The Darkest Minds (Rated PG-13)
Following a plague, 10-year-old Ruby (Amandla Stenberg)—along with the 2% of humanity that manages to survive—exhibits special powers. Subsequently imprisoned in a secure camp, Ruby conceals her mind-control abilities in order to avoid a death sentence. Mandy Moore portrays a sympathetic camp doctor who conspires to place Ruby (now 16) with the outlaw League of Children. But when Ruby learns the league’s true agenda, she flees, along with Liam Stewart (Harris Dickinson) and two others. Having fallen in love, Ruby and Liam are pursued by ruthless bounty hunter Lady Jane (Gwendoline Christie). The Darkest Minds is the first of a four-book series from Alexandra Bracken; in casting charismatic Stenberg (Rue from The Hunger Games), Fox Studios scores a coup for the YA film franchise.
Christopher Robin (Rated PG)
Winnie the Pooh is re-imagined for this live-action romp. Now all “growed up” and living in London, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) is a workaholic husband and dad. Using a magic tree from the 100 Acre Woods as a portal, a walking, talking, stuffed Pooh bear arrives to rescue his old friend. Sweet and relentlessly sentimental, this chapter bets adults are eager to revisit gentle Pooh, bouncy Tigger and cautious Piglet with their own kids in tow. Judging by the film’s trailer, the strategy is honey. Oh Bother!
The Spy Who Dumped Me (Rated R)
When her missing boyfriend shows up claiming he’s a CIA agent saving the world, Audrey (Mila Kunis) and bestie Morgan (Kate McKinnon) join his cause. The film fancies itself a sister-power action flick topped off with jokes. Generic set pieces fly thick and fast, but their over-the-top quantity lacks quality and prevents us from bonding with these thinly drawn characters. McKinnon delivers delightful facial expressions and body language, but real laughs are rare. Frequent accidents by the opposition mean the gals live to fight another day, but it isn’t the stuff to make us long for a sequel.
