ADRIFT. 1 star. Dead in the water sea-faring adventure/survival yarn, based on a true story, about a couple (Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin) sailing across the Pacific when a storm disables the boat and causes serious injury. A nice-looking movie, but the love-story chemistry between the two leads is poor. 2 hrs. 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
BOOK CLUB. 2 stars. Tepid comedy about four women (Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen) who read "Fifty Shades of Grey" and are inspired to re-introduce passion to their lives, with mixed and purportedly comic results. With Don Johnson, Craig T. Nelson, Richard Dreyfuss, Ed Begley Jr. and Wallace Shawn. 1 hr. 44 PG-13 (language) _ 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
DISOBEDIENCE. 2.5 stars. When a secular woman (Rachel Weisz) returns to her London orthodox neighborhood to attend the funeral of her rabbi father, the resurfacing forbidden passions spell trouble for the marriage of the rabbi's heir apparent (Alessandro Nivola). Soapy story elements clash with the movie's serious minded approach. With Rachel McAdams. 1 hr. 50 R (nudity) _ 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
GOTTI. 1.5 stars. John Travolta headlines in this movie biography of the infamous "Teflon Don" John Gotti, his ruthless rise to power, his complicated relationship with his worshipful son (Spencer Rocco Lofranco), who comes to decide he does not want "the life." The movie is evasive on Gotti's criminal record, and unevenly directed by Kevin Connolly, who turns into a jumble of ideas borrowed form other, better mob pictures. 1 hr. 44 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
LIFE OF THE PARTY. 2 stars. Mostly a misfire for Melissa McCarthy, starring in this one as a prim homemaker who cuts loose on campus after her husband files for divorce and she decides to re-enroll in college, studying alongside her daughter. WIth Maya Rudolph, Jacki Weaver, Stephen Root. Directed by Ben Falcone. 1 hr. 45 PG-13 (language) _ Gary Thompson
RGB. 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
THE SEAGULL. 2.5 stars. Clipped-wing version of the Anton Chekhov play shortens the drama, with mixed results. Annette Bening has a showcase role as Irina, a famous actress who owns the country estate where misdirected passions and unrequited love cause tragicomic problems during the summer season. Some nice scenes for Bening and a few for Saoirse Ronan, but there is disappointingly little left for some of the high-profile supporting players, like Elisabeth Moss. 1 hr. 36. 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
UPGRADE. 2.5 stars. Hampered a bit by a low budget, but there are some decent updates to old formula in this sci-fi actioner about a paralyzed man (Logan Marshall-Green) whose mobility is restored and improved by an AI implant that also makes him omniscient and super-agile, tools that come in handy as he avenges the attack that disabled him. Written and directed by Leigh Whannell. 1 hr. 40 R (violence) _ Gary Thompson
