‘First Man,’ ‘Bad Times at El Royale’ among new films opening Friday

Oct. 11--MOVIES OPENING FRIDAY

Aravindha Sametha Veera Raghava

This is a new action film from India, filmed in the Telugu language with English subtitles. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Pooja Hegde and Eesha Rebba. Direction is by Trivikram Srinivas, a prize winning filmmaker. The movie will be shown only at 12:55 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for children.

R: Language and some sexual content -- Movies 16.

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Bad Times at the El Royale

Thriller written and directed by Drew Goddard. Several strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at a run-down, novelty hotel in Lake Tahoe, at the border of 1960s California and Nevada. Over the course of one fateful night, they all get one last shot at redemption before everything goes wrong. Stars include Jeff Bridges as Daniel Flynn, an aging criminal masquerading as a priest; Cynthia Erivo as Darlene Sweet, a struggling singer; Dakota Johnson as Emily Summerspring, a Southern gangster; Jon Hamm as Seymour "Laramie" Sullivan, an apparent vacuum cleaner salesman; Cailee Spaeny as Rose Summerspring, Emily's impressionable younger sister, a cult member; Lewis Pullman as Miles Miller, a young concierge at the hotel; and Chris Hemsworth as Billy Lee, a charismatic cult leader. Russell Crowe costars.

R: Strong violence, language, some drug content and brief nudity -- Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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Colette

After marrying a successful Parisian writer known commonly as Willy (played by Dominic West), author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. She writes a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and brazen country girl named Claudine, sparking a best seller and a cultural sensation. After its success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspires additional Claudine novels. Colette's fight over creative ownership and gender roles drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion and sexual expression. Directed by Wash Westmoreland. Fiona Shaw, Robert Pugh and Eleanor Tomlinson costar.

R: Some sexuality/nudity -- Movies 16.

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First Man

"La La Land" director Damien Chazelle and co-star Ryan Gosling re-team for a biographical drama about American astronaut Neil Armstrong (played by Gosling) and NASA's Apollo 11 mission to send a man to the moon. The film focuses on the years 1961 to 1969, sacrifices made by Armstrong and the nation, and the legendary space mission that led to Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. Based on the book "First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong" by James R. Hansen. Steven Spielberg is executive producer. The film is considered an Academy Award contender in many categories -- picture, director, performances by Gosling and by Claire Foy as Armstrong's wife, cinematography, sound design and music by James Hurwitz -- but is not without controversy as Chazelle opted not to film a scene of astronauts Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planting the American flag on the moon. The supporting cast includes Corey Stoll as Aldrin, second man to walk on the moon; Pablo Schreiber as backup commander Jim Lovell; and Lukas Haas as command module pilot Michael Collins.

PG-13: Some thematic content involving peril -- Premiere Cinemas (includes IMAX), Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

In the small town of Wardenclyffe on Halloween night, boys Sonny (played by Jeremy Ray Taylor) and Sam (Caleel Harris) discover an unpublished manuscript called "Haunted Halloween" in an abandoned house that was previously owned by horror author R.L. Stine (Jack Black). When they open it, they release mischievous talking dummy Slappy (voiced by Black), who plans to create a Halloween Apocalypse with the help of all his allies. As the town becomes overrun with monsters, witches and mysterious creatures, Sonny and Sam, alongside Sonny's sister (Madison Iseman) and Stine himself, must combine efforts to foil Slappy's plan before all is lost. Ari Sandel directs.

PG: Scary creature action and images, some thematic elements, rude humor and language -- Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17, Movies 16 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer

The shocking true story of the police investigation and trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell's 30-year killing spree, and the political and media establishment that tried to cover it up. Gosnell was an abortion doctor who killed hundreds of infants born alive during abortion procedures, and was convicted of three counts of murder. The story: Who can investigators really trust when a routine drug investigation uncovers a scandal that goes all the way to the top? Producers finally finished the project despite difficulties finding a distributor and a lawsuit by the Philadelphia judge who objected to his portrayal on screen. The lawsuit was settled out of court. Nick Searcy directs and also plays Gosnell's defense attorney. Earl Billings plays Kermit Gosnell. Dean Cain and Alonzo Rachel portray detectives, Michael Beach plays the district attorney and Sarah Jane Morris is cast as the assistant district attorney.

PG-13: Language and some violence -- Premiere Cinemas and Movies 16.

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Kinky

The strict Christian upbringing of Dr. Joyce Carmichael (played by Dawn Richard) is a constant source of internal conflict for her, and limits the men she dates. However, upon a chance encounter with handsome investor Darrin Wethington (Robert Ri'chard), Joyce immediately begins a whirlwind romance with the wealthy businessman and entrepreneur. Jean Claude Lamarre directs, with Vivica A. Fox and Gary Dourdan costarring.

R: Disturbing violence, graphic images and language -- Tinseltown 17.

