ANT-MAN AND THE WASP. 2.5 stars. So-so sequel to the funny original has Ant-Man helping Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) rescuing the latter's mother from a subatomic prison, with interference form a crook (Walter Goggins) and a mysterious woman known as Ghost (Hannah Kamen-Hones). Over-plotted, strains for laughs. Michael Pena, Laurence Fishburne. 2 hrs. 5 PG-13 (violence) _ Gary Thompson
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR. 2.5 stars. A heaping 156-minute plate of plot spaghetti, as superheroes and supervillains chase six objects across time and space in a bid to control ultimate power in the universe. Just enough moments of humor to keep things watchable, but the movie is overcrowded with Avengers (Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chadwick Boseman, and others) and subplots and the movie feels like a comedown after Black Panther. 2 hrs. 36 PG-13 (language) _ Gary Thompson
BOUNDARIES. 2 stars. A harried woman (Vera Farmiga) agrees to go on a cross-California trip with her toxic, selfish father (Christopher Plummer), unaware that the "retired" pot dealer is secretly on a drug run. Quirky but resolutely predictable, and Plummer seems miscast as a West Coast hippie. With Kristen Schaal, Bobby Canavale. 1 hr. 44 R (language) _ Gary Thompson
DAMSEL. 2.5 stars. In Old West Oregon, an ardent groom (Robert Pattinson) heads into the wilderness looking for his bride-to-be (Mia Wasikowska) in a wacky Zellner brothers western that seeks to overturn damsel-in-distress cliches. Beautifully shot, but full of anachronisms that leave the movie stranded between a pre-feminist Then and a hipster Now. With Robert Forster. 1 hr. 53 R (violence) _ Gary Thompson
DEADPOOL 2. 3 stars. More darkly comic adventures about a superhero (Ryan Reynolds) who can't die, but sometimes wants to. Also more rapid-fire, snarky R-rated jokes and movie buff in-jokes, with more attention paid this time to physical comedy and inventive stunts (courtesy director David Leitch, a former stuntman). With Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, Julian Dennison 2 hrs. R (violence) _ Gary Thompson
THE DEATH OF STALIN. 3.5 stars. Writer-director Armando Iannucci's caustic black comedy is set in 1953, in the days surrounding the death of the murderous Soviet tyrant, but the scramble for power depicted, with its competing factions and "false narratives," is very much in tune with the craven political age of alternative facts and fake news. The deft comic cast includes Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Michael Palin and Jason Isaacs. 1 hr. 44 R (language, violence) _ Gary Thompson
THE FIRST PURGE. 2 stars. In this prequel to the popular if depraved franchise, the near-future fascist government holds its inaugural purge event, when citizens can commit crime with impugnity for 12 hours. This time, the focus is on a cynical, sadistic attempt to target a housing project. With Y'lan Noel, Marisa Tomei. 1 hr. 37 R (violence) _ Gary Thompson
FIRST REFORMED. 3.5 stars. Engrossing story of a bored, despairing country preacher (Ethan Hawke) who is spiritually awakened when called upon to counsel a young parishioner (Phillip Ettinger) who is considering an act of environmental terrorism, to the alarm of his wife (Amanda Seyfried). Uncommonly well-written by director Paul Schrader, and well acted by Hawke, Ettinger and a cast that includes Cedric the Entertainer. 1 hr. R (violence) _ Gary Thompson
HEARTS BEAT LOUD. 3 stars. Low-key charmer about a failed musician the owner (Nick Offerman) of failing Brooklyn vinyl record store whose informal jam sessions with his college-bound daughter (Kiersey Clemons) accidentally yield a Spotify hit, reviving dormant dreams that conflict with his daughter's plans. The plot seems hard to believe, until your hear Clemons sing. With Blythe Danner, Toni Collette and Ted Danson. 1 hr. 37 PG-13 (language) _ Gary Thompson
INCREDIBLES 2. 3 stars. Worthwhile sequel to Brad Bird's 204 Pixar animated hit about a family of superheroes discouraged from using their power. This time, mom (Holly Hunter) confronts a villain as part of a PR campaign to bolster superheroes, while dad (Craig T. Nelson) is stuck at home with the kids. Decent blend of action and comedy, but the movie is a visual marvel, and the throwback music (from Michael Giachinno) is a treat. 1 hr. 58 PG _ Gary Thompson
