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If you're looking for an in-depth, warts-and-all biopic about the King of Pop, keep looking. If you want a slick, entertaining reenactment of some great music, then "Michael" is the movie for you. Jaafar Jackson is fine portraying his famous uncle Michael Jackson in this family-sanctioned overview of the first 20 years of Jackson's career. The movie seesaws between Jackson's relationship with his abusive dad, played by Coleman Domingo, and his electric stage performances. Keep your expectations low and the volume on high. From "The Most Dangerous Game" to "The Hunt,” there have been a lot of movies about humans hunting humans. The newest entry in this subgenre is the Netflix thriller, "Apex." Oscar-winner Charlize Theron plays an adventurer on a solo outing in the remote Australian wilderness who becomes the target of a deranged hunter, played by Taron Egerton. Director Baltasar Kormakur puts his stars through the ringer as he stages some impressive action sequences in this cat-and-mouse action flick. While more than competent, "Apex" has a grisly ugliness that can be a bit hard to stomach. “Desert Warrior” is a historical action flick that desperately wants to be “Lawrence of Arabia,” but falls somewhat short. Anthony Mackie plays a bandit who aids a princess caught between warring tribes in 7th century Arabia. It’s well made but uninspired. “Fuze” is a taut, twisty British caper movie. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James and Sam Worthington star in a thriller about thieves who use the discovery of an unexploded WWII-era bomb in London’s Paddington district as a distraction for an elaborate bank heist. “Fuze” won’t light any fires but is a zippy bit of escapism.

The grisly body horror flick "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" owes a lot more to "The Exorcist" than Boris Karloff or Brendan Fraser. A little girl goes missing and, eight years later, she's discovered to be alive and possessed by an ancient Egyptian demon. There are some effectively scary moments, but the movie is overlong and over reliant on gruesome makeup effects. Writer/director Lee Cronin had success reviving the “Evil Dead” franchise, but this one should have remained buried. Let's hope it’s a wrap on this version of The Mummy. If you want to see two brilliant actors go toe-to-toe, the sly comedy "The Christophers" is the movie for you. Sir Ian McKellen and Michaela Cole star in the tale of a once famous painter now living as a virtual hermit who makes a little cash doing personalized Cameo videos. The painter’s estranged children hire a woman to pose as his assistant and forge his unfinished paintings so that they can sell them upon his death. James Corden and Jessica Gunning are effectively churlish as the offspring. Director Stephen Soderberg continues to expand his reach with “The Christophers,” a funny, smart and engaging movie. It's good to try to find something positive in even the worst movies, but there's nothing remotely redeeming in the criminally atrocious Amazon Prime comedy, "Balls Up." Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser play employees of a condom company who ruin a World Cup soccer game in Brazil and go on the run from angry fans. Not only is it not funny, but it’s also intended to offend. “Balls Up” is certainly successful on that count. Director Peter Farrelly should have his Oscar for "Green Day" revoked.

The latest cinematic treatment of Shakespeare's "Hamlet' tries an interesting new angle, placing the action among the Southeast Asian community of contemporary London. Riz Ahmed gives a strong performance in the title role, and fine turns are provided by Morfydd Clark as Ophelia, Timothy Spall as Polonius and Art Malik as Claudius. But some of the power of The Bard's poetry is lost when rushed or mumbled to give it a more edgy feel. This "Hamlet" is a respectable mixed bag. Keanu Reeves stars in a caustic Hollywood sendup, the Apple TV satire, "Outcome." Reeves plays Reef Hawk, a movie star who is being blackmailed by strangers with an incriminating video tape. His best friends played by Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer, offer moral support but no answers. Reef turns to his crisis lawyer, played by Jonah Hill who also wrote and directed this black comedy, who instructs him to apologize to everyone he may have offended over the years. While it's sometimes very funny and hits some deserving showbiz targets, it paints a bleak picture that's frankly uncomfortable to watch. "Outcome" is like George Clooney’s recent flick "Jay Kelly," but with a meaner edge. Does the Netflix thriller "Thrash" qualify for "So bad, it's good?" status? Even though this “’Jaws’ meets ‘Hurricane’” mashup has many laughable moments, the answer is decidedly, "No." Phoebe Dynevor and Djimon Hounsou star in the tale of a storm surge that pushes ravenous sharks far inland. The man-eaters terrorize the residents of a storm drenched coastal community. "Thrash" is no "Sharknado." It’s better than that camp classic, but not as funny. “Thrash” just bites.

