32 Sounds. This innovative, instructive documentary looks at 32 sounds, how they're created and heard, and why they affect our lives. Unrated. (Ross). Grade: A.
Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. The latest installment in the Monsterverse franchise pits King Kong and Godzillla against a hidden threat that could destroy the world. It was not screened in time for Ground Zero deadlines. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe).
Io Capitano. “Io Capitano” is a powerfully crafted depiction of a harrowing journey by a pair of African teenagers trying to get to a better life in Europe. Unrated. (Ross). Grade: A.
In the Land of Saints and Sinners. Liam Neeson is an Irishman with a secret identity battling a group of terrorists in this thriller that was not screened in advance for critics. R. (Grand, Edgewood).
The Arc of Oblivion. This thought-provoking documentary examines the need to archive in an impermanent world by traveling around the globe to "archives" while an ark is built in Maine. Unrated. (Ross). Grade: A.
Arthur the King. Mark Wahlberg stars in this based-on-a-true-story film about an endurance racer and his dog, Arthur, that is standard, inspirational dog movie fare. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, SouthPointe). Grade: C+.
Cabrini. This biopic about Francesca Cabrini, the Catholic missionary who arrived in the U.S. in 1889 and eventually established enough schools, orphanages and hospitals to form a charitable empire, raises the bar on faith-based films. PG-13. (Edgewood).Grade: B+.
The Chosen: Season 4 Episodes 4-6. The television series about the life of Christ returns to the big screen for Easter weekend. It was not screened for critics. Not rated. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe).
Dune: Part Two. Director Denis Villeneuve's sequel is a spectacular feat of science-fiction filmmaking, marrying immersive world-building with engrossing storytelling. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood). PG-13. Grade: A.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The Spengler family returns to the iconic New York City firehouse to team up with the original Ghostbusters to take busting ghosts to the next level in this comedy fantasy action sequel. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: C+.
Imaginary. A stuffed bear turns sinister the more a little girl plays with him in this overwrought, too-busy, rarely scary horror movie. PG-13. (Grand, SouthPointe). Grade: C.
Immaculate. Director Michael Mohan and star Sydney Sweeney reteam for this lurid, unholy, uneven horror film about a virginal nun who becomes pregnant at an Italian monastery. R. (Grand, East Park). Grade: B.
Kung Fu Panda 4. Panda Po and a thieving fox team up to battle a shape-shifting lizard in the reliably funny fourth installment of the animated series. PG. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B.
Late Night with the Devil. The third feature from Australian siblings Colin and Cameron Cairnes kicks up a notch their flair for bringing novel twists to familiar genre tropes by positing occult mayhem during a live broadcast of a 1970s network talk show. R. (Grand). Grade: B.
Love Lies Bleeding. This pulpy, erotic crime thriller starring Kristen Stewart as a gym manager in love with a bodybuilder is all sex, drugs, violence and bad wigs, held together by Stewart's performance. R. (Grand). Grade: B+.
One Life. Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn play the "British Schindler" in this solid film about the stockbroker who led efforts to rescue Czech children from the Nazis. PG. (Ross). Grade: B.
Snack Shack. This coming-of-age sex comedy tells the story of randy Xennials in 1991 Nebraska City settles itself in a tradition of teenage hedonism and broad learning opportunities, creating a generic but warm glow. R. (Grand). Grade: B.
The best movies of 2024 so far
The best movies of 2024 so far
#5. The Settlers
#4. Inshallah a Boy
#3. Pictures of Ghosts
#1. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell
#2. Totem
Reach the writer at 402-473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com. On Twitter @KentWolgamott