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Thunder Road

The life of flawed police officer Jim Arnaud (played by Jim Cummings) is made worse by his mother dying; he comes to grips while delivering a heartfelt eulogy. Unable to change his life for the better, his only stability is connected to raising his daughter Crystal (Kendal Farr). Written and directed by Cummings, who stars alongside Nican Robinson, Jocelyn DeBoer, Macon Blair, Bill Wise, Jordan Fox and Chelsea Edmundson. Winner of the Grand Jury Award at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival.

Not rated -- Alamo Drafthouse.

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MOVIES CONTINUING

Crazy Rich Asians

Kerns rating: Three and one-half stars

John M. Chu, adapting a novel by Kevin Kwan, breathes entertaining life into the cinematic romantic comedy. While this is the first major film in 25 years with predominantly Asian characters, just as important is that this wonderful cast believably communicates a fun and involving, modern-day Cinderella spinoff. Rachel Chu (played by Constance Wu), an NYU professor of economics raised in America by a middle class single mom, is delighted when boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) invites her to join him in Singapore for his best friend's wedding and to meet his family. Little does she know that Nick belongs to Asia's richest family, or that jealous socialites assume she is a gold digger. She is given no chance to live up to traditional standards set down by Nick's mother, Evelyn Young (Michelle Yeoh). To her credit, Yeoh reveals Evelyn's personal vulnerability, but the romance holds up thanks to chemistry shared by Wu and newcomer Golding. Awkwafina provides hilarious comic relief as Rachel's college friend, and Nico Santos is charming as the family's gay "poor relation rainbow sheep." Glamour, too, is consistent via settings, beautiful costumes and even the food. The movie at times seems to have as many characters as "Infinity War," with family subplots. Viewers will care about the love story most, however.

PG-13: Some suggestive content and language -- Premiere Cinemas.

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Hellfest

A slasher film directed by Gregory Plotkin, and co-produced by Gale Anne Hurd. On Halloween night, three young women and their respective boyfriends head to Hell Fest -- a horror theme park that features a labyrinth of rides, games and mazes. They soon face a bloody night of terror when a costumed serial killer begins slaying unsuspecting visitors, transforming the park into his own personal playground. Other patrons believe that the murders are part of the holiday show. Co-stars are Amy Forsyth as Natalie, Bex Taylor-Klaus as Taylor, and Reign Edwards as Brooke.

R: Horror violence, and language including some sexual references -- Premiere Cinemas, Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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The House with a Clock in its Walls

A comedic fantasy surprisingly directed by Eli Roth, much better known for adult horror and gore on the lines of "Cabin Fever" and "Hostel." Based on John Bellairs' novel, the film is set in 1955, when 10-year-old Lewis (played by Owen Vaccaro) goes to live with his oddball uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in a creaky old house that contains a mysterious ticktock noise. Recently orphaned, Lewis longs for normalcy -- but his uncle is a mediocre warlock with good intentions. Next door neighbor Florence (Cate Blanchett) is a much more powerful, good witch. The ticking house was owned by a couple that wanted to end the world. Later, while trying to impress a girl (Tarby, played by Sunny Suljuc), Lewis accidentally raises the ghost of bad warlock Isaac Izard (Kyle MacLachlan) from the dead. Soon Lewis and his friends are trying to stop a horde of fantastical creatures from bringing about Doomsday.

PG: Thematic elements including sorcery, some action, scary images, rude humor, and language -- Premiere Cinemas (includes D-Box), Tinseltown 17, Movies 16 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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Night School

Kevin Hart is introduced as Teddy Walker, a successful salesman. However, he lacks something he needs to progress further. He is one of several adults who, lacking a high school diploma. are advised to attend night school in order to pass a GED (general educational development) test. Teddy is back at his old high school, this time met by a feisty and unorthodox teacher (Carrie, played by Tiffany Haddish) who questions how bright he can be -- especially when he describes himself as clinically dumb. Hart's Teddy also must deal with a group of misfit students, and his former high school nemesis. Taran Killam co-stars as Stewart Patterson, the principal who rules the school with an iron fist. Direction is by Malcolm D. Lee.

PG-13: Crude and sexual content throughout, language, some drug references and violence -- Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17, Movies 16 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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The Nun

Kerns rating: One and one-half stars

Your best bet: Return to "The Conjuring 2" and write your own screenplay for this spinoff character. You could not fare any worse. Filmmakers provide far too little footage of Bonnie Aarons' title character, supposedly possessed by a demonic soul in a cloistered abbey in Romania.

R: Terror, violence, and disturbing/bloody images -- Premiere Cinemas and Movies 16.

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Peppermint

Vigilante action film directed by Pierre Morei. Riley North (played by Jennifer Garner) awakens from a coma after surviving the brutal cartel attack that killed her innocent husband and daughter. She is able to ID the killers, but detectives fear the cartel's killers -- and the judge is on the cartel's payroll. Riley slowly sets out to transform herself from citizen to urban guerrilla. Channeling her frustration into motivation, the young widow spends years in hiding, honing her mind, body and spirit to become an unstoppable force. Eluding the underworld, the police and the FBI, Riley embarks on a deadly quest to deliver her own personal brand of punishment.

R: Strong violence and language throughout -- Premiere Cinemas and Movies 16.