In 2023, the animated comedy "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" took in over a billion dollars at the box office and became the biggest video game adaptation ever. Naturally, a sequel has arrived. "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" offers more of the same. Same players, same game inspired goofiness and the same strengths and weaknesses. Once again, the intrepid Italian plumbers are called upon to save Princess Peach from Bowser and his son Bowser, Jr. The visuals are duly impressive, but the plot of “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” may evaporate from your memory faster than a Mario power-up. The scenario of "The Drama" is designed to make you squirm. On that count, it's very successful. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson play a couple who learn very uncomfortable truths about each other on the cusp of their wedding. Writer/director Kristoffer Borgli examines some very intriguing themes and the players are fine, including Alana Haim in a pivotal supporting role. But there may be moments while watching the excruciating movie “The Drama” that you'll want to scream, "Hey, people, get some counseling!" The well produced faith-based historical drama "A Great Awakening" tells the story of the Calvinist preacher George Whitefield, his friendship with Benjamin Franklin and his effect on the American Revolution that occurred in tandem with an evangelical revival. Jonathan Blair as Whitefield and John Paul Sneed as Franklin give earnest performances in this impassioned biopic. While it glosses over some of controversial aspects of Whitefield's life and his debatable positions, it's a thoughtful, well-acted and sometimes moving account aimed at a receptive Christian audience.

The story of acclaimed French writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol is depicted through animation in the unconventional biopic, "A Magnificent Life." Directed by Sylvain Chomet of “The Triplets of Bellville” fame, it’s a colorful overview of Pagnol’s life, from his childhood through his adult years focusing on his artistic and commercial successes…and failures. While mildly interesting, “A Magnificent Life” lacks the passion of any of Pagnol's classic movies. The extremely raw and edgy R-rated documentary "Andre is an Idiot" was the audience winner at this year's Sundance Film Festival. It's easy to see why. A free-spirited iconoclast named André Ricciardi decides to make a documentary of his battle with terminal colon cancer. He and his family and friends handle it with a lot of raw humor...and a bit of denial. “Andre is an Idiot” is cleverly made and surprisingly touching given how utterly irreverent and profane it is. The Hulu time-travel action comedy "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice" fails to live up to the promise of its intriguing premise. Vince Vaughn plays Nick, a mob enforcer who inadvertently hitches a ride in a time machine and winds up trying to save his wife Eiza Gonzales and fellow mobster James Marsden from being killed...by an earlier version of himself. The timeline gets twisted into knots and the bloody violence and crude humor quickly gets tiresome. The talented cast members try hard, but they are essentially wasted. If you wind up watching “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice,” you may wish you could go back in time and skip it.

You can have all the great special effects and cute aliens you can muster, but without the charisma and star power of Ryan Gosling, the sci-fi opus "Project Hail Mary" would drift aimlessly into space. Gosling plays a science teacher who reluctantly becomes an astronaut and attempts to save our sun from a bizarre destructive force. While in deep space, he encounters an unlikely ally. While it's overlong and repetitive, "Project Hail Mary" is still an engaging crowd pleaser. Rose Byrne stars in the comic drama "Tow," the true story of a homeless woman trying to rebuild her life. Things took a hellish turn when the vehicle she was sleeping in was towed and she endured a long and excruciating legal fight to reclaim it. While it deals with serious issues, "Tow" takes a lighter tone with its treatment of David vs. Goliath social themes. There are family films and then there are movies for the kids only. "The Pout-Pout Fish" falls into the latter category. It's a harmless animated tale based on the picture books by Deborah Diesen about a depressed fish who discovers his cheery side after an adventure with a cute sea dragon. Toddlers may smile. Parents may snooze. "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man" is a Netflix feature film that’s a continuation of the popular series. Cillian Murphy is back as Tommy Shelby, the gang leader suffering from spiritual despair, who is forced out of retirement to reclaim his place as head of his gypsy crime family and save Britain from a Nazi threat. It's a good thing that those criminals are so darn patriotic. Terrific performers and solid British production values elevate this WWII era melodrama.

