The Reel World

By Michael Benninger

Mortdecai
“Sophistication has a name.”
Action, Comedy
Starring: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor

In Theatres: January 23

A dapper art dealer accepts an assignment to trot the globe in search of a stolen piece of artwork believed to possess a bank account number linked to a trove of Nazi gold.

Taken 3
“It ends here.”
Thriller, Action
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen

In Theatres: January 9

A former covert agent, framed for his ex-wife’s murder and on the run from the Feds, unleashes his deadly skill-set to find the true killer while also protecting his ever-distressed daughter.

Predestination
“To save the future, he must protect his past.”
Fantasy, Thriller
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor

In Theatres: January 9

With the help of a gifted young apprentice, a distraught time-traveler hunts the mass-murdering bomber who ruined his life and is on the brink of launching his most malicious attack yet.

Blackhat
“We are no longer in control.”
Action, Thriller
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang

In Theatres: January 16

A cyber terrorist with unprecedented power prompts the Chinese and American governments to recruit an imprisoned hacker for a treacherous, transcontinental trek to save civilization.

Son of a Gun
“Everyone gets what they deserve.”
Drama, Action
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Brenton Thwaites, Alicia Vickander

In Theatres: January 16

A hoodlum serving time up for a low-level offense falls under the protection of an infamous convict, who coerces the young man into executing a deadly prison escape in exchange for a role in a robbery of epic proportions.

Escobar: Paradise Lost
“Welcome to the family.”
Thriller, Drama
Starring: Benicio del Toro, Josh Hutcherson, Brady Corbet

In Theatres: January 16

This adaptation of true events tells the story of an innocent Canadian surfer who falls in love with the niece of legendary drug lord Pablo Escobar, and then finds himself waist-deep in Uncle Pablo’s dirty and deadly business.

Spare Parts
“It takes a team to build a dream.”
Family
Starring: Alexa PenaVega, Jamie Lee Curtis, Marisa Tomei

In Theatres: January 16

Armed with only $800 and a heap of old car parts, four Hispanic high school students (with the support of their endearing educator) build a robot that competes head-to-head with the nation’s best in this movie based on actual events.

Strange Magic
“Everyone deserves to be loved.”
Animation, Fantasy
Starring: Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Maya Rudolph

In Theatres: January 23

Fantastical creatures from two very different worlds are puzzled, amused and frightened when they encounter each other for the first time in this magical, music-filled film.

The Boy Next Door
“A moment she couldn’t resist. An obsession he can’t control.”
Thriller
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Kristin Chenoweth, Ryan Guzman

In Theatres: January 23

A newly divorced high school teacher falls for the mysterious student who moves in next door, igniting a passionate affair that quickly devolves into the darkest depths of obsession.

Black Sea
“Brave the deep. Find the gold. Trust no one.”
Thriller, Action
Starring: Jude Law, Scoot McNairy, Tobias Menzies

In Theatres: January 23

An out-of-work submarine captain joins a villainous crew on a quest to recover one of Hitler’s sunken ships - believed to possess a staggering amount of gold - before greed grabs hold of the suddenly rich seamen.

Project Almanac
“Today is better the second time around.”
Fantasy, Thriller
Starring: Jonny Weston, Sofia Black- D’Elia, Amy Landecker

In Theatres: January 30

A group of teens builds a time-travel machine and recklessly romp through their personal pasts, realizing too late that their trivial actions have far-reaching, disastrous consequences that put countless lives in jeopardy.

Black or White
Drama
Starring: Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Ehle

In Theatres: January 30

After losing his wife in a fatal car crash, a wealthy, white widower fights for custody of his African-American granddaughter with the girl’s drug-addled blood relatives.