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A Simple Favor

Directed by Paul Feig. The film centers around single mom Stephanie (played by Anna Kendrick), who runs a housewife Vlog (video blog), trying to explain the apparent disappearance of her close friend Emily (Blake Lively) only five days before.

R: Sexual content and language throughout, some graphic nude images, drug use and violence -- Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 and Movies 16.

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Smallfoot (3-D/2-D)

A computer-animated musical comedy, co-written and directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, providing a twist on legends: This time a yeti, aka abominable snowman, named Migi (voiced by Channing Tatum) is convinced that the mythical/elusive creature known as a Smallfoot (aka human) really does exist -- but never expected to encounter human TV personality Percy Patterson (James Corden). Unfortunately, Migo soon faces banishment from his snowy home when the rest of his villagers refuse to believe that he really encountered a Smallfoot. Hoping to prove them wrong, Migo embarks on an epic journey to find the mysterious creature that can put him back in good graces with his simple community. Voices for human and yeti characters are provided by Zendaya as Meechee, Common as Stonekeeper, Lebron James as big yeti Gwangi, Gina Rodriguez as Kolka, and Danny DeVito as Migo's father Dorgie. When producers decided to change the film into a musical, six new songs were written by director Kirkpatrick and his brother Wayne.

PG: Some action, rude humor, and thematic elements -- Premiere Cinemas (includes D-Box), Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17, Movies 16 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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A Star Is Born

Kerns rating: Five stars

No one could have expected or predicted that a third remake of this story could emerge so heartfelt and embraceable. Bradley Cooper, Oscar-nominated for three past screen performances, guides this project with impeccable first-time direction throughout -- and also delivers his best performance since "American Sniper" as singer-songwriter Jackson Maine. Cooper is careful not to hide flaws or foreshadowing as Maine on the one hand fuels fears with alcohol, and, on the other, finds himself falling for Ally -- first the voice, then the person -- as she sings "La vie En Rose" in, of all places, a drag bar. Perceiving Lady Gaga to fill the role of Ally was nothing short of inspired casting. Who knew? Together, Cooper and Gaga are electric, creating a believable and inspiring relationship while peeking at the business behind the music. The frame for this romantic melodrama is not new: Aging icon inevitably spiraling downward, temper triggered by tinnitus, while young love's career rises to pop star status on a fast track. The film works in large part because Cooper creates, if not legitimate character arcs, at least backgrounds that reveal dramatic roads traveled to present day and hint at darker detours. Cooper even takes his voice down a couple octaves to make Jack seem a more likely brother to Sam Elliott. The Cooper-Gaga duo also reinvents the public moment in which he embarrasses her. Rafi Gavron is suitably creepy as a talent manager who knows which buttons to push, manipulating both Ally and Jack; Andrew Dice Clay portrays Ally's dad, a former "crooner." Concert footage is exceptional, exciting and guaranteed to sell soundtracks; this is, of course, the best film musical since "Chicago." One of this year's best films.

R: Language throughout, some sexuality/nudity and substance abuse -- Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 (includes XD), Movies 16 (includes XD) and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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Unbroken 2: Path to Redemption

Haunted by nightmares of his horrific experiences, World War II hero Louis Zamperini (played by Samuel Hunt) meets and married Cynthia Applewhite (Merrit Patterson). Zamperini's personal demons soon threaten to destroy his marriage -- until he hears the stirring words of the Rev. Billy Graham in 1949. Embracing his newfound Christian faith, Louis starts to turn his life around by learning to forgive his former oppressors and spreading the message of peace and love.

PG-13: Thematic content and related disturbing images -- Movies 16.

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Venom (3-D/2-D)

A superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character. Directed by Ruben Fleischer. Journalist Eddie Brock (played by Tom Hardy) is trying to take down Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), the notorious and brilliant founder of the Life Foundation, which experiments on symbiotes. While investigating one of Drake's experiments, Eddie's body bonds with an alien symbiote called Venom (voiced by Hardy) -- leaving him with superhuman strength and power as long as they share the same body. Twisted, dark and fueled by rage, Venom tries to control the new and dangerous abilities that Eddie finds so intoxicating. Drake eventually bonds with a symbiote called Riot. Michelle Williams costars as a district attorney and Eddie's girlfriend. Woody Harrelson, Scott Deckert and Michelle Lee lend support.

PG-13: Intense sequences of sci-fi violence -- Premiere Cinemas, Alamo Drafthouse, Tinseltown 17 (includes XD), Movies 16 and Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

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White Boy Rick

Rick Wershe (played by Matthew McConaughey) is a single father struggling to raise two teenagers during the height of the crack epidemic in 1980s Detroit. Wershe sells guns illegally to make ends meet, but soon attracts attention from the FBI. Federal agents convince his son, Rick Jr. (Richie Merritt), to become a teenaged undercover drug informant in exchange for keeping his father out of prison. When young Rick gets in too deep, he finds himself seduced by the lure of easy money and becomes a drug dealer himself.

R: Language throughout, drug content, violence, some sexual references, and brief nudity -- Tinseltown 17.

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Ratings, from one to five stars, and reviews are by A-J Media film critic William Kerns.

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