"Cohorts," the loyal followers of bestselling author Colleen Hoover, have been anxiously awaiting the cinematic adaptation of her latest novel, "Reminders of Him." They likely won't be disappointed. Maika Monroe gives a strong performance as a young woman recently released from prison after serving time for involuntary manslaughter. She returns to her hometown in hopes of meeting her daughter who was taken from her at birth and begins a romantic relationship with bar owner Tariq Withers. “Reminders of Him” is as predictable, calculated and manipulative as you might expect, but the committed cast is solid. Bring the Kleenex. The horror entry "Undertone" is billed as "The Scariest Movie You'll Ever Hear." That's because the gimmick is its unique audio approach. Nina Kiri plays one of the hosts of a podcast about the paranormal. She begins losing her grip on reality when listening to ghastly audio mysteriously sent to her co-host. "Undertone" is the very definition of "slow burn"...but in this case it's too slow. Granted, “Undertone” builds to a creep-inducing climax but takes too long to get there. Take an Army training drama and throw in invading Transformer-style robots from outer space, and you have the new Netflix action thriller, "War Machine." Alan Ritchson from TV's "Reacher" plays an Army Staff Sergeant training for an elite Army Ranger regiment. During a training exercise, an alien machine begins killing off the recruits. The whole thing is pretty silly and there's a lot of R-rated carnage. Still, there may be just enough action and mayhem in "War Machine" to appeal to your inner 13-year-old.

Even second-rate Pixar is better than most other animated features. The latest offering from the renowned studio is "Hoppers," a unique sci-fi fantasy about a rebellious girl whose mind is transplanted into a robotic beaver in an attempt to save a pristine glade from the bulldozers of shortsighted developers. Excellent animation, sharp voice work and a thoughtful screenplay elevate “Hoppers,” which should hop right to the top of the U.S. box office. The pro-environmental message comes through loud and clear, but the kids will only care about the wacky characters and zippy action. It may be a bit too scary for the younger kids, but "Hoppers" still has the warmth family audiences crave. As the saying goes, you're only as good as you dare to be bad. Give writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal credit because she dared, but "The Bride!," her gonzo take on "The Bride of Frankenstein," is a cinematic horror...and not in a good way. Credit also to the brave, powerhouse performances from Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley, but their efforts are in service of a mismatched conglomeration of ideas that are as patchy as Bale's stitched-up monster. Don’t get hitched to this bride. Milla Jovovich, cinema's queen of backside kickers, is back in "Protector," a truly terrible action movie that plays like a gender switch on Liam Neeson's "Taken." Milla plays a former Special Ops soldier with a very particular set of skills whose daughter is kidnapped by human traffickers. It's sleazy, bloody with klutzy dialogue that even skilled actors couldn't save. Plus, it’s got a climatic twist that produces more groans than surprises. Protect your wallet and skip "Protector."

If you don't know what the term BDSM refers to, then the comic drama "Pillion" may not be for you. Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling star in the very...I repeat, very...adult story of a dominant biker and his submissive partner. While it's well written and smartly acted, much of the content of this R-rated movie pushes it close to the NC-17 designation. Still, for open-minded viewers, the unconventional romance “Pillion” is an empathetic portrait of an unusual relationship. Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain stars in the dark and unpleasant drama, "Dreams." She plays a socialite having a steamy affair with a much younger, very talented Mexican ballet dancer played by Isaac Hermandez. The fact that he's an illegal alien is only one of the numerous problems this couple faces.The immigration theme in “Dreams” is top-of-mind, but the movie is undermined by unlikeable characters and...here we go again...some unusually graphic sex scenes. The Amazon Prime movie "The Bluff" is a throwback action swashbuckler starring Priyanka Chopra and Karl Urban set in waning days of Caribbean piracy, the late 19th century. Chopra plays a former pirate known as Bloody Mary hiding out with her family on one of the remote Cayman Islands A rival pirate played by Urban, once her mentor, seeks her out. When he discovers her whereabouts, he takes revenge on her for stealing his stolen treasure. This ain't your Disney pirate adventure, folks. "The Bluff" is a violent R-rated thriller that delivers the action but suffers a bit from its sketchy dialogue and bloody, over-the-top mayhem.