ISLE OF DOGS. 3 stars. Droll stop-motion animation from Wes Anderson about a Japanese boy looking for his pet on an island full of trash and banished dogs. A bit of a shaggy dog tale, but the craftsmanship is first-rate. Featuring the voices of Bryan Cranston, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton and Liev Schreiber. 1 hr. 32 PG-13 _ Gary Thompson
JURASSIC PARK: FALLEN KINGDOM. 2.5 stars. James Cromwell pays Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt to rescue dinosaurs about to be destroyed in a volcanic eruption, and after many twists and turns, they all end up in a gothic castle imperiled by a genetically engineered super-predator. Humans are on the menu, but this sequel feels more like an appetizer than a full meal. With Jeff Goldblum, Toby Jones, B.D. Wong and Rafe Spall. 2 hrs. 9 PG-13 (violence) _ Gary Thompson
THE KING. 1.5 stars. Dead-end documentary from Eugene Jarecki, who sets out in one of Elvis Presley's old cars on a road trip link the decline of Elvis to the decline of America. Example of a film seeking to prove a pre-existing point, rather than proceed with an open mind. Input from Ethan Hawke, Alec Baldwin and Mike Myers. 1 hr. 49 R (language) _ Gary Thompson
LEAVE NO TRACE. 3 stars. Debra Granik's absorbing story, loosely based on fact, of a veteran (Ben Foster) found living, rather successfully, in the woods with his daughter (Thomasin McKenzie), and the efforts of Oregon officials to find a suitable home for them. Well-acted by McKenzie and Foster, and lyrically told by Granik. 1 hr. 49 PG _ Gary Thompson
RBG. 3 stars. Brisk, informative, often moving documentary about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, at its best when recounting her remarkable biography, and the successful legal arguments she has made to advance women's rights in the United States. With Gloria Steinem. Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen. 1 hr. 37 PG _ Gary Thompson
SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLADADO. 3 stars. South of the border, an assassin and covert agent (Benicio Del Toro) tries to salvage the life of a teen (Isabella Moner) caught up in a war among drug cartels and human traffickers. Indulges in ultra-violent and inflammatory exploitation, though Del Toro manages to make something compelling from his character's grisly story arc. With Josh Brolin. Written by Taylor Sheridan. 2 hrs. 2 R (violence) _ Gary Thompson
SKYSCRAPER. 2 stars. Dwayne Johnson in a Die-Hard, uh, homage, about a building security expert who enters a burning tower to save his wife (Neve Campbell) and kids and deal with a bunch of armed bad guys. Decent action, if you can get past the silly script. 1 hr. 42 PG-13 (violence) _ Gary Thompson
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. 2.5 stars Director Ron Howard took over for Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and the change in leadership is sometimes reflected in the uncertain tone of the movie, which aims to recapture the spirit of the original trilogy while telling the origin story of Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich). Once the movie picks up steam, though, Howard keeps the action-serial momentum going, and fans get a fuller accounting of events mentioned in the first trilogy. Also, Han meets Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), and Lando (Donald Glover). Co-starring Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson and Thandie Newton. 2 hrs. 23 PG-13 (violence) _ Gary Thompson
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. 3 stars. Wild comedy from rapper/activist Boots Riley about a phones sales worker (Lakeith Stanfield) who personal success puts him in conflict with other employees who want to unionize. Not all the crazy ideas work, but there are enough to sustain the movie. With Danny Glover, Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer. 1 hr. 49 R (language) _ Gary Thompson
UNCLE DREW. 2.5 stars. There is occasional bounce to this genial basketball comedy based on the Kyrie Irving Pepsi commercials about a 70-year-old playground legend (Irving), here rounding up a crew of old-timers (Shaquille O'Neal, Reggie Miller) to compete in a Harlem tournament against younger players. Lil Rel Howery is there desperate coach and manager. Tiffany Haddish, Nick Kroll. 1 hr. 43 PG-13 (language) _ Gary Thompson
WHITNEY. 3.5 stars. Remarkable, revelatory documentary of Whitney Houston, bolstered by candid contributions from her inner circle, with insight into her music, family troubles, sexuality, and fatal descent into addiction. Directed by Kevin Macdonald, with input from Cissy Houston and Kevin Costner, among many others. 2 hrs. 1 No MPAA rating _ Gary Thompson
