of the top prize at Sundance in 2019. Woodard plays a warden whose job of carrying out executions is taking a massive emotional toll. Aldis Hodge is equally good as an anxiety-ridden death row inmate awaiting his inevitable fate. “Clemency” is extremely well made but excruciating to sit through.   Terry Crews stars in the bloody revenge thriller, “John…

Writer/director Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”) has adapted the classic Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women” with a certain contemporary flair. The cast includes Saoirse Ronan (“Brooklyn”), Florence Pugh (“Midsommar”), Laura Dern (“Marriage Story”), Timothée Chalamet (“Call Me By Your Name”) and Meryl Streep (“The Laundromat”).

After a 17-year hiatus, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are reunited in the comic action thriller, “Bad Boys for Life,” the third entry in the franchise that began in 1995. These Miami based detectives are getting long in the tooth and it shows as they’re targeted for assassination by a Mexican drug cartel. Everything about this absurd and violent R-rated movie is over the top and beat-by-beat predictable, but Smith and Lawrence manage to save the day and the movie with their goofy humor and personal appeal. Watcha gonna do?   Oscar winners Viola Davis and Allison Janney star alongside young McKenna Grace in the self-consciously whimsical comedy, “Troop Zero.” McKenna plays a pre-teen social outcast in a small Georgia town in the 1970s who recruits a group of misfits to form a Birdie Scout troop. This is the sort of wacky movie that aims to charm us with its eccentricity. This sentimental, sweet natured movie benefits greatly from it’s solid and likable cast.   Actor Guy Pearce goes slumming for a paycheck in the ridiculous action thriller, “Disturbing the Peace.” Pearce plays a marshal and former Texas Ranger who goes to battle with a gang of biker bank robbers…

"1917" is a stunning WWI drama that unfolds in a single shot. Two young British soldiers played by George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman are sent on a desperate mission with little hope of success. They’re to cross the dangerous terrain of no man’s land to warn a British regiment not to attack German forces because the enemy has set them up for a trap. Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes based his screenplay on stories his grandfather told him about the war. The single shot approach is a gimmick, but one that works on every level making “1917” one of the most immersive war films of all time. With “1917”, Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins have delivered the best film officially released in 2019.   Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx lead a strong cast in the earnest and heartfelt true-life drama, “Just Mercy,” based on Bryan Stevenson’s bestselling memoir. Jordan plays Stevenson, a naive but driven Harvard-educated lawyer who travels to Alabama to aid people thought to be wrongly convicted. He takes on the case of Walter McMillian, played by Foxx, a death row inmate awaiting execution for a murder he didn’t commit. While the filmmakers wear their convictions on their…

As we begin a new year, it’s time to look back at the best movies of 2019. Here’s the cream of the year’s cinematic crop.   10) The Farewell Awkwafina stars in a sweetly sentimental comic drama about an American woman who travels to China to visit her terminally ill grandmother.   9) The Two Popes Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins give splendid performances as Pope Francis and Pope Benedict who confront one another with their opposing philosophies.   8) The Irishman Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci deliver the goods in Martin Scorsese's epic, violent gangster flick. The length is excessive, but it’s an impressive, blood-soaked morality tale and savvy character study.   7) Us Lupita Nyong’o gives a stunning dual performance in Jordan Peele’s original horror thriller. Prepare to be creeped out and intrigued at the same time.   6) Apollo 11 This impressive documentary about the 1969 moon mission consists entirely of footage never before seen by the public.   5) Parasite Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho’s comic drama works as a full-blooded thriller and a potent social commentary.   4) Toy Story 4 It’s a brilliantly conceived and executed animated story that works as a comedy, as an action adventure…

Writer/director Greta Gerwig has pulled off a minor miracle. She's given a modern feminist sensibility to Louisa May Alcott’s” old chestnut “Little Women,” while maintaining the appealingly traditional feel of her beloved writings. Saoirse Ronan is fine in the pivotal role of Jo March and Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep round out a stellar cast. “Little Women” also boasts a beautiful, evocative score by Alexandre Desplat. “Little Women” is a sensitively rendered film and one of the best of the year.   Will Smith's charisma comes through even when he's an animated character. "Spies in Disguise" is a modest but entertaining family flick from Blue Sky, the folks responsible for the “Ice Age” franchise. This colorful comedy is aimed mainly at young boys. Smith is a superspy who is unwillingly transformed into a pigeon by a clumsy scientist colleague, voiced by Tom Holland. While it’s a few notches below the work of the folks at Pixar, the action and humor of “Spies in Disguise” should prove diverting for the kids.   "Uncut Gems" is a skillfully made thriller set in New York’s jewelry district. It’s been embraced by many critics, but not this one.…