The black comedy thriller "How to Make a Killing" is inspired by the classic 1949 British film, "Kind Hearts and Coronets." But this version isn't quite sure what it wants to be. Glen Powell stars as an heir to a vast fortune who's been disowned by his callous family. He plots to bump off all his relatives who stand in the way of his inheritance. The audience is challenged to root for a guy who's obviously ethically challenged and Powell's charisma is a big help in that department. It's modestly funny, but the tone shifts in “How to Make a Killing” are so jarring that it may give audiences a case of whiplash. As a companion piece to his 2022 hit "Elvis," director Baz Luhrmann offers his first documentary, the concert film, "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert." Using previously unseen footage stored in a Kansas salt mine, Luhrmann creates a hybrid film that mixes concerts, rehearsals, press conferences and backstage footage into a riveting showcase. For the uninitiated, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” demonstrates why Presley was such a dynamic and popular performer. Paul McCartney's traumatic post-Beatles years are the focus of the involving Amazon Prime documentary, "Man on the Run.” It serves as a companion to McCartney's new book about his time with Wings. Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville skillfully sorts through a ton of footage to assemble a thoughtful look at both the considerable misfires as well as the tremendous successes McCartney experienced in the 1970s. Interviews with McCartney, his family as well as folks like Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde and Sean Lennon, make “Man on the Run” an enlightening and entertaining overview.

"Crime 101" is a slick and engaging thriller featuring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo. Hemsworth portrays a jewel thief who is emotionally conflicted and determined to complete one final heist. Guided by a personal code of ethics, his character refuses to harm anyone and targets only insurance companies with his schemes. The film's impressive supporting cast includes Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro and Nick Nolte who all contribute to the film’s strong ensemble dynamic. Bart Layton, a British documentary filmmaker, brings surprisingly taut and effective direction, allowing "Crime 101" to remain engaging even when the plot stretches believability. “Crime 101” is an entertaining action throwback. The animated sports comedy "Goat" is from producer Steph Curry, who also lends his voice to one of the characters. The story centers on a young goat who dreams of competing in "Roarball," an intense and dangerous version of full-contact basketball. The film boasts a talented voice cast, including Caleb McGlaughlin from “Stranger Things,” David Harbour, Jennifer Hudson, Jelly Roll, and Gabrielle Union. "Goat" is a predictable, but family-friendly bit of escapism. "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" is a high-concept, sci-fi comedy that combines the time-loop antics of "Groundhog Day" with the energy of "Terminator." Sam Rockwell stars as a time traveler who repeatedly journeys back from the future, attempting to save humanity from the impending threat of artificial intelligence. Director Gore Verbinski seems to draw inspiration from the eccentric style of the Oscar-winning “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The result is a smart and wildly imaginative film, even if it sometimes struggles with pacing and knowing when to wrap things up.

First world problems plague a pop star in the unpredictable mockumentary "The Moment." Charlie XCX plays a fictionalized version of herself in the story of her preparations for a concert and tour. While not a comedy per se, it pokes fun at the whole "Brat" phenomenon and satirizes pop stardom. “The Moment” is an interesting experiment more than a satisfying movie and features surprisingly little music. Those sensitive to flashing light, steer clear. French director Luc Besson offers his offbeat take on "Dracula." Caleb Landry Jones is impressive as the cursed vampire who spends centuries searching for his lost love. Besson's opulent, operatic approach is visually engaging, but the movie is overlong and peppered with unintentionally funny moments. "Dracula" doesn't exactly suck, but it isn't a full-blooded horror, either. Perhaps the best thing you can say about the Angel Studios romantic comedy "Solo Mio" is that it's harmless. Kevin James plays a middle-aged schoolteacher who travels to Rome with his fiancée, only to be jilted at the altar. Will he ever find love again? Everything about the script is utterly phony, but the photogenic Italian scenery gives "Solo Mio" a minor boost. The main things wrecked in the Amazon Prime action comedy "The Wrecking Crew" are cars, motorcycles, helicopters, property...and logic. Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa play estranged half-brothers who are forced to work together to solve the mystery of their father’s death. The action is relentless, and the Hawaiian scenery is "nani." But the lapse of plot coherence in “The Wrecking Crew” wrecks any real sense of peril.

The latest Jason Statham thriller "Shelter" provides exactly what you'd expect. It's packed with over-the-top action and ridiculous implausibilities. Statham is a disgraced special ops agent hiding out on a remote Scottish island who's forced back into action to protect an innocent preteen girl, well played by Bodhi Ray Breathnach. The action gets more elaborate and sillier as the movie progresses, but director Rick Roman Waugh puts the pedal to the metal and doesn’t let logic get in the way. Don't roll your eyes too much while watching “Shelter,” or you'll miss some decent stunt work. Omar Epps and Wiz Khalifa lead the cast of the morose and violent crime drama "Moses the Black." Serbian writer/director Yelena Popovic attempts to juxtapose a modern story about a Chicago gang leader recently released from prison with that of the martyred Ethiopian saint from the fourth century. Epps is saddled with the responsibility of staring endlessly into void while supposedly seeing visions of the saint who turned from a life of crime to a life of asceticism. “Moses the Black” is bleak, awkward and as subtle as a sledgehammer. Just when you think that you might not be able to bear another Marvel TV offering, Disney+ presents the unique and involving 8-part series, "Wonder Man." Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays a struggling actor who is saddled with superpowers that are hard to control. He must hide his outlawed abilities in order to make it in Hollywood. Ben Kingsley plays a fellow actor who may or may not offer support. Often funny and refreshing, "Wonder Man" is a knowing and engaging satire of both Hollywood and superhero cliches.

Artificial Intelligence is once again the antagonist in the sci-fi thriller, "Mercy." Set in the crime-ridden near future, Chris Pratt plays a detective on trial for his wife's murder. He has 90 minutes to convince an A.I. judge, played by Rebecca Ferguson, of his innocence. While it gets a bit goofy and stretches credibility to the limit, “Mercy" gets to its over-the-top climax in an entertaining manner. The gentle British drama "H is for Hawk" is based on an acclaimed memoir. Claire Foy plays naturalist Helen Macdonald who spent a year training a goshawk. She used the experience to cope with the death of her father and her own clinical depression. “H is for Hawk” is relatable, thanks to Foy's performance, but never quite soars. Another strong performance from Maika Monroe can't save the depressing crime thriller, "In Cold Light." Monroe plays a drug dealer recently released from prison who wants back in the game but comes into conflict with mobsters and crooked cops. Good guys are hard to find here. "In Cold Light” is a little too cold and a little too calculated. The two-part HBO Max documentary "Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man" is a funny, loving and sometimes critical look at life of the legendary comedian and filmmaker from director/interviewer Judd Apatow. Brooks, who is both revered and reviled for his low-brow comedies like "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein" is a natural performer who may not always be candid in his interviews, but he's always entertaining. A lineup of famous comics shares their adoration, and some family members share their criticism. Overall, “Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man” is a worthwhile overview of a remarkable life.

It’s double feature time for fans of stalwart actor Ralph Fiennes. "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" is the fourth installment in the horror series about a zombie infection. Fiennes plays a doctor who confronts human evil worse than that exhibited by the zombies. While gripping, well-made and genuinely scary, its graphic and sadistic violence approaches the level of torture porn. Fiennes pops up again in a movie that couldn't be more different. In the gentle comic drama "The Choral," he plays a conductor in a small English village mounting an amateur performance of the Edward Elgar piece “The Dream of Gerontius” while struggling with the challenges of WWI. “The Choral” is well crafted, but very lightweight. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck team up once again for the taut and intense Netflix crime thriller, "The Rip." Inspired by a true story but highly fictionalized, it's about a team of Miami drug agents who stumble upon a stash of $20 million in cartel drug money. The discovery sews distrust between the agents as they are forced to decide what to do with the cash, resulting in a lot of violence and intrigue. Fans of the genre will enjoy the action of “The Rip,” as well as the challenge of figuring out who the good guys are...if there are any. In the bizarre true story "Dead Man's Wire," Bill Skarsgård plays a troubled man who took a bank executive hostage over a disputed mortgage issue, forcing the media to cover the standoff. In a bit of stunt casting, “Dog Day Afternoon” star Al Pacino shows up in a supporting role. While it generates a certain level of tension, this thriller from filmmaker Gus Van Sant is really a sober study of utter desperation.